The Companion (18+)

38. And the World Comes Crashing Down

It took weeks for Aurélie to adjust to her new self. Étienne was with her for every step of the way, wiping away every tear that trailed down her cheek and listening to every single outburst that left her lips. He was patient and kind, teaching her how to fend for herself. The pain in Aurélie's stomach slowly subsided as the weeks went by. Her skin still burnt easily, something that she would build a tolerance to the older she became. For now, the new vampire was left retiring to her newly darkened room a few hours before sunrise. In the days that had followed her transition, the Duke had ordered Aurélie's room to be renovated to suit her new self. New curtains were installed, the glass replaced with a new dark-tinted glass. The companion simply sat by and watched as her room slowly began to change, her head still spinning.

For Aurélie, it was the knowledge that she did not have to race against time anymore that took the longest to settle. She spent hours walking around the estate at night, pondering what she could do with hundreds of lifetimes at her disposal. Would she grow bored? What would she witness as the years went by? When the questions swirling in her head became too much, the companion would often find comfort in Étienne's arms. He was still considered a child in the vampire world, having only turned a few years before Aurélie. Étienne was able to understand what the companion was going through. He listened to her frustration and existential ramblings, comforting her with the reassurance that she was going to figure it out as time went by. While she knew Étienne meant well, she did not have the same advantage that Étienne had. He grew up expecting to live for a long time.

She did not.

The only solace that Aurélie had was the fact that she had grown up in the vampire world. It took her little time to establish a schedule that could cater to her needs. Pierre was disappointed that she would not be requesting normal meals anymore. Aurélie had broken down after that, realising that the first bite of a proper meal tasted horrid. She felt sorry for the guests she had helped entertain months ago, wondering if the meals she had planned for them tasted as horrible.

Aurélie quickly came to learn that the Saint-Clair family kept a large reserve of blood locked away in their cellar. The Duke had taken her on a little tour, explaining that each drop of blood was given willingly. There were a couple of individuals that frequented the estate, offering up their blood to be stored. Each person was compensated adequately.

A kindness that they would not receive in Transylvania.

The companion was hesitant at first to take blood from the reserves. The images of the poor men she had brutally mangled forcing itself into her mind with each drop that passed her lips. Over time, however, she came to realise that this method of quelling her hunger was much safer. She felt energised and in control, the demon inside her subsiding as the weeks went by.

Winter was a blessing in disguise for Aurélie. As the days shifted and the sun hid behind grey skies, the companion was able to start staying up later. Oliver accompanied her walks during the early mornings, still dressed in all black. He appeared thinner and paler, the news of his mother's death having left a visible toll on him. She had learned during their walks that several members of the Linnington family in London were able to find safe havens. There was no new news of his brothers and their families, however.

Seeing Oliver in such a state left Aurélie feeling nothing but anger towards Duke Delacroix. To take someone else's family away from them just to establish dominance.

It made her sick.

She spent days wondering why Delacroix was being so cruel, her mind often trying to find plausible arguments for his behaviour. Étienne was often there to listen to her theories and ramblings, merely nodding or shrugging. The pair had been spending more time together after Aurélie started feeling better once more.