Despite my introverted nature, I'm actually taking a serious hit to my mental health because of the current situation with covid-19 as it has caused major disruptions to my usual routines, and my perception of time is completely ruined as a result. So what I'm saying is... I'm sorry, I didn't realise it had been a whole month.
But hey, a full five season binge is next on my list for quarantine viewing.
-YD-
Mutters and mumbles ran up and down the lines before everyone turned to Vlad.
A few vampires actually laughed. His father looked flabbergasted, the expression on his face utterly dumbfounded.
"You must be joking!"
"He's a child!"
"And not much of a vampire, from what I've heard."
Vlad rolled his eyes, trying to quash the rampaging bats in his belly. He wasn't sure what to do; if he went up there, he was going to be outed as the Chosen One when the Crown of Power didn't turn him to dust. And there was no precedent for what happened to a pre-transformation vampire putting on the Crown; what if it forced his transformation?
That was assuming he wasn't just staked on the spot by someone seeking to take the mantle of Grand High Vampire for their own.
He didn't want the damned Crown or title anyway!
But he had no choice; the Parchment had chosen him, and if he abdicated, that was permanent. He'd have to win the Crown again. Not appealing.
"Vlad?"
His dad called his name, still looking stunned. Vlad drew in a deep breath, and made to step forward. He felt Ingrid's fingers wrap around the back of his arm, holding him in place. He looked up at her, and if Vlad didn't know better, he'd say she looked worried for him.
"I can't ignore the Parchment any more than the rest of you can."
He tried to give Ingrid a reassuring look; she didn't know who he was, none of them did. They were about to find out though.
"I refuse to bow to a child!"
Vlad closed his eyes and turned around, drawing in a few more breaths to steady himself, chose his words carefully. Words had power; he had to be smart.
"If you choose to defy what the Parchment says, be my guest."
He couldn't offer the Crown, but he could goad someone in to jumping the gun. Count Yates scowled, and stepped forward, tongue running over his short, poorly maintained fangs.
"Oh I will."
Vlad stepped to the side, gestured for the other vampire to go ahead. When Yates was stood in front of Count Dracula, Vlad nodded at his father over Yates' shoulder.
"Very well."
The Crown had barely touched his unkempt hair when he crumbled to the ground. Privately, Vlad thought the vampires wife looked relieved, but he wasn't about to bring that up as gasps ran through the room again.
"Anyone else feel like playing russian roulette, or can I go up there now?"
Thankfully, Dracula sarcasm was a genetic trait. After a minute, nobody had moved other than Renfield, to scoop up the remains and throw them away ineffectively. Heart pounding in his chest, Vlad walked over and looked up at his dad. The Count looked panicked by then. Vlad could joke that his dad was afraid of having a son that outranked him, and that would undoubtedly come later... but right now, his dad clearly expected Vlad to disintegrate there and then.
"Are you sure about this?"
"Just do it."
He hoped he wasn't going to be asked to promise to be bloodthirsty and cruel. That wasn't Vlad. Still in shock, his father didn't even ask. Just held the Crown out with shaking hands, not even looking as he slowly laid it on Vlad's head.
Vlad knew the second it touched him, felt the instant connection between his vampire side and the old magic that coursed through the Crown. He rose from his bowed position, felt the tingles of power run through him, from the top of his head to the tips of his fingers and toes.
He felt something wake up inside him, thrumming in the back of his mind but not rushing to the forefront yet. Vlad turned to face the crowd, tipping his head from side to side until his neck cracked, loosening his posture. He felt more... relaxed than he'd expected.
"Is this how you stand before your new Grand High Vampire?"
A ripple of uncertainty first, and then several of the vampires dropped in to the correct stance of deference, bowed knees and bowed heads, though some held out until Vlad turned his gaze on them directly. Only Ingrid stayed standing, surveying him rather strangely. Vlad gestured for her to join him, not trusting any of the vampires there with her safety.
"A question, Your Grandness?"
Countess LeCushka, known for her regular murders of her own family and seducing the husbands of others, had raised her head and fixed Vlad with a curious look. He didn't like the calculating edge.
"Yes?"
"How are you to lead? You're not yet transformed. I hardly think you can even commute to Transylvania from... Stokely."
She said it with derision, clearly disapproving of the little Welsh town.
Vlad tried to focus the power still rolling through him, hoping it worked and feeling more relieved than he ever expected to when he transformed in to a bat there and then. The Crown went with him, thankfully, and he didn't fall flat on his ass when he landed on human legs again.
"You were saying?"
"How..."
Honestly, he had no idea, but he wasn't going to let on to anyone else about that.
"What did you expect from the Chosen One?"
More dramatic gasping. Vampires were a little too dramatic sometimes.
"You?"
"Well, the Crown deemed two before me as undeserving, and the Parchment chose me. If the prophecies are true, then... I'll let you make your own conclusions. For now, you can leave. The Coronation is over, and this is too many vampires in my home."
Several looked ready to argue, but they had no leeway, especially when none of the high ranking members of the Vampire High Council were in attendance. Something of an oversight, but they'd be along within two sundowns, Vlad was certain. Once the castle was cleared, Vlad sagged with relief and dropped heavily in to a chair, plucking the Crown from his head and dropping it on the table. The power didn't leave him entirely, but he felt a little... empty without it.
Ingrid was still staring at him, but before he could ask, his father was standing in front of him, eyes wide.
"What the blood and garlic was that!?"
-YD-
Stay safe out there guys!
