The next evening, Arav returned to Mae Siri's shop alone. Kayen had classes to attend—even vampires apparently needed to maintain their cover.
Mae Siri led him to a back room filled with ancient scrolls and artifacts. Candles cast dancing shadows on the walls.
"Sit," she instructed, settling across from him. "Tell me, have you noticed anything unusual since yesterday?"
Arav thought back. "This morning, I knew my friend Min was upset before she said anything. And in the library, I felt... cold spots. Like invisible presences."
"Your abilities are waking faster than I expected," Mae Siri said, concerned. "Kayen's presence is accelerating it. Now, I need to teach you about vampire bonds—specifically, the ancient tradition that Kayen hasn't told you about yet."
Arav's stomach tightened. "What tradition?"
"Among vampires, when they find their true resonance—their destined one—there's a bonding ritual. It's called the 'Eternal Linking.' It's not just metaphorical, Arav. It's a magical ceremony that literally intertwines two souls."
"Kayen mentioned we're bonding, but he didn't say—"
"Because it's already begun," Mae Siri interrupted gently. "The moment he kissed you, the moment you accepted him knowing what he is, the bond started forming naturally. That's extremely rare. Usually, the ritual must be performed deliberately. But with you two, it's happening instinctively."
Arav's hand trembled. "What does it mean? The bond?"
"You'll feel each other's emotions. Know when the other is in danger. Eventually, you'll be able to find each other anywhere. You'll need each other—physically, emotionally. Separation will become painful."
"That sounds like a curse."
"To some, yes. To others, it's the greatest gift—never being truly alone." Mae Siri leaned forward. "But here's what Kayen may not know: with your convergence bloodline, this bond will be different. Stronger. More... permanent."
"How permanent?"
"In vampire tradition, if one bonded partner dies, the other usually follows within days—the grief is too much. But with your divine blood mixed in? You might literally die the instant he does. No time, no warning. Just... gone."
Arav felt cold. "And him? If I die?"
"The same. Your lives are becoming one life, shared between two bodies."
"Can it be stopped?"
Mae Siri looked sad. "Not anymore. It's too far along. By the next full moon—three weeks—it will be complete whether you perform the ritual or not."
Arav stood, pacing. "He should have told me. Before—"
"He probably didn't know," Mae Siri said. "Natural bonds are ancient knowledge. Most modern vampires don't even believe they exist. And he certainly doesn't know about the convergence factor."
"I have to tell him."
"Yes. But Arav—despite the risks, this bond will also give you strength. Your powers will grow faster. His control will strengthen. You'll protect each other in ways no ordinary couple can."
Arav nodded, mind reeling. "The training you mentioned?"
"We start now."
For the next two hours, Mae Siri taught him basic energy sensing. By the end, Arav could see faint auras around objects and feel the flow of power in the room.
"You're a natural," Mae Siri praised. "Come back tomorrow. And Arav? Tell Kayen everything tonight. Secrets between bonded pairs cause pain—literal, physical pain."
When Kayen picked him up that night, Arav immediately felt it—a flutter in his chest when he saw him, warmth spreading through his body. The bond, growing stronger.
"Mae Siri told me about the Eternal Linking," Arav said once they were on the bike.
He felt Kayen tense. "What did she say?"
"Everything. How it's already happening between us. How it can't be stopped. How if one of us dies..." he couldn't finish.
Kayen pulled over abruptly, turned to face him. "I didn't know it had started. I swear, Arav. I would have warned you—"
"I know," Arav said softly. "But we need to talk about this. Really talk."
They went to their viewpoint. Under the stars, Kayen explained what he knew about bonding—the history, the rarity, the intensity.
"In a thousand years, I've never met another vampire who found their true bond," Kayen said. "Most think it's mythology. But I felt it the moment I saw you in that jungle. Recognition."
"Mae Siri says with my bloodline, it's more dangerous. More permanent."
"I know it's not fair to you," Kayen said quietly. "You're so young. You should have choices, freedom—"
"Do you want the bond?" Arav interrupted.
Kayen's eyes met his. "More than I've wanted anything in a millennium."
"Then I choose it too," Arav said firmly. "Yes, I'm scared. Yes, it's fast. But Kayen, I feel it too. This pull between us. It's not just your vampire magic—it's real."
Kayen pulled him close, holding him like he was precious. "I'll spend eternity making sure you never regret this."
"Just promise me one thing," Arav whispered against his chest.
"Anything."
"No more secrets. If we're binding our souls together, I need complete honesty."
"I promise," Kayen said. "No more secrets."
But as they sat holding each other, neither knew that across the city, ancient vampires were already planning their move.
The convergence boy and his bonded vampire were too valuable to leave free.