Chapter 2

Chapter 2: The Fog and The Crows

According to The Book of Immortality: A Journey to Infinity, vampires grow three times faster than humans. By the time a vampire is one year old, they already possess the physical and mental capacity of a three-year-old human. So when a vampire reaches thirteen, they are already considered an adult. To maintain a strong and well-built physique, drinking enough blood—especially human blood—is essential.

The book also reveals that centuries ago, vampires and humans could coexist and interact freely. Hard to believe that two entirely different worlds were once united for mutual benefit. But peace didn’t last long. Jealousy began to brew among humans when they realized the superiority of vampires in almost everything. That envy sparked a revolution, one that was only suppressed by a treaty—The Humans and Vampires Treaty.

Since vampires are immortal and vastly more powerful than humans, they agreed to curb their growing population. That’s when the vampire pregnancy ban was instituted. In return, humans promised to keep the existence of vampires a secret. That’s how peace was sustained between the two worlds.

To sum it up: Lady Melendez lied when she said a vampire couldn’t get pregnant. We can. Whether you’re a pureblood or a slave-class vampire, you can conceive. What kills us is not biology—it’s the law, and the promise we swore.

In my case, Chief Bermudo is protecting me. From the moment I got pregnant to the day I give birth, this secret stays between us. That’s also part of the bracelet’s purpose—to conceal the blood bond I’ll share with my daughter once she’s born.

---

“Astra...”

I was leaning against the headboard, reading, when Abel entered the room. He was wearing a worn-out farming outfit, sweat soaking his shirt.

“Sorry, I smell like sweat,” he said, slightly embarrassed.

My eyes landed on the paper he held.

“Oh, right—you’ve got a letter,” he said.

I quickly set down the book and took the rolled-up paper tied with a string. I hurriedly opened it—and I was right. It was from Erikson.

I trembled with excitement as I read it.

---

From Mr. Erikson Nadija, Nightfall Clan

To Astralla Martin, Esparago Clan

Hey, I hope this reaches you, Astra.

How have you been? Sorry I haven’t visited. I’ve been busy these past few months. I hope you’re well and happy there. If you’re wondering, I’m okay too. I just… miss my friend. You know? I miss scratching the back of my head whenever you did something reckless.

How’s your training? You promised you’d come back stronger. I want to test that promise when we meet again. Don’t worry about Brix—he’s fine. Come on, he’s Brixton Wenz Fucking Cardinal. (Kidding.)

Yeah, that’s it. I just really miss you. If you can write back, please do.

I can’t wait to see you again... friend.

---

I teared up as I read his words. I hadn’t realized how much I missed him too—he’s always been there whenever my life was in danger. From the beginning until now, he’s been one of my few trusted companions.

I looked at Abel. “Can I write back?”

“Of course,” he smiled.

I folded Erikson’s letter and sat by the nightstand. I pulled out paper and pen and began writing—two whole pages.

“Two pages? You really missed him, huh?” Abel teased as he took the letter from me.

I just nodded. Lately, I’d been short of breath and having back pain—signs that the birth was drawing near.

“I should get going,” Abel said.

But instead of leaving, he sat beside me on the bed.

“We can resume your training after you give birth,” he said.

I touched the bracelet on my wrist. No, I wasn’t thinking about the time lost to waiting instead of training.

“I’m going back to the Nightfall Clan after I give birth, Abel,” I finally confessed. “Alone.”

That was my plan. If Brix ever returned, I knew that would be his first stop. Esparago Clan was too quiet for me—I needed the kind of information only Nightfall could offer.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

The question gave me goosebumps.

Am I?

Yes, I am. I know I am. I’ve learned so much. But no matter how prepared we are, life always finds ways to catch us off guard.

“We’re never truly ready, are we?” I replied.

He studied me for a moment before smiling. “You’ve changed, Astra. A lot.”

I smiled, too.

“I remember when I first met you—you were lost, confused, spinning tales full of holes,” he chuckled. “You were following a plan... without a plan. But now? Look at you.”

“I’m bulky,” I laughed.

He shook his head. “You look like someone ready to face anything. You’re no longer the reckless, impulsive Astra I met. Your daughter helped you become this version of yourself.”

I instinctively placed my hand on my belly.

“It’s all for her...” I murmured.

“That’s the only plan that never fails,” he said, and I agreed. “Anyway, I’ll send this letter now before the day ends. You should rest.”

Before he left, I grabbed his hand—the one holding my letter. He looked surprised.

“You must’ve loved her deeply,” I said.

A faint smile formed on his lips. “I still regret that I did...”

“If you had a chance to change it, would you?”

He didn’t hesitate. “I’m happy now. That’s what matters.”

---

With each passing hour, the anxiety in my chest grew. I noticed fog gathering around the Esparago Clan—even at noon, it lingered like it was waiting too.

“The fog won’t touch your child while you wear the bracelet,” Lady Melendez reassured. She visited more frequently now to check on me.

I accepted the blood she handed me and took a sip before asking, “She and her father… they both seem to have a bond with fog, don’t they?”

She sighed and shook her head.

She walked to the balcony and looked outside. “They are not the same. Your daughter’s fog—if you look closely—it feels alive. It’s darker than her father’s... more powerful.”

Despite drinking blood, my throat felt dry. I’d noticed it too—the fog outside resembled a storm cloud, thick and ominous.

“There’s something else, Lady Melendez,” I added.

She turned to me. “What is it?”

I swallowed. “Every dawn… I wake up to see a black crow staring at me from outside the window. Sometimes two.”

Her expression changed.

“I mean, there are plenty of crows in Esparago, right? Maybe they’re just passing by,” I tried to laugh off my fear.

“Black crows…” she echoed. “Maybe, Astra. Don’t think too much about it.”

But the fog kept getting denser.

One night, I awoke again to the sound of crows crying. I sluggishly walked to the balcony—and froze.

There were so many crows, and they were all staring at me.

This isn’t a coincidence anymore. Something’s wrong.

Their cries grew louder—and then I felt a sharp pain.

My water broke.

I sank to the floor, biting down on a cloth to stop myself from screaming.

Then the door flew open. Lady Melendez and Abel burst in, carrying supplies.

“She’s in labor!” Abel said, clearly panicked.

Lady Melendez knelt in front of me and checked. She rushed to her equipment—then paused as she noticed the window.

“Why are there so many crows?” Abel asked in disbelief.

“Lay her down!” Lady Melendez ordered. She closed the curtains, but the cries outside only grew louder.

Abel gently lowered me onto the bed. “It’s going to be okay...” he whispered.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as labor began in full force.

I wished Brix was here. I wanted him to witness this. All this time, I’d hoped he’d be by my side.

Abel held my hand as Lady Melendez guided the delivery. He kept repeating that it would be okay... that soon, I’d finally meet my baby.

“You remember when you said you were pregnant with Sev’s child?” Abel said, trying to distract me. “You lied. But then it came true—with Brix’s. Be careful what you wish for.”

I closed my eyes and pushed harder. My hearing dulled. All I could feel was pain, my heartbeat, my longing... the aching emptiness of not having him here.

I’m about to give birth to our princess.

I really wish you were here.

“You’re almost there, Astra!” Lady Melendez encouraged.

The pain... I could pass out any second. But I held on—I wanted to hear her cry.

I had waited for this. I just needed to push a little more.

Moments later, the crows suddenly stopped crying—and a new sound filled the air:

A baby’s cry.

My lips trembled as I looked down.

“It’s done...” Abel whispered.

Lady Melendez handed me a baby wrapped in white cloth. Tears of overwhelming joy poured down my face. Her tiny cries warmed my soul.

I held her close and stared at her for the first time.

This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

I caressed her cheek, then gently kissed her.

The bracelet around my wrist slowly loosened. Lady Melendez removed it and fastened it around my daughter’s tiny wrist. Her cries grew louder.

I touched her cheek again and gently ran a finger over her lips. She parted them slightly—and instinctively, I placed my finger in her mouth.

A sharp, needle-like pain pierced my finger.

She was sucking my blood.

A smile broke on my face as I saw a drop of my blood trail down her lower lip.

“You are the best thing that ever happened to me, Hyacinth,” I whispered.