Chapter 15 – Flightless bird

Three months later…

BLAZE glanced at his wristwatch for the countless time. It was fifteen minutes before eight in the evening and the Knights he was assigned to guide all throughout the hunt were still inside the abandoned factory.

Damn, this was no longer a part of his responsibility as a Council member. His subordinates were supposed to be the ones doing this, but since the Night King and even Cain who had roused from his slumber spell also joined the hunt, he and the other Council members had no choice but to show up. This was meant to promote camaraderie between all species including the Wolves and the Mages since they were present, too.

This had been going on for two months now. And he could not wait for this to end.

Three months ago, there was nothing Blaze would give than to stand on the frontline and kill the enemies with his bare hands. There was nothing he enjoyed the most than drawing blood from the rebels. There was always a part of him that was drawn to bloodbath, that hungered for it. It was a part of him that he despised the most. He used to worry that that hunger might take over him one day and would turn him into a destroyer like what some Mages had accused him of, that he may end up destroying everyone around him.

But three months later after living with his innocent lamb, he felt his worries disappeared one by one. It was like all his hunger had been directed to her, like he was just waiting for her all his life to release all these pent-up emotions within him, emotions he did not know he had in him until he met Mikaela. It was the first time he backed out from being a Vanguard and allowed the youngsters to deal with them instead, a decision which everyone readily agreed on. He knew that the Council was worried of the man he was becoming.

But Blaze had no problem controlling his urges now. The only thing he could not control was his reaction towards Mikaela, towards the woman who was alone in his house at the moment and was waiting for his return.

He had to make this as quickly as possible to at least join her for dinner.

Blaze took a deep breath. “These men are goddamn slow for Knights,” he whispered as he stepped out of the Van and walked towards the factory. This was the fourth hideout they attacked that day, and he was only supposed to assist the newly appointed Vampire Knights and to make sure that none of them would get in trouble.

When he kicked the gate, he saw two of the Knights bleeding. They were panting and leaning on the other side of the wall while three of the Rogues were still standing with swords in their hands. The Knights still did a pretty good job. They were able to slay four Rogues in thirty minutes. But they needed more practice. “Both of you can rest for now. I will take it from here.”

The enemies’ eyes narrowed with fury after what Blaze had said. He motioned them to come closer. “All of you, come to me at once. I have an appointment at eight so let’s finish this as soon as possible.”

And when they did run towards Blaze at full speed to attack him, he eagerly met them halfway. The Rogues were quick, but he was quicker. He appeared right in front of them and tapped their foreheads. Their bodies burned and quickly became ashes. Others called that a ‘touch of death’, a spell where only Blaze among the Mages, had perfected.

He turned to the Knights and when he lifted his hand, a faint light appeared. In a matter of seconds, their wounds were gone. Finally, it was over.

“Let’s get out of here now,” he said, aware that he was growing more and more impatient.

I’m coming home now, Mikaela.

But before Blaze could teleport, Silas and Cain both appeared. Cain even blocked his spell. The two old men were grinning. Just like before, they were quick to catch on.

“You cheated. You were only supposed to aid the Knights if they could no longer fend for themselves, Blaze. If you hadn’t interfered, they could still fight and win although it would not be a quick victory like yours,” Cain said.

“Good evening to you too, Your Majesty and lord Cain, and goodbye-“

“Not so soon.” The corner of Cain’s lips turned up. “Why are you in a hurry? Was this because of the human named Mikaela? But I heard she was only a prisoner to you and nothing more. If that’s the case, then you do not have to worry about her feelings, Blaze. Join us for dinner.”

Prisoner. That word stopped him from walking away. He felt like someone just punched him in the gut. Did Mikaela also think of herself the same way?

“I heard what you did to Sylvia’s daughter, Blaze. You know what it feels like to have your family taken away from you. It was terrible, right? We both went through that hell. I urge you not to do that to her. Unlike this silly Night King here, I would not have let you take that human away if I was around. You have taken Mikaela away from her family, her friends, her job, and from everything she holds dear. You robbed her off her freedom and locked her in your lair,” His mentor added. “Sylvia already clipped Mikaela’s wings for twenty-four years and locked her in a cage. And you freed her only to put her in another cage. Was this your revenge plan? To make her lose herself until she becomes an empty form? Until you are done with her?”

Blaze gritted his teeth. He was glad that his mentor was awake at last but right now, he hated him. He hated Cain for making him question his life choices. Without him, he could go on pretending that things were okay, that things were under his control.

“You don’t understand, my lord. This is not just about revenge anymore.” I wouldn’t have rushed home so badly every night if this was as simple as taking revenge. I would have left her all by herself. But I couldn’t do that. I could never do that.

“Then what is this about?”

“I… I don’t know. I just know I need Mikaela by my side.”

“Why? Do you love her?” Silas asked.

Love?

He didn’t think that far ahead. He was not even sure if he truly knew what love was. When he married Danielle, it was merely to fulfill his promise to Claude to protect her honor since she was pregnant at that time. If Claude hadn’t died, Danielle would have been Blaze’s sister-in-law and she had been faithful to his brother all throughout their married life which he didn’t mind.

Blaze did love her as a friend, as a sister, and he accepted and adored Kate like his own daughter. For the past years, during the time the three of them were together, his world had revolved around them.

That’s why when they died, Blaze went berserk. He felt like he did not just fail Danielle and Kate. He had failed his brother, too, who trusted Blaze with his family. He felt lost, too, and so he tried distracting himself with the only way he knew. After eliminating the Mages, he put all his energy in hunting not only Sylvia but the Rogues, too.

But all the wrath, all the negative emotions he had harbored disappeared while he was living with Mikaela.

“It’s been three months, Blaze,” Silas continued. “The enemies have been punished. And soon, Sylvia will receive her punishment, too. Being away from her daughter is already a punishment for her. Don’t you think you should let her go now? I’m actually surprised Mikaela hadn’t gone crazy yet.” He patted Blaze’s shoulder. “I think this is enough, Blaze. I heard that Sylvia passed out because of stress and fatigue last night. She is okay now, but she is still recovering in the hospital. I’m sure Mikaela would want to see her family, too. She has a mind of her own. She is not your possession. A human’s life is short. Sort out your feelings. If you love her, tell her. If you don’t, then release her so she could find someone who will love her.”

Blaze did not respond and just vanished without saying another word. He appeared in front of his mansion and was surprised to see Mikaela at the balcony. He was at the garden and looking up at her. She was gazing at the sky. The soft wind was playing with her hair and with her long white dress. He swallowed hard when he saw her tears falling.

Are you always like this whenever you are alone? Are you always… crying? There was no way he would know because Mikaela would always show a bright smile whenever she was in front of him.

From where Blaze was standing, Mikaela looked so radiant, so mesmerizing under the night sky that he could watch her forever. He clutched his chest. He used to anticipate the sight of her like this. Every night, he could not wait to hold her in his arms. But tonight, why does seeing her hurts his chest so much?