Shining Light of the Volstir (The Light of the Volstir Book 1)

by Brian Carmen

  “It is imperative that no matter what you never tell anyone what your light is. If you do then an enemy could try and use it against you” Olivia said cautiously while adding that he was not even supposed to tell Helaina or herself.

  “I’m sorry to interrupt but wouldn’t your foresight ability and Nia’s empath ability tell you what my light was? Would it even mater if I kept it from you?” Victor asked while Olivia smile became even wider.

  “He’s clever; our abilities may give us an idea but they can’t tell us everything. We wouldn’t know the full extent nor could we verify if it is true. We would only be left with a guess unless you revealed it to us” Olivia explained as En appeared back inside the house with a meow.

  “Crystal’s brother came and picked her up. They won’t be coming back tonight” Nia explained as she felt some of the tension leave the room.

  Her ability may have allowed her to take some of the girl’s memory. It didn’t guarantee that she wouldn’t think of spying on them again. If that happened; as it had on a few rare encounters; Nia knew that she would have no other choice but to take the girl’s life. It wasn’t what she wanted but it was something she would have to do. The Volstir could never allow anyone to discover their existence.

  Victor was told to go to bed and did so without any complaint. After he was gone; Olivia and Nia began talking of old times and sharing knowledge about Nia’s thirteen sisters. They had all been turned by Olivia just as Nia had been. It was a bit odd that Olivia had only tried to turn females. Nia had heard rumors that Olivia had been responsible for turning over two hundred humans. Sadly; the thirteen that were still alive were the only ones that had not died.

  Nia had asked her why so many of their kind needed to die and Olivia had only answered that she would eventually understand. Nia had though she would when it was time for her to perform the task of killing a progeny. The answer still eluded her; even though she had been forced to kill two progenies in the past.

  “What do you think about him?” Nia asked finally giving herself to ask the same question she’s asked on three other occasions.

  “I’m honestly not sure my dear. I wished that the years would’ve taught me how to properly pick and choose which humans could be turned without problem. It just something none of our kind has ever been able to do. We just do it and see if we are going to end up having to take our children from this world. It’s a bit cruel but it is the survival of our species” Olivia answered just as she had the other three times.

  Nia figured that this was the answer she gave all of her children when they were in doubt about turning someone. Nia discovered early on; that fear was something all Volstir had whenever they were about to perform the oldest ceremony. Like the times before; Nia had wanted desperately to believe that Victor would be able to turn properly. She wanted to finally be considered a true Volstir by completing the rite of passage for their kind. She secretly feared that she would be among the few that were incapable of producing new Volstir. It was that fear that often kept her from even wanting to try.

  “Are you ready to see your light again?” Olivia asked kindly as Nia slowly nodded in response.

  It was another part of her ability that occurred whenever she turned another. Whenever they witnessed their light; she would see her own again as if triggered by what they were seeing. It had been a shock the first time Nia had turned someone. She hadn’t expected her light to be triggered because of her progeny.

  “It’s hard not knowing if it will turn out the way you want isn’t it?” Nia asked as Olivia frowned.

  “I’ve walked around this world for many years and have met many that give up on finding their light. When they do they become evil abominations that only seek to cause pain. You must never let such ideas even take root or else you will likely meet an end just like them. All you can have is hope that the future you desire is near” Olivia explained while standing up. She mentioned that she had some unfinished business to attend to before dawn.

  “Don’t be afraid my child. Have faith in yourself and Victor; things will be alright. Remember that I will always look after you” Olivia said as she hugged Nia before walking out the door.

  Nia was left alone with her thoughts and her regrets as she began thinking things over once more. After what felt like a very long time she decided to step out onto the porch for a bit of fresh air. She stared up at the moon and began seeing Victor’s face in it as she silently began pleaded with whoever would listen. She wanted to know that Victor would survive the turning and would not end up having to die. She turned and watched as En stepped up onto the porch railing and stared at her.

  “You know that when you’re suffering; I suffer as well” En said in a deep but somewhat scratchy voice.

  It was only when it was just the two of them that she could actually hear his voice even though he wasn‘t actually talking. Nia had always figured that it was due to the fact that it was the only time she could really give him her full attention. Nia could still understand what he was trying to tell her when others were around. It was still more comforting to actually be able to hear her best friend’s voice whenever she was feeling down.

  “I’m sorry to worry you En. I’m just afraid about what‘s going to come next” Nia said while she began petting him softly.

  “You promised him three years ago that if this was what he really wanted you would go through with it. You won’t be able to back out now” En said simply while he licked her hand and continued staring up at her.

  “I’m not trying to back out. Olivia’s already here and I know she wouldn’t let me even if I wanted too” Nia admitted to him.

  She turned back and began staring at the moon once more. En could understand how she felt but he was always a voice of reason. It could be a bit frustrating to talk with him whenever he told her something that she didn’t want to hear. Nia could always rely on him to be a listening ear for her.

  “I just don’t want him to have any regrets about becoming like me. He doesn’t realize that along with the abilities and long life; a sacrifice will have to be made” Nia said trying to convey her thoughts with him.

  She didn’t really have to do this because En and her were linked and had been for over a hundred years. She had been able to turn him from a regular cat into something that was known as a Polong. The Polong could always know how their Volstir felt without needing them to say a word. En no longer mentioned this fact; unless he was really starting to get irritated with her. He knew that it helped her to say the things that troubled her out loud.

  “You give him too little credit; he has known for a long time what he will be giving up and has already accepted it” En replied while he too began looking up towards the bright light in the sky.

  “I know your right. I still have to give him one last chance to walk away. I have to know without a doubt that Victor will be alright with his decision and not end up hating me” Nia said finally while the two of them looked away from the moon.

  “We both know already that such a thing will not be necessary. If that is your desire than you know that I will be happy to help in any way” En answered as he hopped back onto the ground however he turned to give her a bit of friendly advice.

  “Just be sure that when you know without doubt that this is his fate. You won’t end up hating yourself” En said casually as he walked back inside and left her alone again.

  Nia soon followed En back inside she walked upstairs towards the bedroom that belonged to Victor. She had often enjoyed watching him sleep at night; she would examine the hard and yet fragile muscles that were over his body. If he knew that she was watching him; she wondered if he would still feel embarrassed. She had seen him naked many times and had even feed off him in private parts of his body. Nia had even watched him a few times when he was having sex with a human.

  He never knew anything about Nia’s pervasive hobby. She didn’t expect him to be able to understand the reason that she felt a strong urge to look. It was j
ust nice to see the things that only humans without care did. She could still have sex but for some reason that she couldn’t explain; it seemed different. Watching Victor and the girl he was with made her feel that something had been lost when she was turned.

  “If all goes well than tomorrow you will die. You will only awake once you have become Volstir” Nia thought to herself before she walked away from him.

  Chapter Three: Last Chance to Turn Back

  She watched as Victor descended the stairs wearing nothing but the jeans he had been wearing the night before. Nia was wearing the same outfit that she had changed into last night. He was yawning loudly and Nia was unable to help but giggle at the sight of his bed hair as he looked at all the food on the table. She had spent the last few hours making different breakfast foods just for him. They all sat on the large oak table in the kitchen as if waiting for just the right person to come. The only light came from the kitchen since they couldn’t allow the sun to sneak in.

  Nia felt a bit guilty that she had spent the last fifteen years keeping Victor from the sun. He was allowed to go out but he’d never seen how the sunlight shined on the table and made everything sparkle. Victor understood but it still made Nia feel bad for him. Being with her had forced an undue burden on him since he was just a small boy. It was rare that she would cook for him however it was a special day for him.

  “Eggs, bacon, pancakes, even sausages and bagels” Victor said surprised as he sat down and picked up a fork.

  The sun had not risen though Victor was used to being up this early. It meant that the two of them could talk for a little longer before Nia would have to go. It was considered a time that they could talk about anything. Nothing was off limits if it was on their minds; though it did not typically include a buffet of breakfast foods. Soon Nia would go downstairs to her bedroom where she could relax and not have to worry about sun exposure. Until then she would be able try to talk with Victor before it was time.

  “I wanted you to enjoy this one last time” Nia explained while taking a seat at the breakfast table.

  The kitchen was a bit larger than normal but it did have everything a normal kitchen would. There was a large French style refrigerator and an oven that Victor could use. The floor had a black tile that was always kept neat. They even had a microwave and coffee maker even though they were never used. Nia normally avoided the kitchen since she had no need for human food however today had been an exception.

  She had been able to find everything easy enough and had even remembered how to use the cooking machines. Most of them had been invented after she had no longer needed them; it made her slightly ignorant on modern human electronics. Nia thought that she had performed well considering her lack of experience.

  “I’m just surprised since it’s not even my birthday; besides I’ll still be able to eat normal food for a while after I’m turned” Victor said casually while consuming the food.

  He had remembered that during the first ten years he was still similar to a human. They were known as the twilight years because new born Volstirs could have the best of both worlds. It also gave them a false sense of power and could quickly lead to death since they became too arrogant for their own good. Victor would be able to survive on both blood and human food for a while but soon that would change.

  “You won’t be able to eat as a human” Nia tried to explain as Victor’s fork stopped moving. She felt that Victor was acting too casual with what was about to happen to him.

  “I told you before Victor. A thousand years ago when humans were turned into Volstir they didn’t have a choice. They were forced to become something that they didn’t want to be” Nia said with emotion as she stared at the light brown wood of the table.

  She began to notice all the little imperfections that were a part of it. Humans would’ve believed the table to be flawless but that was not the case to a Volstir. Their eyes were special and could allow them to see many things. They could even adjust and allow them to see in total darkness. Nia knew that the eyes were like this so that they could hunt with greater ease.

  “I remember you telling me this. They were turned against their will and began trying to slaughter their own kind. It almost resulted in the extinction of the Volstir” Victor said while his mouth was full spraying the table with bits of egg, bacon, and bagels.

  “The difference is that you’re not forcing me. I’m choosing to be like you and I won‘t go psycho. I promise that everything is going to be fine” Victor added after he’d swallowed his food.

  “I know; but I’m giving you a task that Olivia gave me. All of the humans that she and I have ever tried to turn have been made to do this” Nia said sternly causing Victor to start paying more attention to her.

  He was always good at figuring out when he would be required to be serious. Nia was always somewhat impressed with how quickly he could change. He needed to fully understand what she was trying to tell him. This task could easily make or break him if he wasn’t prepared.

  “You must leave this house and try to enjoy your last day as much as possible. At sunset; you will return and give both Olivia and I your final decision. Nothing bad will happen if you chose not to go through with the turning. I will release you from your bond and will also give you more than enough money to live the rest of your life as a happy human.” Nia explained as she took a sip from her drink.

  “You’ll take my memories; won’t you?” Victor asked as he began looking at Nia’s face more carefully.

  “Not unless you wish for me too. If not than you will have to vow never to reveal us or you’ll be killed in a very painful manner” Nia answered.

  “Honestly I think I would’ve denied this if I wasn’t so sure that it wouldn’t make a difference” Victor said with a shrug.

  He smiled from across the table at the woman he’d been with the vast majority of his life. Victor could see that this task was more for her benefit than his. It didn’t matter to him since he wanted to make Nia happy with what she was going to do. He would enjoy his last day as a human and then return so that he could become a Volstir. Once he was turned than he would never have to worry about losing Nia.

  “I’ll do it and then return at sunset so that you can turn me with a clean conscious” Victor answered while picking up another bagel.

  An hour past and the sun began to rise. Victor had changed his clothes and was now wearing a white dress shirt with black slacks. Nia gave Victor one hug and a kiss before she went down into the basement where her room was located. She walked over to her bed and decided to lay down with her eyes opened. She was unable to sleep so she listened for Victor to leave the house. Once Nia was sure he had left; she closed her eyes and began to concentrate.

  En and Nia were connected; as long as she was able to concentrate she would be able to see whatever he was. This of course would require his cooperation but since he had already agreed to do as she asked; she didn’t have to worry. It had taken her a long time to fully learn how to use En in such a fashion. All Volstir could do this with their Polong’s however most were unable to learn. Olivia had suspected that Nia’s empath ability helped with this and that was why she was able to do it.

  Nia wanted to watch Victor and ensure that he wouldn’t regret leaving his life behind. She had a feeling that no matter what he would return at sunset saying that he wanted to be turned. Nia needed to see with her own eyes and if she felt that he was lying than she would simply refuse to turn him. Nia knew that after she’d explain her reasons; Olivia would understand.

  Closing her eyes and opening her mind Nia was now able to see through En. She would be able to follow Victor without his knowledge. Then she could determine if becoming a Volstir was really the only thing he could ever want out of life. If it turned out that he would be happier with a human life than she would set him free. The only thing she worried about was if he tried to find another.

  Nia doubted that he would ever be able to find another Volstir that would be willing to turn him
. They would be able to tell instantly that he’d already been rejected. It was something that was never said and yet understood by all that carried the blood of a Volstir. A human that was rejected was not and would never be meant to become like them. Turning a person who was rejected was only done if someone desired the person to suffer.

  Nia watched the trees fly by from the back of Victor’s truck. En was faster than the vehicle but was also notoriously lazy when the opportunity presented itself. She hadn’t been surprised that En wouldn’t want to follow on foot. It annoyed her that he would risk getting caught just to avoid having to work.

  “Slacker; I hope you don’t expect a reward if this is the effort you plan on putting in” Nia thought as En hissed in response.

  Her eyes opened and she’d lost him for only a brief moment. It had occured only a handful of times that they were able to communicate telepathically. It was supposed to be a sign that they were truly of one mind. The thought of being able to speak from a distance was creepy even if the two of them were best friends. Nia closed her eyes again and found the cat as the truck stopped.

  They were outside of a café that Victor visited every morning. Nia would’ve been more surprised if he hadn’t stopped by here. She watched En hop down from the bed of the truck and follow him to the door. The Polong was stealthy enough to follow Victor without being seen. If he was caught then Victor would likely be able to put the puzzle together. Nia wanted to spy on him but she didn’t want him to end up mad at her.

  Her thoughts changed to something else; causing her to lose En again but she didn’t mind. Nia didn’t expect much from Victor ordering a cup of coffee like he did every morning. He was probably flirting with one of the teenage waitresses even though he wasn’t serious. Nia didn’t care so she allowed her mind to wander back to earlier days. When Victor was only just becoming a teenager and was trusted by Nia enough to go out without supervision.