The entire time they were in the hospital, Lina was mute. Her silence was beginning to even worry the doctors who'd occasionally glanced at Kaden like he'd murder them any minute. She went through the check-up and procedure first. Then, it was Kaden's turn.

  The doctor asked them all sorts of questions, from childhood to surgeries to any conditions they had as an infant or baby. And because they had intercourse the previous day, Kaden would have to go back for another examination in two days. He needed to be sexually abstinent.

  Kaden might as well have been shot in the chest. He looked absolutely devastated. Then, pissed. Next, reluctant.

  When the doctor made the announcement, Kaden looked straight at her…… Something about his arrogant smile afterward told her abstinence didn't exist in his diary. Especially when he had fingers and a tongue——

  "Did you get the answers you wanted to hear?" Kaden asked Lina on the car ride back. He was nonchalant about the entire ordeal in the hospital.

  Lina appreciated his aloofness, for once. She felt like she was going crazy. Or, going numb. The thought of being unable to bear children haunted her. She initially didn't want one right away. But what if she couldn't even have one in the first place?

  "Well?" Kaden insisted.

  "No." Lina leaned back in the red leather seats. She felt the urge to pluck it.

  "Why?" Kaden mused.

  "I fainted," Lina grumbled. "After the old man spoke in a voice that triggered me. It was as if he was possessed or something."

  "Creepy bastard," Kade muttered. "We could put him out of his misery."

  "We could," Lina hummed. "But we should let nature take its course. We don't need another bloodbath on your hands."

  Lina waited for him to agree. To fall into her trap. For him to reveal he killed Everett. But he didn't fall for it. Of course he didn't. He was too smart.

  "For now, stop taking the birth control," Kaden murmured. "We don't need another factor to contribute to—"

  "I never took them."

  Haunting silence ensued. Kaden's grip tightened on the steering wheel. His eyes flashed. He clenched his jaw. If looks could burn, this car would be engulfed in flames. He said nothing.

  "You can check the bottle. The plastic casing is still on," Lina admitted.

  Lina glanced out the window. She watched everything become a blur. He was driving too fast. Breaking even more speed restrictions. He could rack up driving tickets worth $100,000 in a day, but it wouldn't matter to him, not when he made more than that in a minute.

  To fill up the silence, Lina reached over and turned on the radio. Immediately, the same monotone voice of the news reporter was heard. His car was advanced. There was a flat screen showcasing the recent news.

  "We have good news of crime rates decreasing in the slums, as many criminals have gone missing, but it's been reported that there is a large migration to our neighboring city."

  "Migration?" Lina mumbled, turning to Kaden. "Why would criminals migrate?"

  "Go ask Atlantis."

  Lina's heart drummed. All she could hear was blood rushing to her ears. Thump. Thump. Thump. For some reason, she began to think about what Atlantis told her over the phone. Discussion over dwindling organ supplies.

  "Criminals are going missing, but they blame it on migration," Kaden said like it amused him. His eyes flickered. Red.

  Lina shakily glanced at her fingers. "We'll never have eternity."

  Kaden nearly swerved the car to the sidewalk. Or they could have a damn discussion.

  "Dove," Kaden sharply said, drawing in a curt breath. "If you want a car accident, keep saying crazy things while I'm driving."

  "I'm human," Lina said.

  "Sounds about right."

  "You're Immortal…" Lina added.

  "Oh my god, really?"

  Lina rolled her eyes at how sardonic he sounded. "I mean, I won't be able to live as long as you. I—"

  "I've solved the problem recently," Kaden murmured.

  "What do you mean?" Lina slowly asked.

  "You'll find out on the news," Kaden said. He glanced at the clock. "In fact…"

  "Coming up next, we'll discuss the disappearance of a prominent Pure-Blood in the Vampire Society. Evan was—"

  "No," Lina murmured, turning off the radio in an instant.

  Lina twisted her entire body to Kaden's direction. He seemed unfazed. His eyes were glued on the road.

  "Stable life," Kaden reminded her.

  "That wasn't what I meant—"

  "Stable life." Kaden continued driving like it was no big deal. To him, it wasn't. For his sanity's sake, they were finally at the path leading to his house. The armed security instantly pressed a buzzer to let them through. The large metal gates slowly swung open.

  "Then…" Lina trailed off. "Was Everett part of the stable life?"

  Kaden said nothing. He simply glanced in her direction.

  Lina didn't like that look. It made her feel insignificant. It made her feel dumb for asking. But he wasn't telling her the answer and she was growing desperate.? She had to know. But did it matter at this point? He dirtied his hands for her.

  "You may not become Immortal, but you will be a Pure-Blood," Kaden continued. "But not now."

  "What do you mean?" Lina asked. "I won't be able to survive. My luck is so rotten that if I have a 50% chance of getting the answers right on an example, I always get it wrong."

  Kaden kept quiet.

  "The survival rate is less than 5% for turning into a Pure-Blood!" Lina cried out. "And that's only if I turn when I'm as young as I am now. Didn't you hear about the human Queen of Wraith's struggle? She barely—"

  "She barely made it out from giving birth," Kaden slowly said. "Why do you think I'm enforcing the pill upon you?"

  Lina's heart fell. She thought he agreed out of the goodness of his heart. Out of understanding for her. No. It was just because he wanted her alive. He was willing to put family behind them if he could have her.

  "Then, when should I become a Pure-Blood?" Lina whispered.

  "When you're on your deathbed," Kaden said. "Why risk your chances now when you're young and alive?"

  "Then, I will be old and wrinkly whilst you remain handsome and youthful. I—"

  "I do not care," Kaden deadpanned.

  "You will," Lina bit out. "When you have to be with me when I'm wrinkled like used leather, you'll grow to resent me and—"

  "Lina—"

  "No." Lina shot him a glare. "I will turn when I am still young. When I am thirty."

  Kaden's eyes flashed. That was nine years from now. Nine years to convince her otherwise. He accepted the chance.