The Gifts

The jeep rolled up the lush hills. Marvel sat next to Arioch, who drove with scorn on his face. The group had made him stop more than he wanted, making this journey longer than he needed. As the sun started to set, an orange glow enveloped the rolling hills next to a huge blue and yellow barn. Nearby, a Mandala painted elephant statue stood adorned with beaded necklaces and the words 'the Ugly Duckling'.

Marv gasped next to Arioch which made him whip his head toward her. "OMG!!! Stop the fucking car" She hopped in her seat 

Arioch rolled his eyes. "No," he kept down the road. 

Minjun sat forward. "I do need the bathroom," he whispered next to Arioch's ear. 

"You can hold it," Arioch shouted over his shoulder. 

Minjun raised his hands. "Well, if you don't like your back seats, just say so," he struggled. 

"Stop the damn car," Nandi shouted, causing Arioch to turn back to the ugly duckling. 

It's been years since Marv walked through those old giant wooden doors, it cluttered the yellow walls with trinkets, wind chimes and clothing. There were vintage room dividers in deep oaks and fresh pines, cabinets and cupboard stood heavy, filling the air with a woody smell that Marv loved. She walked into a room with jewelry on tables, hanging on walls, and necklaces of precious gemstone hanging from the ceiling. 

The orange glow of the sun shone the window, reflecting off the gemstone causing colorful reflections to dance around the room. 

"Hey marvelous" Noah said, laying on the ground with his hands behind his soft curly hair. "Come, choose a necklace" Marv lay down on the cold clay tiles, next Noah with his sad eyes and sweet smile "anyone of them" 

Arioch walked through the empty store, looking at the different homemade goods and mandala stones until he walked into the Jewelry section. He found Marv laying on her back. She was smiling with a hazed look in her eye, the color reflection lingered on her taupe skin. The sight twisted his insides and made his gums sore. He moved closer, but Marv didn't seem to notice him. His eyes wander up her shapely legs, which were covered in lace stocking. He bit his lip as her legs disappeared under her mesh dress. 

"What are you doing?" His deep voice woke Marv from her memories.

Marv looked up at him. "I am picking out a necklace," she said nonchalantly, looking into his eyes. 

"Fine" He laid down next to her. "Choose a necklace." Marv looked at him, watching the words fall from his mouth. "anyone of them" he looked down at Marv. 

One tear fell down her cheek, she turned away from him. "I have a nostalgic place in my heart of tiger eye stones, but " she looked at him to find Arioch staring at her already "but I have an obsession with moonstones" a moonstone hangs over them in a simple design. 

....

The jeep stopped in front of a gothic cottage. Cobwebs coated the windows and vines were claiming the walls. The lush pine forest was overgrown and towered up towards the sky. It was quiet, only lights were in the distance, warm glows from the distant houses. It reminded Marv of standing on the stoop of her grandparent's home and watching the twinkling lights. She use to call them stars when she was little. 

Arioch exhaled, leaned back in his seat. He turned towards Marv. Her eyes were sparkling in the dark car and a moonstone necklace sat in the middle of her chest. Arioch reached out and touched it. Marv stared at him with distant eyes and Arioch pulled his hand away, instantly.

He grabbed the door handle. "stay here" he got out of the car and moved to the boot, grabbing a spade and walking off. 

Marv huffed, crossing her arms. "Does he expect us to just wait here, in the dark, next to an abandoned cottage" she said as the two behind her were scrolling through their phones. 

"Arioch is all mysterious and stuff," Nandi said, in a bored tone. 

"Yea, just give him some space," Minjun said, waving his hand and shutting down a yawn. 

"Nah, I'm going after him" Marv got out of the car. 

There was coolness in the air, and the mist was rolling in. Marv wrapped her arms around herself. Nothing could be heard except for the sound of her footsteps. She ventured further into the woods, calling Arioch's name, but no answer. Every time she called out sounds would follow. First it was footsteps, then the crunching of wet leaves, then the sound of wings flapping in the air. 

Marv passed a tree where a gloved hand popped out and grabbed her waist, pushing her against a tree. She gasped, "I told you to stay in the car" Arioch's deep velvet voice echoed through the forest. 

Marv hit his arm as he let go and kept walking "Gosh, you scared me" she gasped as Arioch just chuckled "why did you do that?" she asked, following him through the forest. 

"I like how wide your eyes get," he whispered, still holding the spade in his hand. 

Marv rolled her eyes. "How far are we walking?" she rubbed her shoulders. 

"Complaining already, Kanna. You should have just stayed in the car," he smirked, giving her a wink. "here" he pointed to the ground before digging up the fresh soil. 

The scent of wet ground filtered through the air. As Marv watched Arioch dig a hole, he did effortlessly and with incredible speed until his spade hit a metal box. Arioch kneeled down, pushing away the dirt to relieve a music box. He sat down on his heels and exhaled. He began to wield it up, and when he released it, a beautiful melody echoed through the forest. 

The song brought shivers to Marv's skin, so she huddled up next to Arioch, but he ignored her closeness. The music box popped open to relieve figurines of two boys chasing each other with the backdrop of a pine forest. Around the figurines were two gold bracelets. One had red coral stone alongside emerald while the other had yellow sapphire alongside cat eye stones.

Arioch kept them up between his long fingers, he held them so delicately "we were gifted these at our 13th birthday. I got mine first. And he cried because he didn't get one. We always wore it" he took in a deep breath "when he finally got his, we would pretend to be in a secret club, the only we could get in was by these bracelets" the memory faded behind Arioch eyes and he slammed the box shut. 

Marv noticed blood on the music box. "Why is there blood?" she pointed out. 

"Let's go," he said in a dismal tone, before getting up and walking away. 

"No" Marv struggled to her feet "you are not avoiding me this time" she rushes after him "why is there blood on that music box?" she demanded, but Arioch turned towards her. 

"Do you want me to ask about your scars?" Arioch's voice was dangerously low and sharp, like he had slit her throat and she couldn't speak. "Lets go" he sneered, walking off. 

Marv stood, frozen. He had never spoken to her like that before. His voice was annoyed or concerned, but this was different. This hurt her soul. Marv grabbed her chest, feeling a quickening in her heart that she hadn't felt in years. She just watched Arioch walk a few steps before turning around and coming back toward her. Marv shut her eyes, waiting for another yelling, but he was swept her off her feet and carried her towards the car in a smooth motion. 

He sat her in the passenger seat, the two vampires at the back, perked up at the new scent that entered the car. They turned to Arioch with a confused look. "We have everything needed" he looked into the rare view after climbing into the car. 

"Wait" Nandi sat forward in her seat. "The vessels need both of your bloods, but how are we going to get his?" There was silence in the car. Everyone was deep in thought. 

"I guess we didn't think this through," Minjun claimed, crossing his arms and leaning back in the seat. 

Marv sat watching the old cottage. There was one way she could get it. In the books Lace bothered her, there were ritual lovers used to heighten their sexual and intimate desire for one another; she had a plan. "I know how, don't worry about it." she looked at Arioch, who gave her a curious look.

"How?" he asked, his eyebrows were raised, looking down at her. 

"You're just going to have to wait and see" she shifted in her seat, Arioch began to protest "just trust me". She placed her hand on his arm. 

He nodded in solitary. "Let's go home," he whispered as he started the car and drove off.