Chapter 120 Poor Ellen!
ISLA
The vampire blood is working. Valentina's body is responding. Not healing exactly. Transforming.
The silver poisoning that would have killed her is being overwritten by vampire turning. New system replacing failed one.
But she's still dying. Or rather, beginning to die properly. Vampire transformation requires death first. True death. Complete cessation.
Then resurrection. Three days later. As full vampire.
"How long?" Callum asks.
"Three days. Traditional turning period. She'll be dead during that time. Completely. Then she rises."
"What if it doesn't work?"
"Then she stays dead. But Sibyl saw the future. This works. She survives." I check Valentina's vitals. Heartrate slowing. Breathing stopping. "But survival comes with cost."
"What cost exactly?"
"She's full vampire now. Not dhampir. Means: no daywalking, no human warmth, blood hunger, immortality. Everything vampires are, she becomes."
"Is she still herself?"
"Mentally? Yes. Personality intact. Memories preserved. But physically? Completely different. Different needs. Different weaknesses. Different life."
Callum sits beside her. Still holding her hand. "We'll figure it out. Together."
"She might not forgive you for forcing this choice."
"Then she lives to not forgive me. Better than alternative."
Valentina's heart stops. Final beat. Complete death. The transformation is locked in now. No reversing. No backing out.
She's dead for three days. Then vampire forever.
"We need to prepare burial," I say. "Traditional turning requires earth contact. Coffin. Proper placement. Vampire resurrection rituals."
"Where?"
"Fae territory is safest. The Rookeries. Fae Queen might allow it."
"And if she doesn't?"
"Then we find somewhere else. Somewhere safe. Somewhere Mordaunt can't find her during vulnerable period."
Count Alteroni appears in the doorway. "I heard. The dhampir is turning."
"Yes. She was dying. This was only option."
"I can help. Provide secure location. My estate has burial grounds. Warded. Protected. Traditional vampire resurrection space."
"Why would you help?"
"Because Valentina fought alongside you. Exposed corruption. Risked everything for community." Alteroni approaches. "That earns my respect. And protection."
"She'll need blood. When she rises. Fresh blood. Human preferably."
"I'll provide. Willing donor. Clean blood. Everything necessary for successful rising."
I look at Callum. He nods. "Thank you, Count. We accept."
Alteroni coordinates. Within two hours, Valentina's body is prepared. Washed. Dressed in clean clothes. Placed in simple coffin.
Coffin transported to Alteroni's estate. Buried in warded grounds. Six feet deep. Traditional placement. Everything correct.
Callum stays. Kneeling beside grave. Waiting. Grieving. Hoping.
"Three days," I remind him. "She'll rise third night. Not before. You should rest. Eat. Recover."
"I'm staying."
"Callum, you're wounded. Exhausted. Need medical treatment."
"I'm staying with her. Until she rises." His voice is absolute. "I left her once. In Mordaunt's cell. Took days to get her back. Not leaving again."
I understand. Can't argue with that logic. That love. That commitment.
"Then I'll bring supplies. Food. Water. Medical equipment. You'll stay here properly."
The next three days are surreal. Callum sitting vigil. Never leaving. Barely sleeping. Just waiting for Valentina to rise.
I treat his wounds. Force him to eat. Monitor his health. He's running on desperation and love. Nothing else.
The crew visits. Paying respects. Saying goodbye to dhampir Valentina. Hello to vampire Valentina. Acknowledging the change. The loss. The survival.
Tom brings fae blessing. Protection ward. Ensures no interference during vulnerable period.
Sibyl brings vision update. "She definitely rises. Third night. Sunset. Healthy. Whole. Different but intact."
Danny's mother brings flowers. Marie brings prayer. The pack comes together. Showing respect. Showing love. Showing solidarity.
And Callum waits. Day one. Day two. Day three.
Third night. Sunset approaching. Everyone gathered. Waiting for resurrection.
"Any minute now," Sibyl says. "She's waking. I can feel it."
The ground shifts. Soil moving. Coffin creaking. Something pushing from below.
Callum stands. Ready. Terrified. Hopeful.
The coffin lid breaks through earth. Splinters. Hand emerging. Pale. Strong. Vampire.
Valentina rises. Dirt falling from her. Eyes open. Glowing red. Vampire eyes. Full transformation complete.
She looks around. Disoriented. Confused. Hungry.
Then sees Callum. Recognition dawns.
"I'm alive," she says. Voice different. Colder. Stronger. "That's what matters."
Callum helps her out of the grave. She's standing. Steady. Transformed.
Full vampire. No heartbeat. No warmth. No breathing. Just vampire nature. Complete. Total. Permanent.
"How do you feel?" he asks.
"Strange. Everything's different. Stronger. Faster. Sharper. But also..." She touches her chest. Where heart should beat. "Empty. Cold. Dead."
"You're not dead. You're changed."
"Same thing." She looks at her hands. Pale. Bloodless. "I'm monster now. Like the ones we fought."
"You're survivor. Fighter. Same person. Just different body."
"Am I though? Same person? Or am I who I am because of what I was?" She's struggling. Processing. Adjusting. "I don't know what I am anymore."
Alteroni approaches. Carefully. Respectfully. "You're hungry. New vampire always is. I have blood prepared. Clean. Ethical. Willing donor."
Valentina's eyes flash. Red. Predatory. "I can smell it. Your blood. Everyone's blood. It's overwhelming."
"Control comes with practice. For now, feed. Safely. Learn your new nature." He offers glass of blood. "This is adjustment. Takes time. Patience. Support."
Valentina takes the glass. Drinks. Hesitantly at first. Then desperately. Hunger overriding hesitation.
When she finishes, she's steadier. More grounded. More herself.
"Thank you," she says to Alteroni. Then to Callum. "And thank you. For saving me. For forcing transformation. For choosing my life over my comfort."
"It's your choice. Always your choice," Callum says. "I just... gave you option to make more choices. Later. When conscious."
"I want to live. You knew that. You gave me what I wanted." She touches his face. Cold hand on warm cheek. "We'll figure this out together."
"Together," he agrees.
The adjustment begins. Learning blood hunger. Learning vampire nature. Learning immortality. Learning to be what she became.
But alive. Conscious. Herself. Changed but intact.
That's what matters. That's what we fought for. That's what we saved.
Life. At any cost. In any form.
Always worth it.