Dead Before Dawn: The Vampire Curse

Chapter 5 - Facing the End

"You are looking better," Yulia said, coming into the room after Max had gone back to reading.

"It's amazing what a little soap and water can do," he replied, much more able to lift a smile this time.

He'd left everything on the end of the bed to be picked up.

"How are you enjoying the book?" Yulia asked, walking over to the edge of what Max mentally referred to as 'the safe zone'.

"It's a bit political for me," Max replied, "but the story is good. I just keep getting two of the characters mixed up because their names look the same."

Yulia chuckled at that.

"I am glad it is diverting you," she said.

Of course that wasn't really what Yulia wanted to talk about, Max was sure they were both aware.

"I am sorry," Yulia said after a moment, "but I must put the leg chains back on."

Max nodded; he wasn't sure he trusted himself to say anything to that. He'd known it was coming, but he didn't have to like it. If he refused to cooperate they would probably just drug him and do it anyway.

Closing the book he put it to one side and moved into position between the holes in the wall. Yulia reduced the chains so that he was secure. As she approached he chose to stare past her as he did his best to not think about what was happening. He managed to stay perfectly still until Yulia snapped the first bracelet around his left ankle.

It was no shiver this time, more of a full body shudder and it made him angry. He felt the peculiar sliding sensation in his jaw as his fangs descended. Before he even knew what he was doing he lunged at Yulia, growling. He didn't get very far thanks to the chains already in place, but it didn't stop him trying.

Yulia moved back and simply looked at him.

A second later he was breathing hard, wondering what the hell he was doing.

"I," he said, but he had no idea what to say.

"It is the magic," Yulia told him; "your wilder nature does not wish to be caged. Do not worry about it."

Of course Max had to worry about it.

"Ready for the second?" Yulia asked.

Max wasn't sure he would ever be ready, but he nodded. He did his best to relax against the wall as Yulia moved closer again. The second time the chains holding him screeched in the wall as he tried to lunge forward. The pressure on his throat choked him, but the vicious vampire nature didn't seem to care.

He couldn't bring himself to say anything to Yulia as she walked away and picked up the remote. She let out his restraints for him, but he didn't have the will to even thank her. His good mood was completely gone.

* * *

Max found it hardest to stay awake in the middle of the day. He seemed to be able to do nothing but sleep, but he did his best to not sleep too long. His dreams were unsettling and often bloody, and he didn't like them.

Usually when he was awake Yulia or Zhanna were there; he was rarely left alone, which was a blessing and a curse. He wasn't left to brood, but he couldn't help feeling like an exhibit. Sometimes other people stuck their head into his room and he was pretty sure it was just to see the half turned vampire.

At least sleep did give him one thing; when he woke up the fangs had always receded. However, they erupted in his mouth again the moment he smelt blood or was overly stressed. There was no pain, but it was the most peculiar sensation. Yulia was giving him some concoctions to drink every evening and he knew without a doubt there was blood in it somewhere. The fangs didn't stay descended, but they made themselves known every time he drank it.