Realm of the Rogues

Chapter LXIV

I feel all giddy, ready to hear all about how it is to become a vampire.

"Where do you want me to start?" she asks, and I'm not quite sure - I want to hear it all!

"Uhm, from the beginning?" I answer, and she laughs, swatting me teasingly on the arm.

"Alright! So, it all began when I met Farlan like a hundred years ago," she begins, and I settle into a more comfortable position, as I gauge that this might be a long story.

"I was twenty-three when he, Alasdair and Harris strolled through our city. They were looking for new blood-givers since this was a new city for them. I of course volunteered, firstly because vampires sounded super intriguing, and secondly - Farlan is fucking hot!" I snort in surprise and laughter at that. Not that I disagree with her - all the young vampires I have met have been super attractive.

"I was told that they weren't sure how long they would stay, which gave me almost a sense of dread since I had begun to crave the attention and nearness of being bitten - especially by Farlan." I smile, feeling like I know the feeling a bit too well, and the way that Isobel smirkingly looks at me tells me, that she might know, that I know.

"They ended up staying for a month and a half, and during that time, I had surmised a plan, which would make Farlan unable to refuse to take me with them," she continues sounding like some mastermind, and I can't help but lean forward in suspense.

"I was going to go to his room and seduce him, and this time, I wouldn't stop him when I was about to pass out. I was sure, that he had a good eye for me as well - so I figured, that he wouldn't let me die, but instead turn me in order to save my life. And, well, that's what happened," she finishes off with a shrug, while I stare at her in disbelief. I'm equally astonished, that she was willing to risk her life, just to be with him - but also, that her reasoning for becoming a vampire, was more to do with her need for Farlan, than for being a vampire in itself. If I was ever to turn into a vampire, my reasoning would never be based on a man - not even Dom.

"After that, I ran with the boys for quite a few years, before Farlan and I decided to marry and then settle down in our own place." This part of the story I'm not paying as much attention to, as my mind is still caught up with the whole changing part.

"Okay, but how was it?" I ask basically cutting her off. She looks at me with confusion.

"Changing, that is," I then elaborate, to which she nods in understanding.

"Ahh, yes. Well, I had obviously passed out from lack of blood, so I don't really know what happened during that. I do however remember how it was when I woke up," she explains with a cocky tone, to which I clung for every word.

"I was in excruciating pain. I felt like acid was eating up every fibre of every muscle in my body - like when you have run for a long time, and your legs sting, just a million times worse," she begins, and I can't help but cringe at the thought.

"On top of that, I felt like I was breathing fire with my lungs going up in flames, and lava coarsing through my veins. My ears felt like they were blown out, and I could barely hear anything, because of this extreme ringing tone piercing my head." At this point, my face is scrunched up in pain on her behalf, and she just nods slowly with raised eyebrows in response.

"Yeah, it was hell, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. However, when the pain finally subsided after two days time... That time was straight ecstasy, that I would so wish to feel again," she exclaims with yearning in her voice, which then again makes me lean forward in interest.

"I felt SO strong - like I could have ripped an entire tree up with roots and all without even breaking a sweat. I was fast - probably could have run from one end of England to the other in a minute. And on top of that, it just felt like I was in tune with everything like I could feel everything around me all at once, but without it being overwhelming. It kind of felt like I was a God, to be honest," she explains with lights in her eyes, as she thinks back on this time, but also astonishment at how it really had been, like she had never really thought too much about it, until now.

Her glowing eyes meet mine before she grabs my hands in hers and squeezes them - this time more gently. I can see her excitement shining through her like it almost makes her glow.

"Athena, I swear, you will never find anything that can compare to how that first week after a turn feels. My description doesn't even come anywhere near giving it justice," she explains in an urgent voice while staring deeply into my soul.

"You know what, I take it back. I would go through that pain a million times over, just to experience one more day of that power," she then blurts out while nodding consideringly. 

I too begin to consider her words. With that kind of power, nothing could hold me back. It's not like I would give up my humanity - I'm not even a human as it is. But then again, I can't be sure, what a change would do to me, and if it would clash with my banshee nature. However, I can't imagine how it would - I mean, I was a werewolf for the majority of my life, while still being a banshee on top of that. Granted, I was less of a banshee, than I am now. I only had my dreams then, not the killing scream. I was also less of a werewolf than others since I didn't even have control over the wolf's body.

But all of that could just be because of Hera, or the Druids, or some other reason. The point is, I won't ever know. What I do know, is that it would be idiotic of me, to not consider all the possibilities being a vampire could give me. Even just being a regular vampire would be more of an advantage, than being a banshee - and if I kept any of the banshee powers, then that would just be that much better.

I have to admit to myself, that Isobel's words have convinced me. I want to be a vampire too.