Descend into Darkness (BOOK 1)

| 20 | Restraint

He escorted me back to the garden. When the hidden door slid shut, I waited and listened to his footsteps fade away, staring at the grass between my toes. How could I act normal when I saw them again? 

I'm sure we would overcome it eventually, but there was no escaping the reality of what I was.

Someone was there. I turned and saw the vampire from the other day, his platinum-blonde hair shone brightly under the sun. He stood casually watering the roses. A thought occurred to me, and I walked forward to greet him.

   "I thought I was the only vampire who could rise with the sun?"

He looked at me and smiled, speaking in a soft voice.

   "I admit you and I are quite... similar."

   "Did he turn you, too?"

   "A part of the person you're referring to, exists in both of us."

   "Can we talk?"

   "Of course." He said softly.

Me, Leo, and the man that sat beside me on the garden bench: three vampires turned by ancient beings. The more I thought about it, and the more I studied him, the more I noticed the similarities. 

The light hair, the unearthly aura that emanated from them. They weren't just barbaric vampires fueled by their thirst. In a way, they were more like royalty.

   "Did something happen?" he asked.

I nodded.

   "Would you like to talk about it?"

I was silent. I wondered whether I could trust him. I had to admit that there was an unusual respect and admiration for him, even though he was a stranger. Maybe it was my vampire blood that acknowledged his as a superior. I couldn't explain it.

   "I was training with the hunters but... I lost control of myself at the smell of blood."

   "Ah," he said. "Have you tasted human blood?"

   "No, never."

   "I see. Your body knows what it needs, but you are denying it."

   "Will it get worse?"

   "Most certainly. The longer you starve yourself from the real thing."

I frowned. I never wanted to hurt anyone; I just wanted to prove that I wasn't anything like those other vampires. Yet, in the end, I made it clear exactly what I was. His hand softly rested on his shoulder. My heart was still.

   "Accept the person you are now. Once you do, you will gain better control of yourself. All it takes is that one little step."

   "You mean drink human blood?"

   "That's right. Drink human blood, and you will find your salvation."

I thought hard about his words. The serum they had given me made me believe that I never had to turn into the monster I loathed. But it was, after all, just a prototype. There was never a guarantee. 

I went to thank him for his guidance, but when I looked up, he was gone. I sighed. It was time for my own disappearing act. I strode back to my room in silence.

***

"What's your verdict, Mr. Bronson?"

Sage's demeanour was more intense than usual. He stood stiff in the center of the room. My head low, I glanced at Evander, who was leaning against the wall.

   "She needs to learn self-control, but it was my fault for not realising."

   "Yes, we're in a difficult situation. Based on our tests, the formula has only slowed her transformation. It's only natural that she would still exhibit vampiric traits--especially when exposed to fresh human blood."