"That's just cruel..."
Warfarin muttered to herself as she walked. She began wondering what was wrong with her. Why had her charm stopped working completely?
She felt the breeze flowing behind her.
"Haah—"
Then came a hot, panting breath. Someone approached from behind and gently licked the back of Warfarin's neck. Her hair stood on end, and she bolted forward, turning around as she ran to see what was behind her.
"What's going on?"
She saw vivid red eyes, soft white hair, a delicate girl's frame, and a pale pink tongue.
"Y-you..."
"You copied me!"
In Luna Kindred's eyes, Warfarin saw the bewilderment of a little beast. It was a hazy mist hanging over the crimson, like a dewdrop on the verge of falling, shimmering with the colors of a starry sky. She couldn't help being drawn in.
"Um..."
She asked timidly, "Could I have some of your blood?"
A charm.
Warfarin bit down hard on her lower lip, nearly drawing blood, but the pain brought her back to her senses for a moment. She could make out everything about the girl except her hair and eyes.
"Luna Kindred?"
She knew this Vampire. She'd met her in Lungmen long ago, when Sora from Penguin Logistics had gone absolutely wild trying to offer her blood. Warfarin had found it a little strange at the time. Now she understood.
She was perfectly clearheaded.
This was Rhodes Island, after all. How had Luna Kindred gotten aboard?
"Could I have your blood?"
Another wave of dizziness swept over her, but Warfarin wasn't falling for that trick again. She waved a hand and declared righteously,
"Go find Orca. She has plenty of blood!"
"But... you've already offered your blood," Luna Kindred said, puzzled. "You bit your lip. Wasn't that because you wanted to offer me