| Abhiya FF - His Firefly | COMPLETED Chapter 108 Pg 88 - Page 15

R u going to update now??

Originally posted by: Mtho29346

R u going to update now??

not today 😆 still writing the chapter

Chapter 35

Just Another Day

The little Abhayendra loved his birthday, so much that he couldn’t ever sleep the night prior. Always wondering what he’d do that day without getting yelled at, how many of his favorite dishes would be prepared, and when he could see the gifts of new clothing and books his parents would bring.

Things were different now. Nothing to get excited for, nothing to celebrate. He hardly told anyone the date anymore.

Birthdays became trivial. It was one day in the entire year that did nothing but repeat. Just like all the other 364 days. And after so many of them, its meaning faded into nothingness.

Why would a walking corpse celebrate its birthday anyways?

“So what’s the plan for tomorrow?” Siddharth asked, tossing a thick file onto the table. He pestered Abhay like this every year, but never got anything of substance. This year had the potential to surprise. He waited for an answer, expecting that, with how changed his brother was becoming recently, he would want to do something for his birthday again. Anything of his own volition, and not out of obligation to their happiness. Just like when they were kids.

Abhay twirled a fountain pen in his fingers, thinking of ways to avoid the conversation. It was attention he didn’t want. The board room was empty, except for the three vampires. Danish shrugged his shoulders as he set up the presentation, in response to Siddharth’s question.

“Again, there is no plan. There has never been a plan.” He muttered, scrolling through the slides as a distraction.

Oh Abhay, your child self would be so disappointed in you.

Siddharth held in a laugh and rolled his chair closer to Abhay, whispering a crafty plan into his ear.

“What if....we arranged a lovely dinner date for you and Piya? As a gift?”

Abhay drove the tip of the pen into the table wood, just between Siddharth’s splayed fingers. His eyes narrowed, flashing cobalt for a split second.

“Don’t even think about it.”

Siddharth plucked the pen out of the wood and bent the tip back into place. He examined the damage and frowned at the small divot.

“Look at what you did to my table. It’s mahogany.” He complained.

“I’ll pay for a new one.”

The peon knocked on the glass door, and brought in three coffees for the men. Abhay took a sip of the hot, black liquid. Bitter, just like his mood.

“So I guess we’re drinking again.” Danish said. “Birthday boy has to take 326 shots. My treat.”

“The bartender will think I’m trying to get alcohol poisoning.”

“Okay, I’ll take off the three. 26 shots.”

He was ancient, a ghost of history. They all were. But being physically stuck at age 25 had its own advantages. Especially with the single folk. All he had to do was stand in sight and the prey would come to him voluntarily.

“Are they here yet?” Abhay groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. Their latest project was a joint venture, with the Dobriyals. Siddharth checked his watch and folded his hands over his stomach, kicking his feet up on the table.

“Well?”

“What? There are still 2 minutes left. Patience, little brother.”

The jovial chatter outside the board room caught their ears. Not of two, but three people. Their client arrived alongside Arnab and to their surprise, Sameer. A copy of his father, just riddled with more attitude. Abhay bent the pen in his palm, drenching the floor with drops of ink. If this project wasn’t profitable to them, he wouldn’t even let them near the office.

Ugh, I knew we should have cancelled, Siddharth complained through their mindlink.

Despite needing professional decorum, Abhay couldn’t hide his displeasure. They all shook hands, hiding their true options of each other behind the mask of business professionalism. A firm shake, each trying not to crush the other out of spite. Not like Sameer had the strength for it anyways.

“Nice to see you again, Abhay.”

“I didn’t know you were back in town. When did you arrive?”

“A few days back. I couldn’t miss Misha’s birthday.”

Again with the birthdays.

Sameer wanted to distance himself from any office affairs, but he grew bored at home. As much as he loved his family, he wasn’t used to not having anything to do. He sifted through some project files the other day. This one took his immediate interest, because of this partnership. He liked bothering them, getting under their skin.

All the vampires suddenly felt uncomfortable.

Arnab was already a nuisance. Sameer was twice as bad, ingrained with the same curiosities as his father. That curiosity was damn annoying, and seemingly hereditary.

The poor client was unaware of the enmity between the two families and carried on like he normally would have.

“Shall we begin?”

“Of course.”

———————————————————————

Last violinist to perform.

Piya watched each one before her enter and exit the hall, some emerging with confidence and most others with unease. She was nervous herself, and no amount of coaching from her friends was helping.

The last girl made her exit, walking away with sluggish steps. She didn’t look too happy.

“Oh man, you’re next.” Misha said, clapping her hands. Piya forced a smile; she didn’t like being constantly reminded.

Her mind entered a brief haze that encouraged her to relieve her stress by not going in at all.

“No, wait, I’m not ready. I can’t do it. Let’s go.”

Her hand trembled as she tried to turn and escape, but Misha grabbed her shoulders, pulling her back to her position.

“No way. You prepared so much for this. Ruhi, stand by the door. Kabir, stand by the other door.”

They nodded and stood near the two entrances, acting as strict security.

“This is wrong. You can’t trap me like this.”

“Dude, relax. Look at me.”

She took deep breaths and gestured Piya to do the same. Her knees stopped shaking after a couple rounds.

Breathe in, breathe out.

The strength of these nerves was unbecoming of her stage persona. It simply grew with her ambition. She had to do well. There were only a handful of openings for the upcoming semester, and competition was stiff. Her experience thus far helped her to secure the chance to audition in the first place. Now she had to demonstrate it live, no excuses. There wouldn’t be a chance to postpone or get a redo. The reputation of Doon University’s music program made this audition much different from the others she participated in.

Misha rubbed her shoulders from behind and nudged her forward once her name was called. All three waved to her and wished her luck with beaming smiles.

She greeted the judges with a bow, nervously glimpsing at the empty seats of the hall behind them. Her own breath created a shallow echo, shaky and lacking depth. The place where she felt the most comfortable also felt the most foreign. Especially in these scenarios.

Breathe.

Her lovely not-a-ghost came to greet her then, taking a seat right in her sight. Where he sat the first day they met.

He was in her imagination. Her nerves began to steady, and she played like he was the only one in the room. Her focus and skill were on the instrument, and her confidence rose with his apparition’s presence. No matter how it went in the end, she played with her heart, and feeling his smile was enough.

You did good.

The judges thanked her, no applause to avoid showing bias. She hurried off the stage, pushing the door open and leaning back against the wall. It was unbelievably stuffy in there. The hallways were much cooler.

“How’d it go?” Misha asked. Piya nodded and smiled softly. “Thank goodness.” They all slumped down on the floor with her, palms meeting in several high-fives.

———————————————————————

There was one thing left on her agenda for today, returning Abhay’s ID card. Misha’s scooter didn’t so much as rattle today, smoothly cruising down the rain soaked roads. Piya hoped it could brake properly. They moved fast, letting the breeze rush through her hair.

“Hey Misha, can we stop by the Raichand mansion real fast? If you don’t mind?”

“Sure. What happened?”

They passed Piya’s villa and continued down the main road. Misha pressed the brakes, slowing her scooter for the slight downslope that lay ahead. The mansion was tucked away behind uneven roads and a small, gradual slope.

“Nothing. Abhay dropped his student ID card on my porch yesterday. I need to return it.”

“You’re so kind, Piya. I would have burned it.”

Piya shook her head, slapping Misha’s shoulder.

“Ow.” She muttered.

The driveway was empty of cars when they reached. But the old guard was there, reading a large newspaper. He saw Piya from the side, and exited his post to stop her from entering the gates.

“I’m sorry, ma’am. No one is home right now.”

Piya realized the lights were off inside.

He must be at work still.

She glanced at the ID card, stroking her thumb over his picture. The seriousness of his expression was borderline comedic. It was evident how much he didn’t want the education just from the photo. Like someone held him prisoner and forced him to take it.

“That’s okay.”

She held the card out, leaving it in the guard’s hands. “Abhay dropped this yesterday. Could you give it to him when he comes back?”

“I see. No problem, I’ll give it to Abhay sir.”

“Thank you so much. Good night.”

Misha spent her time adjusting her helmet, fixing the straps as Piya made her way back. A question was immediately thrown her way, as she sat down behind her.

“Hey Misha, if I wanted to use a flower or something in a bracelet, how would I make sure it doesn’t rot?”

The tiny artist in her head rubbed it hands together. It was about time she could add to the conversation.

“Hmm, setting it in epoxy resin should do the trick. Maybe a little sanding down and polishing to give the result a nice shape and glow.”

“Can you show me? I want to make something.”

“You don’t need to ask. Of course I’ll show you.” She rubbed her chin. “How about this? Let’s take the night off. No studying.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean gather your materials, and I’ll bring the necessary things from home. We’ll have a small crafting night at your place, just the two of us.”

“That sounds fun.”

Misha rushed to her place after dropping Piya off, promising to be back in a reasonable amount of time. Piya left her things inside and journeyed into the forest with a pair of sharp scissors. The edelweiss couldn’t have chosen to bloom at a better time.

“This one looks nice.” Her fingers lifted the petals, and she carefully snipped the bud off the plant. It was small, but of good size for a bracelet. She carried it between both palms, careful not to crush it.

They got to work once Misha came back. She brought a large tub of her supplies with.

“You got one?”

She dumped her tools on the counter, examining the flower while Piya weaved half the bracelet with narrow strips of faux leather. She wasn’t sure of his wrist size. Guessing would have to do.

I hope this is the right size.

Misha tapped her shoulder. “Watch this.”

The flower was dipped in a cube-like container, full of the clear resin.

“Once it sets, we can carve out the shape.”

“Wow, have you done this before?”

Piya jiggled the tiny cube and watched the flower remain still in suspension. The resin hardened and turned into a block that one could even use as a decoration. She could gift it as is and call it a paperweight.

“For a bracelet, never. But there’s a first time for everything. I hope the person you’re giving this to won’t mind if we mess up. Especially when we poke the holes.”

“Even if we do, I’m sure they won’t mind.”

Awesome.

Abhay, Siddharth and Danish conversation was amazing and their thoughts were cherry at the top.

Piya and misha are preparing bracelet by engraving flower in a gem.Is this Piya gift to Abhay on his birthday??

Originally posted by: Mtho29346

Awesome.

Abhay, Siddharth and Danish conversation was amazing and their thoughts were cherry at the top.

Piya and misha are preparing bracelet by engraving flower in a gem.Is this Piya gift to Abhay on his birthday??

Maybe it is 😉😛 what’s a birthday without a gift

thanks dear!🤗

True that,Abhay surely gonna like the gift

Chapter 36

Those Lurking in the Shadows

She carefully wrapped the bracelet in light grey tissue paper, placing it into a small black box with silver ribbon tied in place.

It was the afternoon of December 5th. Piya picked up her phone, contemplated telling Abhay that she was coming to see him, and shoved it into her pocket instead. A surprise might be better.

“I hope he likes it.”

It was the first time she spent this much effort on a gift that wasn’t for her mother.

She walked the way there, holding the box behind her back. The mansion looked the same as it did everyday. Extravagant decor that associated with their parties was lacking. Nothing to indicate a special occasion.

He did say he wasn’t much of a party person. But still, it’s his own birthday.

Abhay was in the living room, nose buried deep in a novel, and felt Piya’s presence grow closer and closer to the doors. He looked at Siddharth with suspicion.

“What?”

“You didn’t ask Piya to do anything weird, right?”

“No sir. But I really wanted to.”

She knocked thrice, alternating the box in her hands as to wipe the other of sweat. Abhay made sure he was the one to talk to her, lest Siddharth get any more strange ideas.

She was very quiet, and conducted herself like they just met for the first time. Shy and unable to speak. Her hands were behind her back.

“Piya?”

She pressed the back of her hand to her reddening cheeks, holding the gift box in front of him. They locked eyes for a brief second, enough for her to see that he was pleasantly surprised by it.

“Happy birthday, Abhay.”

“Oh....thanks.”

Why is this so awkward? Idiot. You can at least pretend to be enthusiastic.

Piya’s thoughts were very loud. Siddharth and Mandu held back laughter, contributing to Abhay’s plight between themselves. Even she was confused on why they were trying so hard not to laugh.

He didn’t question her on how she knew, and his lackluster response told her he wasn’t in a celebratory mood. Abhay Raichand, the birthday boy, didn’t look like one.

He took the gift from her outstretched hand. Piya watched patiently as he undid the ribbon and rolled the bracelet on his finger. It was handwoven, decorated with an edelweiss flower encased in clear resin, like old creatures frozen in amber. The band was in black, his favorite color. He touched the crystalline flower.

“Did you make this?”

She nodded quickly. He slipped it on in front of her. To her relief, it fit perfectly.

“It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

Piya looked up from the floor. He smiled. Her heart did its weird thing again, of beating irregularly whenever he was around.

“You’re welcome. Are you...doing anything special today?”

“You expect too much from him, Piya. He’s quite the bore.” Siddharth yelled from inside. Abhay turned around and glared at him. “The truth is bitter, little brother.”

Leave it up to Siddharth to lighten the air. She stifled a giggle.

“Well, if that changes, I hope you have fun. I’ll see you later.”

She hurried off very quickly, hiding another tomato face before he saw.

“Is she okay?” Mandu peeked out the door. Gone like the wind, as they would say. “You told her it’s your birthday? I’m shocked, I tell you.”

“I didn’t.” He held up his ID card. The guard gave it to him last night, and said she dropped it off. If the date actually evaded her eyes, he would have changed his name a second time. “But this did.”

“Aha! For once, you can’t blame me.”

Abhay closed the doors, rolled his eyes, and hit Siddharth’s head with the empty box.

“No need to be so dramatic.”

———————————————————————

It was past midnight, an abundance of crickets chirping outside. Piya lay quietly in bed, unable to fall asleep. Her eyes were heavy, but they wouldn’t close. There was something to be missed if she did.

“Hey...”

His calming, husky voice tickled her ear. She sat up, startled, upon finding her special friend sitting at her bedside.

“Abhay? What are you doing here? How did you get in?”

He placed his finger over her rosy lips, asking for complete silence so he could admire her. Friend wasn’t the right term anymore. The sensations he made her feel were of a different nature, and most evident in her behavior earlier this afternoon. His gaze wasn’t of a friend, but that of a lover. She became smitten by the emotion swirling in his irises; it was the first time she saw it clearly.

“Shhhh.....”

It was real, but it wasn’t real. This was a dream. She must’ve fallen asleep. The door was locked, he couldn’t have gotten in.

His eyes flickered cobalt, and he pressed a kiss to her cheek. Then her jaw. Then her neck. The ice of his lips melted upon her heated skin. He stopped just short of her lips. Instead, he touched the tip of her nose with his, as she closed her eyes, waiting for him to continue.

What are you doing?

This was something new. But she liked it. She wished he completed the last kiss, but he stopped like he did that rainy night.

He looked into her eyes, tracing her features for a mental artwork, Piya as his muse. She became a prisoner to his eyes. They were such a pretty color. Especially at nighttime.

“Are you the ghost? Why do you look like Abhay?”

He tucked locks of hair behind her ear.

“What do you believe?”

“I don’t know. And I’m tired of always asking you.”

“Does it matter what or who I am?”

She lifted an eyebrow, perplexed by the question. What he was? She did call him something that night.

Not human.

But that was awfully vague.

“Would you be afraid of me?”

“I’m not afraid of ghosts.”

“Not a ghost. Something else.”

“What else is there? I don’t even think ghosts are real. You could be my imagination.”

“Is that so? Can your imagination save you in real life? I don’t think so.”

She had no answer. He only answered with the doubts in her own mind, repeating them back in more thought-provoking phrases.

“You contradict yourself a lot in this matter, Piya.”

He chuckled to himself and stood up, taking slow steps out of the room, and never once turning back. She threw the covers aside and followed. There was so much she needed to ask him. Every time they met, he added to her confusions. His form moved fast, beckoning her out into the empty roads behind him, in just a nightgown and slippers.

“Wait!”, she called, under the spell of his gaze.

The eyes were her waypoint, looking back to guide her. He wandered without direction, into parts of the forest she wasn’t familiar with. It was dark and murky. She lost sight of her own feet. Even the cobalt orbs were consumed by the abyss.

Where are you?

She stood quietly, turning her head about in all directions to find him. It was no use; she could barely see.

A thick fog pooled in the air, obscuring her vision even further. Several blood-curling scream ripped through her ears. It was in the same direction as Abhay’s specter, though it didn’t sound like him.

Someone is in trouble. I...

Without second thought, she hurried forward as far as she could, with limited sight.

“Is someone there?”

The lack of reply was worrisome. She continued on. Immediately so, her foot kicked a long, thin branch. Wet and cold. She picked it up. The moonlight shone over the sharp tip, revealing the scarlet of blood that evaporated into thin air mere seconds later. She covered her own mouth with her palms, forcing a shriek down. It fell to the ground, rolling away from her feet.

This...

Her feet ground into what looked like ash.

What is this?

Malicious growls erupted from the brush. Several pairs of bright yellow eyes surrounded her, muzzles opening to reveal sets of long sharp teeth.

Wolves again.

Bigger than usual. Like the one that attacked her months ago.

Piya stood still, outnumbered by the ferocious wild beasts. They closed in on her, snapping their teeth with insatiable hunger. A pair of footsteps surfaced nearby, wrapping a path around her like she was a porcelain doll to be appraised. Along with the fog, the wolves lowered their heads and retreated. Whoever it was, they had control over them.

She narrowly escaped death again. Though, she wasn’t sure she was completely safe yet.

“My my, what a beauty.”

Ayushmaan was pleased with his spell, his illusion. It brought her into his clutches with no fuss. A couple dead vampires and the girl who stole Abhay’s heart, all in one place. It was a good night for them.

What could she be like? Just like Maithili, complete opposites, or a mix of the two?

She was nothing like he had ever seen before. A melodic voice, even as it quaked with fear, and rich, expressive eyes. Every feature was constructed with simplistic beauty in mind. The darkness only accentuated it. A wandering nymph of the twilight.

Piya’s breaths stopped. That wasn’t the voice she was looking for. Where did he go? Who was hurt, and where were they? The trance was fading, beginning to draw her back the way she came. Back to safe ground. Her feet tripped over themselves by unearthed roots, slamming her back against a tree.

She looked up, and found a pair of eyes staring at her mere inches away. One hazel, and one bright green, each with a strip of red tattoos underneath. They were not kind eyes, even if they saved her from the wolves.

She thought she saw the red tattoos glow.

“W-w-who are you?”

Ayushmaan examined Piya closely. Not only was she beautiful, she was a bounty of innocence and allure.

Your taste is astounding, Abhayendra. No wonder you and Jeh have taken a liking towards her.

His bony fingers gripped her jaw, denying her the right to scream. Piya’s body glowed its pale yellow, her soul revealing itself on his command. He was awed by its strength. A rare essence that very few had.

It seems my good fortune has returned.

Some souls were born blessed by the moon itself, biding its affinity to their dark world. She was one of them. While she was still a normal human, she had a place in the supernatural sphere. How exactly, that was up to hands of Fate.

A pretty, little pawn for us, I could hope?

Just like heir to Pandher’s throne, her sacrifice could give them an abundance of power. The poor baby prince. It pained him to hurt Mandakini like that, but what could he do? A soul with that much energy, it was too tempting to pass up. Maithili’s orders. No one could deny them.

Shall I kill her too?

Her soul alone was enough to free Maithili, but no doubt would the sleeping queen want it for other purposes.

“Let....go...” Piya hissed. Her strength was unmatched for this peculiar entity. It didn’t stop her though.

He snickered, as she tried to writhe out of his grip. She was gutsy, trying to fight against something that could kill her with a snap of his fingers. Her soul may be powerful, but she wasn’t. She was still a weak, puny human. A small pebble in face of a boulder.

Foolish mortal. You don’t know what mess you’ve put yourself into.

The farther she stayed from Abhay, the easier it would be to capture her later. But he decided to leave her for now.

I’ll let you have some fun, Abhayendra. You must be yearning for the touch of a lover after so long.

He held his arms behind his back, leaning next to her ear.

“Not now. It’s not time.”

Piya couldn’t make sense of this man’s words, and screamed for help. He grabbed her throat, and cursed her vocals to settle for a couple hours. As beautiful as she was, her pointless screeching stung his sensitive ears.

“Silentium sermonibus tuis, et non sit in eo sanitas.” [Transl: Silence your words, let no sound in or out]

Is that latin? What’s happening to his hand?

A dark red cloud constructed her throat like a collar, leaving her mute.

“Don’t ruin my impression of you, sweet dove. You’re better off quiet.”

What did you do to me? What are you?

He touched his index finger to her forehead, teleporting her back into bed where the illusion of Abhay came to see her. It was too easy. They had each other wrapped around their fingers, making it easy for an outsider to manipulate.

Such was the folly of love. Each other’s strength, but also each other’s weakness.

He crushed some dead flowers under his feet and rejoined his coven, eager to find some more vampires to kill. At least one from the last encounter escaped, maybe they could find him.

Piya was shocked to find herself in her bed, her mind burdened with all these strange happenings. Her voice began to return gradually, but she didn’t dare speak louder than a whisper. That man wasn’t normal, he could be anywhere. He could probably do much worse. She looked towards the forest, and touched a hand to her throat. She was foolish to run after the other Abhay.

The place endangered her with its secrets.

Not human. That wasn’t a human.

———————————————————————

26 shots of vodka later, the five of them, following an informant, reached the forests. Two of their own were recently killed, and this one managed to escape.

“That way.” Maya pointed down the hill. Like a lurking scent, many Vitael unintentionally marked their paths with their negative energy. It was easy for a witch to pick up once the general location was known.

They knew they were too late. All that was left were piles of ash, and two stakes lying nearby.

“They told me to run, and get help. But we all knew they were goners.”

Abhay kneeled and sifted the ask through his fingers. The wind blew past, and scattered it around the area. He lifted his nose. For some reason, he caught Piya’s scent nearby.

But she’s not here. Then her scent?

“They mucked up the scene before leaving. Even the footprints are gone.” Maya said, dusting off her hands. A ring of green mist surrounded the site of death, but nothing of note was uncovered.

“They’re probably long gone.”

Mandu scaled one of the taller trees and looked around for the traveling fog, finding none. She shook her head and leapt to the ground.

“Was Piya here?” Abhay asked with worry. “I can smell her.”

“I thought I was going crazy. Yes, I can catch her scent too.” Siddharth said, kicking his foot into the dirt. He turned to the informant. “Rudra, did you see any human girl here when you escaped?”

“No, there wasn’t. Forgive my callousness, but this girl would’ve been dead if she was here. Those wolves don’t take discovery lightly.”

“He has a point.” Danish said, crossing his arms. “Especially if she saw them. It’s not terribly dark over here.”

It was a convincing argument, but Abhay had his doubts.

She was here. I need to know why.

He checked up on her after the group retreated, roaming the outskirts of the villa. There was a small light glowing from her bedroom.

Why is she awake so late?

She was awake. Eyes bloodshot, unable to close. He felt only the surface of her tension, not the reason.

Piya crossed over a mysterious line somewhere tonight, and thus blocked herself from ever turning back. She wasn’t sure if it was a mistake or not.

Once again sorry for being late dear

Everything was going good

Pia made bracelet for Abhay on his birthday😃

Siddarth even tease Abhay abt fixing date with pia😉

Pia was all blushing when she came to raichand mansion☺️

Abhay really love the bracelet pia made for him😃

Siddarth & madhu got hard time to control their laugh🤣

Uff why pia had to go out in the night

Why she always have to put herself in danger even after what happened to her

I guess she will never learn that

Just hate that bloody disgusting anshuman😡

He killed siddarth & madhu’s baby in Maithili’s order so disgusting both of them😡

Now he wan to kill pia for the power😡

On the other hand pia is confused whatever happened

Abhay & other even got Pia’s smell near them

Hope pia will tell Abhay whatever happened won’t hide like stupid

Continue plz

Originally posted by: cuteariya

Once again sorry for being late dear

Everything was going good

Pia made bracelet for Abhay on his birthday😃

Siddarth even tease Abhay abt fixing date with pia😉

Pia was all blushing when she came to raichand mansion☺️

Abhay really love the bracelet pia made for him😃

Siddarth & madhu got hard time to control their laugh🤣

Uff why pia had to go out in the night

Why she always have to put herself in danger even after what happened to her

I guess she will never learn that

Just hate that bloody disgusting anshuman😡

He killed siddarth & madhu’s baby in Maithili’s order so disgusting both of them😡

Now he wan to kill pia for the power😡

On the other hand pia is confused whatever happened

Abhay & other even got Pia’s smell near them

Hope pia will tell Abhay whatever happened won’t hide like stupid

Continue plz

it’s alright dear! I myself can get late updating 😆

we shall she how and if she tells him 😛 maybe she’ll get suspicious I don’t know heehee

Chapter 37

Shaped By Circumstances

December 5th, 1722. Kingdom of Pandher, India.

Abhayendra would have turned 27 today. While the number held true, the sentiment, the notion of getting older, did not. There lacked excitement to celebrate it, and there was no point in doing so. Even his 26th went by without much event. He almost forgot it had happened.

He spent his night like all others, wandering in the forest. Before him circled only darkness, the realm of shadows. They inhabited his body too, naming him their master and wielder, churning rapidly with power. Reborn as a vampire, he walked with the night as its companion.

Broken shards of rock rolled under his feet, crushed to pebbles and dust with each step. He craned his neck, sifting through smells in the air for fresh prey. It only smelled of smoke and burnt wood. Thirst was still unbearable, even after a year or so in this state. Self-control was well beyond his reach. It was a miracle that he hadn’t killed anyone yet, intentionally of course. Accidents were commonplace, as the struggle to tame the beast continued within him.

Pandher became a foreign land, to his sorrow and displeasure. The spring roses withered along with his passing. He became cursed to an eternal winter, trapped amongst the dark and dead. A beautiful spring would never meet his sights again. If it did, he would unwillingly burn to it ashes.

There was a village up ahead.

He roamed the area frequently for his meals, enough to earn the moniker of the bloodthirsty demon that lived in the woods. He was the monster that mothers would warn their children about, should they try to wander out past their bedtime. He dug his nails into the skin of his throat, unable to fight the burn any longer. The more he held back, the more it hurt.

The more it hurt, the more likely he was to uncontrollably kill.

A handful of the villagers gathered around a large fire pit, smoke and ash billowing from its core. Some were drinking spirits, and some danced and chatted in merry. They dangled their charms and trinkets in each other’s faces, boasting about how it would keep them safe from the monster. It was all superstition, fake tokens given by greedy sages looking to increase their influence in the sphere. And to make a quick coin.

Just one drink. That’s all he wanted. He ran his tongue over his canines, feeling the onset of insanity by thirst.

His body unraveled into a shadow, pushing one of the adults closest to the thicket over to where he hid.

It was time to feed.

He taught himself to never kill. Though without intention, there were humans he had killed to quench his thirst. However, they weren’t bound by strict law, and many vampires he met had no hesistation in killing their prey. They enjoyed it. He couldn’t bring himself to do the same. He needed to learn how to control his inner beast. These people had families, loved ones. People who would be broken to find them dead.

He had no right to subject them to that fate. He knew its pain all too well.

The young man was led to total darkness. Abhayendra stared into his eyes, baring his fangs. He compelled his prey to fall into a sleepy stupor, wanting no fuss or movement. The veins on his victim’s neck throbbed with fresh blood. Sharp fangs revealed themselves, gleaming under the moonlight.

So thirsty, he thought, licking his lips. He let out a low, guttural hiss, opening his jaw to bite.

Abhayendra tucked a silver bead in his palm, clasping it tight in a fist, as he had his fill. Once the bead’s pain became unbearable, he stopped drinking. It was a foolproof method he devised. He got blood, and the person wouldn’t have to die. A vampire’s physical weakness became the perfect handicap.

He healed his prey as best as he could, and took off into the forest again. The bead went back in his pocket, its inflicted wound already healed. After feasting upon a tiger and several deer, he found himself sitting at the riverbank, in the shadow of his new home.

It was a quaint, little mansion, tucked away so deep in the forest that no human would ever so find it. Many of their kind lived in the area. He was told a magical barrier prevented trespassers.

His creator, one of the first vampires to ever walk this Earth, left the country shortly after she turned him. By leaving him in the care of an old friend, he found someone to call family. Someone he could call his mother, a lovely woman of 100 years, Haseena Raichand.

She found the fledgling vampire watching his reflection in the stream. Since the day they met, he kept to himself, heart under lock and key. Closed off from the world, he only really talked to her, though he didn’t share much. There was a lot she didn’t know about him. The handful of other Duralis vampires she knew behaved just like him, as they were trained to do.

“Abhay, you’re back?”

Before he died, Siddharth was the only person to use the shortened form of his name. He didn’t mind Haseena using it. It bore the responsibility of being his new identity, and it was comforting to hear it outside his memories.

He nodded and stared at the reflection in the water below. A monster stared back. Blood stained his lips and chin, dripping from his fangs and streaming down his neck. Those eyes, those glowing sapphires, disturbed him. The look of the bloodthirsty undead. His true form was even ghastlier. The scarlet irises of the black-bloods could only be described as demonic.

Abhayendra Rao didn’t look like himself anymore.

He dunked his palm into the clear water, warping the reflection and washing his face clean. Even it couldn’t hide the red stains that once quenched his thirst. His technique was incredibly sloppy. It didn’t help that he needed more blood than others.

Haseena touched his hair, and laid a hand on his shoulder. Her endearment grew with the passing days. She thought of him like a son, even though she didn’t give birth to him. They shared a mutual respect.

Something troubled him.

“I could only wonder where you went. Are you feeling alright?“

“There’s not much to hunt around here.” He wiped his lower lip, looking up at her with a forced smile. “I might need more.”

Happiness was the one emotion he didn’t have to suppress, because it wasn’t there to begin with.

“Come inside for now. I have something for you.”

She took him to the study. It wasn’t as big as the one in the palace, but it kept him occupied. Books were the only escape he had from his dire reality.

“I had them translated just for you.”

Two thick leather-bound books were placed in his hands. Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey.

“You didn’t have to.....” He tried to hand them back, despite really wanting to read them. It felt wrong.

Haseena chuckled and held out her hand, stopping him.

“Returning a gift is not a behavior I approve of. Keep them, they’re yours.”

He reluctantly nodded and tucked them away under his arms, thanking her before locking himself in his room. Out of the few empty chambers, he chose this one. It had a nice big window and balcony to pair. He lay in bed, staring outside. Small beads of light were floating in the air, gleaming like stars in the sky.

Fireflies.

The ring on his hand tingled. He twirled it around his finger, witnessing the inscription for himself.

Meet me where the light meets the dark.

A tiny firefly circled about in the air, poising itself upon Abhayendra’s nose. Its glow enthralled him. A being that could only glow its brightest in the dark. The slightest warmth of its light tickled his nose.

Eternal darkness was lonesome. Maybe it came to comfort him.

“Siddharth....bhabhi....”

He kept the books safely on his desk and took off into the brush again, towards home. His home. He wanted to see them at least on this day.

The lights were dim. Two royal guards stood outside the front door. Just as he expected, they were here. He wished he could go to them and say that he was still around. Even if he wasn’t human anymore, he was there.

A small candlelight flickered in the brothers’ empty room, crackles and small embers of a hearth fleeting into the wind. He positioned himself to the side of the window, peeking inside. Siddharth was on the floor, clutching one of Abhayendra’s favorite books in his arms, crying silently into Mandakini’s embrace. In the end, they only had each other.

He could spend the rest of his undead life cursing himself for their plight.

She was pregnant too. From the looks of it, maybe five months along. He wouldn’t even be able to meet their child. He loved kids, and he always wanted to be an uncle.

A cascade of black tears streamed from his eyes. This was just the beginning of birthdays and special occasion he spent without them. And they would never be the last. He was dead to their world. And to that world, the dead never come back. Never.

His emotions were much stronger now, tedious to handle. Before those emotions affected them, he ran away. He ran away, before a cry escaped his throat, before anyone heard, and before he broke down again.

———————————————————————

July 11th-18th, 1859. London, United Kingdom.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Raichand.”

Abhay was greeted warmly by the lady of the manor, a common visitor to their home.

“Hello, Lady Ward.”

A little boy, with ashen blond hair and light blue eyes, stumbled his way to the front door, clutching his mother’s dress at the seams.

“Benjamin, go on. Get your books. Don’t keep him waiting,” she chided.

It had been awhile since he forged a bond like this with another human. But it was purely accidental. Benjamin caught Abhay in the midst of hunting one night, while he partook in some adventuring in the woods nearby his home. To Abhay’s surprise, he was neither afraid, nor hostile towards him. There were plenty of people who would try to exorcise him on the spot. But then again, he was just a child.

A crafty one at that, offering to keep secrets in exchange for a favor. Abhay expected something inconceivable, like immortality or powers, but this kid was simple and knew what he wanted. Help with his mathematics studies. Apparently, it was his worst subject, and he was desperate to avoid another lashing by his parents. And that’s how Abhay became a tutor, against his will.

Although, he was genuinely fond of the boy, despite the circumstances. He reminded him of his younger self, just weaker in studies.

Benjamin scurried off towards his room, returning with a pencil and a book. His lips parted in a wide grin. Abhay hoped his cheerfulness would mean a good result. Together, they walked to the gardens, where a table and two chairs were set up. Benjamin loved the outdoors.

“I hope you passed your exam this time.”

He scratched his head and slapped a paper down onto the table. Abhay sighed and lamented over the lowest of low scores scrawled over the top of the sheet. This kid was hopeless. Benjamin burst into reckless laughter and stood up on the chair.

“You’re still stuck with me.”

He pointed and laughed in Abhay’s direction. His mother saw the blatant misbehavior from the kitchen window and yelled as loud as she could. The chair rattled.

“Benjamin Ward! Sit down this instant!”

Etiquette and a child like him didn’t mesh well together. He was often scolded for rambunctious behavior.

“Sorry mum!”

He plopped down into the chair, twirling the pencil between his fingers.

“Oh how I’d love to erase your memory.” Abhay groaned, flipping through pages of his book. He easily could, but he enjoyed the company.

A little greed in this sense couldn’t hurt right?

“But you won’t. You’re a nice vampire.”

“Please don’t say that out loud.” A gardener was dangerously close to earshot. He put his finger to his lips and nodded.

Abhay began to teach, but gaining Benjamin’s attention was a difficult task on its own. He daydreamed frequently, which was probably why he wasn’t improving.

“There’s a boy in my class that I don’t like. He keeps calling me short. Can you scare him?”

“Why don’t you solve this problem first and then I’ll consider it?”

“Hmmm.....deal.”

The pencil dragged across the paper in rough scratches. It took a while, but at least he did it correctly.

“I finished. Now will you?”

“No.”

He sulked and turned away.

“You tricked me.”

Abhay chuckled, pointing him to the next problem.

Interacting with humans brought him subtle joy, like he could still belong there, in that world. Though it was difficult for him to make friends, he still made honest attempts. It brought him normalcy. At times, he forget that he wasn’t one of them anymore.

He would regret doing so in due time. Knowing these secrets was forbidden; a breach in Nature’s separation. Abhay forgot about it, in exchange for some moments of happiness.

It was a cold morning, a morning that encouraged change in him for the worse. Angels wept from the rumbling grey skies above as drops of cold rain. A marking of tragedy, the consequences of his actions.

Abhay’s instincts were trying to warn him. The carriage stopped at the Ward family manor. All was quiet. Then he heard the sobs.

He left his umbrella behind.

Under the cover of the flowered trellis and arbor, they stood weeping in tandem with the rain. Dressed in black, just like him. Family members, friends, and other folks surrounded a small wooden casket swathed in flowers. His little friend was nowhere to be seen.

No......

He pushed his way past the cluster of umbrellas, landing eyes upon the open casket. Flowers wrapped around Benjamin’s body, eyes closed as if he were asleep. His parents looked woefully in Abhay’s direction, understanding his pain.

His heart stopped beating the night prior. The physician ruled the cause of death as unknown.

A voice echoed in Abhay’s head as he thought of nothing but to walk away.

He should’ve wiped his memory.

You let him cross the line. You did this. You killed him.

Children didn’t know any better. It was completely his fault. After Maithili, he should’ve known better.

He couldn’t cry. Those who called after him found their attempts futile.

What if he hurt them too? This might have been a warning, or a history threatening to repeat.

Nature will keep the balance, no matter what. Always remember it, keep your distance. It is in your benefit.

———————————————————————

April 20th-27th, 1970. Rome, Italy.

“Men are fools. Idiots.....”

A glass slipped out of her drunken hand, tilting just enough to start a fast roll onto the ground. Patrons were startled by the loud shatter. Broken glass littered the bar countertop and floor, with bartenders swooping in to clean up before she or someone else injured themselves.

“...why doesn’t she ever leave....looks like she got dumped again.......at least she pays well......I hate this job.....”

Their whispers were critical of their most frequent customer. But yes, the tip was more than enough to make up for extra work.

“Can I get....the whole bottle?” She held up a shaky finger and pointed at the bottle of aged cognac.

She couldn’t be any louder.

Abhay rolled his eyes at the spectacle and emptied his tenth glass of whiskey. The bartenders found him just as bizarre, drinking alcohol like it was water. He wasn’t even remotely drunk.

He pushed his glass forward, tapping his nails against the counter.

“.....cheaters...” The woman mumbled.

She was definitely nonhuman. After so long of living in this world, he could tell people apart from their scent and auras. Witches faintly smelled like lilac for some reason. All of them.

She wasn’t moving, very likely to be incapacitated. A lock of silver hair escaped from her unkempt wig, shimmering under the lights for everyone to see. He waved his hand under the table overhang, hiding the glittery offender back under the wig with his shadows.

How drunk is she?

And why couldn’t he get drunk like that? They had plenty of alcohol at home, and he and Siddharth tried all of them, in varying degrees. They only thing they accomplished was angering Mandu for finishing her favorite wine.

She sat up, starting point blank at Abhay, wondering if he was like other men. Her bright green eyes burned into his soul like he committed a grave sin.

“Hey....what are you looking at?” They narrowed in accusation.

She dragged her barstool across the stone floors, the metal screeching like nails on a chalkboard. He glared at her and turned to finish his eleventh drink.

She found him at the slightest, annoying, and leaned closer to his ear, breathing out words in a low, slurred whisper.

“Hey.....you’re....you’re not human, are you?”

“You want to find out?” He threatened, pulling his curled lips back to reveal razor-edge canines. They closed as the humans turned back.

She laughed and swayed her head side to side.

“I feel sorry for your kind. Missing out on the true joys of alcohol.”

The stool tipped over and snapped a leg, throwing her off balance. He caught her from tumbling face first onto the floor.

“Thanks.....”

He let go, gave her the cold side eye, and went back to his business.

“Can’t even reply? So conceited....”

“I’m not the one who started the conversation.”

She frowned and rested a cheek in her palm. It was to her knowledge that some vampires were highly unfriendly, but this guy took the crown. But he was insanely attractive. And a perfect distraction. Her inebriated senses couldn’t think of a good transition, so she decided to be direct and see where it led her.

“I heard vampires make great lovers. I’d love to see it first hand.”

Her fingers inched their way to wrap themselves around his wrist.

“Are you flirting with me?”

A witch would be caught dead with a vampire like this. She was bold, he had to give her that.

“I’m just intrigued.” She pulled out a handful of cash from her purse and dropped it on the table, tip and damages included. “You are very handsome though...”

“I didn’t ask you to pay for—“

“Handsome but naggy. Lighten up a bit, will you?” She pointed at herself, “I just got dumped...”, then to him, “....You look like a loner, so how about we ditch this shabby bar for my place. Just you and me?”

“You are flirting with me.” He scoffed, flashing a pretentious smirk.

She was looking for someone as a rebound. He chuckled and entertained her wild fantasies. He was getting tired of women throwing themselves at him. Maybe enough dragging on and she’d get bored.

He stood up and exited the building. He could at least drop her home. She followed slowly, steps shaky.

“I don’t even know your name.”

She stood before him, shuffled her feet, and shot out her hand.

“Sorry. I’m Seraphina. Nice to meet you....?”

“Abhay.”

The autumn leaves scattered themselves on empty streets as they walked. Most of the crowds dwindled by the hour. Once the coast was clear, she threw off her wig and fluffed her waves. It reached her hips in length, and swayed side to side on its own.

“You’re....very quiet,” she commented.

“Is that a problem?”

“No.....no no no...not at all.”

“How much did you drink?”

She held up one, then two fingers.

“Two glasses?”

“Two bottles.”

He changed his mind and debated ditching her in favor of exploring the city on his own, but didn’t want to pass up an open opportunity to feed.

His beast purred in delight, wanting someone to bed tonight. A fling to combat his depressive thoughts, along with some blood, was just what he needed.

She lived alone in a townhouse in the heart of the city. He poked his head inside. It was a normal-looking home, ignoring the ancient grimoires stacked in her bookshelves.

“Not coming in? After all we’ve been through?”

“Its only been 30 minutes.” He showed her his watch. “But if you insist.”

There wasn’t much to be said after the door closed behind them. Loneliness was a powerful aphrodisiac, and thus it didn’t take long for them to get busy. He was mostly hungry for the blood though.

Seraphina woke up completely sober the next morning, her arms tangled in his shirt. She sat up and worked the tangles out of her hair, gazing upon the crescent tattoo on his chest. No wonder he was so fussy.

Look at you, Sera. Sleeping with a Duralis. Don’t they have standards?

She pat herself on the back for this feat, not knowing that Abhay really didn’t care for superficial details. He didn’t have the elitist attitude the others had.

She only met one or two before this, Abhay being the only in a few years. They were as good as hiding as she had been told; it was impossible to tell he was one of them without the tattoo.

He also made it difficult to stand up that morning. The front door had several taped notes to it, in response their late-night noise.

He’s experienced.

If it felt so good drunk, what about sober?

He opened his eyes and sat up, leaning back against his palms. Seraphina returned with a mug, from which he could smell blood. Particularly hers.

“What?”

She handed it to him. Bleeding out took longer than she thought. It took ages just to fill it completely. Her wrist healed much quicker with a small spell.

“Here.”

“I didn’t ask for this.”

This guy, I swear...

“I just bled into a mug for a random vampire I slept with. Have some courtesy.”

At last, he took it. She figured he wanted blood out of this one night stand, and now he refused it.

What a strange vampire....

“Thanks....” he muttered, just trying to be polite for a change. He took a sip. It tasted like honey, from what he could remember of the flavor.

She fixed herself some tea and leaned back against the dresser, watching him closely. He was very quiet, but now the smugness was apparent on his face.

“Are you new here, Abhay? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you around.”

“My family and I arrived here a few days ago. Business reasons.”

“A family man? And yet, you look like you walk alone.”

“That’s just my face.”

“Ha....your humor is interesting.” She chuckled into her morning tea. “Have a girlfriend?”

“If I did, would I be here with you?”

“Good good. You’re loyal. My ex, he wasn’t loyal. Cheated on me and had the audacity to dump me first.”

“I’ll gladly make him disappear if you like. A nice afternoon snack if you will.”

“Don’t worry about it. He probably won’t suit your palate.”

“How would you know that? You aren’t a vampire.”

She shrugged and crossed her legs.

“I could make a guess.”

He didn’t feel like going home, and decided to ask her to give him a tour of the city, seeing her as a native. Each night ended in bed, lasting an entire week.

She was off to Prague for a few months, and as such, their little fling was over. Of course, this wasn’t one to brag about, unless they wanted to get ridiculed by their respective kind.

The tour ended with a viewing of the Trevi Fountain. They stood side by side, behaving like partial strangers.

“Well, that was fun while it lasted. Do me a favor and never speak of this to anyone, should we meet again.”

“Gladly.” He said.

They shook hands, a weeks worth of carnal pleasures buried away from prying eyes.

“Do tell me when you get a girlfriend though. I’ll at least make sure she hears of these nights.”

“Don’t keep your hopes up. You’ll be waiting for eternity.”

“You’re so pessimistic. Lighten up a little.” She punched his shoulder and walked off, hands shoved into her coat pockets.

Just fifty more years to go, and that hope would bear fruit.