Coming of Age

Chapter 12

Dan’s head began to spin. It tasted awful—like iron and…well, blood. Everything in him wanted nothing more than to just spit it out and vomit everything back out, but a small part of him loved the taste encouraging him to drink more. The rustic metallic taste seemed somehow familiar—like it was totally right. Like someone eating their favorite food or stepping on the first crunchy leaf in autumn, it felt amazing.

“That’s enough for now,” Phil smiled taking the bag from him even though he wanted more.

That thought alone disgusted him. That’s blood. Human blood that he just drank and he wants more. Abraham nodded and turned to go out the door.

“Take care of our new fledgling, Philip.”

“I will,” Phil promised looking at Dan. “You’ve got to drink more of mine now.”

Dan watched Phil bring the golden knife down on his wrist and held it out for Dan. Dan kissed the skin wishing Phil didn’t have to cut himself for him, but once he tasted the blood on his lips, he forgot that and began to drink.

Phil’s blood was so much different than bagged blood. It was thin and sweet, tasting much like the wine Dan would drink on Christmas with his family since he turned fifteen. He greedily sucked at Phil’s arm while Phil combed Dan’s hair with his fingers, humming softly to him until he was sure Dan had enough.

“Good. Do you like my blood more than AB?” Phil asked taking his wrist back as his cut magically healed—no trace of even a scar.

“Mhm,” Dan nodded feeling satisfied with his ‘food’ for the day. “But I feel bad drinking from you.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t ever let you go overboard. And as you continue to change, my blood will taste worse and worse until you can’t stomach it anymore. When you’re on whole blood only, you’ll be changed.”

“How long does that take?”

“Just about a week or so. It’s pretty quick and your body will begin to notice the differences immediately. You’ll be stronger and faster and you won’t feel so cold.”

As Phil reminded him of his chilly temperature, Dan shivered. Phil laughed to himself and pulled Dan into him. Dan cuddled into Phil and sighed as Phil wrapped the duvet around the both of them.

“What else do I need to know about being a vampire?” Dan asked curling into a ball as Phil’s arms wrapped around him.

“Well the blood drinking thing you’ve got down,” Phil smiled. “Oh! You won’t ever need to sleep as a vampire. You can if you’d like, but you don’t need it.”

“So the coffin thing is just a myth?”

“Basically.”

“Can I still see myself in a mirror?”

“Not all mirrors. Any in our nest, yes because they were enchanted by pagens, but regular mirrors, no,” Phil replied feeling Dan shiver against him. “And you won’t be so cold all the time either. This is just a phase.”

“So I had a preppy phase, an emo phase, and now I’m going through a vampire phase. When will it end?” Dan joked.

“Oh hush,” Phil smiled rolling his eyes. “You’re like a baby at this point. Doing your first everything; blood drinking, teeth growing, flying—”

“I can fly now?!”

“Duh. How do you think we get around so fast?”

“Teach me! Do I turn into a bat?”

“No!” Phil laughed hugging Dan tightly. “I love you, but you have got to lay off the myths and legends. I saw you Googling those vampire things. You haven’t changed a bit since last time.”

Dan’s smile faded and his stomach twisted in knots. The last time he talked to Phil, he told him that he hated him and that was far from true now.

“Hey Phil?” Dan asked quietly.

“Yes love?”

“Remember the last time I saw you and said—those horrible things?”

Phil’s jaw clenched as he swallowed thickly and nodded.

"I haven’t forgotten," Phil replied solemnly, loosening his hold on Dan.

“I didn’t mean it. I was scared, and everything was so new. It’s no excuse, but everything was just happening all at once and I was just trying to hurt you and make you dislike me so you’d take me home. I didn’t mean it.”

“Well I did take you home, but not because I disliked you. Like I said, I could never not love you, no matter what you do. But it’s good to know you don’t hate me.”

Dan grabbed onto Phil’s shirt in his fist and sighed. He felt so comfortable and safe with Phil—like nothing and no one could ever hurt him. It felt like home in Phil’s arms and he was beginning to like the boy more and more. He did have another problem however.

“What about my parents, Phil? They can believe I’m in private school but only for so long. What about Christmas or other holidays?”

“You’re more than welcome to visit them on holidays, but I feel like I should accompany you for at least your first few in case you get urges. I know you don’t want to attack your family.”

“What about the whole aging thing though? Won’t they notice their son isn’t aging…at all?”

“Nothing a little hypnosis can’t fix. I’ll just trick their brains into thinking you’re growing and aging right with them.”

“And I’m going to live with you and this clan forever?” Dan whispered staring at the wall rather than Phil.

“Oh. Oh, um, would that make you unhappy? Once you’re a vampire, you won’t need me anymore. If you’re happier without me—”

“No, I didn’t mean it like that!” Dan interrupted stretching his neck up to kiss Phil’s chin. “I was more asking if I would be welcome still after running away…”

“Yes. No question about it. You’re our responsibility as a clan—as our coming of age vampire. We’d never throw you out and leave you on your own.”

“Good. I think I’d have to steal you away if that happened.”

“You wouldn’t have to steal me away, Bear, I’d be right next to you, my hand in yours.”

“Bear?” Dan questioned.

“Yeah. The name your mum called you when you were a baby because you’d cuddle her like a teddy bear. You did that with me too and Lilith when she prepared you for the ceremony, but I don’t have to call you that if you don’t want me to. Just…old habits die hard.”

“Die? Not exactly the word choice I’d use.”

"Sorry, I keep forgetting you’re not used to it yet. I don’t have to say ‘dead’ if you don’t want me to."

"No, that’s alright. And calling me Bear is fine too.”

“Good. Because you’re still a cuddly little bear.”