ONE MONTH LATER

It was the day of celebration. I am turning eighteen, and initially I had feelings of indifference. Being less enthusiastic and not wanting to participate in honouring how I was one year older. But it changes, having the door of my bedroom ajar, Trixie comes scurrying inside shouting " Happy Birthday, happy birthday!" I groan, from her knee applying pressure to the centre of my torso.

" Happy birthday, Kai honey!" Mom chirps.

" Lucifer! What are you doing, hurry and come say a happy birthday to your son. Get in here! You too, Dan. Save your arguing for tomorrow. This is not the appropriate timing." I could hear indefinite quarrelling dad and Dan were doing, it becomes closer, apparent, until I see my father had a gargantuan total and number of maroon covering birthday presents. professionally folded to a point of there is no crinkles. Or errors in the wrapping.

'Dad.' I drone, inwardly.

" I will have you know, detective douche, I can give MY son these abundance of presents because it's in my parental interest and right. You can't even give your own off spring one doll that she yearns for. Talking about I cannot give her every toy she wants to have because she will not learn the meaning of not being able to have everything she wants." Dad, contemptuously, mocks reciting Dan and mom's words from previous dissuasions of arguing over teaching trixie she couldn't buy each and every doll in the toy store. " that is abuse towards the child if you ask me."

Bella, including Adonis, enter my room. There in her hands, are two grey medium in size plastic gift bags. My dad continues his debate, mom scowls the muscle surrounding her right eye spasm. Trixie brings her each hand, to touch my jaw.

" You feel vewy hot. Like that time I did an ouchie on the oven! after mommy was done baking her yummy chocolate cake."

I could detect, notice, my body temperature increasing. It began the following day, well— morning I should correct, previous to my intoxication. there was no recollection of how I was acting, the typical occurrence of an hangover. Which is out of the ordinary, I just didn't wish to conjecture too deep or ponder.

'I do possess a quarter of human blood in me. Maybe it's normal'.

" I feel fine, Trix. I am not unwell, sick, I should say." I gave some assurance. I wasn't quite confident in my own judgement. Adonis passes each present, in Bella's hold, over to where I was hunching down. on my bed, using my palms to massage the skin underneath my eye sockets.

She gave a swift glare. " Adonis! You can't just take things, and not use manners. That is considered impolite." She scolds, giving a poke to his collar bone.

" Mast- I mean, Malachi. Happy name day. Bella, along with I, made the decision of having a specially designed body jewellery called a necklace created for you. And the second gift was chosen by your sister, young Beatrice." I acquire the two paper crafted bags, saying a thank you of appreciation.

The three adults inside the bedroom of mine were left to the descent of their dispute about my birthday gifts. One difference, Dad perfectly lined each box opposing the lining of my rooms walls.

" A necklace! We can be the same, Kai! Open it! Open it!" Trixie was more excited then I. her energy never exits. I didn't want to keep her waiting, or have her impatience show, overturning the contents.

There inside a white ribbon cladding rectangle box tips out, i untie the synthetic Saturn, revealing a glistering petrified brimstone and brass amulet pendant. It appears in the form of a upended cross, a star formation. the cross considered to be an appendage of unholiness to those in christianity.

" This is quite the statement, and design, Adonis. Beautiful but definitely brave. It's heavy too." I could feel thrumming of the mineral as I hold the piece of jewellery longer. 'I wonder why that is.'

" the necklace is forged from the stones in your fathers kingdom, Young Malachi. including the fire, flames, of hell. Hellfire. The specific metal you feel pulsating in your hand, is reacting to your touch, because it's recognising the blood that courses your veins." He gave his explanation reaching to take the necklace.

" Allow me."

Trixie gazes in wonder; amazed and her child innocence displaying. " That is so pretty! I want to have that necklace as well. Can i? Kai? Can I have my own?".

Bella crawls to the spot available on my bed. Taking Trix, placing her in the space of her legs. it goes over my head, a light veiling over my body. I shudder. It illuminates a fiery vermilion orange, on the contact of my skin.

" I forgot to dilute one fact, of this pendulum. Malachi. It will glow a bright gold yellow if your emotions change. And it will allow for me to know when I am needed." He kneels, to both of his knees. head down in a bow motion.

" the blood of a hound, mine, must be used to complete the process. Inside of which bounds me, to you, until time itself cease to matter. Exist. I am to serve you at every beckoning."

I hadn't realise just how silent it became. Dad jaw was a-slack, focusing on the cross that hangs below the collar of my shirt. Mom and Dan had taken the 'discussion' out to the living room to avoid 'ruining' my birthday morning greet. " dearie me. I have only ever known to have one of those in my possession, long before you were ever a thought. I have not seen one out of the confines of hell."

Bella, being the curious girl she is and I love, goes to reach a finger in hoping to have one touch of the metal.

But my father uses his stealth moves, catching her arm before she could. " I advise against touching. It's not quite known if a mortal can withstand the incalculable power, such as that." He explains, inattentively leaning a ear to the floor.

" Lucifer! Lucifer! I need your help, here. I want to bring Kai in my gifts. I doubt, highly, it won't be in comparison to what you got him." Mom shouts, giving signs of a struggle.

" Dan had to leave for the station. I put in my designated hours for Malachi. So we have today to spend together."

" Coming, detective. Your night in shining devil is going to help you! Here. Let me take those, don't won't those beautiful creations to flatten now." Dad, non-obtrusively, mentions my mothers breasts. Throwing a not so 'out there' wink. Adonis's stares, bemused and not understanding my father's innuendo. Bella flushes pink, in embarrassment, I utter a sigh. 'There is the man I proudly call dad'.

Hours turns in to the following day.

I was still experiencing a temperature that would not pass. Coming to think of it, I had never once felt my body at this heighten level of warmth. Mild discomfort that I could contend with.

A ringing of a phone brings me to feel the humming in the pockets of my jeans. Charlie's name presents in a haste of flashing.

'His last call was two weeks ago' I accept his phone call. " Hey, Charlie."

" Malachi, hi. I apologize for not contacting you for those two weeks. It's, uh, pretty hectic right now. More.. animal attacks have been on the rise here since your departure." I frown, deep. 'Nomads. There is two vampire I can think of. Victoria and Laurent.'

" Harry Clearwater is currently here, we are just going to start a small fishing expedition. up the river. How is bells? The last I spoke to her was yesterday by text message for your birthday. So I don't forget, happy birthday, Son. Eighteen years, soon enough the grey hair will come through. Much like her." A irresolute grin crosses my lips, finding Charlie amusing.

" thank you, Charlie. She misses you. Just... doesn't say it rightfully out, in words. I can see it in actions, when she types those messages to you. She think her face can hides it well and how truely feels."

There is a pause. Then I can picture his hand pinching the hairs of his beard, as he replies. Making elaborating throat noises to not show his emotions.

" I better begin leaving, I don't think Harry will wait for much longer then he has. Oh, and I thought you should know and be aware of. Jake.. Jacob, he is sick with Mono. His condition has progressed." Jake? Mono? This gets my awareness of how I didn't anticipate or notice of how I fail to tell Jacob I left. A weight heavily settles on my mind, thinking of him. I say a farewell to Charlie then press the end call option.

'Jake. What is happening.'

-

Forks Washington.

I made the ultimatum of returning to Washington. The resolve didn't come easy, fighting memories that wanted to resurface. There was a rudimentary shift and change when entering forks. Dread, fear, uncertainty. Each of the towns people emotions in all. I left Bella at her house, then using the heightened stamina I was conscious of to use a forest trail, walking to Jacob and Billy's house. I used the sense of direction I felt, a magnetic resonance pulling me in the way of the reservation. Like magic.

Rain starts pouring. An act of nature I had not seen in months being in Los Angeles. Arriving to the land the house resides, a shirtless boy who I could not recognise prances in long strides. Thunder rolls in the clouds. " Jacob?"

He pauses, as though processing hearing me talk. Jake cranes his neck to face me, the rain creates beads of water to slide off my cheeks.

" Malachi." The voice didn't belong to him, no. It was more firm, resolute. He had changed. 'So did I.'

" You left. For Los Angeles. And had no goodbye for me." It was a statement then question. " No simple I am sorry will help, I know. I am saying it anyway. I am sorry. For just leaving. But I had to. I wish I could give an actual reason."

Our eyes were connected. He searches my face, earnestly, noticing the micro expressions. how he frustratedly knots the edges of his eyebrows, having an internal battle that he was losing. Searching for something, which I wanted to know what he wanted to see. " It was because of those bloodsuckers, the Cullens. That you love? They were the cause of you leaving." How does know of their nature. Is my question. My eyes move to tribe tattoo.

" look, Jacob. Whatever you might think of me, now. I am no longer that boy. I have no intentions of knowing the Cullens. Or love them as you say. I am more concern how you are standing in this rain, when Billy said you're sick. Mono? Was it?"

I didn't anticipate my voice or tone to be withdrawn; empty of any emotion. Jake, as if not expecting my reaction, blinks.

" You shouldn't be here. It's not safe. I am.. not good to be around. No more." Now that was complete nonsense, I take his bicep before he could turn and face away. 'Wolf. lupinotuum' a grating voice repeats, from inside the confines of my head.

'So that is the magic I could .. sense. Jacob has phased in to his wolf form'. The number of phrases, points I could remember reading in the book of Native American mythology. the La push Quiluete pack, is real.

" Jacob." Comes the voice I recognise as Sam uley, the wolf who found me in the depths of the forest. He stood, waiting beyond the forestry entrance, behind trees. I let Jacob leave, watching his retrieving frame jogging to Sam. Three other wolves stood there including.

A severe and acute pain, rings inside my ears.

" that's Malachi. The boy you found when Cullen left him." Embry, one boy Jake is friends with that I met at first beach when I moved here, says like having trouble believing I am the same person from four months prior. my defied muscles, and haircut is possibly a noticeable difference.

His voice was refine and clear. " Don't tell me I am not only one that feels what I am feeling, right? The power. its back." My head turns up. eyes boring into Sam's, then scanning over to Embry. I give Jake one last look, then decide to leave. I know when I am no longer welcome.

I could feel their stares burning through my skull as I take off into a sprint into the woods. There was an instinct in my brain, to run. Just run. There was nothing more freeing, then to feel the burn of my leg ligaments and tendons having a work out. Running. Running. I could hear each insect in the forest, the hastily rush of the ravine. I begin gaining speed.

My mind must have been imaging sounds, I swore hearing thunderous paws hitting the dirt ground, accompanying; Following. I come to a clearing, that has a familiarity. Taking a breath, to realize this is the meadow.

The meadow Edward and I first laid in when I discover him of being a vampire. Why would I come here. What lead me to come back. I had so much to question, no one to answer but just myself.

" What is the meaning of this. Why am I... here? Why!" I shout. Birds screech in fright from my yell. " I didn't want to be here. Why.. why?!" I fall, seeping down and clutching at the browning. Dry grass that once was flourish, coloured in a different array of blossoming pinnacle of flowers and green. The tears threaten to break out of my eyelids. 'Why' I croak.

'Vampire. Behind you.'

" Hello, Laurent." I stand, turning to face the vampire with dreadlocks. His chiseled face morphs to a smirk. " Malachi. The Dear Angel. Or should I say, Demon. Both actually." He was much closer now, ten feet from where I stand, then begins strolling in a arc. Half circle. I am the prey and he is the predator, taunting his next meal.

" I went to visit the Cullens, but i found the house empty. Imagine to my surprise, when I was informed of you being an Angel. From James, I had a hard time deciding if he was truely insane for his claim of you being one of gods creations. Then I stand in your presence, here facing you. It's all coming together. Your blood of divinity smells insatiable."

I take a deep, ragged, breath.

" I am not afraid, of you. Laurent. So you quit your stalking. I don't have time for this. The Cullens.. I visit them. See them all the time." Why am I protecting Edward, his family. The internalised conflict was becoming evident. Showing itself. Edwards apparition appears, months of no imaging coming back.

" Lie, Malachi. Lie. Lie better."

" why are you here, in forks. Carlisle had an .. arrangement set in place for you in Alaska. His family." I take an involuntary step away, at the distance. He was close, five steps forward. Truely then do I gaze in his eyes, hungry. Blood red. He hasn't eaten. Hunted.

He stares, challenging.

" I came as a favour to Victoria."

that is my confirmation I needed. He is still corresponding, friends, with the woman. The mate of the man I killed. Reliving his scream, being as he is engulfed in flames, Laurent continues to talk.

" More or less. She wish to see if you were still under the protection of the Cullens. To be familiarised with their territory, because well.. I am afraid Victoria has quite the aversion when it comes to you. An eye for an eye. A mate for a mate. Victoria sees it only fair that she kills you, given your Mate killed hers. Your death will be slow."

Now he really stood before me. Inhaling my scent, I could feel his thirst for blood rising.

" But the plan is to make your death quick. Painless. In return, a prize. Your sensational blood."

A groan of anguish leaves my throat, cowering back to the ground. My muscles were expanding, an agonising pain flows in waves in my veins. Each blood cell feeling hot as fire. Changing and burning. My body curves in, a sickening breaking of bones reverberates through the overcast skies above. The shouts that leave are incoherent.

I could feel my back skin tissue splintering, then my neck flicks my head back.

There unconfined rage escapes, my yells and mixture of screaming terrify Laurent .

" I don't believe it. Y-Your wings and the- the eyes. Antéchrist. Red like the devils playground."

I am no longer in control of my body. My face if half plastered in red, blazing fire. " you will perish, be imprisoned in the worst corner of hell. Vampire."

A dark, taunting chuckle comes out.

" It was not Edward who killed her dearly loved mate. It was I. You want the truth, I enjoyed and had thrill watching James burn from every cell inside of that cold. Dead. Body. you want to know a fact about vampires, truth be known here if we are talking. There are still cells there from when they were human. Hm".

My hand reaches out, in a millisecond, taking Laurent. Cracks show on the skin of his stone formed, translucent, pigmented neck.

" should I let you live? What am I saying. You are truely not alive. You have no use here. Goodbye, Laurent." fire generates in my blood. Flames start engulfing my arm, an envisage of eternal flames. I could feel the competency, sovereignty. His cries of death is the last sound that haunts my ears.

Wolves howling, then an enormous black furred wolf comes prowling out of the forest. Hackles up and lips curled in a snarl. Raised in each its hind legs, the fur standing. 

" Hello, Sam." I spoke. Then my vision blurs.

Before I succumb to the dark, four wolves in synchronisation emerge flanking Sam, who I can guess are Embry, Jacob and two other wolves I had not known.

-

Jasmine Speaks;

— This chapter is Three thousand three hundred and thirty seven words. I cannot believe I did this much words again for a chapter. I am quite proud and happy.