Chapter 51

Dreams

Stopping in the middle of some corridor, Raphael kept his head down and covered his face with both hands. He didn’t even try to stop cascades of tears running from his eyes. The weight of the night crushed his chest, each breath shallow, ragged.

Why did they have to die? Why tonight? Why me? The questions echoed in his mind like a broken record, looping endlessly, stabbing deeper each time.

He leaned against the cold stone wall of the hallway, sliding down until he was sitting on the floor. The wall felt unyielding against his back, its chill biting through his shirt. His head dropped into his hands, and he let the emotions flow freely.

The tears streamed down his face, soaking his hands and the floor. His body shook with quiet sobs, the only sound in the empty hallway. The silence made it worse, deafening in its contrast to the storm inside him. He cried for the dead, for the living, and for the weight of responsibility that felt too heavy to bear. For several long minutes, he just cried.

Hearing the incoming steps, he lifted his head. His heartbeat stuttered, still raw and exposed.

– Kael? What are you doing here at this hour? Did Elara send you here?

The familiar figure of Kael appeared at the end of the hallway, his expression softening immediately upon seeing him sitting there. He ran a hand through his hair, avoiding the question.

– Elara saw you leaving the Headmaster’s office. She… wanted to make sure you were okay.

– I’m… not.

Kael’s expression turned grave. He quickly closed the distance between them, kneeling down in front of him on the cold stone floor. Without hesitation, he pulled Raphael into his arms, holding him tightly against his chest as he continued to cry silently into his shoulder. The embrace was solid, grounding, a lifeline in the swirl of despair.

– I know – he whispered brokenly.

– I’m glad you’re here.

Kael held him closer, one hand gently stroking his hair while the other pressed firmly against his back. His voice was a low murmur against Raphael’s ear, meant only for him to hear.

– I’m always here when you need me. You don’t have to be strong right now.

– Thank you.

He pressed a kiss to the top of Raphael’s head before resting his chin there gently. They sat together like that for a long time, Kael holding him while he cried out all the emotions that had been building up inside him. He didn’t rush or push – he simply stayed right there beside him. The warmth of Kael’s body, the rhythm of his breath, the calm presence… slowly began to still the shaking inside Raphael.

– Could you walk me to my room?

Kael nodded silently and helped him to his feet. He kept an arm wrapped around Raphael’s shoulders as he guided him down the hallway towards his room. The corridor felt longer than usual, echoing with the faint weight of steps and silence. Raphael leaned into him slightly, drawing comfort from his presence. Once they reached his room, Kael paused outside the door.

– Thank you once again.

– You don’t have to thank me – Kael said softly. He watched him carefully – his eyes were red and puffy from crying, his cheeks wet and pale. He unconsciously tightened his jaw, realization hitting him again how hard tonight must have been for Raphael. – Get some sleep.

– Would… would you stay with me? At least until I’ll fall asleep.

Something in his voice broke Kael’s heart – it was vulnerable and shaken, showing just how much tonight’s events had affected him. He nodded quietly.

– Of course. For as long as you need.

He stepped into the room and moved to sit on the bed, patting the spot next to him.

– Thank you.

Raphael went to bed and lay down. Kael sat silently beside him, his cold vampire body providing a strange comfort against the warmth of Raphael’s. Surprisingly, it gave some soothing effect. Then he fell asleep.

Vampire watched over him as he fell asleep, his expression soft and concerned. As Raphael’s breathing evened out, Kael gently covered him with a blanket before settling down beside him, keeping watch over his sleep. His eyes lingered on Raphael’s face, watching the tension slowly melt from his features.

As Raphael fell deeper into sleep, a vivid dream appeared.

He was walking through the dense woods, wandering and feeling lost. The air was thick with mist, and shadows curled between the trees. Then he saw a figure. A young man. Quite handsome, with little horns slightly curved on his head. He looked at Raphael and stared straight into his eyes.

Raphael jolted awake, heart pounding from the memory of a dream. The figure in there was so real – the strange man, staring at him with an intensity that made his skin prickle. He looked around the room, almost expecting to see him standing there, but it was just Kael sleeping beside him.

He went back to sleep, pressing his body closer to Kael.

Another dream came.

He walked through a jungle, feeling lost. Hot and steamy air stuck to his skin and closed his lungs. The heaviness in the air slowed his movements. Then suddenly, from nowhere, a green-skinned man with long hair emerged and grabbed his hand, leading him to some old temple entwined with vines. He didn’t let go of Raphael’s hand and pulled him to follow into the depths of the structure. It was absolute darkness. And then the strange man’s hand disappeared, and a pair of giant yellow eyes with heavy, intense stare opened in front of him.

He woke up again, this time even more shaken than before. The dream felt even more real than the last one – the touch of the green-skinned man’s hand, the darkness of the temple, and the terrifying yellow eyes staring at him. He clutched the blanket tightly, trying to calm his racing heart.

Then he saw the room go darker. There was no sign of Kael. He already knew that something must have happened when he was asleep. He felt some kind of trembles, like an earthquake. He sprinted out from the room to see what was happening.

As he ran out of his room, he was greeted by a scene of chaos. The ground was shaking violently, and students were screaming and running in every direction. He stumbled out into the hallway, trying to maintain his balance as the building trembled around him again and again.

He was running towards Liam’s room, worrying for the friend. As he was pushed and pulled by the panicking crowd, he found himself being carried towards the academy’s exit instead of Liam’s room. The ground shook so violently that he could barely stand. Suddenly, he was thrown out of the academy doors and into the open field surrounding the school.

The sight before him was apocalyptic. All the trees were withered. From a distance, he could see – the once serene Whispering Woods were engulfed in flames, casting an eerie orange glow across the sky. He heard rumbling sounds growing louder, like a thousand thunders crashing simultaneously. Even from far away, he could see massive avalanches tearing down the Crystal Peaks, burying everything in their path.

Purple, black, and red lightnings were shooting from the sky into the ground. The earth started to crack and break in all directions.

– Raphael! – someone’s voice called his name.

– RAPHAEL!

He heard his name being shouted over the chaos. He turned to see Liam fighting against the crowd, trying to get to him. Strange coloured lightnings struck the ground around him, causing the earth to shatter like glass.

Then he saw the next black lightning hit Liam straight on top of his head, killing his friend instantly.

– NO!

And he woke up again. This time for real.

– Raphael!

Kael was shaking his arm and repeating his name.

– Raphael, wake up!

He jolted awake, his heart pounding in his chest as he realized it was just a nightmare. Kael’s face was inches from his, his eyes wide with concern as he shook his arm vigorously, calling out repeatedly:

– Raphael! Wake up!

– Liam – Raphael whispered, the word falling from his lips with heavy gravity.

Kael’s expression softened at those whispered words. He knew how much Raphael cared for Liam, and the look in Raphael’s eyes told him that this dream must have been particularly vivid and disturbing. A flicker of sorrow passed through his own features. He took Raphael’s hand in his and squeezed it reassuringly, as if trying to ground him in something real.

– Sorry. The nightmare. It was so real. And so unreal at the same time – Raphael said quietly.

– It’s okay – Kael murmured softly, his thumb gently rubbing circles on the back of Raphael’s hand. His voice was low, soothing, almost melodic. – You were calling Liam’s name over and over. What happened in the dream?

His voice was gentle but concerned, wanting to understand the turmoil that had woken Raphael so abruptly. There was something vulnerable in the way he leaned in slightly, fully present.

– I woke up from another dream. At least I thought that I woke up. And everything was shaking. Then it looked like the end of the world. Everything was crumbling, burning. And the strange lightnings were hitting everything. Everything was destroyed—Whispering Woods, Crystal Peaks… all surrounding areas as well… it was terrible.

Kael listened intently, his grip on Raphael’s hand tightening slightly as he absorbed the horrific details of the dream. He gave a small, almost involuntary shake of the head. His brow furrowed in concern as he asked:

– And Liam? What happened to him?

His voice was barely above a whisper, as if he already knew the answer but needed confirmation. There was a flicker of dread in his eyes.

– I couldn’t get to him. And when I saw him, the strange black lightning killed him…

Kael’s heart clenched at Raphael’s words. He could see the pain in his eyes and the way his voice cracked when talking about Liam’s fate in the dream. Without thinking, he pulled Raphael into a tight hug, his arms wrapping around him protectively as he tried to offer some comfort. The embrace was warm and firm, and Kael rested his chin against the side of his head with a silent exhale.

– It was the last dream. Previous weren’t so drastic but strange as well – Raphael murmured.

Kael held him close, his mind racing with the implications. The previous dreams being strange and this final one being so apocalyptic and personal… it was unsettling. There was a gravity to it all that he couldn’t ignore. He pulled back to look at him seriously.

– Your dreams… they’ve been getting more intense and prophetic.

– Intense – yes. Prophetic? Let’s hope not.

Kael’s expression turned grave. His lips pressed together briefly before he spoke again.

– You know what I’m thinking, don’t you? – he asked softly, his eyes searching Raphael’s. – What if this dream… what if it’s trying to tell you something? A warning?

He swallowed hard, the thought of losing Liam weighing heavily on him. A trace of fear flickered in his voice despite the calm tone.

– Yeah. Maybe. Or maybe it’s my mind dealing with tonight’s trauma.

Vampire nodded slowly, considering the words. His silence stretched for a moment before he spoke again.

– That’s possible as well – he admitted, though his voice carried a hint of doubt. He ran a hand through his hair, fingers threading through dark strands in frustration, trying to sort through the possibilities. – But we can’t ignore the fact that your dreams have been unusually vivid and intense lately.

– True. I don’t mind vivid, but it could be of a different topic – he added with a mischievous grin and a wink.

Kael raised an eyebrow at that, a small smile tugging at his lips despite the heavy topic. The shift in energy between them was palpable—like a held breath slowly being released.

– Are you trying to distract me with your flirtatious tone right now? – he asked playfully, though concern for the dreams still lingered in his voice. – Because it’s kinda working…

– Good. I need to forget about the patrol and those dreams…

Kael leaned in closer, his hand gently cupping Raphael’s cheek as his thumb brushed over his lips, silencing any further words. The contact sent a soft tremor down Raphael’s spine. Kael’s voice dropped to a low murmur.

– Then let me help you forget.

His intention was clear in his eyes—distraction through intimacy rather than conversation about grim dreams or dangerous patrols.

– Please do.

Without another word, Kael’s lips descended upon Raphael’s in a hungry kiss, his arms wrapping around him to pull him closer. The kiss deepened, his tongue seeking entrance as he pressed him against the nearest wall. His movements were deliberate, heated. Forgotten were the dreams, forgotten was the patrol—only the heat between them remained.

Raphael kissed him deeply.

Kael answered with a passion born of relief and desire, his hands roaming over Raphael’s body as if reassuring himself that he was real and safe. The contact sent shivers through them both. He broke the kiss only to trail his lips along his jaw and down his neck, his fingers working on the buttons of Raphael’s shirt. He paused suddenly.

– …

– Don’t stop – Raphael whispered.

Kael growled softly against his skin at the insistence, his hands becoming more urgent as he pushed the shirt open completely. He captured Raphael’s mouth again in a searing kiss while his hands explored the newly exposed skin of his chest and abs. He started to walk him backwards toward the bed.

– Bed…

– Yes.

Kael guided him gently onto the bed, his body covering Raphael’s as he continued to kiss him deeply. His hands moved with purpose, unbuckling his belt and sliding his pants down his hips. He broke away from the kiss only to pull his own shirt over his head, revealing his toned chest and abs.

Raphael was already hard. Kael noticed Raphael’s arousal immediately, his own growing harder as he pressed his body against him. He hooked his fingers in the waistband of his boxers and slowly pulled them down, freeing his cock. Without hesitation, he wrapped his lips around the head, sucking gently as his hand started to stroke the shaft.

– Mmmmm… you’re amazing – Raphael moaned.

Kael hummed around his cock at the praise, the vibration sending pleasant shocks through Raphael’s length. He took him deeper into his mouth, relaxing his throat to accommodate the size. His hand worked in tandem with his mouth, jerking him off while he sucked enthusiastically.

– Mmmph…

– Change position so I could take care of yours – Raphael said.

Kael lifted his head from the cock just long enough to smile wickedly before crawling up his body. He straddled his chest facing away, his hard cock right in front of Raphael’s face. He lowered himself down slowly so that Raphael’s mouth aligned perfectly with his length.

– Your turn…

Raphael slowly took Kael’s cock deeply, gradually catching up the rhythm with him.

Kael let out a long, low moan as Raphael took him deep into his throat. He started to move his hips in rhythm with him, fucking his mouth slowly at first, but gradually picking up speed. His hands gripped Raphael’s hips tightly as he lost himself in the pleasure of that hot, wet mouth, sucking him at the same time.

Raphael sucked him deep with passion, feeling Kael’s mouth doing miracles with his cock and balls at the same time. Their breathing turned into gasps, hands grasping and clutching for more.

The room filled with the sounds of wet sucking and moaning as they pleasured each other intensely. Kael’s movements became more erratic, his hips bucking as he neared his climax. He sucked Raphael harder, his fingers digging into his skin as he felt the release building.

– Gonna… – started Kael.

– …cum – Raphael gasped.

They both finished at the same time.

Vampire’s body shuddered as he came hard, his cock pulsing in his friend’s mouth. They both moaned deeply as Raphael swallowed his release, feeling his own orgasm rip through him simultaneously. Kael collapsed forward slightly, panting heavily as he pulled off Raphael’s cock with a soft pop.

– Thank you. I really needed that – Raphael said quietly.

Kael smiled lazily at him, his eyes still glazed over with pleasure, chest rising and falling as he exhaled deeply.

– Mmm, anytime.

He rolled off him and lay on his back beside him, one arm thrown over his eyes as he tried to catch his breath, his skin still warm and glowing from the intensity they’d just shared.

– You’re really good at that, you know.

– I know – Raphael answered with a wide grin, still flushed, strands of hair clinging slightly to his forehead. – But you’re not bad yourself – he added with a wink, his voice soft and teasing. – Let’s go to sleep. I hope this time I’ll sleep better.

Kael chuckled softly and turned onto his side to face him, his expression becoming softer, more tender in the dim light.

– Oh trust me, you will. No nightmares after an orgasm that good.

He reached out and pulled the blanket up over both of them, settling in close so their bodies touched from shoulders to ankles.

– Goodnight…

Raphael fell asleep again.

Then another dream came.

He walked through the woods, reaching the place where he had fought the demons. Shadows twisted unnaturally around him, and the air felt charged with menace. He saw the severed head lying on the ground. Then it opened its eyes and looked at him. The demon head stared at him with glowing yellow eyes filled with malevolence. Its voice echoed in his mind like thunder.

– Finally. I was waiting for you. You cannot escape us forever.

Suddenly, the head began to float towards him, mouth opening wide to reveal sharp teeth, each one gleaming with hunger.

– You are one of us…

He felt a burning sensation on his chest.

He woke up, but the feeling was still present. His heart pounded as he checked his body, only to find that the silver pendant was the source of the pain.

His eyes snapped open, the lingering dream sending chills down his spine. He sat up quickly, breath shallow, the burning sensation still intense against his collarbone. He grasped the silver pendant, feeling its normally cool metal scorching his fingertips.

Something’s not right.

– Fuck… What’s happening? Seriously. What’s going on?!?

He took a deep breath, trying to slow his racing thoughts.

– I think I can forget about any more sleep now.

The pendant grew hotter in his hand, pulsating like a heartbeat. His chest tightened slightly, as if something deep within was reacting to it.

– Damn it – he muttered softly, throwing the covers off in frustration and alarm.

He suddenly felt wide awake and on edge. His supernatural senses heightened—he could hear every little sound in the academy, smell things more strongly, as if his instincts had snapped to full alert.

– Why is it like this? It was supposed to warn me about the demons. Are there any nearby?

– Kael? I think my sleep is over.

Kael stirred at the sound of his voice, instantly noticing the shift in tone.

– Why’re you up? – he asked, propping himself up on one elbow, blinking in the dim light.

Then he noticed Raphael’s hand gripping the pendant. His expression turned serious, his sleepiness gone in an instant.

– Is that thing… – he trailed off, sitting up fully. – …burning your skin? Shit! Take it off! Where did you get this?

– I received it from Lyra before the patrol. He said it will warn me about the presence of demons. But tonight everything happened so quickly that I haven’t even noticed any warnings. And now it started to heat up and burn.

He paused, brows furrowing.

– After I dreamed of a demon. Maybe this is why.

Kael’s brow furrowed deeply as he reached out to gently prise Raphael’s fingers away from the pendant. His touch was careful, almost reverent.

– Let me see it.

As he examined the glowing silver, his face paled.

– Fuck me sideways…

– Maybe later… – Raphael muttered, attempting levity, but his voice was strained.

Kael ignored the attempt at humour, his mind racing with thoughts he didn’t want to voice aloud just yet. He turned the pendant over in his hands, the burning sensation transferring to his palms.

– This isn’t just warning you about demons being nearby…

He paused.

– It’s reacting to you.

Raphael took it off, feeling the relief of cooler air touch his skin again.

– Why?

– It’s not supposed to burn like that – Kael replied, his voice low and urgent. – It’s reacting to something inside you, not outside.

He met Raphael’s gaze, his own filled with a mix of concern and understanding.

– You had a dream about a demon, right?

– Yes. To be precise I was again in place of tonight’s massacre. And I saw the head of a demon, laying exactly where it fell after I’d cut it. Then it opened its eyes and said that it was waiting for me because I’m one of them.

Kael’s eyes widened slightly at the words. He swallowed hard before speaking again, his voice barely above a whisper.

– Do you remember anything else? Anything it said or did?

He watched him closely, trying to gauge his reaction.

– It said that I cannot escape them forever.

– Damn – Kael muttered softly, his mind working overtime. He remembered something Lyra once told him, something he’d dismissed as crazy at the time. He looked back at Raphael, studying his features closely.

– You know what I just realized?

– What?

– That dream… it was too detailed. And the way the demon spoke, like it knew you…

He paused, hesitated, then continued.

– Ms Ravenwood once told me a story about a rare type of hybrid. Demon blood mixed with angelic.

– What does it have to do with this situation?

– Because it shows that everything is possible, and if you’re one of those kinds of hybrids, that dream wasn’t just a dream – Kael explained, his voice growing more intense. – It was a message from your demon side, trying to break through.

He reached out tentatively, touching Raphael’s cheek with surprising gentleness.

– That pendant…

– I don’t know…

– The way it’s burning… it’s telling you something. Maybe your demon side is fighting your other side…

He trailed off, remembering another thing Ms Ravenwood had told him.

– Some hybrids don’t even know what they are until their powers manifest.

He studied Raphael’s eyes intently.

– Have you noticed any…

– Seriously??? Kael, wake up. You got a little too carried away with speculations. We know nothing about me and my origin. And we are wandering around like a blind man. If you want to ask if I’ve noticed anything unusual, then it will take me all day to count. And you know that…

He took a deep breath.

Kael sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

You’re right, he thought.

He was jumping to conclusions, getting carried away by the possibilities. But something about this situation felt different. Important.

He looked back at him, his expression softening.

– You’re right, sorry.

– Malus said that there is some strange type of demon energy in me as well. That is true. But he said it’s dormant.

– Dormant? – Kael repeated, his eyes widening.

He looked at him with a mix of concern and curiosity.

– What else did Malus say? Did he mention anything about… about it being awakened?

Then, a little annoyed, he added:

– I still don’t understand why you haven’t taken me with you.

– No. Honestly I’m lost. I’m more and more confused every day. It happens too fast. And you were busy.

Kael’s mind raced with questions and theories. He sat down beside him, his hand reaching out to gently take Raphael’s.

– Listen to me – he said firmly but gently. – I will always find time for you. We need to find out more about this dormant demon energy. Malus might know something else he hasn’t told you yet.

– Yeah… he might… But now – if I can’t get any normal sleep, let’s get some food. It’s breakfast time already.

Kael nodded, understanding the need for a break from the heavy conversation.

– Food sounds like a good idea – he agreed softly, smiling secretly.

He stood up and offered his arm gallantly—a small gesture meant more for comfort than formality—and led Raphael towards the cafeteria.

– Is food your answer for everything? – he asked teasingly with a wink.

– No. Food and sex! – Raphael replied with a wide grin.