Embracing a new life

Chapter 17: Establishing contact

The next two weeks, River spent alternating between drawing (he had in fact been contracted to do the artwork for a browser-game!) and learning the specific properties of gemstones, herbs, and spices, as well as some chant-like phrases and their proper use. Admittedly, to his great relief he did not have to actually learn everything by heart. Andreji was content with speaking the spiritual properties of plants and stones through and have River take notes in a small notebook so that he could look them up when needed (“After you have used them a few times, the knowledge will remain in your mind automatically.”), but he did insist that River had to learn the chants – which meant that Andreji performed them once, and River had to repeat them until his teacher was satisfied. It usually took several attempts, for Andreji had suddenly discovered his pedantic streak. “If they sense that you are not putting enough thought and energy into communicating with them, if they feel disrespected-“

“Yeah, yeah, it can have fatal results on my part. I’ve got that by now.”

Andreji threw a reproving glance at his cheeky fledgling but refrained from voicing his opinion and went back to the task at hand.

As Andreji had promised, they held their first séance already on the thirteenth day after Andreji’s demonstration. More to the point, River held his first séance, Andreji merely watched intently. It was River’s task to pick out the utensils he wished to use for the event. As Andreji had explained, “the choice of the items is a first form of communication. The chosen gemstones and herbs, as well as their arrangement will determine which type of spirits you attract. Additionally, candles and incense emphasise your seriousness, even though they do not have any direct influence on the spirits unless they are made of or suffused with herbs that carry a special meaning for the spirits.”

Thus, River picked out thin, long candles that would suffice to pay respect to small spirits but would not be enough to appease greater ones. He chose amethysts for their renown to drive off negative energy and for their ability to help psychic powers – after all, he was new at this and some aid was welcome. As second gemstone, River chose the aquamarine, for it was known as the stone that inspired friendship, harmony, and trust – exactly what he intended to built up with the spirit. To enhance the effect of the amethyst, River chose the peridot as last gemstone. Had the amethyst a reputation for driving away negative energy, the peridot kept away evil spirits.

To further enhance his psychic powers, River chose to burn the dried leaves of acacia combined with sandalwood.

To all this, Andreji said nothing, which River interpreted as a good sign. Surely Andreji would warn him if he made a severe mistake.

With a slight wince caused by the pain that shot through the deep cut that he had contracted during a sword fight training session a few days ago (had Andreji not been lenient, he would have lost an arm during the incident), River settled down on the floor. He arranged the gemstones as planned and subsequently lit the candles. He looked up to where Andreji sat a few feet away in his line of sight, ready to give him a nod in encouragement or a shake of the head in warning if it was needed.

River took a deep breath and collected his thoughts once more. Then he started the chanting, at the same time burning the herbs.

The scent rose to his nostrils and the smoke accompanying it made River’s throat dry, so that after a while it was scratchy and he had to exert a tremendous amount of self-control to keep from coughing. Time went on, and he kept on chanting. When he had repeated the verse for what felt a hundred times, he dared a peek at Andreji.

His mentor only nodded to him in encouragement and mouthed ‘go on’.

So River did with a soft sigh, closing his eyes for good measure. He did not know how long he kept going; it felt like hours to him. Then, suddenly, he felt something stir. Yes, felt. It was like a soft breeze on his skin. Had they forgot to shut the door or was there a broken window somewhere? Or was his body only playing tricks on him? His limbs were stiff from the long sitting, and he felt the cold from the floor seeping into him. Yes, he was sure that was it, signs of exhaustion.

Wait.

Was there not a distant voice? Whispering faintly? River strained to hear it more clearly, but it had gone. Or perhaps it had never been there, only the wind brushing the walls of the old storehouse.

Sssssssssssssssssousssssssssssssssssssssssssssousssssssss….! A loud hiss right next to his right ear suddenly disrupted the quiet and almost pierced River’s drumhead. The young man gave a strange, surprised yelp and jumped up, throwing over an almost completely burnt down candle in the movement. He backed off, rubbing his ear.

A moment later, he found Andreji’s face, looking at him as if seeking advice or an explanation.

The tall man smirked knowingly and rose. He extinguished the remaining candles and approached River. “Are you alright?” he asked, an observant look moving over his fledgling’s features, although the tone of his voice indicated that he was not genuinely worried.

“Yeah,” River murmured, a frown upon his face. “What was that?”

Andreji smiled amusedly, a faint glimmer in his eyes. “I told you already – they do have characters of their own. This one turned impatient when you showed no response…”

“Response?” River asked. “To what?”

Andreji’s smirks started to grow annoying to River. “He was circling you for quite a while already, but your senses were not alert enough yet to take notice of him. That will grow better with time.”

“I did feel something,” River defended himself. “Is that why only vampires can talk to gho- ehm, spirits? Because you need vampiric senses to perceive them?”

His mentor inclined his head. “That is not entirely true. There are some humans who do communicate with them. Still, you are right – the vampire nature has its advantages. In more than just one way. Most of the spirits hold us in higher regard, because we are less likely to pass away in the near future – an association with us is simply steadier.”

“Hm.” The blond nodded. “Am I done, now?” he enquired, motioning toward the place where he had set up the ritual.

“For today, yes. But do not let yourself be disheartened that you did not have a contact like you had hoped for on your very first attempt. Try again tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow, and the day thereafter… With each time, you will be more perceptive, and after a while, you will give the spirits no reason anymore to be upset. Have patience.”

River nodded numbly, the cold still sticking in his flesh and bones. He was not actually disappointed – after all, he had made contact in the end. He was merely tired and in need of a nice, warm shower. A massage sounded good as well.

As if reading his thoughts, when River had bagged his equipment and turned to go to the car, a strong arm was put around his shoulders. He basked in the small gesture, enjoying the warmth emanating from Andreji’s body while they moved to the vehicle.

River had voted against having to climb and walk endless tunnels before getting into the warm. They entered his apartment, where he dropped his bag and immediately started to peel off his clothes. When he turned around to enter the bathroom, only clad with some shorts, he was surprised to see that Andreji had followed his example.

His lover, who caught his puzzled facial expression, looked at him defiantly. “Where you the only one sitting in a cold spot for half a night?”

“Oh… right, sorry. I’m just a little groggy.” River stood a little lost in the room.

“Shall we proceed then?” Andreji invited him and held the bathroom door open for him.

River smiled and went past the taller man to turn on the water.

The feeling of firm muscles under wet skin that embraced him under the shower was marvellous. River smiled absent-mindedly while his hands slid over his lover’s masculine physique. This was not about sexual desires; River was too tired for that. Yet the affection that seeped through every touch into him was relaxing, comforting.

When Andreji switched the water off after fifteen minutes, River complained loudly. In compensation, a soft terry towel was wrapped around his body.

“Are you staying today?” River asked while he dried himself.

Andreji took a deep breath and put up a slight frown. “I wanted to get some work done…” Indeed, living in the caves had its advantages. They were like a vampire village underground, removed from the sun and therefore accessible twenty-four hours a day. In an apartment like River’s, you were trapped. He could understand that Andreji found that little enticing. Still…

“Please?” he asked, nuzzling his nose against Andreji’s.

“There are two hours before sunrise,” Andreji counted off rationally, “so we have an hour left. You will go to sleep anyway, so there is no reason for me to stay, River.”

River put up a mock pout.