Wizard Blood, Vampire Magic

Dinner

                I looked out the window at the looming castle, overgrown forest, and dirt road that the taxi was taking me down.  The gates at the front didn’t scare me, but they sure didn’t make me comfortable either.  The winding path was confusing for me, but I just closed my eyes and tried to keep the butterflies down that I was feeling.  This was the first time I’d be seeing the project my mother left my dad and I for, and I was curious to see what was so great about it.  Although, as I peeped out of the window, I could see that the sun filtering through the trees was a pretty picture and the ferns made the forest floor look inviting and soft.  Then, out of nowhere, the forest ended and the castle practically threw itself into view.  I stared, open mouthed, at the tall towers, sloping roofs, ivy-ridden walls, and stained glass windows bigger than the cab I rode in.  And there at the main doors was a woman dressed in a lilac suit, purple skirt ending just above her knees, heels a standard two inches, red hair pulled back, with a frown set in a small line on her face.  My mother looked just as I remembered her; practically a stranger.

                I thanked the cabby and paid him after he popped the trunk, grabbing my luggage and waiting until he drove away to say anything.  The silence was almost deafening as we sized each other up, but finally I opened my mouth.

                “Hi mum.”

                “Christine, darling, you didn’t have to get a taxi.  I would’ve come to get you.”

                “That’s alright.  I wouldn’t want to impose.”

                “Nonsense…”

                I could feel the tension as we spoke to each other, the awkwardness growing the longer I stood there.  Clearing her throat, my mother almost made a move to help me.  I was already lifting the end of my trunk though, a light spell making it easier to manage.  Sometimes, I really loved magic.

                “Do you need help?”

                “No, I’m fine.  Where am I sleeping?”

                “We’ve decided the summer dorm would be for the best, since it’s almost July.  It’s cooler in there anyway.”

                I shrugged and she took out a map, offering it to me.  Shifting the bag on my shoulder, I took it and looked the paths over.  “Alright.  Guess I’ll… go find my room.”

                “Yes, yes.  Here’s your key, and tonight we’ll be having dinner in the main dining hall.”  Mum handed me an old brass key and I raised an eyebrow at her.  “What?  The locks still work perfectly.”

                After making a soft snorting sound, I walked down the path towards where the map said the summer house was.  I could feel eyes on me as I walked, but I ignored them.  I was good at doing things like that anyway.  I barely remembered what the path looked like that I had come down, but as I stared up at the stone walls of the summer house, I smiled.  It looked like no one lived there, or if they did, they didn’t like anyone to know.  I pushed the oak door open and went up the stairs, finding the room that the key was labeled.  My sneakers made dull thudding sounds on the flagstone floor, echoes bouncing off the walls that had nothing covering them.  I stood in front of my door for a moment before pushing it open, preparing myself for the worst.  I was pleasantly surprised when I saw a four poster bed, fireplace, backless couch, window seat, desk, dresser, bureau, and wardrobe.  I also took notice of the plush carpet and large corkboard where I could hang posters if I had them.  Everything in the room was done in shades of green and blue, with touches of pink and purple randomly thrown in.  I went and saw that although the walls were made of stone, somehow an electrician managed to put in outlets and lights.  I was very thankful for him and unpacked my laptop, plugged it in and turned it on.  A soft voice said in a British accent, “Hullo Christine, lovely weather we’re having.”