142 Days as a Vampire

Chapter 6: Day Eight

My morning started just a later than my normal routine. I closed my eyes and felt that the sun was on its way down. That can't be right. I turned over to glance at the alarm clock there, it flashed 5:47 pm at me. Odd was my only thought as I climbed out of my bed and headed to my wardrobe. I normally was up prowling the kitchen around in afternoon, why an I up so late? Or well up at a normal time for a vampire.

Picking a blue tee from the wardrobe I slid it on with ease. I touched my throat. The burning was there but not as powerful as the past days. It was rather a warm burn like I had just drank a cup of coffee. I was pleased to find that it was something that could be pushed to the back of my mind. I pulled up my jeans, glad I wasn't fumbling with shaking hands to fasten the button. I quickly slipped on my favorite flat soled back boots. 

I ventured out of my room to find the nest full of activity. West and Axel were talking just in front of West's room. Axel locked eyes with me and flashed me a smile before going back to talking with West. Dom was in the kitchen reading a newspaper, chuckling every once and a while. Moses was just heading out of the bathroom, rubbing his wet hair in a navy blue towel. The only one not down here was Jonny. I made my way down the hall wondering why the hall was buzzing. 

"Hey Stella." Dom said not looking up from his paper once I entered the threshold of the kitchen. 

"Morning Dom." I said.

I could see a look cross his face as he shuffled the papers in his hand.

"You do realize what time it is?" Dom said.

"Oh shoot." I said smacking my forehead. "Uh good night?" I said more as a question than a greeting.

"Sounds weird doesn't it?" He said, catching onto my uncertainty. 

"Yeah. I guess I am still trying to get used to this whole vampire thing." I said shrugging my shoulders.

Dom chuckled and picked up the newspaper for again.

I made my way to fridge.

"Oh hold off on that for a bit. Erebus wants to talk to you."

"I know but why can't I eat first?" I asked Dom turning to face his back.

Dom just shrugged. "Just following orders." 

"But I didn't wake up early to feed this afternoon." I said. 

Dom rustled the papers again. "And how are you feeling?"

I placed my hand at the base of my neck. There was no change from earlier. 

"Fine? I guess." 

"Well if you are that worried about it then all I can say is as soon as you talk with him you can feed." Dom said. 

I could tell he dismissed me and I took the hint. I left Dom to his newspaper, Axel and West were still talking in the hall way but their voices fell quieter as I walked passed them. Something felt off and I was being forced to the source. 

I will say Erebus was smart. He knew there would be no way I would go see him on my own. The old vampire creeped me out. Sure I was glad he saved my life but it was just something about him, being near him, I didn't like it. Maybe it was because of his age. I had picked up the vampire book again and I remembered one of the passages about how a vampire could feel the power, or lack of power, another vampire held by being around another. Age was a source of power for these creatures, the older, the stronger. The only exceptions were new vampires who had developed strength along the way to survive against other vampires the first year after being turned. My thoughts carried me up the spiral stairs and out the trapdoor. I peeked from the safety of the vault to make sure the sun was fully set. It was set down past the horizon but a yellow glow could still be seen the distance.