Live With Your Blood || LingOrm

Chapter 2: Therapist Vampire

Ling hurried back to her office, Sirilak Counselling & Therapy Centre, her movements swift and calculated. She slipped on a face mask just before entering, a precaution she took to hide something on her face.

As soon as she walked in, Icha, the receptionist who had called her earlier, looked up with concern. "Dr. Ling, are you feeling okay? You're wearing a mask..."

Ling nodded, offering a brief smile that was hidden beneath the mask. "Yes, just a slight discomfort. I don't want to risk anything, so I'll keep the mask on. I need to get to the client now; he has been waiting for quite some time."

Icha nodded, her concern still evident but overridden by her respect for Ling's professionalism. "Of course, Doctor. I've let them know you're here."

Ling didn't waste any more time. She moved past the reception area and headed straight to the treatment room. The door clicked shut softly behind her as she entered, finding her client already seated, waiting patiently.

"Sorry, Franky. I apologize for the delay," Ling said, taking her seat across from the client. She pulled his file from the folder, flipping through the pages with practiced ease. Each note and observation she had made during previous sessions was carefully reviewed.

Ling had been a therapist for 24 years, though in truth, her experience stretched far beyond that, back through decades that most of her clients couldn't even fathom. She had helped countless souls, both human and vampire, navigate the complexities of their minds. In this modern age, mental health issues were rampant, fueled by the relentless pace of technological advancements and societal changes. Humans were more stressed than ever, and even vampires, who once viewed themselves as invincible, found themselves struggling to adapt.

The world has shifted drastically since the 19th century. Vampires, once feared and hunted, now lived among humans, indistinguishable from their mortal counterparts. Many hunters had abandoned their ancient vendettas, recognizing that not all vampires were monsters. But a few still clung to their beliefs, driven by the old motto of "protecting the human race," and Ling knew that those hunters were just as dangerous as ever.

Ling's thoughts briefly drifted to the events of nearly 220 years ago. The memory of Prig's death still haunted her, a regret that fueled her determination to master new powers. If only she had known then what she knew now, perhaps Prig could have been saved. That loss had driven Ling into decades of ascetic training, honing her abilities in the depths of the Tham Luang cave under the guidance of her master.

For 50 years, Ling had forsaken the pleasures of human blood, surviving instead on the bitter, metallic taste of animal blood. The rules were strict: no human blood, only the fresh blood of animals. She had tasted the blood of every creature she could find, from the fiercest predators to the smallest creatures of the night. But among them all, fox blood had become her reluctant favorite.

Through years of discipline, Ling had emerged with a rare power among vampiresㅡthe ability to heal. Her bite could soothe pain, alleviate suffering, and, in some cases, even cure minor ailments. It was not a power without limits, however. Chronic diseases remained beyond her reach, though she could still offer temporary relief, easing the burden of pain for a week or two at most.

Driven by a desire to help others, Ling pursued a path that led her deeper into the human world. She earned her PhD in psychology and counseling, a journey that required years of study and dedication. The title of "Doctor" was one she had rightfully earned, though it was not in the traditional medical sense. She had built a career as a therapist, opening her own clinic where she could offer her unique services while remaining hidden in plain sight.

Now, as she sat with her client, Ling let go of her memories and focused on the present. The client across from her, unaware of the true nature of the woman helping them, began to speak, and Ling listened intently, her mind sharp and ready to provide the guidance they sought.