''I think.'' She said cautiously. ''That you are suggesting changing me into a vampire.''
The corner of Raj's lips twitched. ''Well, that was the general idea, yes.''
''So that Rhea can be happy?''
''So that you don't get killed by some jerk like Shankar.''
''But ain't the Lords going to kill me just the same way if you change me?''
''Only if they find you.'' He said impatiently. ''And if we can get away from here, they wouldn't. Anyway, as a vampire, you have a better chance of fighting them.''
''So I am supposed to leave everything here and become a vampire just so that Rhea can be happy.''
Raj stared at the roof angrily. ''Forget it.''
''Believe me, I wasn't even thinking about it in the first place.''
''Fine.'' He continued to stare. Suddenly Misha had a horrible feeling that something was wrong with Raj.
''Raj .. ''
He didn't answer. His jaw was clenched.
''I'm sorry.'' Misha said, trying to shake off the new feelings that suddenly descended on to her. ''It's just that everything has turned out so - weird. I never asked for any of this.'' She paused. ''I guess you never asked for it, either. First, your sister ran away, and then .. me. Some joke, yeah?''
''Yeah.'' He turned to look at her. ''Look, I might as well tell you. I didn't ask for any of it, either, and if somebody had said last week that I'd be..involved..with a human, I would have knocked his head off. After bursting into laughter. But.''
He stopped. That seemed to be the end of his confession : but. Ofcourse, he didn't really need to say more. Misha, with her arms folded across her chest, stared at him while she tried to think of other possible explanations starting with 'but'. She couldn't think of any.
''I am a bad influence on your sister.''
''I said that to protect you. I mean, to try and protect you. ''
''I can protect myself.''
''I noticed.'' His voice was dry. ''Does that help?''
''You noticing? No, because you don't really believe it. You'd always think that I am weaker than you, even if you don't say it.''
''If you were a vampire, you wouldn't be weaker.'' He held her gaze. ''Also, you'd know what I was really thinking.'' He held out a hand. ''Want to try?''
Misha looked away. ''I think we should go back. They are going to think we have killed each other.''
''Let them.'' Raj said, his hand still held out, but Misha just shook her head and walked away.
Whatever was going on with Raj, she'd been getting in too deep. When she walked back, her eyes automatically went to Shaurya. He immediately looked away.
''I don't care, I can't wait anymore.'' Rhea said. ''I have got to go.''
''She needs to hunt.'' Panchi told Misha. She led Rhea away while she was left with Shaurya.
Once again, she didn't know what to say. She looked at him, and stopped feeling awkward. He was looking at her with his usual level-headed stare.
He looked over her shoulder and whispered. ''Misha, be careful.''
''What?''
''Be careful.'' It was the same tone he had used when warning her about Rhea. She followed his gaze..to Raj, who was walking to the car where Panchi, Rhea and Kabir were already sitting.
''It's alright.'' Misha said slowly. She didn't know how to explain. Even Rhea didn't believe that Raj wouldn't hurt her.
Shaurya looked bleak. ''I know guys like him. Sometimes they bring human girls into our clubs, and you don't want to know why. So just watch your back, alright?''
It was a shock. Rhea and Panchi had said similar things about him, but with Shaurya, it all sank in. Raj had undoubtedly done things in his life which ..which would make her want to kill him if she knew. Things you just can't forget about.
''I will be careful.'' She snorted. ''I can handle him.''
Shaurya's brown eyes were dark and his jaw was tight as he looked at Raj. Under his quietness, she could sense leashed power. Cold anger. Protectiveness. And the fact that he didn't like Raj at all.
Rhea blew the car horn. ''I will be all right.'' Misha whispered quickly.
''I will tell you if I come up with something.''
Misha nodded. ''Thanks, Shaurya.''
He stood watching as they pulled out of the college.
''Okay, so we go home.'' Kabir said. ''Then what?''
Nobody answered. They had no idea what.
''There's something else they have to do first.'' Panchi said. ''They need to hunt.''
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