"That's how it is, huh?" Zach's voice held a tinge of wonder. "Vamp powers are kinda tempting..." A playful grin flashed across his face.
Velor chuckled, a flicker of sadness in his eyes. "Trust me, Forever ain't all sunshine and rainbows." A bittersweet smile touched his lips.
"At least I can run fast when I'm in danger. That's a really important perk," Zach chuckled, lying down on the bed with a sigh.
"Sure is," Velor murmured.
"Anyway, thanks for looking out for me."
"You're very welcome," Velor replied with a gentle huff.
"Now, I think I'll let you rest," Velor said, standing up and walking towards the door.
"Don't let the bedbugs bite," Velor said with a smirk, heading towards the door. "Just yell if you need anything." He paused, a flicker of warmth in his eyes. "And... sweet dreams, smart guy." With that, he slipped out, leaving Zach alone in the room.
The bed, warm and smelling of fresh laundry, wrapped Zach in a comforting embrace. He burrowed deeper under the covers, staring up at the ceiling until sleep claimed him.
Morning had passed, noon to be exact, and he awoke with a face still tender, but noticeably less swollen. He splashed cold water on his skin, peering out the window. A breeze rustled through the trees, a gentle welcome to the new day.
He opened the door, stepping cautiously into the hallway. The moonlight had given way to the soft glow of afternoon sunlight, casting a warm embrace around him
He walked downstairs, assuming all the vampires were asleep somewhere in the sprawling mansion. The silence of the house seemed to confirm his suspicion. But as he descended, a familiar rumble began in his stomach.
"Why are you like this?" Zach muttered to himself, as he wandered through the maze-like mansion. A kitchen, finally! He yanked open the fridge, recoiling at the sight within. Stacks of raw meat, bags of frozen crimson liquid... not exactly the first meal of the day material. A few eggs and wilting vegetables huddled in the corner, offering little solace.
He slammed the fridge door shut, already pulling out his phone. Food delivery was the answer – something normal, something human. Scrolling through a list of restaurants, a Korean place caught his eye. Good reviews, but far from the mansion. He shrugged. Desperate times called for desperate measures. With a few taps, his order was placed, and Zach settled in to wait, stomach rumbling in anticipation.
He waited patiently in the front hall, and when the phone finally rang, he swung open the grand door and strode down the path to the front gate. The delivery driver stood waiting, a pale young man with bright blue hair and striking green eyes. A silly grin spread across his face as Zach approached.
"Here's your order," the man said, handing over the food bag. Zach reached out to take it, but the man suddenly grabbed his arm and pulled him close.
"What the hell?!" Zach shouted, struggling against the man's iron grasp. He looked up, meeting the man's gaze... and froze. The eyes, once emerald green, were now burning a demonic red, like twin embers in the fading sunlight.
"You smell delicious," the man snarled, his voice laced with menace
"I wonder which vampire has bound your blood." His grin widened, predatory and cruel.
"Is it the vampire lord?" he said, his grip tightening painfully on Zach's arm. "No, no, I guess it's not." He leaned in, his breath hot against Zach's skin, the scent of freshly baked bread and sugary sweetness clinging to him
"Stop!!" Zach shouted, his voice rising in panic as he continued to struggle against the man's grasp.
"Alright, alright," the man chuckled, finally releasing Zach's arm. Zach rubbed the sore limb, the skin now marked with a red handprint.
"I think I'll let you marinate a bit longer. It'll improve the flavour." A fanged grin spread across the man's face, then faded as his eyes shifted back to emerald green. the tension in the air dissipating as quickly as it had arisen.
"But I'll see you again soon, sweet thing," he said, giving Zach's hair a light yet heavy pat before hopping onto his bike and riding away, leaving Zach standing frozen at the gate.
Slowly, Zach made his way back to the mansion, a cold dread settling in his stomach. He dumped the food bag onto the kitchen counter, the contents a jumbled mess thanks to the man's rough handling. The delicious smell of Korean food did little to quell the unease that gnawed at him. He had just encountered something far more sinister than he had ever imagined.
"Is this what they were talking about?...the Sunspawned " Zach mumbled to himself, recalling the conversation he'd had with the vampire trio when they first met.
A shiver ran down his spine. Back then, he had been sceptical, unsure if their warnings were anything more than wild stories. Now, the truth had slapped him in the face – sharp fangs, burning red eyes, and a chilling hunger that clung to the air like a shroud.
He pulled out his phone, intending to call Velor, but something stopped him. He stared at the screen, knowing Velor could help, but the events of last night and the fact that it was still daylight made him hesitate. He decided to wait for nightfall, putting his phone away.
He went back upstairs, using the salt water Velor had given him to rinse his mouth. It wasn't as painful as last night, but still more uncomfortable than he would have liked. He lay down on the bed and decided to take a nap, hoping the time would pass quickly until night fell.
"Mister," a voice rumbled, accompanied by an icy touch on his arm that jolted him awake.
Zach bolted upright, finding Pearl (or was it Penelope?) standing beside the bed, a bed sheet draped over her arm.
"Hi," he mumbled, rubbing sleep from his eyes. "Isn't it still daytime?" He glanced at the window, but the light had shifted. The last rays of sun painted the sky in vibrant hues, casting long shadows across the room.
"Oh, it's not," he realised, offering an awkward smile.
The woman smiled. "The lord asked me to fetch you. Ms. Fitzwill is here." She folded the bed sheet neatly onto a nearby table.
"Who's that?"
"Right, of course. It's Ms. Mable." A dramatic pause. "She has returned." The woman's smile softened.
Zach returned her smile with a nod, then made his way downstairs to the ballroom where Aiden's bar was located. He pushed the door open and spotted Mable, her black hair cascading down her shoulders, her lips painted a familiar shade of red. The black fur coat she wore only accentuated her striking beauty.
Upon seeing Zach, Mable's face lit up with warmth. She crossed the room in quick strides, her arms reaching for him before she even spoke. Without a word, she pulled him into a tight, heartfelt embrace.
Stepping back, she smiled apologetically. "Oh dear, I'm so sorry." Her eyes scanned his face, her smile faltering. "It's good to see you in go…" She stopped short, her eyes widening in alarm. "Who the hell did this to you?!" Mable's voice hardened as she reached out to touch Zach's face with her cold hands.
"I'll rip their skin off, just give me a name." She squeezed his arm gently, her tone fierce.
"It's alright, Mable," Zach reassured her with a smile, though his voice wavered slightly. "I think they might leave me alone… for now."
"If you need help, just ask. I don't want you getting hurt again," Mable said, her fingers tracing the contours of his face. Zach nodded, a genuine smile warming his features.
"Now, come sit. I picked up snacks for you on my way back because Velor told me you were here." She bustled over to the bar's storage area, returning with an armful of goodies – a decadent-looking cake, a tin of cookies, and more.
"Thank you," Zach said, accepting the bag. "I don't have anything to offer in return."
"Just stay safe and sound, that's all I ask," Mable replied with a gentle smile.
"Actually," Zach began, squeezing the bag gently, "there's something I need to tell all of you."
"Okay, I'll tell them for you. Eat, and I'll let you know when they're all here," Mable said, leaving the room with a reassuring smile.
Zach pulled out a cookie, its rich, creamy appearance and soft vanilla scent tempting his senses. He took a cautious bite, mindful of his sore face. The cookie melted in his mouth, every bit as luxurious as it looked.
He finished the bag of cookies, washing it down with a gulp of water. He drummed his fingers on the table, swinging his feet idly as he waited for Mable's return. The ballroom doors swung open, and all six vampires entered the room.
"Now, what was it you wanted to tell us?" Mable asked, her tone laced with curiosity.
"Well, this afternoon..." Zach hesitated, gauging their reactions.
"I ordered food, and the delivery guy..." He glanced down at his hands, still bearing the faint marks of the encounter
"Um, he might have been one of those sunspawned things you guys keep talking about," Zach finished, looking up at the vampires. Their faces were etched with surprise, Velor and Mable exchanging a shocked glance.
"Tell me the details," Velor demanded, moving to sit beside Zach on the couch.
"He had blue hair and green eyes, but then his eyes turned red, and he grabbed me and said I smelled delicious or something," Zach recounted, his voice trembling slightly as he met Velor's gaze.
"And he just let you go?" Velor's voice was sharp, laced with disbelief.
"Yeah," Zach confirmed, meeting Velor's gaze with wide, worried eyes. "He said he was letting me marinate... to make me tastier."
"Oh, for heaven's sake," Dominick groaned, burying his face in his hands "You could have died," he added, his voice muffled.
"Even in this mansion, even with everything we do to disguise our base..." Dominick trailed off, resting his head on Aiden's shoulder in frustration.
"I'm sorry," Zach mumbled, guilt washing over him.
"No, no, it's not your fault," Dominick quickly reassured him.
"But it might have been a coincidence," Zach suggested, a hopeful note in his voice.
"Nothing is a coincidence with the sunspawned," Velor said, his gaze locking onto Zach's with newfound intensity. "Why didn't you call me?"
Zach looked down, a flush of shame creeping up his neck. "It was daytime. I didn't want to bother you guys."
"Besides that, he didn't really do anything," Zach mumbled, a hint of confusion in his voice.
"The sunspawned… they..." Velor began, but then trailed off, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.
"At the very least, tell me about it after you're safely inside," Velor sighed
"Is there anything else you can remember?" he asked, giving Zach's back a reassuring pat.
"Oh, there actually is," Zach replied, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.
"He asked me which vampire I'd bound my blood to." He looked at Velor with curiosity. "What is that?"
Velor averted his gaze, clearly uncomfortable with the question. "Ahh, about that..." he stammered.
"Perhaps we should discuss that another time," Mable suggested, her tone carefully neutral.
"Why?" Zach asked, turning to her with a puzzled expression.
"It's... complicated," Mable said, choosing her words carefully. "It might be too difficult to explain right now."
"Please, let us discuss this first. We'll answer all your questions," Dominick interjected, his voice firm but gentle.
Zach's shoulders slumped, disappointment etched into his features. "If you say so."
"Come, Velor," Dominick said, gesturing towards the door. "We need to talk."
Velor's gaze lingered on Zach, worrying clouding his eyes like storm clouds. "Stay here," he said, his voice thick with concern. "I'll be back."
The six vampires filed out of the room, leaving Zach alone with his thoughts and a table laden with snacks. He dug into the remaining treats, one bite after another, trying to bury his worries and anxieties under a mountain of sugar.
Once the cake was finished, he wandered aimlessly around the room, drawn to the doors that led to the garden. He stepped outside, the familiar sight of the moonlit garden calming his nerves. Moonlight glinted off the dew clinging to the bushes, creating a magical scene that momentarily eased his troubled mind.
The scent of night-blooming flowers wafted through the air, a sharp yet sweet perfume that tickled his senses. Zach wandered towards the centrepiece of the garden – a beautifully sculpted statue, its smooth lines catching the moonlight.
He settled onto the damp grass, lying back to gaze at the star-strewn sky. It was a peaceful moment. Despite the chill in the air, a warmth spread through him as he gazed upwards. He closed his eyes, focusing on the sweet, floral scent that hung heavy in the night air. Time seemed to slow, the world fading away... until the sound of footsteps broke the spell.
"Do you like this garden?" The voice was soft, familiar.
"Yes, Velor, it's beautiful," Zach replied, sitting up to face the figure who had joined him on the grass.
"My father loved this garden," Velor's voice was tinged with nostalgia.
"Our home was once much grander. The gardens were even more spectacular, until the regional conflict." He reached out, gently plucking a blade of grass from Zach's hair. "They destroyed everything... but luckily, this mansion, once a castle, is still in good shape." A faint smile touched his lips.
"I thought this mansion belonged to Dominick," Zach said, a hint of confusion in his voice.
"Ah, that idiot," Velor chuckled. "Back after the conflict, we had something called a presentation ceremony. I was supposed to inherit everything from my father, but I was too lazy." He grinned at Zach.
"I must have been around 45 at the time," he added with a wink.
"So I gave the title to Dominick, since he loved humans so much." Velor said with a shrug.
"How old were you when you became a vampire?" Zach asked, curious
"Twenty-five," Velor answered simply.
"You're a lot younger than me then!" Zach giggled.
"Please," Velor scoffed playfully, "I've lived for two centuries. You still think I'm younger than you?"
"Of course," Zach said with a grin, enjoying the lighthearted banter.
"Alright," Velor said with a playful smirk, gently ruffling Zach's hair. "You can be the old guy then."
"So," Zach began, turning to Velor, "I'm really curious about what it's like to be a vampire."
"Ask away," Velor replied, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Is it true that you can't walk in the sunlight? Or is that just an assumption?"
Velor chuckled. "I don't know for sure, but even a little sunlight can leave a nasty burn. so I wouldn't try to debunk it."
"But how can the sunspawned?" Zach pressed.
"There's a story about that," Velor began. "Once upon a time, there were only Moonspawned vampires like us, who could walk freely in the sun. But long ago, a vampire grew greedy during a sacred ritual under the moonlight. He demanded more power from the moon god, but instead of granting his wish, the god punished him. The vampire lost the powers he once had,"
Velor paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "The god banished him, but the sun god, who was the moon god's twin, disapproved of this punishment. They embraced the fallen vampire and blessed him with the ability to walk in the sun, while the rest of the Moonspawned lost that power."
"So it's just a sibling fight?" Zach asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Velor's smile widened. "You could say that."
"But we don't worship them anymore. Well, some of us might still do it in secret, but we've moved on." he added,
"That's a shame," Zach sighed. "I wish you could walk in the sun."
Velor gave him a wistful smile. "I wish I could too. But some things just can't be changed." His gaze drifted up to the moon, a longing in his eyes that mirrored Zach's own yearning for the warmth of sunlight.
"Oh right, I almost forgot," Velor said, reaching for Zach's arm. Zach startled slightly as Velor gently pushed up his sleeve.
"You said he grabbed your arm, correct?" Velor asked, turning Zach's arm to examine it.
"It was this one," Zach clarified, offering his other arm.
Velor carefully examined it, turning it over in his hands. "Ah, there it is," he said, a frown creasing his brow. "That little rat," he muttered to himself.
"You're in deep trouble," Velor said, his voice a mixture of worry and anger. He pulled out his phone, snapping a picture of Zach's arm.
"He marked you," he explained, showing Zach the photo.
"huh?"