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

by Brian Carmen

It had been Nia’s idea to make him leave the house they were staying at the time. Victor never wanted to leave her side. In the beginning it was endearing but after a couple of years it had become quite annoying. She knew that he was afraid but she also knew that something had to be done. Nia couldn’t allow herself to treat Victor like some sort of pet when he was a human.

  She remembered throwing him out before dawn and telling him that she’d eat him if he came back before sunset. The first week she knew that he was hiding on the side of the house; afraid that Nia really would eat him if he’d made a noise. After that he began finding ways to entertain himself instead of just hiding. He tried spending large amounts of money on stupid things in an attempt to impress other kids. It had gotten him into trouble more on several occasions. Compared to what was about to take place; the trouble she had to clean up back then were nothing.

  He’d always been a good kid though he had a bit of a habit of doing incredibly stupid things at odd times. Nia closed her eyes and began seeing through En again. She felt an odd feeling of déjà vu when she looked through En. They weren’t sitting at a table but Nia was able to hear some type of movement. En was in the middle of a men’s restroom with his head bent under one of the stalls.

  Through En she was looking up under a stall at two people. Victor was making out with the girl from last night. The surprise alone caused Nia to lose focus again. She felt herself become fueled with anger and rage. Victor was doing something that was hard for even her to believe.

  His foolish mistake had almost cost the poor girl her life. Victor was actually stupid enough to pull her back into the tangled mess. Nia’s anger was enough that she was sure both Victor and En would be able to feel it; despite the distance. For a moment she no longer worried about Victor being turned because she was going to kill him.

  “The people in the town thinks’ he’s married to an ill wife. Even if we do plan on leaving; how would it look?” Nia thought as an answer came to her.

  “En I swear I’m going to skin you when you get home” Nia yelled as it all started to make sense.

  Part of using En was that she wasn’t looking directly through his eyes. She was actually seeing things through his mind. He’d proven before that when he particularly wanted to be sneaky that he could change what Nia was able to see. Nia had beaten him senseless for trying to trick her in the past. She was sure that what she had seen was another of the cat’s tricks.

  Nia closed her eyes again and began to concentrate on En however her mind was unable to make it work. She was eventually forced to give up trying. Making a mental note to give En a good pop on the head; she finally decided to surrender and try getting some sleep. Volstirs always had a bit of difficulty when it came to sleeping since they didn’t actually need to. She had to try even if her mind was full of unpleasant thoughts.

  Turning someone was always exhausting no matter how experienced a person was. Nia knew that she had no other choice but to try and rest. When it was time for Victor to be turned she would have to be fully rested. It was going to require all of her energy if she wanted to properly perform the ritual. Nia would try to use En after she had rested for a time.

  Hours past as noon came and went without trouble. Nia woke up several times and began tossing and turning in her bed trying to relax. Her bed was quite comfortable; large and soft. Humans would’ve probably have been surprised to see a vampire sleeping in a bed. Many of them would have thought that she would spend her days in a coma like state unable to leave her coffin. Humans and their vampire ideas seemed silly and lacked many qualities that would actually make them believable.

  From her room in the basement she could feel the sun set and was sure that Victor would be home soon. She went upstairs to the bathroom and took a shower; she wanted to look nice when Victor came home. He wouldn’t be alone since his truck would also have the feline stow away with it. She walked downstairs and changed into a red dress shirt that had small black flower designs and a matching black skirt. Looking into the mirror she began putting on some make up; she never put make up on when she was staying home. Today however was a very special occasion.

  Once she was finished getting ready she started walking upstairs. She was able to see as the last bit of twilight shined a gold light throughout the house. No matter how hard they tried; it was impossible to completely sun proof the house. The little bit of light that was able to sneak in throughout the house left traces on her skin. It slightly burned but she knew without a doubt that it would not be enough to kill her.

  It could do her much harm besides being a minor irritant. Nia walked towards the door as it opened. Both Victor and En walked casually inside towards her. She had a couple of ideas for punishing En who was giving her a smug look. Surprising a strong urge to smack him around; she looked at Victor. They had all been waiting the entire day for this moment. It was time for him to give her his answer.

  “How was your last day Victor?” Nia asked with some hesitation in her voice.

  Victor looked at her and began to frown. Her ability caused her to feel what Victor was feeling. It was something that would happen without her control. She could sense that Victor was a little upset with her. Nia was going to have to slap En twice for causing her so much trouble.

  “I know that you had En follow me; I don’t know how much you saw but I do want to make it very clear. My mind is made up and I want to be turned” Victor answered in a way that told Nia he was absolute in his resolve.

  “Alright Victor; go into the kitchen and start getting things ready. I’ll go outside and wait for Olivia to arrive” Nia replied as she walked away from him.

  She didn’t let Victor say anything else as she opened the door and walked out in the air. It was still a bit warm and she could feel that the humidity this year was going to be strong. Still she did not allow it to bother her as En appeared quickly. He walked with her while maintaining a safe distance in case she did decide to go ahead and skin him. Nia looked down at the cat and smiled.

  “I guess he’s going to be turned. How was his day?” she asked En kindly without trying to attack him.

  It was interesting to hear that Victor had met up with Crystal in the coffee shop. He had kept the conversation to a minimum. Victor had only been interested in seeing how she was doing; even if she didn’t know why. Nia figured that she should have known what his purpose for talking with Crystal was. The young woman didn’t remember them; Nia had successfully taken her memories of the night before.

  “He was happy being around the other humans. Victor enjoyed helping them with their problems and he also did nothing for a long time” En answered.

  The cat looked up into the sky that was now dark; they both looked towards the moon. Nia wasn’t upset with Victor for wanting to be turned. She hadn’t actually expected Victor to change his mine. The only good thing about today was that he had an enjoyable last day as a human. Victor’s life was about to end and she was going to be the one responsible for taking it.

  “Victor wants you to turn him into a Volstir. I think that it would be best for him and for you to try” En finished explaining as he began licking himself clean.

  “Victor will be happy becoming a Volstir” Nia admitted with a smile on her face.

  Nia was sure that her smile had to appear fake; especially since it simply was not in her nature to smile. She was sad that Victor was ready to close off an important part of who he was. She had spent a long time worrying however she was also starting to feel a bit of joy. She and Victor would now be able to stay together and would not have to worry about him growing old and dying one day.

  Olivia appeared moments later in a pair of blue jeans and a flannel shirt. She looked completely different from how she normally dressed; however Nia figured she was comfortable. The two Volstir and the cat went back inside to check on Victor. Everything had already been set up as Nia’s progeny waited patiently. The moment he’d been waiting three years for was finally about to happen. Nia looked at him whi
le she started to believe that he would be ready to face the consequence. She hoped that this would be the right thing and she was glad to have Olivia by her side. This was going to be difficult but she wouldn’t have to face it alone.

  “What’s higher than a kite?” Olivia asked Victor gleefully; while she tried to give the young man a high five.

  Nia smirked at the sight of Olivia; “ignore her. She’s been trying to make that stick with the humans for the past four decades. It sounds ridiculous and juvenile but she likes it.”

  Olivia looked heartbroken when Nia finished talking. Nia and Victor couldn’t stop themselves from laughing while Olivia gave them both dirty looks. She obviously didn’t appreciate Nia making a joke at her expense.

  “When you live for six hundred years then you can say whatever the hell you want; till then don’t judge” Olivia responded as she knocked En off the couch causing the cat to run towards Nia and hiss.

  Victor made a comment that set Olivia off into another rant about respecting elders. She started trying to mock them for not knowing how to see a good fad before it comes. Nia couldn’t help but laugh as she thought back over the years at all the crazy things Olivia had gotten into. Her view on eternal life was to try and have as much fun as possible. She had said that it was their duty to have fun; in order to make up for those that were unable too.

  Nia remembered the fifty years she’d traveled with Olivia and her knack for always being able to lighten up a room. She had never had the same talent that came to Olivia so naturally. People from all over the world knew who Olivia was and more respected her very name. Nia was known by people all over the world but it had been for different reasons.

  “Thank you Olivia” Nia thought as En looked up towards her and started brushing his head against her leg.

  “Let’s go ahead and begin the turning. I’m going to explain everything so that you know what to expect” Nia said while the other two became quiet and began paying attention.

  The ‘Turning Ceremony’ as Olivia liked to call it had been engraved into Nia’s memory for almost a hundred years. Like all of Olivia’s progenies; she had been made to watch her mother perform it. Nia had seen both the fruits and pain that could come from it. She understood the importance of explaining what was going to happen. It was a process that could be both a beautiful blessing and a frightening nightmare.

  There was a silver bowl in front of them; it had an engraving on the outside that looked similar to hieroglyphics. Just by looking at the bowl they could easily see that it was very old. Nia picked up a knife and slit her wrist; they watched the blood pour the bowl. Victor didn’t need to worry however Nia could see that look on his face. It was obviously difficult to stand in front of her and not say anything. He stayed silent while watching Nia’s blood start to fill up the silver bowl.

  “You’re going to do the same; so that our blood mixes. The reason I fed off you last night was so that part of your blood would already be mixed with mine” Nia explained to him.

  Victor took a step forward and looked at the blood. For a moment it looked like he was trapped in some sort of trance. Nia couldn’t remember if Victor had ever seen her bleed before; it would have been a rare event. He looked away from the bowl while asking about why they needed silver to mix their blood.

  “The silver bowl will help weaken my blood so that after you drink; it will be more likely to merge with you. If it works than within seven days your blood and genetic code will change to allow for the three extra chromosomes that all Volstir have” Nia explained while she passed the silver knife to him.

  Olivia watched all of this; while not saying a word. Nia was grateful to have a maker like her. She always seemed to know what to do and what to say at any time. Nia had often wondered if it was natural for Olivia to act like this or if it was a product of her foresight ability. Olivia looked at Victor and smiled while instructing Nia to continue.

  “For three days we will sleep in the same bed. Being next to me will help settle your blood. It will soon begin killing and replacing all of the blood in your body. It will be unbelievably painful but if you survive those three days you will likely survive the turning. You be able to waken as a Volstir” Nia explained while instructing Victor to begin draining his blood.

  Victor slit his wrist without any hesitation. She watched his blood pour out of him and into the bowl. It was only a few seconds and yet she could feel the dizziness begin to stir inside of him. Looking down at the blood that was both of theirs she reached out and picked up a long silver spoon. She began to stir the blood as she looked up into Victor’s eyes.

  “The first three days will end with you dying but then your light will appear. You will be conscious of your light and it is crucial that you use it to return back to the world of the living” Nia said while Victor nodded that he understood.

  Nia looked back down at the bowl and motioned for him to begin drinking. Like before; he did as she instructed. When the mixed blood touched his lips both Nia and En winced as an old taste entered their minds. If Olivia had seen this in any other situation she might’ve laughed and told some sort of joke. This time she simply stood quiet with her lips pursed together.

  Victor continued to drink as Nia began to remember the metallic and sweet taste that came with drinking the mixed blood. It had been over a hundred and forty years since she had been told to drink a similar mixture. The taste was still as strong in her mind as if she were the one drinking; instead of Victor. Nia didn’t know of a single Volstir that had ever forgotten the sickly sweet taste that seemed to scream out whenever you tried to swallow. It was like drinking cough syrup mixed with another person’s blood.

  “I’m sorry but you have to drink it all” Nia said kindly while watching him.

  Victor nodded with a disgusted look on his face and continued drinking. Nia looked as the red liquid began to stain the area around his lips. She had to admit that in his white dress shirt and black slacks that he was quite handsome. She remembered suggesting more than a week before that he wore something more comfortable. He would be sleeping and that there was a high chance that his outfit could end up being ruined.

  He refused to wear anything else on the day that he left the human world behind. He’d insisted that if he was to become a Volstir that he would wear something nice. She watched him and found herself admiring his determination. He was trying not to spill any of the blood on his shirt. Instead; Nia watched the crimson liquid travel down his face in small lines as it built up on his chin and finally fell to the ground.

  He was almost finished and as she expected the feeling of their blood mixing inside of him was already starting to be felt. She looked at him closely; he was going to die and be reborn but at this moment he was still a human. Nia felt that she should look at him until the moment that he was no more. She began to feel a strong urge to tell Victor a secret she had not meant to keep from him.

  “I have something to tell you. This will be my fourth attempt at creating a Volstir. The second of my potential progenies did not survive the turning process” Nia explained before she took a deep breath.

  She allowed herself a moment’s glance at Olivia because she honestly wanted to know if her maker would agree with what she was doing. Olivia did not say a word; instead she just stared at the two of them like. Victor was almost finished drinking the liquid and then he would be lured into sleep. Nia felt that she had to confide in him before that happened because she felt as though it might be her last chance.

  “I’m not saying this to scare you; I simply want you to understand the danger you are in at this very moment. I have faith in you because I want you to survive” Nia said while she continued to stare into his blue eyes.

  Victor lowered the bowl for only a moment so that he could hear what Nia had to say. She was thankful that he was able to understand what she was saying. If Victor didn’t survive being turned than at least he would know how she felt. Nia cared for Victor and wanted to give him every advantage that sh
e could. She wanted him to become a Volstir almost as much as he did.

  “I believe in you Victor and I know that you will make it through this. We will be able to know each other for eternity” She said as she tried to give him an encouraging smile; unfortunately all that came was a twitching frown.

  They could all see Victor’s strength begin to fade as weariness began to overtake him. He had finished drinking all of the blood and had set the bowl down; however Nia knew that he wouldn’t be able to stay awake for much longer. Nia wanted to help him but she was unable to move. The time they had both longed and dreaded had finally arrived. Victor would either live or die. Olivia was able to catch him before he fell onto the ground. She picked him up with ease and began carry him downstairs towards Nia’s bed.

  Nia slowly followed the two of them downstairs to her bedroom. She sat down on the bed beside him and looked at the details on his face. For some reason he appeared much younger than he really was. Nia figured that it had more to do with herself than his appearance. En came down the stairs while Nia turned away from Victor and looked up at Olivia.

  “I know I shouldn’t even bother asking but have you seen anything about Victor with your foresight ability?” Nia asked.

  Olivia shook her head without saying anything to her. Olivia had the ability to see into the future however it did not apply when it came to the turning ceremony. The future was too blurred as the human that was being turned. They stayed in a moment that was considered both alive and dead. Trying to see their future was like looking at a pair of identical twins and trying to figure out which was different.

  Nia had known that Olivia wouldn’t tell her even if she could see because she didn’t want Nia to have false hope. They would just have to wait and see whether or not Victor would survive. Looking back down at Victor she thought about the first time she had asked her maker to see if her progeny would live. At the time Nia had been a little upset that her maker wouldn’t try to see. Now she fully understood Olivia’s reasons.