Chapter 24

(Catarina)

Mr. Crepsley tells us to get some sleep. Vampires give us the death touch as we walk through the halls to our rooms. "You didn't have to do that Harkat," I kneel down to him.

"I wanted to."

I hug him then stand up again. Shan grabs my hand and says "Get some rest Harkat. I'll be in Catarina's room tonight."

He looks at us questioningly.

"We need to be together tonight, just me and her. We'll see you in the morning."

He nods. I go with Shan to my room and sit on my mattress on the floor. I never did put it back yet. "I don't want you to go," he says to me.

"I know you don't but it is my destiny."

"Cat...if anything happens to you," he looks like he could cry.

"Or if anything happens to you...but it won't. We can do this Shan. I know it."

"Okay," he nods. I wrap my arms around him and kiss him. He kisses back passionately, very needy. We make out and then he practically rips my shirt, tugging it off of me hurriedly, desperately. I allow him to undress us both and then we are making love heatedly. We are both emotional and we both need each other, to be close to each other...to have each other...

He holds me tightly in his arms until we both fall asleep. In the morning we dress, pack some light belongings in knapsacks, and say our goodbyes. I hug Vanez and Seba. In my knapsack is an outfit, some bottles of blood, a necklace, and a tiara. I have read the books and left them behind. I no longer need them. I have trained and I am a good fighter now. I am strong.

Paris is the one to send us on our way just before dawn. "I'll miss you Paris," Shan tells him.

"As will I," I add.

"And I will miss you both also," we exchange hugs quickly. "Find and kill him or we shall all perish."

"I will," Shan vows.

"Then may the luck of the Vampires be with you all."

We join Mr. Crepsley and Harkat then begin our journey.

The first few weeks Shan is really happy to be outside again. I must admit, I am too. It's not like before I became a vampire where I was miserable. This is exciting and wonderful. During the days we sleep under bushes, trees, and in caves. I never sleep away from Shan. I am always in his arms.

"This is the life, isn't it?" he asks one day while we are all relaxing.

"It is," Mr. Crepsley agrees.

"I wish we could go on like this forever."

Mr. C smiles. "You are not in a hurry to return to Vampire Mountain?"

"Being a prince is a great honor, but it's not much fun."

"You had a rough initiation. Were we not at war, there would have been time for adventures. Most princes wander the world for decades before settling down to royal duty. Your timing was unfortunate."

"Still, I can't complain. I'm free now," he grins, putting an arm around me. I smile too.

Harkat says "I loved Vampire Mountain. It felt like home. I never felt so at ease before, even when I...was with the Cirque du freak. When this is over, if I have...the choice, I'll return. I've often wondered if I was a vampire in...my previous life. That might explain why I was sent to Vampire Mountain...And why I fit in so well. It could also explain the stake...in my dreams."

While we are in a cave one day Shan insists on knowing who Lady Evanna is and Mr. C says she's a witch. Harkat announces that he has dreamed of a witch but couldn't see her face.

One day when I wake up Shan comes back looking like a different person. I am shocked when I wake up but Mr. C sits us all down to explain why Shan suddenly is hairy. "It's called the Purge. If someone remains a half vampire for an extremely long period of time, usually forty years, their vampire cells attack the human cells resulting in full vampirism."

"Am I..."

"Not yet. This is only the first stage. There will be other changes too though. You will grow, experience headaches, and sharp bursts of energies. Eventually they will all stop and you'll go back to normal. But in a few years you will turn completely vampire. It's rare for this to be happening so early but it is probably due to you becoming a Prince. During the ceremony, you had more vampire blood added to you."

"Why didn't Seba warn me?"

"It was not his place. As your mentor, I am responsible for informing you. I am sure he would have told me about it, so that I could have sat down with you and explained it, but there was no time- Mr. Tiny arrived and we had to leave."

So this isn't going to happen to me most likely. He had more blood added to him when he became a Prince, than when I became a General. It kind of sucks that you can't stay a half vampire forever but both Shan and I do want to eventually become full vampires. We are excited but nervous. We will both miss the daylight greatly.

"How much is he going to grow?" Harkat asks.

"There is no telling. I suppose a few years he will age but no more."

Over the next weeks Shan has a lot of strange changes. Some of them make me laugh, others groan. He is in pain from growing so fast. His senses are getting intensified and going crazy. He gets horrible headaches because of this. And he has a ton of energy. He wants to run and fight and play with me but I keep pushing him away. "You're tiring me out Shan." He runs around a lot and does exercises to wear it off the best he can. He only sleeps for a few hours and many times disturbs me.

Finally, six weeks later, the purge has stopped and he is back to normal. He doesn't have to shave anymore but the hair on his head stays. He is three inches taller now and a little broader. He looks sixteen years old now. And most importantly, he is still a half vampire. He outgrew his clothes and had to buy new clothes. While he was he saw a man who recognized the scars on his fingers. He could be a vampire hunter but we are not sure. Mr. Crepsley says "Humans who know the truth about vampire marks are uncommon but some exist like Catarina did when she recognized Jonathan." He says if we are attacked we will be ready to fight.

"I like you hair," I whisper to Shan, sitting with him on the ground. I run my fingers through it amusedly. He grins.

"Me too."

"I didn't mind you being bald too much but you look even better with your hair."

He laughs. I kiss him. He kisses me back. We are making out when Mr. Crepsley interrupts us. He clears his throat loudly and when we pull away he just gives us a look. I giggle and Shan just grins.

The next day, we are being sheltered mostly from the sunlight by trees. We are aware that humans are following us Mr. C tells us to pretend to sleep then attack. We do. There are four of them. After Mr. C gets his done, he helps Harkat. I need no help with mine. "What is a little girl going to do to me?" he challenges.

"I think you're mistaken," I tell him then I hit him fast, knocking the gun out of his hand.

"Lucky shot but you can't hurt me."

"You're going to be sorry for misjudging me," I pull out my dagger with a quick, agile movement and stab him in the chest. He falls down. I stand up and wipe the blood off my dagger. "I warned you," I mumble then look where Shan is. His guy has one hand cut off but is holding a grenade in the other. Suddenly a throwing star comes out of nowhere and knocks it away. Another flies down and gets him in the head, killing him. I am surprised and not sure what to make of this all. Another vampire jumps down. He looks at the dead humans V tattoo and announces "A vampet. Miserable they are."

When he looks at us I think I know him from his description and so does Shan. "Vancha March," he bows. "It's an honor to meet you sire."

"Likewise," he replies cheerfully.

He is one of the Princes who was traveling. We have never met before. "Vancha!" Mr. Crepsley walks over and pats him on the shoulder. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm heading for Lady Evanna's."

"We are too," Shan responds.

"I figured as much. I've been trailing you for the last couple nights."

"You should have introduced yourself sooner sire," Mr. C tells him.

"This is the first time I've seen the new Prince. I wanted to observe him from afar for a while. I have to say I'm not overly impressed on the basis of this fight," he informs us.

"It was a mistake sire. I was worried about my friends and I paused when I should have pushed ahead. I accept full responsibility and I apologize most humbly."

"At least he knows how to make a good apology," Vancha laughs. Vancha is wearing clothes made of animal skin, is dirty and smelling of wolves. Even among vampires he is considered wild and extreme.

Harkat walks over as Vancha sits down. "Harkat Mulds, isn't it?"

"It is sire."

"I don't trust Desmond Tiny or any of his little people."

"I don't trust any vampires that look like they...came from a dumpster."

Vancha laughs. "I think we're going to get along just fine!"

Mr. C and Shan sit down so I slowly walk towards them. Vancha looks up at me.

"Catarina Lombardi," he grins. "Look at you. You're the talk of all the vampires."

I am not sure how to react so I just nod.

"Larten, wake me when it's dawn," he abruptly covers himself with his cloak and goes to sleep, snoring. Shan and I both stare at him in disbelief and surprise. Mr. Crepsley just smiles.

We left the bodies because Vancha said they weren't worthy of burial. Mr. C fills him on everything as we walk, Vancha realizes he is the fourth hunter. "I don't trust Tiny. I usually do the opposite of what he says."

"Generally speaking, I would agree with you but these are dangerous times Sire and-"

"Larten! It's Vancha, March, or 'Hey Ugly!' while we're on the trail."

"Very well," Mr. Crepsley grins. "Ugly, these are dangerous times. The future of our clan is at stake."

Vancha says he wants to hear what Evanna tells him because he trusts her word.

Vancha is against using weapons except his throwing stars so he plays around with Shan, trying to teach him some basics. At one point I ask if I can try. Vancha laughs at me. "Don't underestimate her," Mr. Crepsley warns.

"I think I can handle her," he says. The first time I do okay but then he flips me onto my back and I hit the ground hard. I wince. Shan starts to ask if I'm okay and come to my aid but I stand up and face Vancha.

"Again."

He is amused. "So eager to be beaten again?"

This time it takes longer but he gets me pinned to the ground after a while. "One more time."

"Catarina-" Mr. Crepsley says but I ignore him.

"Okay," Vancha says. I fight hard, planning my moves quickly in my head. I play up on my defensive moves this time, using my agility and speed and grace to my advantage. He can't get a hold on me. He tries to grab me once and I move quickly, using my leg to kick his out and he falls. I stand on him and grin.

"I beat you."

He smiles too. "I like you Catarina. You're an interesting girl."

Mr. Crepsley and Shan look at me in shock. I rub my back and go sit down, satisfied with myself.