Infamous

"Kill them?" My voice was barely above a whisper. Jayy looked at me sadly and nodded. I started shaking my head vigorously. Chris stood up and pulled me into his arms. This can't be happening. I can't lose them. I just can't! They are my best friends. My family!! I can't let them die. I refuse to let them die. There has to be another way! I turned and looked at them both, tears on the edge of my eyes.

"There has to be something you can do!"

"Kade-" Jayy started but I cut him off.

I shook my head before speaking "No you once told me there is always a loophole in magic. In order to keep the balance. Right?" I reminded him, remembering a conversation we had when Jayy was marking me. He said that the spell could be undone very easily. Nothing ever reigns truly victorious because it upsets the balance of nature. Everything has a loophole.

"Yes that's true but I don't see how that helps" Dahvie spoke for Jayy.

"There's no cure right? Your advanced in the witchcraft!! Make one yourself!" I pulled away from Chris and raised my hands in front of them, trying to reason with them. They exchanged glances with each other before turning back to me. I didn't even pay attention to Chris or Alan. It was like they weren't here.

"Kade there is no guarantee that we can make one in time. That poison was created by witches that are far more advanced than we are. It could be too late" Jayy spoke softly. I finally let the tears spill over. I couldn't let this happen. I wouldn't be able to take it. What if they die and whoever poisoned Aus and Ange come after us next? No. The story doesn't end this way. I'm writing this in my own words.

"Please...Just try!" I grabbed Jayy's hands and held them. He looked into my eyes and stared for a minute. After the minute passed, he nodded with a sigh.

"Alright. We will try but I can't promise anything" I pulled him into a tight hug then Dahvie before pulling away completely. The stakes were high and the odds were against us but I have faith in them. They both nodded before leaving the room. I looked at Alan who smiled sadly at me. I smiled back at him.

"We'll save them Al. We will" I promised him. I turned to Chris who was looking at me. I nodded to him, silently nodding. I then walked out the room and ran down the hall to the room where we kept Angelo and Aus. I walked in and saw Austin sitting with his head in his hands. Angelo was still out from when I snapped his neck. I walked over and sat next to Aus, putting my arm around his shoulder. He slowly lifted his head and looked at me. His eyes looked bloodshot.

"I'm screwed aren't I?" He whispered and I shook my head, refusing to believe this was over.

"No...we're gonna find a way out of this. You and Ange will be okay...then we can go put the dogs in the doghouse. Together" We chuckled sadly but it didn't stop the tears from falling. I looked into his eyes and saw the fear written within them. Branded.

"I've lived my life.." He started as he looked at the ground. "Thinking nothing of life. Not admiring the beauty of it. Not appreciating the eternal life I had. It was nothing to me. I spent my life thinking I was unstoppable. Thinking I was entitled to everything..."I rested my chin on his shoulder and he softly petted my hair.

"I never stopped to think about reality. I was always stuck in some fairy tale...I didn't care for life or death....but now...sitting here. I can feel myself shutting down Kade" Austin lifted his head to look at me. There were tears falling from his eyes. "I feel so weak and lifeless....I'm not ready for this Kade....I don't want this..I don't want to die" I pulled Austin against my chest as he began to cry and I wanted to cry myself but I knew I had to keep it together. I had to be strong for everyone. To keep the hope alive. I rubbed Austin's back soothingly, choking back tears.

"Your not going to die Aus. We're gone fix this. We'll fight this together" My voice was cracking because I wanted to break down. To scream at the top of my lungs but I couldn't. I nuzzled Austin's hair and sighed shakily. He then pulled back and looked at me. The look on his face broke my heart. It was fear,sadness and defeat all mixed into one.

"Can you get Alan for me? Please...I just want to hold him" He whispered to me and I nodded before letting my arms drop. I got up and walked out the room and made my way to the study where I left Chris and Alan. Chris was sitting in his chair, talking on his phone and Alan was sitting on the leather couch in the corner. He looked up when he finally noticed I was in here.

"Aus needs you" I kept my voice low. He nodded quickly before getting up and walking pass me. I followed him down the hallway, back to the bedroom. Austin was now laying on his back. He looked at Alan and opened his arms for him. Alan immediately walked over and crawled into the bed, laying on his side next to Austin who wrapped his arms around Alan's small frame. Alan rested his head on Austin's chest and Austin planted a kiss on top of his forehead. I walked over and sat in the chair next to Angelo and sighed. My confidence was slowly deteriorating. The longer the cure took, the closer they were to death. This was becoming too much for me. Obviously Tobias had something to do with this. That was clear. But when?? And how??? The only time we've met Tobias was in Bethel. And Aus and Ange weren't even there! So how did this poison get inside them? It can't be airborne because then we would all have it. And poison doesn't sound much like a spell. So how the fuck did this virus affect Austin and Angelo?

My thoughts were interrupted when Angelo sat up quickly, his eyes wide with alarm. I moved quickly and slowly laid him back down.

"Shhh Angelo. Calm down" I whispered soothingly and he looked at me, his eyes were the normal blue grey. I felt relief wash over me and I stroked his hair. He looked down and started tugging on the restraints.

"Sorry Ange. They were necessary at the time".I mumbled before taking them off his arms and legs.

"Thank you" He whispered before laying back down. I looked at him and in all honesty, he looked ill. Very very ill. I sat back down and took his hand. It was very hot. Vampires don't sweat but with this heat, he should have been.

"What's wrong with me?" Angelo whispered as he looked at me. I sighed, dreading having to tell him that there is a huge possibility that he can starve to death. I kissed his hand, holding back tears as I began to speak.

"Well...it's a long story but...you and Austin have been infected with a virus...that um "I swallowed the lump in my throat and I felt tears threatening to spill. This was harder than I thought.

"That messes with your head...making you go into weird trances and basically...starves you to death" He looked at me, sadness and shock written all over his face. I couldn't stand that look on his face. It made my heart ache. I could literally feel it in my chest.

"Oh" Was all he said.

"And there is no cure for it...yet...Jayy and Dahvie are working on it" I whispered before cupping his cheek. The look in his eyes, doubt and fear...

"Okay..." He nodded and spoke so quietly, human ears wouldn't have heard him. I leaned down and kissed his cheek, blinking the tears, that managed to slip out, away. I looked over to see that Alan and Austin were sleeping. I saw Austin's chest rising and falling, so that was comforting. I looked over at the door, seeing Ghost, Ricky and Ryan enter the room. They all quietly rushed over to Ange and I. I moved out the way so they could spend some time with Angelo. I slipped out the room and made my way to the stairs, walking down them quickly and entering the kitchen. Jayy and Dahvie were reading huge ass books while Chris sat next to them, talking quietly on his phone.

"What do you know so far?" I asked, lingering in the doorway. Jayy looked up but Dahvie kept reading.

"Nothing besides the poison kills the victim quickly during the second stage" I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. My confidence just dropped a whole foot. Chris hung up his phone and sighed before looking up.

"I have Alastair, Andy and Austin's clan looking for Tobias. Obviously he gave them the poison so he's our best bet" I nodded in agreement. Tobias was our best lead. I quietly walked back upstairs and walked down the hallway to my room. I sat down on the bed and put my head in my hands, allowing a few tears to slip out. I didn't know how long I could keep this front up. My two best friends were dying in the next room and I felt totally useless. I couldn't deal with losing either of them. I don't think I could handle the pain. When my parents died, it hurt. It hurt pretty bad and I didn't even love them. I couldn't stand them. In fact, I hated my parents with a passion. Yet...the second I found out they were gone...that Danny had killed them, I felt the loss and I didn't like it. It hurt so badly. I love Austin and Angelo with every fiber in my body. Austin has been my best friend for years and Angelo saved my life. I can't even imagine the pain I would feel if I lost one of them...or worse, both of them. And what if Chris gets infected??? I know that I wouldn't be able to handle that. I couldn't bare to sit back and watch the love of my life, the man I'm supposed to marry, die. That would emotionally and physically kill me. I can't live this life without Chris....I wouldn't want to.

I sighed and wiped my eyes with the sleeve of my jacket. Taking a deep breath, I began to think. When could this have possibly happened?? Tobias wouldn't have been able to get near Austin and Angelo. We've been traveling in pairs ever since Chris put the call out and as far as I'm concerned, everyone as obliged. So the individual attack was out the question. So what else was there? Did they eat or drink something that had it? How would Tobias be able to slip it in their food or drink without us noticing him?? Unless...he wasn't the one who did it....then it dawned on me.

The drink at the bar.

Motherfucker!

I immediately shot up and grabbed my car keys off of the dresser before stalking down the hallway and down the stairs. I stalked through the kitchen and headed towards the door. I could hear footsteps behind me.

"Kade where are you going?" I turned and saw Chris standing a few feet away with a questioning expression. I reached back and opened the door.

"To where it all started. I'll be back baby" I didn't bother waiting for his response. I turned and walked out the door, slamming it behind me. I scrambled down the porch steps and jogged towards my car. Unlocking the door, I slipped into the drivers seat and closed the door. I shoved the key in the ignition and turned the car on. The engine purred to life and I circled around the drive way, stopping at the gate. I looked both ways, making sure it was,clear before turning left, heading in the direction of town.

I had to find the guy who gave Austin the drink that night. And in order to do that, I had to find the waitress. And to do that, I had to go to Alastair's club. I glanced at the clock. It was only 7:30. Hopefully she was there because I'm working against the clock here. Just let me have this little bit of luck.

I managed to get into town quicker than usual due to my lunatic driving. It amazed me how I didn't get stopped by the cops but I was also thankful I didn't. Because I'm running out of time here.

I drove around town until I finally found the club. I parked a little bit down the road and turned the car off and getting out. I shoved my keys in my pocket and walked quickly down the sidewalk. The bouncers weren't there but the door was cracked open. I pulled it open and walked into the dark hall. I had no problem seeing but humans would probably fall on their faces trying to walk in here. I walked along the hallway until I saw the dance floor ahead of me. The lights were on. It was so weird, not seeing the dancing people and strobe lights, with blaring music. I reached the empty dance floor and looked around. My heart skipped a beat as I saw the waitress from that night. She was by the bar, talking to the bartender.

"Excuse me?" I asked as I walked over to them. She turned and looked at me.

"Yes? Can I help you?" She said nicely with a smile.

"A few weeks ago, you served a complementary drink to my friend. Extremely cute, brown hair, brown eyes and lanky?" I said desperately and looked up, as if she was trying to remember. A few seconds later, realization crossed her face and she nodded quickly.

"Yeah I remember!" She laughed and I smiled in relief.

"Can you tell me who gave him the drink?" I asked, my voice hopeful. She nodded before speaking.

"Jake. He's a regular here. He works at Bleeding Ink on Broad street" I squealed and pulled her into a hug before running off, calling a thank you back to her. I ran out the club and down the side walk. I opened my car door and got in, slamming it shut. I started my car and slid right out the parking space and sped down the road. Broad street was only a few blocks away from here. Every turn, every stop light, every minute ticking by felt like an eternity to me.

I turned on to Broad street and immediately I spotted the shop. The outside was painted a blood red, and had intentional graffiti designs painted on it in black paint. The sign on the door was flashing big green letters that said open on it. I drove until I was in front of the building and then I parked. Shutting the car off, I got out and walked around to the front door. I opened it and the place was well kept. The walls were covered with red damask wall paper, the floor was black marble and there were three leather couches pushed up against the wall.

"Can I help you?" A female voice asked. I looked up and saw a very pretty blonde sitting behind a black desk. She had her blonde locks up in a messy ponytail. She was covered in tattoos and she had two lip rings in. Her blue eyes were complemented by black eyeliner that lined her eyes perfectly.

"Yes, I'm looking for Jake" I said as I approached the desk.

"Do you have an appointment?" She asked nicely.

I shook my head. "No I'm not here to get a tattoo. I just need to speak with him. Please it's an emergency" I pleaded with her. She had a debating look on her gave before nodding.

"Just a minute" I nodded and she got up from her seat, disappearing behind a black painted door with a sign above it that said "Inking Room". I tapped my foot impatiently as I waited. A few seconds later, she came back out with a guy trailing her. I immediately recognized him from that night at the club.

"You were looking for me?" He asked in a deep voice and I nodded.

"A few weeks ago you sent a complementary drink to my tall cute friend in the VIP area. Brown hair, cute brown eyes. Do you remember?" I asked and he thought for a second before nodding, crossing his big arms across his chest.

"Yeah I remember him".

"Where did you get the drink?" I asked quickly.

He shrugged before speaking. "Some guy paid me a few hundred bucks to give him the drink. I said sure and he gave me the drink" Bingo.

"Do you remember the guy?" I asked, expecting him to.describe Tobias. Jake nodded.

"Yeah, he was about your height, maybe a little talker. He had black spiked up hair, a piercing in his nose and lip. That's all I can remember" He shrugged. I felt as if the air had been thickened.

"Thank you for your help" I said quickly before running out of the parlor. I started to shake violently.

It wasn't Tobias...but TJ.

****Chris****

I dragged my feet up the stairs after sitting for an hour, watching Jayy and Dahvie read. I decided to check on Austin and Angelo. I reached the top of the steps and slowly made my way to the room where we kept them. I rounded the corner, entering the room. Alan was curled into Austin's side, both asleep. Angelo was laying on his back, his eyes closed and his chest slowly rising and falling. I took a minute to take in his appearance. He looked a very sickly pale, his cheekbones were on full display and there were black bags under his eyes. I bit my lip to keep from crying at the sight. He just looked so weak and sick and I just wanted to break down.

"Chris.." Angelo whispered to me but he kept his eyes closed. I walked quickly but quietly over to him. I lifted his body gently and laid underneath him. I laid his back against my chest and I wrapped on arm around his neck, draping it over his chest and the other I lifted to stroke his hair softly. I felt his head snuggle against my arm that was wrapped around him and his hands gripped my arm weakly. I kissed his head and took in shaky breaths.

"Never thought I would go this way" He chuckled sadly. I shook my head and kissed his hair again.

"Your not going anywhere Ange" I mumbled softly. I couldn't stop the tightening in my chest.

"Hey remember in 56, when we robbed that bank?" He asked and I laughed weakly, nodding.

"Yeah...we almost got caught too" I reminded him. We we're idiots back in the day.

"It was still fun" He whispered to me and I nodded it agreement. It was silent for a few seconds.

"Remember when you turned me? The first words you said to me was.."Don't take this life for granted. Because it too can be taken away just as easily as the first one"." He said and I nodded, confirming that I remembered. It seemed only like yesterday when Angelo woke up as a new vampire.

"That never applied to me until now...I never fully understood what you meant. But now I do" He said quietly and I tightened my arms around him. He didn't have any hope to live. That was clear. His hopelessness made me feel hopeless.

"Shhh Ange...don't talk like that" I planted a kiss on his head. I didn't want to hear him talking about death. I refused to hear it. Angelo was silent for a few minutes before he spoke again.

"Sing for me".

"Angelo you know I can't sing" I smiled a little. I actually could sing, I just didn't like singing in front of people.

"Please?? Sing my favorite song. Please Chris?" He pleaded with me and I sighed, not able to resist. I took a deep breath before opening my mouth.

"Paralyzed...by my envy of the night...I am lost without you here...and outside it looks like rain....for the last time...I bleed myself dry tonight" I let the words flow easily and my voice was smooth. "And nothing I could ever write...would help you understand this life..there's so much beauty when your eyes....lay lost in all the city lights....the wax will drip as so as blood....romance is dead and all is lust....you are the water in my lungs...we've lost it" I held him closer to me as tears began to pool in my eyes. I sighed and let them fall. This was a song I had written in that dark point in my life. It was always hard thinking about it....because I would think about who I was before.

I noticed Angelo had went quiet on me.

"Ange?" I asked and waited a few seconds but I heard nothing. I shook him gently and waited a few more seconds but he said nothing and didn't move at all.

"Angelo wake up. I don't want you sleeping right now" I said firmly and shook him harder.

Nothing.

Alarmed, I sat up and laid him back. I hovered over him and shook him violently. His eyes were closed and his mouth was slightly agape.

"Angelo get up!" I snapped and shook him hard enough that I left bruised on his arms. My heart began to pound against my chest as I shook him again but he still didn't move.

No...no...he can't be....

"Angelo please wake up!!!" I cried as I kept shaking him repeatedly. Tears began to stream down my cheeks as I let go of his arms. His body remained completely still.

"Please..." I croaked before collapsing onto his chest and gripping his shirt in my hands.

"Please come back Angelo!!! Please I-i need you!!!" I screamed against his chest. My heart was cracking piece by piece as every second ticked by. My stomach churned and I could feel my chest tightening up.

"Chris?" I turned and looked at Alan. He and Austin were staring at me. I bit my trembling lip and shook my head.

"No.." Alan whispered with wide eyes. I turned back and pulled Angelo into my.arms, cradling him closely and tightly. His head fell back against my arm. My tears fell down my cheeks and on to his face, they looked as if they were his own.

"Chris what's going on?" I looked up and saw Ricky standing at the door with Ghost and Ryan by his side. I looked over at Austin who was holding a sobbing Alan. I looked down at Angelo before leaning down and pressing a kiss to his cold lips. I pulled him against my chest, stroking his back.

"Your free now Ange...Your free"