Evanescence (Black Rose #1)

by R. J. Rogue

  "Same here," I agree

  "Splendid! Dig right in!" he pats both of our shoulders and takes a seat.

  "Wow, your family is very welcoming," she says.

  "Just don't get too close. They bite," I chuckle and she joins.

  "You really do have your uncle’s wit.

  "Evan!”

  By the tone and loudness of such a voice, one name comes to mind. Mike. He and Bianca rise from their chairs and meet us in the doorway. Mike then gives a strong pat on my shoulder. I wince.

  "Nice to see you buddy," he laughs.

  "Yes, just remember I'm not as strong as you," I remind rubbing where he hit.

  "Not yet at least," Bianca corrects smiling. "Anyways. Hi, brother."

  Her hug is tight and strong. She must have forgotten that I'm not as strong as her either -- 'not yet at least.'

  "Nice to see you too, Bianca," I struggle to get out after getting beat up by them both.

  "Not surprised to finally see you next to Evan," Bianca says smiling at Essence.

  "In the flesh," Essence, smiles. "And blood.

  "Nice to see you," Bianca hugs her.

  "It’s great to see you and Ev together. No more of him drooling over you," Mike laughs.

  I nudge his arm with an elbow. Essence giggles. I look over at Cedric who has not moved an inch since we arrived. His hands are clasped together, elbows on the table, and hair covering one of his dark eyes.

  "Ahem!" Kaius grabs our attention, "The food's getting cold," he smiles.

  We all take a seat and I reach for a piece of fruit.

  "Uh, uh, uh, not so fast," mother says. “Prayer.”

  She holds out her hands. Kaius grabs hold and we do the same with one another.

  "Vampires pray?" I ask.

  "Yes," father answers. "Doesn't hurt."

  I nod and hold a hand out to Cedric. He sits still with his hands in his lap.

  "Cedric," mother says.

  Cedric grabs hold of my hand with a cold, tight grip. It hurts, but I try to ignore it. I look over at him. He looks at me. A smile spreads across his lips behind his hair, then his face become serious and annoyed again.

  "Go ahead dear," mother says to father. We close our eyes and bow our heads.

  "Today, Lord, we give thanks for this wonderful meal we have prepared for our guests. May this food give the nutrients they need to stay strong and healthy. We say prayers over Essence and thank you for bringing her here. For Sarah. She has been such a great friend to this family, we couldn’t ask for anyone better. And prayers for Evan,"

  I flinch.

  "--for guiding him home. Bringing him back to us. His family. Filling the gap that has been awaiting him. May his destiny rest in your hands and may we guide him selflessly. Amen."

  "Amen," everyone says.

  "After the three of you eat,” father says, “we shall show Evan how to be vampire.”

  "Ah, yes! Can't wait for that, brother," Abel exclaims.

  "You think you'll be able to handle it?"

  I look up to Bianca after taking a bite of cantaloupe and see everyone awaiting a response. Essence slips her hand into mine. I look over and smile at her.

  "I think he'll be able to manage. I believe in him."

  I blush.

  My father throws his arms to the ceiling.

  "A woman with faith in a man! Splendid!"

  "It's good to see that Evan has taken a great liking into you," mother says. "Sarah informed us of it."

  I grimace at my step-mother.

  "Throw me under the bus why don't you," Sarah jokes.

  "That'd be too easy," mother responds laughing.

  "Eventually, it will be for Evan too," Mike adds.

  "Why yes, I'm rather thrilled to begin his training. As his father, I'll train him well."

  Cedric readjusts himself in the chair and coughs, but it sounded fake. He looks over at me and smirks, then rolls his eyes.

  "Now, before we get into greater detail about training," Abel says, "care to share a little about yourself, Essence?"

  Essence clears her throat from chewing.

  "Well...umm, my story is…um. I’m originally from Rochester, NY, but… “

  “Ah, Flower City,” Abel interrupts. “Home of the annual Lilac festivals.”

  “Let her finish, brother,” father says.

  “Well, I moved to Utica with my parents and haven’t visit Rochester since. A vacation or two here and there, high school is a bit of a drag. I guess if what you're asking for is some excitement, being here and meeting all of you has been the most excitement I've had so far, I mean, I've had my fair share of heartbreaks."

  She begins to toy at her bracelet. I grip her hand and she looks over at me and smiles. She holds my hand with both of hers.

  "I use to live in Rochester," father adds. "Well, before then, it wasn't called Rochester. Nor a city actually. It was um, dirt."

  "Not that much of a difference to what it is now," Cedric says. Essence flinches, and father looks at mother and shakes his head.

  "And what is it that you like to do?" mother asks.

  "I like to read, go hiking, biking, swimming, but I do LOVE to play the violin."

  "Now that sounds marvelous," Abel says. "We’d like to see you play sometime. Evan's birthday is coming up in a few weeks. Why not then? Yes?"

  "Great! I'd love to."

  "Teach me," Bianca says.

  "Of course."

  "Maybe, I'd like to learn too," Mike adds.

  Bianca exchanges a smirk.

  "So, you can compete with me I'm assuming?"

  "Always am," he laughs.

  We finish our meals and push our plates away.

  "How was it, son?" mother asks.

  "It was very good. Thank you."

  "So," father clasps his hands together. "Are you ready to learn more about being a vampire?"

  "I'm ready," I nod sounding much more excited than anticipated.

  Cedric rises from his chair and walks out of the dining room without a word.

  "Why does he hate me so much?" I ask.

  "Ohh, he doesn't hate you, Evan," mother assures. "He's just having a rough time -- misses his father."

  “Part of the most reckless of all vampire clans if you ask me,” Abel comments.

  Father clears his throat and Abel listens.

  “You see, Cedric’s father, the Dracula at the time was destroyed in a war between vampire versus vampire. Of course, Cedric believes his father is still alive. Claims that he can still feel him breathing somewhere and claims to have had a dream that he's locked someplace dark. But the war raged, between the vampires and --"

  "Over what?" Essence asks.

  "The humans," mother answers.

  “Humans? Why?" I ask.

  "Ages ago,” Kaius says, “Father Verin, well, my brother, Lucid, became very -- power hungry. I couldn’t understand what more power could he possibly want over the vampires. To play God, perhaps? So, he spilled human blood maliciously bringing risk to the exposure of our kind believing only one species shall exist – vampire. Many clans joined together to overthrow him. Not exactly smart to wage war against the Dracula – your own species for that matter. Despite my difference and beliefs, I sided with him, not against him.”

  "You lost?" I ask.

  "Yes. There had been many fatalities human and vampire alike. Full cities and civilizations destroyed over those many years. In the final war, over twenty years ago outside of Paris, we were outnumbered and there were massive amounts of betrayal. They took something delicate from Lucid. The source that separates his strength and power, as a Dracula, from any other vampire."

  "What's that?" Essence asks.

  "The Viscus Charm. A necklace worn by the Dracula containing a small vile of the ashes of Viscus Maudere, the first Dracula, or 'god' to some vampires."

  "What does it do?" I ask.

  "The charm works as an enforcer. It really has a mind of its own or more accurately, it carries t
he spirit of Viscus Maudere himself. He created this charm and vile, if he were to ever be destroyed, he will live forever in spirit amongst his kind. When it’s time for a new vampire to rule as the Dracula, the charm would make its way. It would coil itself around the neck of the new, righteous owner, unlocking the true power of the vampire beast--a piece of Viscus becomes you."

  "How'd they get it from Lucid?" I ask.

  Mother places her hand into father's.

  "While I was fighting amongst many, my brother Lucid, allowed his strength to become his weakness. He got lost in his madness, it made him careless. While he was fighting, they overwhelmed him. I tried my best to help, but the crowd was too thick. One mistake in turning his back, a vampire removed Lucid's head from his shoulders, thus the charm was freed."

  "I'm so sorry," Essence apologizes.

  Father nods.

  "So we lost the war. The vampire ran off with the charm hoping to put it to better use. They tried to negotiate with him in the past, warning him of a revolt if he does not contain himself for the sake of our species. At the time, I knew they weren’t wrong, but he was my brother. When they killed him, his wife, built a vengeance and disappeared for a few years. But when she returned, she laid waste to many vampires and became even more destructive than Lucid himself. She tried to locate the charm and was completely outnumbered. I then found her in the streets of Paris, dying. She had been attacked. It was then she told me of her son."

  "Cedric," I answer.

  "Yes," Kaius continues. "But not only that, she told me she had succeeded and reclaimed the charm. After telling them the charm had been destroyed, it devastated the vampire species. They vowed not to ever fight amongst their own kind for destroying a divine relic of Viscus – a representation of who we are and where we came from. We then took Cedric and our family away from Paris and came here to live a new life, but of course, the charm wasn’t actually destroyed."

  “Where is it?” Essence asks.

  Father reaches into the neck of his collar. A diamond shaped necklace with a vile of ash is protected by golden swirls like thorns from a rose wrapping its body.

  "Where it is safe. I knew that lying would make our kind see the error of our ways and selfishness. I knew it would create peace among us if it was believed to be destroyed. Before her last breath, Scarlet’s spoken will was for me to have and protect it and to take care of Cedric, but I can never be the true Dracula apart from not having any people to govern besides our clan…family.”

  “Why is that?” I ask.

  “The charm hasn't chosen anyone since Lucid’s death. It hasn’t glowed even faintly. Cedric believes by default, he should have the charm because it’s technically, still his father’s until it chooses, but he needs to understand that he must be chosen and the responsibility that comes with it. Besides, I'm afraid if Lucid were alive, or even where Cedric's mind is now, the charm would be misused. He curses me for the death of his father during war and not helping his mother thereafter, but had I known of her intentions, I would have been by her side. Instead, she wanted me to protect Cedric."

  "That's not your fault I'm sure you tried your best," Essence says.

  "Yes, but it was not enough,” father shakes his head. “Please do understand, Cedric is a good kid. He’s just been through a lot and has so much on his mind."

  Everyone sits quiet.

  “Sooo, uhh, great story, yeah?” Mike says trying to ease the mood. But I have more questions.

  “Tell me about my childhood,” I say.

  “Mike, let’s let them speak,” Bianca says rising to her feet.

  “You can stay if you’d like. I don’t mind,” I tell them.

  “I’d rather not, Evan, sorry,” Bianca says. “We’ll see you in a bit.”

  She smiles, but it wasn’t convincing at all. Mike shrugs and follows her out of the dining room.

  "Your childhood, yes," father begins. "To begin, you’ve always took a great liking to art and nature--"

  As I know.

  "--you loved to climb trees, you'd climb practically as high as they would go with no fear of a fall. Sometimes, we’d have to go out and find you. You were fearless, Evan. You’ve always had those random outbursts of vampire, but never fully completed transformation at your early years unlike your sister and cousin."

  "Do you remember the day I did that painting? I don't remember it at all," I say.

  "Not too long before you were sent to live with Sarah. You were starting to feel and act out of place. You’d shut down, but I blame myself for your hard days."

  "What do you mean?" I ask. Father pauses and thinks to himself.

  "Your father--we all--had tried our best to get you more acclimated with the family. You were still—human longer than expected. We did not understand at the time, but were aware of the dangers that can occur with having a human child live with vampires. We alone were a threat to your life..."

  "What'd you try to do? What dangers?" I ask.

  "We've tested your strength, speed -- and appetite," father says. "Each test failed. We didn’t understand why you couldn’t be vampire all the time."

  "My appetite?" I ask. "What'd you do?"

  "We…We tried to…"

  "We tried to feed you blood, Evan," mother finishes for father.

  "But you rejected each time,” Kaius adds. “We figured, well maybe if he drank blood, it would force you to change. But you wouldn’t even eat meat. And so, it came to pass that it’d be best you grew up someplace more suitable to your needs. We had done all we could for you, Evan. It was a danger keeping you here."

  I can remember what Bianca had told me from my nightmares. ‘But you have to eat or everyone will be sad again.’ That dream. That was when I was sent away.

  "Evan, if it means anything," mother says, "we didn't want you to go. We loved you and only wanted what was best for you."

  Essence rubs her hand across my back.

  "I was blessed having you," Sarah says.

  "What happens next? What am I to do? What's to come of this?"

  "You are to do as you please," Abel says. “May I? Brother?" He asks.

  Father nods his head. Abel brushes some of his long black hair back away from his face.

  "If you wish to live here with us, you can. This has always been your home. And if you so wish to continue to live with Sarah, you may do so as well, but --"

  Of course there’s a ‘but.’

  "You will still become what you are destined to be – a vampire. And you will not be able to change that. It will not be easy, you will make mistakes, and you will lose yourself from time to time at least until your body and mind fully adjusts to the change."

  "How will it happen?" I ask.

  "It will hurt. It will be painful. You will die."

  Father clears his throat.

  "Details," Abel continues. "Your teeth will develop, giving you a teething sensation. They will be as sharp as a swords end, and they will mature, but with time, you'll learn to hide the bite."

  "What else?"

  "Your eyes will change. A blood red around the pupils, but soon, you will learn to hide their color as well. They develop as the teeth do -- and nails for that matter."

  "And I will look dead?"

  "Of course. Permanently. Your human soul is dying now as we speak. That's why you have those outbursts of anger, strength, speed, and agility. Think of the vampire gene as a caged animal. Your cage is cracked open, and you’re fighting to get out from the tease of being free. Eventually, that cage will break, and you will be freed. The animal is your vampire. The cage is your human soul. That will be when your human soul dies. That will be when you die, and your heart will never beat again."

  Everyone sits quiet.

  "As I thought... I have to die."

  That I knew.

  "Yes," Abel confirms, “And not only that but you will also forget about--”

  “That is enough, Abel,” father interrupts.

  “No tell me? Forget ab
out what?” I ask.

  Sarah exhales and turns away.

  “It is not important right now," father says. "One step at a time."

  Not important? I’m here for answers. I want all of my questions answered. The more I know what to expect, the better I can prepare.

  “Leave your trust in us, Evan,” father says. “When you change, we ask that you stay here a while, like Mike, so you won’t be a danger to Sarah, your school, and most importantly, yourself.”

  "And we will be with you each step of the way, Evan," mother says. “Don’t be afraid.”

  "You are not alone in this," Sarah adds.

  I nod and understand much more about myself and my family than I had before. I believe it. It's just hard to grasp that I have to die and that it can happen at any moment. I rise from the table and feel the heaviness from their eyes watching me.

  "Can I -- go for a walk?" I ask.

  "Take as much time as you need, son,” father says. “We'll be right here when you are ready to begin training."

  I head for the hallway.

  "And Evan?" mother calls after me.

  I stop and turn to face her.

  "Yes?"

  She rises from her chair and meets me in the doorway before speaking quietly.

  "There's someone you should really talk to who really took a beating when we sent you away."

  "Who?"

  Her lips press together.

  Bianca.

  Chapter Nineteen: Bianca

  It is my destiny. To become a part of this unknown world that has always coexisted with my human life, but in shadows. I will be reborn after I die, only this time I will know who I am and I will know where I come from. Would that constitute as a loss or a gain? To live your life, not knowing who you are, or to die young, and find out sooner? Unfortunately, it wasn't my choice to make. It is the happening.

  My mother, my real mother Valencia, insists that I speak to Bianca. But what do I say? I have always known something was troubling her. The way she looked at me or didn't look. She had been watching me. Trying to see if I had become what everyone has been waiting for, but apparently, she was the most anxious.

  A few turns down the hallways have led me to that vast room with the piano stationed in the center, just as I dreamed before. Each step I take echoes on the marble floor. I examine the dusty black and white piano keys and position my hands above them. I begin to play a song by my favorite band, Evanescence called My Immortal. Before I reached the bridge of the song, a hand rests onto my shoulder.