Chapter Four- Telling

Isis stood outside the Training Hall, watching as Mahad supervised his students. His passion for teaching magic was as great as his love for Isis and it was clear to any observer that teaching made him happy. At first, it seemed Mahad was unaware of her presence but when he looked at her, she saw he had been aware the whole time. "All right, everyone. The lesson's done for today. Good job and keep studying."

There were a few moans of disappointment as the students left the Hall and Isis smiled in amusement. It was clear that Mahad was loved for his lessons and style of teaching and some didn't want the lessons to end.

"How was patrol?" she asked as they walked away.

"It was productive. Three people were found, including your attacker. You can drink from one of them."

"I intend to as we will have three trials to conduct."

"So, you learned to hide your wings. What else did you learn?"

"A good deal and it makes me feel a little better about my 'condition' as Mut puts it."

"Mut, is it? An odd name."

"Yes, but she is the head of a small clan of female vampires."

"All female? That's interesting."

"It is. She told me that to hide or use my power and abilities, I have to will them t appear or not. Also, the wings are retractable and a rare power. Not many can fly and certainly none in Mut's clan of which I am a part."

"Of course. Isis, did you heal the marks from your attacker? He seemed a little groggy when he came around."

"They heal automatically and erase all memory of being attacked by a vampire. Only those who know one's a vampire before the attack will remember. In short, you would remember as I told you I'm a vampire."

"Ah, very convenient. What else can you do?"

"I have sharper senses as well as increased strength and speed. We can turn others by feeding on the person and then giving them vampire blood or by the curse Mut used on me.

"We do have weaknesses. A big one is silver. Touching it is painful but impalement through the heart or head will kill. Of course, beheading and being set on fire also kills."

"Of course."

"I also learned that I would need blood to heal moderate to serious wounds and after touching silver. I was also told that if I put off drinking too long, I'll attack and drain the first one I see."

"Well, we'll make sure that doesn't happen."

"Mahad, you do realize that I'm immortal and won't age, yes?"

"I do. It is part of being a vampire: Living forever and never aging."

"But, I'm not letting that stop me from loving you."

Mahad smiled. "And I won't let it stop me, either."

"Mahad, I was going to mention it yesterday but I got distracted. Don't you think the pharaoh should know of our relationship?"

"He should know and now seems to be a good time."

Isis nodded. "It is. I…want to test my wings tonight."

"I understand. I would test them too, if I had them." He put an arm around her waist as they headed to the Throne Room.

Atem looked at the doors as his priest and priestess entered. He saw Mahad's arm around Isis' waist and the smiles on their faces, leaving him to conclude that they had good news and he had a good idea what it was.

They reached him and both knelt before Mahad said, "My pharaoh, Isis and I are in love and feel that you should be aware of it."

Atem smiled at them. "I suspected as much when you came in. How long have you been together?"

"A few weeks. We are still new to it but have decided to have no secrets between us," Isis said.

"No secrets. Yes, an open relationship is best. I am glad you brought this to my attention and I give you my support and blessing."

Both bowed their heads. "Thank you, my pharaoh," both said. They rose and, as Isis locked eyes with Atem, she felt she should tell him about her big secret. It would make my life easier. She went down again. "My pharaoh, I have a big secret that I ask you not to repeat to anyone else. It is one that Mahad already knows."

Atem was taken aback. Isis sounded desperate and pleading in her request and he found that her secret had to be important if she was seeking his silence. "Very well. I will not speak it to anyone else."

Isis took a deep, steadying breath. "My pharaoh, yesterday a curse was placed on me, turning me into a vampire."

Atem recoiled. "A vampire!?"

She nodded. "I only need a little blood every day and only those I've told would know I'm a vampire as my bite heals the mark and removes the memory of my attack. I will gain powers or abilities each day but otherwise I am still the same woman you've known."

"I believe she's telling you, my pharaoh, as if she doesn't drink early enough, she would drain someone which she does not wish to do."

"You said this happened yesterday and that you would gain powers every day."

"Yes, my pharaoh. I gained two so far. I can change the length of my fangs and I have retractable wings."

Atem perked up at this. "Wings? You can fly?"

"I have not tried yet. I just got them this morning."

"I look forward to hearing about it when you do. So…no one would remember you attacking them?"

"Unless I told them I'm a vampire. So far, it's just you and Mahad."

"And it will go no further. Isis, you will be allowed to drink from any prisoners we have. It would be easier that way, particularly as we will have to judge them that morning."

"Agreed, my pharaoh."

"I have to say I was surprised when you said you had a big secret to tell him," Mahad said later on as they stood on Isis' balcony, watching the sunset.

"I felt it would make my life easier if he knew," Isis said as she slowly let her wings out.

Mahad admired them. "I look forward to hearing about your flight and the powers you'll gain."

"I plan to play with them the day I get them as I plan to drink in the mornings."

Mahad kissed her as the sun went down. "Have a good time." He left the room and therefore missed Isis gasp in shock: Night had become brighter to her!

I have night vision which makes sense as my eyes are sensitive to the sun. I can't believe I didn't notice last night. She climbed onto the rail, took a deep breath, and jumped while flapping her wings.

At first, she fell but then a few hard flaps carried her up into the sky. She flapped harder and she rose higher. She gaped at the height and then laughed. Amazing! I'm flying just like the birds! She shifted her wings left and then right as she got a feel for how they worked. She also used her senses, marveling at how sharp they were now.

I'm one of the living dead and yet I feel more alive than I ever have before, she thought as she landed and retracted the wings. She laid in her bed with a smile. Her first full day as a vampire was over and she was now comfortable with her immortal life.