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The inside of the castle was dark, no light was on, not even the lanterns that hung from the ceiling were lit. I looked over at Jasper and his pale skin glowed. It created a surprising effect and I understood why there were no lights on, the vampires themselves created enough light. Even though I had borrowed clothes from Jade, scratch that, the Vampire Queen, I felt under dressed in the ornate castle. The walls were covered in what I guessed was a fine metal. There were etched drawings and words in a language I didn't recognize. Jasper was following my gaze and he put his hand on my shoulder, "The story of how vampires came to be, the language is a mix of the languages spoken by the vampires of the time..."
I nodded as we followed the two small vampires. I could tell that they were straining to go as slow as we were-- I was--- walking. Their arms seemed to be vibrating with energy about to overflow. We were led past many rooms, mostly with their large, dark doors shut, but the few doors that were open held finely dressed vampires, some dressed in clothes so white and frail they looked like angels. But I knew better. Their eyes followed us and I felt a crawling on the back of my neck. I could sense them following us and Jasper put his hand on my back, standing slightly behind me, his hovering confirmed my suspicions. Suddenly a tall vampire was keeping stride with Jasper, she said, "What occasion brings the children out from their chambers, and why is a wolf in our castle?"
She said wolf with distaste and I growled. Her laugh was airy but I could hear the steel in it, "Be careful wolf, the oldest and strongest vampires are housed in this city. They don't react well to confrontation." I smiled at her, showing my equally sharp canines. I was not about to be intimidated by some snobby vampire. I spoke smoothly, "Well I happen to not only be a wolf, my body also houses a demon who I'm not completely in control of, and I can tell.... she doesn't like you at all."
I heard Cecily laughing softly and my vision went red for a second, no doubt from Cecily. The tall vampire hissed and flinched away. Jasper looked over at me, "I thought you were in control?"
I grinned, "Oh, I am."
He raised an eyebrow, and spoke cautiously as if it was possible I didn't even know I was being possessed, "Your eyes went red."
I nodded, "We're on the same page, don't worry."
He looked away as if he accepted that but the stiffness in his shoulders told me he wasn't. We finally reached a room and the small vampires flashed bright smiles at Jasper, bowed to me, and then moved much faster than a normal vampire ever could have down the hall. Something clicked in my mind and my eyes met Jasper's, "Are those... child... vampires? Is that even possible?"
He pulled me into the room and shut the door. After glancing down the hall in both directions he turned back to me, "Don't speak so freely in the halls, there are always ears listening."
He looked past me, "Yes, there are such things, by they are almost non-existent. Insemination only occurs 3 percent of the time, and as it is, vampire partners are not kept for long periods of time."
I was slightly in awe and sat down on the chair as gently as I could, "A woman vampire can be pregnant?"
Jasper nodded, "I don't know the details... all I know is that it is almost impossible and very painful to go through with the pregnancy."
I whispered, "But when it does happen..."
He sat down across from me, "...Children are born. They are very fast and very powerful."
I started to open my mouth and I guessed war was in my eyes and he waved his hand, "They will not fight. They are weak despite their speed and power."
I was confused, "What do you mean? How are they weak? They are small, fast, and pack a punch. They'd be untouchable."
He shook his head, "That is where you are wrong.. Child vampires have a high mortality rate... they also age."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing, "Vampires can't age."
He closed his eyes, "Born vampires do, they either die very young because their bodies cannot sustain severe injuries, or if they somehow survive, eventually die of old age."
I leaned back in my chair, "Are any advanced age vampires alive right now? How long do they live? How many born vampires are alive at this moment?"
He shook his head, "I don't know Sakir... but we have more pressing things to worry about."
I shook my head, "That can wait for once...." I stood up, "You said that vampire partners didn't last for long, like me."
He closed his eyes, "Don't speak of such things, the love I feel towards you is much more complicated than that."
I shook my head, "Love is what it is, and death by your hand doesn't seem so bad."
His face was strained, "Shut up, how can you possibly say that. Don't you know that it kills me every day? That I think of ways the prophecy could be skewed? Your blood on my hands would alter me so greatly I would lose my mind."
I laid my hand on the side of his face, "You've been a vampire for too long, all you know is continuance of life. Death is welcomed by me, it is something I will eventually experience by your hand or by the simple passage of time."
He went very quiet and walked to the other end of the room.
--
He opened the door closest to him and said softly, "Well, I'm afraid I'm too attached to the idea of you alive...But for now, we have more pressing things to be concerned about. We have to earn the support of the vampire community by impressing the vampire royalty here. They're having a ball tonight and we've been invited... well rather, demanded to come."
I raised an eyebrow, "Demanded?"
He reached inside the door and pulled out a pure white suit with coattails, "You see, they already look favorably on our plan. Anyone willing to aid them in the fight is welcome. We just have to show them we have the authority to tell them what to do."
I scoffed and walked across the room towards him, "These vampires are ridiculous. Wouldn't a show of our fighting ability be more proof of our authority than simply the way we dress?"
He pulled out a long white dress for me, "It's more than just the clothes you wear Sakir, you have to carry yourself with authority and grace, as well as speak with authority and grace. Not to mention you must never underestimate or give any ground to anyone you meet."
I looked at the dress he handed to me and then back up at him, "Tell me, is there anyone I should be intimidated by?"
He turned around to face me, "Just remember, don't underestimate anyone. Especially those that look the most harmless."
I shivered and let the dress slip between my fingers. The stitching felt familiar, dyed in vampire venom like my other dress? Regardless, I changed into the dress. It hugged my body uncomfortably tight as most vampires were very lean and muscular. However, I filled out the dress as none of them could. Just looking in the mirror increased my confidence. My skin was tan and appeared even tanner against the pure white of the dress. The thin strapped, low cut heart shaped neckline accentuated my ample chest and the dress was tight around my human-like curves complete with a high sloping slit up to my upper thigh.
I drew on some dark eye make-up and left my hair down around my shoulders. Jasper had put on his suit as well and as usual he surpassed my expectations. He flashed his crooked smile in my direction, "You ready?"
I nodded and took his hand, "Stop looking like at me like that."
He raised an eyebrow, "Like how?"
I smirked, "Like I’m a wolf in sheep's clothing."
He led me out the door, "Isn’t that what you are though Sakir? A wolf in sheep’s clothing?" He looked down at me and I could see the slight red tint in his eyes. There was no doubt of his true nature in my mind. The love of blood superseded just about every emotion and inclination... in every vampire, including Jasper.
 ThaliaSimon · Mon Jul 19, 2010 @ 03:26am · 0 Comments |
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