Finish What You Started

"Castle's in ruin! Nobles dead! King's in mourning! Read all about it!"

The daily news practically flew out of the hands of the paperboy's, needing not one, not two, but three reprints just to keep it in stock. But, the biggest news of all, not present in any media and only whispered about in close-knit circles, was how someone of great importance was still missing after that historically tragic event; none other than Alabaster Stone. Which was why King Bennett the Third sent out whatever guards he could spare to look for any trace of the vampire noble. But, there seemed to be no hope.

"I should have watched him more closely," Malakai lamented, as he paced the floor, "I should have protected him!"

"You worry yourself too much, my son. Alabaster isn't the type to go down easily. He is the Crystal Vampire."

"I know that," the first born said as he turned to face his father, "His powers are truly immense. But, you know of his condition. Without someone there, he-"

Just then, a servant burst into the room, quickly bowing to them both.

"Pardon me, my Lords! But, they found the remains of those other vampires who escaped last night!"

Feet thundered out of the room, as they cascaded down the stairs with their capes billowing behind. Finally, they were lead to a darkened room where the King, himself, and his highest generals waited.

"I know this isn't much," Lord Bennett said with a sigh, as they approached the pile of remains, "But, perhaps you can suss out whether anything here belonged to Alabaster Stone."

Both feared the worst, as they stood in front of a pile of ashes and scraps of black cloth, resting on a golden platter.

"I can not recall what Alabaster was wearing the night of the gala," the older vampire confessed at last, as he inclined his head toward Malakai, "Do you remember anything?"

The first born stared for a few moments, before being jabbed in the ribs by his father. The eldest swallowed down his emotions, before approaching the ashes.

"He was wearing-"

Suddenly, an image came to mind. Not of Alabaster's misty suit or even the silver accessories he flaunted that others of his kind despised. Instead, he saw a clear vision of the human sheltered in his brother's arms. He had seen him before. But, where?

Interrupting his train of thought was when something shimmering amongst the ashes caught his eye. Malakai reached in before plucking out something long and thin, before holding it up to the light; it was a silver hand pin. Revelation hit the noble, right before smoke met the air. The vampire dropped the glittering treasure on top of the heap with a hiss, before it could do any further damage.

"My son," Lord Jasper said, as he gazed at the other man's singed hand, "Are you quite alright?"

"I'm fine," Malakai affirmed, ignoring the pain as his eyes lit up with determination, "I know where he is."

Maybe it was the battle between himself and the rogue vampire leader. Maybe it was the strain of seeing all of those horrific sights. Maybe it was as simple as staying up all night for the gala. Either way, Simon Hart remained asleep in spite of valued customers crowding the door as they peeked through the windows, wondering where the famed tailor was at. And who remained asleep, right along with him? Alabaster Stone, of course.

Finally, the sun began setting. Vendors closed down their shops and men returned from the coal mines, welcomed back home with hugs from their loved ones. The world at large began to quiet. And in this silence, an unearthly creature with golden eyes moved in the dark.

The shadow traversed the rooftops of Lenore, scaling the heights as if they were mere child's play, before settling on a balcony right across from a certain shop. Though the candle in the upstairs bedroom had nearly burnt itself out, it was easy for those sharp eyes to discern the two figures within. It would have been even easier to break open the window, murder that human and take back what was his. But, the object in his pocket, bound with a gold cord and silk cloth, weighed heavily on his soul.

Slowly, long claws picked open the lock. The window opened with just the slightest of creaks. But, that was enough to awaken the tailor, who was already on high alert. The vampire turned around just in time to see a hat pin aimed at his face.

"Get away from him!"

Humans were fragile creatures. Malakai believed that, even now. But, seeing this naturally weak being willing to fight him over the prone body of his brother did something to him; something for which he had no name. Slowly, he altered his path, until he was standing right in front of Simon Hart.

"On behalf of the Stone family, thank you for using this for a just cause."

With that, he dropped the silk bundle into the tailor's lap, glad to be rid of such poison, before moving toward the bed. Once Simon had gotten a better look at the man who had invaded his home, he recognized him by his eyes alone; this was Alabaster's brother. That didn't mean that he trusted him, of course. But, he did believe that the man had the Crystal Vampire's best interests at heart. That was enough for him.

His attention, instead, fell on the thin parcel placed in his lap. He undid the gold cord and unwrapped the silk cloth to find none other than one of his own hat pins. The memory of sticking it squarely in Bartholomew's back, watching his body smoke and shake before the sun came to claim him reentered his mind. It almost made him want to recoil from one of his own possessions.

But, the vampire was right. He had used it for a just cause, hadn't he? Simon had used it to save a life, even if it had caused the death of another. So, back into his hat band it was placed, shimmering in the dim light like a beacon of courage.

The tailor came back to himself just as the other man recoiled from Alabaster, as a sizzling sound met his ears. Simon shook his head as he realized the problem. The silver accessories that Alabaster had adorned himself with were of the finest quality. But, because of them, he couldn't be directly touched by any other vampire; not even by members of his own family.

"Allow me."

Malakai was reluctant, but he stepped back, watching the human like a hawk as he slowly divested the vampire noble of all of his silver. Once his brother was bare of the offensive metal, the larger man stepped forward, lifting the other vampire up into his arms.

"Good. I will take him to the castle now. You may keep those trinkets as payment-"

"Wait," Simon said, abandoning the handful of expensive, silver jewelry on the bedside table, "Malakai, was it? I wish to come along."

The vampire noble set the human with a hard glare. It was enough to send a chill down the tailor's spine, causing his instincts to flare up; the instinct to lower his eyes and cow to his superior being at the forefront. But, he was done backing down! Done with allowing his betters to stand in between something he wanted and believed was right! So, he kept his glittering, green eyes locked with those of fierce gold, going where angels dared not tread in his defiance of Malakai Stone.

Said man stared a while longer, before sighing. The tailor may have been just a human, but he had saved his younger brother's life. The least he could do was let him finish what he started.

"I assume you wish to stay with Alabaster, until he opens his eyes. Very well. Hop onto my back. But, mind those pins of yours. If one of them so much as brushes me, I will be dropping you to your death."

Simon pondered this statement a moment, before nodding and offering a short, "Fair enough."

The tailor used his bed to climb onto the larger man's back, slipping a few times, before he finally managed to lock his arms around the vampire's neck. He secured himself just in time before the creature spirited his way out of the window. The tailor yelped as he almost let go, only to gasp in surprise at the city down below. So many lights were twinkling that it almost looked like a sea of stars.

But, he didn't have time to fully appreciate such a rare sight. Just then, they began to descend. Simon gripped all the tighter, shutting his eyes as the fear of falling gripped his heart. But, in the end, Malakai's boots hit the tiles with ease. The vampire gracefully navigated the city much like he had the first time, racing back to the castle at a blurring speed to avoid being caught by the one thing faster than himself; the light.