Nyctophilia

Chapter Two

MALEK POV

The stomping of my footsteps on the sidewalk was accompanied by my heavy breathing as I rushed home from the library, I had been completely immersed in my research when I had received the phone call about the vampire they were bringing in. I had also, unfortunately, neglected to drive to the library, so I was stuck running home after rushing through the last few pages of my book. The excitement at meeting a real vampire was pumping through me as I reached the beginning of our long driveway, I glanced at my watch and winced when I saw I had probably missed the initial introductions. This is going to be equal parts horrifying and intriguing, horrifying because of the embarrassment of showing in the middle of whatever they were talking about, and intriguing because of the fact that I would finally be able to speak to another creature besides the other wolves running around Salem.

I finally reached the front door and rushed through the house, running up to the third floor to the room two doors down from my bedroom. I quickly pulled myself together and opened the door, perhaps a little to excited as everyone looked up at me. I could see my Brother, Micah and his Soulmate, Riley, as well as our Beta, Leonard, and two other wolves I didn't fully catch a glimpse of before my gaze was caught in the trap of his eyes.

He was striking, the only way to describe him would be is if the galaxy had plucked a star from its sky and placed it on the earth. His eyes were luminous orbs of steel,  he had an old stare, one that showed a timelessness not to be mistaken for debilitation. His deep black hair was brushing his eyelashes just lightly enough that they moved with his slow blinks, and his face was softening as he looked at me, the lines and age smoothing out as we kept our eye contact. As he relaxed, my eyes got caught on the one flaw I could find on his face, the long thick scar running from just under his right eye, down below his shirt collar at his throat. My mouth was dry, my heart was fluttering, and my hands were shaking. This man, this being of personified night, was my soulmate. 

As that thought crossed my mind, I watched as he gracefully bowed, bending nimbly at the waist and sweeping a single arm to the side, the other tucked neatly behind his back and a single leg moving slightly behind his to keep his balance. His movements so like a cat that I could only furrow my brows and wonder just what this man was. 

He moved back up and smiled politely at me, and that's when I knew that this was the vampire I was so excited to meet not even a minute prior. His mouth had fangs peeking from his gums, neatly tucked against the rest of his pearly white teeth. I couldn't help but feel self-conscious in the face of such a man, grinning back with a closed mouth as I remembered that I had drank three cups of coffee today and my smile would not be nearly as perfect.

"Good Afternoon, I am Elyan Lace." He spoke with a purr so unlike any human voice I had heard before, it sounded as if it was coming from deep within his chest, "and you must be what the gods modeled heaven after." He took a step closer and grabbed my limp hand in his cold one, kissing it lightly on the back before letting go and stepping back to his position in front of my brothers desk.

I felt a heat run from my belly to my hairline, my tanned skin flushing a deep embarrassed red that splotched across my neck as well. I exhaled heavily, "my name is Malek Byrd, Micah's brother." I had to shift my weight to the side as my awkward attempt be introduce myself in the same suave manner as the man before me failed, my voice going higher and cracking on every other word. 

He seemed to melt, his body loosening and eyes softening, "Malek, a divine name for a divine creature." My brother turned to Elyan, clearing his throat loudly and standing swiftly, walking to my side and shifting to be slightly in front of me. It didn't seem to stop the vampire from craning his head slightly to keep looking at me. 

My brother cleared his throat a second time, "it would seem that we should instead have this meeting over a meal together. I assume you have recognized my baby brother as your Soulmate?" At that statement the vampire finally shifted his gaze the Micah and sneered.