"I thought you might want to go see your lover today?" Tristan asked when he saw that they were headed for the border that separated the human world from the vampire world.
"No. I don't want to risk it. It's a full moon tonight and she might suspect that I am a vampire. She might notice the unusual changes."
"Oh I understand," Tristan mouthed as they continued their way towards the border. They got there in no time and instead of heading home, they walked towards Chase's house.
Malachi and Tristan walked towards Chase's house, the moon casting long shadows across the rolling hills. The scent of blooming wildflowers filled the air, a sweet contrast to the gravity of their mission. Crickets serenaded the night, their gentle chirping a soothing melody in the background.
As they approached, they saw Chase was gathering herbs in his garden, his hands moving with precision. The soft clinking of gardening shears and the rustling of leaves accompanied his movements. He looked up when he suddenly realized that he wasn't alone. His eyes locked onto Malachi's, a mixture of concern and curiosity etched on his face.
"Ah, Malachi," He said, his tone neutral, his voice carrying the weight of unspoken questions. He wanted to believe that Tristan was able to make him change his mind. That would make him really happy.
"Come with me," He smiled as he led them into his small house, the interior filled with the earthy scent of drying herbs and the warmth of a crackling fireplace. Chase was a witch and also a monk, so it wouldn't make any sense if those healing herbs weren't there. Even though Vampires don't need herbs to heal because they could do so on their own, Chase still chose to work as a Monk.
The air was thick with anticipation, the silence between them palpable.
Chase gestured for them to sit, his eyes never for once leaving Malachi's face. "What brings you here? I hoped you'd changed your mind right?," he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.
Malachi's expression remained resolute, his jaw set in determination, silently sending a message across to Chase, to let him know that he would never change his mind. "I'm here to begin the ritual."
Chase's face fell, disappointment etched on his features like a carved stone. "You're making a grave mistake, Malachi. You are treading a careless ground, man," he said, his voice laced with concern, as he stared at Tristan. His eyes seemed to ask Tristan some questions.
Tristan's silence was clearly written all over his face, his expression a mixture of concern and resignation. He sat with his arms crossed, his eyes fixed on the floor. He was ashamed to know that he wasn't able to talk to his best friend, to see if he could change his mind from what he was about to do. He was ashamed that he failed Chase. Of course, Chase sent him a message to see if he would be able to talk to Malachi, but his efforts proved abortive.
Chase turned to Tristan, seeking an ally. "You can't truly support this, Tristan. It's not a good idea please. He can't go ahead with his plans. That will mean his dooms," he said, his voice pleading.
Tristan's gaze dropped, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry, Chase, but I have made my peace with Malachi's decision. I can't force him to change his mind,"
"I'm sorry, Chase. I know I failed you," He added.
Chase's shoulders sagged, defeat clearly written across his face. He stood up and paced around the room, his footsteps echoing through the room.
"Fine!" Chase said, his voice firm as he stopped in front of Malachi.
"You will return in three days to commence the ritual. The ritual ceremony requires preparation as it isn't something that can be jumped into. I'll have to get the herbs that will be used. They are rare herbs and it will take me two days to get it. I'll also prepare a coffin"
Malachi nodded, his eyes gleaming with determination.
"Be prepared for the consequences, Malachi. Just one mistake on your path, trust me you will vanish away into thin air or you might transform into a demon, worse than a vampire. I'm not sure you want to be something worse than a vampire, so you will have to be careful. Extremely careful, for your own sake,"
"Don't worry, Chase. You have nothing to be worried about. There wouldn't be any mistake. I promise,"
Chase sighed. "I hope so,"
"Seems we are done here. I'll take my leave now. See you in three days," Malachi said as he stood up from the chair he was sitting on. He walked outside, but Tristan didn't leave.
Chase stopped Tristan when he was about to leave too. "Didn't you talk to him?" They whispered, so that Malachi wouldn't hear them, but they seemed to be forgetting who he was. A vampire that wasn't just bitten by any vampire, but the King himself. Therefore his abilities are more advanced, stronger.
"Trust me, I did. But you know how he is. He is as stubborn as a bull. He wouldn't listen to me," Tristan replied with a shrug of his shoulders.
A sigh escaped from Chase's lips. "I'm just scared of what would happen. I don't want him to die,"
"I'm as scared as you, man. But you know it's been three months since we've been trying to make him change his mind, but he isn't ready to adhere, therefore we can't keep forcing him. You just have to make sure that you do the right things on the day of the ritual, so he doesn't die. Please,"
"I'll do my best," Chase replied with a nod of his head. "I don't want him to die as much as you do,"
"That's good to know. Anyways, we will take our leave now," Tristan said as he walked out of the room.
As he departed, Chase's words lingered: "Be prepared for the consequences."
Malachi and Tristan walked back to Malachi's house, the night air heavy with unspoken thoughts. The sound of their boots echoed through the stillness. They didn't weave through the shadows as usual and that was because they didn't want to. They just wanted to take a stroll. Thus they just walked in silence, each of them lost in thoughts.
Malachi's thoughts drifted towards his lover. He missed her and wished that he could go meet her tonight, but he didn't want to risk it. He wouldn't be selfish enough to let his love for her push him to do something stupid. Even if he uses the potion that Chase prepared for him before going to meet her, it still wouldn't be able to mask his scent. It was a full moon after all.
"You know, man," Tristan broke the silence after a while.
"Huhmm?" Malachi hummed his response.
"You know, being a vampire is something I won't trade for anything. Wanna know why?"
Malachi's brows rose in question. He already knows what his friend was aiming at, but he pretended not to know - he wanted to hear him say it.
"And what are you aiming at?" He asked.
"Nothing really. I'm just trying to spell it out for you. I love the heightened speed, the strength, the ability to run within a blink of an eye. The ability to be anywhere I want to be, at any time. The fact that we don't age quickly, we don't die easily. We tend to look younger and handsome. Nah! I don't think I'll want to risk that for anything,"
"I still don't understand what message you are trying to send off!" Malachi smirked and Tristan just rolled his eyes.
"Cut the pretense man. You know what I'm talking about." He glared at Malachi as he walked towards the fridge where he got two glasses and poured some blood into them. He headed back towards the window and gave one of the glasses to Malachi.
"Can you bear the thought of losing your speed? Losing your heightened senses of smell and hearing? Have you thought about the fact that you could lose your memory? You could forget about me, about everyone here? Can you bear the thought of aging quickly the way mortals do? The wrinkled skin associated with aging. Can you do all of that? Have you thought about all these things?"
Malachi shrugged his shoulders. "As much as I enjoy being a vampire, I'm afraid that I don't want to be one anymore. I don't want a world without Sabrina. If giving off everything means that I get to be with the love of my life, trust me, I don't care,"
Tristan gritted his teeth in anger. "You are stubborn. I don't think I've ever come across someone as stubborn as you,"
"Deal with it," Malachi winked as he took a sip from the cup in his hands.
"I hate you," Tristan hissed as he smacked Malachi on his butt, but Malachi just pretended like he didn't see it.
Later, Tristan stood to leave. "I have a date with Emilia tonight," he said, a soft smile spreading across his face.
Malachi raised an eyebrow. "The human you bit?"
Tristan's eyes softened. "She's more than that now. She's my everything, just like Sabrina is everything to you."
With that, Tristan vanished into the night, leaving Malachi to his thoughts. The sound of his disappearance echoed through the silence.
Malachi's gaze drifted towards the fireplace and the flames danced like restless spirits. His mind wandered to the ritual, the unknown consequences and Sabrina.
At that point, Malachi wished that Sabrina was a vampire too just like Tristan's lover was. If she was a vampire, he wouldn't have to be worried about anything. Things would have been easier. He wouldn't have to be worried about her discovering his identity. He wouldn't have to think about becoming a human.