by VJ Dunraven
“But it all sounds ridiculous! How could you expect me to believe?”
“I didn't—, but I tried,” Mom replied curtly. “When I saw how determined you were to push me away, I let you go.”
“So I could find out for myself?” she asked in a strained voice.
“I see that it worked.”
“How could you?” Elizabeth exclaimed with indignation. “I almost attacked someone!”
“That's why I kept an eye on you.”
Elizabeth gave her mom a startled look. “You were watching me the whole time? Even before you gave me the—?”
“Blood,” Mom said bluntly.
“You told me they were diet drinks!”
“So you wouldn’t hesitate to drink them if you got thirsty like I told you. But no—, you starved yourself to the point of desperation! When will you ever learn to listen?”
Elizabeth squeezed her eyes shut and rubbed a hand to her forehead. She had been so upset with her mom, she refused to heed her warnings. And that—almost led to terrible consequences.
“Why is this happening to me?” She opened her eyes to see her mother watching her.
“Do you remember the pill, the black pearl you swallowed?”
Elizabeth nodded.
“It awakened all your dormant physiology and psychology.”
“How?” Elizabeth sat up intrigued.
“Think of it as a program update. It rebooted your system to its original state by activating your dormant genetics. Everything you are experiencing is a result of your Conversion.”
Elizabeth gaped. “The same Conversion you were telling me about?”
“Yes. If you haven't noticed by now, your senses have heightened. Physically, you have become stronger and sturdier. You have more endurance. Psychologically, you have become more perceptive. Your preferences have changed, and that includes your diet. You have become one of us.”
A flood of bitterness washed over Elizabeth. Her mom made it sound as if it wasn't a big deal—, like it was a good thing—but the changes had been so drastic she thought she'd gone mad and died! How dare she assume she wanted to be converted to some, some—, she didn't want any of this shit!
All the repressed anger she harbored towards her mom spewed out. “You tricked me! I would've never taken it. I never wanted to become one of you. You didn't tell me all this when you gave me the pearl!” She abruptly stood up, knocking her chair backwards.
“Sit down!” Mom ordered irately. “Your weaker cells have reached the end of their lifespan! They needed to be replaced by new ones that carried our potent DNA! If I didn't give you the pearl, you would've died within a day! Is that what you want, Elizabeth? Die rather than be one of us?”
Elizabeth froze, speechless. The pearl was the very thing that saved her. Her ill feelings cooled with the comprehension that doused her. She absentmindedly righted her chair and sat down in stunned silence.
“I did what I had to do,” Mom said.
Elizabeth shook her head. “You could've given me the black pearl when I was a lot younger. It would’ve have been easier. I would’ve had more time to adjust.”
“I couldn't.” Mom threw her hands up. “The Mark of the Omni had to appear first. Without it, the Pearl of Wisdom would not serve its purpose.”
“The Mark of the Omni?”
“The ring on the back of your neck. It's a sign from the All-powerful. Our God—the Omni.”
Elizabeth reflected on her mom's revelations. The Mark and the Black Pearl were the catalysts that changed her, but—, “Was I human before the Mark and the Pearl?”
“In your dormant stage you were very much like them. And since you grew up around people, you acquired human behavior, like being diurnal and eating. But no, you were never one of them.”
“Did you go through the same thing?”
“Conversion, yes, but I did not have to wean myself from human behavior because I never had any. I grew up with our kind.”
“Where?” Elizabeth sat up in her chair.
“That story is for another day.” Mom looked away and became pensive. “Right now, we need to talk about more important things.”
Elizabeth sighed in disappointment. Her mom had always been enigmatic. She never disclosed anything she didn't want to talk about and that included her dad.
In fact, she could fit what her mom told her about him all in one sentence: “Your father and I separated when I was pregnant, and I ended up living elsewhere.”
When she asked why, her mom replied, “I had no choice.” Nothing more was said after that, but whatever the reason was for their break-up, she knew her mother never got over the divorce. She never dated or remarried, and sometimes, Elizabeth would hear her sobbing in the middle of the night.
Curiosity rose in her gut—was her dad one of them?
She wanted to ask so many questions, but worried her mother might get upset and cut off their discussion. So she decided it was best to carry on where they had left off.
“How could you say you never acquired human behavior? I see you eat—.”
“I faked it.”
“You faked it?”
“It's all about timing. I picked at my food and tossed small portions in the garbage when you were not looking. Then it was just a matter of pretending to chew.”
“The trash can is by the kitchen sink, mom.”
“I'm very fast.”
“But if you don't eat, then—?”
“I drink blood.”
“And you get it from—?”
Mom picked up the empty cans she had slammed on the table and pushed them in front of her. “It is provided by the Highest Royal Coven of Europe.”
“You buy it canned from a Company?”
“No—, not a Company, but our Supreme Authority. And no, we don't buy the blood. It's free, shipped to the nearest depot after it is canned at the processing centers, where our procurement banks send it as soon as it is harvested.”
“Harvested?”
“We don't hunt and kill humans for food, if that's what you were thinking. The procurement banks collect it from people willing to offer it for a fee, as long as they pass health screening.”
“What? People actually sell their blood?” Elizabeth asked, incredulous.
“Oh, yes. We advertise under the guise of hosting a paid blood drive and they come in droves, particularly during economic downturns. During the Great Depression in the 1930s, we had a supply glut from all the people who desperately needed the money. We had to hold procurement and close the banks.”
“1930s?” Elizabeth stared at her mom’s flawless face. “Mom—exactly how old are you?”
“I was born long before that era. I’m two hundred and sixty-five years old.”
Elizabeth was thunderstruck. Her mom looked young enough that people constantly mistake them for sisters. “Seriously?” she blurted.
Mom nodded.
“B-but—?”
“No, please—, let’s skip the talk about my age and stick to the subject of procurement banks.” Mom smiled a little.
“How many procurement banks are there?” Elizabeth asked. Everything sounded crazy to her—; the banks, processing centers, depots ... health screens?
“We have numerous locations here and around the world.”
“You mean—there's more of us here and in other countries?”
“Of course.” Mom nodded. “Our civilization is united by a global government.”
“Civilization? Where does everyone live?”
“Everywhere. We coexist with the human race, but our ruling hierarchy is based in England.” Mom glanced at the clock on the wall. “It's getting late. Let's continue this talk another time. Go and change. We have an appointment at Darian Hall.”
“Darian Hall?”
“Your new school.” Mom rose from her chair.
Chapter 5
New World, New Beginning
Midnight
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
“We’re almost there.” Mom glanced at her.
Elizabeth nodded, seeing the lights in the distance. However, as the towering iron gates to the brightly lit building loomed closer, she became increasingly agitated. She didn't know anyone like her except her mom, and she was frightened out of her wits not knowing what to expect.
By the time they stepped into the opulent foyer it was past midnight and she was at the point of begging her mother to take her back home.
“Mom, are you sure we're at the right place?” She glanced about. Instead of the murky, bat-infested fortress she had expected, they stood in an elegant foyer with crystal chandeliers and gleaming black and white marble floors.
“I'm certain.”
“Looks expensive,” she whispered. “Can you afford to send me here?”
“Don't worry.” Mom lightly touched her arm. “There's no tuition. Everything is provided for by the ruling hierarchy.”
“It's free?” Elizabeth's jaw dropped.
“Absolutely!” A male voice replied. Elizabeth turned to see him walking towards them with a cordial smile on his face. He looked young and very attractive, dressed in an expensive looking suit.
She relaxed a little towards the tall, dark-haired gentleman. But as he neared, Elizabeth noticed his eyes were an uncanny shade of red.
She squeezed closer to her mom.
“Richard.” Mom extended a hand.
“Your Grace, what a pleasure to see you again.” He took her hand and bowed, then glanced at Elizabeth. “This must be your daughter.”
“Yes.”
“Sir Henry and the councilors are expecting you. Please follow me.” He offered his arm.
“Why did he call you, Your Grace?” Elizabeth asked, as they entered a large chamber off the main foyer.
“Hush.” Mom pressed a forefinger to her lips. “I'll tell you later.”
Richard led them to the far end, where five men in fine suits sat around an oval table raised on a low platform.
The gentlemen rose and the man seated at the head walked towards them. Richard moved forward and stood behind him.
“Your Grace.” The gentleman took her mother's hand and bowed.
“Sir Henry, may I present my daughter, Elizabeth Adeline the Sixteenth?”
“Adeline?” Elizabeth raised her eyebrows in surprise.
Mom silenced her with a quick wave of her hand.
“I am delighted to finally meet you.” Sir Henry inclined his head and held her gaze.
“Uh, me too—, I guess,” Elizabeth replied, then as an afterthought asked, “But why am I the six—Aw!” Her mom poked a sharp elbow to her side.
Sir Henry motioned to the other men. They left the table and bowed to her mother, then stood on either side of him. Except for Sir Henry who was a little older and fatherly, the other men were young, probably in their late thirties or so.
Five pairs of red eyes stared at Elizabeth.
She squirmed under their gaze, wondering why the men were giving her this kind of attention.
“Mom,“ she muttered under her breath, “why are they staring at me?”
“Sshhh ... stop talking!” Mom admonished in a low voice.
“Would you please turn around and lift your hair?” Sir Henry asked.
Elizabeth hesitated.
“It's all right,” Mom said, “go on, do what Sir Henry asked.”
Elizabeth sighed and did as she was told.
A long silence settled in the room before the men spoke all at once in a language she didn't recognize. Elizabeth dropped her hair and darted her eyes back and forth at them as they conversed ardently in restrained voices.
Finally, Sir Henry raised his hand and the men paused from their discussion.
“Your Grace, you have substantiated your claims and satisfied my councilors,” Sir Henry said to her mother. “We would like to confer the provisions required with you.”
“Richard,” Sir Henry beckoned, “would you be so kind to grant Lady Elizabeth a tour of Darian Hall?”
“Of course.” Richard offered his arm to Elizabeth.
She didn't readily accept his escort. Suspicion bloomed in her gut as she observed everyone in the room. Something had changed— she could sense it. The atmosphere had shifted and an uncomfortable stillness had descended. She had the distinct impression of pending urgency—, a situation, and she had a sinking feeling that whatever it was, it had something to do with her.
“Lady Elizabeth?” Richard inched closer and offered his arm again. His face was pleasant and persuasive, and she could tell—they wanted her to leave. She cast a worried glance at her mom who gave her an encouraging nod.
Reluctantly, Elizabeth took Richard's arm and let him accompany her out of the room.
Elizabeth walked with Richard along the hallway leading back to the front foyer. She would rather stay than go with him alone. Like the men in the chambers, he made her feel uneasy. His weird-looking eyes reminded her that he was a Vampire—which meant he was dangerous and she was unsafe.
“Is anything the matter?” Richard asked as he led her to the entrance hall. “You seem troubled.”
“Oh, no, I'm okay.” Elizabeth avoided his gaze.
“I hope so. I'm beginning to suspect you don't think so highly of me.”
“It's not that—.”
“It is a typical human reaction,” he insinuated with a sideways glance. “Fear.”
“But I'm not afrai—.”
“Yes, you are,” he interjected. “Except you're not human—, you're one of us.”
Elizabeth felt her cheeks burn. He was right. She was one of them and she hated it. She feared her own kind.
“I must apologize.” Richard paused in the middle of the main foyer. “I didn't mean to embarrass you.”
“It's okay.” Elizabeth concealed her unease and met his gaze. “I deserved it. I was acting like an idiot.”
“Rest assured. We're not the evil creatures portrayed in human movies.” He guided her towards the life-sized sculpture of an Archangel standing over the devil's corpse impaled in his magnificent sword. “Do you know who this is?”
“Saint Michael.” Elizabeth directed her attention to the monument that dominated the lobby.
“We call him Prince Mikhail,” Richard studied the angel warrior, “Commander of the Omni's army, who defeated the forces of evil to save the citizens of the sacred land. He is symbolic to the doctrine of Darian Hall that we abide in: To Uphold the Greater Good.”
Elizabeth grew skeptical. She couldn't believe Vampires adhered to such an idealistic principle.
“Inconceivable, isn't it?” Richard ushered her to the front doors. “But it's true. We are the protectors, not the adversary.”
“No way.” Elizabeth gave him a disparaging look. “Vampires are predators!”
“Predators?” Richard threw his head back with a hearty laugh. “I see that your notion about our race date back to the Stone Age. We are far different from Vampires.” He ushered her towards the brightly illuminated gardens.
“What do you mean?” she asked, annoyed with his not-so-subtle implication that she was ignorant.
“Pardon me.” He inclined his head in apology. “I didn't mean to be rude. I just haven't heard that word in a long time. But the answer to your question is also a question,” he said in a thought-provoking tone.
“If we truly are predators—, potent murderers to be exact, then why does humankind still exist? Don't you think we would have eradicated them all by now and ruled the world? After all, we are more powerful than they are.” He halted briefly by a magnificent fountain adorned with frolicking mermaids. “We're extremely dangerous and deadly. Even y
ou don't feel safe.”
Elizabeth was taken aback. He perceived her thoughts so often it unnerved her. Nevertheless, she hid her anxiety lest she be branded an ignoramus again, and that—, she could not take. She wasn't on the debate team for nothing.
“Exactly my point,” she tilted her chin defiantly. “I just don't see how it is possible for a violent race like ours to become protectors.”
“I daresay it is.” Richard directed her to the other side of the garden where another building stood.
“I'm waiting to hear how,” Elizabeth challenged, wishing she could wipe the smirk off his face.
“Immortality and Destiny.” Richard stopped halfway to the great structure with an elliptical shape. “The gift of eternal life grants us the opportunity to have more experiences to learn from and master what we have learned, paving the way for constant evolution. As a result, we have progressed into an advanced society headed by leaders whose destiny is to enforce the Omni's Divine Providence, which is, to maintain the balance of nature, discipline, and coexistence.
“I sense your loyalty to humankind.” Richard folded his arms over his chest. “Tell me, do your mortal friends have the same level of mindset as us? Suppose they discovered that Vampires—we consider that label an insult, by the way—lived among them. Do you think they would be tolerant and considerate towards us?”
Elizabeth pursed her lips. No, they would see you as a threat and find a way to kill every single one, she contemplated without voicing out.
“I don't know, but you haven't answered my question,” she retorted instead.
“Nor have you answered mine.” Richard resumed their stroll in another direction. “You’ll see the coliseum over there.” He pointed towards the magnificent elliptical structure bathed in light from the ground up.
Elizabeth purposely overlooked his clever attempt to change the subject. “I told you I don't know the answer.”
“You do know,” Richard replied with patent conviction. “Only you refused to tell me, because it would validate my point that we're a more broadminded society than humans.”
“You can make any point you want,” Elizabeth replied stubbornly, “but I'm still not convinced that Vamp—, I mean, Deimons are protectors. Who are you trying to protect anyways?”
