A Hymn of Snakes

THREE

      One thing I always missed about being a Keeper was the way the warmth of metal sat in my hands, a new blade sat on my palms. Silver for it's blade but the hilt was carved from a golden decorum. The Queen commissioned it for me specifically, a gift for accepting her offer she said.

However, standing in my room in the East Wing- I found myself regretting it. I arrived to the castle last night with Holstien, today was my announcement day. Where both Keepers and Vampires alike would attend. My throat was rasping for relief as I thought about seeing the Keepers again. Theron Santrill was still in the same squadron at the castle, which meant I would be forced to be in the same room as that misogynistic prick. I caused my hands to get sweaty- so I ignored it.

Laid out on a chair in front of me was a uniform the Queen had given me. It mimicked the uniform the keepers wore but instead the colors were instilled with red and gold. I began to change as I noticed the fine details of the material. It was perfectly tailored to my fit, I had lost some weight since last year so I wondered how they were able to get it so well.

There was a golden lion clasp over the base of my throat, where golden rope fell from it and met with the padding over my shoulder. It was warm underneath it which I knew I would enjoy, even towards the end of the summer it was chilly in Romania. Alongside it was a pair of leather black boots which I strongly tied around my ankle twice. I didn't bother with my hair, there wasn't much I could do with it considering the short length. My new blade fit smoothly into it's holster as I finished changing. It felt so right and so wrong at the same time, a little part of me was jumping from the fear.

I turned to look myself in the mirror and my mouth gapped at my appearance. All I needed was blue hair to fix the transformation and look exactly like I should have in my vision. That terrified me, I knew that if this was possible that meant that I was closer to changing my fate- even if it was one hair at a time.

A knock belted at the door of the bedroom I stood in, I quickly unlocked it and allowed Holstien to enter the room. "Are your accommodations to your liking? It was insisted that you were treated like a royal employee." He told me with a chuckle in the base of his throat, I checked out what he wore and noticed the same uniform. "Well, I guess now you are one. Guess you can say we're coworkers now." He was enjoying this a little too much, I thought as I rolled my eyes. His eyes scanned down my body but stopped at the medallion around my neck. "I don't know if that would be allowed." Holstien's hand reached out to the necklace but I pulled away from him.

I pulled away from him as I lifted my arms, "If you want me to be able to do magic then you're going to have to suck it up." I complained to him.

"Can't you use magic without it?" He asked me and I felt as if I opened the vault for all of my secrets.

If Holstien knew what was good for him, he would drop it. I had a feeling he would but I also knew I would have to explain it all to him now. "Conjuring spells takes time, this necklace symbolizes the five elements. Water, fire, earth, air, and spirit. It makes it easier to cast the elements." Faster too, usually conjuring takes time and patience. When your running for your life you don't have either of those.

He threw his hands up in understanding and nodded away. "Okay- so ugly necklace stays on." Holstein opened the door for me and let me out of the room. "Everyone in the castle will be in the main hall waiting for the Queen's announcement. I wrote the announcement myself, I'm sure everyone will be shocked that you're still alive. People rise from the dead all the time, it won't be anything new. They'll get over it." He laughed again, then realization settled in my body as I forced myself to stop walked.

"They all think I'm dead- Alex thinks I'm dead." Holstien came from behind me and pushed me along but I remained in my own thoughts. I would see him again, after a whole year. I wondered how he changed, if he grew his hair out or if he looked completely the same. I missed him and I wondered if he missed me too.