Vampire's Bride

Prologue

"Take this, my love!"

The man threw the dagger handle first to his wife, who used it to penetrate the hideous creature's neck. It hissed violently, clawing toward the bedroom door as it went up in flames. A cloud of grey dust was all that remained, drifting slowly to the ground.

Killing the vampire he was facing with an elegant thrust of his own blade, the man abandoned his post by the door to check on his wife. "Are you okay? You have to fight, darling, there'll be more soon," he whispered, stroking her soft hair with one hand while trying to keep her on her feet with the other.

She shook her head, eyes watering as she pressed her palm against the wound on her stomach. "This... This won't get any better. I can't stand for much longer, let alone fight-" she began, but he cut her off by smiling.

He was the only light in that dark hour.

"Deep breaths. You can still do this, I know you can," he encouraged. She opened her mouth to protest, but he cut her off once more by pressing his lips to hers. She delved into the kiss willingly, chasing the feeling of intimacy with her husband for what would almost undoubtedly be the last time.

They pulled away, foreheads lingering against the other's for a brief second. "I need to check on Areum," she said. He didn't protest.

They locked hands, enjoying the moment of closeness as they wandered over to their child's bedroom door.

She was still sleeping, unmoving on her futon as her chest rose and fell. The couple stood there for what had to be an eternity, observing the one they held dear as both imagined the same thing; what it would be like if they failed and she got hurt. Or worse.

Neither parent wanted to admit it, but this was the last chance they had to get her to safety. After a while, she asked the question on both of their minds. "Who's going to take her?"

"I think..." he begun, but his voice drifted off. Then he shook his head, showing a smile significantly fuller than earlier. "Never mind, darling. I think you should take her." Her eyes closed as she took a few deep breaths, throat aching with each particle that stroked it.

What she suspected they both knew was that the creatures would come for them, no matter where they went. It was undoubtedly certain that after that night. Vampires didn't stop hunting until the prey was dead. They had found them, found the next link in the family. The strongest of them would have to look after Areum from now on, and the strongest of them was definitely him.

She would probably not live much longer, anyway. Whatever was in the creature's claws prevented the wound from closing; the more she tried to prevent the blood from flowing out, the more came. Her attempts weren't just futile, they were actively countered.

She couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. All of it seemed so stupid. There was no point in fighting, because nothing she did would make a difference. With eyes filled to the brim with more than physical pain, she directed her eyes toward her husband, head growing dizzier and dizzier.

"They'll return soon. You have to go with her immediately." She looked down at the knife, forcing her hand to clench around it to prevent dropping it. "I will make my final stand here. For us." She looked up. "For our family."

Knowing better than to argue -because it was impossible to change that woman's mind- the man swallowed a cry for forgiveness over his next actions, and let his wife go. He hurried into Areum's bedroom, not wishing to extend the moment of goodbye.