Chapter 2

2.

It was the first time I'd ever heard her say something so cruel.

Growing up, she was always harsh, but whenever I felt sick, she would use her blood to stabilize me.

I thought she was just one of those people who acted tough but had a soft heart.

I really believed that after all these years, she loved me back.

Now, I realized I was living a lie.

The stabbing pain in my chest intensified, forcing me to stumble back a few steps.

I gripped the edge of the bar, my hands shaking as I reached into my bag for my meds.

The pills were meant to help with the episodes, but I rarely used them.

Usually, Niana's blood acted as a miracle cure with no side effects.

This was the first time I didn't want to rely on her.

But the more I panicked, the clumsier I became.

I fumbled the bottle, and the pills scattered across the floor like tiny white beads.

My legs gave out, and I slammed onto the hard floor.

A nearby server gasped, "Hey, are you okay?"

Through the haze of pain, I saw Niana's eyes lock onto mine.

She frowned and rushed over, her face twisted in anger.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

Her first instinct wasn't to help, but to scold.

She had always forbidden me from coming to places like this, claiming the smoke and noise would kill me.

Now I knew the real reason―she just didn't want me catching her with other guys.

I didn't say a word, pinching the skin on my thigh as hard as I could to stay conscious.

Niana bit her finger, drawing blood, and tried to shove it toward my mouth.

"Drink it. Now."

Normally, I would have obeyed her like a puppy, but this time I clamped my jaw shut and turned away.

Why should a walking corpse like me bother her anymore?

"Gabe Lowell, stop being a brat! What is wrong with you?"

Niana gripped my chin, trying to force the blood down my throat.

But I had no strength left.

The world went black, and I spiraled into the void.

When I finally woke up, I was back in my own bed.

My mom was sitting there, looking worried sick as she grabbed my hand.

"Sweetie, are you feeling any better?"

I nodded weakly. My dad chimed in, "How did this happen? Wasn't Niana with you?"

Niana's entire purpose was to look after me.

My parents had drilled it into her head since childhood that she was never to leave my side.

As a Familiar, she was bound to obey her masters, and she never dared to talk back to them.

Today, she had failed her duty.

Usually, that meant a harsh punishment.

To protect her, I chose to lie.

"I ran off on my own..."

My mom knew me too well; she saw right through the deception.

"Gabe, your hands shake whenever you lie."

With a sigh, she called Niana into the room.