Bite Shift

25

Human or not, a good hot shower feels good. I dare anyone to tell me that hot water beating into your muscles and a goat's milk bar of soap won't turn your day around. My new sense of smell was enamored with the scents of the bathroom and I had to force myself turn the water off.

I slathered myself in lotion, not really sure if I needed to anymore, but the habit was ingrained. The clothes fit perfectly and the blue of the shirt made my eyes look even more unnatural. They were mesmerizing, even to me. A quick brush of my newly thickened hair and I was ready to meet Rhys for my lessons.

The glass of blood I had taken into the bathroom was finished so I took it to the sink to be washed. As I was drying it, I looked up at the small window behind the sink. It looked onto his backyard and the woods beyond. Rhys stood at the tree line, still as a statue. Above him, the sky rumbled. I tapped on the glass of the window, intended to give him a what are you up to look but he didn't move. I tapped a second time. This one made him jump. He turned to the house and searched the windows. When his eyes landed on me, he held up his hands to tell me to stay inside. Turning back to the trees, he appeared to be scanning for something. For a reason unknown to me, I was suddenly enveloped with fear.

What is he looking for?

Rhys stopped scanning back and forth, turning back to the house and heading for the back door. I met him there and opened the entrance for him. He crossed the threshold, closed the door behind him and locked it.

"What is it? What's going on?"

"Nothing," he answered. I knew, deep down, that he was lying but let it go.

"What now?"

"Now," he was sounded less serious and transitioning back to gleeful Rhys that had shown off his speed in my room. "Now, I show you my office."

The side of the kitchen, opposite the hallway, has a door. Up until that moment, I wasn't sure if I had ever registered its existence. As a matter of fact, I was certain it had not been there last night.

"What the fuck?"

Rhys grabbed the doorknob and turned, revealing another room. "Masking," he replied. I can mask my features, my clothes and..... doors I don't want seen."

"How come I didn't feel you using your power? I felt you use it on the bouncer at The Hole. But, I didn't feel it here, when you mask things."

"Good question. I'll try to explain the best I can. Powers are different for everyone. Some powers fit the vampire like a glove. The power is like breathing. You don't notice me breath but I do. That is what masking is like for me. It is subtle, unnoticed. But other powers are like punches. You would feel if I punched you just like you felt me glamouring the bouncer. However, your age is a factor too. You are young so you feel the glamour strongly. Over time, the way my power is sent out will not change, it will still be like a punch. Only, you will no longer feel the hit. You will be stronger. Have I lost you?"

"No. I am following. So, the thing I did last night, the floating. Punch or breathing?"

"I am older so it did not hit me either way, but from what I saw, it came to you like breathing. You were dancing and then, just as smoothly, you were floating. It was graceful, like a dance. However, and I don't want to confuse you, powers change in the circumstance. It may have been like breathing last night, in the basement. But, out there, when threatened, your flying will likely come like a punch."

"Still following. Can I ask something else?"

"You may ask as many questions as you need."

"Last night, at the bar, with the bartender. I knew her name. I knew what her friends call her. I knew that she has a small pendent in her front pocket that broke off a necklace. She means to get a new chain for the pendant but keeps forgetting. That's why it is in her pocket. I think her Dad gave it to her. How can I know that?"

Rhys looked shocked.

"What? Why do you look scared?

"I am not scared," he responded. "I am surprised. You are displaying psychic abilities. And, flight. That's not how is usually works. Vampires are turned. In the first few days, their first power comes. Normally, it takes months before the next one emerges. Some vampires only get one. Some only two. You have had two powers arise in one night. One of those abilities is one that I believed only old vampires possess. I, truly, don't know what to say or how to explain it."

"Psychic? Like, read people's minds?"

"Well, no. Psychic like information comes to you. You likely cannot hear their thoughts but you will know things about them. But that is not the point. You are receiving powers more rapidly than I expected. I would like to consult Sorin."

"I don't think we need to tell him. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. It's two things. I am not even sure about the first one. Maybe I've met that girl before or some I know knows her and told me all that stuff."

"Maybe. Okay. Let's not say anything until we know more. In the meantime, you know he is expecting you tonight or tomorrow night with an answer."

"I know."

"He wants you to come to him alone. Frankly, I don't think it is a good idea but Sorin is very clear with his instructions and crossing him will end badly. I just ask that you tell me what you plan to say and say only that."

"You and I both know that I have to do it. If I don't try to find the killer, he will send me away. If I do what he asks, I may die. I would rather the girls think I am the victim of a murder than think I have abandoned them."

"Promise me that you will merely say 'yes, I will do it' and leave. Please do not argue with him or tell him what you just said. You do not want Sorin knowing how much your children mean to you. You do not want him to know your weakness."

I opened my mouth to argue and stopped. This is exactly what he is talking about.

"I promise."