It happens every day when I sleep. When I close my eyes and drift off into what I hope to be a peaceful slumber, but I am disappointed for I am only taken to that moment in time. That moment in which my life changed forever. All it does is play, pause, rewind, and then play over again.
I see it. I live it. Every day. It happens and I can do nothing to stop it. But then again how can you stop something that happened over five hundred years ago?
I am a vampire, a creature of the night some say. I drink blood; feed off the living in order to live myself. I was turned in the year 1500 when I was sixteen by a woman they called Acathla. That night I died, my family died with me only they didn't live again unlike I. No, I couldn't save them, I couldn't help them, I could only watch as my world was torn apart.
* * *
August 1500
Katlyn held her arms out to me, asking in a silent plea to pick her up and hold her. Her brown hair hung in front of her face, covering her brilliant green eyes. She held a ragged doll in her left hand, one that she had kept with her since the day she was born three years ago. She was mute. A condition many thought a curse for a sin my parents had committed. My mother was a witch, they said, who preformed black magic and called the devil to her house to dance with her. Katlyn was a child, one that was said to carry the dark magic inside her, but I never believed them.
I smiled down at her, picking her up and holding her in my arms. She was so small, a miracle, for she almost died at birth. She held her doll up, smiling at me and then at the ragged thing as she ran her small fingers through the thin thread that covered the clothed head. She then began to shake the doll before looking up at me, her green eyes dancing. "Do you wish me to make her dance, Katlyn?" She nodded her head vigorously, smiling.
There was one thing that the town was wrong about. My mother was not the witch, no. It was I. I am not a witch but I am able to call on the elements and make them do my will. I only use it in dire times and sometimes to entertain my young sister.
So, I called on the element of wind. Now my kind of magic is different from what you think. The fae work with the elements and so in calling on the wind element, I call on a fae who works for the element. Her name is Tryan, but I call her Trini. Trini did appear, smiling and winking at me before jumping into the doll. I watched as the doll began to levitate before shaking to a rhythm not heard. Katlyn began to clap her small hands, a bright smile upon her face as she watched the doll wiggle in front of her. Soon, the doll was back in her hands and Trini was sitting upon my shoulder, a smile upon her face.
"Peter!" My head shot up and my mother came towards me with a scowl upon her face. "I told you never to use your magic outside!" I sighed nodding, hanging my head. "Do you know what could happen if you were seen?"
"Nothing mother, they can not see me at all," I stated, handing Katlyn to her as I began to walk dejectedly away.
"God forgive my little boy, for he does not know what he does," my mother murmured, holding Katlyn close to her before she turned to go inside and away from prying eyes.
* * *
"I don't get you Peter! Why do you mope all the time?" Trini asked in a high pitched voice. I had settled myself under a large oak tree that was a few feet away from my home. I shrugged slightly, making Trini jump at the simple movement. "Come on! Let's have some fun!"
"No Trini, not now," I mumbled as I looked back at the house. I believe things would have been much easier for my family had I not been born. I had found my gift for controlling the elements at a young age and had used it quiet frequently when my parents had begged me not to. Now I understand why.
Trini sighed, settling her small body on my shoulder as I walked towards the woods. It was said that great evil lived in the woods but of course I did not believe it. Everything that the town's people said was merely superstition! I suppose you could say I was ahead of my time when it came to fact and fiction, but then again, I'm sure nobody of this time believes that my kind are real.
"Oh Peter, I understand why you must hide me. But in the woods you don't have to, so let's dance! Let's call upon other elements to join in the pyre. Oh please Peter!" she whispered in my ear before jumping off my shoulder and hovering before my face. I closed my eyes, trying to decipher what I should do; little did I know that an old one stood watching me. I opened my eyes as a smile crossed my lips. Trini giggled, clapping her small hands together. "Come! Let's find a clearing! There's one just a few more feet away Peter!"
She flew ahead of me, her golden wings fluttering and her red hair flying back and out of her face. Trini had the most beautiful red hair I had ever seen and since I live in Ireland, there are a lot of red heads to be seen. She turned around, still flying towards the clearing but staring at me as I followed, beckoning me. Faeries can be quiet mischievous, you must understand. They're the reasons many things go missing such as your car keys or candles.
Her green eyes sparkled as her smile grew. Such a beautiful seductress she was. Doubt in my mind that if I could I would have married her was she human. I loved her and I'm sure she knew. She had so much power over me, convincing me to do things I know I should have never done. I had known Trini since I was ten and had been under her spell ever since.
"Call on them my hansom human prince! Call on my sisters and brothers. Call on my aunts and uncles. Call on my cousins, my family. Call them to us to join us in this dance." And call them I did. And soon the clearing was swarming with the fae and Trini floated in front of me with a smile.
I returned her smile. The fae seemingly began to circle us as they chanted words of a language I didn't understand. I should have noticed but I didn't. I was too enticed by Trini's beauty. You must understand, I was a young man of sixteen. At least during this time, I was a man. And as the fae circled us, Trini began to grow, or I began to shrink. I do not clearly remember. It was so long ago that the magic took place. All I know is that it was not supposed to happen.
The sky began to darken and the stars became apparent in the sky even though it was only noon. I could hear the calls of my frantic mother through my fogged mind, but I gave no heed to it and stared happily at Trini. Her arms opened up to me and I gladly fell into them, resting my head against her soft chest. My warm hands gripped at her waist as I held onto her. I tried to hard not too crush her delicate bones with my big clumsy hands, though I'm sure I did not harm her one bit. One of her hands came under my chin, raising my head to her so that she could look into my green eyes. "Come my prince of light. Acathla waits for you. She will make your dreams come true," she whispered seductively in my ear.
"And we shall be together forever Tryan? You and I?" I whispered, closing my eyes as her warm breath fanned over my lips. I think I brought one hand to her head, wrapping it around those soft delicate strands of red hair, pulling her towards me. "Will you love me?" I heard her gasp as I kissed her. I knew I did, that I can remember so clearly. The way her lips felt on mine, how they tasted. The way she sighed heavily though her nose. The way her small hands pushed and pulled at my shirt as if she was not sure whether to go on kissing me or to stop. I held her to me though, lifting her up off the ground as I pressed my lips harder against her own.
She pulled away finally, her hand coming down to make me rest my head back against her chest. "Shhh, magical one. It will begin soon." I did not know what she talked about, only that I was with her and that I was happy. And then a scream rang out and I was shocked out of my reverie. I pulled violently away from Trini though I did not mean to hurt her. It was my mother.
"What?" I began to run but I found myself being pulled at by each strand of my black hair. But still I ran, slipping on rocks and tripping over tree limbs that crawled into my way. I called on the elements, trying to get them to help me get to my mother and father where they cried out in terror. I reached the edge of the wood and stood in horror at the blood bath that was occurring before my eyes. I felt the fae grabbing me, holding me back as I began to move towards them again. The elements were working against me now. The wind blowing me back, rain pouring down heavily upon the land, the earth's trees bending to block me from my destination. And I saw her, my beautiful Katlyn, clutching her doll to her as she ran around, tears running down her cheeks as she cried silently. My beautiful Katlyn had to watch this horror. "Katlyn!"
Her head jerked violently as she looked towards me and ran, her arms held out for me to catch her. I pulled at the fae, hitting them so that they fell to the ground unconscious. I climbed over the trees, closing my eyes as the wind and rain pelted me. "Katlyn!" The next thing I knew, she was in my arms, her small hands grasping my shirt. Small sounds erupted from her throat as I held her. "Shh, love. It's over now. I got you."
"It's not over Peter," Trini's voice, small and cracked called. I stood holding my little sister to me as I stared at her.
"What the bloody hell is going on! Why are you doing this?" I said. Trini sighed, taking a cautious step towards me as she pulled at her fingers.
"Because Acathla wishes it so and we the fae are in her debt. You must understand Peter; she saved us from a horrible fate! Now she has asked for you and to her I must give you."
"Then why kill them? Why kill the people I love?" I yelled angrily, holding Katlyn tightly to me, not daring to let her go one little bit.
"Because they'll come after you! Because they would try to take you and we couldn't have that. Also because again, Acathla willed it and what she wills must come to pass! I don't like it anymore than you! Now please, just put Katlyn down and no harm will come to her. The fae will take care of her, just as they have taken care of you." She took another step forward, reaching to pull Katlyn out of my arms. I took a step back, away from her, clutching her to me.
"Never," I whispered as I turned and sprinted away towards the village, as far as my bruised and scraped feet could carry me. Away from Trini who I thought I could trust, who I loved. Away from the bruised and broken corpses of my parents who had loved me and taken care of me so well. Away from my home. But I would not make it unfortunately. And neither would my beloved Katlyn. That night, both of us would die, and I could do nothing to stop it.
* * *
The rain pounded on my back, hitting me so hard I swore I must have been bleeding though I could not tell. My feet were sore and caked with mud as I ran towards the light. Funny how my family had lived so far away from the main town. I never thought I would be running for it, more like running away from it. But here I was, running towards safety, a warm tavern and a place to sleep. Katlyn had fallen asleep in my arms, her head nestled in my chest as she tried to keep warm and dry which wasn't working out at all. I didn't look back, not even to see if Trini or any of the fae had followed me.
I stopped, resting against a tree trunk, holding Katlyn to me as I took a breath. I could see the candles of the tavern glowing in the distance and I smiled. We were almost safe in the village. I looked down at Katlyn and kissed her forehead before I started off towards the village. I stopped a few feet away at the site of a black figure that stood in the rain. "Please, just be a guard," I whispered, taking a deep breath before walking towards the town. Lightning. A flash of marble white skin. I stopped, looking at the figure as it removed its hood for me to see its face. "No." I clutched Katlyn to me as I shook my head, my eyes darting forward and backward.
"Come to me Peter, I bring you no harm," her voice, so soft, so alluring and silken. She took a step towards me, her legs crossing in front of one another, the cloak falling from her delicate shoulders. And even as the rain poured down, not one drop seemed to touch her perfect frame.
"Who are you?" I asked, as I backed away. She smiled, her red lips curling upwards exposing two sharp teeth, small yet dangerous. "What are you?"
"You know what I am Peter and I wish to make you like me. Come to me Peter. I've been waiting for you for a long time."
"Why me? Why not some other poor sod? I want nothing to do with you, you filthy beast!"
"Filthy? I thought myself beautiful!" She chuckled as I backed away and within seconds she had me in her grasp, moving faster than I had ever seen. So fast I could not have seen it! "Do not resist me Peter. Your death is coming tonight. You can make it easy or hard, it's your choice."
"Please. Just let me take Katlyn to the tavern. They'll take care of her there. Please. You can have me, just let me do this!" She looked at me, her smile fading. She held out her arms and I looked at her confused.
"Give me this child whom you care so dearly about and I will see if she is worth living."
"What? No! Just let me take her. Let her live! Please. I beg of you!" She sighed, holding out her arms still, commanding me to hand Katlyn to her. I sighed, nodding as I woke her up. She opened her eyes and stared up at me, a frown upon her face. I am sure that the memories of our parent's murders were coming back to her and I hugged her fiercely, kissing her head gently as she began to cry. "Katlyn, I'm letting this nice lady hold you, okay? Nothing bad will happen to you, I promise." She looked up at me, her big green eyes shinning up at me as she held up her doll and made it wiggle. A sob escaped my throat, unwanted as another tear slipped down my cheek. "Not now Katlyn. Okay? Later. I promise you." She sighed, nodding as she ran her tiny hand through the dolls hair.
"Does she talk?" I shook my head and she nodded solemnly. "You love her greatly, yes?" I nodded again as she took Katlyn from my arms who looked up at her, her eyebrows scrunched together. She reached up with her small hand to touch Acathla's pale skin. "Fascinating. I never had a child of my own. I was made what I am before I could have any. In fact, I was with child. It died when I died. I bled for days on end. It kept coming. I wept for so long while the man that sired me used me." I could only stare at Katlyn, hoping Acathla would do nothing to hurt her. "I can sense your fear Peter and it makes me bitter. I am not like my sire. So do not worry so. Your precious Katlyn will be safe soon." She looked up at me, a smile upon her face. She held Katlyn out to me, bouncing her around as if she was a doll. I reached out to take her when Acathla brought her back to her bosom, holding Katlyn's head to her chest. "Yes, safe she will be with her mother and father."
"No!" I yelled, and charged at her but it was too late. A sickening crack sounded through the air followed by a dull thud. Not one sound had come from her. I looked down at her, tears flooding my eyes as I picked up the shell of my younger sister. Her head fell back, seemingly detached from her body, her eyes wide open and dull, her doll clutched tightly in her small hands. Sobs racked my body. "Why her? Why Katlyn? She's done nothing! Why?"
"She was of no use to me. She would have died young anyway. You know the people in the town would not take her. Full of darkness. I did you a favor. Now you don't have to worry about them burning her or hanging her like they've done to so many others."
"I could have kept her," I whispered, closing my eyes and holding her small head in the palm of my hand. "I could have raised her. I could have kept her." Acathla gave out a harsh chuckle, shaking her head. She growled, grabbing me by my long black hair and yanking me up off the ground as I held Katlyn's dead body in my arms.
"You could not! I would not have let you keep a pet such as her! She is not worthy for our great coven! Besides, you would have sucked her dry with that thirst that fledglings get," she snarled. She threw me back, my head jerking back violently before I fell on the ground, still clutching my sisters body. "Now, burry your sorry excuse of a little sister. Then we shall head back to the woods and begin the initiation." She conjured a shovel, throwing it at me before turning back swiftly and making her way towards the woods.
The rain poured down around me, but it could not cover my tears. My precious Katlyn was dead and I was left to burry her in the ground where her tiny body would rot away untill there was nothing left but the memory of her in my mind. After praying silently to God to take care of my baby sister, to take her into heaven with him, I gingerly placed her small, frail body down and began to dig. An hour later, I had buried her, placing her doll next to her and closing her eyes, making her look as if she was only asleep. But of course, I could not make myself believe she was. The image of her dangling in Acathla's hand still haunts my dreams to this very day. After patting the wet dirt down, I silently asked the fae that had betrayed me to bring flowers and life to the bare ground. My sister would be remembered. I would make sure of that.
Finally, after sitting at her grave for a while, Acathla returned with another cloak. She draped it over my shoulders, picking me up as if I weighed nothing. I remember my arms aching from digging and my eyes being sore from crying. I remember a bright room full of candles, the fae all hovering in mournful silence as Acathla laid me down in a satin bed before she herself laid down next to me, cradling me to her before my world fell into darkness.
* * *
I awoke later on the next night in a white room full of glowing candles that gave the white walls a golden cream color. A silver plate full of fruit had been placed on the wooden bedside table next to me. But I could not eat. The images of the night before came back in a flash and I found myself weeping shamefully into the soft cream colored sheets. Hot tears were pouring down my face and I kept thinking that surely I would run out of tears to cry soon. I had not cried like this since I was a child of Katlyn's age. Katlyn. The thought of her made me cry harder.
A soft giggle erupted from in front of me, causing me to snap my head up and glare at the young girl in a white lace dress that stood in front of me. "I've never seen a boy cry before. Boy, why are you crying?" She smiled at me, her blonde hair falling in front of her pale, freckled face. She then climbed onto the bed, coming to sit in front of me. "Tell me what has made you sad."
"A child like you should not ever hear nor ever see such horrors. Who are you? Where is your mother?" The girl smiled, sticking her hand out for me to take.
"My name is Madeline DeCourte. I am from France. I do not know where my Mama is but Mademoiselle Acathla has promised to find her for me." I looked at her strangely as I took her hand. "What is your name monsieur?"
"Peter. Peter O'Neill. You say you know Acathla?" Madeline nodded her head vigorously.
"Oh yes! Mademoiselle Acathla found me when I was separated from Mama. She's been taking care of me untill we can find her. We've been looking all over the world for my Mama but we cannot find her. Have you lost someone too monsieur Peter?"
"Yes. I have lost someone. Someone I care a great deal for." I sighed, running a hand through my hair, finding that it had been pulled from its tie, cleaned, and brushed. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath before throwing off the covers. "Come, we must find Acathla. I need to talk with her." Madeline smiled brightly, holding her arms out to me. She looked so much like my dear Katlyn that I had to take her in my arms and hold her tightly to me so that she giggled. She smiled, wrapping her legs around my waist and her arms around hy neck. "To the lounge! It is that way monsieur!" she stated pointing with a small stubby finger. I nodded, holding her to me as we walked down the long hall and towards the lounge where Acathla awaited.
* * *
"I see you have met Madeline." Her voice slithered over me like a snake hypnotizing his prey. I shook myself, nodding my head and letting Madeline down who ran off down the hall. "Such a sweet child. Another reason why yours could not live. Katlyn and Madeline would not have gotten along at all."
"Do not talk about Katlyn! You have no such right! You heartless monster! You killed her!" Acathla stood from her chair, her emerald green dress swaying around her legs.
"I gave her a better life! She's with your parents now! She's happy now, don't you understand. Her spirit is free of your pathetic human life!"
"No! She had so much to live for! She did not deserve it! She'll never know what it is to love or to grow! Anything! It is all gone and all your doing." I turned around, I could not look at her. I found myself weeping again and it angered me that I would weep in front of such a monster.
"Do not be angry with me my chosen one. Please. I was only doing what I thought best. I know this world better than anyone. Better than the guardians of this plane! A world such as this would not be kind to Katlyn."
"Please. Stop," I sobbed as she walked up behind me and wrapped her long pale arms around my waist, resting her head against my shoulder. She sighed, kissing my bare shoulder. Her lips were cold along with the arms that were wrapped around me and I found myself shivering in her embrace.
"I'll be warm soon enough my prince, but let's not deal with that. Come, sit and eat. You need nutrition in you to bring color to your awfully pale cheeks," she stated with a chilling smile as she led me to the table where more food had been placed. Madeline returned along with a boy about her age, both took their seat at the table. All three looked at me, watching me as I looked at them. "Well, do serve yourself Peter."
"What about the children?" I asked, staring at Madeline and then looking at the small boy with black hair and green eyes such as mine.
"Don't worry about them. They will eat soon enough. This is Jeret, he is my son. Soon to be yours." Jeret smiled up at me, closing his eyes as he did while baring his teeth. Unlike Acathla, he did not have two fang like teeth, only straight, white teeth of a regular child.
"What do you mean soon to be mine?"
"Mama, may I have some fruit?" Jeret asked as he pointed to a red apple that sat at the center of the table. Acathla stared at him, and he cowered back in his chair, looking down at his hands, his mouth clamped shut. I glared at her, reaching across the table and grabbing the apple before bringing it to my plate to cut it. I then placed it in front of Jeret who looked at Acathla, scared as if he didn't know whether to eat the fruit or not.
"Go ahead Jeret, eat the apple," I growled, my eyes locked with Acathla. "Would you like an apple Madeline?"
"Yes Monsieur Peter. I would like one very much thank you," she whispered sweetly, not daring to look at Acathla who was glaring daggers at me. I grabbed another apple and cut it before placing the plate in front of her. I glanced at Jeret who was taking small bites of his apple piece as if he still wasn't sure if he was allowed to eat the apple.
"Would you like an apple cold-hearted Acathla?" I asked, grabbing the final apple before flinging it hard at her. To my surprise, she caught it in her hand and set it down on the plate, her lips a small smile. She then took her knife and cut the apple into slim pieces. She then took a piece, looking at me as she did, and ate it whole.
"Thank you. Peter. You should eat up as well. It's almost time."
"Time for what?"
"Why, for your changing party of course! It's almost time for the change."
* * *
A pentacle had been painted in black paint on the floor. At the center sat ropes and two chains which seemed to be bolted to the floor. The fae had already gathered in the room, surrounding the pentacle. Madeline and Jeret were holding hands as they walked in front of Acathla and I. I could see Tryan towards the back with red eyes, her wings dropping and her shoulder slumped. I looked away quickly, knowing that if I kept looking at her, it would only hurt more.
Acathla then set me down and bound me so that I couldn't escape. I glared up at her and pulled at the ropes, feeling them cut into my bare chest. I cringed in pain, tears welling up in my eyes. "Do not fret my prince. It will only hurt for a moment." I closed my eyes and turned my head away from her. I shook my head, and took a deep breath before gathering all of my strength and lunging at her.
"Let me go!" Acathla jumped away, chuckling lightly as she wagged her finger at me. I pulled at the chains that bound my ankles, feeling the cold metal cut into my skin and drawing blood.
"Two thousand years ago, I was unwanted and banished because of the child I carried. You, the fae, had taken me in and cared for me just as I cared for you years before I had even become with child. Two thousand years ago, a powerful priestess sent a dark spirit after you. Two thousand years ago, I sacrificed my life and my unborn child's life so that you, the guardians of the elements could continue to live. I took this dark spirit into me and now it thrives in me and I have lost most of my humanity. We are here tonight to see a part of the spirit pass through another being such as myself." She turned to me, taking my chin in her cold, pale hand. "Tonight, I shall make another such as myself so that I may gain some of my humanity back and win a companion to stay with me for all eternity. You are that being."
The fae began to clap their small hands and so did Madeline and Jeret. Acathla stroked my cheek, her long nail cutting into the flesh and drawing blood, I turned my head away as she licked up the blood, causing me to shiver with disgust. "It will be over soon Peter and soon you will live forever by my side, the first offspring of my kind. The fourth vampire." I collapsed to my knees and she followed. I closed my eyes, breathing a silent prayer to Katlyn, hoping that she would forgive me for giving up. For giving in. For letting Acathla take me and damn me to hell and back again.
Acathla kept her promise, it hurt for only a second. Her teeth sank into my neck, sending a sharp pain through my entire body before warmth flooded me. I grasped her head, holding it to my neck as she pulled hungrily at my blood. I could feel it all. Every cell in my body was pounding. Blood was rushing fast through my veins and my heart was beating faster than ever before. I gasped, looking up at the ceiling, seeing Katlyn's face. "Forgive me," I whispered before my world fell into darkness.
* * *
I awoke to something wet being forced into my mouth; I could feel it running down my chin. And then the thirst came, so hard. I was so hungry, so thirsty. I grabbed her arm and pulled at the blood that was being offered to me. I could hear her breathing heavily over me. I could hear the flapping of ten million wings. The breaths of all the fae. The millions of heartbeats. The blood rushing. I could smell it all too. The smell was intoxicating which made me only pull on Acathla's blood harder. "Stop young one. Your drink too much and you will be sick." I opened my eyes and let her arm go. She licked the wound, healing it instantly. I licked my own lips, wiping them of the blood remnants.
And then I saw Tryan crying. I cracked. I covered my mouth, and began to throw up the blood which I had recently swallowed on the painted pentacle. Rolling beads of blood sweat ran down my face as I scrambled back away from the puddle of blood and apple only to find I was still chained to my spot.
I could hear the swish of running blood. I could hear the heartbeats. So many. I covered my ears and willed it all to go away. Everything was brighter. The light seemed to burn me. I could feel the warmth of the earth from under the cold concrete floor.
And then I yelled. I yelled, raised my voice, and screamed in pain and agony. I'm sure people from the village could hear it and I'm sure I sounded like a wounded animal. All I could do was scream. All I could do was let out that long high pitched screech as it began. I could feel my whole body changing. Every cell dieing and being reborn again. I could feel all the fluids being flushed out of my body.
I looked over to see that the fae had gathered into a corner of the room with Madeline and Jeret except Tryan. It seemed as if the fae were protecting the children from my yelling. And Tryan just wept, though why she did I could not understand.
Acathla bent down to my side and grabbed my hands, bringing them off my ears, holding them to her as she tried to shush me. And I did. I stared at her in a new light. She was beautiful, full of color. Her cheeks were beautifully tinged pink and her lips were blood red. Her green eyes sparkled and her black hair shimmered. She smiled sweetly at me and I pulled her to me, clinging to her desperately at my body continued to finish dieing.
"It is almost over, then I will take you out to feed, and then we shall sleep. Oh a beautiful sleep with beautiful dreams. Everything will be good again soon, I promise you my sweet."
"Mine," I whispered as I buried my head in the crook of her neck. I heard her chuckled as she began to stroke my hair.
"Yours and only yours," she returned. I pulled back, coming to kneel on my knees as she was. I pulled her to me and placed a kiss on her lips. At the time I had not known I had placed a claim upon her and that I was now connected to her more know than ever. I also didn't know why I now loved the monster that had killed my little sister only a few hours ago. All I knew was that she made me and that I needed her more than anything. And through out it all, I was painfully unaware of Tryan who was watching only a few feet away, her small fae heart breaking in two.
* * *
That night, I feasted upon two thieves in the middle of their heist, not killing either one because I didn't have the stomach to, but Acathla did drain them down the their bone marrow. I could only watch as she dropped their lifeless bodies on the ground, the sickening thud still echoing in my ears even after we traveled back towards the woods, flying at speeds unimaginable to man.
We soon returned to her resting spot where we sat upon a log, looking up towards the sky which was already turning a milky blue. "Savor this moment. Memorize every detail of the sky. Memorize its color. Memorize the scent you smell. Memorize the sounds you hear and keep it forever in your heart. Savor this moment of watching the sun rise because it's the last one you'll see in a very long time," she whispered to me and I did.
To this very day, I can still picture the milky blue. The moon and stars fading away as the sun began to rise. The light was intense, burning me through but I withstood it only because I knew what she was saying was true. I would not see the sun at all. I would not feel its warmth on my face nor would I see its bright shine which I had taken for granted every day of my mortal life. When it seemed to touch the highest part of the sky, spreading its pink light, my eyes fell shut as I leaned against Acathla. "Say good-bye young one. And make it a good one." I didn't hear another word nor felt another touch as I lost my consciousness and drifted into another plane where I was plagued with the nightmares of my family's death.
* * *
I've done many things that I'm not proud of. I starved myself only to massacre thousands of poor dying souls on my search for blood. I've buried myself deep within the earth only to emerge at the sharp pain in my heart when Acathla was hurt. I've turned countless many vampires to ease my loneliness, all of whom left me or went mad like some do.
I spent my first hundred years as a vampire with Acathla, traveling the world until she tired of me and left me to fend on my own. Through the centuries I wandered without a purpose, watching as the days went by.
I visit my sister's grave every fifty years to find it teaming with the life of trees, and flowers. The fae had kept their promise though I have not seen nor talked to one since that fateful night. What had become of Trini I never knew nor do I to this very moment.
The two children, Madeline and Jeret lived to be eighteen before Acathla turned them, using Jeret many times over and over until I cut in to stop it. Madeline left us after fifty years when Jeret went mad and killed himself in the awaiting sun. I still see her from time to time, roaming the streets, looking for her mother.
I suppose this is the conclusion to this part of the story. I also suppose that you all wonder why here. Simple, there is never much time. Not when you're still searching for the answer to what you are. I've never known - what I am. Not even when I was alive. Not even now. I suppose I shall find the answer in the next millennium. If I choose to live that long. For now, that will do. Yes, for now, this will do.
The End.
I see it. I live it. Every day. It happens and I can do nothing to stop it. But then again how can you stop something that happened over five hundred years ago?
I am a vampire, a creature of the night some say. I drink blood; feed off the living in order to live myself. I was turned in the year 1500 when I was sixteen by a woman they called Acathla. That night I died, my family died with me only they didn't live again unlike I. No, I couldn't save them, I couldn't help them, I could only watch as my world was torn apart.
August 1500
Katlyn held her arms out to me, asking in a silent plea to pick her up and hold her. Her brown hair hung in front of her face, covering her brilliant green eyes. She held a ragged doll in her left hand, one that she had kept with her since the day she was born three years ago. She was mute. A condition many thought a curse for a sin my parents had committed. My mother was a witch, they said, who preformed black magic and called the devil to her house to dance with her. Katlyn was a child, one that was said to carry the dark magic inside her, but I never believed them.
I smiled down at her, picking her up and holding her in my arms. She was so small, a miracle, for she almost died at birth. She held her doll up, smiling at me and then at the ragged thing as she ran her small fingers through the thin thread that covered the clothed head. She then began to shake the doll before looking up at me, her green eyes dancing. "Do you wish me to make her dance, Katlyn?" She nodded her head vigorously, smiling.
There was one thing that the town was wrong about. My mother was not the witch, no. It was I. I am not a witch but I am able to call on the elements and make them do my will. I only use it in dire times and sometimes to entertain my young sister.
So, I called on the element of wind. Now my kind of magic is different from what you think. The fae work with the elements and so in calling on the wind element, I call on a fae who works for the element. Her name is Tryan, but I call her Trini. Trini did appear, smiling and winking at me before jumping into the doll. I watched as the doll began to levitate before shaking to a rhythm not heard. Katlyn began to clap her small hands, a bright smile upon her face as she watched the doll wiggle in front of her. Soon, the doll was back in her hands and Trini was sitting upon my shoulder, a smile upon her face.
"Peter!" My head shot up and my mother came towards me with a scowl upon her face. "I told you never to use your magic outside!" I sighed nodding, hanging my head. "Do you know what could happen if you were seen?"
"Nothing mother, they can not see me at all," I stated, handing Katlyn to her as I began to walk dejectedly away.
"God forgive my little boy, for he does not know what he does," my mother murmured, holding Katlyn close to her before she turned to go inside and away from prying eyes.
"I don't get you Peter! Why do you mope all the time?" Trini asked in a high pitched voice. I had settled myself under a large oak tree that was a few feet away from my home. I shrugged slightly, making Trini jump at the simple movement. "Come on! Let's have some fun!"
"No Trini, not now," I mumbled as I looked back at the house. I believe things would have been much easier for my family had I not been born. I had found my gift for controlling the elements at a young age and had used it quiet frequently when my parents had begged me not to. Now I understand why.
Trini sighed, settling her small body on my shoulder as I walked towards the woods. It was said that great evil lived in the woods but of course I did not believe it. Everything that the town's people said was merely superstition! I suppose you could say I was ahead of my time when it came to fact and fiction, but then again, I'm sure nobody of this time believes that my kind are real.
"Oh Peter, I understand why you must hide me. But in the woods you don't have to, so let's dance! Let's call upon other elements to join in the pyre. Oh please Peter!" she whispered in my ear before jumping off my shoulder and hovering before my face. I closed my eyes, trying to decipher what I should do; little did I know that an old one stood watching me. I opened my eyes as a smile crossed my lips. Trini giggled, clapping her small hands together. "Come! Let's find a clearing! There's one just a few more feet away Peter!"
She flew ahead of me, her golden wings fluttering and her red hair flying back and out of her face. Trini had the most beautiful red hair I had ever seen and since I live in Ireland, there are a lot of red heads to be seen. She turned around, still flying towards the clearing but staring at me as I followed, beckoning me. Faeries can be quiet mischievous, you must understand. They're the reasons many things go missing such as your car keys or candles.
Her green eyes sparkled as her smile grew. Such a beautiful seductress she was. Doubt in my mind that if I could I would have married her was she human. I loved her and I'm sure she knew. She had so much power over me, convincing me to do things I know I should have never done. I had known Trini since I was ten and had been under her spell ever since.
"Call on them my hansom human prince! Call on my sisters and brothers. Call on my aunts and uncles. Call on my cousins, my family. Call them to us to join us in this dance." And call them I did. And soon the clearing was swarming with the fae and Trini floated in front of me with a smile.
I returned her smile. The fae seemingly began to circle us as they chanted words of a language I didn't understand. I should have noticed but I didn't. I was too enticed by Trini's beauty. You must understand, I was a young man of sixteen. At least during this time, I was a man. And as the fae circled us, Trini began to grow, or I began to shrink. I do not clearly remember. It was so long ago that the magic took place. All I know is that it was not supposed to happen.
The sky began to darken and the stars became apparent in the sky even though it was only noon. I could hear the calls of my frantic mother through my fogged mind, but I gave no heed to it and stared happily at Trini. Her arms opened up to me and I gladly fell into them, resting my head against her soft chest. My warm hands gripped at her waist as I held onto her. I tried to hard not too crush her delicate bones with my big clumsy hands, though I'm sure I did not harm her one bit. One of her hands came under my chin, raising my head to her so that she could look into my green eyes. "Come my prince of light. Acathla waits for you. She will make your dreams come true," she whispered seductively in my ear.
"And we shall be together forever Tryan? You and I?" I whispered, closing my eyes as her warm breath fanned over my lips. I think I brought one hand to her head, wrapping it around those soft delicate strands of red hair, pulling her towards me. "Will you love me?" I heard her gasp as I kissed her. I knew I did, that I can remember so clearly. The way her lips felt on mine, how they tasted. The way she sighed heavily though her nose. The way her small hands pushed and pulled at my shirt as if she was not sure whether to go on kissing me or to stop. I held her to me though, lifting her up off the ground as I pressed my lips harder against her own.
She pulled away finally, her hand coming down to make me rest my head back against her chest. "Shhh, magical one. It will begin soon." I did not know what she talked about, only that I was with her and that I was happy. And then a scream rang out and I was shocked out of my reverie. I pulled violently away from Trini though I did not mean to hurt her. It was my mother.
"What?" I began to run but I found myself being pulled at by each strand of my black hair. But still I ran, slipping on rocks and tripping over tree limbs that crawled into my way. I called on the elements, trying to get them to help me get to my mother and father where they cried out in terror. I reached the edge of the wood and stood in horror at the blood bath that was occurring before my eyes. I felt the fae grabbing me, holding me back as I began to move towards them again. The elements were working against me now. The wind blowing me back, rain pouring down heavily upon the land, the earth's trees bending to block me from my destination. And I saw her, my beautiful Katlyn, clutching her doll to her as she ran around, tears running down her cheeks as she cried silently. My beautiful Katlyn had to watch this horror. "Katlyn!"
Her head jerked violently as she looked towards me and ran, her arms held out for me to catch her. I pulled at the fae, hitting them so that they fell to the ground unconscious. I climbed over the trees, closing my eyes as the wind and rain pelted me. "Katlyn!" The next thing I knew, she was in my arms, her small hands grasping my shirt. Small sounds erupted from her throat as I held her. "Shh, love. It's over now. I got you."
"It's not over Peter," Trini's voice, small and cracked called. I stood holding my little sister to me as I stared at her.
"What the bloody hell is going on! Why are you doing this?" I said. Trini sighed, taking a cautious step towards me as she pulled at her fingers.
"Because Acathla wishes it so and we the fae are in her debt. You must understand Peter; she saved us from a horrible fate! Now she has asked for you and to her I must give you."
"Then why kill them? Why kill the people I love?" I yelled angrily, holding Katlyn tightly to me, not daring to let her go one little bit.
"Because they'll come after you! Because they would try to take you and we couldn't have that. Also because again, Acathla willed it and what she wills must come to pass! I don't like it anymore than you! Now please, just put Katlyn down and no harm will come to her. The fae will take care of her, just as they have taken care of you." She took another step forward, reaching to pull Katlyn out of my arms. I took a step back, away from her, clutching her to me.
"Never," I whispered as I turned and sprinted away towards the village, as far as my bruised and scraped feet could carry me. Away from Trini who I thought I could trust, who I loved. Away from the bruised and broken corpses of my parents who had loved me and taken care of me so well. Away from my home. But I would not make it unfortunately. And neither would my beloved Katlyn. That night, both of us would die, and I could do nothing to stop it.
The rain pounded on my back, hitting me so hard I swore I must have been bleeding though I could not tell. My feet were sore and caked with mud as I ran towards the light. Funny how my family had lived so far away from the main town. I never thought I would be running for it, more like running away from it. But here I was, running towards safety, a warm tavern and a place to sleep. Katlyn had fallen asleep in my arms, her head nestled in my chest as she tried to keep warm and dry which wasn't working out at all. I didn't look back, not even to see if Trini or any of the fae had followed me.
I stopped, resting against a tree trunk, holding Katlyn to me as I took a breath. I could see the candles of the tavern glowing in the distance and I smiled. We were almost safe in the village. I looked down at Katlyn and kissed her forehead before I started off towards the village. I stopped a few feet away at the site of a black figure that stood in the rain. "Please, just be a guard," I whispered, taking a deep breath before walking towards the town. Lightning. A flash of marble white skin. I stopped, looking at the figure as it removed its hood for me to see its face. "No." I clutched Katlyn to me as I shook my head, my eyes darting forward and backward.
"Come to me Peter, I bring you no harm," her voice, so soft, so alluring and silken. She took a step towards me, her legs crossing in front of one another, the cloak falling from her delicate shoulders. And even as the rain poured down, not one drop seemed to touch her perfect frame.
"Who are you?" I asked, as I backed away. She smiled, her red lips curling upwards exposing two sharp teeth, small yet dangerous. "What are you?"
"You know what I am Peter and I wish to make you like me. Come to me Peter. I've been waiting for you for a long time."
"Why me? Why not some other poor sod? I want nothing to do with you, you filthy beast!"
"Filthy? I thought myself beautiful!" She chuckled as I backed away and within seconds she had me in her grasp, moving faster than I had ever seen. So fast I could not have seen it! "Do not resist me Peter. Your death is coming tonight. You can make it easy or hard, it's your choice."
"Please. Just let me take Katlyn to the tavern. They'll take care of her there. Please. You can have me, just let me do this!" She looked at me, her smile fading. She held out her arms and I looked at her confused.
"Give me this child whom you care so dearly about and I will see if she is worth living."
"What? No! Just let me take her. Let her live! Please. I beg of you!" She sighed, holding out her arms still, commanding me to hand Katlyn to her. I sighed, nodding as I woke her up. She opened her eyes and stared up at me, a frown upon her face. I am sure that the memories of our parent's murders were coming back to her and I hugged her fiercely, kissing her head gently as she began to cry. "Katlyn, I'm letting this nice lady hold you, okay? Nothing bad will happen to you, I promise." She looked up at me, her big green eyes shinning up at me as she held up her doll and made it wiggle. A sob escaped my throat, unwanted as another tear slipped down my cheek. "Not now Katlyn. Okay? Later. I promise you." She sighed, nodding as she ran her tiny hand through the dolls hair.
"Does she talk?" I shook my head and she nodded solemnly. "You love her greatly, yes?" I nodded again as she took Katlyn from my arms who looked up at her, her eyebrows scrunched together. She reached up with her small hand to touch Acathla's pale skin. "Fascinating. I never had a child of my own. I was made what I am before I could have any. In fact, I was with child. It died when I died. I bled for days on end. It kept coming. I wept for so long while the man that sired me used me." I could only stare at Katlyn, hoping Acathla would do nothing to hurt her. "I can sense your fear Peter and it makes me bitter. I am not like my sire. So do not worry so. Your precious Katlyn will be safe soon." She looked up at me, a smile upon her face. She held Katlyn out to me, bouncing her around as if she was a doll. I reached out to take her when Acathla brought her back to her bosom, holding Katlyn's head to her chest. "Yes, safe she will be with her mother and father."
"No!" I yelled, and charged at her but it was too late. A sickening crack sounded through the air followed by a dull thud. Not one sound had come from her. I looked down at her, tears flooding my eyes as I picked up the shell of my younger sister. Her head fell back, seemingly detached from her body, her eyes wide open and dull, her doll clutched tightly in her small hands. Sobs racked my body. "Why her? Why Katlyn? She's done nothing! Why?"
"She was of no use to me. She would have died young anyway. You know the people in the town would not take her. Full of darkness. I did you a favor. Now you don't have to worry about them burning her or hanging her like they've done to so many others."
"I could have kept her," I whispered, closing my eyes and holding her small head in the palm of my hand. "I could have raised her. I could have kept her." Acathla gave out a harsh chuckle, shaking her head. She growled, grabbing me by my long black hair and yanking me up off the ground as I held Katlyn's dead body in my arms.
"You could not! I would not have let you keep a pet such as her! She is not worthy for our great coven! Besides, you would have sucked her dry with that thirst that fledglings get," she snarled. She threw me back, my head jerking back violently before I fell on the ground, still clutching my sisters body. "Now, burry your sorry excuse of a little sister. Then we shall head back to the woods and begin the initiation." She conjured a shovel, throwing it at me before turning back swiftly and making her way towards the woods.
The rain poured down around me, but it could not cover my tears. My precious Katlyn was dead and I was left to burry her in the ground where her tiny body would rot away untill there was nothing left but the memory of her in my mind. After praying silently to God to take care of my baby sister, to take her into heaven with him, I gingerly placed her small, frail body down and began to dig. An hour later, I had buried her, placing her doll next to her and closing her eyes, making her look as if she was only asleep. But of course, I could not make myself believe she was. The image of her dangling in Acathla's hand still haunts my dreams to this very day. After patting the wet dirt down, I silently asked the fae that had betrayed me to bring flowers and life to the bare ground. My sister would be remembered. I would make sure of that.
Finally, after sitting at her grave for a while, Acathla returned with another cloak. She draped it over my shoulders, picking me up as if I weighed nothing. I remember my arms aching from digging and my eyes being sore from crying. I remember a bright room full of candles, the fae all hovering in mournful silence as Acathla laid me down in a satin bed before she herself laid down next to me, cradling me to her before my world fell into darkness.
I awoke later on the next night in a white room full of glowing candles that gave the white walls a golden cream color. A silver plate full of fruit had been placed on the wooden bedside table next to me. But I could not eat. The images of the night before came back in a flash and I found myself weeping shamefully into the soft cream colored sheets. Hot tears were pouring down my face and I kept thinking that surely I would run out of tears to cry soon. I had not cried like this since I was a child of Katlyn's age. Katlyn. The thought of her made me cry harder.
A soft giggle erupted from in front of me, causing me to snap my head up and glare at the young girl in a white lace dress that stood in front of me. "I've never seen a boy cry before. Boy, why are you crying?" She smiled at me, her blonde hair falling in front of her pale, freckled face. She then climbed onto the bed, coming to sit in front of me. "Tell me what has made you sad."
"A child like you should not ever hear nor ever see such horrors. Who are you? Where is your mother?" The girl smiled, sticking her hand out for me to take.
"My name is Madeline DeCourte. I am from France. I do not know where my Mama is but Mademoiselle Acathla has promised to find her for me." I looked at her strangely as I took her hand. "What is your name monsieur?"
"Peter. Peter O'Neill. You say you know Acathla?" Madeline nodded her head vigorously.
"Oh yes! Mademoiselle Acathla found me when I was separated from Mama. She's been taking care of me untill we can find her. We've been looking all over the world for my Mama but we cannot find her. Have you lost someone too monsieur Peter?"
"Yes. I have lost someone. Someone I care a great deal for." I sighed, running a hand through my hair, finding that it had been pulled from its tie, cleaned, and brushed. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath before throwing off the covers. "Come, we must find Acathla. I need to talk with her." Madeline smiled brightly, holding her arms out to me. She looked so much like my dear Katlyn that I had to take her in my arms and hold her tightly to me so that she giggled. She smiled, wrapping her legs around my waist and her arms around hy neck. "To the lounge! It is that way monsieur!" she stated pointing with a small stubby finger. I nodded, holding her to me as we walked down the long hall and towards the lounge where Acathla awaited.
"I see you have met Madeline." Her voice slithered over me like a snake hypnotizing his prey. I shook myself, nodding my head and letting Madeline down who ran off down the hall. "Such a sweet child. Another reason why yours could not live. Katlyn and Madeline would not have gotten along at all."
"Do not talk about Katlyn! You have no such right! You heartless monster! You killed her!" Acathla stood from her chair, her emerald green dress swaying around her legs.
"I gave her a better life! She's with your parents now! She's happy now, don't you understand. Her spirit is free of your pathetic human life!"
"No! She had so much to live for! She did not deserve it! She'll never know what it is to love or to grow! Anything! It is all gone and all your doing." I turned around, I could not look at her. I found myself weeping again and it angered me that I would weep in front of such a monster.
"Do not be angry with me my chosen one. Please. I was only doing what I thought best. I know this world better than anyone. Better than the guardians of this plane! A world such as this would not be kind to Katlyn."
"Please. Stop," I sobbed as she walked up behind me and wrapped her long pale arms around my waist, resting her head against my shoulder. She sighed, kissing my bare shoulder. Her lips were cold along with the arms that were wrapped around me and I found myself shivering in her embrace.
"I'll be warm soon enough my prince, but let's not deal with that. Come, sit and eat. You need nutrition in you to bring color to your awfully pale cheeks," she stated with a chilling smile as she led me to the table where more food had been placed. Madeline returned along with a boy about her age, both took their seat at the table. All three looked at me, watching me as I looked at them. "Well, do serve yourself Peter."
"What about the children?" I asked, staring at Madeline and then looking at the small boy with black hair and green eyes such as mine.
"Don't worry about them. They will eat soon enough. This is Jeret, he is my son. Soon to be yours." Jeret smiled up at me, closing his eyes as he did while baring his teeth. Unlike Acathla, he did not have two fang like teeth, only straight, white teeth of a regular child.
"What do you mean soon to be mine?"
"Mama, may I have some fruit?" Jeret asked as he pointed to a red apple that sat at the center of the table. Acathla stared at him, and he cowered back in his chair, looking down at his hands, his mouth clamped shut. I glared at her, reaching across the table and grabbing the apple before bringing it to my plate to cut it. I then placed it in front of Jeret who looked at Acathla, scared as if he didn't know whether to eat the fruit or not.
"Go ahead Jeret, eat the apple," I growled, my eyes locked with Acathla. "Would you like an apple Madeline?"
"Yes Monsieur Peter. I would like one very much thank you," she whispered sweetly, not daring to look at Acathla who was glaring daggers at me. I grabbed another apple and cut it before placing the plate in front of her. I glanced at Jeret who was taking small bites of his apple piece as if he still wasn't sure if he was allowed to eat the apple.
"Would you like an apple cold-hearted Acathla?" I asked, grabbing the final apple before flinging it hard at her. To my surprise, she caught it in her hand and set it down on the plate, her lips a small smile. She then took her knife and cut the apple into slim pieces. She then took a piece, looking at me as she did, and ate it whole.
"Thank you. Peter. You should eat up as well. It's almost time."
"Time for what?"
"Why, for your changing party of course! It's almost time for the change."
A pentacle had been painted in black paint on the floor. At the center sat ropes and two chains which seemed to be bolted to the floor. The fae had already gathered in the room, surrounding the pentacle. Madeline and Jeret were holding hands as they walked in front of Acathla and I. I could see Tryan towards the back with red eyes, her wings dropping and her shoulder slumped. I looked away quickly, knowing that if I kept looking at her, it would only hurt more.
Acathla then set me down and bound me so that I couldn't escape. I glared up at her and pulled at the ropes, feeling them cut into my bare chest. I cringed in pain, tears welling up in my eyes. "Do not fret my prince. It will only hurt for a moment." I closed my eyes and turned my head away from her. I shook my head, and took a deep breath before gathering all of my strength and lunging at her.
"Let me go!" Acathla jumped away, chuckling lightly as she wagged her finger at me. I pulled at the chains that bound my ankles, feeling the cold metal cut into my skin and drawing blood.
"Two thousand years ago, I was unwanted and banished because of the child I carried. You, the fae, had taken me in and cared for me just as I cared for you years before I had even become with child. Two thousand years ago, a powerful priestess sent a dark spirit after you. Two thousand years ago, I sacrificed my life and my unborn child's life so that you, the guardians of the elements could continue to live. I took this dark spirit into me and now it thrives in me and I have lost most of my humanity. We are here tonight to see a part of the spirit pass through another being such as myself." She turned to me, taking my chin in her cold, pale hand. "Tonight, I shall make another such as myself so that I may gain some of my humanity back and win a companion to stay with me for all eternity. You are that being."
The fae began to clap their small hands and so did Madeline and Jeret. Acathla stroked my cheek, her long nail cutting into the flesh and drawing blood, I turned my head away as she licked up the blood, causing me to shiver with disgust. "It will be over soon Peter and soon you will live forever by my side, the first offspring of my kind. The fourth vampire." I collapsed to my knees and she followed. I closed my eyes, breathing a silent prayer to Katlyn, hoping that she would forgive me for giving up. For giving in. For letting Acathla take me and damn me to hell and back again.
Acathla kept her promise, it hurt for only a second. Her teeth sank into my neck, sending a sharp pain through my entire body before warmth flooded me. I grasped her head, holding it to my neck as she pulled hungrily at my blood. I could feel it all. Every cell in my body was pounding. Blood was rushing fast through my veins and my heart was beating faster than ever before. I gasped, looking up at the ceiling, seeing Katlyn's face. "Forgive me," I whispered before my world fell into darkness.
I awoke to something wet being forced into my mouth; I could feel it running down my chin. And then the thirst came, so hard. I was so hungry, so thirsty. I grabbed her arm and pulled at the blood that was being offered to me. I could hear her breathing heavily over me. I could hear the flapping of ten million wings. The breaths of all the fae. The millions of heartbeats. The blood rushing. I could smell it all too. The smell was intoxicating which made me only pull on Acathla's blood harder. "Stop young one. Your drink too much and you will be sick." I opened my eyes and let her arm go. She licked the wound, healing it instantly. I licked my own lips, wiping them of the blood remnants.
And then I saw Tryan crying. I cracked. I covered my mouth, and began to throw up the blood which I had recently swallowed on the painted pentacle. Rolling beads of blood sweat ran down my face as I scrambled back away from the puddle of blood and apple only to find I was still chained to my spot.
I could hear the swish of running blood. I could hear the heartbeats. So many. I covered my ears and willed it all to go away. Everything was brighter. The light seemed to burn me. I could feel the warmth of the earth from under the cold concrete floor.
And then I yelled. I yelled, raised my voice, and screamed in pain and agony. I'm sure people from the village could hear it and I'm sure I sounded like a wounded animal. All I could do was scream. All I could do was let out that long high pitched screech as it began. I could feel my whole body changing. Every cell dieing and being reborn again. I could feel all the fluids being flushed out of my body.
I looked over to see that the fae had gathered into a corner of the room with Madeline and Jeret except Tryan. It seemed as if the fae were protecting the children from my yelling. And Tryan just wept, though why she did I could not understand.
Acathla bent down to my side and grabbed my hands, bringing them off my ears, holding them to her as she tried to shush me. And I did. I stared at her in a new light. She was beautiful, full of color. Her cheeks were beautifully tinged pink and her lips were blood red. Her green eyes sparkled and her black hair shimmered. She smiled sweetly at me and I pulled her to me, clinging to her desperately at my body continued to finish dieing.
"It is almost over, then I will take you out to feed, and then we shall sleep. Oh a beautiful sleep with beautiful dreams. Everything will be good again soon, I promise you my sweet."
"Mine," I whispered as I buried my head in the crook of her neck. I heard her chuckled as she began to stroke my hair.
"Yours and only yours," she returned. I pulled back, coming to kneel on my knees as she was. I pulled her to me and placed a kiss on her lips. At the time I had not known I had placed a claim upon her and that I was now connected to her more know than ever. I also didn't know why I now loved the monster that had killed my little sister only a few hours ago. All I knew was that she made me and that I needed her more than anything. And through out it all, I was painfully unaware of Tryan who was watching only a few feet away, her small fae heart breaking in two.
That night, I feasted upon two thieves in the middle of their heist, not killing either one because I didn't have the stomach to, but Acathla did drain them down the their bone marrow. I could only watch as she dropped their lifeless bodies on the ground, the sickening thud still echoing in my ears even after we traveled back towards the woods, flying at speeds unimaginable to man.
We soon returned to her resting spot where we sat upon a log, looking up towards the sky which was already turning a milky blue. "Savor this moment. Memorize every detail of the sky. Memorize its color. Memorize the scent you smell. Memorize the sounds you hear and keep it forever in your heart. Savor this moment of watching the sun rise because it's the last one you'll see in a very long time," she whispered to me and I did.
To this very day, I can still picture the milky blue. The moon and stars fading away as the sun began to rise. The light was intense, burning me through but I withstood it only because I knew what she was saying was true. I would not see the sun at all. I would not feel its warmth on my face nor would I see its bright shine which I had taken for granted every day of my mortal life. When it seemed to touch the highest part of the sky, spreading its pink light, my eyes fell shut as I leaned against Acathla. "Say good-bye young one. And make it a good one." I didn't hear another word nor felt another touch as I lost my consciousness and drifted into another plane where I was plagued with the nightmares of my family's death.
I've done many things that I'm not proud of. I starved myself only to massacre thousands of poor dying souls on my search for blood. I've buried myself deep within the earth only to emerge at the sharp pain in my heart when Acathla was hurt. I've turned countless many vampires to ease my loneliness, all of whom left me or went mad like some do.
I spent my first hundred years as a vampire with Acathla, traveling the world until she tired of me and left me to fend on my own. Through the centuries I wandered without a purpose, watching as the days went by.
I visit my sister's grave every fifty years to find it teaming with the life of trees, and flowers. The fae had kept their promise though I have not seen nor talked to one since that fateful night. What had become of Trini I never knew nor do I to this very moment.
The two children, Madeline and Jeret lived to be eighteen before Acathla turned them, using Jeret many times over and over until I cut in to stop it. Madeline left us after fifty years when Jeret went mad and killed himself in the awaiting sun. I still see her from time to time, roaming the streets, looking for her mother.
I suppose this is the conclusion to this part of the story. I also suppose that you all wonder why here. Simple, there is never much time. Not when you're still searching for the answer to what you are. I've never known - what I am. Not even when I was alive. Not even now. I suppose I shall find the answer in the next millennium. If I choose to live that long. For now, that will do. Yes, for now, this will do.
The End.