7. Family Ties
Definition of Vampire:
A mythological undead creature said to feed on the blood of the living.
Nero
It has been days. I could still savor her sweet metallic blood on my tongue, and since drinking victims made vampires get a taste of the human’s desire and deepest thoughts I have sampled her lust for blood. The robust flavor lingers on my taste buds. I’ve fed in between but none was making my thirst subside. I craved the little killer and it was not a good thing, not for a vampire as old as myself. Because when one gets obsessed, nothing else matters our instincts will win and the monster will surface.
Tonight was not a good night, not when I was scheduled to attend a meeting discussing the sudden rise of dead bodies on our west sector across the river. Vampires are creatures of hierarchy, they are expected to be obedient to their leader. They followed the rules, they know the consequences, and when too many bodies started showing up drained of blood there has to be someone responsible for it.
The first suspects would be the newly turned vampires, which in this case their sire would be the ones held responsible for the young vamps, the newborns. Their thirst for blood would be uncontrollable and it is the maker’s job to make sure they’re safe and fed properly. The process could take time, depending on the connection between their sire and the newborn vampire.
We do not like to attract the attention of humans or the hunters. We are night creatures, we enjoyed living in the shadows. We have existed longer because we can, we’re smart, and knows how to control our desire for blood.
Humans had thought of vampires as mythical creatures for hundreds of years, only a small population of them knew about our existence or other supernatural beings for that matter.
“Sire, they’re here.”
That was my cue, and I told my eldest, Ammar, that I’d be there in a moment and then he nodded when he saw the young woman sitting, ready for the taking. The human was delivered earlier and had been waiting for her dose of sexual high since this was how our secret society works. Humans paid money to get high from the venom we release as we drank from their veins.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.
“Ready?” I asked, sitting her on my lap, my hand cradling her neck, my mouth inches from her arteries.
“Please,” her plea was throaty, I could smell her arousal already. Humans… so fucking easy.
I chose her from the lines of our patrons who had paid for feeding time and she had paid a generous sum of money for my time. From her profile, she looked just like my little killer, though she dressed like a true millionaire. Her skin was flawless, her lips looked plastic, and her skin tinted unnaturally. But one thing was for sure the thumping of her heart did not make me hard, and I hated that my fixation on the little killer had ruined my feeding pleasure.
The woman moaned and I let her hold on to my arms as I drank and released the vampire venom, it anesthetized and aroused her sexual high. She tasted bland just like the previous meals, men, women, old, young, they all tasted the same.
I left her on the sofa for others to take care of and drive her back home until the next time she’s back for more. At least she was not expecting sex since I do not have time for it. My mind quickly ventured back to the vamps and humans waiting for my arrival on the other side of my residential mansion.
Ammar was already there, the situation looked peaceful until I entered the room, then tension fill the air. The humans’ fear penetrated through their bodies though they were keeping a stoic expression.
“Sire, this is…”
I ignored the introduction but let Ammar tell me their names. Names that would be useless to my memory, humans, they come and go. They’re fragile beings, these days they drop dead too quickly from sickness and accidents. Too many names too little time. I stopped listening to their names centuries ago.
“We are looking into the situation, I assure you that everything will be taken care of. Give us two days. We are not monsters, we implemented discipline and those who deflect from the rules will be dealt with accordingly.”
The humans looked pleased, they know without me saying that the consequence was death. They were talking to the king of vampires, the same one who had ruled and resided in their area since before they were even born.
“Ammar, my son, tell me you had the one responsible for the massacre?” I demanded once the humans had gone and he joined me on the balcony.
“Yes father, it’s being dealt with. The newborn had been executed, his sire is waiting for his sentence.”
“Deal with it, execute the maker too. I have no time for stupid mistakes and remind the rest of our clan that disobedience is never tolerated.”
Ammar nodded then excused himself from the room. The vampire is my eldest creation, my son of three hundred years, he’s one of the most powerful ones among my children. He too had sired children and all exceptional vampires who had become assassins and soldiers who followed orders without hesitation. They had been through wars, defended our bloodline, and proved worthy of their ranks within the clan.
Reminded of Ammar’s eminence, I decided to go to the observation platform to watch the execution. Somehow I was not ready to go out and started following my little killer, hoping my bloodlust will be satisfied by watching my oldest son execute the reckless maker. Ammar had known and personally experienced how important it was to care for your newborn, that is why it took mature vampires to produce a great army of vampires. The maker in front of Ammar had less than twenty years of living as a vampire and was still considered a young vampire. Not many vampires can sire children that young and succeed.
“Sire,” Vesper greeted me as he took his place on my side.
“Vesper, good to see that you’re back.”
“Good to be back, father.” The young blond male smiled playfully. He had always been the rebellious one out of all my five children.
“Didn’t expect you to finish so fast.”
“The issue was a big misunderstanding, I kill them all. We’re good.” He chuckled coldly. Yes, Vesper is the cruelest of them all. Thinking back to when I made him over two and a half centuries ago, his sinister way of thinking was one of the reasons why I made him mine. I know he would keep me on my toes and I needed someone who can create havoc when the situation presents itself.
“You should really put me in charge with a territory father, I’m able enough.” the young man whined insolently. Vesper was twenty years young when I turned him into an immortal being. I should’ve waited until he was more mature but when I found him dying after a brutal attack I just couldn’t let him die and passed the chance to make him mine.
“I will give you a territory, I’ve said this before.”
“Yeah, I just need to sire children,” he rolled his eyes and huffed exaggeratedly as if vampires huffed, we don’t even breathe. Out of all of my five children, Vesper was the most content with his immortal life.
“Repeat my words.” I patiently reminded him while we both gazed down at the gathering vampires, circling the center of the court where the failed vampire maker was on his knees waiting helplessly for his execution.
“A true vampire is the one who had sire children.” Vesper said the words I’ve said centuries ago, “But father, I’m young.” Once again his rebellious manner surfaced.
“You are also my son, a prince of my bloodline. You’re one of the oldest here, you just appear young, and now, you act like one. Children, my young prince, I want my bloodline strengthened.”
He nodded, though I was not sure he’d give me one anytime soon. Still, I was hopeful that he’d sired one in the next couple of decades or so, maybe even finding a mate for himself. Who knows.
The deadly scream from below took me back to my current situation. I stepped away from the platform and lead both of us back to my study. It has been months since I’ve seen Vesper, too long because he had always been the closest one to me.
“You looked different, father, something… wait, someone is on your mind,” he tilted his head as if he was reading into me.
I chuckled and told him yes, a human psychopath, “… a beautiful one, energy bursting with so much bloodlust even her blood tasted so sweet.”
“Wow, you talk as if she’d be my mother.”
I smiled and continued, “I’ll take my time, good things feel better after much anticipation. The wait will make it taste much much sweeter in the end.”
“Okay there, Casanova, I don’t think I should be hearing details about my future mother.”
“As you should with your future mate, I’m still waiting. I know I’m not getting older but I want you to live your life. Solitary is not going to enrich yourself.”
I spent a couple of more hours talking to Vesper before I left the mansion to hunt. Well, more like to hunt for my little killer. I’ve been watching her from afar for the last few days. By now I’ve known more about her than probably anyone else. And yes, I still want her. Craved for her.