Elena posed a complex issue.

Unconvinced she was safe, Erik deemed her someone who needed to be watched out for. But he also couldn't tolerate her enough for the task.

'Honestly, I can't understand what Maya was thinking… keeping a coiled serpent as if it were a pet.'

However, Elena's long-standing relationship with Maya, predating his own, made it only more natural that she would trust her more. There wasn't much he could do.

Elena was already too assimilated into society and, if left be, could only become a greater nuisance with time. There was already a lack of worry about having to move in the shadows.

He was aware that he had already made a significant error in reciprocating her antagonism. It was only expected she would tread carefully as a result, concealing her vile intentions under his scrutiny.

Should he downplay her being a problem from now on? Lulling her into a false sense of security until she feels safe to break her character?

'What a disgrace for a vampire hunter…'

But Hunter's mission wasn't his only mission.

As Elena would draw in smoke, she had a habit of gently letting it slip past her parted lips so that the rich wisp of smoke was also subtly inhaled back into her lungs through her nose. In her past experiences, this peculiar habit often left men entranced, finding the act incredibly alluring. However, Erik remained entirely indifferent, keeping his cold gaze on her as if waiting for her to drop dead.

Having her moment of small enjoyment soured by his listless stare, Elena shot him a sideways glance.

"You only gave it to me to see if it would affect me, didn't you?" she observed, her voice low and slightly accusatory. After all, it was precisely why she'd requested it—curiosity about whether it could provide relief now that alcohol barely had any effect on her transformed system.

He gave her an affirming, contemptuous smile.

Elena mirrored him, disliking the feeling of being experimented on.

"It's going to take much more than one hit to see any effect," he stated with a hint of disappointment as she extended her hand, offering the joint back.

Erik remained motionless, his cold eyes fixed on her, not reaching for the joint and leaving her hand linger awkwardly in the air.

"You can have it," he finally said, his voice flat and disinterested.

Elena raised an eyebrow, then narrowed her eyes. "You sure? It seems like a complete waste if it has no effect. I know pot isn't cheap around here."

He scoffed at the ridiculous thought. "Money is the least of my problems."

"Ooh?" Elena perked up with interest, leaning slightly forward with and tilting her head. "Is that one of the perks of being a Hunter?"

"Yeah…"

"Something like," Elena continued, her voice taking on a mock-official tone, "For the great sacrifice, all expenses are covered?"

"Pretty much." His response was curt, but it was more than she expected.

"Sweet!" Elena brightened visibly, excited to have confirmation about hunter myths. "I would abuse the hell out of that shit."

"I bet you would," he retorted with disdain, effectively shutting down the momentary lightness between them.

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Although it wasn't much of a conversation, it died out as no one said anything for a while. It was apparent that both were forcing themselves to tolerate the other for the sake of their agendas.

After a while, she passed him back the pot. "You do look like you need it more."

He accepted it without a word.

Elena thought this was quite the turn of events, as she was used to being in a position where others were trying to chat with her while she coldly shut them down. Seeing his uninterested, cold eyes was strangely bothering her.

If everything else was detestable about him, at least he was pretty to look at.

"Did you just wake up, or something?" she asked a pointless question she already knew the answer to. He was a hunter, of course, he hunts at night and sleeps at day.

Erik, ignoring her, detached himself from the tree he had been leaning against and began to walk away.

"Where are you going?" Elena hurried after him, receiving no answer. "How did you find me?"

She wondered if this was a route he frequented and simply stumbled across her, or if he had some way of knowing when his traps were activated.

Seeing his annoyance at her barrage of questions, she switched tactics. "Then, Mr. Dead-eyes… how about some hunting tips to get food at least? The only other person I can ask is the bastard who calls himself my maker, and bet he'd love to teach me."

This caused him to halt abruptly. Without turning to face her, he asked, "Are you trying to threaten me?"

"No. I'm desperate, alright?" she confessed, frustrated. "There, I've said it."

"How have you managed to survive until now?"

"I don't know. Luck, I guess," she shrugged.

"I wouldn't keep testing it much further if I were you," he advised, his tone frosty, then resumed his walk.

"I was trying to play nice, but I can always ask Maya to convince you. Try saying no to that girl," she countered, her voice carrying a veiled threat.

"For the love of gods," exasperated, he turned to face her. "Can't you take a hint? I have no intention of training a vampire. There's absolutely no way. I don't care how desperate you are or if your life hinges on it. I have zero sympathy for you."

"Fine then," she snapped, her temper flaring. "But whether you help me or not, I'm going to end that bastard. Just be careful where you swing your sword in the dark—"

"No," he cut her off, his voice rumbling. "If I find you out here at night, I won't hesitate to kill you. In fact, If I find you anywhere outside your dorm during the curfew, I don't care about your excuses, that will be it for you. Do you understand?"

"Who do you think you are to decide what I can do?" she retorted with indignation.

"The one who has your life at his mercy," he growled.

"Alright, I get it, you paranoid freak," Elena grumbled. Although it was a strong reaction, she could tell he was concerned she could conspire with vampires. "But consider this, if you fear me joining their side, wouldn't training me give you the perfect excuse to keep a close eye on me? I might even prove useful."

"You're nothing but a liability."

"Then what am I supposed to do?!" she snapped. "You've backed me into a corner, leaving me with no means to survive. I can't feed on humans, I can't hunt, I can't walk a step in this fucking forest without stumbling on your stupid traps! How do I get blood?!" Elena's temper flared, her words animated by heavy, ragged breaths.

He remained silent throughout her outburst, staring at her with a steely gaze long after her words had faded. Despite the truth in her argument, his prejudice against her vampiric nature was a bitter pill to swallow.

"You're insufferable," he finally muttered, releasing a long weary sigh. "Fine. I'll bring you blood. You stay out of my business."

From the moment he let her live, he knew this responsibility would fall on him eventually. Elena was a fledgling vampire, and in time her maker would raise her, she was plotting to murder him. Undoubtedly driven by a strong instinct to seek him for guidance, Elena compensated it for her desire for vengeance.

If she were to succeed in fighting off submitting to him, Elena needed someone else to take the role of her master. And much to his dismay, Erik was the only viable candidate.

Despite his lingering doubts about her possible contact with her maker, he could tell she was truthful about her intent to kill him. Given these circumstances, he realized that outright dismissing her wasn't an option. For the sake of his own interests, he needed to keep her away from her maker, lest she fall under his influence and become a true enemy.

Erik wondered if this was fate punishing him for his failures.

Elena blinked at him, still trying to wrap her mind around his words.

'Was he serious?'

Having exhausted the topic, Erik turned to retreat once more.

"You, my personal delivery boy?" her voice called after him, laced with disbelief.

At her words, he stiffened momentarily. "Call it whatever you want," he replied tersely, resuming his departure.

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