As Danika came to she could barely focus. All she knew was that her head pounded with the force of a giants' punch, and a deep swimming darkness engulfed her vision. She didn't move, her cheek dug into the harsh cold stone beneath her but Danika didn't mind its chill.
As the seconds ticked on she could feel something deep in her belly crawl forth into her throat, burning and scratching its way up until she gasped and she flung herself into a sitting position spluttering dry air. She was so thirsty, it hurt to even swallow. All she could think about at that moment was drinking but she couldn't specify her craving.
"Ah good, you're awake. I was beginning to worry my blood was too strong for you."
A masculine voice said from above her. She paid it only half her attention, wondering what he meant by his blood.
"Drink..." she rasped out. She felt like a demanding child, unable to provide for herself but at that moment she didn't care.
The man knelt into her view, she could see an attractive middle-aged man in peculiar clothing with dark hair. He knelt next to her and put his hand gently behind her head and lifted a cup to her lips which she gulped out of with out a second thought. It wasn't cool refreshing water like she'd expected, instead it was a warm thick substance that flowed pleasantly between her teeth and down her throat. It tasted tangy and slightly like metal, but she was too thirsty to pay its peculiar taste any mind.
"It is always fascinating to see younglings drink their first time." The man twirled a lock of her black hair absently in his fingers. "Drink quickly. We have much to discuss."
Although confused Danika finishes a few seconds later and wipes her lips with the back of her sleeve.
"Where am I? And who are you?"
The man stands from his kneeling position to pace slowly. "Yes, I am sure you have many questions. First, I am Lord Harkon, and you are in my court just of the coast of Solitude. I bid you welcome."
A court off the coast of Solitude? She had never heard of any settlement there, nor of any Lords named Harkon. "I've never heard of you. I didn't even know there was a settlement off the coast."
Harkons' nostrils flared in slight irritation. "Yes, we do well to keep ourselves hidden. This is the Volkihar Castle, of which I' have ruled over for many centuries."
Danikas' eyes widened in fear. "Centuries? That's not possible unless you're a-"
Harkon smirked at her, his face cast in shadows amplified his sinister aura. "Vampire, yes. As are you, thanks to the generous bestowing of my blood."
She could feel her heart drop.
She finally noticed the changes to her body, the elongated teeth, cold pale skin and heightened senses. But, to her horror, she realized what was in the cup she drank from.
Immediately tears began flowing from her eyes.
"Please... no. Gods no!" She whimpered, shuffling away from the imposing vampire lord in front of her.
"Now now, I did not have you brought here to be enemies. I have been watching you for some time now, Danika," he soothed, cooing her name in a way that sent unsettling hills down her back.
"Why? I haven't done anything to you. I want to go home." She pleaded, to which Harkon chuckled.
"I'm afraid you cannot, and for many reasons. One being that you are now a powerful vampire and would be hunted down until your death. Another is that simply I do not want you to. I find you useful, and appealing. It is well known that you are a powerful image and a talented alchemist, of which I am lacking in my court."
Harkon knelt to Danika's eye level and cupped her face in his large rough hand. "I have been in need of a strong female by my side. You fit the criteria, in more ways than I could have hoped for. Soon enough you will come to embrace the gift I have given you. Now come, I will take you to your room where you will have a few days to get adjusted to your new body. Then we will talk about our arrangements."
Unable to speak or gather the strength to lift herself away, she was lifted into the cold hard arms of Lord Harkon, and carried into the dark chambers that she would be spending her new life in.