The Vampire King's Possession
Chapter 776. A Month

Chapter 776: 776. A Month

Malcolm narrowed his eyes at Mauve’s words. His expression was a mix of several emotions, none of which were easy to read. Regardless of how Mauve was born, Malcolm always considered her to be his sister. Her mother didn’t make any difference to him, and right now, his sister was part of the vampires with a baby on the way—a baby that might need blood.

Malcolm touched his temples. Palers attacked vampires more than they had ever attacked humans. A few humans had been killed, but only if they wandered a little too close to the Nolands. He had no reason to help vampires except for the one sitting in front of him.

He almost wished he could say it wasn’t his problem, but he couldn’t look Mauve in the eyes and utter those words. He wouldn’t be able to live with himself afterward. He truly wanted what was best for her, and he thought that would be away from the vampires, but Mauve didn’t seem to think so.

"Malcolm, brother, please," Mauve pleaded.

Malcolm met his sister’s eyes and his face softened. "When are you due?" he asked.

Mauve looked a little shocked by his question but she answered immediately. "In six months, I think."

Malcolm narrowed his gaze. "What do you mean, you think?"

"Well, vampires’ pregnancies usually last twelve months. However, we don’t know if it will be the same for me or if it will be less."

Malcolm didn’t know about this but he understood that there will either be similarities or differences. "Do you have a midwife and a physician who checks your health?" Malcolm queried.

Mauve’s eyes darted around. "Not really. Vampires mostly fix everything with blood. They don’t have any need for doctors, but there is one physician, Kieran. I don’t think I can call him that, though. He deals more in finding ways to kill Palers than anything else."

Malcolm was appalled. This was the sort of person his sister was left in the hands of. Turning his gaze to Jael, he said, "Mauve isn’t a vampire. She needs a physician and a midwife to check on her at all times, to make sure both her and the baby are in pristine condition."

"Malcolm," Mauve cried. "You didn’t let me finish. I do have one, but he is currently back in Greenham with his family, and I am sure his wife has given birth. But I feel fine. You don’t have to worry; I don’t think I need one."

Malcolm didn’t believe her but he realized this was up to him. "I don’t think humans stand to gain anything from helping vampires. However, I don’t want my niece or nephew to live in such conditions, and no matter how much I try to convince you, Mauve, I am sure you won’t leave the Vampire Regions."

Mauve vigorously shook her head. "I really like it here."

Malcolm gave her a look of disbelief mixed with a little sadness. He wasn’t completely oblivious to how she had been treated while she lived in the castle, and to pretend otherwise would be hypocritical.

"You can’t be without at least a physician," Malcolm stated. "I will send my personal physician and a midwife to care for you until you deliver the baby."

"Malcolm," Mauve called. "There is really no need for that. I have more than enough hands to care for me. I promise you that I lack nothing."

"This is more for me than it is for you. If any of them have a better opinion of vampires in the time that they stay here, I will consider it. However, I won’t do it without conditions."

"Six months is too long," Jael cut in. "We don’t have that much time to wait."

"Are you saying they would have a better opinion of vampires in less time? Not everyone is like my sister," Malcolm mocked.

"A month," Jael offered. "They only need to have a better view, right?"

Malcolm narrowed his eyes. "You think a month would be enough?"

"I don’t, but I know we can’t wait too long to commence any attack on Palers, and Louis has to teach humans magic before that."

"You sound as though I have agreed to this."

Jael shrugged. "Whatever decision you decide to make won’t put you at risk. You have free will. I once declined to help your father in a war, and you still won."

"Are you saying, regardless of what happens, vampires would figure something out?"

"Not exactly. We do need the help of humans. Palers are sneaky creatures, and they can be quite vicious in their attacks. They also have a bad habit of trailing their prey. Just when you think you have escaped, the Paler would pop right out and attack, leaving nothing but bloodied limps behind. If we want an edge in this battle, we need humans. It might not be your problem now, but I doubt that would always be the case."

"I am willing to take my chances," Malcolm replied with malice.

"One month, right?" Mauve asked. They were already at a conclusion. She had to stop a fight from breaking out.

"Yes," Malcolm responded reluctantly, turning his head in her direction.

"We will take it," she hurriedly said.

Louis looked like he wanted to speak against it, but he simply shrugged and said instead, "No more than a month. Even after that, I would still need no less than two months—or worse, more—to be able to teach them enough magic to go against a Paler."

"I am sure you can teach them in less time," Mauve smirked.

Louis laughed. "Flattery won’t always be the answer."

"I think we are done here," Malcolm cut in.

"Wait, not yet," Mauve said. "Could I have a word with you in private?"

"Of course," Malcolm said with a small smile.

Jael narrowed his eyes at Malcolm, then turned to his mate. Disapproval was written on his face. She placed her hand on his thigh.

"It will only be for a moment," Mauve said.

Jael nodded and looked toward Louis. The latter stood from his seat and headed for the door, while Jael took his time to stand up. He glanced at Malcolm before walking to the door, his expression gave nothing away.