-+Requiem+-

Chapter Ten

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Today was turning out to be just as hectic as the day before with people running around with determined looks and a get-the-hell-out-of-my-way-or-I’ll-run-you-over attitude as they took down the decorations and put up entirely new ones in their place. I wasn’t quite sure why I was up this early but Arkaia had all but dragged me out of bed and now I was standing here in the main foyer of the entrance hall dazed and confused as to just how I had gotten here so fast.

My Sire was now arguing with several members of the staff and Infirite was here beside me with a blank expression that could only be described as half-awake at best. I had lost track of all sense of time since I had awoken as a vampire so I wasn’t sure when we had gone to sleep last night or what time it was now but I was pretty sure that we hadn’t gotten as much as we needed. Strangely enough I wasn’t so much tired as I was ‘out of it.’

My body felt awake and ready to move but my mind hadn’t caught up with it yet. It made me think back to the typical vampire myths where vampires were always so slow to wake when coming out of their coffins, usually resulting with a stake to the heart. The way I felt now I knew my body could move as fast as it needed to without any troubles, though it might take a while for my mind and body to become in sync, if they ever did.

Infirite looked like he still wasn’t used to it but then again the both of us were magically drained at the moment so it made sense that some part of us was affected, though I’ll admit I hadn’t expected it to be our minds instead of our bodies. Perhaps with Nightshade though I shouldn’t be too surprised; my mind was already too affected.

I nearly jumped out of my skin as a tiny pair of arms wrapped around my waist and looked down to see Ikuma fully awake and as cheerful as ever. I stared at him in stupor for a moment, slowly taking in his now bright blue hair, before he was bounding off to cling to Arkaia who in turn ignored him in favor of continuing his argument. That kid’s hair was enough to make anyone stop and stare and yet people continued working as though nothing was out of the ordinary. How often and radically does he change his hair for no one to even be phased by it anymore?

I had a feeling that I’d better get used to it too because it wasn’t about to change anytime soon.

A few moments later Ryce made his appearance, coming around the corner with an entourage of people following after him, taking notes on everything he said before eagerly going off to complete whatever task he had assigned to them. When he saw me, however, he stopped and made his way over, the others staying back to discuss things amongst themselves so they wouldn’t accidentally acknowledge me.

He didn’t look angry or annoyed but he probably should be considering how much harder I had made things for him last night. Arkaia and Infirite hadn’t left my side, taking away two of the Malibrookes that were playing hosts and creating more work for Ryce and the others. I’d certainly be annoyed with me.

Pausing to hug Infirite who did little more than grunt in response, he stopped in front of me but didn’t touch me. I could see Arkaia behind him subtly watching us and knew that was the reason for it. Arkaia was still possessive of me, enough to not even want his brother touching me without his permission.

This possessiveness was starting to annoy me and I wondered just how far he would take it if his brother was even a trigger for it. At least he wasn’t like this with Infirite and Ikuma, though I suspected it had something to do with them ‘belonging’ to him as well. What did it matter if his possessions touched and played?

I knew I was being a harsh but it was really starting to annoy me. I liked Ryce and knew he wouldn’t harm me so what was the big risk?

“Crimson, your outfit is ready for tonight.” He paused before continuing with telepathy. “I don’t want to force you into this but I’m not given much of a choice. It would be insulting for Arkaia to skip out on the ball and I know he would do so for your sake. You must go. Even if they cannot acknowledge you they are still expecting you.”

An expectation brought upon by being a Blood Count I assumed. I didn’t want to get them into more trouble than I already had. It was stressful but it was something that I was going to have to get used to if I wanted to survive. I also want to prove to myself that I can do this without breaking down.

“I’ll go. I’m sorry for causing so much trouble.” He gave me a placating smile before continuing on as though our conversation hadn’t extended beyond our verbal one. I didn’t think it fooled anyone either but I doubt they’d say anything about it.

“Be sure and come by later to try it on.” Returning to his entourage they continued on down the hallway to the room the party had been held in last night. Arkaia was still watching but he wasn’t as focused as before. For a moment I wondered what he would be like if I was his first childer and shuddered when I thought about it. He was bad enough as it was and he had already had experience with this twice before. Being his first childer must have made this ten times worse.

I then wondered just who his first childer was. I assumed it was Ikuma or Infirite but for all I knew there could be dozens more that just don’t live with him anymore. I wanted to say that Infirite was older of the remaining two but seeing as how they’re vampires I wasn’t quite sure about that. Although Ikuma looks like a child, vampires don’t age, or at least turned ones don’t, so he could really be older than Arkaia.

That brought on even more questions as to why Ikuma was considered a childer when he was clearly a pureblooded member of the Malibrooke family. I really wanted to ask someone but my Sire was busy and Infirite looked like he wouldn’t be able to form a coherent sentence for a while. The only one left that I knew was Ikuma, but I didn’t know if I could bring myself to outright ask him the details of his turning.

Although I couldn’t remember mine it seemed like something personal and I didn’t want to intrude on something I had no right asking about.

When I looked away from Ikuma I was startled to find Infirite watching me when a moment ago he had barely been paying attention at all. Again I was distracted by the light in his eyes that looked so much like flames that I had to avoid the urge to touch them just to see if they were hot. They really were quite beautiful.

“What are you thinking about? If you have a question it’s better to ask it than to live in ignorance.” I understood what he was getting at. If this were something concerning hunger or physical changes I could potentially hurt someone, and not necessarily me, by keeping silent. It was neither of those things but if I am to learn all there is about being a vampire then I needed to know about turnings and…special cases didn’t I?

Maybe I was just trying to rationalize my own curiosity. Either way Infirite was waiting for a response and I didn’t want him to think I was ignoring him. “I was just wondering who Arkaia’s first childer was and if there were any others.”

Infirite looked like he didn’t believe that that was the question I had wanted to ask and he was right, but since I had already asked it and couldn’t change what I had said I would just have to wait for his response before going on. His eyes held suspicion, as though he was wondering what I was getting at, but he answered me with patience none-the-less.

“Ikuma was the first, over 600 years ago, and then me. There are no other childer that I am aware of.” He paused for a moment before continuing, leaving me no choice but to get to the point. “What is it you really wanted to ask?”

I fidgeted nervously for a moment before realizing what I was doing and forcing myself to stop. I was like a kid anticipating a scolding for asking something they knew they shouldn’t be asking. Taking a breath I knew I didn’t need I ignored how this gained Arkaia’s attention and focused on Infirite and his reaction.

“Why does Ikuma still look like a child? I mean, why did he have to be turned in the first place? Isn’t he a pureblood?” That came out more rushed than I had wanted it to be but I forced myself to remain silent and not make a bigger fool of myself by asking more. Infirite didn’t seem put off by it.

“This is what you were so nervous about asking?” His mentioning of my nervousness made me realize that although I was nervous my…‘vampire side’, I guess you could call it, was quickly edging away this feeling and giving me more confidence. It reminded me a bit of animals and how weaknesses such as this could get them killed. My vampire side was trying to protect me from becoming vulnerable by taking away emotions that made me weak, or at least those that showed weakness, while preventing me from becoming an easy target.

I understand the reasoning for this but I couldn’t help but feel that it was wrong in a way. Perhaps that was just because of the way I was raised as a human. Humans really were far too emotional sometimes.

“Ikuma has a disease called Semi-Anima, half life. It usually affects only half bloods or dhampires but Ikuma fell victim to a rare, mutated strain of it. Semi-Anima is a virus that attacks dead cells in the body. Since half bloods and dhampires have dead organs, as purebloods are born without them, they can potentially be killed by this disease if it is not stopped. Arkaia drained Ikuma of his blood and gave him his own, risking infection himself. This saved Ikuma but stopped his aging and growth. His organs are still infected and if he continues aging the disease will spread. He must remain as a child in body.”

I never would have guessed that that was the reasoning behind his ‘turning.’ Ikuma is over 600 years old and not being able to age like any other pureblood must be hard on him. He didn’t show it though. He was always so happy and energetic. I realized that this must be Arkaia’s doing, for without having him there to feed and save him he might have died.

“Why was it that Arkaia was the one to do this?” I wasn’t questioning why he would want to, Ikuma was family after all, but why he, of all people, was the one to risk infection.

“It was the most logical decision they could make. Ikuma is not an only child and as much as Adina and Darian, Adina’s husband, wanted to save him they had other children to think of as well. Ryce could not because of his position as head of the family so Arkaia, who was without mate, child, or childer, was the best choice. He was not forced into it of course.” I was amazed that Infirite was talking so much, even if it was just in telepathy, and realized just how much information he held in that mind of his. Seeing his library/study was one thing but knowing that he remembered the details of everything he learned, whether in a book or through experience, was something else.

It wasn’t as though this was a hard thing to remember but there was just this intelligence in the way he spoke that let me know that although he didn’t say much he knew a lot more than he let on. I was getting off topic though and glanced at Ikuma and Arkaia as I thought over what he said. Ikuma was still clinging to Arkaia’s waist with Arkaia’s hand on his back as he otherwise ignored him.

“Arkaia must continue to drain and replenish his blood to ensure that his body does not begin aging again. They are lovers.” I quickly turned to him upon the word ‘lovers’ and searched his eyes to see if he was joking. He was not.

It was unconceivable to me that Arkaia would sleep his nephew, with someone who looked like a child. I realized I was being harsh in the sense that Ikuma couldn’t help how he appeared and that it must be hard for anyone to want to be with him sexually, but still, his uncle? I never would have suspected incest between them.

I tried to imagine them together, sexually, and couldn’t. It was too soon after my brother’s death to be able to detach him completely from the child like vampire and I refused to think of Scarlet in that way.

I was in shock, I think. I wasn’t exactly disgusted with them but it was a hard bit of information to swallow. It wasn’t at all about them being men, which would be vastly hypocritical of me after having slept with Infirite, but more about the family ties that usually said ‘off limits.’

“Vampires are not as strict with incest as humans are. Twins have been commonly known to mate with each other, in the sense of marriage, not of animals in heat. Arkaia and Ikuma’s relationship is acceptable because of their bond as Sire and Childer. Adina might not have accepted it otherwise.” Adina accepted their relationship? I guess I couldn’t say anything if Ikuma’s mother, Arkaia’s sister, didn’t have a problem with it.

Looking at the two of them, one of which I was acutely aware was watching me, aside from my human morals I really had no reason to dislike their relationship. They weren’t hurting anyone or each other and I had to admit that they did look happy together. What I didn’t understand was why Infirite was telling me this now.

He answered me without my having to ask.

“I’ve told you this so you won’t be surprised later if you see them together. Arkaia and Ikuma also won’t have to be offended by any questions you may have about them. It may be hard for you to accept but they’re good for each other.” I’ll admit that this was better than walking in on them doing…something, but I kind of wished he had waited until later to tell me. I had enough on my mind as it was.

Speaking of which, didn’t Arkaia say he and Infirite had tried a sexual relationship? How did Ikuma fit into all of that? If they’re lovers then wouldn’t it be hard on them to include Infirite? Maybe it was hard for them, and for Infirite as well. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.

“What are you two talking about?” I had been so lost in my thoughts that even though I had been staring at them I didn’t even notice that they had been walking towards us. I didn’t know what to say to them and Infirite only grunted in reply. Luckily they didn’t seem to be in demand of an answer so Arkaia let the question go after a curious glance in my direction. I wasn’t sure if Infirite had told him more telepathically but either way he didn’t show it and I was able to relax a bit because of it.

“It’s about time to get ready for the ball so Infirite, take Crimson to wash up and then bring him to Ryce when you’re done.” I hated feeling like I couldn’t be trusted to do things on my own but knew that Arkaia was just paranoid about my safety. At least he wasn’t the one to lead me to the bathroom this time. It’s not that I didn’t want him near me, despite Nightshade’s sentiments, but with me not having processed his and Ikuma’s relationship yet it was a little awkward to be around them.

“Yes, Master.” Arkaia smirked as though it were a private joke between them and I quickly hurried up so I didn’t lose pace with Infirite.

Slowly turning around again I wondered just how many times Ryce would make me spin like this before he and Arkaia were satisfied that every detail was perfect. The outfit that had been made for me was the fanciest thing I had ever worn in my life and the accessories as well as the fabrics made me cringe when I thought about what the price of it had been. The whole thing was in tones of blood red, the same color as my hair and eyes, and was trimmed with black silk. Little chains of actual gold hung in arches on my pockets and the buttons looked like they were made of real rubies.

To be honest I was afraid of even sitting down least I accidentally tear something or get it dirty. Really, what were they thinking, giving something like this to a commoner like me? Does being a Blood Count mean I have to dress up like royalty?!

Even Ryce’s outfit was tame compared to mine and he was the head of the family!

“Is all this really necessary…?” I asked. Infirite was standing in the corner looking faintly amused. His outfit was like mine only in black and blues that probably didn’t even cost half of what they paid for mine. I really wanted to trade with him.

“Yes. Imagine what people would say if we let a prophet go to a royal ball in anything but the best?” He adjusted the back of my jacket though I was certain nothing was wrong with it.

“Damn, they sure know how to not make Mr. Invisible feel uncomfortable?” Ikuma laughed and I was sure I see a small smirk pass over Infirite before I was turned around again. Ryce was smiling at me but I could tell he had no plans on letting me change and I resigned myself to spending the day paranoid about ruining my outfit.

“There will be a courtyard outing before the ball we are still required to attend. It will be held within the castle’s gardens and basically consists of mindless gossip and small talk that will probably bore you death. You don’t have to pay attention but at least try not to fall asleep or fidget too much.” I was not looking foreword to this at all. I really wanted to just crawl under Infirite’s bed and refuse to come out, though since they were vampires they could probably just lift up the bed and drag me out anyways.

“We will be leaving early and Ryce will join us later after our own guests have cleared out.” Arkaia didn’t sound too enthused about this either. I wasn’t even aware that the guests, or at least some of them, had stayed the night. In the back of my mind I think I had known they were there, because of the scent, but my mind just didn’t put two and two together.

The two brothers finally stopped fussing over me as Arkaia shooed Ikuma off of the table he had been sitting on and fixed his white jacket with blue trimmings. I now understood why Ikuma had dyed his hair such an outrageous color—it actually matched the trimmings on his outfit.

Ever since Infirite had told me about their relationship I had noticing things I hadn’t before. The way their touches subtly lingered longer than normal and the way Arkaia’s eyes softened when looking at Ikuma. He did that with all of his childer and family, but with Ikuma it was different. I could tell he loved him.

There was just something about that love that disallowed me from faulting them for their relationship. I still wasn’t completely comfortable with it but I wasn’t as disturbed by it as I had been before. Everything is different now. Everything I learned as a human doesn’t apply in this world and I have to learn to accept it.

I met Infirite’s eyes as I looked away from the pair and although he wasn’t reading my mind I knew he could tell what I was thinking. One day I wanted to have a relationship like the one they had. Not with the familial bond but with the same type of love that kept them together through all odds.

Even though we were close enough to the castle that its walls loomed over us from the Malibrooke gardens we didn’t walk there. Walking was apparently pedestrian and so the four of us, Arkaia, Infirite, Ikuma, and myself, all pilled into an actual horse-drawn carriage. The horses were Nightmares and the carriage was partially made of bone, but still. It was all rather extravagant and I was worried about just how fancy this party would be in comparison.

I was born lower class. I was raised lower class and now here I was in an outfit that probably cost more than my entire hometown did going to a royal ball where even the royalty would eventually listen to me. Needless to say I felt about ready to throw up.

I didn’t even bother looking outside the windows because if I did my apprehension would grow even further. I didn’t think I could handle seeing the castle slowly coming closer and closer to me. I really hoped I wouldn’t fuck things up.

I jumped a bit as Arkaia’s hand covered my own and let out a shaky breath, trying to force myself to relax. It was working at all. He did his best to comfort me without messing up my outfit or hair but it didn’t really help. I appreciated his efforts though.

“Relax. No one can acknowledge you yet and until they can anything you do cannot be used against you. I won’t let anything happen to you.” I could hear the worry in his voice and remembered Ryce’s words. If I sincerely asked Arkaia I knew he would take me back to the manor and not force me to go. I couldn’t do that to him though. They couldn’t acknowledge me but they could certainly acknowledge him and although I didn’t know the consequences for slighting royalty I knew it couldn’t be anything good.

“I’ll be fine. I’m just nervous.” Nightshade was growing restless due to my apprehension and I silently hoped that my vampire side would edge away these feelings so he wouldn’t take over. That was the last thing I needed right now. Who knows what he would do if set free.

I didn’t let go of Arkaia’s hand the rest of the way to the castle. The comfort I automatically gained from him for him being my Sire was of great help to me. I knew instinctually that he would protect me and it was only my pride that kept me from moving closer and leaning into him.

When the carriage finally came to a stop a servant actually opened the door for us and helped us out, though Arkaia was the one to help me due to the inability to acknowledge me. I could have sworn I saw his eyes widen slightly when he caught sight of my hair and eyes though, but he covered it up so nicely that even Arkaia couldn’t complain over the slip up.

Once I was on the ground my Sire kept me beside him, with his arm around my waist, and the other two then flanked either side of us. It felt a bit like a security team to me and in a way I guess it was. It didn’t bother me as much as it had before (I guess I had gotten used to it) and I let them lead me on auto-pilot as I soon became distracted by the grandeur of castle grounds.

Before us was a large garden several times the size of my family home and wrapped around it was a hedge maze with walls as least twice as tall as I was. The only reason I could even see the gardens was because there was a large gap in the walls allowing us through.

A woman sat on a bench on the outside them and after we were safely passed the hedges she looked away and the shrubbery grew back in place, effectively cutting us off from the outside world. Another woman was on this side of them, twin to the other, and she was there for exactly the same purpose. They could control the plants it seemed. The name for such people escaped me at the moment but their powers were still amazing to see.

Inside of the maze was a shocking sheet of white. The grass had all been frosted over, but was not cold, as had the trees, shrubbery, and even some of the flowers. White and blood red roses littered the area and although it was passed time for the leaves to start falling each tree was full of blood red leaves the likes of which I had never seen before.

What soon distracted me though was when I caught site of the hell hounds. They were patrolling the area, though not growling at any of the few guests that were here thus far, and immediately it took me back to my father and the night my family had died. Arkaia’s grip on my waist tightened and he pulled me closer to him. I could practically feel the heat coming off of Infirite as well.

“Are you alright? They won’t hurt you. These hell hounds are fully under control.” Maybe if my father had had more control none of this would have happened.

I pushed those thoughts from my mind and was determined to ignore them. I would not think about such things right now. I will not break down again. I promised Ryce that I wouldn’t.

Leading me away from the hell hounds we stopped in place where I couldn’t see them and I was grateful for it. I could still feel the subtle stares of the other guests but I think I was actually getting used to that as well, as much as I despised it. That thought unsettled me a bit but I supposed it was a good thing since it would probably continue to happen for who knows how long.

There was a bench behind us and I let Arkaia sit me down, as apprehensive as I was about tearing something, but none of them sat down beside me. Instead they all hovered around me and were soon all pulled into small talk with the other guests. Even Infirite who, if I didn’t know him, I wouldn’t dare to approach based upon his defensive stance alone.

I listened to them for a while before tuning them out in favor of studying the gardens instead. It really had a regal like beauty to it, the type that finely sculpted statues had when you first saw them, and it held an air of aristocracy that couldn’t be ignored. I wonder how long the servants have to slave over this in order to get things to look this good…

There was so much going on in these gardens that I was occupied for who knows how long, staring at things, that when I started paying attention again I was surprised to see that the number of guests had actually tripled and that Arkaia and the others were all talking to completely different people. I couldn’t believe that I hadn’t notice all of this happening but was relieved that my vampire side had in fact edged away some of the apprehension and nervousness I felt. Nightshade was still restless but I didn’t feel like I was in danger of him taking over right now either.

Another tickling was growing in the back of my mind. I had no idea what it was but it grabbed my attention and as I concentrated on it I realized it was growing closer. I didn’t know what was growing closer but I knew it was coming and although it was unknown I knew that it wasn’t a threat to me.

Looking to the side I watched one of the rose bushes that was close by and soon after this small rodent like creature came up next to me. It was covered in scales and had a thick, platted head that looked like a triangle with three smaller ones flipped upside down to look like spikes. Its toes were clawed and its eyes were almond shaped and pitch black.

It didn’t scare me. In fact the creature almost felt familiar and I knew immediately that it would never hurt me. Without thinking about it I put my hand out for it to crawl on and it moved delicately so it wouldn’t prick me with its claws. Bringing it up for a closer look it waited patiently as I examined it, without protest, as most animals would.

Its tail was one of the most interesting things about it. It was like a rat’s tail only it was covered in scales and at the end was an arrow or a triangle—similar to the stereotypical demon tail. Aside from its tail tip and claws the rest of its skin was a sandy color with a redish tint to it. It was the strangest creature I had seen thus far.

Tiny, almost inaudible high-pitched squeaks caught my attention before even more of the little creatures came out and crawled over me. All of them did their best not to hurt me but I felt that they had this instinctual urge to be close to me.

“You need no more proof of you being a Blood Count than that. Those creatures are called Bloodings. They are created from a Blood Child’s blood and they obey only their creators. Since they are flocking to you without you being their master it can only mean that you are in fact a Blood Count. Creatures of blood will automatically obey a Blood Count, even over the commands of their creators.” I had no reason not to believe what Infirite was telling me but a part of me wanted to deny it anyway just so I wouldn’t have to admit that I was in fact a Blood Count. As long as there had been no evidence aside from the color of my hair and eyes I was able to ignore it, but if what Infirite said was true…

The little creature looked up to me with intelligence. I knew I couldn’t deny how reliable animal instinct was. This creature recognized me and I had known it was coming before I even knew what it was. There was no other explanation for it than that. I had to trust Infirite; I was a Blood Count. Though I really wish that I wasn’t…

Glancing at Arkaia and Ikuma I saw that they too were subtly watching me and couldn’t really blame them for it. Apparently it wasn’t every day that Bloodings randomly flocked to someone. I would probably stare at me too if I were them.

Subconsciously I was grateful that they were watching me. Even though people couldn’t acknowledge me I could still feel their attention and knowing that the few people I knew were standing here and protecting me was very comforting indeed.

I jumped slightly as the Blooding in my hand bit me and watched as it licked the wound shut even though it knew it would heal quickly on its own. The sensation I had felt when the Bloodings were coming grew stronger with this one and as I focused in on it I could tell exactly where it was and what it was doing.

It wasn’t the same as seeing it and knowing it was there but it was like the Blooding was reporting into me. I was certain that if I concentrated and spoke to it telepathically that it would hear me and obey my commands. The Blooding had bonded itself to me.

Watching in fascination, I didn’t move or protest as the other Bloodings quickly followed the first’s example and one by one I could feel them biting me and then ‘hear’ them reporting in. Although I had only known them for a few moments I could easily tell them apart. They had no gender and no names but I knew if I gave them one they would respond to it.

Their creator, whoever it had been, was no longer here and now they had chosen me to be their master. There were six of them in total and I wondered just how long they had been in these castle walls, waiting for someone they could serve. Almost immediately I was given an answer.

Blurred visions of red appeared in my mind and slowly they focused in the center to reveal a demon with long, antelope like horns pricking his finger with a pen knife before letting the blood drop onto the table in front of him. I could almost feel his magic as the blood gathered and coagulated, rising up to form the shape of an egg before a Blooding tore its way through the flesh like membrane. This was their creator.

The image faded and the Bloodings retreated respectfully from my mind. These creatures weren’t able tell time like people could so they couldn’t tell me how long they had been here but I could tell it had been a long time since their master had lived and died. There had been no other Blood Children to come here before me so they had lived and slept within the walls of the castle, waiting.

I looked up as Infirite moved closer and watched as he looked around with an annoyed glare as though daring anyone to try and talk to him now. Sitting down beside me he continued glaring until the hissing of my Bloodings caught our attention. I was just as surprised as he was at their sudden defensive stance and knew immediately that they were trying to protect me.

“Stop that. He’s a friend. You don’t hurt him.” I whispered, forgetting for a moment I could just use telepathy, and immediately they stopped and settled down. Silently I told them that Arkaia, Ikuma, Ryce, and the others were not to be harmed either and formed images of what they looked like in my mind. They quickly acknowledged my command and I knew they wouldn’t harm any of them.

Sitting back for a moment I was dumb founded that I had actually known how to control them and that I had been able to send commands and images from my mind. No one had taught me that and I wondered just what else I was able to do based upon instinct. Lost, I looked to Infirite for guidance and found him to be studying me as though he didn’t quite know what to think either.

Thankfully, or maybe unthankfully, there was a murmur that swept through the crowed that I noticed had grown exponentially since the last time I had checked it and was glad that I hadn’t noticed it earlier. Distracted, we watched as people started heading inside through the garden doors and stood up as Arkaia motioned to us.

The little Bloodings dug their claws in to keep from falling off and I inwardly winced as I thought about what they were doing to the fabric. Soon after I thought this they stopped and somehow managed to all crawl onto my shoulders, except for the one I was holding, and stayed there without having to use their claws again.

Arkaia again returned to my side and placed his arm around me, this time careful not to upset the Bloodings. Ikuma peered around his uncle and lover to examine the creatures with intense curiosity, now that he was no longer obligated to give his attention to another guest. The way he was looking at them made it seem like he’d climb his way up me to get to them if he was given the chance.

Not wanting that to happen I asked the one I was holding to go to him and let him examine it. It obeyed, crawling up my shoulder and over Arkaia’s to get to him, and Ikuma gave me a huge grin before turning his attention onto the poor creature. I just hoped he didn’t end up hurting it or something.

Infirite remained on my other side, still watching me out of the corner of his eye, and I wondered if I should send one of the Bloodings to him as well. I didn’t actually want to spy on any of them, as I knew I could with their reports, but for some reason it made me feel better to think that I could do something to help them as well. If one of them were in trouble the Bloodings could contact me and I could inform someone who could help. The problem was that I didn’t know if they would see that as an intrusion or not.

We slowly started walking towards the doors and I felt a little claustrophobic with all the people pressing in close to us. Thankfully none of them got too close though, not enough to set off Arkaia’s over protective instincts, and I looked over as a familiar scent caught my attention. Ryce soon joined us and offered his silent greetings, subtly checking over my attire in a way that made me want to roll my eyes in response. His eyes too also lingered on the Bloodings and I could tell he was just as curious as the others were about them. I guess there were some things even a vampire didn’t get to see very often.

Keeping silent I didn’t ask the other Bloodings to go to them. It didn’t seem appropriate given where we were and I didn’t want to distract the others from something they needed to pay attention to. I couldn’t do anything more for them since I didn’t know what those ‘something’s’ were in the first place.

Traveling down the hallways I was a bit annoyed by the quickened pace we were moving at. The stone walls had frost on them that seemed to be creeping in from the cracks and when you glanced over it, it looked red for a moment before turning white. While looking straight at it there was no sign of red. It was only something lingering out of the corner of your eye and it was driving me crazy.

The chandeliers hanging on the ceiling glowed red and although they didn’t give off much light the hallways were easy to see. I could see a lot more as a vampire than I had been able to as a human. The small details from the things around me came in clear and sharp and were distinctly obvious, things that as a human I would have missed entirely.

Such as the rose patterns in the crystals of the frost. It amazed me that such little details could be so perfected and that I was able to actually see and notice them. Without those little details the frost might have seemed boring but these roses were actually moving; blooming, dying, and re-blooming in a small cycle that caught your attention and held it. It was amazing.

When I thought about it though I wasn’t sure why this party was so different from the one that had been held at Malibrooke manor. Yes, it was being hosted by royalty, but so far the decorations were worlds apart. The Malibrooke one had had spider webs and creepy statues but this one was elegant, revolving more around winter than Hollow’s Eve.

The end of the hallway came up a few minutes later and I could see silk clinging to the edges of the stone on the ceiling before spanning upwards after the entrance. It led into a large room nearly twice the size of the gigantic gardens and along all of the walls was the same white silk in big sheets that waved without the help of any wind.

They all came together at the middle of the ceiling around a huge chandelier shinning with white light. Movement caught my attention and I tried to focus in on what I thought to be semi-transparent figures weaving through the silk. They were like ghosts in a way but when one of them paused their face changed from that of a beautiful woman to a demon with sharp teeth and blazing eyes. When she opened her mouth to scream no sound came out but regardless it sent shivers down my spine. The Bloodings stirred restlessly.

“Banshees. They scream for the halfbloods here.” Arkaia’s thumb was moving on my hip again. I knew about the legends and how they screamed for the dying. I supposed that in a way that half-bloods were forever stuck in the middle of life and death. Glancing at Ikuma I figured that they had to be screaming for him as well.

In the center of the room was huge fountain, pristine and made of white marble, and with a quick sniff I could tell that it had been filled with blood. I narrowed my eyes and it came more into focus. There were hundreds of little glass cups floating on white lily pads and ladles were placed on the edges of the fountain. Did they…turn it into a giant punch bowl?!

I stared at it in shock and jerked a little as Arkaia kept walking, not noticing I had stopped. He looked at me in concern and I shook my head a little, giving him a small smile to let him know I was alright, and then turned back to continue looking.

The fountain had two figures on it, one standing and the other sitting at their feet. Around them was a large pile of carnage. Bones, flesh, and things I didn’t even want to think about were sticking up randomly and with such detail that I grew nauseous and was forced to look away.

To the right, the direction we were heading in, was a set of stairs that lead to elaborately decorated thrones decorated in the same way the fountain was. Behind them was more silk and delicately crafted silver spider webs. I assumed they had been made by the same spider demons I saw last night but the demons were no where in sight. There were only small silver and white spiders hanging on the webs instead.

Once everyone was inside the room the crowd fell silent and waited as another set of doors was opened and out walked a group of people dressed in outfits that looked even more expensive than my own, if that were possible. The fabric was made of some sort scales and sparkled like jewels when the light caught them.

All around me people started bowing and curtseying to various degrees. I think it had something to do with rank because the Malibrookes only bowed slightly while others actually got onto their knees. I didn’t know what I was supposed to do and tried to copy the others only to be stopped by Arkaia.

“There’s no need for you to bow. Although they technically outrank you if would be considered an insult if you, a prophet, were forced to bow to anyone.”

I wasn’t supposed to bow to royalty…? What it meant to be a Blood Count to these people hit me just then. They really believed that I was a prophet to their Blood God. The rank I had been placed in was so high that it was expected of me to not bow to royalty. It made me wonder just how people would then greet me once I was introduced.

“Are you alright?” The others were looking at me in concern as well and I tried to force myself to calm down. I had to get through this. I at least owed them that much.

“I’m fine. Just a little overwhelmed is all.” I said this to all of them so they would stop looking at me like that. It worked a little bit but I could tell they were still worried about me, even Infirite whom you could never tell with just by looking at his face.

Arkaia’s thumb was a comforting and familiar sensation that I took in along with the feelings of comfort that came with him being my Sire. Breathing in out of habit I had to remind myself to let it out when the normal suffocating sensation didn’t come. I really needed a therapist or something.

Turning my attention back onto the ‘stage’ one of the people, or two of them actually, caught my attention. They were standing in the background, a bit away from the royalty, and the one dressed in white was hovering possessively in front of the other. His foreign style outfit split at his sides, leaving a sort of long flap in the front and back that went down passed his knees. The top of it seemed to be a sort of half wrap as though the collar had been too big and he had taken it to the side and buttoned it there. Half of it was even covered in black vines that coiled everywhere.

Underneath the strange garment were white pants and slippers that had obviously came with the top and even his hair matched, it being a bright, stark white, and I briefly wondered if he had dyed it like Ikuma had. Circling the top of his head were small black horns that might have formed a halo if not for the gaps in the front and back. The addition of claws on his fingers led me to believe that he was a demon.

The man behind him was dressed the same except it was a complete reversal of colors. His outfit, in the same style, was more black than white and his hair was a natural black like mine had been. The only exception was that he was a vampire, not a demon, and that his eyes deep shade of violet.

The man in front caught my eyes and I froze as I realized that he was staring directly at me. All the others had been respectful and had at least not made their staring so obvious, but that was not what was happening with him. He didn’t even try to hide the fact that he was acknowledging me and there was just something about his black eyes that sent a shiver down my spine.

I realized that the royalty were talking but just I couldn’t take my eyes away from that man. Slowly a smirk spread across his face and I knew without a doubt that he knew exactly what affect he was having on me. He was toying with me.

Behind him the one in black shifted restlessly and for a moment caught my eye as well before he turned his attention onto his counterpart. Responding to the tugging on his hand the demon finally broke eye contact with me in order to pet the other’s cheek. There was just something about the two of them that made me want to avoid them at all cost.

Arkaia’s grip tightened on my waist and I knew he had noticed the little exchange. Glancing at him I saw him glaring at the men but somehow knew that he wouldn’t, or couldn’t, do anything about it. It angered him.

“The man in white is called Ioquirra and the other is Cassiel. They are the Record Keepers.” Ryce didn’t turn to look at me although he was the one talking and I assumed it was because the royalty were still talking as well. Not wanting to distract him further I decided to wait before asking him more.

As hard as I tried to concentrate on what was being said I couldn’t. I was too distracted by that man and the one who seemed to be his lover. The way he moved and everything he did just screamed danger to me and I didn’t know why. I wanted to ask the Bloodings for visuals of him but I didn’t think that would be a good idea at the moment. That too would have to wait until later.

It wasn’t until Arkaia nudged me that I realized just how much time had passed and I forced myself to look away. The royalty were done speaking now and the guests were applauding, slowly breaking apart to mingle and examine the decorations around them. Not being able to help myself I glanced back for a moment and saw that the demon and his lover had disappeared. It was unnerving.

Ryce, who had been planning on explaining things to me, was suddenly pulled away by one of the other guests. By the looks of it, it was another noblewoman who couldn’t be lightly dismissed. Arkaia and Ikuma were soon swept up into this as well and they almost got to Infirite too had he not chosen that moment to step closer to me and lean in as though he were going to say something.

I assumed that they couldn’t interrupt without being rude, acknowledging me, or something like that for they left him alone for the time being. The Bloodings on the shoulder he was leaning towards sniffed and inspected him but did nothing to hurt him as I had asked them not to.

“Who are the Record Keepers? Why were they staring at me?” If he was surprised by my questions he didn’t show it but I did feel how his hand brushing against Arkaia’s was able to calm down our agitated Sire. I appreciated the gesture, not that I was able to feel any pain from Arkaia’s tight grip, but his hold had been becoming uncomfortable to me none-the-less.

“The one in white, Ioquirra, is a Lich: and undead necromancer with about ten times their power. He can control vampires. Everyone fears him but they fear not having him in their sights even more. The only way to keep him here was to give him something he wanted; access to records of Valdum Locus. Cassiel, on the other hand, is a larva-vampire, one who was born as a human and became a vampire after a natural death. He belongs to Ioquirra but the royalty are also using him to spy on the lich.” Perhaps that’s where the feeling of dread came from. Somehow I instinctually knew that Ioquirra was dangerous, even with having no knowledge of lichs or his past. It also explained why he had been allowed to ignore common courtesy and acknowledge me without permission. There wasn’t anything anyone could do about it.

“Crimson.” I searched the room before I was able to find Ryce. His back was turned to me and in front of him was the same woman who had drug him away and another man I hadn’t seen before. Infirite followed my gaze and when he spotted him his eyes narrowed. I wasn’t sure what was going on.

“This is Lord Raidelf Kinjol. He is not the best mind healer but he’s good enough to have his own following. I will discuss this with you and Arkaia after the party but he is the only one that may be able to help you on such short notice.” Ryce didn’t sound too thrilled about the idea but I understood what he was saying. Mind healers were like really good doctors and for the best ones you had to, in a sense, book months in advanced if you weren’t someone really important. Since I hadn’t been introduced yet Ryce couldn’t use my position to get one of those mind healers and if I wanted to be fixed before anyone else learned how crazy I was then this man was the best bet.

By the looks of it, even though I wasn’t sure if he had heard what Ryce had told me, Infirite already wasn’t happy about the idea. And if he wasn’t happy about it then I could only imagine the hell Arkaia would raise when he found out about it…

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Author’s Note: My computer wasn’t working for a while. Damn you HP! Damn you to hell! (And damn vista too!) Also, some bitch on DeviantART accused me of stealing my own art work…

Oh, and Ioquirra and Cassiel were wearing a sort of Cheongsam if you need a visual reference. (Use google, Jess. Google. Or just think of Count D from Pet Shop of Horrors.)

MiriuOniaya: Thanks for the enthusiastic review! (Those are the ones I love to get.) And I think you might grow to like Nightshade more as you learn more about him—he’s not that bad—and he’s not going anywhere for quite a while, if at all.

Jess: Finally! And I thought you said you weren’t going to bug me for more chapters…