Day One: Wednesday
Kayen hadn't slept. He stood in Mae Siri's shop, surrounded by maps of Bangkok spread across every surface. Jin, Preeda, Som, and Ploy the shape-shifter were there too, along with three witches Mae Siri had called in for help.
"Theron owns properties all over the city," Jin said, marking locations on the map with red pins. "Fifteen high-rise apartments, seven mansions, three warehouses—"
"We've checked six locations already," Preeda interrupted, exhaustion in her voice. "All empty or warded so heavily we can't get close."
Kayen slammed his fist on the table, making everyone jump. "Then we break through the wards!"
"And alert Theron that we're close?" Mae Siri said calmly. "He'll just move Arav. We need to be smarter."
One of the witches—an elderly woman named Yai—spoke up. "The suppression magic on your bond... I can feel its signature. It's European, very old. Only a handful of witches in the world can cast it."
"Can you break it?" Kayen asked desperately.
"Not from a distance. I'd need to be in the same building as Arav." Yai looked apologetic. "But I might be able to narrow down locations. The spell requires certain... ingredients. Rare ones. If we track recent purchases—"
"Do it," Kayen said immediately. "Whatever you need."
Som stood up. "I'll check the vampire underground. Someone must have seen Theron's people moving through the city."
"I'll fly over the properties," Ploy offered. "In bird form. See if I spot anything unusual."
As everyone dispersed to their tasks, Jin stayed behind with Kayen.
"You need to feed," Jin said quietly. "When was the last time?"
"I don't have time—"
"You're running on fumes. If we find Arav and have to fight, you'll be useless." Jin pulled out a thermos from his bag. "Blood bank. Drink."
Kayen took it reluctantly, draining it in seconds. It barely took the edge off his hunger, but it would have to do.
"What if Theron's right?" Kayen said suddenly, his voice cracking. "What if the bonding does kill him? What if I'm so desperate to keep him that I'm ignoring the danger?"
Jin gripped his shoulder. "Then you explain the risks and let him choose. But Kayen—that boy loves you. I saw it in his eyes at the tea house. Whatever Theron's offering, Arav will choose you if you just give him the truth."
"If we find him in time," Kayen said bitterly.
---
In Theron's penthouse, Arav had been moved to a more comfortable room. Still locked, still bound, but now he had a bed, a bathroom, and windows he could look through.
A servant—human, but clearly under some kind of compulsion—brought him food three times a day.
"Please," Arav begged the young woman. "Help me. Call the police—"
But she just smiled vacantly and left.
Theron visited twice daily. Never threatening, always polite. He'd sit in the armchair and talk—about history, about the supernatural world, about power and potential.
"You're essentially royalty, Arav," Theron said on Wednesday evening. "Convergence bloodlines are rarer than diamonds. In the old days, you would have been worshipped. Protected. Given everything you desired."
"I don't want to be worshipped," Arav said tiredly. "I want to go home."
"Home to a tiny dorm room? To hiding what you are? To a boyfriend who's keeping deadly secrets from you?" Theron shook his head. "You deserve so much more."
"How do you know he's keeping secrets?"
Theron's smile was sad. "Because I asked Mae Siri. Oh yes, I have my sources. She told me about the risks of your bonding—the way two ancient magics might tear your human body apart. Did Kayen mention that?"
Arav's silence was answer enough.
"He loves you," Theron acknowledged. "I don't doubt that. But love can be selfish, Arav. Sometimes the people who love us most are the ones who hurt us worst—not from malice, but from desperation."
After Theron left, Arav lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
Was Kayen really keeping the danger from him? Or was Theron twisting the truth?
Through the suppressed bond, he could feel the faintest echo of emotion—panic, determination, grief. Kayen was suffering. Searching.
*I'm here,* Arav thought, knowing Kayen couldn't hear him. *I'm waiting. Just hurry.*
---
Day Two: Thursday
Som returned with information. "Theron's been seen in the Silom area. Multiple sightings near a building called The Apex Tower."
"That's one of his properties," Jin confirmed, checking the map. "Sixty floors. Top ten are his private residence."
"It's warded," one of the witches said, sensing the magic from miles away. "Heavily. I've never felt anything like this."
"Can you break it?" Kayen asked.
"Given time... maybe. But the moment I start, Theron will know."
Kayen looked at the tower's location on the map, so close yet unreachable. "Then we need a distraction. Something to draw out his guards, his witch, his attention."
"I have an idea," Preeda said slowly. "But you're not going to like it."
---
Day Three: Friday
Arav had been imprisoned for three days. His wrists were raw from the magical bindings. His mind was exhausted from Theron's constant visits, constant persuasion.
But worse was the silence from Kayen. Even through the suppression, he should feel something. But there was only emptiness now.
Was Kayen even looking anymore? Had he given up?
*No,* Arav told himself firmly. *He'd never give up. He promised. Across lifetimes, he promised.*
That afternoon, Theron arrived with someone new—a woman in her thirties, sharply dressed, with an air of authority.
"Arav, this is Dr. Siriporn. She specializes in supernatural physiology. I've asked her to examine you."
"I'm not sick," Arav said warily.
"No, but you're changing," Dr. Siriporn said kindly, approaching with a stethoscope. "May I?"
Reluctantly, Arav let her examine him. She checked his pulse, his eyes, listened to his heart.
Her expression grew concerned.
"Well?" Theron asked.
"His body temperature has dropped two degrees. His heart rate is slower than normal. And there's something in his blood—a foreign magical signature trying to take root." She looked at Arav sadly. "You're in the early stages of transformation. If the vampire bond completes under these conditions..."
"I'll die?" Arav's voice was small.
"Not immediately. But within months, maybe a year. Your human organs will fail one by one as they're replaced by something else. Something your body can't sustain without the vampire's constant magical support. You'll become dependent on Kayen's presence—literally unable to survive without him."
Arav felt cold. "And if I bond with Theron instead?"
"I'm fifteen hundred years old," Theron said. "My magic is stable, refined. I can control the transformation, make it gradual and safe. You'd become truly immortal, Arav. Not a half-broken hybrid."
Dr. Siriporn packed her equipment. "It's your choice, young man. But make it soon. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to reverse."
After they left, Arav curled up on the bed, shaking.
Was this true? Or more manipulation?
But the doctor had no reason to lie. She'd seemed genuinely concerned.
*Kayen,* Arav thought desperately. *Where are you? I need you. I need the truth.*
---
Day Four: Saturday
"The plan is insane," Kayen said flatly.
They were gathered in an abandoned warehouse—Kayen, his friends, and Mae Siri's coven of witches.
"It's the only way," Preeda insisted. "We challenge Theron publicly. Invoke the Old Law—the right of challenge for a bonded mate."
"The Old Law hasn't been used in three centuries," Jin protested.
"But it still stands," Mae Siri said. "If Kayen formally challenges Theron for Arav's freedom, Theron must accept or lose face in front of the entire supernatural community. And during the challenge, his wards will lower—he can't risk looking weak by hiding behind magic."
"And if I lose the challenge?" Kayen asked.
Silence.
"Then Arav stays with Theron," Preeda said quietly. "And you... the Old Law is to the death, Kayen. If you lose, you die."
Kayen looked at each of them. "When do we issue the challenge?"
"Tomorrow night," Mae Siri said. "At the Midnight Market. Maximum witnesses. Theron won't be able to refuse without destroying his reputation."
"Then we do it," Kayen said. "Whatever it takes."
---
Day Five: Sunday—The Midnight Market
The underground marketplace was packed. Word had spread—something big was happening tonight.
Kayen walked through the crowd, his friends flanking him. Every supernatural being there stopped to watch. Vampires, witches, shape-shifters, spirits—all sensing the tension.
At the center of the market, Theron sat at his usual table, surrounded by his entourage. He saw Kayen approaching and smiled.
"Kayen. To what do I owe—"
"I invoke the Old Law," Kayen's voice rang out clearly. "I challenge you, Theron Castellane, for the freedom of my bonded mate, Arav."
The market went completely silent.
Theron's smile faded. He stood slowly. "Your bonded mate? The bond isn't complete."
"It's begun. Recognized by Mae Siri herself. Arav is mine by ancient right, and you've taken him unlawfully. I demand trial by combat."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. The Old Law—rarely invoked, never ignored.
Theron's eyes glittered dangerously. "You're challenging me? I'm five hundred years your senior. I'll destroy you."
"Then accept and prove it," Kayen said coldly.
Theron looked around at the watching crowd. Hundreds of eyes on him. If he refused, he'd look like a coward. His carefully built reputation would crumble.
"Fine," Theron said finally. "I accept your challenge. Tomorrow night. The old temple ruins north of the city. Midnight." He leaned forward. "And Kayen? Bring your friends to collect your body. You won't survive this."
Kayen didn't flinch. "Bring Arav. Let him watch me fight for him. Let him choose."
"Oh, I will," Theron promised. "I want him to see exactly why you're the wrong choice."
As Kayen left the market, Som caught up to him.
"Are you sure about this? Theron's killed vampires twice his age. He's ruthless."
"I know," Kayen said. "But I'll die trying rather than let Theron have him. Some things are worth any price."
---
Day Six: Monday—Theron's Penthouse
Theron entered Arav's room with news.
"Your boyfriend has done something very stupid," he said, but there was a hint of admiration in his voice. "He's challenged me to combat. For you."
Arav's heart leaped. "Kayen? He found me?"
"Not exactly. But he will tomorrow night. The Old Law requires I bring you to witness the challenge." Theron sat down. "He's going to die, Arav. I'm far stronger, far older. This is suicide."
"No," Arav whispered. "You can't—"
"I have to accept. The Old Law is binding. But I want you to understand—this is what I meant about selfish love. He's throwing his life away rather than accepting that you might be better off with me. Is that love? Or is it possession?"
Tears streamed down Arav's face. "Please. Don't kill him. I'll... I'll bond with you. I'll do whatever you want. Just spare him."
Theron looked genuinely conflicted. "I wish I could. But the Old Law... it's to the death. No mercy, no surrender. One of us must die."
"Then let me talk to him," Arav begged. "Let me say goodbye. Please."
Theron considered. "Tomorrow night. Before the challenge. You'll have ten minutes."
After he left, Arav collapsed on the bed, sobbing.
Kayen was coming. But not to rescue him—to die for him.
*No, no, no. I won't let this happen. There has to be another way.*
Through the suppressed bond, he felt it suddenly—a flash of emotion. Love. Determination. Acceptance of death.
Kayen wasn't planning to survive. He was planning to die so Arav would be free.
*You idiot,* Arav thought, crying harder. *I'd rather die with you than live without you.*
Tomorrow night.
The challenge.
One of them would die.
And Arav had no idea how to stop it.
**To be continued...**