The Vampire Princess
Chapter One
Dear Sara,
I am sorry for running away on your birthday. Mother and father
were on it again, so I had to do something. I promise, I’ll be back in a
few days’ time, along with Sophia and Amy. Don’t tell Dan. Please.
Your sister, Mia
I sealed the letter. Victor’s going to take it first thing in the morning after breakfast to the post office and send it to the Auclarias Mansion. I add the last touch: signing it with my Vampire magic.
Vampire powers are classified into three: the gifted, skilled, and smart. The gifted vampires have the power to read and control minds. The skilled vampires have the power to mess with matter; like walking through walls and walk on water. The smart vampires—known as “geeks” in the human society—have the power to create and solve things; like making a love potion and solving the trickiest riddle.
These powers are also rated from the scales of one to five; five being the highest, and one being the lowest. I am a Four-Smart Vampire. My sister is only a two. My friends, Victor, Sophia, and Amy are a Three-Skilled, Five-Gifted, and Two-Skilled, respectively.
Sophia is the only Five-scaled Vampire I’ve ever known. Most babies who are Five die of something before they even turn a year old. Sophia is the only one who has ever lived for about thirteen years. However, the Fates, some Four-Gifted Vampires, foresaw her death in a few days. Gifted Vampires can never see their own future. And that is why we’re trying to escape: to protect Sophia.
“Mia, is everything alright?” Sophia asked. I doubted the worry in her voice because she was smiling.
“I’m fine, Soph,” I replied. “What did you see this time?”
Her smile widened. “Oh, I’d rather not. Victor’s going to grant my fate if I tell you.”
I stared at her as if she just told me one of those suburban legends about vampires the humans created through their imaginations. “Victor’s going to do something pitiful, isn’t he?”
“Yes,” Sophia bellowed triumphantly. “I like it when you see through me. This means I won’t be in the blame for ruining everything.”
Victor, a tall, red-haired boy of sixteen, is Sophia’s stepbrother. Sophia claims he’s been crushing on me since I saved him from being trampled on by that runaway horse when he was four.
“I can’t bear to hurt him, Soph. He means the world to me, just like he does to you.”
“Then why don’t you just agree to his proposal?”
“I don’t love him,” I groaned.
“Try.”
“I can’t—“
“Mia,” Sophia snapped. “You’ll have to tell him the truth sooner or later, right? Besides, whatever the cause, he’s still going to be upset. Take it from me.”
I sighed. “Alright. But only because you can see his future.”
She gave me a toothy smile and took the letter out of my hands. “I’ll take it to Victor for you. That way, you’ll have time to think for yourself.”
“Thanks, Sophia.” I saw her swiftly leave the room. I lean back on my chair and closed my eyes. I can concentrate better when I can only see darkness, which is unusual for a Vampire.
Trust me; all legends about vampires being afraid of sunlight and having pale skin aren’t true. In fact, those are only a few of those legends the human mind created. Vampires drinking blood is a fact, though. We enjoy a cup every now and then, but we can survive without feeding for years. We also love eating human food—like pizza and cake. It keeps our stomachs busy most of the time when we’re bored.
I envisioned a conversation between me and Victor. I can’t really picture him seriously with a tie and suit after that fiasco in the pool last weekend. It isn’t something good to discuss, though.
Anyway, I can play a role of “unfeeling” pretty well in front of others—except in front of Victor. I guess I have what we would call “a fear of the Skilled.” Skilled people rarely go over Two so I guess I am slightly terrified of Victor losing control of his powers when he hears my answer. Then again, I think it’s because he has been my friend and companion for the last twelve years.
Knock, knock.
I opened my eyes but didn’t look up to Victor, who let himself inside without permission and sat on a cushion in front of the fireplace.
“How is Sara doing?” he asked.
“My sister’s doing fine,” I answered. “Although I must admit, she seems to be falling for the wrong guy back at home. Mama will never forgive her.”
“Yes,” Victor sighed. “At sixteen, one can make the worst mistakes of their lives. It’s a stage of naivety, they say.” He became silent for a while. “But I know that I am doing only what my heart tells me.”
It took me a minute to realize that he was confessing. “And,” I said nervously. “Why is that?”
“I love you, Mia,” he declared. “I have always been since that day twelve years ago.” I started to protest. “I know I am a year younger than you. I also know that you are more powerful than me. However, I want you to consider my feelings for a minute. I am a boy in love with a woman, I understand that, but I am not entirely to blame for everything, right?”
I stared at him guiltily. I cannot bear to see him heartbroken, but I wouldn’t want both of us to be unhappy in a one-sided relationship, too. “I-I am sorry, Victor. I cannot accept your feelings. I hope you can understand—“
At that moment, his face reddened and he rushed through the door with his super speed. He used his Skill so fast I was left flabbergasted inside the room. Sophia came back with a frown on her face.
“He’s getting more and more powerful every time he uses his Skill,” she commented.
I kept my silence. Sophia needn’t tell me that, because I have witnessed everything that happens to him. He could even block her from seeing his future. Like how Merlin did it.
Merlin was a half wizard and vampire. Humans sometimes mix both races. We may possess some forms of powers, but witches and wizards are more or less belonging to the bottom of the food chain. Meaning, their powers aren’t really that great. Their complexion is pale, too. This adds to the list of things humans mistake for vampires.
“By the way, breakfast is at eight. You better get ready now, or you’ll be late,” Sophia added, rushing out the door without waiting for a reply.
