The man introduced himself in a calm voice, as if his words didn't need to be raised to be obeyed:"I am one of the First Blood…Del."
He paused for a moment, then continued, his eyes never leaving my face:"And since you have turned into a pure vampire,you… are one of us."
I didn't fully understand what he meant,but I couldn't deny that strange feeling…He resembled me, in a way.His white hair, the very same I had inherited without explanation,as if the blood itself recognized its reflection.
He asked again, his tone heavier this time:"But… who are your parents?As far as I know, none of my siblings have had children."
I lifted my gaze to him, confused,the question echoing in my mind before leaving my lips:— "My parents?My mother's name is Laurelin…And my father is…"
The moment I said her name, his expression changed."Laurelin… your mother?Where is she now?I haven't heard of her in years."
My voice dropped unconsciously:— "My mother…She died months after giving birth to me."
His face darkened with grief,as if time itself had struck him again."So…Laurelin truly is gone…"
Then he looked at me sharply:"Has no one ever told you that you're a vampire?"
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.Everything I had thought was true began to crumble.
I had no choice…I followed him when he asked,to a village called Bertou.
Through his explanations, I began to understand the truth:There were only fifteen members of the noble vampires,but after my transformation…there were now sixteen.
They were different from the savage vampireswho roamed killing humans;they lived among humans,protected them,and most of them didn't even drink human blood,relying on animal blood to quell their hunger.
Most of the siblings had spread across continents,each choosing a region to protect,standing as guardians from the shadows.
Bertou, however,was the village Lord Del had made his base,from where he protected the lands of Veron.
It all seemed absurd to me.Vampires killing other vampires…?
He read my thoughts before I could speak, and said calmly:"It may seem absurd,but the moment you abandon your humanityand follow the path of desire,you will become a monster…even a demon."
He paused, then continued with a tone that brooked no argument:"And your fate will be deathat the hands of one of us."
He looked straight at me:"That's why you must train seriously from now on,to curb your bloodlust,and find happiness in life.What sets us apart is not our strength…but the weapon of the mind,and humanity."
I couldn't shake his words from my mind.It was as if they hadn't been spoken…but engraved.
He led me through winding paths,until we reached the heart of Bertou,the headquarters that would become my new home from that day on.
He stopped in front of me for a moment,his piercing eyes examining every detail of my face,as if trying to read what I myself dared not know.
A long silence, then he spoke softly but firmly:"From today, this will be your home.And I… will be your guardian."
I gave a faint smile,but his gaze was more sincere than any words could be."I will raise you,guide you,and show you how to become a…noble vampire."
I hesitated,but a strange sense of comfort swept through me,as if everything lost within me had begun to find its way.
He continued, as if his words were a promise that could not be broken:"I will teach you to control your bloodlust,the weapons of the mind,and humanity,because you are now one of us,our heir…and I will stand by your side, always."
I couldn't stop the tears from falling,for the first time since birth, I felt someone understood me,and knew the path…for me to become what I was born to be.
The First Week
The first week of my stay was far from easy.My new body demanded more…more blood,louder instincts,and an unquenchable hunger.
I was newly transformed,and hunger showed no mercy to those who did not know how to control it.
Del noticed before I could even speak.One night, he returned to the headquarters carrying a black incense burner,engraved with symbols I didn't understand,but it filled the space with a strange sensation…as if the very air had changed.
"This is a special incense," he said, placing it between us."It was made specifically to kill savage vampires."
My body shuddered involuntarily.
Then he looked at me and continued calmly:"For the nobles,it acts as a sedative."
He lit the incense,and the smoke spread slowly, warm and thick,carrying a scent both bitter and sweet.
"It will help curb your hunger,without making you lose consciousness,or your humanity."
The moment I inhaled it,the fire in my veins eased,as if someone had placed their hand on my burning heart.It wasn't blood…but it was enough.
The Next Day
Del took me to a wing I had never entered before.There were humans.Men and women,their faces hardened,their eyes filled with a single thing:determination.
"These…are vampire hunters," Del said formally.
I later learned they were ordinary humans,but most had lost loved ones to vampires—parents,children,family.
They didn't choose revenge alone,but chose to ensure what happened to them…wouldn't happen to others.
They underwent grueling training,both physical and mental,but what truly surprised mewas the magic.
"Ordinary vampires are not immortal like us," Del explained.He continued:"If captured for months without blood,burned,exposed to sunlight,or charcoal…they die."
Yet they didn't leave it to chance.They had invented special techniques,combining magic with charcoal,creating weapons capable of killing the savages swiftly,without mercy.
There was no fear in their eyes…only conviction that what they were doing was necessary.
That night,Del gathered everyone.He stood in the center of the hall,his voice carrying the weight of decision:
"I officially declare Judith…my adopted daughter."
Time seemed to stop.
"And from today…she is our heir."
I felt all eyes on me,some surprised,some cautious,but none hostile.
"Therefore, she is under my protection,one of the First Blood,and must be respected as my decisions are respected."
I was unprepared…but no longer alone.
That week,I didn't just learn to curb my hunger,I learned something more dangerous:I had become part of a war,an inheritance,and a path…from which there was no return.