Chapter 19: Evelyn's Last Gift
280 Words
A c***k of silver light split the floor.
Something rose from beneath the ancient stone.
Not a weapon.
Not a spell.
A memory.
Evelyn appeared.
Not as a ghost.
As a message preserved through time.
Malachai stepped back.
Impossible.
"Evelyn..."
Her image looked toward Nina.
"If you are seeing this, then he has returned."
Nina stared in disbelief.
"Evelyn."
The woman from the past smiled sadly.
"I know you carry questions."
"Why you?"
"Why this burden?"
"Why this destiny?"
The answer came softly.
"Because destiny chose someone who could say no."
The palace fell silent.
"Malachai believes power is what makes someone worthy."
"But he has never understood the one force stronger than immortality."
"Choice."
The image faded.
But one final sentence remained.
"The Moonborn does not destroy darkness. She transforms it."
Suddenly, Devin screamed.
The shadows around him changed.
They weren't holding him anymore.
They were entering him.
Malachai watched with satisfaction.
"You always wondered why you were different."
Devin struggled to breathe.
"Stop."
"You were not simply turned."
"You were my greatest experiment."
Nina froze.
"What?"
Malachai smiled.
"Every vampire carries a piece of my darkness."
"But Devin..."
"He carried the most."
Devin's eyes flashed black.
"No."
His voice was barely his own.
Nina ran to him.
"Devin, look at me."
He stepped away.
"I can't."
"You're afraid of me."
"No."
His voice broke.
"I'm afraid I will become him."
Nina touched his face.
"Then remember who you are."
The darkness pushed against her.
But she didn't move.
"You are not the monster who created you."
"You are the man that saved me."
"You are the man that loves me."
The blackness trembled.
For a moment...
Devin returned.
- Writer
