Chapter 38: Vampire

On the day Antonia died, she mentioned to her about a confession she wanted to make concerning her son Skylar, she had already planned to tell Meredith about all of it later that night before she was murdered by Edward.

Meredith was eager to hear this confession as it could change everything that was going to happen in the nearest future. She tried for so long and nothing seemed to be changing so she decided to use an alternative, she would visit the land of the dead and talk to Antonia there using the power of the stone as an anchor to the land of the living.

Meredith prepared herself for this risky journey she was about to take, one mistake and she will be trapped there forever. After a few days she was ready to go find out the truth about Skylar, she was determined and nothing was going to change her mind.

As she ventured into the land of the dead, she found herself surrounded by a beautiful landscape, this was not what she thought the land of the dead will look like, she definitely expected something more dark and eerie. Following a mysterious path, she was led to an ethereal realm where souls of the dead lingered, and after some moments of searching, she spotted Antonia her presence shimmering with an otherworldly glow, she sat at a place close to beautiful lilies as she adored them with a sad smile on her face.

For a moment, Antonia was no longer ready to meet her friend that have been dead for few years, but she needed to do it for her good and the good of Skylar.

She carefully approached her not expecting anything to happen when she did.

“Antonia” Meredith called out and she raised her head and both their eyes met.

“Meredith” she replied and stood up hastily from where she sat and walking closer to her friend to give her a hug.

After few moments of being in each other’s embrace, they disengaged and looked at themselves with tears in their eyes.

“I don’t have much time Antonia, you have to tell me what really happened with Skylar and why you wanted me to come to the house when he was asleep that day” Meredith said not wanting to waste any of her time crying and remembering old memories.

“It’s not important anymore Meredith” Antonia said as she looked away trying to hide the emotion on her face.

“It is very important and I need to know if I intend to continue keeping Skylar safe from harm” Meredith said as she tried to convince her to open up.

“I can’t tell you M, I can’t” Antonia said as she moved backwards.

“Antonia, I do not have the time for this, you need to tell me now, please” Meredith said and there was a long moment of silence as Antonia tried to make up her mind.

“Edward was not the father of my child” Antonia said with shame all over her face.

“Then who’s Skylar’s father?” Meredith said.

“Regaleon, the vampire lord” Antonia replied looking at Meredith straight in the eyes.

As the truth unfolded, Meredith's heart raced with a mix of shock, disbelief, and understanding. The revelation had the power to reshape the course of their lives.

“What!!! You slept with a vampire?” Meredith said with a loud voice.

“It wasn’t intentional M, I had too much to drink in the tavern and he was very sweet to me, we did it and after that night I never thought of it again. Few days later, I slept with Edward and he released inside of me, that was why I thought he was Skylar’s father” Antonia replied and she paused for a while.

“When Skylar turned three, I noticed that he had started growing fangs whenever he was hungry, he was my child and I didn’t want any harm to come to him so I started making him blood meals but his appetite kept growing larger, that was why I wanted to tell you about it so you would tell me what to do” Antonia continued and all Meredith could do was stand and stare because she couldn’t believe all she was hearing.

“I cannot believe you kept all this from me, I am beginning to doubt what our friendship really meant to you but I can tell you one thing, I will protect your son because I consider him mine too, Goodbye Antonia” Meredith said turning to leave.

“Meredith, our friendship meant everything to me, I may not have been the best to you but I know you have been the best to me. Now I know I can rest in peace, goodbye M” Antonia said tears flowing down her eyes and a painful smile on her face.

Meredith walked away without looking back, till she reached the gateway and crossed it.

With her mission accomplished, Meredith felt a sense of peace wash over her. She felt sad with the way they parted but she knew that was the only way to make her rest in peace. As she stood up from her bed she put her face in her hands as she sobbed in both pain and relief.

Armed with the truth and newfound strength, Meredith vowed to protect Skylar and forge a brighter future, free from the shadows of the past and she will make sure he rules over Edwards empire as a payment for what he dis to Antonia, her only family.