Nightshade: A SimLit | Chapter 29: The Truth Hurts

Onyx quietly watched the fireplace burning in front of him, deep in thought, not even noticing the approaching footsteps behind him.

"Onyx, we need to talk."

He turned to look as Raven seated herself beside him on the couch. She smiled before speaking. "I've decided that we'll be moving to Forgotten Hollow."

"Forgotten Hollow?" he repeated with a frown. "But-"

"It's where we belong. You can be with other vampires, perhaps even find another vampire and settle down. Some grandchildren would be nice."

"What?" Onyx furrowed his eyebrows. "I'm sorry... but I'm not doing that."

"Why not?" Raven frowned. "Don't you want to start a family and-"

"I'm not leaving! I can't."

"I don't understand. I only want you to live a happy life. You're coming with me. You don't have a choice!"

Onyx stood up. "I'm happy here! You can't force me to go with you!"

"What's gotten into you?" Raven asked as he stormed off to his room. She stood to follow him. "Wait! This conversation isn't over!"

"Onyx, why don't you want to go? It will be good for you!" Raven exclaimed as she walked into the room, turning toward him. "You'll be able to meet other vampires, and..." Her voice trailed off as her eyes drifting to the ring box on his desk. "Onyx..."

"What?" he replied, not turning to look at her.

"What's that?"

 "An engagement ring."

"For who!?" Raven exclaimed exasperatedly. "Who on earth could you possibly be--"

"Amelia."

Her eyes widened. "What!? The human girl? You've been sneaking and seeing her all this time!?"

"Yes, I have," Onyx stated calmly. "I love her, mom. And you can't change that."

"But she doesn't love you!" Raven cried. "You can't do this!"

"I can and I will."

"She's a human, Onyx! Don't you understand!?" Raven's eyes were beginning to water. "Your father wouldn't have wanted this for you!"

"My whole life you've insisted you don't even know who my father is! How do you know what he would have wanted? But... one time when I was a kid, you mentioned him, too. I remember." Onyx raised an eyebrow. "You were lying to me this whole time."

She averted her gaze. "It was for your own good. Your father couldn't wait for you to be born. He loved you. But... he was killed by humans right before..."

"And you never told me!? I can't believe this! I can't believe you!" He turned to the door. "This conversation is over. I'm leaving."

Raven followed him as he headed for the front door. "Onyx, please! You can't be serious about this!"

"Goodbye, mom."

"If you walk out that door, if you marry that human, you're turning your back on your entire family! On me... on the father that died so you could live! It's either me or her. Your family or one of the same creatures that killed your father!" As Onyx took another step forward, she continued.

 "By walking out that door... you're betraying your own mother..."

Onyx walked out the door without even looking back. "Then so be it."