Chapter 74

I wondered if it was the bond between a vampire and it’s progeny, between me and Mortem; if it wasn’t me, but the demon that now lived within me that wanted to protect him. Surely I should let him die, laugh as all the life left his eyes, yet; I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t bring myself to allow it, something within me screamed, ordering me to kill them all, to rid the world of their useless existence. If they were no use to my maker, then they were of no use to me. What was the pointing keeping them alive?

“You have two choices, either join me in this new era, or die in the old one.” Mortem smiled widely, moving to the side so that I could step forward.

“You cannot do this we are your council!” one of then bellowed, panic radiating from his hazel eyes.

I turned back to look at the king, watching his lifeless white eyes for any inkling of what I should do. When he turned to look at me, I smiled, I could feel his mind pushing against mine, his words clear. I moved to stare at the treasonous vampire, the power that coursed through me bursting from my petite frame; crossing the dining room within seconds and engulfing the creature in it’s deadly clutches. The council member wailed in agony as he was smothered in the smog, my power slowly killing him, but not quite slow enough, I pulled it back slightly, allowing him a moment of ease before I unleashed it again, ridding the world of his putrid existence. A pile of ash all that remained of the ancient being.

The other council members shouted in fear and fury, unable to understand why I was so powerful, and how I had killed him with such ease. Yet, I didn’t know either, I had never been able to control my ability as well as I just had, the deadly power slithering through me even as I turned back to glance at my maker.

Mortem smiled, pride gleaming in his otherwise lifeless eyes. “You see, she is obedient to me alone. I assure you their will be no problems with this new born. I chose her carefully.”

“How did you know she wouldn’t be erratic and fuelled by bloodlust?” another member of the dwindling council asked, taking a brave step forward.

The king laughed, “I didn’t. But I was willing to take the risk.”

Maric glanced towards his sire in slight confusion, unable to believe that he would take such a risk. But if he hadn’t, I would probably be dead anyway, the council members that had attacked me taking far too much of my blood. I wondered if I could have survived, but it was something I would never know. This was my life now, and I had to learn to live as the very creatures I despised. Whether I wanted to or not.

I had no choice.

“Now enough of this. You all have a choice to make, and I want answers.” Mortem bellowed with strength and confidence, gently placing a hand on my shoulder.

The council members glanced between one another, each one taking a moment to think over what they should do, whether or not they should side with their chosen heir. After what seemed to be a lifetime, the vampire with hazel eyes bent his knee, showing that he would support his king, even though it may only be to avoid certain death, he would follow his commands. I smiled up at my maker as the others began to follow the lead of the first council member, bowing before their king.

Once all members were balancing on one knee, mortem spoke; “I see that you have all made your choice. Good.”

Maric stepped forward, knowing his king better than anyone else as he was his right hand man. “You are all dismissed, the meetings will continue as normal whilst we recruit new members.”

They rose seconds apart from each other, rushing out of the room before their sire had a chance to change his mind about their fate. I was left alone with my guardian and the king, my mind swirling with questions about my new life. About why I was so loyal, when all I wanted to do was kill Mortem, rid the world of his kind... well, our kind. I moved to slump in one of the chairs that hadn’t been destroyed in the carnage, my entire body screaming in agony. Though for what reason, I didn’t know.

“what is happening?” I asked no one in particular, briefly closing my eyes.

Mortem moved to kneel in front of me, his features showing a little worry. “Explain it to me, I may be able to help you.”

I thought for a moment, concentrating on the pain. “There is a fire in my throat, that leads all the down into my stomach, it’s hard to explain, it’s like I haven’t eaten in months.”

“Ah...” Mortem exclaimed, turning to look at Maric who nodded, disappearing into the kitchen. “You are hungry, but not for food.”

I growled, “is this what it feels like whenever you have to feed?”

He nodded, taking a glass of blood from Maric once he returned. “I am afraid so, now drink up. You do not want to lose yourself again.”

I did as he ordered, the thick liquid slipping down my throat at a painfully slow pace, I shivered, swallowing it as quickly as I could. Would I ever get to used to drinking blood? Or would it always be this hard? A strange taste lingered in my mouth, the metallic tang of the blood, I knew just by it’s taste that it wasn’t fresh, that it had been refrigerated. I shuddered at the disgusting taste, fighting to keep it down, I knew that I needed it, I didn’t want to hurt anyone else, though I knew that I would without it. My stomach lurches painfully, making it hard to keep it down, Mortem watched me closely, his brow creased, though I wasn’t sure whether it was worry or annoyance.

I fall forward from the chair, collapsing onto my hands and knees as my stomach twisted and turned within me, a scream escaping my lips just before the blood that I had ingested came spewing out all over the floor. I panted, the burning sensation returning almost instantly and I groaned, both from hunger and pain.

“I’m so hungry.” I complained, not bothering to raise my head and look at Maric or my maker. “It’s hurts so much.”

I heard Maric sigh, his voice slightly strained. “Sire, it seems that she can’t digest it cold.”

“Then she will need it direct from the source for now.” Responds my master, though I couldn’t tell in what tone, his emotions masked.

“I have never heard of a newborn that rejects any type of blood.” Mutters my Vampire guardian. “Perhaps it has something to do with her ability.”

I know from the shadows cast over the floor that Mortem nods, tapping his chin absently whilst he thinks. “Go retrieve one of the blood slaves. We will test the theory.”