In the darkened chamber, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed against cold stone walls. A woman, her long cape trailing like a shadow behind her, moved with spine held high and an elegance that clung to every step. Even though each one was swift, tense, and unsteady.
All her life, she had walked with pride. In every decision she had ever made, she believed in herself. But now… now, she could not grasp the depth of what she had done.
Unintentionally, she had committed a sin so grave, it threatened the very world she had helped shape.
She had placed the entire race of her creation in peril.
She was Agnes, the Creator and Goddess of Vampires.
She had never foreseen that a flicker of personal greed- her desire to craft something extraordinary- would spiral into such horror.
Now, standing before the golden-gilded gates of a sanctum long sealed, she hesitated. The yellow-coated doors shimmered with a golden glow beneath the light. With a single breath, she pushed them open and entered.
A surge of white brilliance bathed her from above. The chandelier hung high, its crystalline arms scattering light across every inch of the vast room. She blinked a few times, adjusting her gaze, and stepped forward into the sacred space..
The Chambers of Soul.
Raising her hand, she chanted a spell in a tongue forgotten by mortals. A silver box, carved with intricate symbols and lined with ancient magic, floated down from the uppermost shelf.
As she opened the lid, a blinding black light burst forth, swallowing her sight for a moment.
The soul crystal pulsed violently within, its glow darker than night, bright with wrath.
Even its light revealed its nature: powerful, merciless.
How cruel. How dangerous.
There was no way she would allow such a soul to live in peace. This vampire, this abomination showed no regard for life. Not even the innocent were spared his wrath.
Agnes would never risk her children, her creations for one corrupted being.
Even if she could not destroy him, she would not let him taste happiness.
She would not allow joy to blossom in a heart that had only known carnage.
An idea flickered in her mind. Her lips curved into a smirk.
Peace and Happiness.
Let him be stripped of both.
Lifting her hand once more, she conjured a wand thin, dark as midnight, pulsing with energy. Pressing it to the crystal, she prepared to cast the curse.
But then
A voice, familiar and warm, pierced the chamber.
"What are you doing, Agnes?"
She turned, startled. Her gaze met his. Her mate... calm, questioning.
"I was cursing this vampire to never have a mate," she replied, honest and unyielding.
"And why would you do that?" he asked, his brow furrowed.
Her gaze darkened.
"This vampire does not deserve the happiness that comes from a mate. He is not worthy of the peace found in the arms of one's beloved. He does not deserve the selfless love that only a mate can offer."
"Who knows when he might destroy her, in a fit of rage," she added bitterly, her eyes narrowing.
But his reply was gentle. A memory wrapped in words.
"Agnes… did you forget who I was before I met you?"
Her breath caught. The fire in her eyes dimmed.
"You must understand, my love… it is the absence of love that births monsters.
What he needs is someone to love him unconditionally. A soul bright and white.. a contrast to his.
One who is merciful, innocent… to balance the cruel coldness within him.
Someone kind, sensitive… to steady the storm of his indifference."
He spoke softly, but his words trembled with truth.
Agnes lowered her gaze.
With a heavy breath, she lifted the wand once more this time, not to curse, but to offer hope.
She laid it upon the soul crystal and whispered her final prayer :
"Let love be your savior."