60: 60 Tears of Blood (AVOT)

60 Tears of Blood (AVOT)

Rhain's reply was a solid and unyielding, "No!"2

His mind seemed to recoil at the mere thought, the world around him darkening, as though cloaked in the heaviest of shadows. The very idea of cursing her was too unbearable to consider. Turned into the undead altered one in ways too profound and ways he didn't find suitable for Daisy. He couldn't bear to rob her of her defining characteristics, to steal her joy of basking in the sun's glow.

He refused to witness her morph into a creature deriving perverse pleasure from pain, whether self-inflicted or imposed on others. He couldn't endure watching her lose her warmth, her heart slowing, ceasing to beat until her once-vibrant body turned as cold and lifeless as a winter's midnight. The concept of time would dissolve into an endless void of darkness. Ultimately, everything would be reduced to nothing. 

He was alright living that way because his life before that was worse, but Daisy was alive, full of joy and compassion. Life hadn't turned her into what it had turned him into. Unlike her, he had already become undead before his transformation. 

Third time, his mind counted. This was the third time he thought of keeping her alive. A wave of nausea swept over him as the familiar torment of the decision clawed at him again. His brother's image, a ghastly phantom, invaded his thoughts. He mentally shoved it away. Not now. Not yet.

"No?" Tiberius echoed, a single arched eyebrow expressing his confusion. "You've kept her close all this time, even went as far as to marry her…" He chuckled, clearly finding the idea preposterous. "Yet, you refuse to change her? Do you plan on abandoning her in a few years?" He asked, maneuvering around his desk to take a seat.

Rhain sighed, the beginnings of a headache pulsating at his temples. "That's what I wanted to discuss with you. The reason why I married her."

Tiberius inclined his head, curiosity piqued. "Ah, yes. You said you'd explain at the appropriate time."

Inhaling deeply, Rhain braced himself. "She is…the vessel."

Tiberius' demeanor changed instantly, his face morphing from casual curiosity to grave solemnity. "The vessel?"

"Yes."

"The very one you've sought for all these years?"

"Yes…" Rhain's voice was barely above a whisper, the confession weighing heavy on his chest.

"Rhain!" Tiberius' voice rose slightly, his icy blue eyes drilling into him, until slowly his face, and then his eyes softened, a spark of comprehension lighting them, before he slowly shook his head in denial. "No. Don't tell me...you've been keeping her all this time because you…"

A grimace of anticipation twisted Rhain's features, the understanding of the depth of his predicament hitting him hard. He braced himself for Tiberius' next words. 

A declaration that seemed so unfitting, so twisted, that it would surely invite a flood of complications and conflict. It should have been a welcome diversion in his otherwise serene existence, but the thought of involving Daisy in it all… he didn't like.

How noble, he scoffed at himself.

"You like her." Tiberius concluded, shaking his head slowly once more. "Rhain…"

"I know!" He interjected sharply.

"No, you don't!" Tiberius retorted. "You've been keeping her all this time. You'd have acted differently if you truly comprehended the depth of your situation."

The biting truth in his words made Rhain recoil. He had indeed entangled himself in this intricate web, nurturing Daisy's presence far more than was advisable. A brief twinge of regret pierced him, but it was fleeting. Even now, his selfish desires craved her company. How could he not?

"So, what's your plan?" Tiberius pursued. "Given that you've kept her, I presume... you're forsaking your brother?"

Forsaking? Rhain felt as though a knife had been twisted in his chest.

"Does Lysander know?" Tiberius questioned.

"No!" Rhain's voice tightened, an unmistakable note of panic emerging. "He cannot find out!"

Tiberius' gaze held a glimmer of confusion.

"I know him. He would always prioritize vampires," Rhain clarified.

Tiberius nodded slowly, comprehension settling on his face. "At least one of you has his priorities straight. And what about you? Do you plan to simply keep her close? She's the vessel! Do you understand the implications?"

Rhain drew in another deep breath. "I understand."

Tiberius looked visibly distressed as he ran his fingers through his hair. He leaned over the desk, frustration evident in his eyes. "Why are you revealing this to me?" He asked through gritted teeth. "Do you wish to drag me into this impending disaster as well?"

"No, but you're the only one I can trust now."

Tiberius shook his head, a grim look on his face. "This isn't something I can assist with, and neither should you try. It's a futile effort. Both vampires and hunters will seek her and heaven forbid they discover the truth. Do you really believe you can stand against them all?" His words were delivered through clenched teeth, adding to their biting effect. "Heed my words, Rhain. If you won't use her for the purpose initially intended, at the very least send her far away!"

The mere thought caused Rhain's heart to sink, and he felt as if the very air was snatched away from his lungs.

"You can't guarantee her safety, and you're only inviting danger to yourself as well. Do you wish to risk everything?" 

Everything?

A bitter laugh threatened to escape his lips. What if 'everything' lost its meaning, and the only thing that truly mattered... was her? What if she had become his everything?

For the first time in his life, he coveted something that was entirely for himself. Something beyond the basic. Lysander had told him to dream, but dreams were beyond reach. So he hadn't. Until recently. A mistake. Heartache.

Tiberius's expression softened as if he understood the turmoil he was going through. He walked around his desk and came to stand before him. "I am just… looking out for you, Rhain. I wish she wasn't the Vessel. For once I was happy for you, happy that you were living a little more, you know but… you would be surprised. Time heals many wounds, and it might seem impossible to let go now but it will get better." 

Rhain was sure it wouldn't! Not for him. He was not that kind of person. When he set his mind and heart into something, he didn't let go or he would have abandoned his brother long ago. 

"There will be someone else," he assured him. 

But he didn't want someone else! He wanted… Daisy. He wanted her so much! His throat burned, and tightened. He felt something sting his eyes, but he bit back. 

"I want you to guard her mother for me," Rhain said, his voice betraying every emotion he felt. 

Tiberius shook his head slowly, his frown deepening. "I can't and… what are you planning? This isn't where they should stay if you want them safe."

Rhain's fists remained clenched, his gaze wavering for a moment before looking firmly at TIberius. "I can't let her go. Not yet…." He needed time. 

Tiberius looked at him like a father looking at his stubborn child. He seemed to want to say something but stopped himself and then slowly paced. 

"I can only trust you with her. I am sure you'll figure out a way to stay close to her," Rhain proposed.

Tiberius halted abruptly and turned to him. "That's precisely the problem, Rhain. I don't want her near, nor should you!" 

"I need time!" Rhain now raised his voice slightly. 

Taking a deep breath, "Listen…" he began, voice dropping low. "You are telling me to let go of the person I had been looking for to awaken my brother." 

The pain seared through him as he continued. "I had searched everywhere, for so long, counting days, wondering when I would see Roy again, and now…" His throat seethed, and he looked away, fighting the overwhelming emotions. "I have just given up on him. For her. It is already… painful enough!" He said, through gritted teeth. "And you are telling me to give her up as well." 

Tiberius frowned, looking at the blood staining the man's face. He had never seen Rhain like this. He always kept his emotions hidden. Not even when they had put his brothers in a coffin had he cried. It wasn't an easy thing for a Vampire to do. They didn't cry. It was almost physically impossible. 

Vampires were not only more resistant to physical pain, but to emotional ones as well, or they wouldn't remain sane staying alive for so long. It also made them appear cold, and cruel to humans because very few things truly affected them emotionally. For a Vampire to cry, they must be deeply wounded, and the fact that the stoic Rhain was having tears spoke of his pain. By choosing Daisy, he had, in a way, killed his brother. The brother for whom he had endured so much torture and humiliation for. No wonder it hurt. 

Because of the things he had done for his brother, to this day, Rhain didn't like to be touched. Unless he initiated it, no matter how attractive or harmless a person looked, he didn't like them touching him. Tiberius felt suddenly bad for the things he said, and he so badly wished that Daisy hadn't been the Vessel. 

There was no way Rhain could keep her safe, even with his help. It would be enough if Lysander found out and went against them. They would stand no chance against the ancient Vampire. 

Rhain suddenly stopped, as if just registering what was happening to him. He reached inside his pocket, pulling out a handkerchief and wiping away the blood from his cheeks. He looked at the cloth, confused. It was truly his first time crying. 

He wiped away the rest, with a resigned look before gazing at him. "Nevermind," he said. "I will take Helena with me." 

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