Bite Shift

26

The room we were standing in was clearly the one that Rhys spent most of his time in. Scraps of paper and pictures were taped or tacked all over the walls. A large white table sat against the far wall with two monitors side by side. The chair in front of the monitors was red and leather on wheels. It was well worn from years of sitting. Several glasses with dried blood on the bottom sat on the desk, the lamp table next to the desk and the bookshelves on the right wall and left wall. Newspapers and magazines were stacked everywhere.

"Rhys. Finally! A mess. I was starting to think you had no flaws."

He blushed. "I know. I have the intention to clean it each night but never find the time or desire."

"I love it. It makes me feel way more comfortable with you finding out all of my flaws."

"Well, I am pleased you approve. I wanted you to know it was here so you can access the internet if you need it. It will no longer be masked."

"Are there any other rooms I don't know about?"

"No. This is it. I hid it because it is such a mess. But, if you don't care, neither do I."

"So," I was too curious and had to ask. "What do you do on the computer all the time? Seems like you're always on it. Are you a Facebook and Pintrest guy or is it mostly porn?"

I expected shock but didn't skip a beat. "None of the above. I have no social media and think porn is ridiculous. If I want companionship, I can go out and find it. I like to look at world news, read some history, find interesting places I have never heard of and delve into urban legends. I have been known to get lost on YouTube. I especially like the 'life hacks'." He said the last two words with air quotes.

He was full of surprises.

A rumble of thunder ripped through the room and shook the walls.

"Not to change the subject back to Sorin but I have another question. Last night, before you found me, when I didn't know who he was yet....."

"Yes?"

"He had an effect on me. It felt like pulling but not like the pulling I feel when you used your glamour last night. It was like my body knew him or remembered him, even though I had never met him. I felt him touching inside me and all over me. It took everything I had to not give in. Does that make sense to you? Does that sound weird or slutty?"

"You must let go of the concept of sexuality that humans hold onto. The idea that a woman can be 'slutty' or a man is a 'dog' is a mortal idea. To us, to vampires, sex is very natural. But that is not what I think you are describing. Sorin is so much older than I and the master of our city. It makes his power so much stronger than any other you may feel. I told you that desire and hunger and abilities will all be mixed up together and overwhelming until you learn to control yourself. Did you notice that your fangs did not come out when I offered you blood earlier?"

"Oh my God. You're right."

"Next, learn when to extend them at will. Soon, you will be able to block the powers of others. Last, you'll begin controlling your powers. None of this applies to Sorin. His is too strong to be blocked. If he wants to overwhelm you, he can and will. That is why you must learn to bite your tongue. You cannot anger him and you cannot talk back. I cannot impress this enough, Katie."

"I hear you. I'm sorry. I just want it all to happen now. I want to be strong enough to protect myself. I want control. I hate this feeling."

"Now, that is completely normal. You have nothing but time, remember."

"Speaking of time, I think I should get this trip to Sorin's done and over with so we can stop worrying. The last thing I need, on top of being monster bait, is having an ancient vampire lord pissed at me. Maybe you can start looking up the details of the previous murders so we have some idea of what we're looking for."

Thunder rumbled around them.

"I want to tell you to stay but you are right. Postponing it is pointless. The tension and dread will only get worse. At the risk of offending you, I will recommend you change. Pledging to him in sweats is accepted because you were just turned and time was of the essence. He will see the second visit in tennis shoes as disrespectful."

I bit my tongue for the second time in a matter of minutes. Maybe I was getting a handle on the whole knowing when to shut up thing.

"It's a good idea. Thank you for bringing it up. Give me a few minutes to change. Then, I'll go. You research. We will reconvene in two hours for blood and catching up. We might even have time for a movie. Easy."

But, when is anything I do ever easy?