At first an overwhelming pain ran up my arm, down to my toes, and back up to my brain. My heart started to flutter as my body jumped in to fight or flight mode. But Morrigan held me in place with ease. It was not long before the pain drifted away and I was left with a draining sensation. It was as though all of my life, all that I was and had been was being pulled through the puncture wound on my wrist. My world started to spin slowly at first and then faster. The room dimmed and my legs shook below me. My heart slowed as a red tornado filled my vision.
I am not sure how much time passed, but I slumped over Morrigan allowing her to completely hold me up. Then everything went black.
I was unsure if I was dreaming or dying as my life flooded through my mind.
Images of Morty and me that I had attempted to forget came rushing in from our shared childhood...
...to our beautiful child.
Then Jaspers death. It hit my mind as hard as it did the first time, ripping the wound wide-open again.
That’s when I felt her, Morrigan was there. She watched the memories with me holding me as I shook from the horror. She too eventually broke down into tears with me. Together we cried, from my past loss and hers. Morrigan lifted me and with a gentle kiss on my cheek promised me it was almost over. I was ready to give up. Ready to let go of the life that had been so horrible to me. However, Morrigan made me promise not to give in. So I held on as my memories slowly faded and greyed. I held her hand as more blackness washed over me. I held on, whispers called me to me sweetly, inviting me to rest. It seemed like days that I fought to stay alive, before the spirit world gave up on me and left me to float in the darkness. When I woke up I was laying on Morrigan’s couch with a cold compress on my forehead. My arm throbbed with pain but I was too weak to lift it. Out of the corner of my eye I saw large bandage wrapped around it. Then Morrigan popped into view.
“Oh thank the watcher! You made it!” She smiled as she wiped the tears that had fallen in my sleep from my face.
“Wha…” Was all I could manage before she stuck a straw to my mouth.
“Drink,” she said as she hushed my attempts to talk, “and I will explain.”
I did as I was told. The cold water tasted slightly sweet, but in the city old pipes made the water taste funny. After the first sip I realized how thirsty I was and drank without complaint as Morrigan filled me in.
“Sorry,” She started, “it has been a long time since I changed anyone and I may have taken a bit too much.” An apologetic smile crept on to her face. I nodded her on. “Well, as you know, to become a vampire one must die. So I had to drain you to the point that you would just touch death, and then bring you back. The key though is that you must choose to come back. And I am so glad you did!” She squeezed my hand. “I will explain it to you the way it was explained to me. When a vampire drinks, they are taking life. This forces them to experience the life, in part or in whole of the being. Your memories become mine, and as you might expect that can get a bit confusing which is why I switched to plasma fruit a long time ago. However, many believe this is a survival technique. It bonds vampires to their changelings allowing them to care for each other and understand one another better. That’s why I was able to be with you, and support you. It allows me to give you something to hold on too.”
I finished my water and looked up at Morrigan.
“How many?” I asked, she looked at me confused. “How many others have you changed? How many people’s lives are in your mind?”
“Oh, umm four. You being number four. Then I have bits and pieces of others, but all of my four are from changelings and offered willingly so they are easy to separate. I hear that if you take a life that is unwilling, they can blend into your own memories. That’s why some vampires go mad.” She looked out the tinted window. Something tugged at my mind, an incomplete memory fighting for me to notice it but it seemed foreign. I wondered how Morrigan brought me back, but she answered the question before I could ask it.
“Sweet isn’t it?” She looked from the cup to me. “At first I had to force feed my blood to you, since you were out cold, but once you woke up I just mixed it with a little water. For the next day or so your body will be fighting itself. It will be uncomfortable but I am sure you will do fine.”
She patted my arm reassuringly as it all started to settle. Not only had she drained me to the point of death, but then I drank her blood, and enjoyed it. Morrigan smiled down at me as room started to turn again. I heard her tsk and walkaway as my eyes rolled back in my head and I blacked out again. This time there was no memories and sweet whispers, only a thick red liquid. It slushed pasted me in pulsed movements surrounding me in warmth. At first I tried not to touch it, I knew it was blood, but the smell called to me. It smelled almost buttery and screamed of comfort and healing. I lifted my hand now covered in the sticky liquid to my lips.
At first I touched the tip of my tongue to my coated finger, still afraid of what it would taste like. With the slightest lick energy zipped though my body filling me with life. Before I could ponder the flavor I had licked my hand clean. My body started to crave more thankfully I was swimming in the sappy liquid. I started to scoop the blood up with my hands and when that did not fill me I began to drink the liquid straight from the walls it created. I laughed as my face became coated in the crimson juice. I allowed myself to drowned in the pulsing pool and just as my head went under the surface my eyes fluttered awake again.
I looked around for a moment before I started coughing. Morrigan was pacing behind the couch and bent over to check on me.
“Thirsty much?” She attempted a joke but concern creased her naturally smooth forehead.
I felt around and notice the empty bag in my hand. I reached my hand to my face and felt the sticky liquid that coated it. The blended scent of butter and copper made my nose flare and stomach gurgle. I rolled over and clutched my gut.
Morrigan came around to face me and started to gently wipe my face and hands after coaxing the bag from my fisted fingers. As she soothed me, I looked into her eyes. I knew she understood but I didn’t yet. I had wanted this but now part of me fought everything I had asked for. She just nodded and held my hand for the rest of the day as I drifted in and out of sleep. My body fighting immortality and death at the same time.
When I finally woke up the next afternoon, I heard Morrigan in the kitchen. I got up and wondered in wobbling only slightly with each step.
“Morning sunshine.” She laughed at me as she worked over the stove. I noticed that she had set up quite the spread of food from plasma cakes to roast beef.
“You having a party?” I asked as I steadied myself against the counter.
“Yep,” She smiled up at me as she plated some grilled cheese. “It’s a Conversion Party, for you.” My eyebrows shot up and she continued. “Its tradition,” Morrigan waved her spatula around as she talked, “it used to be filled with crazy blood rituals and drums but now it is just a feast with vampires and other beings coming together to celebrate immortality. I got you a dress it is in the bathroom, you should probably shower.” She smiled and continued on with her preparations.
Instead of arguing I walked to the bathroom and took a shower. I feared that she had gotten me some big princess dress, but found instead a cute pink party dress.
“Oh thank the watcher! You made it!” She smiled as she wiped the tears that had fallen in my sleep from my face.
“Wha…” Was all I could manage before she stuck a straw to my mouth.
“Drink,” she said as she hushed my attempts to talk, “and I will explain.”
I did as I was told. The cold water tasted slightly sweet, but in the city old pipes made the water taste funny. After the first sip I realized how thirsty I was and drank without complaint as Morrigan filled me in.
“Sorry,” She started, “it has been a long time since I changed anyone and I may have taken a bit too much.” An apologetic smile crept on to her face. I nodded her on. “Well, as you know, to become a vampire one must die. So I had to drain you to the point that you would just touch death, and then bring you back. The key though is that you must choose to come back. And I am so glad you did!” She squeezed my hand. “I will explain it to you the way it was explained to me. When a vampire drinks, they are taking life. This forces them to experience the life, in part or in whole of the being. Your memories become mine, and as you might expect that can get a bit confusing which is why I switched to plasma fruit a long time ago. However, many believe this is a survival technique. It bonds vampires to their changelings allowing them to care for each other and understand one another better. That’s why I was able to be with you, and support you. It allows me to give you something to hold on too.”
I finished my water and looked up at Morrigan.
“How many?” I asked, she looked at me confused. “How many others have you changed? How many people’s lives are in your mind?”
“Oh, umm four. You being number four. Then I have bits and pieces of others, but all of my four are from changelings and offered willingly so they are easy to separate. I hear that if you take a life that is unwilling, they can blend into your own memories. That’s why some vampires go mad.” She looked out the tinted window. Something tugged at my mind, an incomplete memory fighting for me to notice it but it seemed foreign. I wondered how Morrigan brought me back, but she answered the question before I could ask it.
“Sweet isn’t it?” She looked from the cup to me. “At first I had to force feed my blood to you, since you were out cold, but once you woke up I just mixed it with a little water. For the next day or so your body will be fighting itself. It will be uncomfortable but I am sure you will do fine.”
She patted my arm reassuringly as it all started to settle. Not only had she drained me to the point of death, but then I drank her blood, and enjoyed it. Morrigan smiled down at me as room started to turn again. I heard her tsk and walkaway as my eyes rolled back in my head and I blacked out again. This time there was no memories and sweet whispers, only a thick red liquid. It slushed pasted me in pulsed movements surrounding me in warmth. At first I tried not to touch it, I knew it was blood, but the smell called to me. It smelled almost buttery and screamed of comfort and healing. I lifted my hand now covered in the sticky liquid to my lips.
At first I touched the tip of my tongue to my coated finger, still afraid of what it would taste like. With the slightest lick energy zipped though my body filling me with life. Before I could ponder the flavor I had licked my hand clean. My body started to crave more thankfully I was swimming in the sappy liquid. I started to scoop the blood up with my hands and when that did not fill me I began to drink the liquid straight from the walls it created. I laughed as my face became coated in the crimson juice. I allowed myself to drowned in the pulsing pool and just as my head went under the surface my eyes fluttered awake again.
I looked around for a moment before I started coughing. Morrigan was pacing behind the couch and bent over to check on me.
“Thirsty much?” She attempted a joke but concern creased her naturally smooth forehead.
I felt around and notice the empty bag in my hand. I reached my hand to my face and felt the sticky liquid that coated it. The blended scent of butter and copper made my nose flare and stomach gurgle. I rolled over and clutched my gut.
Morrigan came around to face me and started to gently wipe my face and hands after coaxing the bag from my fisted fingers. As she soothed me, I looked into her eyes. I knew she understood but I didn’t yet. I had wanted this but now part of me fought everything I had asked for. She just nodded and held my hand for the rest of the day as I drifted in and out of sleep. My body fighting immortality and death at the same time.
When I finally woke up the next afternoon, I heard Morrigan in the kitchen. I got up and wondered in wobbling only slightly with each step.
“Morning sunshine.” She laughed at me as she worked over the stove. I noticed that she had set up quite the spread of food from plasma cakes to roast beef.
“You having a party?” I asked as I steadied myself against the counter.
“Yep,” She smiled up at me as she plated some grilled cheese. “It’s a Conversion Party, for you.” My eyebrows shot up and she continued. “Its tradition,” Morrigan waved her spatula around as she talked, “it used to be filled with crazy blood rituals and drums but now it is just a feast with vampires and other beings coming together to celebrate immortality. I got you a dress it is in the bathroom, you should probably shower.” She smiled and continued on with her preparations.
Instead of arguing I walked to the bathroom and took a shower. I feared that she had gotten me some big princess dress, but found instead a cute pink party dress.
When I came out of the bathroom I heard Morrigan sobbing and rushed over to her.
“What’s wrong?” I asked grabbing her arms.
“I just…I wish Wogan could be here.” She sniffled a bit and wiped her eyes.
“I know,” I tried to sooth her, “but I am sure he is here in a way. Without him this would never have happened.”
“Your right,” she exhaled a large calming breath, “I just had a moment of weakness. Sorry, your change is weakening me as well.” She physically shook herself off and stood up straight.
“Ready for your party?” She smiled, I just smirked and nodded. I was as ready as I could be.
As we finished setting up Morrigan told me to expect some changes as the vampire awoke inside me. Vampires by nature, she explained, are both more in touch with their inner animal and more evolved. For this reason, I might have new or stronger urges than in the past. I was already craving blood even though my body was not ready to truly process it yet so I had an idea of what she meant. But that evening I would get a much better idea of some things that had changed.
“What’s wrong?” I asked grabbing her arms.
“I just…I wish Wogan could be here.” She sniffled a bit and wiped her eyes.
“I know,” I tried to sooth her, “but I am sure he is here in a way. Without him this would never have happened.”
“Your right,” she exhaled a large calming breath, “I just had a moment of weakness. Sorry, your change is weakening me as well.” She physically shook herself off and stood up straight.
“Ready for your party?” She smiled, I just smirked and nodded. I was as ready as I could be.
As we finished setting up Morrigan told me to expect some changes as the vampire awoke inside me. Vampires by nature, she explained, are both more in touch with their inner animal and more evolved. For this reason, I might have new or stronger urges than in the past. I was already craving blood even though my body was not ready to truly process it yet so I had an idea of what she meant. But that evening I would get a much better idea of some things that had changed.
I helped Morrigan greet all the guests as they came in the door. As more people came I started to feel more alive. When I met Reuben Littler I felt myself drawn to him. For some reason I wanted to be close to him, but his wife hovered the entire time thankfully preventing me from losing control.
I tried to gather myself by grabbing something to eat.
When I looked up a man with glowing eyes sat at the other end of the table examining me. Confused and caught a bit off guard I introduced myself.
“Hello, I am Lux.”
“The changeling. Good.” He smiled slightly, “I am Will.”
“It’s nice to meet you Will.” I looked away for a moment and when I looked back he was gone. I knew vampires were fast but had never seen it firsthand. After a moment of sitting stunned I decided to let it go and enjoy my party. Soon I would be one of them and his speed would not impress me. I walked around and talked to the people who had come. I danced a bit with some and listened to Morrigan and others give me tips on my future. I scanned the room for Will but never saw him. For some reason the idea of him tickled the back of my mind but I could understand why he intrigued me.
“Hello, I am Lux.”
“The changeling. Good.” He smiled slightly, “I am Will.”
“It’s nice to meet you Will.” I looked away for a moment and when I looked back he was gone. I knew vampires were fast but had never seen it firsthand. After a moment of sitting stunned I decided to let it go and enjoy my party. Soon I would be one of them and his speed would not impress me. I walked around and talked to the people who had come. I danced a bit with some and listened to Morrigan and others give me tips on my future. I scanned the room for Will but never saw him. For some reason the idea of him tickled the back of my mind but I could understand why he intrigued me.
After a few drinks I excused myself to the washroom. The only open one was off the guestroom. When I walked out Will was sitting on the bed waiting for me. I instantly became aware of his presence and longed for him to be closer. Before I could breathe he was in front of me.
“Hello changeling.” He whispered taunting me to lean in. My breath held in my throat as I battled my desire to lean into him.
Will reached out and slowly ran his thumb over my collarbone. My skin flushed with his touch, I mentally cursed and he laughed.
“Don’t worry changeling. Soon that won’t be a problem.” He smirked and pulled me close.
“Hello changeling.” He whispered taunting me to lean in. My breath held in my throat as I battled my desire to lean into him.
Will reached out and slowly ran his thumb over my collarbone. My skin flushed with his touch, I mentally cursed and he laughed.
“Don’t worry changeling. Soon that won’t be a problem.” He smirked and pulled me close.
He kissed me, at first softly and then what started as tender became hunger. I fell into the kiss, allowing all of my being to be wrapped up by him. I was perfectly happy at first allowing him to take complete control and he seemed more than happy to do so. But soon a hunger quickly grew inside me.
I slowly started to push Will to the bed. As I climbed on the bed after him I paused for only a moment. His eyes searched my face.
“Lux Daniels” I said pointing to myself. I leaned in for a deep kiss and pulled away again. My hands found the buttons on this shirt as I paused and looked at him.
“William Fangmann.” He smiled moving his hands to my hips. I nodded as he pulled me back into a kiss.
“Lux Daniels” I said pointing to myself. I leaned in for a deep kiss and pulled away again. My hands found the buttons on this shirt as I paused and looked at him.
“William Fangmann.” He smiled moving his hands to my hips. I nodded as he pulled me back into a kiss.
We quickly disposed of each other’s clothing and became a mess of teeth and skin under the covers. I let myself feed my desire and once I felt his fangs drag against my neck I allowed him to feed too.
Once we both had fulfilled our hunger we clung to each other for a moment allowing our bodies to slowly detangle and my heart rate to return to normal.
After a few breaths we broke apart to our separate corners. I could not help but laugh a little as Will stumbled putting on his pants. I was the clumsy human and the smooth vampire was having trouble with his leather pants. I decided to take that image home with me as I left Morrigan’s condo in the early morning.
When I got home I was greeted by Jasper and Albert watching TV.
I smiled and sat with them for a little bit before offering to read Jasper a bed time story. He had not mentioned the murder since his first visit and spent most of his visits being a kid. I did not want to take that from him so I was waiting till I was sure to tell him about his possible resurrection.
Instead I tucked him in and read him a story. After he drifted off to sleep I did the same. My life was going to be changing very soon and I felt a good night’s sleep would be a great start.
The next morning I woke up starving but when I tried to turn off the flame on the stove the dial broke off in my hand. I held it up in my hand confused and that’s when the flames jumped from my pan to the counter next to it.
The fire quickly took over my kitchen, but I seemed to be running on jet fuel. Before Albert even looked up to see the flames I was putting them out with the fire extinguisher. After putting out the flames I took a deep breath and wiped the sweat from my brow. That’s when my heart stopped.
I collapsed to the ground as my world went black. When I woke I was laying in the ashes of what was once my counter top. The tile was cold on my back but it did not make me cold. My nerves were firing on over drive. I watched a spider crawl across the ceiling across the room and listened to Albert’s sleeping heart. That’s when I noticed the missing noise. A sound I never thought I heard, my own heartbeat. My pulse was missing. I never noticed the roaring sound blood made until it stopped.
I got up from the ashes and looked around. The light from the window casted a new set of colors, colors I never knew existed across the room. My skin had paled and seemed to smooth as though it was frozen in place. I walked to my bedroom to look at my neck.
I collapsed to the ground as my world went black. When I woke I was laying in the ashes of what was once my counter top. The tile was cold on my back but it did not make me cold. My nerves were firing on over drive. I watched a spider crawl across the ceiling across the room and listened to Albert’s sleeping heart. That’s when I noticed the missing noise. A sound I never thought I heard, my own heartbeat. My pulse was missing. I never noticed the roaring sound blood made until it stopped.
I got up from the ashes and looked around. The light from the window casted a new set of colors, colors I never knew existed across the room. My skin had paled and seemed to smooth as though it was frozen in place. I walked to my bedroom to look at my neck.
I clipped my hair up so I would have a clear view of my change. The bites from Will had healed and were gone.
I noticed a new marking on my neck, almost like a tattoo but it was slightly raised. I had noticed it on some of the other vampires but never questioned it. I would later find out from Morrigan that it is a clan marking to show what vampire family I was in. They all looked alike to the mortals but fellow immortals would be able to see the differences.
I strutted around and smiled. No doubt that immortality looked good on me. But I would have to get use to the fangs.
I decided to go out. I was hungry after all and Morrigan needed to teach me about this. I threw on a sweater and put on some make up.
I paused a moment before leaving the house. I brushed my hair over my new birth-mark still unsure of how I felt about being marked to a family. My eyes glowed back at me as they broke down every stitch flaw in my sweater. They were haunting and yet they were mine. A chill zipped up my spine as I became fully aware that I was slightly afraid of myself.
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