Time is my enemy.
I spend my days and nights locked inside an impossibly small cage, pacing, sometimes dancing to the songs I make up for myself. When the Lord is gone (which is most of the time) I know myself to get a little silly. But not too silly, for he can swoop within silently at any moment. I don't want you to think something is wrong with me, but existing like this really messes with you.
Lately I've felt so... powerless. Like my life force has drained from my being. In fact, I feel more dead than "walking dead."
I spend my days and nights locked inside an impossibly small cage, pacing, sometimes dancing to the songs I make up for myself. When the Lord is gone (which is most of the time) I know myself to get a little silly. But not too silly, for he can swoop within silently at any moment. I don't want you to think something is wrong with me, but existing like this really messes with you.
Lately I've felt so... powerless. Like my life force has drained from my being. In fact, I feel more dead than "walking dead."
One evening as the Lord readied to depart (to go wherever it is he goes) he noticed me sinking into my lounge chair, feeling particularly low. He scowled at me for a while, motionless, looking angry.
“Odette,” he has the hint of an accent, a language ancient and forgotten to the ears of modern men. “It is time you saw the world. You may be a new blood but it would do you good.”
Suddenly the thought of leaving feels impossibly scary.
“Odette,” he has the hint of an accent, a language ancient and forgotten to the ears of modern men. “It is time you saw the world. You may be a new blood but it would do you good.”
Suddenly the thought of leaving feels impossibly scary.
"I don't feel so well," I say. Which is true- some stagnant energy has settled into my bones as of late, often I can hardly find it in me to rise off the couch. I haven't even been painting as much as I would like- everything feels exhausting.
"I'm not asking," says the Lord coolly. "Let's get you ready."
"I'm not asking," says the Lord coolly. "Let's get you ready."
He speaks to me as I gussy up. Feeling his presence behind me sends chills up my back.
“New bloods often find themselves hidden away in places like this, often with little remembrance of their past. You can imagine what that does to the psyche. Soon this room becomes your past, your present, and your future. The ceiling your sky, and the rug your pasture... You begin to fear the unknown. And thus life after death becomes this box. I do not want that to happen to the Queen of Darkness.”
Maybe I am getting a little too used to a life of seclusion. I don't want to end up like some nutcase. I know I have many long days and nights ahead of me.
I try to shake off my nerves- maybe if I do good this time Mortificus will take me out with him more often.
“New bloods often find themselves hidden away in places like this, often with little remembrance of their past. You can imagine what that does to the psyche. Soon this room becomes your past, your present, and your future. The ceiling your sky, and the rug your pasture... You begin to fear the unknown. And thus life after death becomes this box. I do not want that to happen to the Queen of Darkness.”
Maybe I am getting a little too used to a life of seclusion. I don't want to end up like some nutcase. I know I have many long days and nights ahead of me.
I try to shake off my nerves- maybe if I do good this time Mortificus will take me out with him more often.
“The vampires in this area have sniffed our nest out,” he tells me as he shepherds me from hovel to car. “It is common courtesy for all new vampires to pay their respects, or else the ruling coven has the right to exterminate us without question. We must become their friends.”
I nod my head, but am staring at the sky. I am suddenly aware of how crisp everything smells, how crystalline the world has become. I detect the stench of piney trees, and the earthy smell of dirt, and rot radiating from the woods that surrounds the house.
Somewhere in the grass a field mouse hears our footsteps and her heart starts to beat faster as fear slips into her stomach. I hear her blood pulsing in my ears like the swell of a tiny ocean.
I nod my head, but am staring at the sky. I am suddenly aware of how crisp everything smells, how crystalline the world has become. I detect the stench of piney trees, and the earthy smell of dirt, and rot radiating from the woods that surrounds the house.
Somewhere in the grass a field mouse hears our footsteps and her heart starts to beat faster as fear slips into her stomach. I hear her blood pulsing in my ears like the swell of a tiny ocean.
My senses are heightened and buzzing. I begin to feel a little sick- it is too much all at once.
I will myself to keep my mouth pressed shut and my gaze controlled. Mortificus does not seem to notice the whirlwind in my head. He is deep in thought, his proud brow furrowed.
The fatigue melts away from my body- I feel invigorated, even powerful.
The taxi arrives to whisk us away.
I will myself to keep my mouth pressed shut and my gaze controlled. Mortificus does not seem to notice the whirlwind in my head. He is deep in thought, his proud brow furrowed.
The fatigue melts away from my body- I feel invigorated, even powerful.
The taxi arrives to whisk us away.
We arrive at a nightclub called the Red Velvet Lounge. I'm worried that the people inside will panic when they see us enter. Another part of me is worried Mortificus will ask me to hurt them.
Mortificus seems to read my mind. "This isn't any old place," he explains, "it caters to our kind. And the silly mortals who find us intriguing. Fools. They get some unexplainable high dancing with death. Alas for them, all that will soon change." His eyes are flashing, and there is a scowl on his face.
"When I rule these lands things will be very different."
I believe him.
Mortificus seems to read my mind. "This isn't any old place," he explains, "it caters to our kind. And the silly mortals who find us intriguing. Fools. They get some unexplainable high dancing with death. Alas for them, all that will soon change." His eyes are flashing, and there is a scowl on his face.
"When I rule these lands things will be very different."
I believe him.
I have hardly stepped inside when a vampiress approaches me. I look around for help, but find Mortificus has managed to slip away like a ghost. I give the vampiress a small smile and bow my head.
"Ah, well well, such a pleasure to see you at last. We have heard... such interesting rumors."
"Hopefully good ones," I stammer.
The vampiress smirks at me. "Hm. You must be new. I can practically hear your heart beating still. Do not fear me fledgling, for I am more bark than bite." She has a singsong voice like honey, surprisingly warm for an undead woman.
"My name is Odette," I say. "I am the wife of Mortificus." I hold my head high. I am no common fledgling. I was chosen. One day I will be a queen.
"Ah, well well, such a pleasure to see you at last. We have heard... such interesting rumors."
"Hopefully good ones," I stammer.
The vampiress smirks at me. "Hm. You must be new. I can practically hear your heart beating still. Do not fear me fledgling, for I am more bark than bite." She has a singsong voice like honey, surprisingly warm for an undead woman.
"My name is Odette," I say. "I am the wife of Mortificus." I hold my head high. I am no common fledgling. I was chosen. One day I will be a queen.
"Interesting. I did not know he had a wife." She glances into another room, eyebrows raised. "Hmm. Do you know that woman?"
I follow her gaze and see Mortificus is speaking to a woman with shiny black hair and a tight pink dress. I can smell her blood like musky perfume from where I stand, hear her heart beating in her chest. Quickly. She probably finds my husband dangerous... and alluring. It makes me sick.
"Uhm, well, no not really."
"Probably a close friend," says the vampiress. "But a human. Perhaps he is hungry." She winks at me.
"Perhaps." But my stomach is twisting with unexpected jealousy.
"Do not worry child, if he doesn't, I will. Mama bear has got to eat."
I follow her gaze and see Mortificus is speaking to a woman with shiny black hair and a tight pink dress. I can smell her blood like musky perfume from where I stand, hear her heart beating in her chest. Quickly. She probably finds my husband dangerous... and alluring. It makes me sick.
"Uhm, well, no not really."
"Probably a close friend," says the vampiress. "But a human. Perhaps he is hungry." She winks at me.
"Perhaps." But my stomach is twisting with unexpected jealousy.
"Do not worry child, if he doesn't, I will. Mama bear has got to eat."
I soon learn the vampiress is named Janet. She has been living in Moonlight Falls for the past century. She belongs to no Coven of her own, instead choosing to roam the streets by herself.
Though at first our conversation is strained, soon we are both laughing and goofing around like old friends. Janet is loud and funny and even a little vulgar, and soon has me gripping my sides laughing. Though I tend to be more reserved, her confidence quickly gets me out of my shell. Our personalities just sort of click, it's like she makes up for everything I lack.
Though at first our conversation is strained, soon we are both laughing and goofing around like old friends. Janet is loud and funny and even a little vulgar, and soon has me gripping my sides laughing. Though I tend to be more reserved, her confidence quickly gets me out of my shell. Our personalities just sort of click, it's like she makes up for everything I lack.
I realize that I haven't laughed in what feels like years, especially not like this.
When Mortificus finds me later, wiping the blood off of his lips and telling me it is time to leave, I find myself wishing I could stay a little longer. But it is almost morning, and I can see the fatigue in Mortificus's eyes. I feel as if he never sleeps. Maybe I'm a little more tired than I want to admit too.
It's funny how just a little kindness can change everything.
When Mortificus finds me later, wiping the blood off of his lips and telling me it is time to leave, I find myself wishing I could stay a little longer. But it is almost morning, and I can see the fatigue in Mortificus's eyes. I feel as if he never sleeps. Maybe I'm a little more tired than I want to admit too.
It's funny how just a little kindness can change everything.
Time passes in that funny way that it does, dragging on and yet flying by at the same time.
Mortificus brings home a weight machine one day, and soon dedicates hours of his time sculpting his muscles and working his body. At first I couldn't imagine how he could get much stronger, but eventually even I see the improvement. All I know is I wouldn't want to fight him, especially if I were a fragile human.
Mortificus brings home a weight machine one day, and soon dedicates hours of his time sculpting his muscles and working his body. At first I couldn't imagine how he could get much stronger, but eventually even I see the improvement. All I know is I wouldn't want to fight him, especially if I were a fragile human.
He even convinces me to spend some time with the machine, instructing me all the while.
It's strange getting so much attention from him for such a long period of time. It's strange to have him so close, breathing down my neck.
"Keep going Odette," he growls in my ear as I start to falter. "You must get stronger. This is a dangerous time. I will not have you killed by some oaf."
Working out definitely isn't my thing.
It's strange getting so much attention from him for such a long period of time. It's strange to have him so close, breathing down my neck.
"Keep going Odette," he growls in my ear as I start to falter. "You must get stronger. This is a dangerous time. I will not have you killed by some oaf."
Working out definitely isn't my thing.
Oh, but how I love to paint. I don't mean to brag, but since my rebirth my skills have really started to improve more than I thought possible. My mind is so sharp, I've been picking up everything I try with ease. Just about everything I paint is brilliant.
The Lord doesn't care for the subjects I generally choose. He started selling the paintings he didn't want around the house for money. Sometimes I'm surprised how much they go for. It makes me proud to be making such a difference for the Coven.
I know Mortificus wants to wait before he begins taking on Fledglings- no vampling will respect a poor leader. Money is power, so they say. Secretly I'm hoping he will choose Janet.
The Lord doesn't care for the subjects I generally choose. He started selling the paintings he didn't want around the house for money. Sometimes I'm surprised how much they go for. It makes me proud to be making such a difference for the Coven.
I know Mortificus wants to wait before he begins taking on Fledglings- no vampling will respect a poor leader. Money is power, so they say. Secretly I'm hoping he will choose Janet.
Lately Mortificus has been inviting the other Vampires in town over to get us on their good side.
"So they don't suspect anything" he has said. Expect what? I don't know. All I do know is I love their company, and it really brightens my night when I know that Janet and Dante are coming over.
"So they don't suspect anything" he has said. Expect what? I don't know. All I do know is I love their company, and it really brightens my night when I know that Janet and Dante are coming over.
Dante Morgante is kind of a strange guy and at first I didn't know what to think of him. Mortificus calls him an embarrassment to the superior race of beings (but invites him over anyway).
From what I understand Dante likes to flirt with all the human women in town in order to convince them to let him drink their blood. He even sleeps with some of them, which Mortificus finds appalling. Janet once told me he even was said to have been with a werewolf. I don't think I can believe that, it's just too ridiculous. He must have some boundaries.
The more I speak with Dante the more I like him. He may be a huge flirt but he's really easy to talk to and always a lot of fun to have around. Besides, who doesn't like to be complimented?
From what I understand Dante likes to flirt with all the human women in town in order to convince them to let him drink their blood. He even sleeps with some of them, which Mortificus finds appalling. Janet once told me he even was said to have been with a werewolf. I don't think I can believe that, it's just too ridiculous. He must have some boundaries.
The more I speak with Dante the more I like him. He may be a huge flirt but he's really easy to talk to and always a lot of fun to have around. Besides, who doesn't like to be complimented?
At all our get togethers Mortificus prefers to stand aside and let me entertain our guests. He is always immaculately polite, but very reserved.
I know it kills him to treat these common vampires as equals. He sees himself as a King already.
But even he knows that for now we are vulnerable. If we are going to survive we need to stay on everybody's good terms. They cannot suspect anything.
For now.
Until that day comes where the dark Lord must make his move.
I know it kills him to treat these common vampires as equals. He sees himself as a King already.
But even he knows that for now we are vulnerable. If we are going to survive we need to stay on everybody's good terms. They cannot suspect anything.
For now.
Until that day comes where the dark Lord must make his move.