Chapter 8: Gillian
Gillian stood guard at the stone steps with crossed arms. Darren had tried to sleep on the hard uncomfortable crate, but had so far not been successful.
He was scared.
Who was this Mr. Tiny and what did he want from him?
And if he was so dangerous, like they said, would the halfvampiress Gillian really be able to protect him? Could Crepsley wake up during sunlight?
Down here in the underground he felt like a mouse in a trap.
Gillian, however, was very calm. She had no fear. Not any more.
Master Larten Crepsley was close by, he rested in his coffin, and if danger appeared, he would feel it immediately.
She was also very well able to defend herself. Her halfvampiric forces were well trained. She felt that she was on the limit of what a half-vampire could do. Her powers would only become stronger, if she finally turns into a real vampire.
Soon.
Again she felt a tingle of excitement in her stomach at this thought. Like butterflies. Like being in love.
She wanted it so much and for such a long time. For years she had served the vampire, she had been reliable, patient, loyal and obedient. She had learned to completely trust him.
But sometimes ... sometimes there had been moments when she had doubted him.
Doubted whether he would ever make her one of his kind.
Equal.
She had sometimes had the feeling that he stalled her metamorphosis unnecessarily.
She was ready. Since a long time. Her training was complete.
What was he waiting for?
Gillian glanced at the boy.
Darren laid on his back and stared at the stone ceiling. He could not sleep, he probably did worry.
The assistant of the vampire.
Had Crepsley waited until he had found a replacement for Gillian as a student?
No, that could not be, because she knew that there had been no one before her next to the side of the master vampire, yes, even that Crepsley never wanted to transform anyone at all.
Darren was just a stupid boy who stumbled into something of which he understood nothing.
What did Mr. Tiny want from him?
She was afraid, Tiny will use the boy to have a reason to stir up controversy with Larten Crepsley.
On the other hand, she should be grateful to the boy, because that he suddenly appeared her, could be the reason, that Larten finally would be ready to complete her transformation into a real vampire.
There was no room for two students in his life.
Soon she would be like her master.
Gillian closed her eyes for a moment, smiled and took a deep breath.
She felt like little spiders were crawling around in her stomach, with soft, hairy legs and gave her a ticklish sensation.
She longed so much to be with him right now.
If Darren was not here, she would have laid down in the coffin next to him.
Gillian hesitated.
Could she?
The temptation was strong.
I can watch out from there as well, she thought defiantly.
She left her post and went over to the coffin.
Darren turned his head and looked at her surprised.
Gillian opened the coffin and looked down at the vampire, who was resting with closed eyes.
She crawled inside and nestled down on the chest of Larten Crepsley.
Before she closed the coffin, she gave Darren a haughty look.
Now you know where's your place, she thought.
I am very much closer to Larten than you.
Pleased with herself, she closed the coffin over her.