The Angel, the Vampire, and the Demon

Chapter Fifteen- Some Still Care.

Raziel

Raziel sat down on Abrariel's bed, folding his wings loosely behind his back. With the curtains drawn shut, the room was almost pitch-black, like it was late evening, not early morning. He looked down at the Vampire.

Abrariel was sleeping a little fitfully, a few tears still falling down his face, his grip on Raziel's robes hadn't loosened. Raziel knew that Abrariel didn't want him to leave. He hadn't seen Abrariel as upset as he had been last night; it was heartbreaking to see his son like that.

Abrariel murmured and squirmed a little in Raziel's hold, Raziel brushed the few lingering tears from the boy's pale face. He half-wished he could see the rise and fall of Abrariel's chest, but of course, Abrariel didn't breathe.

Raziel placed a gentle hand on Abrariel's still-flat stomach, he could feel the faint pulse of the baby's heart as it beat the blood through its tiny body; it filled him with a sense of relief, the baby was ok and healthy from what he could tell. He moved his hand to the one Abrariel had gripping the butter-coloured robes and gently unhooked it.

Raziel placed the sleeping Vampire down gently, making sure he was on his side before pulling the covers up and sitting on the end of the bed, pondering what had happened the previous night.

According to Many, a bomb had gone off in one of the peasant Angel homes in the baby's room. Luckily neither mum, nor bub had been in the room at the time, but unfortunately, more than half the town thought Abrariel was the cause, as he had been last inside the house.

But Raziel knew that Abrariel wouldn't do that. Abrariel loved kids! And why would he do something like that when he was expecting a child of his own? The whole town knew Abrariel was pregnant, and had been supporting and making friends with him, how could they think the Vampire had anything to do with it?

What if he does? In a way?

Raziel thought of Telantes, the plotting look in his eyes he sometimes saw. But it couldn't have been him... Could it? Telantes was only ten years old, surely, surely, he wouldn't do something like this, right?

Raziel wasn't so sure.

*

Loud banging on the front door woke Telantes just before dawn, he sat up as loud wails broke the quiet night air like a knife. Telantes smirked when he realized who it was.

His plan had worked! The town was now against the Vampire!... Well, he hoped most of the inhabitants were against him. How the tables had turned! Everyone would be on Telantes's side now, and that made his heart beat with glee, sending a rush of dopamine through his system.

The next part of his plan was more complex. It would need and take months of careful planning for everything to work, he would have to make sure no one saw him, that way he wouldn't be a suspect and he could just show up, shocked and scared while the Angel Guards took the Vampire away.

All Telantes needed to do was find the right Angel and then plan from there.

*

Abrariel

The sun dipped below the clouds as Abrariel woke, feeling cast fallen and hurt. The memory of what had happened the night before was still fresh in his mind.

How could they all just turn on him like that? They didn't even wait for him to explain!

Swallowing back tears, Abrariel stood and headed in slow and stumbling steps to the moonlit kitchen. As he passed the living room, he saw Raziel once again reading by candlelight. The Angel looked up as if sensing his presence.

"Hey, did you have a good sleep?" Raziel asked in a way of greeting, smiling at him as he set his book down.

Abrariel didn't return the greeting, just looked away and kept walking to the kitchen.

"Abrariel?" Raziel called after him, concern coating his voice.

Abrariel went to the silver fridge and took one of his bottles out and sat down at the island, but he couldn't bring himself to eat. All he could think of was the mother's accusing yells and the town's hatred, then how the town had split its loyalties, most going against him. It hurt so much! They were his friends!

"Abrariel?"

The voice was soft, gentle, and caring. Raziel... Abrariel thought. He rested his head on the wood and marble-topped counter of the island, bringing his hands around his head as he started to cry, he couldn't hold the tears back anymore.

"Hey, hey, what's wrong?" Raziel asked gently as he came over, he put a gentle hand on Abrariel's back.

Abrariel didn't answer, just cried a little harder. How could he not know what was wrong? Wasn't it obvious?

"It wasn't your fault," Raziel murmured as he rubbed his back gently, "I believe you, and so do Many and Art, and many other Angels and Souls."

Abrariel didn't respond, he still felt hurt, he let out a strangled sob which caused Raziel to put an arm around his shaking shoulders and murmur words of comfort.

"Can you look at me?" Raziel asked.

Abrariel lifted his head and looked at the Angel with streaming eyes.

Raziel pulled him in for a gentle embrace just as there was a knock on the door. Raziel let go and looked curiously towards the front door before looking back at Abrariel with an apologetic expression. "I will answer it," he murmured leaving the kitchen.

Abrariel turned back to the bottle of blood, his fangs coming out as his body screamed with hunger while his mind didn't. He took the lid off the bottle and started drinking, he wasn't just eating for himself anymore, and just because he was feeling down didn't mean the baby had to go without breakfast.

"Oh hi!"

It was Raziel's voice, he sounded shocked though Abrariel had no idea why. He heard the soft patter of bare feet belonging to an Angel who hadn't yet learned to tread softly.

Abrariel looked towards the kitchen arch but saw no one. He felt something tap his leg and looked down, he gave a small gasp of shock when he saw who it was.

Midrea was standing there, holding the leg of his jeans, and looking up at him. She was smiling and carried a small basket in her hands. She had grown a lot over the past month, her wings looked too big for her body, and her hair was much longer, down to her hips. She was also a lot taller now too. Angels it seemed, grew fast.

Midrea held the basket up. "I made gifts to cheer up Vampire!" She said with a goofy child smile.

From what Abrariel could see, the basket held some blood-red lollies in bags, a few baby beanies, a onesie, and something that looked like a photo frame made of wood, and painted with little handprints. He sniffed and looked at the young Angel who looked back with hopeful eyes.

"Thank you..." Abrariel managed to say, he noticed Raziel, Art, and Many standing in the kitchen archway, all giving him encouraging and supporting smiles. Abrariel gave a watery smile back.

He took the basket, a small sense of relief filling inside him, some people did still care, and some still believed him, and trusted him. He knew he would work hard to earn back the trust he had lost; he wouldn't rest until he did.