The Terrible Twelve

Chapter 15: A Phoenix's Story

"You know you haven't exactly told me your story yet." Viridian was lying in one of the comfy plush armchairs that Ian had in his office. She had followed him in about a week ago and it was now where you could usually find her, if Ian was in there or not.

Ian was currently leaning back in his favorite chair with his feet kicked up on his desk. Ian's desk was one the most interesting things in the entire room. It was very large and made completely out of mahogany. Each leg of the desk was an intricately carved phoenix. Ian had explained that the phoenix was a mythological bird that grew old but never died. When it was time for the phoenix's life to end it bursts into flames and from its ashes a new phoenix was made. Viridian liked to think that if they existed she would have bought one.

"I've told you where I'm from haven't I?" Ian looked up from the book he was reading to look at Viridian.

"No you haven't. So spill." Viridian smiled.

Ian smiled before putting the book down and getting up. He walked over to her and lifted her up bridal style before turning and sitting under her. He cradled her into his chest and wrapped his arms around her. "What would you like to know love? I'll tell you anything."

"Tell me how you became a vampire."

"I was born November 13th 1201."

"Not the luckiest birthday." Viridian laughed.

"Yea I think it was a Friday as well." Ian joined in. "I was born and lived in London with two amazing parents and a beautiful little sister named Catherine." Ian smiled as he remembered his little sister's beautiful blonde curls and rosy cheeks. Ian hadn't thought of his sister in a long time and the memories brought back a lot of emotions. "I loved them with all of my heart and when the war came around and the King was looking for volunteers, I gladly took my father's spot. I joined the King's Army and fought for my family, my honor, and my kingdom."

"What war was it?" Viridian couldn't remember any historical wars past the American Revolution.

"The Holy Wars." Ian answered, "The tapestries in my room depict that war."

"The holy wars were fought because . . .?" Viridian was ashamed that she lived with a bunch of vampires and didn't know anything about history.

Ian laughed, "The Holy Wars were fought for God." Ian continued to laugh, "Although most of the men fighting including myself couldn't have cared less. We just wanted to fight and conquer and win. We were all young and naïve and didn't know what war was. But we found out pretty quickly." Ian had fallen silent and was looking off into the distance.

Viridian weaved her fingers into his hair and started to comfort him. She didn't know what he was thinking about or what it was making him feel but she wanted to be there for him. "What happened during the war?" Viridian knew that was when he had been changed.

"I was hurt by someone. I don't even remember what exactly had happened but I ended up lying in a medical tent fighting for my life instead of God. The doctor that was trying to help me wasn't doing any good and it looked like I wasn't going to make it through the night. He had written me off for dead and left me with the others so that he could attend to people he could help. That night, a stranger came through the tents and changed every single one of us. I was completely healed in a week and moving around in two. But I couldn't continue to fight those wars especially when I couldn't help but eat every single person I had to fight.

"I spent the next two centuries eating my way through Europe, taking down every single person I came in contact with. "

Ian's voice had taken on a haunted tone and knew that if she met Ian in a dark alley at night, it wouldn't turn out well for her. "Why?"