Chapter Nine- Turned
Jaden stirred to see sunlight streaming into the room. He also detected deep breathing which indicated that Hassleberry and Syrus had come in while he was out. He struggled to sitting and a glint caught his eye. He looked down to see a gold charm hanging around his neck on a gold chain.
He cupped it in his hands as he looked at it. If it affects me like it did for Alexis, then I'll be hearing heartbeats tonight. The thought sent a shiver up his spine; the ability to hear heartbeats sounded cool. He got up and started getting dressed, making sure to conceal the charm under his shirt. I probably won't have fangs until tomorrow which would make sense since it'll be two days after wearing the charm. Of course, Alexis will be there to help.
There was a rustling, followed by a yawn and then Jaden heard Syrus say, "Ja, you all right? You were pale and unconscious last night."
"Yeah, I'm fine, Sy. I was feeling a touch of what the others had and decided to turn in early."
"Well, I'm glad you're feeling better." Syrus climbed down and started getting ready as the sheets on the top bunk rustled and Hassleberry woke up.
Jaden was dismayed when he learned that Bastion had joined the Society. Even with his perfect deck, he lost to Chazz according to Syrus, Hassleberry, and Atticus. The fact that it was Chazz who beat Bastion convinced Jaden that he did have some new cards and that he needed to duel Chazz and beat him. I still need to practice with my cards. Once I'm comfortable with them, I'll challenge him.
Jaden was so wrapped up in his thoughts about dueling Chazz that he gave no thought to the charm until dinnertime. He looked around as he ate; where was that heartbeat coming from and how could he hear it over Syrus and Hassleberry's bickering? He finally determined that it came from someone across the room before picking up his rice bowl. He heard more heartbeats nearby and was certain that they belonged to his best friends.
It's beginning, he thought. I'm starting to turn. No sooner had that thought crossed his mind then his head was full of beating hearts. They were so loud and it sounded like he was hearing every heart in the room. He couldn't handle it! He dashed outside, stood by the stairs, and gripped his head. Why won't the sounds go away?
He felt a hand on his shoulder and heard Alexis over the heartbeats say, "I know. It's strange to hear heartbeats. It drove me crazy when it first happened, too."
"I couldn't handle it, Lex. How do you do it?"
"I learned how to tune them out, but I didn't do that until two days after I attacked Crowler."
"I'm hearing your heartbeat, but why?"
"Our hearts still beat to blend in, but that's it. The blood doesn't circulate and that's why we feed. By the way, I checked the book and you were right: We are immortal. Once we reach adulthood, our bodies will stop aging and we will look like young adults forever."
Jaden looked at her. "Really? That sounds cool." He blinked and tilted his head. "I don't hear your heart now."
"Good. It means you've tuned them out. Ready to go back?"
"Yeah. I guess I'll have to explain why I left."
"I took care of that. I told them you need some fresh air because you probably felt dizzy. I also offered to check on you."
"Thanks, Alexis."
"No problem. Now, about tomorrow. Meet me near the white dorm so we can feed."
"So, I will have fangs tomorrow?"
"I think so. We'll find out tomorrow."
Jaden shifted from foot to foot as he stood among the trees near the white dorm. He was a little uneasy about being this close, what with him being a Slifer. However, a minor headache and a thirst distracted him from that uneasy feeling. He knew why he felt this way and what would help drive it away, but he needed to wait for Alexis. He looked up at the building; all the lights were out. Everyone must be asleep. Better to do it while everyone's asleep. Maybe I can feed by myself next time…or I can wait until I feel comfortable about it. I mean, being a vampire feels a little strange right now. But I can't deny that I'm liking it right now!
A leathery rustle sounded overhead before Alexis landed next to him and retracted the wings. "How are you feeling?"
"A little nervous, but I'm also thirsty and my head hurts a little." He put a hand to his head to empathize the point.
"Yeah, mine hurts a little, too. Open your mouth." Jaden complied and Alexis nodded. "You definitely got your fangs. You can take the charm off once we get back to Slifer. Okay, I think Satorius is still awake, I saw lights on in his room. We'll just walk in the front doors of the girls' dorm and quietly head for their rooms."
Jaden followed Alexis to the girls' dorm, through the doors, and upstairs. She quietly opened a door to see a girl sleeping soundly. She slipped in silently and Jaden followed suite. She gestured to the girl whose back was to them.
Jaden licked his lips as he crept closer. His shadow fell over the girl before she rolled over and her eyes opened. She stared at him for a few seconds before opening her mouth to scream. He quickly slapped a hand over her mouth, muffling her screams before he pierced her neck, even though she was thrashing about. Her thrashing slowed and eventually stopped as Jaden drank and then pulled back. Alexis stepped up, grabbed Jaden's hand, and held it over the girl's head. Jaden watched in amazement as the bite marks healed and the girl's head glowed slightly before stopping. Alexis released his hand which dropped to his side and then both left the room and the dorm.
Alexis was tempted to feed on Satorius, but her instincts told her not to do it. So, instead she chose a boy she hadn't attacked before. Her attack, unlike Jaden's, was uneventful and they didn't speak until back outside and were heading toward Slifer.
Alexis was silently confirming that Jaden's blood had been the most satisfying when said boy said, "I was surprised when she woke up. I think my shadow woke her."
"I think you're right. I suggest Mindy next time. She would sleep through a rampaging Black Tyranno."
Jaden laughed before saying, "Yeah, I'll do Mindy next time. I noticed your victim didn't wake. I'm guessing it's because of practice."
"Yeah. It takes time before you can attack without waking them. My first few attacks actually when they were awake."
"Oh. Thanks for showing me how to remove all signs of the attack."
"You're welcome. I call it heal and remove myself."
"Heal and remove." Jaden nodded. "Works for me."
They reached the red dorm and Jaden went upstairs while Alexis watched. His skin was as pale as her now and with his fangs, he made a cuter vampire than he was as a human. She knew that the number of pale students would double now that there were two vampires roaming campus, but she wasn't concerned. No one knew Jaden was a vampire and only Jaden and Atticus knew she was one.
Jaden laid on his bed, his head on the pillow, and sighed softly. He felt a lot better since his attack and he knew the next time would be easier. He removed the charm and stuck it under his mattress while he wondered if attacking while the victim was awake was easier than a sleeping one. Somehow, he doubted it. He ran his tongue over his fangs, delighting in the feel of them before drifting off to sleep.
Alexis invited Jaden to her room the next day to see this book she spoke about. At first, Jaden wasn't keen on the idea as he didn't like to read, but that changed when he looked at the first page. "Wow, this is interesting," he commented as he turned the page to see the list of vampire members. He caught sight of Alexis' name at the end of the list.
"You wanna sign?" Alexis asked.
Jaden looked up to see his girlfriend holding up a quill and an ink bottle. "Sure," he said. He took the quill, dipped it in the ink and wrote Jaden Yuki under Alexis' name. He regarded it for a moment; somehow his name looked impressive on that list.
He turned the page once the ink dried and continued reading. He found that he liked reading the book since it told him what he needed to know about being a vampire and how to avoid detection. Some of the ways of avoiding detection were common sense ones while others were not.
He didn't read all day. He stopped after finishing up on avoiding detection and decided to go for a walk and asked Alexis to join him. She did so and while they walked along the cliffs, the beach, and the docks they talked about Chazz, Satorius, and the upcoming GX Tournament that their now-returned Chancellor Shepherd was throwing. There was much speculation as to which pro duelists he invited and what kind of decks they would use.
They returned to the dorm at dinnertime and sat at a table, just the two of them. Jaden was aware that Syrus and Hassleberry were looking their way and suspected they would question him once they were in their room. Alexis, likewise, had similar suspicions only they were on Atticus who had moved in with her. I think I'll have to tell Atticus everything.
