Chapter Two- Information

Not bad, Zane thought as he drained the glass. His headache vanished and he felt like his normal self. Question is, for how long?

Crowler looked into Zane's eyes as he collected the glass. He nodded. "Yes, you're doing better. Your eyes were clouded in pain, but now that's gone."

"Glad to hear it. Doctor, what are the other differences between light and dark vampires? Is wings one of them?"

"An excellent question. Both kinds can fly, but dark ones have bat wings while we have white angel-like wings."

"We do?"

"Yes. Look." Crowler removed his long blue jacket to reveal a man's dress shirt. He closed his eyes and a pair of feathery white wings appeared. Zane stared at them in awe at how lovely they looked. "Beautiful," he breathed as they retracted.

Crowler opened his eyes and, as he put the jacket on, said, "They are, aren't they? Now, it's takes conscious control to change our fangs' length and to furl or unfurl the wings. Dark vampires can't change their fangs' length and sunlight is fatal to them. Both kinds can die by being impaled through the heart with silver but touching it doesn't hurt."

"Are all vampires stronger and faster or is that a myth?"

"No myth, my boy, it's true. Now, the powers of light vampires. We can heal bite marks, remove memory of the attack, and heal injuries we sustain or that others sustain. Sunlight won't hurt us, as you have probably surmised as I've walked in sunlight."

"No claws, I take it?" He held up a hand.

"Correct; only dark ones do as well as pointed ears. I should warn you, dark vampires have been known to try to persuade light ones to turn dark. I had such an encounter. He tried to persuade me with promises of great powers that only dark ones can gain. Fortunately by then, I knew that light ones have better powers naturally and only special vampires on both sides can gain one or two extra abilities."

"I'll keep that in mind." Zane then yawned, a hand going over his mouth.

Crowler patted his shoulder. "Get some sleep, Zane. You do have classes tomorrow."

"I'll have to make up the work I missed today."

"That is true. See Chancellor Sheppard in the morning."

Zane stood. I will and thank you for your help, Doctor." He left the room and Crowler sat in his office chair.

He had been a doll during Zane's duel, but being in Chazz's pocket gave him a good view of what had gone on. He knew Camula had been attracted to Zane but he had thought she would turn him into a doll too, not a vampire. It is fortunate that a person's soul and personality determines whether one will be light or dark, otherwise Zane would have become a dark vampire and may have stayed with Camula and then swear vengeance when she lost. Crowler shuddered at the thought and was again grateful of how vampires developed.

No doubt, Sheppard knows Zane's a vampire thanks to the others, but my being one is still secret; only Zane and Sheppard know and I'm sure he knows that I want it to stay that way.

Zane trotted toward his dorm, stifling another yawn. He had had a strange twenty-four hours. He had gone from human to vampire and yet it didn't seem so bad. He knew it would be bad if he didn't have someone to guide and teach him.

I do wonder if I can still eat and drink. I'm sure I can. I've observed Crowler eat and drink. He was relieved as he knew it would look strange if he didn't eat or drink and yet retained his lean body.

His mind whirled with all he had learned and, though he was tired, he wanted to unfurl his own wings and feel them. That's all I want. I can use them another time.

He was approaching the Obelisk Common Area where boy and girl Blues could gather and he saw someone in that area. A blink and Zane saw it was Alexis. Strange. I can see her clearly. Do I have night vision? I failed to ask about enhanced senses. "Alexis? Were you waiting for me?"

"Yeah. I was worried about you."

"Of course. I just needed time to myself to sort it all out. While in my induced sleep, all sorts of information flowed into my mind which made it hurt. I stood at the edge, closed my eyes, and let it wash over me." Zane knew this was a lie, but he reasoned that he alone knew Crowler was a vampire and that he would prefer it stay that way.

"What did you find out?" Alexis asked, sounding almost afraid to know.

"Vampires are one of two categories: Light or dark. Camula was an example of a dark vampire in her appearance and wings. I'm the opposite. Light vampires look normal aside from fangs and need for blood."

"What can you do?"

"Light one possess a good deal of healing powers dealing in healing bite marks and injuries of self or others. I can remove memory of my attacks. I can also fly, but my wings are different."

"You've seen them?"

"No, but I had a mental image." He smiled at her and then blinked in surprise: He could hear her heart beating! It was strong and steady and he was visited by a desire to attack her. He almost smacked himself to rid himself of the desire.

"Zane?" Alexis asked, noticing the blink. "What's wrong?"

"My enhanced senses are kicking in," he admitted. "I just heard your heart beating."

Alexis smiled in understanding. "Well, of course you did. Vampires drink blood so hearing hearts may help in determining healthy people. So…how did mine sound?"

"Steady and strong."

"Good because I would be willing to let you drink from me when you next need it unless that's now."

Zane shook his head. "Not now. I'm fine. But I will let you know."

"Sure." She gave him a friendly hug. "Well, good night."

"Good night, Lexi." He headed for the boys' campus but Alexis stood there, watching him. It amazed her how so normal he looked. Who knew a vampire could pass for a human?

Well, apparently light vampires can pass for a human. Zane said that healing is a major part of a light vampire's powers. That hints that light vampires are good, peaceful ones and unfortunately are being lumped with dark vampires who harm people and turn whoever they want. I don't want Zane to be viewed that way and those who saw him turned won't tell anyone else.

Zane entered his dorm and, as he headed up, heard steady heartbeats coming from the rooms he passed. Is there a way to tune them out or does it take time? He entered his room, closed the door, closed his eyes, and slowly exhaled to relax. Gradually, the heartbeats in the nearby rooms faded away and Zane smiled as he opened his eyes. I simply need to relax to tune them out…I think. I'll ask Crowler tomorrow.

He removed his uniform and put on his pajamas pants before standing before his mirror and focused on his wings. They pushed out of his back before spreading out behind him. He looked at them with the same awe he had felt when looking at Crowler's. He pulled one close and ran his fingers over it. It was soft and the feathers were smooth to the touch.

I love how my wings look and feel. I can't wait to fly with them. Zane retracted the wings reluctantly as he was very fond of them. He put his pajama top on, climbed into bed, stifled another yawn, laid down, and was soon asleep. His first night as a vampire was over and his first day as a vampire would soon begin.