Midnight Surrender-Chapter 80 Rain (AVOT)

Daisy lay ensconced in Rhain’s arms, enveloped by the warmth of their recent intimacy. The soft patter of rain against the window melded with the slowing cadence of his heartbeat, creating a tranquil lullaby.

Her fingers were entwined with his as she broached a delicate subject. "Did you reconcile with your father?"

"No," Rhain’s single-word answer hung in the air, heavy with unspoken thoughts.

She yearned to lift her head and search his face for the emotions he was clearly wrestling with, but decided against it. She sensed the weight of the unresolved relationship with his father, and she felt powerless to alleviate his burden.

"I may not fully comprehend your father, but from what I’ve observed, he does care for you in his own way," she said softly.

Rhain said nothing, his silence more telling than any words could be.

"I don’t want you to be hurting," Daisy continued, her voice tinged with concern.

"I’m not hurting. I have you," he finally replied, the brevity of his words laced with the depth of his emotion.

A faint smile blossomed on her lips as she tightened her grip on his hand. "Did you manage to uncover more about Slaine’s death?"

"Yes. It turns out his father was an ancient vampire who, through the use of magic, managed to negate certain aspects of the vampiric curse," Rhain revealed.

"His father was a vampire?" she asked, surprised. "I thought vampires couldn’t conceive."

"No. Hunters can’t conceive either. They are not born. They are made, and magic has its price. I meant father the same way it is for vampires, which explains why the Zornjäger family was superior to other hunters. They had a Vampiric bloodline."

The information left Daisy deep in thought. A world of vampires, hunters, and magic, and she was what they called a vessel. "What exactly makes me a vessel? Are there others like me?"

"Vessels are not a distinct species. Apart from their unique abilities, they are indistinguishable from ordinary humans. And they are exceptionally rare—perhaps one is born every four to six centuries. Perhaps there are more, and they were just not discovered." Rhain explained.

So it was a mystery?

Her gaze fell to their entwined fingers, her thoughts drifting back to his injuries. "I didn’t think your fingers would regenerate," she admitted.

"Would it bother you if they hadn’t?" he inquired.

"I can’t imagine that it would be pleasant for you so in that sense, it did bother me," she said, the memory of his ordeal flooding back to her. "But it wouldn’t make me love you any less."

"And how much do you love me?" He asked.

Daisy pushed herself up, propping her head on her elbow to meet Rhain’s gaze. "More than words could ever capture," she said, her eyes luminous in the soft light of the room.

A gentle smile graced his lips, his eyes twinkling like celestial orbs in the dimness. "Then I am the richest soul in the universe." He took her hand and delicately kissed her knuckles. "My vibrant bloom."

Her smile widened, a warmth radiating through her. Just then, a clap of thunder resounded, and the rain intensified its rhythmic assault against the windowpane.

For an instant, she looked at him as though expecting an explanation, but then she remembered he had no control over the weather. Rhain’s eyes darted to the window, and slowly a frown creased his brow as he pushed himself up to a seated position.

"Is something wrong?" she asked, concerned by the sudden shift in his demeanor.

He paused, gathering his thoughts, before speaking. "When I was on the run, starving, I stumbled upon a house inhabited by two children..."

Her heart seized. Please, no, she thought as she sat up abruptly, her body taut with tension.

"I may have," he hesitated and her heart stuttered, "not behaved rationally."

"What are you saying?" Her voice quivered.

He looked at her solemnly. "I drained their caretakers right before their eyes."

A sigh of relief escaped her lips that it wasn’t what she feared, but Rhain’s frown remained unaltered. "I forgot to erase their memories afterward. They must be frightened and confused, and they’re alone."

Without another word, he pushed aside the blankets and climbed out of bed.

"Where are you going?" she questioned.

"I need to at least make sure they’re all right," he responded.

"I’m coming with you," she declared, swinging her legs off the bed.

"The rain is coming down in torrents, Daisy. I can handle it."

"I’m not concerned about the rain. I’m coming with you," she insisted, resolute in her decision not to let him venture out alone, especially in his recently weakened state.

He looked as if he might object further but ultimately relented, instructing Armand to prepare the carriage, even though it would slow them down. She sensed his deep concern for the children and decided to wait until they were in the carriage to ask further questions.

Rhain revealed that the children were orphans he had discovered in an abusive household. Daisy’s heart sank, wondering how the youngsters could possibly cope, alone and traumatized as they were. Now her concern mirrored his, and the carriage ride felt agonizingly slow as both pondered what they would find.

After what felt like an interminable journey, they reached a stretch of farmland where the carriage could go no further. The saturated earth gripped the wheels, rendering them immobile. With a sense of urgency, Rhain swung the door open and stepped out into the rain. "Wait here," he instructed.

At first, Daisy was inclined to obey, but a moment later, she resolved to follow him. Her shoes were ill-suited for the sodden terrain, causing her to sink into the muddy soil with each step. Her clothes clung to her as the rain soaked through, but her determination overrode any discomfort.

Noticing her struggle, Rhain paused and turned back, extending his hand to assist her. Gratefully, she took it, and they made their way across the mire to a modest farmhouse. Its wooden walls were weathered, with paint peeling off in places. The windows were small and framed with timeworn shutters, but a warm light flickered behind the curtains, signaling that someone was home.

Rhain rapped his knuckles against the door. Daisy saw a brief movement in the window—a figure who caught sight of them and then quickly retreated out of view. Rhain seemed to be listening intently for something and chose not to knock again. Instead, he waited in the downpour that continued to drench them both.

After an agonizing minute, the door creaked open just a sliver, revealing a little boy who cautiously peered out. His large eyes met Rhain’s and lingered there, filled with a wary recognition. Then his gaze shifted to Daisy, scanning her as if gauging the level of threat she posed.

"Lucas," Rhain spoke gently, recapturing the boy’s attention. "Do you remember me?"

The boy nodded hesitantly, his eyes wary but curious. Daisy’s attention was drawn to his frail hand clutching the door; his arm was practically skeletal.

"It’s pouring outside. May we come in?" Rhain inquired softly.