Blood
and Water
by
Myka
chapter
3
"Knowledge
is power"
Sequences
in italics are flashbacks.
Twenty four hours.
A full day had passed since all the hunters had returned to Stella Church. All of which Mille had spent locked up in his room.
---
Marron glanced around the circled room to find it completely empty. The vampires had all been there just a second ago. "How did they disappear so quickly?" he thought to himself.
He saw Mille still kneeling on the platform; his body slumped over, his eyes lost. Marron step closer getting no reaction from the Haz Knight until he was standing right in front of him. Mille still didn't move so Marron stretched a hand slowly…
"Don't touch me," Mille said, flinching away from the contact. Marron backed his hand away, slightly hurt by his words. Mille noticed. "Sorry," he said. "I didn't mean it like that… just give me a moment to clear my head, Marron."
Marron nodded and decided to take the moment to check the hall; which was empty. "They're gone," he said.
"Let's go then," Mille said standing up and heading to the door where Marron was waiting.
---
The Haz Knight wouldn't open the door to anyone. Not when Kahlua told him Mama wanted to see him. Not when Chiffon asked calmly if he may come in. Not when Cinnamon had stay an hour by his door begging him to open it.
And nobody understood why.
---
Mille and Marron got out of the room and cautiously made their way up to the first floor. They walked by one of the main halls, Marron ahead, Mille just slightly behind and quiet. He had put his shirt back on after they'd left the basement; the clothes completely covering the dried blood on is neck. Mille suddenly stopped and Marron quickly noticed, immediately turning around. The Haz Knight was staring at a huge portrait hanged in the wall. Three men where in it and Marron quickly recognize one of them as Aldren; instant loathe consumed him. "That's," he started to say, but was interrupted.
"They started it all," Mille said with a detachedness to his voice. "Aldren, Zacharias, and Kalek." Marron looked at the portrait again. The vampires he didn't recognize stood side by side; the one in the right with waist long blond hair and the one on the left had midnight blue hair down to his shoulders. Aldren stood in front of the blond haired one; they both had ruby red eyes. The midnight blue haired one had blue green eyes.
"Why are they're eyes different?" Marron asked noticing the detail on them; but he wanted to take it back the second he said it; this was not the time for silly questions. He was a little surprised when Mille answered anyway.
"Short version?" the knight asked. Marron nodded, glad that Mille wasn't mad at him. Mille pointed towards the blond vampire. "Zacharias was a powerful sorcerer a long time ago, but he wasn't evil or anything of the sort. Probably a little egotistic; but not evil. His brother; Kalek," Mille pointed to the midnight blue haired one, "was a parsoner. Zacharias wanted desperately for his brother to be like him; a sorcerer; so he tried a forbidden spell. It had to be done at nightfall and consisted of sharing blood between them plus a human sacrifice. It was dark magic, the darkest of magics. The spell backfired and they ended up becoming the first vampires. Zacharias with his sorcerer blood gained ruby red eyes. Kalek actually did manage to acquire some powers in the process, but his blood was still that of a parsoner's and his eyes turned a dark blue green." Mille looked at Marron solemnly. "You can recognize the vampire's line they descend from by the color of its eyes."
"Your eyes are the same as always," The young mage said. Mille turned his head and forced a smile on his lips. "The change is gradual," he said calmly.
"How much time?" Marron asked, feeling a twinge of panic.
"A week," he answered. "Two at most." He was quiet for a moment. "Could you do me a favor, Marron?" he asked softly afterwards. "What?" the hunter answered.
"Please don't tell anyone…"
---
Midnight.
Marron paced around the library getting his hands on every single book he could find about vampires. "A week, a week." He just couldn't stop thinking about it. Nobody knew about Mille except him and if the knight apparently wasn't in the mood the help himself Marron would do it for him. He wanted to help so he needed all the information he could find; he would not be at a disadvantage twice.
Of all the books he had picked up only a black one caught his attention. Putting all the others back he took the black book back to his room and read. Besides confirming the same story that Mille had told him, the book contained pretty much everything Marron was looking for. He found it quite amusing that it took less than half a century for Zacharias and Kalek to figure out there new situation and that it took some sort of spell to make other vampires. After lots of trials and errors; Aldren had been the first fledging ever and shortly after it was decided to create a vampire court and laws.
"They have laws?" Marron thought to his surprise and read further. Most of the laws where pretty standard.
-don't' exposed yourself or your brethren
-don't kill unless in true self defense
It kept going for page after page; Marron was about to skip the whole thing when he found what; for him; was the best law of all.
-It is forbidden to exchange blood with anyone who isn't willing.
If anything in that book was going to help Mille that single line was it. Marron stood up excitedly, determined to show what he had found to the purple haired knight. He would knock on his door as long as it took if he had to. He stopped in mid step when he glanced at the next page. "New vampires…?"
He read out loud in a soft murmur.
"After the exchange of blood the vampire blood will gradually take over and replace the old blood. This process takes from one to two weeks. The receiver will experience changes in speed and agility, followed by physical aspects like the eyes, nails and teeth…" Marron read, taking every word in. His eyes moved rapidly line after line, until he reached the last line. Marron reread the line; taken aback by it and then ran out the door.
---
Mille looked at his demolished room; everything that happened to be in his way was in pieces by now. He had kept his anger under check until a few hours ago, and his room had paid for it. He gazed at the half moon through his window; every once in a while he could feel Jezzabel's blood inside him; prickling like ants. He was afraid to fall asleep, as if falling asleep would let the blood flow faster. He knew that wasn't true, but he just couldn't shake the feeling out of him. He hugged himself, seeking some sort of comfort when there was a frantic knock on the door.
"Go away!" Mille yelled.
"It's Marron. Open the door, Mille." The mage said from the other side and slammed his fist against the door once again. That sounded too much like an order for Mille's taste but still went and opened the door. Marron rushed inside and Mille relocked the door after him. "It's two in the morning, what's wrong Ma-" the knight hushed the second he saw the mage. Marron was flushed. Mille quickly placed his left hand on the hunter's forehead to check his temperature. Marron grabbed his hand with his right and moved it aside to look at the knight's eyes. "Is it true?" he asked.
"What is?" Mille asked back, not understanding what Marron was referring to.
"This!" Marron replied raising the black book he had been reading up to eye level. Mille glanced at it and Marron could see the surprise in his eyes. "Where did you get that?" he asked taking the book from Marron and opening it.
"I found it at the library," the hunter said. "Is it true?" he asked a little more desperately.
"What are you talking about?" Mille replied a little angry now.
"Will you die?" Marron finally asked.
Mille took a mid step back at the question "What? No, I just–" he mumbled.
"Don't lie to me!" Marron yelled, never loosing eye contact. "I read it, its right there on that book…vampire blood invades, until it finally makes the heart stop." Marron quoted from the book. "Is that what will happen? Will your heart just stop? Will you die, Mille?" Marron finished, both hands at his side now, hands clenched into fists, frustration overpowering him. The Haz Knight looked away avoiding his eyes; a rising tension mounted between them and only the sounds of the night could be heard.
"Yes," Mille answered coarsely after a few seconds went by; he looked at Marron sadly, "to be reborn as one of them." Marron swiped his hair back from his face, holding it there for a second, his face full of disbelief. He then walked away from Mille and sat down on the knight's bed; hiding his flushed face with his hands. "And you were just going to let it happen?" he asked.
"No; is just that–" Mille tried to defend himself unsuccessfully, "I don't know," he admitted quietly and shook his head. Marron removed his hands from his face, laying them on top of the bed and raised his head to look at him. "What?" the young mage asked astonished.
"No." Mille replied quickly; making 'no' signs with his hands. "What I mean is I don't know if I can do it."
"I don't understand," Marron said.
Mille smiled a bit, crossing his arms in his usual way. The mage had come running right after reading what he had come to ask. He hadn't even bothered to read the rest. "You're cute when you're worried," he said after a bit. Marron blushed slightly then glared at him. "This is no time to flirt," he pointed out. "What is it that you can't do?" he demanded.
Mille blinked and smiled to himself noting the slight blush on Marron's face. Marron was purposely avoiding his flirting. "You noticed, and I assumed you read that there's a spell involve when making a vampire," he continued the topic of choice.
"Yeah," Marron answered.
"Well; this is required because the entire vampire thing started with sorcery; the spell calls the blood and creates a bond between vampire and vampire-to-be." Marron squinted his eyes not understanding. Mille continued. "Don't you see? If the bond is broken then the blood dissipates."
Marron stood up quickly, hopeful. "So all we have to do is find the counter-spell then you'll be back to normal right?" he finished excitedly. But all the excitement was drained from his face after one look at Mille's eyes.
"There is no counter-spell," the knight said solemnly.
"Then how do you…?" Marron muttered, just before answering the question for himself. "Jezzabel," he murmured, but Mille heard him.
"Yes," Mille said softly, "if she dies then the bond is broken."
"I see a 'but' coming," Marron said.
"It has to be before I-" Mille stopped; no desire to speak the words, "before my heart stops beating; before her blood kills me," he finished. Marron fell back into the bed his hands covering his face again as if that would take all the frustration out. He glanced to the side and noticed a still intact vase by the side of the bed. He lashed out grabbing it and tossing it across the room missing Mille by inches. The vase disintegrated into pieces as it collided with the wall. Mille looked at what was left of the vase; slightly amused by the reaction; well at least now he didn't have to explain why his room looked demolished. He then returned his glance to the raven-haired mage on his bed.
Marron had laid on the bed, his hair sprawling all around him; white among a sea of black; his eyes were closed. "Asleep?" Mille thought as he walked over towards the bed and stood by its side; appreciating the sight and allowing thoughts into his head that had no place at the moment. He had always admired Marron, he admired him for his strength, his devotion, his honesty. He was also so… Mille crouched until his face was at level with Marron's and rested his head on the bed close to Marron's hand and closed his eyes. You are so beautiful…
"What are you doing?" Marron asked suddenly. Mille didn't say anything; he didn't even look at Marron; instead he reached out and twirled one of his fingers with one of Marron's own. He left out a breath he was secretly holding when the mage didn't move his finger away. Marron noticed the comfort Mille was seeking; so he didn't move away either when Mille exchanged twirled fingers with hands; then climbed on the bed to rest by his side. Mille was grateful, though he didn't say it out loud and wrapped an arm around Marron's waist. They laid quiet for a while.
"How do you know her?" Marron asked, breaking the silence.
"Umm…who?" the Haz Knight asked back.
"Jezzabel," the hunter said. Mille sighed.
"Childhood friend. Sort of my first girlfriend; but she was always jealous that I was faster and stronger than her even though she was older. I thought I was in love with her, but that was so long ago." Marron held Mille's hand as the knight exposed a part of his blatantly painful past. The knight had his eyes closed as if seeing everything he was telling. "It was sort of unavoidable since I was finishing my training to be a Haz knight. We would meet once every week; have fun. One day she didn't show up; didn't think much of it at the time; but I got worried the second week she didn't show up. I started asking around and traced her down to a castle; that took me almost a month. I had begun my studies in the undead so I knew what she was when I saw her."
---
"Why?" Mille asked. Jezzabel snickered and leaned until they're eyes met.
"Why not?" she retorted. "It makes me stronger, faster; just like you. Plus now I'm free to do as I please," she finished as she twirled her hands with his.
"That's not reason enough!" he yelled back angrily, swiping her hands away and stepping back. He was loosing it and he couldn't afford to lose control. Jezzabel took advantage of the moment to close the space between them once again; embracing him. She put her mouth over his ear and both hands on the back of his neck.
"Join me, Mille," she whispered into his ear, "I can make it all go away." Mille grabbed both of her shoulders and forcefully pushed her away.
"No," he said.
"Why?" Jezzabel asked with a touch of despair. Mille just looked at her with sad, defeated eyes.
"I will never betray Mama," he answered.
"What?!…No!" Jezzabel yelled angry. "I did this for you!" She rushed at him and her nails connected with his arm as he raised it to protect his face. She wasfaster. He was still too untrained. Not enough time. She tackled him down, banging his head against the floor at the same time. Mille's vision became blurry but still managed to raise his already wounded arm in a useless attempt to protect himself. She grabbed it and bit the wound. Mille screamed; but the struggle just meant he was loosing blood faster. He tried anyway until all his strength left him. He couldn't fight anymore. Jezzabel released his arm.
"Say it," she ordered. "I know you know; I'm not stupid, Mille."
"I won't!" he managed to scream, knowing what she wanted.
"Jezzabel! Stop this instant!" a thunderous voice said. But when Jezzabel didn't even attempt to move a tall vampire grabbed her from behind and forced her away. "You know the law. I won't repeat myself," Kalek ordered her; then turned and kneeled by Mille's side slashing a piece of cloth from his own attire to bandage his arm as best as he could. He then picked him up from the floor and glanced back to glare at Jezzabel. "I'll talk to you later," he spat at her, then left through the door, leaving the girl alone full of anger and disappointment.
Kalek fleeted across the desolated area; trees becoming just slight blur as they passed by. Mille held on; the impending darkness threatening to swallow him; just the same that he couldn't keep his gaze away from the deepness of those dark eyes and hair. The master vampire reached the nearest village in just a few short minutes. He put Mille down but had to help him keep his footing. "I'll personally see that she's punished for this," he said in a concerned voice then kneeled to reached the youngster's eye level. "Mille was it?" he asked. Mille nodded, this person was one of the originals; yet somehow Mille knew he wasn't out to harm him. "How old are you, Mille?"
"Fourteen," he answered.
Young. No choice. "Listen to me; your wounds…I don't think a doctor can help you…but I can." The look Kalek saw in Mille's eyes meant he understood what he was saying. "I'll protect you…I'll make sure nobody hurts you…"
"No." Mille said firmly. Kalek smiled at him and didn't say anything else; he just accepted the boy's decision and disappeared into the night never looking back.
---
"I thought I knew her…I was so wrong." Mille finished finally opening his eyes; he let go of Marron and got up from the bed, facing away from Marron. The mage sat up following Mille with his eyes. "I never walked into that town where Kalek had left me; never had time. She killed me that night." Mille took a deep breath. "That night was the first time I was revived by the phoenix; that night I became a true Haz Knight." Marron stood from the bed; he had forgotten all about the phoenix's power. But he never got a word out. "Don't," Mille warned. "I know what you're thinking, and no. The spell binds the phoenix; it won't come this time. It's worthless for this," he finished crossing his arms again.
Marron rose from the bed and walked around the room, away from Mille. Searching for something; anything to take it out on, as if the room hadn't suffered enough. Mille thought Marron was getting too worked up over this. "What's wrong with you, Marron? This isn't like you at all," he finally said, consumed by Marron's unusual behavior. Marron froze; his back towards Mille.
"I'm so sorry, Mille," he finally said as if letting a big surge of guilt release out of him. "This is all my fault."
"Silly. I already told you; there's nothing you need to be sorry for; this was my decision," Mille said.
"No!" Marron turned around to face him; visibly flushed and eyes all red. "You don't understand…that girl Kyla; she was playing bait, but the second I saw her eyes I knew what she was. I had enough time use one of my ofudas to call fire. I was stronger than her; I had her - I had her trapped." Marron kept his head down; eyes closed; hands closed tight by his sides. Mille listened as he walked toward him. "But then I called the fire off. Instead of getting my brother and the others I told her to take me to you and I followed her. She took me to this other vampire; I could feel I was stronger than her too and I didn't fight…I didn't fight; I didn't struggle; I didn't do anything. When they dragged me into that room I was so glad I'd found you, but then they handed me down to Aldren. The second he touched me…I…I could feel this old and powerful thing…that's when I knew I had made a horrible mistake. I knew he could kill me…he almost did…" Marron said clutching at his stomach instinctively; he then started shaking his head wildly. "I should've done something when I had the chance! I should've gotten the others! I should've fought! I…" Marron hushed. Mlle's hands wrapping around him suddenly. Marron held him back, tears brimming in his eyes. "I'm so sorry," he managed to mutter.
"Hush…" Mille said comfortingly; holding his head gently. "This was never your fault."
They held on to each other. For comfort, solace, reassurance. Marron rested his head in the curve of Mille's neck, feeling the knight's breathing and his heart beating.
Afterwards they spent more than hour talking. Mille just wouldn't accept that Marron was blaming himself for what had happened, but the mage was hesitant to let go of his guilt.
"I have a plan," Marron announced.
---
TBC
