Malachi's boots crunched on the gravel path as he walked away from the palace, the evening sun casting long shadows behind him. The air was heavy with the scent of blooming flowers and fresh-cut grass, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within. The chirping of birds seemed to taunt him, reminding that he was helpless in life, that he couldn't fight for himself, but he was ready to prove them wrong.
He is ready to prove King Vladimir wrong. He is ready to prove everyone wrong. Everyone who said he can't become human without losing his life in the process. He will prove them wrong.
"You know, you have to be careful around King Vladimir. I'm afraid if you keep defiling him, you will make him break the last straw of control that he has," Tristan whispered to Malachi.
"For all I care, he can go to hell and if you wish, you can go with him," Malachi glared at Tristan before taking his eyes back to his front.
Tristan burst into laughter at his friend's words. "You know, you are one funny man. In all thirty years of my life, I haven't come across someone as stubborn and fearless as you,"
Malachi didn't say anything.
"You should appreciate me for the compliment, you punk," Tristan hissed when he didn't hear any response from Malachi.
All of a sudden, Malachi stopped walking and he turned around to face Tristan with a venomous glare on his face.
"You told Vladimir about this, right?"
Tristan was taken aback by Malachi's words, but he didn't let it show. Two can play this game after all.
"And what makes you think that I did?" He arched his brows.
"There is nothing that you aren't capable of doing," Malachi simply said before he began to walk away. Tristan burst into laughter at the words Malachi just said. He knew what Malachi was insinuating at.
The fact that Tristan was able to ask him to turn him into a vampire still baffles Malachi till today. Even though Malachi doesn't want to admit it, he was very happy that his friend agreed to be a vampire just because he didn't want to live without him. They have been friends even since when they were still humans.
"I know you feel like I did, but trust me, I didn't. I can't even stand before that strong faced man. He is scary. It still baffles me that you aren't scared of him, even though you know fully well that he can kill you,"
"Trust me, he won't even dare. He knows how much I mean to his bratty daughter," Malachi winked at Tristan.
"Belladonna is a beautiful one, you know. I don't know why you didn't fall for her," Tristan said, but that statement only provoked Malachi.
"It isn't late for you to ask her to be your girlfriend. After all, the two of you will make a perfect couple," Malachi winked at Tristan. This time it was Tristan's turn to be pissed.
"I don't love her. She's a brat,"
"Neither do I," Malachi winked.
They were now away from the palace and they were just taking a stroll around town. When Tristan saw where they were headed, he creased his brows.
"Where are we going? I thought it's Chase's house?"
Malachi shook his head. "I'm going to the outer world,"
Tristan gasped. "You are going to Land?" He asked, dread washed over him and Malachi nodded his head.
"Why? Are you scared?"
"Yes, Malachi. What if King Vladimir finds out about it?"
Malachi rolled his eyes. "Can you just stop acting like a kid for once? If Vladimir finds out, and so? Let me tell you this, Vladimir is a fool who loves to feed on people's fear for him. If he sees that you are scared, trust me, he will continue to taunt you with it,"
"Not everyone is as fearless as you, you know," Tristan said amidst his chuckles.
"If you are still scared, then you can leave," Malachi said as he continued his steps into the invisible borders that King Vladimir created so no one would leave the town. Not everyone knows about this border. Only a few vampires and Malachi happened to find out about it.
That was how he was able to meet Sabrina.
Just when Malachi was about to pass through the borders, Tristan held his hands.
"I've missed being on land after all,"
They walked through the borders and they arrived at a spot. A smile crept its way to Tristan's face as he saw the familiar area. Heaven knows how much he has missed being on land, but as much as he loves the world of humans, he isn't ready and wouldn't risk being a human again. He loves the powers that come with becoming a vampire.
The speed, the heightened senses, the strength, the fact that he can't die easily and won't age. That's one perk of being a vampire that Tristan would never trade for anything in the world.
He couldn't tell why Malachi wanted to risk all of these just for that mortal who would begin to age anytime from now.
Why doesn't he want a woman that won't age? A woman that was like him, a woman with heightened senses, speed of light?
"Are you gonna stand there forever, staring at nothing?" Malachi asked when he saw the way his friend was just staring into space.
"I'm right behind you,"
He diverted into a flower shop, the bell above the door jingling as he entered. The scent of roses, lilies, and carnations enveloped him, transporting him to a time when life was simpler. That was before King Vladimir turned him.
Malachi selected a bouquet of white roses, their delicate petals unfolding like tiny prayers.
As he approached the cemetery, the rustling of leaves and chirping of crickets filled the air. Malachi's heart sank, his feet heavy with the weight of memories.
Before him lay the graves of his mother and two sisters who were twins, their headstones a poignant reminder of his actions that night.
He had carelessly killed them with his bare hands. He had attacked them when he was bloodthirsty and he had sucked them dry until he felt life slip within them.
That was the first time he became a vampire and couldn't understand what was wrong with him. He was confused with the outrageous thirst he was feeling that night. At first he thought that water would quench that urge, but he was wrong. The urge was strong and water did nothing to quench it. Then he was driven by the insane urge to get blood from family members.
His first attack was his mother and when he didn't get enough blood from her to satiate his thirst, he surged for his sisters. He killed them with his hands. He could vividly remember their pleas, their cries, begging him not to do it.
His eyes stung as he placed the flowers on their graves, the petals trembling in the gentle breeze.
He sank to his knees, the damp earth seeping into his pants. His fingers traced the etched names, his touch hesitant.
"Mom... Sarah… Elena" His voice cracked, the words barely audible.
Guilt and sorrow washed over him, memories of that fateful night flooding his mind. The transformation, the uncontrollable thirst, the horror of discovering what he had done.
Malachi's body shuddered, his shoulders shaking. Tears streamed down his face, mingling with the dirt and grass.
"I'm so sorry, mom. I'm sorry, Sarah,"
"Why did I do it? I should have controlled myself, but it was hard. I'm so sorry" he whispered, his voice laced with despair. "Why couldn't I control myself?"
The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the distant chirping of crickets.
As he wept, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden light over the cemetery. The shadows lengthened, as if trying to comfort Malachi in his grief.
Tristan's gentle touch on his shoulder broke the spell.
"Malachi, come on, man," Tristan whispered. "You've been here for hours."
Malachi rose, his eyes red-rimmed, his face streaked with tears. He didn't even mind if anyone would see him in this vulnerable state. He didn't care at all.
Just as they left the graveyard, Tristan decided that he was hungry and they decided to stop at a nearest restaurant, a figure approached. Sabrina's father. Malachi recognized the man instantly, the resemblance striking.
But Sabrina's father didn't recognize him. A flicker of familiarity crossed his face, but it vanished. He just stared at Malachi for a brief moment.
"Excuse me," Sabrina's father said, nodding, before walking
Malachi watched him leave, his emotions in turmoil.
Tristan's concerned gaze met Malachi's. "You okay, man?"
Malachi nodded, his voice tight. "Let's go."
The darkness closing in around them seemed to mirror Malachi's inner turmoil.
"You know him?" Tristan asked as soon as they were away from the restaurant. Malachi nodded his head.
"Yeah. He is Sabrina's father,"
"Oh!" Tristan mouthed. "Do you think he recognizes you?"
"That's what I can't tell. Let's go,"