The Love of a Vampire

Chapter 3

“Call us if you need saving.” Arci said before Micah closed the car door. Micah nodded her head and smiled before shutting the door close.

As the car drove off, Micah turned around and entered the front door. Knowing her parents and her grandfather, this was not just a normal family dinner to celebrate her graduation, but whatever it was, she silently hoped and prayed that it wouldn’t be what she had feared for so long.

On her way to her room, Micah saw her mother wearing an elegant black dress through the slightly opened door. Mrs. Clark walked out of their room and saw her daughter. “Oh, you’re early, sweetie. Go and prepare. We’ll leave in about an hour. Make yourself pretty.”

Without saying a word, Micah just nodded her head silently before entering her room. Placing the shopping bag on her bed, she stood before the full-length mirror and stared at her reflection.

She was sixteen when she started looking for her soulmate on the night of every full moon, but after so many years, she hadn’t met him. Micah is twenty-three years old now and at this moment she’s close to giving up.

Staring at her reflection, she was looking helpless. Closing her eyes, Micah raised her head and held a stern look on her face as she said to her reflection, “Why would I need a man to be free?”

One thing she’s thankful about her family is they didn’t raise her to be weak. One way or another, Micah was determined to break free from her chains to escape and never return.

“Soulmate, my ass.” She remarked before walking into her closet to search for suitable clothes to wear for their family dinner. Browsing through her dress, Micah sighed as she couldn't find anything to wear. And what makes it worse was she’s not even in the mood of finding one.

Browsing her dresses for the last time, Micah decided to wear a red sheath dress that sat an inch above her knees; she remembered this was a gift from Arci on her last birthday.

Changing into a dress, Micah sat in front of her vanity table and applied a small amount of makeup. She didn’t want to put in too much because, again, she was not into it. Making a fake smile in the mirror, Micah nodded her head in satisfaction as she finds herself beautiful even when faking a smile.

She turned her head when she heard a soft knock on the door. Michael gently pushed the door open, peeking his head through the space in between. “Are you ready to go?”

“I’ll be right behind you.” taking one last look in the mirror, Micah walked out of her room with a purse in hand. As she descended downstairs, her parents, as well as her grandfather were all ready to go.

“You look lovely, sweetie.” Says her mom, giving her a soft kiss on her cheek. Micah faked a smile as her mother embraced her gently.

“Let’s go?” Micah nodded her head to her mother and followed them as they walked out of their house. The ride to the restaurant was quiet, which is not something unusual when it comes to Micah’s family.

“Did you invite your girlfriend, Michael?” Mrs. Clark asked.

“Oh, I didn’t, Mom. She’s working overtime right now.” Michael replied. Micah rolled her eyes and took her phone and AirPods out of her purse. She raised the volume high enough not to hear their conversation.

“Why? This is a family dinner, and sooner or later she will be family too.” Mrs. Clark replied. Mr. Clark nudged her to the side, making her glance at him. “What?”

“Don’t rush him. They just got together.” Mr. Clark rebutted, making his wife frown. “What’s wrong with that? The sooner we meet her, the sooner we shall get to know her and see if she is right for our son.”

Sighing, Mr. Clark said, “Your mother has a point, son. Let us meet your girlfriend sometimes. Invite her over for dinner. What did you say she was again?”

Michael silently sighed. “She’s studying business. Kesha is planning to start her own business in the nearest human city.”

Mrs. Clark's frown got deeper. “Isn’t she a healer? Why didn’t she apply to the kingdom’s health care unit or the medical team or in the high kingdom? If she’s good enough, I could give her a spot on my team.”

“She doesn’t want that Mom and I respect her for following what she wanted for herself.” Michael defended his girlfriend.

“Are you saying that because she’s not good enough? Was she even an ‘A-class’ healer when she was in school? Don’t tell me she’s in class B? Even your sister is an ‘A-class’ healer; an outstanding one at that. Are you sure she’s the right-----“

“CAUSE WE LOST IT ALL, NOTHING LASTS FOREVER, I’M SORRY I CAN’T BE PERFECT!!!” Mrs. Clark was cut off when Micah suddenly sang in a very loud voice. Michael turned his head to the passenger seat where his sister was seated and a small smile appeared on his lips.

“Micah!!!” Mrs. Clark called her daughter's attention but Micah was jamming to the song. They can hear it blaring through her AirPods.

Michael chuckled silently and tapped his sister’s shoulder. Turning her head, Micah raised her eyebrows curiously, removing the AirPods from her left ear. “What?!!!”

“You’re jamming. Turn it down a little.” Michael whispered.

Micah turned her head to the backseat and saw her parents frowning in disapproval. She bit her lip and whispered, “Sorry.” When their eyes met, Michael gave his sister a wink.

“We’re here.” Michael announced. As soon as Michael found an empty spot, he parked the car. Micah’s grandfather was the first to come out of the car, followed by his parents.

Micah and Michael were the last ones to come out of the car. Micah took her purse and followed her parents when Michael pulled her back. “What?” Micah asked, frowning as she looked at her brother.

“Thank you, midget.”

“What are you talking about? Tsk.” Micah pulled her arm back and walked into the restaurant with Michael behind her. One of the waiters led them to their table. Micah frowned when she saw more people sitting at the table. As she got close enough, she rolled her eyes upon seeing the familiar figure of a man. She already had a bad feeling about this dinner, making her less likely to attend, but now, seeing the people present at their table, she regretted coming to this dinner even more.

“Finally, my dear, come on, take a seat, you two.” Mrs. Clark said upon seeing her children approaching. Micah and Michael glanced at each other. Sighing, Micah silently sits beside Vincent with a blank look on her face.

The grown-ups at the table talked about matters in the kingdom. Vincent is having a conversation with Micah's brother. Vincent was trying to include Micah in the conversation by asking about her opinion on the topic, but Micah didn’t hear anything. She kept herself busy by drinking wine; pouring herself a glass every time she emptied it.

“You should take it easy on the wine, dear.” Mrs. Clark said when she noticed that her daughter almost drank the entire bottle. Shrugging her shoulders, Micah poured the bottle empty, making her mother sigh disapprovingly.

Micah raised an eyebrow as she glanced at her mother. Obviously, she wanted to say more but the arrival of their food stopped her mother from doing so. Mrs. Clark narrowed her eyes at her daughter, giving her a warning look, but Micah ignored her by drinking the glass empty.

“Micah, congratulations on graduating as top of the class. I always knew you had the potential. Vincent has told me a lot about your excellence in class.” Mr. Velasco said. Vincent’s father is part of the Kingdom of Magic’s prime ministers along with Micah’s grandfather.

“Queen Amara has requested your presence tomorrow. I heard from your father. What position is she offering you, if you don’t mind me asking?” Mr. Velasco asked.

“Royal representative. Although Queen Amara mentioned that we are still to discuss my role tomorrow.” Micah replied in a most polite way. Mr. Velasco smiled but he seemed rather displeased at the thought of Micah becoming the royal representative; being one, meant that she would sit at royal meetings as head of the ministry in the absence of the king and queen. The position that he’s working hard to earn will be given to a little girl who knows nothing about governance; the idea didn’t sit quite well with him.

“I hope the Queen is not overestimating you, although I know the Queen never gets wrong when it comes to choosing people she can trust.” Mr. Velasco commented but he suspected that there must be a reason why the queen would choose Micah and that’s what he’d like to find out.

Micah frowned, sensing a hint of sarcasm in Mr. Velasco’s voice. She placed her fork down and gave him a one-sided grin. “You’re right, Mr. Velasco. Queen Amara has always been a good judge of character, which is why she chose her officials meticulously. As the saying goes, keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”

“Right.” He agreed, smiling, but it didn’t reach his eyes. At that moment, Mr. Velasco knew that Micah was someone he should be wary about, but he wasn’t the only one thinking the same way as Micah knew that he was someone to watch out for.

Micah smirked but it faded as soon as Mr. Velasco added, “…..but since we will be a family soon, I feel nothing but support for you, my dear. I would expect no less from my future daughter-in-law.”

Frowning, Micah tilted her head to the side and raised an eyebrow. “I don’t remember ever agreeing to such a thing nor do I recall it ever existed.” She turned her head to her family and her frown deepened.

Seeing the confused look on her brother’s face, he tells her that he knows nothing about it. As for her parents, they had a smile on their faces but the look in their eyes was telling her that this was no place to talk about it.

Micah gritted her teeth. “I am not taking their sh*t.”

She always knew her family was fond of Vincent, given the fact that his father was a member of the kingdom’s ministry, but to think they would go this far as to marry her off to him?!!!! Nothing could be more outrageous than that.

“What?! So you just made this decision without consulting me about it? What am I to you? Am I some sort of auction item that you will give to the highest bidder?!!!------“

“Micah.” Grandpa Clark’s voice sounded threatening, but Micah ignored her grandfather. She was too mad to even care.

“Micah, Vincent told us that you are in a secret relationship. You don’t want your school to know because it might distract you from your studies, but since you have graduated and Vincent asked us for your hand----“ Micah stood from her seat dragging the chair back, making her father stop talking. All eyes were on her as she held nothing but inexplicable anger, “There was never a secret relationship, not even friendship between us. There is no engagement and there will be no wedding.”

“MICAH.” Her grandfather’s voice was even louder than before, more controlling. She turned her body to face him, biting the side of her mouth to control her rage. “I never cared when you were dragging me around trying to make a perfect daughter out of me, but THIS…….. THIS is something that I cannot let you take control of.”

Throwing one last glare at the person sitting next to her, Micah exited the restaurant fuming with anger. She was angry at Vincent for lying about their relationship, she was angry that her parents arranged for her to marry him, and she was angry at just about everything.

Micah walked away aimlessly, wondering why her parents were doing this to her? Why can’t she decide on her own? The cold night is biting her skin; like needles poking her. Sighing, she closed her eyes and used her healing magic to guard her body against the cold.

Blinking her eyes, Micah’s feet halted. Looking back, she frowned. She had no idea that her thoughts, her curses, and yells inside her head had brought her to the far end of the kingdom; the border between the phantom forest and the kingdom of magic. On each side of the road are tall trees surrounded by the darkness of the evening.

Staring at the forest, part of her wanted to go in there but her instincts told her that it was dangerous.

“Have I ever listened to myself?” Micah shook her head, answering her inner thoughts. She could hear her heart pounding and she was then reminded of her dream the other day.

Stepping into the forest, all there was to hear was the sound of her footsteps as she walked on the dried leaves beneath her. Cars barely pass along this road as it is secluded and dangerous at night. There were rumors that vampires were lurking in this area. Because of that, Micah always wanted to visit the area hoping to meet an actual vampire, but it was never allowed.

The Queen has forbidden everyone to venture into these forests at sundown. Mythics of this kingdom abide by this restriction. The queen has posted guards to patrol in this area but it was put to a minimum when the citizens are following orders, but not tonight.

Micah sees this as an opportunity to see whether the rumors are true. She went deeper into the forest and inhaled the air. She continued to walk deeper into the forest; the sight of the road was disappearing behind her.

The rustling sound of leaves put her to a stop. She freezes on her spot. Looking back, she realized that she could no longer see the road and she was almost certain that there was no one but her in this forest, but was she really alone? The feeling felt like a déjà vu.

Micah took a step back and turned her body around. If there is a threat, she can fight back, but whether she wins or loses is uncertain. The least she could do was to keep her body alive. The darkness of the forest puts her at a disadvantage. She cannot see her opponent even if she tries to make a physical attack. Her eyes can be adjusted to the darkness, but humans are not nocturnal creatures. There is a limit to their vision at night.

Every step she took was filled with caution; not wanting to make a sound. But every time she took a step, she could hear another sound that echoed hers. Now, she is certain that she is not alone in the darkness. She has no weapon to protect herself or enough power for the matter. Ignoring the presence of another being, Micah decided to keep moving on. Maybe it’s just a passerby; if she doesn’t show any offensive movement, then she’ll be alright. She took another step, but her foot landed on a slippery rock, causing her to stumble and fall, but someone pulled her up.

Micah gasped, pulling her arm from the person’s grip. She almost shivered at the coldness of the person’s touch. Judging from the size of the hand, and the grip as it grabbed her, Micah concluded that he was a man.

“Who are you?” Micah asked, trying to sound brave to mask the anxiety building within.

“I’m an outcast,” he simply replied. Hearing his voice confirmed her guess. Micah cursed. She couldn't see his face in the darkness of the forest, but she was certain about one thing, his aura; it was something that she had never felt before. She is familiar with the aura of every mythic, all but the aura of a vampire.

“An outcast. What are you? I have met different mythic before and none of them have the same aura as you.” Even if the area is restricted, it is still part of the Kingdom of Magic’s territory. Therefore, if this man is not carrying a golden badge that symbolizes permission from the king and queen, then he is an intruder.

“I could show you better than I can tell you.” Micah inhaled sharply. His voice sounded threatening, dangerous even. If attacked, all Micah could do is apply the physical training she had in school, but would it be effective? If this man is truly a vampire, then he has a speed that rivals a lycan. Micah can alter her speed, but only for a short period of time or her body will shut down.

Micah snorted. “What can you show me? I’m afraid I‘ve already seen everything. Nothing you do will surprise me.” she silently prayed that her lie wasn’t obvious. If the man bites her neck off, that is to be expected, but can she still save herself? His feet made a sound on the dried leaves beneath them as he drew closer to her.

Biting her lip, Micah blinked her eyes when she felt the cold air emitting from his close presence. She lifted her head up and blinked her eyes to adjust her vision, but she could only see his silhouette; his face was still unclear. It would have been better if the moon was out; its brightness would have been enough for her to see him.

The man chuckled and that’s when Micah realized his close presence. She felt his icy and minty breath on her forehead, which also told her that he was towering over her height. “I think I’m up for the challenge, but the question is, are you?” he asked once again.

“If you’re gonna do it then just get on with it or are you just all talk?” Micah retorted. Her sudden bravery and confidence almost surprised her. There wasn’t a slight fear in her; all the anxiety was gone.

He chuckled. “Now, that’s interesting.” His voice sounded like a whisper and he was no longer standing in front of her. Micah reached her arms out for him but there was nothing. Micah thought he was gone and she felt disappointed for no particular reason. She wanted to talk to him more.

The man smirked at the sight of the woman trying to hold him. He could see the disappointment in her eyes at the thought of him being gone and it piqued his interest. His cold hand brushed the skin of the crook of my neck; sweeping her hair out of the way, exposing her skin to the cold night air.

“Now, I’m sure of it.” Micah whispered and he listened; he listened to her sweet voice. “….you’re a vamp---“

She didn’t get to finish her words as she was cut off by the feel of his lips on her neck. His touch was cold but his lips brought warmth to her body. It wasn’t painful at all. Micah thought he would bite her, but instead, he was just kissing her neck to her back, causing immeasurable pleasure to her system.

Protest was nowhere to be found in her mind. She asked herself why she wasn't resisting but she found no answer to her question. Strangely, she is enjoying his torturous act. He swept Micah’s hair to the other side of her neck and, like an obedient child, she tilted her head to the side, responding to his actions.

Micah bit her lip to suppress the moan but her voice betrayed her and that’s when he bit her. She gasped at the sudden assault. For a moment she thought he bit her with his fangs, but he didn’t. It was a playful gesture that turned her on.

“Don’t make that sound if you don’t want me to tear you off this dress.” he warned, although his voice sounded teasing.

“What are you doing to me?” Micah asked breathlessly. She wanted to know whether he put a spell on her. Why can’t she move? Why isn’t she resisting? Why is her body craving for more?

The man smirked, knowing the effect he had on her. “I’m simply making a first impression, angel. I know we will meet again.”

Biting her lip, Micah mustered all the courage to turn around but as she did, she felt his lips on hers. It was brief; almost too quick for her to believe that it actually happened, and then he was gone. Micah blinked her eyes at the empty darkness. Her face was filled with regret and disappointment. She didn’t get to see his face nor know his name, all she knew was he was a vampire; he was one of the undead that she longed to meet.