Chapter 2: The Meeting

Clio, well she liked the sound of the name. It could have been worse, way worse. Like Aphrodite or something horribly cliché like that. 'I'm the muse of history in Greek mythology' she thought. She put aside the piece of paper which Centzon had written for her. He named her Clio, because with a new life you have to have a new name.

He seemed like a nice guy, she almost regretted his death. Almost.

'He had given her shelter, her own house, and even a cat for company. Not a real pretty one she must add, but she had a nice name; Bastet. But she couldn't quite forgive him for 'giving her a new life'.

I didn't asked for it. At least I think I didn't, I don't even know that for sure. I don't know anything!' she thought angrily.

Her stomach growled, she had to find something to eat. Drink the blood of animals, that was what that stupid man had told her. Well, she could at least give it a try.

In the backyard there was a large cage full of rabbits. The poor creatures were destined to be eaten anyway, either during Christmas or right now.

She walked towards the cage and the rabbits went frantic. They probably knew what was coming, Centzon was not the best owner a rabbit could get.

Stepping over her fear and revulsion at the thought of having to drink their blood she opened the cage and grabbed the first animal she saw. She tried to close the door quickly enough to keep the other rabbits in, but failed. One of the rabbits jumped out of the cage and ran for his life.

She cursed and chased, the other rabbit still in her hand, the fleeing animal. Before she knew it she was at the other side of the yard, way past the escapee.

Confused she turned and this time more slowly pursued the bunny. Finally succeeding in her task she stood there with the two bunnies in her hands.

'Now what?' she thought. Until now everything she had done was because of her new instincts. Should she rip out their throats or classically puncture their neck with her fangs. Fangs..!? With her tongue she felt her tiny sharp canines. 'Thank god.' was her first reaction, She had fangs. For a moment she had feared she would end up tearing them up with her hands. Fangs are much more convenient and well, what kind of vampire would you be without them.

During this train of thought she also realized that the bunnies were not struggling. She had a lot more strength than she was aware of.

'I probably squeezed a bit too hard.' She really had to learn how to control that, otherwise she would never be able to pet or pick up her new cat.

Hesitating she put one of the rabbits down and studied the neck of the other. Where did she have to bite it? Taking a deep breath, she collected all her courage and punctured the skin of the rabbit with her teeth.

Although she could feel new energy go through her body, the taste of the blood was not quite fulfilling. The taste was actually sickening. With a look of distaste she finished the rabbit and quickly drained the other one. Just when she had finished bunny number two, she heard a faint knock on the front door.

Surprised that she could hear the knock even when she was outside in the backyard.

Although she did not run, she was within seconds by the front door.

'Good evening' said the man who stood closest to her.

He was very young and looked a bit lanky, like he just had a growth spurt. And even though he was quite pale, you could see some Indian features in his face, which were supported by his long black hair.

'Who might you be?' he asked.

'My name is Clio, who are you?'

'I'm Tlaloc, the maker of Centzon. What happened to him? I felt his passing.'

Clio looked suspicious and was not at all prepared to let this stranger into her house.

'Where is he?' spoke a woman from behind the man. Clio startled, she had not noticed this woman before and although she looked friendly her question was asked with a certain hostility.

'I don't know, he went away when I was sleeping.'

'So you didn't noticed anything?' asked the man who had introduced himself as Tlaloc.

'Well, I felt something. But I don't know if it means anything. I considered the possibility that he might be dead.' She answered.

Tlaloc looked sad and sighted 'I already thought that was the case. It's very sad, but I saw it coming. He didn't quite had the endurance for eternity. So you are his fledgling? Well, that is quite unlike him. But maybe fortunate for us.' After he said that he let his eyes go over her in an examining fashion.

'And he named you Clio?' he asked with a look that was filled with disapproval.

'Yes, after the Ancient Greek muse of History.'

'Can you believe that, Hapy? Greek? I can't believe he named her inspired by such a culture.' Clio grinned at the woman, whose name was apparently Happy.

Tlaloc must have pick up on her amusement and guessed the cause of it. 'No, my dear, her name is not Happy, it's H-a-p-y. There's a significant difference. One is a Egyptian Goddess, while the other is an ordinary English word. Now will you let us in?'

Not long after that they all sat down in the living room and Clio politely offered them a rabbit.

'No thank you, we have just had breakfast. Now I think we have a lot of explaining to do. First of all, Centzon was part of my coven. You may not know what that is, my dear, but it is just a sort of vampire family. Because you're the child of Centzon you're now also a part of it. You can consider yourself my granddaughter. We are a vegetarian coven, which means we only drink animal blood. That is one of the few rules that you should not break. It can have very ugly consequences if you break one of those rules. Do you understand?' asked Tlaloc.

Clio understood exactly what he meant, it looked like vampires didn't have much of a problem if somebody died. Or some-dead-body.

'Yes, I think I understand. So where is this coven then?' Clio asked.

'Well it's time for us to leave and go back to the coven. So feel free to join us and meet everybody there. Then I will have more time to explain some things to you.' While Tlaloc spoke he stood up and prepared to leave.

'Just a sec' said Clio while she hurried to the kitchen. She had almost forgot to feed her cat, the poor thing. Quickly she put some food and water on the floor and went back to the living room where Tlaloc and Hapy stood waiting on her.

Review please: It makes us Hapy ;)