Chapter 39: The One Who Makes Her Lose All Reason

Bang!

The gunshot shattered the night’s silence.

Stray cats scattered, startled by the noise.

Cars parked outside the alley blared their piercing alarms.

But—

Anna felt no pain after the shot.

She cautiously opened her tightly shut eyes.

A slender arm blocked the space between her forehead and the gun’s muzzle.

Bright red blood dripped down the arm, pooling on the ground.

Anna, stunned, shifted her gaze to the figure’s back.

The person’s silver hair swayed softly in the moonlight.

Like a galaxy fallen to earth.

“Senior Noah…”

Anna never imagined her desperate cry would actually reach Noah.

“Shooting a vampire who’s never harmed a human? Is that really something the Blood Hunt Church would do?”

Noah stood slowly, shaking her arm, nearly struck through by the bone-titanium silver bullet.

As she spoke, the bullet embedded in her skin was pushed out by her healing muscles.

Suyue stepped back, startled.

Her Blood Cross team members raised their submachine guns.

Red laser dots fixed on Noah’s forehead.

Suyue eyed Noah’s arm, amazed. “Hit by a bone-titanium silver bullet and healing so fast?”

She recalled a month ago.

Noah, shot in the chest by the same bullet, could barely stand.

Now, this vampire not only took a point-blank shot but healed in moments.

Was this the power of an S-class vampire?

Her body’s adaptability was incredible.

Suyue snapped out of her awe, sneering. “Never harmed a human? Then why’s she still alive? Don’t play me for a fool, Noah.”

“I’d have to be bored out of my mind to trick you.”

Noah replied coldly, turning to crouch.

She lifted the trembling, weak Anna into her arms.

Her back faced the guns, but no one dared shoot.

“I’m taking Anna away. You can try a sneak attack, but I promise, you won’t walk away like last time.”

A month ago, in the mall shootout, Noah’s carelessness let the Blood Cross team hit her with a bone-titanium silver bullet.

She’d fled, gravely wounded.

But now, facing a fully alert Noah, human trigger fingers might not be fast enough to kill her.

Suyue knew this.

She raised a hand, signaling her team to lower their weapons.

“Hmph, Suyue, this isn’t over.”

Noah, holding Anna, leaped effortlessly onto the alley’s high wall.

Perched there, she half-turned, her tone icy. “Don’t let someone else kill you before I make you regret this.”

Suyue crossed her arms, looking up confidently. “Good. I look forward to our final showdown.”

Noah didn’t respond.

She vanished with Anna into the night.

When Noah’s oppressive presence faded, Suyue exhaled.

She clutched her chest, heart pounding like an overrevved engine.

Her calm demeanor was a facade.

She was an extreme Blood Hunt zealot, but not insane.

No sane human could face a vampire up close without fear.

Noah could’ve killed her in an instant.

But doing so would’ve meant facing a hail of bullets from the team.

Regular bullets couldn’t kill Noah, but they’d delay saving Anna.

To Noah, scum like Suyue were a dime a dozen.

Unkillable.

But a sweet blood vault keeper like Anna?

One of a kind.

Noah knew her priorities.

She wouldn’t let anger cloud her judgment.

“Captain, do we keep patrolling?” a team member asked.

“No, we’re finding someone first.”

“Find… who?”

Suyue holstered her gun, heading for the alley’s exit. “Someone who can make Yelan Noah lose all reason.”

***

White athletic shoes touched treetops.

The slim figure darted through the forest.

Noah glanced at the weakening Anna in her arms, urging, “Don’t sleep, Anna. Talk to me.”

Anna opened her tired eyes faintly. “Senior Noah… are we… safe?”

“Yes, safe. I’m taking you to the castle for Huangwei to treat your wounds.”

Anna nodded obediently.

After a pause, she asked, “Weren’t you on a date, Senior Noah… and you came to save me?”

Noah scoffed. “A date? I was half-undressed when I heard you. Ditched my girlfriend to rescue you.”

“Girlfriend…”

Anna mulled over the word. “Have you… confirmed things with that human, Luoyao?”

“Well… sort of. Haven’t officially confessed yet.”

“But… Mom doesn’t allow us to fall for humans. Did you forget, Senior Noah?”

Noah bit her lip, silent for a long moment before answering. “I didn’t forget. But every kid has a rebellious phase, right? Anna, keep this secret for me.”

Anna nodded without hesitation. “Okay, I love keeping secrets. It’s thrilling—ow, my wounds hurt…”

“Hang on, we’re almost there.”

Noah quickened her pace, leaves rustling behind her.

Ten minutes later, they reached the castle.

Noah carried Anna straight to the clock tower.

Her hurried footsteps drew Huangwei’s irritation again.

“How many times have I said, don’t! run! so! fast!”

But seeing Anna’s battered state, the blonde’s annoyance vanished.

Without questions, Huangwei pointed to a medical bed in the room. “Put her there.”

Noah complied immediately.

Huangwei gathered bandages and hemostatic tools.

As she treated Anna’s wounds, she asked, “What happened? Church got you?”

“Yeah, Suyue.”

“D*mn lunatic, so disgusting,” Huangwei spat.

She paused, then asked, “You’ve been at Luoyao’s these past few days?”

“…Yeah.”

“Hear that, little Anna? Your Senior Noah ditched her girlfriend to save you. When she’s too old to walk, you’d better pamper her.”

“Does cracking bad jokes help you bandage better?” Noah asked.

“Nope.”

“Then shut it and work.”

Noah shot Huangwei a look, then walked to the window seat.

Exhausted from the night, she sat down.

She sighed deeply, resting her forehead against the window frame.

Her long legs dangled naturally.

She closed her eyes, planning to rest.

“Hey,” Huangwei’s voice came again.

Noah frowned. “What now?”

“Your shoes are filthy.”

“…Can you shut up? What’s my shoes’ dirt got to do with—”

Noah froze.

Terror exploded in her mind.

Her red pupils shrank uncontrollably.

Her lips trembled, voice shaking as she muttered, “I’m screwed…”