The Immortal | Prequel Story |

Chapter 45 ~ Christmas Eve

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Christmas Eve

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Mallen awoke to the sound of jingling bells and a beautiful melody of piano and violin music. He leaned up on one arm, realizing he was still wearing the same clothes he wore earlier. He got up, surprised to see his cabin room decorated in lights. He sensed somebody in the room and looked to see standing at the door, smiling at him.

"Bună seara, Mallen," Iérti greeted, surprising him by saying good evening in Romanian. "and the others are back on the ship." [Pronunciation: boo-nah sehr-ah]

"Oh good," Mallen said in relief, walking over to the mirror. "That means we can leave."

"But it's Christmas Eve," said , walking over to Mallen. "It's a traditional holiday celebrated around the galaxy."

"It's also the major turning point in our lives," Mallen said back, turning to face Iérti. "We need to leave this planet immediately."

Iérti's eyes narrowed. "This is my ship. You don't make the orders here."

Mallen gave him an aghast look. "Your ship? I'm the one who brought it to life! I materialized it! That makes it my ship."

"I'm the vampire leader in the land, so that makes me your superior. And I claim this ship to be mine."

"My superior? Who created you? I did! That makes me your superior! I hold command over you. Besides, I thought we were ruling together."

"We were, until you decided you don't want to allow the one chance I have that would bring me one step closer to what I want most – to reunite with my wife and daughter."

Mallen fell silent, his breathing so quiet Iérti was barely able to hear it. Both men looked at each other for a long moment, then Iérti said brusquely, "We are not leaving this planet until I cease being a vampire."

"That's the thing," said Mallen. "I don't want to cease being a vampire. The Ileín said we would both turn into something else entirely, and quite frankly, I'm terrified. I don't want my life to change. I want to go back to planet Voldvell and spend the rest of my days doing things I enjoy in life like riding horses, reading books, knitting, making clothes, designing saddles – "

interrupted him, saying, "There is only one thing I want more than anything and it is to see my wife and daughter again. I long for nothing else but to see them again. I never wanted this life, and here I finally have hope of something different, something to break the endless cycle. You spent so many centuries being a vampire; don't you want to experience a different life?"

"I get to experience many different lives by remaining as I am: an immortal," said Mallen. "You don't have to worry about anything except sunlight, garlic, and pure silver. Even you admit the worst part of being a vampire is thirst. Other than that, it's freedom. You don't have to worry about things like sickness and disease."

"You're arrogant and selfish, Mallen. You may have humanity, but you're still so conceited at times."

"Conceited?" Mallen repeated, scoffing. "I was the one who saved your life as you lay bleeding in the forest the night your sister died. I was the one who set claim on you to prevent other vampires from feeding on you. I protected you and kept you safe all your human years and still continue to look after you even after all this time. You, Iérti Keresi, are the greatest accomplishment the land has ever seen. To think that you – "

Mallen groaned when he was suddenly pressed against the wall, Iérti gripping him tightly. Iérti stared hard at Mallen, his face a look of utter disbelief. "It was you?! You were the man in the forest? The one who healed me after....after my...." Iérti held back a sob, vividly remembering that night.