Chapter Thirty-Two

When Yosa'Min had emerged from Forebears Cave, her body was racked with pain and hunger. Blood was pooling out of her side, and despite herself she couldn't get her spells to work properly to close the wound for longer than a minute. Of course, she hadn't been willing to tell Serana her condition, not when there should have been two prime targets for a quick feeding to replenish her strength ahead of her. As her luck continually seemed to be going as of late however, once Yosa'Min had begun feeding off one of the two charmed Dawnguard soldiers, the other had snapped out of the trance Serana had put him into and gotten in a mighty blow before the redguard could flee. It had been a short battle afterwards, Yosa'Min using her speed and magic to kill the man but was unable to drink from him, as vampires feed off the living not the dead. Frustrated, she'd stood there for a short while with blood still running down her side if not worse now, and her thirst rising faster than she had ever experienced, before deciding to press on and hopefully come across another Dawnguard patrol or some forsworn she might quench herself with. She'd thought of speaking to her sire who was no doubt close behind, but some part of her rejected that notion and took control, instinct overriding sense and logic.

The journey in the fog however was like an eerie dream, whispers filling her ears and guiding the vampire towards what she could tell was something living. It seemed almost as if her body simply knew what to do, guiding her through the curling mist towards the sound of hearts beating and footsteps. Every second she drew closer the more she grew primal, her fangs bared in a hungry grimace, eyes darting through the shadows and cool grey air in search of her prey, her back hunching slightly with the pain in her side while one hand tried desperately to keep all the blood Yosa'Min had left from spilling onto the earth. Darkness filled her vision, swirling outwards and she stumbled to the ground, failing to catch herself in time. She wanted to lay there until the pain subsided to a dull ache, but some part of her mind whispered that would never happen. Caked in mud, the vampire rose to her feet with a soft hiss of pain, the wound she had received earlier burning deadly fire across her body with each movement. The thought of reaching out to her sire was gone, replaced solely by the need to hunt.

On the prowl once more, Yosa'Min eventually found herself lurking in the shadows just a few meters from the source of the noises. Through the shadows of the fog, she could see the form of two armored women, their swords and shields readied as if they were expecting her. She could see their lips moving, the pair staring at her as she looked back, but the sound of their frantic heartbeats overwhelmed Yosa'Min, blocking out their words. All she wanted was a little taste, just enough to make the pain go away, or rather that's what she was trying to tell herself. Instead, Yosa'Min's control, if she had ever possessed any, slipped away as one of them nodded and the other aimed her sword at the vampire, their fear resonating in the air like a stone in a calm pond.

"I wonder who tastes better..." Rasped Yosa'Min, tilting her head slightly as she stepped closer, staring down at her prey who seemingly were frozen by her gaze.

The redheaded woman gasped, calling out something but it was distorted to Yosa'Min who was so focused on their heartbeats. With a hiss, Yosa'Min lunged forward and struck the redhead, sending her into the nearby rocks. The brunet whirled around, rushing to aid her companion but to the redguard it felt as if she was moving through water. Hissing still, the vampire surged forward, fangs revealed as she aimed at her neck. With a surprised scream, the woman was unable to fend off her attack, and Yosa'Min latched onto her like she had Orthjolf. Blood erupted and filled her mouth, Yosa'Min reveling in the taste as the armored nord struggled against her, darkness filling hazel eyes. The woman gave a small cry, hands trying to shove the redguard off of her but her strength was waning fast, fatigue creeping into her bones as shadows flooded her vision.

"Please..." She choked.

Sneering, the redguard drew back slightly, her side having closed from the blood she'd stolen and a pleasurable heat rose through her. She went to say something, when the hilt of a blade smashed into her head, sending the vampire to the bloodied ground with a heavy sound. Iona gritted her teeth, trying to ignore the pounding in her skull, and caught Lydia who'd begun to fall. "Divines..." Whispered the redhead as she lowered her companion to the ground softly, cradling her like an infant. "I'll heal you I promise," vowed the woman as she raised a hand over Lydia's bleeding neck, rays of light swirling around Iona's fingers before tenderly wrapping themselves around the wound. "Come on just stay with me, keep those beautiful eyes open dammit."

Hazel eyes flickering, Lydia reached one hand up and a half smile dawned her face. "Beautiful huh?" She chuckled between gasps of blood.

Biting her lip, Iona nodded her head and focused on the magic, putting everything she had in the spell, trying to close the wound and replenish enough blood for Lydia to survive. "You caught me. Now keep those beautiful eyes that look like stars open do you hear me?" Weakly, Lydia tried to nod her head. The skin around the bite shimmered, twitching slightly as steadily new skin appeared, growing at an accelerated rate to heal over. Just as that small victory was had however, a deep hiss filled the air and Iona snapped her attention upwards just in time to see a pair of claws slash at her. The woman was sent back some, pain like icy fire blazing across her body. The vampire snarled anew, standing over Lydia who cringed as her head dropped onto hardened earth.

Shadows spread out from the vampire once more, swirling in Iona's vision as she got to her feet, blade fallen nearby. "Yosa'Min whatever has overwhelmed you fight it! You're killing Lydia!"

Yosa'Min's eyes widened, that name snapping her out of her blood thirst just long enough to gaze down at the injured nord. "No..." Softly uttered Yosa'Min, a hand rising to her bloodstained lips. She desperately looked to Iona, begging it all to be a dream, disbelief and revulsion rising up to consume her stronger than her hunger had. "I- I didn't- Gods..." Fingers buried themselves in dark hair, every bit of her body screaming. "I'm so sorry Lydia!"

"Why?" Softly asked the woman, "You didn't... Do anything..."

Dropping to her knees, Yosa'Min lifted Lydia's head into her lap, muttering a stream of apologies as the only thing that she could think of to save her housecarl came to mind. "I have to turn you..."

"No!" Shouted Iona, rushing forward and shoving Yosa'Min away. "You can't do that! She can't become a vampire!"

"It's that or she dies!" Cried back Yosa'Min, looming over Iona who defiantly scowled back. "We don't have a choice!"

"I can heal her!" Declared Iona, turning back to Lydia who was grimacing in pain as she felt more and more of herself fade away with a cool fire. The redhead ignored the confused demands from Yosa'Min as she re-initiated the healing spell, pouring everything she had into the spell. "Come on... Come on!" She shouted with frustration as it seemed to do little than keep Lydia from slipping away. "Work already!"

Yosa'Min stared, frozen in place, guilt rising up her body so thickly she wanted to puke everything she had stolen. She would have remained there, if not for the cloudy hazel eyes that were now staring back at her, forgiving and confused. They were innocent almost. "Move!" Ordered Yosa'Min, forcing the redhead away once more and leaning over the dying woman. "I'm sorry," she apologized before biting her own wrist, sucking her own blood before she went to bite Lydia.

"Yosa'Min!"

She shot up, startled and afraid at the sound of her sire. Swallowing the mouthful of blood she'd intended on transferring into Lydia, Yosa'Min struggled to explain what had happened. Serana however, could already tell. "You were thirsty," she accused, Serana swiftly walked over, the moth priest tagging along much like a pup would. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I figured I could feed of the Dawnguard," swiftly said Yosa'Min, "but one of them wounded me and I couldn't control myself. I could... I could hear them and something just wanted to hunt them so bad I couldn't stop myself..." Hands wrapped themselves around her body, blazing eyes unable to meet Serana's intense gaze.

Lips curled in a deep frown, Serana glowered at Yosa'Min before she addressed the part the redguard had yet to say. "What were you about to do to her?" Demanded the sire, her words short.

"...Turn her."

"What!"

"It's the only way to save her now!" Yosa'Min straightened up, trying to stand by her actions. "It's how you saved me, what else can I do? I can't be Lydia's killer."

Shaking her head with frustration, Serana took a moment to gather herself before she responded. The small breath of time was like an eternity, Iona staring in fear at the pair of vampires, desperately wanting to continue healing Lydia but with them both standing over her she wasn't certain she could risk trying once more. "Yosa... You can't turn her," slowly said Serana.

Hissing with desperation, Yosa'Min got back onto her knees and lifted Lydia's head. "I don't care if you don't want me to, I have to try! She of all people deserves to live."

"No..." More softly said Serana, sadness in her voice as she grasped Yosa'Min's hand as it returned to black lips. "If you do it she will die."

Shaking her head and trying her best to pull free her hand, Yosa'Min frowned. "I know how to do it, you told me how and I remember everything from when you turned me."

Sighing, Serana stopped beating around the bush. "Yosa'Min you aren't even a month old. In every way you are a child in terms of being a vampire. It's impossible for you to actually sire someone and they survive."

"What..." Disbelief filled the fledgling, her hand dropping as burning eyes fell upon Lydia who was lingering painfully, Iona's work having granted her more time. "But..." A thousand thoughts ran through Yosa'Min's head, filling her with images of Lydia and times they had shared. The thought of her dying shook Yosa'Min to her very core. "Then you do it!" She desperately said, looking up at Serana who blinked in surprise. "You sired me you can do it again!"

Retreating slightly, Serana straightened up. "I don't think you realize what you're asking."

"I'm asking you to save her life, what does it matter?"

"You're making a decision for her, a very important one. What if she turns and hates you for it?"

"You made the decision for me."

Tension ran through the air like a jolt of lightning, Serana silent with thought at the verbal blow. Iona crept forward, realizing where it was going between the two. "Please-"

"Fine," Serana cut Iona off, looking at Yosa'Min firmly. "But you need to understand she might not survive. It was luck that brought you through, and so much time has passed now since she was bitten. If she doesn't survive I need you to promise me this. You are not going to blame yourself, it was your thirst." Yosa'Min tightly nodded her head, and Serana could tell she was lying. "If she does, and she turns away from you, then remember you agreed to it." Once again, a nod was given, and Serana believed this one more than the first.

Tears welled in green eyes, and Iona shook her head. "Please, you don't know what that will do to her. There's nowhere safe to hide her, she might not even survive! I can't still heal her!"

"Your magic can heal mortal wounds," Serana said softly, "that spell is not meant for this, and I can tell you're not a very strong mage either. Unless you specialize in vampiric magic, I doubt you can do anything more. You've given her a chance at surviving the turn, but that's all."

"Please..."

"I'm sorry," Serana said with a shocking sincerity. Looking now at Yosa'Min, who watched with bated breath, she sighed. "Take the moth priest and go to the castle," she ordered.

Blinking, Yosa'Min shook her head. "What? No, I'm staying here!"

"I know you want to but this is not something you need to see. Take the priest and leave before a patrol shows up," she ordered more firmly, looking at the grey haired old man next she added, "Follow her as you would me, and do not disobey her." He gave a resolute nod. The fledgling however, was more reluctant, blazing orbs settled on the struggling nord rather than the vampire lord. "Yosa... Please..."

Struggling, desperately wanting to remain there at her housecarl's side and yet obey her sire, Yosa'Min finally gave a frustrated huff. "Just save her, " she said before turning and departing into the fog, the moth priest at her rear having to run to keep up.

Sighing with a faint bit of relief, Serana addressed Iona. "This is a mess..." Fingers ran through hair. "Try to heal her one last time..." Iona gave a desperate nod and held up her hands, focusing on the spell with every drop of concentration she possessed. Brilliant waves of white light danced in the air, red strands of hair lifted with the magic while white sparks of energy faded in and out of existence between them. Serana bit her cheek the entire time, desperately hoping she might be proven wrong, that it wasn't too late for more conventional means to save the woman. The longer it went on however, the more convinced she became it wasn't so. "I have to turn her now..." Serana said after a few minutes.

Hands dropping with utter failure, Iona silently stepped aside, turning her gaze away as if she couldn't bare to see what was to come. Serana gathered her strength, looking at the woman she did not know anything about other than what she had once meant to Yosa'Min. Quite possibly this woman still meant a lot to Yosa'Min even. The panic and the pain, the sheer guilt and remorse that had shown like a torch in the dark was enough to show her feelings to Serana. This woman was family to Yosa'Min, and the thought made Serana apprehensive about turning her. Certainly it would change many things for them, as she would have to take Lydia under her wing and show her how to be a vampire like she had Yosa'Min. The thought made her cringe, realizing just how horrid she had been for the redguard so far, how could she possibly handle a second fledgling so soon? Her father's fury, as he would no doubt be displeased with this turn of events sprung to mind next, fear shooting up her body as she imagined him killing Lydia and perhaps even Yosa'Min. How could she bring that down upon them when it was matters entirely out of their control?

Gritting her fangs as she debated a few moments longer, Serana realized that none of it would matter if Lydia didn't survive the transformation, and at this rate there would be no hope of that happening. Bringing her wrist to her fangs, the vampire bit her own skin, and gave an apologetic look to the nord who's eyes had been watching her like a ghost the entire time. "I'm so sorry," she uttered before bending down to bite Lydia's neck.

It was then, just an inch away from pale skin, that Iona gave a terrified shriek. "Vex no!"

Serana whirled around, a soft hiss escaping her, and was met with a pair of ebony daggers that had been raised to stab her from behind. It was a shock to Serana, the imperial woman who's face was a mask of cold rage, had managed to sneak up behind the vampire and take her by surprise. If it wasn't for the warning, she most likely wouldn't have seen the attack coming. Vex jumped forward, and shouting in rage, slashed out at Serana who easily evaded the attack. However, a pair of thick, muscular arms grasped her just below the shoulders, and Serana cried out in anger as Mjoll kept her from moving with a painfully tight grip. "Let me go!" She demanded, struggling to free herself from Mjoll who gave a soft grunt in response.

"Vex, she's trying to save Lydia!" Rushed Iona.

"Turn her into a vampire more like," spat the imperial who glowered at Serana. The nordic vampire gave a scowl back, trying to figure out how the mortal had taken her unawares so easily. "What happened?"

"Yosa."

Stiffening, the imperial scowled heavily and stalked over to Serana. She held a dagger to the vampire's neck, pressing it against cold skin. "Where is she now?"

"Gone," Serana said slowly, staring into amber eyes that were as powerful as a vampire lord. "You're not going to get her."

"She went back to your island," Mjoll cut in, "didn't she?" Serana grew quiet, and Vex smirked in response.

"We'll find her you know? We're not going to give up on our friend," the imperial said. "Even if we have to fight all of you monsters."

With a soft chuckle, Serana shook her head and no longer struggled against Mjoll. Instead, she leaned as far forward as she could towards Vex, lips curling with a smug smile. "You can't even beat me."

"I wasn't trying to fight you back on that beach," Vex replied with as even a tone as the vampire, "I was trying to get to Yosa."

"Of course that's it," Serana drawled, smirking at the frustration that twitched across Vex's face. "I admire your tenacity, truly, but it's for the best of all of us that you leave her be. She's dangerous, if this isn't evident enough." She gestured toward's Lydia with her boot, Iona once more trying to stave off death with magic, tapping into whatever reserves she most surely had at this point. "Yosa'Min is only going to grow stronger and if you catch her in a bad time she won't hold back. Your friend here unfortunately came to know this."

Vex smirked slightly, tilting her head to the side. "It won't matter if we cure her."

"You really think such a thing exists?"

"It does," the imperial said, finding herself drawn towards the vampire, sunset eyes luring her in like a siren's call. "We know it for a fact."

"Do you really think she'll go with you to get cured, if it it'll even work?"

"I believe that deep down inside Yosa is crying out to be saved. So no matter what scheme you try, what wool you pull over her eyes, we will rescue her even if it must be from herself."

"You think we're all monsters," Serana accused softly, the anger Vex had expected absent, "don't you? That we lurk in the shadows waiting for someone we can feast upon to come stumbling into our web?"

Eyes narrowed, Vex shrugged. "What else am I to expect of a bloodsucker?"

Serana smirked, revealing her fangs to the imperial who instinctively stiffened at the sight of them. "So terrifying aren't they? These things that let me do so much to you and your fellow mortals. They brand me a monster, a soulless abomination that must be put down. So what if I were to tell you that I was actually trying to save that woman there who's struggling to remain in this world before your interruption? You're wasting her time talking to me, when you should be letting me save her."

It was Vex who chuckled now, tisking ever so slightly as she pressed the dagger a bit deeper into Serana's neck, the nord seemingly unafraid of the sharp ebony edge. "And by save her you mean curse her to live as you do? To become what you've turned Yosa into and what you already are? I doubt Lydia would want that."

"Do we ever have a choice when it all comes down to it? If she were stable enough to tell me what she'd wish I'd let her decide, but she's not and I've been left with no other choice."

"Quite the courteous vampire aren't you?" Jeered Vex.

"I try to be when it suits me," replied Serana with a curl, "So what are you going to do Vex?" Her words came out like honey, the thief scowling heavily as she felt a jolt race through her body at her sensual tone, playing with her name slowly. "Interrogate me for no new answers, or let me save your friend?"

At last Mjoll spoke once more, "We don't need to turn her. Falion can save her, I'm sure."

"He does know much about vampires," Iona offered as sweat broke across her brow once more, "it's worth a shot, but I don't think Lydia could make it that far."

"It would take too much time to fetch him," argued the golden haired nord, "I will carry her and you can continue to keep her alive as you have."

Iona seemed uncertain however. "If I run out of mana..."

"Vex can get potions, steal them, buy them I don't care just do what it takes to keep Lydia alive," ordered Mjoll, the imperial giving the softest of nods. "We can't let her turn and we can't let her die."

Smiling almost as if she was relieved to hear this long-shot plan of theirs, Serana vanished in a cloud of smoke and bats before reappearing a few meters away. Vex whirled after her, ready to fight. "Looks like you won't be needing me after all. Best of luck," Serana said as she ran into the thick fog, vanishing from sight. Vex shouted a stream of profanities after her before turning to where Mjoll was already lifting Lydia armor and all.

"Let's go," said Mjoll urgently, taking off into as fast a run as she dared try. Iona was besides her, attempting to cast the healing spell with one hand as she ran. Vex quickly began running after them and overtook the nords, turning on the road towards Dragon's Bridge once they hit it. "We'll stay on the path," called Mjoll, Vex wordlessly nodding her head as the fog engulfed her. "And hurry!"

Up in the hills, Serana wasn't surprised to see the mortals springing into action so swiftly, as they'd already shown her how tenacious they truly were. What did surprise her however, was how quick Vex moved, as if she skipped across shadows and sailed through the air. The mortals seemed ever impressive, with one in particular standing out. She watched the imperial run for as long as she could until the fog shrouded her from the vampire's view. Deciding to find her fledgling, whom she had a sneaking suspicion hadn't run to the castle as ordered, Serana turned and ventured on.

Worry prickled at the back of her mind and she did her best to cast those thoughts to the side, but it was hard to keep them from growing in number to outshine the other thoughts she had of the situation. It was upsetting to say the least, the mortals so close once more and now the utter catastrophe that was this recent mishap. If Lydia died, she could only imagine the guilt Yosa'Min would plague herself with, and this time she would be well enough right about it being her fault. Her mind swirled with thoughts of Vex and her words, the firm belief she had in there actually being a cure and her determination to seek out Yosa'Min despite the danger and obstacles that would stand in their way. They were outstandingly determined, Serana had to give them that. As she ran, looking for any sign of her fledgling, Serana allowed her mind to settle on the imperial for a few moments longer before a far greater concern arose.

Ultimately, her father's reaction to all this was perhaps the second most worrying thought she had had so far. He would surely hear of this in some way or another for he always seemed to have some spy somewhere, or the moth priest might spill. She was trying to figure out ways to play it off to Harkon in order to keep Yosa'Min safe, when she came across the redguard woman's hunched form, Serana nearly running right past her. Stopping, Serana grew quiet as she watched Yosa'Min, the woman trying and failed to disappear in a ball of grief. Taking tender steps, Serana was at Yosa'Min's side, a hand gently placing itself on the fledgling's back. She didn't know what to say, nor did the sire think there really was words to comfort the agony and guilt racking the woman. Instead, she simply tried to be there, the priest awkwardly hanging to the side.

Yosa'Min remained like that for quite sometime, still and struggling to understand what all had happened. When she pulled back and looked at Serana, it was as if someone had broken the woman once more. "I did that to her," she softly said, "I'm a monster..."

Serana paused, thinking heavily upon the proper words to respond with. "Everybody is a little bit... You just... Couldn't control it this time."

"But it was still me..."

"It was a part of you... The part you need to conquer and control."

"How? It felt like I was watching someone else in my body..." Yosa'Min looked down at her bloodied hands, the redness that stained her skin a terrible reminder of what she was becoming.

A sad look was upon Serana's face, and she softly shook her head. Cupping one of Yosa'Min's cheeks with a hand, the other firmly planted on a shoulder, Serana did her best to console her. "Let me show you... We'll make sure that never happens again."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

AN: Good news everybody, I completed my training. It'll be just a bit before things will be back in full swing, but I'll do my best to update more often. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed the chapter!