The Camarilla

Chapter 5

After returning the vial items to Nat's room, we decide to head out of the apartment complex to make our way to the hospital. Nat didn't understand why but I told him I had contact with the paranormal, so we should head to him to figure out how to find The Camarilla. However, I didn't expect there to be an issue right away, as Nat hesitates right outside the door of the complex.

"Nat..."

"What if I burn up!?" he panics, looking at the bright light.

I sigh, glad that Karen has her earbuds in so she can't hear this stupidity. I simply walk back into the sunlight with my arms out, much to Nat's panic but he calms down when he sees nothing has happened, "See? Nothing to be scared of. The sun doesn't burn you."

Nat inches forward and joins me in the sun. "But, the movies—"

"The movies are shit, Nat! That's not how vampires work at all!"

"They don't?"

"Yeah, have you gotten any vampire hunter training?" Nat falls silent, sweating a few drops, "You have no idea how vampires work now do you?"

"No...

I sigh again. If he's meant to be my partner in crime during all this, I will have to train him myself. Ironic since he's a Cunningham. I lead him down the road as we walk to the hospital. It wasn't far away, but far enough to get a decent conversation flowing, "Ok, let me tell you some stuff you need to know about vampires. Every vampire is different with their powers and such, along with their weaknesses, but all share many common ones.

"First, strengths. We gain our power by draining blood and staying young when fed. We can fly, transform into a bat or wolf, and have sex magic."

"What?"

"Yeah, I found that out in the Victorian era when I took a vacation to London. I won't go into detail but seduction is a very valuable tool in a vampire's toolbox."

"Interesting. What about weaknesses?"

"See, that's also different depending on the vampire, but common ones are repelled by holy items, repelled by garlic, and can only transform under the graze of the moon."

"Fascinating."

"Yeah, this is vampire 101. However, knowing the basics is only half the battle. Each vamp has something up their sleeve that's unique to them, along with a unique weakness. Knowing what each vampire can do is very valuable in the long term." I pause for a second, finding myself subconsciously touching my neck where two faint scars sit, "Could save your life."

Nat looks at me and I look back, a sad expression on my face when I remember that day, "When did it happen?" Nat finally asks.

"Ah, man... Well..." I start to dig in the back of my mind. I try to live in the present, never wanting to dig up old dirt that doesn't need to be touched, though I would be lying if that day didn't haunt me, "beginning of the 18th century. I was a normal person living in England and I thought everything was right in the world. That winter leading into spring was when it happened. I don't know who he was or why he did it, but it was my goal for the longest time to hunt him down. I learned a lot about vampires during that time, had a run-in or two with your family, and eventually, I found him. But he had already been killed by vampire hunters. No revenge could be had.

"I guess it's for the better though. Can you imagine if I pursued him? I would have become the thing I despise now."

"A vampire hunter?"

"Exactly."

Nat pauses and looks away, probably to think. I don't often like talking about myself, especially with a vampire hunter who could exploit my weaknesses. However, I knew Nat didn't have the wits to use it against me, so I'll let it slide. After a short pause, Nat turns to look at me, "How did you find out your strengths and weaknesses?"