Chapter 8

The Vampire

Astarion didn't dream often, even when trancing. He must have been more exhausted than he thought…he wondered if he had fallen into sleep while trancing without meaning to. He found himself wandering the wilderness, hunting for prey. He was surrounded by dark, dead trees, with sharply, angled branches. It was like he was in a scary children's book.

Then he heard it.

"First, thou shalt not drink the blood of thinking creatures."

Astarion looked around, unsure how to respond. If he had blood, it would have run cold at the sound of the voice. He recognized that voice, and that rule.

"Hello? Is someone there?" Astarion couldn't help but ask.

"Second, thou shalt obey me in all things." The voice replied.

"Show yourself!" Astarion snapped.

"Third, thou shalt not leave my side unless directed." The fog began to clear, and Astarion saw him…

"Fourth, thou shalt know that thou art mine." Cazador…

As the fog cleared, Astarion saw his master, piercing him with glowing, red eyes. But Astarion stood his ground.

"Not anymore!" Astarion growled. "I'm free now!"

"Lie to yourself, boy," Cazador sneered at him. "But not to me."

Astarion woke with a start. But he was relieved to see himself still in the camp. It seemed escaping Cazador was still almost futile…though he couldn't feel any compulsion to return. Still, he felt a need to return… a sense of dread still gnawed at the back of his mind. He had been absent for a while, and he would definitely be flayed, again. Even if Astarion explained what happened to him, Cazador would still punish him. He accepted no excuses. Any step out of line-any imperfection- would be punished. Living in Cazador's mansion was a constant struggle, always walking on eggshells- or barefooted on glass if Cazador saw fit.

Astarion shook his head. He was free now. The tadpole kept him from burning in the sun- an advantage Cazador or the other spawn didn't have. He was half-tempted to return to the palace in broad daylight, just to gloat at Cazador with his new ability. What would the old vampire say if he could see him now, walking in the sunlight? Then another thought dawned on him… if he was free to walk in the sunlight, and the compulsions to obey…could he really be free of Cazador and his rules?

First, thou shalt not drink the blood of thinking creatures…

He looked around the camp, his companions all slept peacefully…how badly did he need to know.

Thinking creatures meant humanoid creatures. His travelling companions were off the table…or where they?

Besides, who would be the best option?

He began to wonder how each of them would taste. Would Aiden taste like a white wine? Would Gale taste like an aged, refined brandy? What in the hells would the Githyanki taste like?

His eyes landed on Hazel.

The half-elf was laying on her bedroll, tossing and turning, but she was definitely asleep. He could smell her blood, something about it smelled sweet…almost alluring…like a fruity red wine…

She was perfect.

She was way too nice for his liking. He doubted she would survive this… 'adventure,' despite what he had said to her the previous night. She was strong, yes, and a good fighter. But she was too trusting-even when he had held a dagger to her throat.

Too nice… he gagged at the thought. Too sweet…too…naïve…

He began to stalk toward her bedroll, kneel down beside her, then leaned over her, inching closer and closer to her neck…

~jb~

Hazel could barely sleep. She was flitting between dreams and nightmares. She wasn't sure if she woke up because she knew something was wrong…or maybe…she just got lucky. She opened her eyes to see Astarion leaning over her, teeth bared towards her neck. She spotted the fangs…

He must have realized she had woken up, as he quickly pulled away and sat up.

"Shit…" He said.

Hazel glared at him and immediately stood up, Astarion quickly getting to his feet as well.

"No, no, it's not what you think, I swear!" Astarion said quickly, holding his hands up in surrender. "I…wasn't going to hurt you, I just needed…well…blood…"

And there in the dim firelight, Hazel could see him for what he really was- a vampire. A slave to sanguine hunger… His fangs still poked out from his upper lip, as he was ready to continue to explain himself.

"I should've known!" Hazel snapped. "We even found that boar you snacked on!"

"It's not what you think!" Astarion reassured. "I'm not some monster. I feed on animals. Bears, deer, kobolds- whatever I can get. I'm just too slow right now…too weak…if I just had a little blood, I could think clearer, fight better…please…" He pleaded with sad eyes…eyes that Hazel would see her dog make when he wanted attention.

Before Hazel could make that retort, her tadpole squirmed as Astarion's mind began to unfold, secrets half-revealed.

Hazel was tempted to use the tadpole to press into his mind further, but she shook her head. She hated being able to use the tadpole to push into other people's thoughts. It felt too invasive.

"Why didn't you tell me before?" Hazel asked, finally calming herself.

"Well, at first, I thought you'd say no…more likely you would run a stake through my ribs…no, I needed you to trust me. And you can trust me."

Hazel hesitated. He just tried to bite her; how could she trust him? He could also be lying about needing her blood…but there was something else…something that pulled at Hazel's mind. Even her tadpole wriggled as though it was confirming her thoughts: she didn't need to trust him…he needed to trust her…

"I trust you." Hazel decided. "I believe you."

"Thank you." Astarion sighed in relief. "Do you think you could trust me just a little further? I only need a taste. I swear."

Hazel hesitated again. She began to wonder if she needed to reevaluate her self-preservation skills…they seemed to be lacking as of late. Was she really considering letting him bite her? Was she doing it because she wanted to help him, or was she curious about getting bit by a vampire?

Grandma's going to kill me… She thought as she made her decision.

"All right, but not a drop more than you need!"

"Really? I…" Astarion looked surprised, as though he wasn't expecting her say yes. "Of course…not one drop more. Let's make ourselves comfortable, shall we?"

Hazel laid back down on her bedroll, placing the back of her neck on her pillow, giving Astarion a full view of her neck. She took a deep breath, unsure what to expect.

Astarion knelt down and leaned over her, taking care of her personal space. He gave her a thankful glance before sinking his teeth into her neck. His fangs felt like shards of ice, a quick, sharp pain that faded into a throbbing numbness. Hazel could feel her pulse quickening. She let him continue for a moment before slowly raising her hands and placing them on his shoulders. He wrapped on arm around her waist, and the other hand lifted her head off the pillow, pulling her closer to him.

"That's…enough…" She stammered, slightly pushing on his shoulders. Panic began to set in when he didn't let go. It was almost like he didn't hear her. "S-stop! It's too much!" She cried, feeling light-headed.

"Hm?" Astarion responded. He slowly began to pull away, scratching Hazel's neck slightly with his fangs. It was as though his jaw had locked in place, but he still managed to pull away. "Oh, of course…" He quickly stood on his feet, his pupils dilated, and Hazel's blood dripped on his chin. "Apologies, I just…got caught up in the moment…" He said between breaths and wiped at the blood on his chin. "That was…amazing…I feel good…I feel…happy…"

Hazel slowly stood, still feeling light-headed. "Uh…well…I look forward to seeing you fight."

"It shouldn't take long." Astarion replied, sounding more like himself. "So many people need killing. Now if you'll excuse me, you're invigorating, but I need something more…filling." He turned to leave the camp, but paused to look back at her. "This is a gift, you know. I won't forget it."

Hazel watched as he sauntered towards the forest. Stronger. Ready to hunt. It suddenly seemed easier for Hazel to sleep that night.

~jb~

The next morning, Hazel felt slow and groggy. She and Astarion had decided to tell the rest of the camp about his vampirism. It was obvious Hazel had been bitten by him, as she struggled to even sit up that morning.

After Hazel changed into the new armor, she had found in the owlbear cave, she decided to approach Astarion.

"Good morning, how do you feel?" Astarion asked her.

"I'm all right…just a little woozy." Hazel said.

"It'll pass." Astarion reassured. "Just be glad I'm not a 'true' vampire. One bite from them, and you might wake up as a vampire spawn, like my good self. All of a vampire's hunger, but few of their powers."

"Is that why you can stand in the sun?" Hazel asked. "Because you're not a 'true' vampire?"

"Oh no, I should be cinders in this light." Astarion replied. "I hadn't seen the sun for two-hundred years before we crashed here. Someone, or something wants me alive. They've changed the rules. Some of the rules at least. Running water still burns like acid, and I don't know if I need an invitation to enter a house. As for my other quirks- well, we can figure those out in time."

"If I can help, just ask. We're in this together." Hazel said.

"Oh?" Astarion chuckled. "You're such a sweetheart. I'm just glad you're bring sensible about these revelations. I was worried people might turn up with torches and pitchforks. Although…there's still time…" He trailed off as Hazel heard footsteps.

She turned to see Aiden, Shadowheart, Ella, and Gale all standing behind her, as though they were ready to fight Astarion at Hazel's command.

"A vampire in our camp." Shadow mused. "That explains a palate. I just better not wake to find fangs at my neck."

"I had my suspicions." Gale added. "Just so you know, Astarion, I taste absolutely awful!"

"Enough." Hazel spoke up. "We need him, like it or not. We all still have these tadpoles in our heads. We need to stick together."

"I couldn't agree more." Aiden said.

"Maybe we can get a bell for him to wear." Ella teased.

"Oh, ha, bloody ha!" Astarion retorted as he smirked at the drow. "You're hilarious."

"All right, enough squabbling." Aiden said. "We should get ready to head out. Hazel needs to find this swamp, and we still have to find the goblin camp."

"And the creche." Lae'zel added.

"And Karlach." Wyll said.

"Quite the to-do list we have." Astarion mused. "But you're right, Aiden. Let's get moving."

AN: Shorter chapter, but one I have been looking forward to! Hope the Astarion girlies are satisfied! And I hope you enjoyed this chapter!