The Secrets

The man huffed, pushing him to a sat up position when Evander was near - as if the distance between him and Catalina assured him too. A low, guttural sound escaping in harsh coughs - water stuck in his lungs as deep brown eyes searched for blood.

Catalina took a further few steps backwards, glancing towards the ocean once more.

Evander moved to stand, baring his own fangs to warn him off Catalina. “Answer.”

"Look at him, Evan." She encouraged quietly, eyes moving back to the man with a frown as she began to notice the graying of his skin. "I - What if he can't talk? You - you know, more than me. What do your kind look like when you are dying?"

“Desiccating almost looks like that.” He told her. “The only thing that stops it is blood.” He knelt beside the man once more. “Let me help you, this will tide you over.” He told him as he took a small bottle of blood from his jacket and handed it to the man the last of his own stash that vampires carried around.

The man reacted quickly, almost snatching the bottle from Evander's hands as he gasped. Pulling the lid off and downing it in one or two quick slumps. Though, his breathing began to become normal a few moments later, skin returning to how it should be as he exhaled trembling breathes.

Catalina cautiously approached then, though stayed behind Evander. Reaching her hand out to gently take Evander's arm.

Evander looked to her for a second showing that it was okay if this guy was going to go for her he would certainly get there first. He watched the man curiously

"I've never seen a male siren before, not one that changes like women do. Male sirens normally... well they're normally like you. Exactly like you. In my experience." Catalina whispered, voice low so only he could hear.

"Sound." The man stated bluntly, in answer to the previous question - as if it were the first time he was speaking. His hand moving up to touch his head. "Pain. Not know where is."

Evander nodded. “Usually yes I’ve only ever met one other male who isn’t like me.” Evander told her quietly and he looked to the man as he spoke. “What sound?”

"No know." He responded, moving with vampires reflexes as he stood and face to face with Evander. Lifting his hand up to touch his face with curiosity, exploring. "Sound loud. You like me... no hear? Don't know where go."

Evander watched him and he raised an eyebrow slightly. “I know somewhere you can go, there’s a concern not far from here for people like us.”

"Friend." He whispered, his eyes going to the right - toward where the female sirens body was just out of sight. "She come to?"

"No." Catalina frowned. "When was the last time you were on land?'

"No. No land. Never."

“Not unusual, we can survive in land and water a lot of people choose water lately.” He told her before he looked back at the man. “Do you have family?”

"You don't have a tail though, Evan." Catalina whispered. "We - my colony can choose too but.. a balance is better."

"Family, colony.. yes." He nodded, motioning over in the direction of where the woman had landed. "Friend. Family. Is she.. okay?"

“Don’t always need one.” He shrugged before he realised what he was saying. “She’s your friend?” Evander asked looking back to where the woman’s body lay. “I’ll take you to her.”

"Evan." Catalina warned lowly, shaking her head in disagreement. "Maybe he needs rest before-"

The man snorted softly, moving away from the two of them and cautiously wandering further away from the ocean. Slightly unsteady on his feet.

"We need to make sure he is okay before we tell him someone is dead." Catalina whispered. "If you take him home, try and find out more about the sound or - or what his name is. Anything. I'll tend to her."

“I’ll take him to the coven, their leader owes me a favour.” Evander told her looking to her. “Be careful.” He told her before he kissed her forehead quickly and he followed the guy.

"C-" She began to question, huffing quietly when he walked away and shaking her head. Silently skulking back toward the body.

---

The man exhaled sharply through his nose, glancing over his shoulder as he heard Evander approach.

“Come on this way.” He told him leading him through an almost abandoned part of town to the vampire hideout, explaining the situation to the leader before he looked to the guy. “My name is Evander, do you have a name?”

"Ka- Kallik."

“It’s nice to meet you, if you have any information or need me then these guys can reach me.” He told him. “I have to get back to my mate.”

"You leave? No. I don't know these people."

“You need to trust me.” Evander told him. “I’ll come back and check on you shortly I promise.”

"I come... with you."

“It’s probably safer for you to stay here.” He advised. “You need to build up your strength.”

"No. Strangers."