Elfrea
Alea stood before me, her shoulders hunched and gaze fixed on the ground like a child awaiting reprimand. She chewed her lip, hesitating, then said, "I don't want to part ways with you, but I have to go back to do what Hendik has asked of me. I'm not saying you can't follow me if you choose. I just…." She reached out, grabbed my hands, and pressed them between hers, her thumb caressing them. Her plea in her eyes, she added, "I worry that you will get hurt, that he might be the one to do that."
I move one hand to her face and gently hold her chin, tilting Alae's head so her eyes finally meet mine. Our gazes lock, and I say quietly, "I will follow you wherever you go. I promise to stay out of your way during missions. I will practice and learn more about my abilities to be of use. But I cannot and will not be without you." I pull her close into a tight embrace, feeling her nuzzle her nose against my neck.
"Once I talk to him, I'm sure I can figure out something. You're a vampire, so you can buy somewhere to live. Though inside the wall, you won't be able to hunt animals. You will have to drink human blood." Alea says.
I never thought that could be an issue for me. Just thinking of having to drink from someone made my stomach churn. Then, thinking of drinking from Alea made my mouth water. The horrible itching in my throat began to grow; I needed to deal with the thirst now before it got any worse.
Cole, however, was also occupying the cabin, and even though I knew how irrational it was, I didn't want him alone with her. I debated with myself over my stupidity. Alea was safer if I left to drain something other than her.
"I need to go out and hunt. The Ghoul took a lot out of me, I believe." I give her a quick peck on the lips. Alea gave me a worried smile but nodded, and we released one another.
Closing the door behind me, I head out into the kitchen to grab the dagger I had left on the table. I find Cole still sitting on the small couch, seeming to be lost in thought as he stares into the fireplace's flames. He only looked over when I reached the door, getting up to walk towards me. I pause with my hand on the door. I pushed down the sudden feeling of anger as he neared. I had to remember that he wasn't a threat and that Alea was safe. If I were at least a little cordial with Cole, he might answer some of my questions.
"If you are going out to hunt something, I thought I might join you. I can watch your back in case any Ghouls are still roaming around. It will also put your mind at ease that Alea wasn't here alone with me, not that you have to worry at all." Cole says.
"Ok" is all I say as I open the door. Before fully stepping out, I listen to the surroundings. Hearing nothing out of the ordinary, I head out, Cole one step behind me.
We both stay silent as we walk into the dark forest on guard for any possible attacks. Once we hadn't heard or seen anything new, we relaxed a little, and I began my questions.
"So you can control the darkness?" I ask him.
"Yes, very few vampires gained a special ability that acts almost as magic does. If you are asking, I assume that you have one as well? Though for one who managed not to wither away after receiving no blood after turning, would gain something special."
I take a moment before telling him, but if I were to learn anything about my power, I would need to.
"I can use my blood, apparently. I am still getting used to my vampire body with all the heightened senses. I was locked away before the vampire rise. At least when the Sangra drug was going around." I explained.
"Just your own blood or others as well?" Cole then asks, rubbing his hand on his chin.
"Just my own blood as far as I'm aware," I responded.
"Rare abilities can be difficult to get a hold of. Even those who have known what they possessed still haven't reached the full potential of their abilities."
"How do you use yours?" I ask, stopping in my path.
"It isn't like magic when you have to say the right words, crystals, or symbols to access it. It is more emotional and thought to bring forth power. Try cutting your palm and feel what you felt during the first time it manifested. Then think of a form you would like it to take." Cole suggested this, but didn't seem to be worried that it could attract any Ghouls.
I brought my hand palm up, laying the dagger's blade against my skin. I took a breath in, and before I could let myself falter, I cut into my hand in one quick motion. My thick warm blood began to pool into my palm, the wound not being deep, healing fast. I think of my anger when I saw Alea being attacked, the blood levitating into a shapeless blob of dark red.
"Now shape it," Cole says, his eyes watching as the blood rises before him. His mouth was almost falling open.
I try to hold on to the anger and then think of a form to mold the blood into. Looking at the dagger in my hand, I will make a copy. Cole and I watched in wonder as my blood started to morph from nothing into a perfect copy. The shock causes me to lose my focus, and the dagger falls to the ground, staining the grass below me.
"I thought my power could be deadly. Once you have better control, I bet you can solidify and use them as weapons." Cole pulls out a silver flask, popping open its top.
The familiar metallic smell of blood hits my nose, causing my mouth to salivate. The itching and burning in my throat grow stronger. This blood couldn't be only animal blood; it smelled so much nicer.
"It's human," Cole answers my unspoken question. He holds the flask out to me after he takes a gulp.
I take the silver flask, hesitating as I hold it in my hand. I expected the flask to feel cold, but it was warm to the touch. It must be to keep the blood fresh, I notice symbols carved into the silver. I bring the flask closer to my lips. I knew this was something I had to push past. Drinking blood from a flask seemed easier, but I wasn't sure if I would always have something like this on hand. The thought still turned my stomach, but the smell was so nice I licked my lips.
Just one small sip, you can keep control. I told myself over and over as I tipped the flask back.
Warm blood hits my tongue, and what was supposed to be a small sip turned into gulps. I felt as if I had been without water all these years, and the blood was water I finally found. I would have drained the contents of the flask if Cole hadn't swiped it from my hands. A growl escapes my lips as I realize the blood was being taken from me. I place my hand over my mouth, my eyes wide at how I just acted.
"I would let you indulge, but these flasks are not cheap," Cole says. He caps the flask and puts it back inside his cloak.
"So you can buy blood-filled flasks?" I ask. I didn't have the wealth I once had, but I still had what was in my bag that was worth a lot.
"Yeah, but you wouldn't like how they fill them," he chuckles.
My face twisted in disgust, but I still wanted more. The blood in the flask was ten times better than that of any of the animals I had caught. It still didn't taste as amazing as Alea's does.
"I believe that during your turning, your body managed to keep itself going, so you didn't starve. Most, in your case, would have turned mad, manic, and then wasted away."
"So I willed myself to stay alive and sane? I did sleep a lot. I would break out of a slumber whenever I felt motion in the manor bigger than an animal." I say I rub my throat. So far, when I drank blood, the thirst would go away. This time, however, the itching had returned and was worse than ever.
"It seems that way. I also believe that since you have starved yourself for so long, you have been fine with the small amounts of animal blood. I'm still surprised Alea isn't dead. Most would have gone in for the kill after tasting witch blood. Just a drop or not." Cole's mention of Alea dying because of me brings another growl out of me. I really needed to stop doing that.
"Why don't we hunt until sunrise? The more blood you get, the quicker you can get to your normal state. Control will be much easier," He says.
I give him a nod, and we continue our walk silently.