Crystalbringer

I show up, right on time. Well, sort of. When I reach the spot Brianne told me to meet her, she's already there leaning against the wall, looking like she's about to explode.

«Did no one teach you to be on time for work?» She scolds me, shooting a look that could melt steel.

«I'm not late! Also, I don't want to be picky, but usually when you work, you get paid» I grumble, trying to save face.

She snorts. «You're not on time; you're nearly two minutes late. And again, I'm paying you with my blood, am I not?»

Damn, she's got me there. I shut up.

We turn into the dark, twisted alleys of the suburbs, and Brianne walks through the darkness like she's lived here all her life. She seems to be perfectly familiar with this maze of narrow, dimly lit streets.

«Any questions before we start?» she asks.

I know nothing about this new life, so I shake my head. I've got zero clue what to ask her.

«As I told you earlier, your crystal's a parasite type. It needs to feed off organic material to keep it alive. In your case, blood. The crystal drives you to seek out what it needs, but it rewards you with incredible power»

The more she speaks about this Blood Crystal, the more I wish I could go back to thinking I was a vampire.

She continues. «Blood Crystalbringers have three major abilities: an advanced physical and sensory capability, healing at a fast rate, and Blood Rage»

«Blood Rage?" I repeat, puzzled.

«Blood Rage is essentially a self-defence mechanism. If the crystal senses you're about to die, it turns on, making you a living war machine for a few minutes. We don't really know much about it because, well, Blood Crystals are rare and barely studied. But what we do know is that they're incredibly dangerous».

I'm relieved I've never been in a life-or-death situation. That could've been messy.

We continue to wander the alleys, but nothing is happening. A couple of homeless people and drunks sprawled out on the pavement—that's it. 

«So, what kind of crystals do the rest of the council have?» I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.

Brianne sits on the sidewalk and invites me to do the same. She pulls out a cigarette and offers me one. «Do you smoke?

I have never taken a cigarette in my life, but for some weird reason, I feel like I should take one now. Probably so she doesn't think I'm a total rookie. It's dumb, I know, but I pull one from the pack.

Brianne brings the flame close to my cigarette. I take a deep drag. and immediately begin choking, feeling my body heave as if to vomit. Nausea hits me hard, and I spin.

Brianne takes the cigarette from my mouth and flicks it into a nearby manhole. I'm dying inside.

She starts talking again. «Mine's an air crystal, elemental type, class B. Clare has a fire crystal, also class B. Elaine's got a telekinesis crystal, psychic type, class C. I'm not going to bother explaining their abilities—just read between the lines»

So that was her that created that whoosh of air when I tried to bite her? Her ability is amazing!

«Class B, Class C. What does that even mean?» I ask, still confused.

Brianne sighs. «Right, I should've mentioned this. Crystals are ranked from E to A. E is harmless, and A is the most dangerous. Yours is Class A»

Suddenly, I feel pretty important. I strut my stuff, but Brianne doesn't seem to like my attitude.

«So, what about Gin? What's his crystal?»

«We don't really know what he's got. He's a lone wolf during patrols. All I know is that after the Secret Service analysed his crystal, they slapped an A+ on it. He's the only known A+, the strongest Crystalbringer out there»

A+? Gin's crystal is even more powerful than mine? This guy's got to be on a whole different level. My enthusiasm takes a hit. Goodbye, primacy.

Brianne snuffs out her cigarette on the asphalt, grinds it down with her boot, and flicks it into the same manhole she chucked mine into.

Maybe it's the silence of the night, or the moonlight hitting her face just right, making her emerald eyes sparkle, but right now, I see it. I really see it. Brianne is gorgeous. She's standing there like she's a goddess, all proud and untouchable, and I can't help but wonder if all the rumours about her are actually true.

Okay, time to dive into this mess.

«Listen, Brianne. Sorry if I'm being nosy, but... Is it true what people say about you?» I stammer. 

She looks at me, grinning, an eyebrow rising. «What rumours?»

Seriously, has she never heard them, or is she messing with me to see how much I know?

«Well... you know, there are rumours that you've hooked up with all the guys from our school and even a few professors… I don't believe this, obviously, but... I just wanted to hear it from you if it's just total bullshit or not» 

Brianne puts her hand on mine, and my heart somersaults.

«Just as you need human blood to maintain the power of your crystal, I need...» Her hand slips under my sweatshirt and rests on my chest, stroking it. «I need different guys' sperm every month...»

My breath catches. Brianne's face closes in on mine. Our lips are so close I could almost feel her breathing.

«...and it's already been a month since I fed my crystal» she adds.

I am shaking like a leaf, my heart pounding furiously. She's getting closer, her lips almost touching mine.

Is this real? Is my first time going to be with Brianne? Am I going to be the school hero? Eirik will surely kill me when he learns about it. 

I swallow hard. This is all happening so fast. I'm not ready for this, but how stupid would I look turning her down? My chest feels like a weight is crushing it. If I pull out, I'll regret it forever; I just know it.

I close my eyes, waiting for her lips to kiss mine. And then... her hand pulls out from under my sweatshirt, and she bursts out laughing.

I open my eyes, and there she is, in hysterics, tears streaming down her face as she rolls around on the pavement. What the hell just happened?

«AHAHAH! Did you really believe it? I told you, mine's an elemental crystal, not a parasite type! It doesn't need organic material to keep itself active. You ought to have known I was teasing you. I even have barely enough time for sleeping, let alone boys. Those were just rumours out of spite from guys that got rejected»

«DOES THIS LOOK LIKE A JOKE TO YOU?! MY HEART WAS ABOUT TO EXPLODE!» 

«I'm sorry, Ren. This is all Clare's fault. Spending too much time with her, and now I'm picking up her bad habits» Brianne says, wiping the tears of laughter from her eyes.

This is not even comparable to the cigarette fiasco. I'm so angry and humiliated. How can she play such jokes on a boy in the middle of adolescence? I don't even want to imagine what would have happened if I had been less shy.

I sigh, attempting to let my emotions simmer down.I don't know the reason, but having her say that she was not that kind of girl somehow soothes me a little.

Brianne gets up, shaking pebbles off her miniskirt. «We rested enough; let's get to work»

We are on the move again in narrow, dark streets.

«I didn't know you smoked; I never saw you do it in high school» I affirm

«And I didn't know you were a stalker»

I freeze, unsure how to respond. I feel my face turn red. I mean, it's Brianne! She's always the centre of attention. It is normal to notice these things even without being a stalker!

She catches my unease. «Just kidding, I can tell you're not that kind of guy. Anyway, you're right. I quit smoking before you even started high school, but the midnight cigarette is a little ritual I keep. Helps me relax and focus»

Two hours later, we've scoured every corner of the shady neighbourhood.

«We're done for the day. Can you make it home from here?» She asks, stopping at the end of the street.

I look around carefully. It's tricky, even with my night vision. These alleys all look the same, but I've spent enough time around here to know the layout.

«Yeah, I think I can manage. It's about a half-hour walk from here»

Brianne grabs my arm with a smile. «Then I'll walk you home. I don't trust you to go alone. If anything happened to one of my teammates, I'd never forgive myself».

After seeming distant and cold to begin with, Brianne turned out sweet and caring—attentive.

We chatted for another half an hour, the conversation drifting to random topics that have nothing to do with crystals or work. Finally, we reached my apartment building.

«This is it» I say, pointing to the entrance. The building isn't fancy, but it's not a dump either. It's all my dad can afford with his factory job. Ever since my mom died four years ago, he spends every night there. He says it's for the extra money, but I think it's because he can't stand the silence of an empty bed.

«You should give me your number» she says, pulling out her phone. «At least I can add you to the student council group chat. Sometimes we have to take care of that too. We need to keep up appearances, you know?»

I give her my number; she gives me hers. Then she hugs me, a warm, tight hug that leaves me a little breathless—my face buried in her boobs. 

She gives me a soft kiss on the forehead. «See you tomorrow, my little Ren»

I'm completely caught off guard by the affection. She's known me for, what, a day? How has she gotten so attached so quickly? But she seems happy, so I keep my thoughts to myself. «See you tomorrow, Brianne»