The Immortal | Prequel Story |

Chapter 24 ~ Írásom's Decision

Over the next few nights, Mallen went with Iérti to discuss putting an army together. Mallen had an army before, but they all disbanded and left soon after Iérti took control. Iérti was hesitant about gathering the same army that once killed his army, wanting to kill them for what they've done, but Mallen told him there was no sense in killing those who could help them fight a greater enemy.

"This isn't about avenging your army; this is about using my former army to save your former kind," said Mallen, trying to convince him of it.

Iérti grudgingly agreed it was the right thing to do at this point, since it was either vampires save humans or leave the humans to their demise.

Enemy vampires kept infiltrating the castle, trying to learn a shred of secrecy. had to hold secret meetings in his castle, which meant Mallen had to leave Írásom alone at his castle while he went out to discuss with Iérti and the vampire overlords. He once brought her with him to those meetings, but some vampire overlords became increasingly distracted by the presence of a human, especially a beautiful one, and so Mallen had to escort Írásom home.

Though Mallen never mentioned nor said so explicitly, knew he was under strain to keep her alive and well. She didn't like being an additional stress on him in addition to the stresses of planning a rebellion while battling two emerging rebellions. It wasn't her fault, of course, but Írásom could tell it bothered Mallen to have to watch out for her out of worry she might be attacked or harmed by other vampires, enemy or ally.

One night, as Mallen was bent over battle plans on a candlelit writing desk, Írásom sat watching him as she mended a tear on a dress. She could see the frustration from the set of his shoulders as Mallen tried to figure out the best strategy. Írásom watched as he wrote something, then crossed it out. After some time, Mallen pushed back his chair and stood, turning away and facing Írásom as she set down her mending.

"I'm at a loss tonight; I can't seem to figure anything out," Mallen said with a tang of annoyance. "I'll need to discuss this with Iérti; he'll be able to figure it out better than I can."

His voice waned, clearly indisposed. "If I go, I'll have to leave you at my castle for perhaps over a week. This would be the longest I'm away from you. I won't be able to bring you fresh food, and you would have to draw water from the well yourself. I regret to say, I don't have any trusted guards to protect you in my absence, and I can't ask one of the overlords to watch you; we need them all."

An uncomfortable silence passed between them. Írásom knew the strain Mallen was dealing with. It was becoming clear the strain was proving to be too much, especially when other strains took priority.

Írásom let out a deep breath, knowing there was only one way to stop the strain on her end. Írásom reached to touch Mallen's cheek, feeling his cold smooth skin like marble against her soft warm hand. She loved Mallen and wanted to ease things for him as best she could, so she decided the one thing she never thought she would ever willingly suggest.

"The solution is right in front of us, Mallen," Írásom said quietly.

Mallen was perplexed, but only for a moment. A fraction of a second passed before he seemed to realize what Írásom was suggesting. His eyes widened in alarm, his face almost horrified. Before he could say anything, Írásom continued, "Turn me, Mallen. I trust you to do so."

Startlement and dismay flashed through Mallen's face expression. Truthfully, he had thought of that prospect many times, but he respected and loved Írásom too much to condemn her to a vampire life.

He knew it would be easier if Írásom was to become a vampire; she would be able to protect herself and there would no longer be the constant worry of someone harming her. But Írásom had suffered much by vampires. She bore witness to many horrors, some done to her personally. She was traumatized until she fell in love with Mallen, realizing not all vampires were horrible creatures; some were very human.