Business In Wales

I'm back! Sorry, sorry. I had this idea for this Arc, but I never watched The Vampire Diaries or The Originals, so I spent a lot of time preparing. Work prevented me from binge-watching.

Anyway... story?

Malakai's POV:

As I sped down the winding roads toward the airport, the landscape around me blurred into a wash of green trees and misty hills. Wales was never far from my thoughts, its magic and history pulling at me with a quiet insistence. Even after all these centuries, I still felt that deep connection to the land—my mother's homeland, the cradle of ancient power.

The journey ahead was not just a matter of business; it was also personal. The Crimson Drop, the organization I had built, was more than a way to provide sustenance for vampires. It was a means of shaping our future, of proving that we could evolve beyond the mindless thirst for human blood. My team in Wales, a mixture of vampires and humans, had been working tirelessly to perfect the synthetic blood blend that allowed us to enjoy food again. It was a small thing for most, but for vampires who had lived for centuries without the pleasure of taste, it was revolutionary.

As the miles sped by, my thoughts drifted back to Seraphina. She had teased me before I left, but I knew she had a certain pride in the work we were doing. She, more than anyone, understood the delicate balance we walked as vampires trying to retain some connection to humanity. Even though we had long since lost most of our innocence about the world, there was still something to be said about holding on to the things that made us feel alive.

The sun was just beginning to rise higher in the sky when I reached the private airstrip where my plane was waiting. I pulled up to the sleek jet, the silver body gleaming in the soft morning light. A crew member came forward to take my luggage as I stepped out of the car, straightening my coat. I handed over the keys, nodded in thanks, and boarded the plane.

Settling into my seat, I looked out of the window, my mind already half in Wales. I thought about my team, the experiments they were running, and the steady stream of reports I had been reviewing for the past weeks. Progress had been significant, but there were still details to refine, elements to perfect. And that's why I needed to be there—my presence always seemed to accelerate things.

As the engines roared to life and the plane ascended into the sky, I glanced at the papers on my lap. My thoughts returned to my family at Rook Manor, to the laughter and warmth that filled the house. Though I had centuries of life behind me, it was in those moments with them that I felt the most human. The look on Seraphina's face when she danced with Drusilla the night before still lingered in my mind, the soft glow of the fireplace reflecting in her emerald eyes.

The flight passed quickly, my thoughts occupied by the endless strategies for improving The Crimson Drop. Ideas flowed freely, but there was one thing I couldn't quite shake—a nagging sense that something deeper, more significant, awaited me in Wales. My mother's words had planted the seed of that idea before I left, and now it grew steadily in the back of my mind.

When the plane touched down in Cardiff, the familiar scent of the Welsh countryside welcomed me like an old friend. The air was cool and fresh, and the rolling hills that surrounded the city were shrouded in the kind of mist that made the land seem timeless. After a quick drive through the narrow, winding roads of the Welsh countryside, I arrived at the headquarters.

The building itself was a blend of old and new. It had once been an ancient manor, much like Rook Manor, with thick stone walls and turrets that spoke of a long-forgotten era. I had chosen it for its connection to the past, for the way it echoed the magic that coursed through my bloodline. But within those ancient walls, the most advanced technology of the modern age hummed and clicked away. Laboratories filled with machines designed to analyze blood, simulate taste, and create the perfect blend of synthetic nourishment that would sustain vampires who chose a life without feeding on humans.

As I entered the building, my team greeted me with nods and quick updates. They were a loyal group, each chosen for their skills and dedication to the cause. A few humans, aware of our world, worked alongside us, their expertise invaluable in the areas of biochemistry and nutrition. I gave them each a nod of acknowledgment, my focus already shifting to the tasks at hand.

I made my way to the central lab, where Dr. Laurence, my head scientist, was waiting with the latest report in hand. He was a sharp man in his early fifties, with salt-and-pepper hair and a meticulous nature. He had been with me from the beginning, one of the few humans I trusted with the full knowledge of what we were.

"Welcome back, Master Malakai," he greeted, handing me the report. "We've made some significant progress with the new blend. The taste simulation has improved by twenty percent since your last visit, and we've managed to reduce the aftertaste in the blood-infused meals. I think we're close to the final formula."

I scanned the report quickly, noting the key points. "Excellent work, Laurence. I knew you would have made strides since our last meeting. I will review everything in detail, but I want to see the results in action."

Laurence led me through the lab, explaining the improvements they had made in the formulas. We passed rows of equipment, all designed to simulate the way a vampire's body processed synthetic blood. The faint hum of machinery was almost comforting as we moved deeper into the heart of the operation.

"I've scheduled a taste test for you later today," Laurence continued. "We've refined the balance of iron and the chemical compounds that mimic the natural properties of human blood. The goal was to get closer to the taste vampires would expect without crossing into anything that triggers the predatory instinct."

I nodded, satisfied with the progress. The Crimson Drop was more than just a business—it was a way to create a new world for vampires like my family and me. One where we could retain some semblance of normality and enjoy the pleasures of human life without sacrificing our integrity.

The rest of the day was spent overseeing various operations, reviewing the latest developments, and fine-tuning expansion plans. As night began to fall over the Welsh countryside, I found myself standing on the headquarters' balcony, overlooking the mist-covered hills in the distance. The night air was cool and crisp, carrying with it the scent of rain and earth.

Despite the work I had accomplished today, my thoughts kept drifting back to Seraphina and the others. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was happening back in Forks, something I needed to keep a close eye on. The Cullens were still a question mark in my mind, especially Edward, who had taken an interest in Isabella Swan. Their presence complicated things, but I trusted that Seraphina could handle whatever challenges arose in my absence.

With that thought, I turned back to the papers spread out before me. My work here was far from over, but I would return to Forks soon enough, ready for whatever awaited us there.