I blinked my eyes open to the bright light prodding at my eyelids. Above me was a candle, its sudden light causing me to squeeze shut my eyes again with a faint pinch of pain while I watched the imprint of the light dance and change from purple to green to blue as it glowed on the inside of my eyelid. I opened them again, cautious this time, and sat up so that I was protected from the blinding candle. In front of me was Lokil.
"Hey Red." He said. I blinked at him.
"Wha-" I looked at my surroundings. "Why am I in your room?" I looked at the familiar furniture: a display case to my left, with miscellaneous glowing artifacts within it, a pair of chains bolted to the wall to my right (Lokil shared my trait of prey alluring, although he let the process go much farther than flirting and was often found taking his prey into his room to ''play" with it before he fed. I have and probably never will completely understand why he didn't just eat it when he got it alone but I have always been too prideful to ask), and his wooden coffin, which I was currently laying in. I noticed my arms were crossed oddly and I self-consciously put them to my sides. I glanced up at the now-bearable light of the candle and saw it was perched just above the lip of the coffin, which was propped up vertically against the wall.
"How did you know this was my room?" He narrowed his eyes accusingly. "I have never let you in."
I realized my mistake immediately, and decided to tell the truth...somewhat. "I take walks at night." I said elusively, my mind racing. Lies had also been something I was proficient at, so a part-truth took only a split-second to form.
"Walks in which you just happen to pass by my room and see through the walls?" He growled. I shrugged. I didn't even know why he was mad; if he had gone into my room all he would see was my torture tools and maybe me sleeping...
"YOU went into MY room!" I said just as accusingly, with a hint of satisfaction I had been able to conjure a good retort.
"Yes, so?" He said offhandedly, as if it was not the same thing.
"SO, why were you?" I asked, a little frustrated. He chuckled.
"You are so easy to agitate."
"That doesn't answer my question." My tone was deadly. I guess I was a little mad he had gone into my room.
"I was just checking it out." He said defensively. "I saw you were sleeping with your face on the floor and the rest of you in your chair, so I decided to give you something more comfortable to sleep in for once. Do you always sleep like that?"
"And just on the floor." I admitted, slightly embarrassed. He shook his head in exaggerated disapproval.
"You could have just put me on my bed." I pointed out.
"That hunk of stone? I personally would rather sleep on a live horker. You would be so stiff, not to mention sticky with that old blood. I don't know why you let that rot there, the smell almost made me heave." He made a face, and I rushed to distract him, afraid thinking back might actually make him be sick.
"Anyways, do you need something?" I asked.
He scratched the back of his neck thoughtfully. "I guess not. Just... remember, when you change the boy, no matter how much you want to, don't feed."
I frowned at him. "Of course not. You act like I have no self-control. I will be fine."
His sudden seriousness surprised me. Why would I feed on the boy? I had walked next to hundreds of different mortals while I was starving and hadn't lost control. His concern, I told myself, was misplaced.
There was a loud knock on the door which startled me.
"Yes?" Lokil called out evenly, his eyes still on me. I shifted uncomfortably and forced myself to look at the door. It opened and Vingalmo stepped in, his expression furious. It was set on me.
"There you are. I have been looking everywhere! For 'Bal's sake why can't you be easy to find for once?"
I tipped my head. "Do you something?"
"Yes I need something! I need a new vampire made within the hour!" I flinched. Shit... I forgot about that.
I immediately rushed to Vingalmo's side. "Lead the way." I said. He looked at me for a moment, obviously deciding whether to yell at me more or start going, then turned around and strode out. I followed him, and I heard Lokil shout after me,
"Good luck Red!"
I felt a chill rush up my spine. Lets hope I don't need it, I told myself. Vingalmo led me on a course I knew well. Of course, I thought, They are changed in the Cathedral. We soon approached the gate, and Vingalmo pulled the chain with a pale hand. This single movement sent shivers up my spine, because I knew beyond this was the Volkihar Cathedral. I don't know why I was afraid. I had ripped many throats out before and seen blood in every way possible. So why, I wondered, did turning a mortal into a bloodsucking demon make me feel sick?
It was not that I felt bad; on the contrary, the Clan has given me everything I have, and the boy should consider himself lucky. No, it was because I was afraid I would mess up. Kill the boy instead of turn him. I have always felt confident in myself, but then again I always had known what I was up against. Now I was walking blindly into mystery, with only vague warnings to guide me. It made me shiver again. But part of me was excited. This obviously meant that Harkon trusted me much more, and so maybe I would be promoted to a higher-ranking part of the Clan? I was not too interested in politics, but I had ambition, and the thought of being Harkon's Right Hand appealed to me. I could finally tell everyone what to do, and mark my words they would never call me a child again. I could already imagine the power I would have...
And there he was. I saw him as soon as I walked into the Cathedral. He was curled into a ball on the ground, and I saw his amber eyes gleaming in the pale light thrown by the narrow windows set high in the back wall. He was close to the Shrine of Molag Bal with its perpetual bloodfall. Vingalmo halted, and I followed his lead. He looked down at me.
"You know what to do?" I nodded. Bite the victim, inject venom. Simple enough. He stepped back, obviously signalling me to begin. My mind went into a spasm of panic, but before a second had passed I was able to convince it everything was fine. I took a deep breath and started to inch forward to the boy.
At the sight of my advance, the boy was suddenly on his feet. He was dressed in what looked like a Vale sabre cat pelt, its unique green markings glowing in the dim light. I had only seen one other; it had been part of a Redguard traveler's posessions. Supposedly there was an extremely powerful bow in a mysterious cave which he had found. He had been searching for the bow when he met the sabre and decided to just head back and sell the pelt. I had decided then to save him the trouble; it had fetched a pretty price indeed, which helped pay for my meals for months. That was, of course, before my eating preferences changed.
The pelt was draped over his shoulders, and underneath it was tanned leather of a different Snowy sabre cat pelt, made into light armor underneath. It had a dull, light grey hue.
His hair was an auburn color and stuck up in all directions; I think it would come to his shoulders should it be straight down, maybe a little shorter. He was just as tall as me, maybe a little taller. On his face was a mix of fear and confusion, which I knew bred hostility. I realized I was in the shadows, and I decided to try to do this without violence.
I walked forward, slowly, my hands held up. I saw the boy tense, and something in his hand caught my eye; a small bone arrow. I stepped into the cold moonlight, and the boy gasped.
"A child?" He immediately relaxed and looked at me curiously.
I flinched. "I am as much of a child as Molag Bal is." I growled through my clenched teeth, irritation clouding my former plan.
"How so?" He tilted his head, all former hostility gone.
I sighed and calmed myself down, aware that this was the perfect opportunity to continue with my plan. After all, I must not fall prey to the victim. I chuckled under my breath at my inside joke. I smiled. "All in good time, young one."
The words brought a wave of power to me, and I was suddenly reminded of my own initiation once again. I was the mysterious figure, looking regal and proud. Although, I thought bitterly, she did not last very long according to Vingalmo.
"Where am I, anyways?" He asked, turning his head to each side. I could see his neck flex, and a small uncomfort began in my stomach. I should have eaten first... it had been a week or so since I have fed... but like I told Lokil, I had patience, and I damn well was going to use it. I took a deep breath and tried to ignore the enticing smell that came with it.
"I will explain a little later." I smiled. "If I told you now, you wouldn't believe me." Or remember.
"A little later? Do you think I plan to-" His voice cut off and he froze, completely still. I saw a sparkle of amber flash on him before he fell to the floor, paralyzed. I glanced behind me to see Vingalmo, his crimson eyes irritated as he lowered his robed arm.
"Just get on with it." He snapped. "We don't have an eternity." I smiled. There was a humorous irony to his words.
I approached the boy's figure, cautious yet excited. I noticed the flush of his skin; it reminded me of my own before I changed. It was a light tannish hue, just like mine had been. Compared to my now snowy complexion, he looked very dark, especially in the shadows. I could hear the beating of his heart, a pounding in my own ears. It made my mouth water how soft and tender it was, pumping its liquid life... I swallowed it back determinedly. I would not feed. It felt different from the normal... it was like my body had betrayed to my hunger that I was going to bite the boy soon, and even with strict denials, the hunger flared in anticipation and an almost rebellious pleasure at the fact that it was going to get what it wanted, no matter what my brain said. It felt confident that my instincts would do what it told them. I took a deep breath and bent down beside the boy. His breath brought a sweet smell of life, and for a second my confidence wavered. What would happen if I did drink his blood? Would Harkon ban me from the Clan? Was this even a chance I was willing to take? But the pull to him was too strong now; I don't think I could have stood up and walked away if I wanted to.
I took his head in my shaking hands and turned it to the side, exposing his neck. The artery stood out, pale blue and throbbing slightly as it delivered its vital cargo. His cheeks under my fingertips felt warm and soft, and my canines filled with venom as they always do when I prepare to feed. I guess my stomach was spreading rumors... And then my teeth were sinking into his throat, and I fell into an old habit. My jaws instinctively tightened around the artery and gently but firmly pushed my canines into it. Blood gushed into my mouth, and I swallowed it, sucking in a breath from my nose and closing my eyes in pleasure as more crimson liquid flowed from the wounds. Somewhere, my conscience was panicking, knowing I had to stop... I finally gained control enough to push my tongue against the puncture wound, slowing the flow of blood. The taste was torturous, but I kept it firmly pressed against the punctures. I would have to work quick; I could feel the small amount of venom that had rubbed off my canines start to close them already. I slowly but deliberately relaxed my tongue slightly so I could slip my tooth into the gap it made. I concentrated on putting pressure on my jaw, contracting the muscles so that the venom started to drip into the small holes. The blood immediately ceased, and I let go of him, shaking. I fell backward onto the floor and pushed myself away. My mouth still tasted of blood, and my throat was burning with my stomach in protest to the mid-meal interruption.
Vingalmo was suddenly next to me, grabbing my arm and steadying me as I trembled and got unsteadily to my feet. He looked down at the boy.
"Good job. Now, come with me, and we can get you cleaned up." His voice was gentle and empathic. If I hadn't been so shaken, I would have shot him a confused look, both for his unusual tone and his selection of words. I didn't think I spilled any blood... He walked me outside and past the guardsman, then across the bridge. He then turned me to face the water, which was reflecting the full moon on its broken ripples. In it, I also saw myself, and I gasped. My hair was a dark scarlet, and the thick, twisted curls falling to my waist swallowed my head so only them and my face were visible from my neck up. Blood had dribbled down my chin (I had obviously been wrong then about spilling none) and onto my armor in deep crimson splatters. My eyes glowed wildly, and as my mouth issued the surprised noise, my fangs gleamed in the moonlight. I looked not like the Saber I knew myself as and was proud of. No, I looked different. More... deadly. If I hadn't been so shaken, I would have admired the lithe grace to my form, but now I just stood gaping at the difference. I suddenly did not feel so small.
I took my arm and swept it across my chin, rubbing off the gore, then dipped it in the silvery water and watched the scarlet substance spread and infect the water like poison. I stood up and faced Vingalmo, a new strength in my muscles. He looked back at me almost wearily, as though he was aware of my sudden vigor and was cautious. Of course, there was no reason he should be.
"When am I going to introduce him to his first meal?" I asked.
"You?" He frowned. "You won't do anything of the sort. I have already arranged for a more... disposable vampire to do that part."
"What?" I asked sharply, the newfound power rich in my voice and thick in my chest. "Why?" Vingalmo continued to look at me steadily, unwavered by my less-than-respectful response.
"Because we have had... less than preferable outcomes in the past. The newborn was too hungry, and tried to attack our vampire before he released the prey. As you know, vampire blood is very poisonous to the vampire mouth, and so we lost two possibly valuable vampires. Now, we always use a lesser vampire, or a hired rogue to do the job, then kill them after to tie up "loose ends" and such. It is more proficient that way." I stood there, frustrated at the logic of his answer. There was no good reason for me to attend, even though I desperately wanted to (for reasons unknown to me).
"It will be fine, Saber. He will be okay. He is strong." His words surprised me; the kindness in them. I was so used to the irritable, bossy Vingalmo that I was taken aback by the change. It was like he understood the unconscious connection to the boy, the concern that was unexplainable but as intense as fire. The more I thought about it, the more I became aware of its presence. It almost scared me.
I decided to do some research on the subject. I searched every book in Harkon's private library on vampires, but found nothing. Finally, I discovered a small paper slid into the middle of Immortal Blood, which fell to the dusty floor airily. As I bent over and picked it up, I recognized it as a research paper on vampires from the College of Winterhold. As I unfolded it, I saw it read this in neatly curvy handwriting:
A Theory on Vampires By: Yakahirvi the Apprentice
We all think of vampires as blood-sucking fiends, but what we don't know is who they really are. I have a few theories on them.
Theory #1: Blood Lust Vampires are considered undead, no? So what if they are incapable of making new blood for themselves because all of the things required to make blood are gone? They could harvest those materials from other living organism's blood, so they need it to survive.
Theory #2: Sunlight Damage Another part of this theory is why the sun affects them so much. I believe that since the vampires do not have much blood, to spread it out throughout their body it must be thinner than normal, and so the sun could possibly start evaporating it through the skin, causing pain, and that is why smoke starts to appear whenever a vampire's bare skin has contact with direct sunlight. This applies to why after feeding the vampire has less to no weaknesses from the sun anymore, as they have harvested the materials needed to create their own blood from another.
Theory #3: Eye Color Another part to my theory is why vampires have red eyes. Just as an albino, they are unable to produce melanin, which is the pigment responsible for normal coloration of eyes (and skin, which is probably another reason why vampires are so pale). Without melanin, the light that hits their eyes illuminates the blood vessels in them. Melanin is not transferred through blood and therefore the vampires, having fed or not, eternally have red eyes. The loss of melanin is most likely the same/similar cause that the blood loss had. Some people may argue that vampires' eyes still glow in complete darkness, but that leads to my 4th theory.
Theory #4: Night Vision The loss of melanin also affects other things, such as eye development. I believe that the eye actually, with loss of regulation, begins to grow more rods in the eye. This way the color AND night vision remain. But with this comes consequences: there are too many rods and cones. The result is that the pupil actually stretches farther to be able to reach light to all the rods and cones, meaning more light can come through the eye, and thus even in the dark light is still filtering through the eye and would continue to make the eye glow.
Theory #5: Fang and Feed Another question most ask is why vampires have fangs. I believe that the diseases (Sanguine Vampiris and Porphyric Hemophilia) naturally grow fangs into the body for easier feeding. In other words, the disease modified itself to grow more efficient tools to drink blood. Another question I myself have pondered is why the bite of a vampire is not fatal. I think that whenever a vampire is ready to feed, the fangs secrete a type of venom, that does not hurt, but closes the wound instantly. This way they can continuously feed on the same prey without them noticing. The venom would be stored right where the tooth meets the gum. Then when the vampire is about to feast (right about when they would salivate about it), the saliva of anticipation dislodges the venom closest to the tooth, causing it to run down and coat the fang. The venom would be rich with excess platelets from the blood of mortals (which explains yet another reason for their unconscious wish for blood). Vampires, I have come to realize, do not heal well after a certain amount of time without feeding. This probably means that about 25% of the platelets in the blood they are sucking out goes to the creation of the venom, which means that cells that were already dangerously low would drop in numbers even lower, specifically platelets.
Theory #6: Turned Vampires I believe that the disease they become vampires from is still contagious, and is contracted when the vampire's venom enters the bloodstream and spreads to the rest of the body (there is a 10% chance that the venom coating the tooth when feeding will drip into the bloodstream). Since this venom was manufactured in the vampire's body, I have reason to believe each vampire's venom is unique. Although it all causes the same effect, the sharing of venom causes a bond to form between the vampire and the victim. This bond, however, only forms when a large amount of venom is injected into the bloodstream, more than would normally rub off the fang when feeding. The bond brings the new vampire's maker, or sire, together with the newborn. This pull is because the vampire's venom is attracted to its former home, so it warps the mind of the newborn to want to be with the sire, and vise versa. Vampires who share this bond are commonly known to become mates or companions, and never leave each other's side. If the other dies, the pull disappears and the living vampire is put through excruciating pain as it grieves for its lost venom (or body, depending on which vampire dies). As a result, vampires who are bonded often are quick to stress or worry about the other's safety, for their mind considers it just as it considers its own.
I pressed the parchment ends together, hiding its content. My head was swirling with questions and emotions as I tried to process what I had just read. I hesitated for a moment then replaced the note in its original place in the book, and slid it back onto the wooden shelf. I closed my eyes and rested my head gently against the chestnut frame, my teeth clenched. Nothing made sense anymore, and questions only led to more questions instead of answers. Was I ever going to get them?
AN: Hello again! Sorry this chapter took so long, my laziness is growing I think XD. This one is even shorter than the last haha sorry about that. Anyways, sorry 'bout Lokil's weird hobby lol hope no one is offended. But yeah! I actually wrote these theories in rl just because I was bored and feeling nerdy, so hey why not! And yes Yakahirvi actually does write this paper, but of course you wouldn't know that 'cuz I am not to that point yet. -_- anyways yeah tell me what you think so far! I love to hear my reader's thoughts on how to improve my stuff! I am sure some of you are disappointed in the lack of violence in this one, but just wait, the bloody time will come ;). I guess that is it for now, so bye, and don't forget to favorite and follow me or this story if you like it!
-Elly