566 The most powerful thing* (1/2)

”I don't know how he did it. Even you, the oldest vampire, doesn't know the secret behind that practice.” Zeke said as he sipped in his drink again.

Zeke was right. Alex knew about that practice, but he never once paid any attention to it before. It was already a secret and forbidden practice even before he became immortal. Hence, it only made sense that vampires nowadays only had very little to no knowledge about it. It was definitely a shock that Kai managed to execute it and also miraculously managed to survive it.

”Did you confront him about it?”

”I did. But he couldn't answer. It seemed it wasn't something that could be explained in words. And he was clearly shocked about it as well,” Zeke's eyes locked onto the blood in his glass as he spoke. ”It was a surprise he managed to stay alive.”

”That's a so-called miracle, Zeke,” Alex said, and Zeke's eyes lifted from the glass to him. His face didn't give anything away, but he didn't seem convinced. At all.

”He loved her.” Alex continued anyway as he shrugged. ”It's all for the sake of Kelly. If he had let himself die in front of her…” Alex shook his head as if he didn't even want to imagine what could've happened had Kai died in front of Kelly that night. He sighed, leaning against the cushion behind him. ”I think that practice might only work if someone's will is strong enough. He would rather die than kill her. That alone is enough. His love for her made him do the impossible.”

Zeke looked like he was about to gape at Alex's words. But he abruptly shook his head and gulped the blood in his glass, emptying it. He was absolutely not used to these kinds of talks. He already knew Alex had changed to the point that he was sometimes wholly unrecognizable, but to think that he's casually talking about those things to him of all creatures. Zeke wanted to end the conversation right there and then.

”He is foolish, Alex.” Zeke's voice hardened. ”He shouldn't have let it reach that point. As I said, he is still alive, but barely… he barely escaped death. And the price of that is his shortened lifespan. At this rate, his lifespan will now last for several years. He no longer has any difference from the short-lived humans.”

”Well, I personally think that's better for him.”

”Alexander.” Zeke shot him a sharp glance.

The quiet sound of the glass landing on top of the table seemed loud because of the silence that reigned between them. ”You think so?”

Alex looked at Zeke with a smug face, and then his eyes turned serious. ”Don't underestimate love, Zeke. It's the most powerful thing I've ever known in this world.”

Abruptly but in a graceful manner, Zeke rose from his seat and grabbed the wine glass.

”Go back to your wife, Alex. Don't forget this place is a brothel.”

Knowing that Zeke was trying to send him away obviously because he couldn't stand this kind of talk, Alex chuckled in amusement.