The Princess of Vampires

Chapter Three

Chapter Three,

Waiting to go to the room that Marius was giving me was slow torture. I ate as fast as possible that was required by etiquette and good manners. Sitting opposite of me was Marius, waiting for me with his hands posed in a prayer like manner. He was patient and silent, but I drew him out of it with my many questions. We made small talk about how I would love the changes to the room he made just for me. I listened with growing excitement. A piano. I always loved to play the piano. And a place to exercise that was all mine. I trained also for a battle I had yet to fight. As a hybrid I was significantly weaker than a full vampire. Although, I did have most of their strengths which was a mercy. So, I needed the skills of battle to survive. Otherwise I was a peaceful kind of person. I also had some dark gifts like reading of the mind, but flying was what I wanted since I was a child, sadly I could not.

When I was finished Marius helped me clear up the dishes, then we were off to see my surprises. Unexpectantly we did not have to go far because all he had to do was turn a secret dial in the floor and a passageway opened from invisible sealed hinges. With one wave of his hand Marius ignited the flaming torches on the wall illuminating the narrow corridor. I followed him close behind to the end where a double oak door stood tall and impressive. Yet with a single gesture Marius moved the sliding door's lock. My mouth opened, but since I had no words for the splendor before me, I closed it again. In fact, I did it twice before I finally said. "It's perfect."

The room gleamed in the light of the flames from the hanging pits from the celling place in exact intervals lining each side of the room. The marble shined in the reflection to light and shadows played on every surface here and there. Underfoot the floor was gray stone and an occasional area rug lay under furniture of the sitting room and grand piano in the corner.

The section dedicated to my training took a large portion of the room. There stood a weight set and a home gym. A music radio on a shelve with gray towels on the wall and a mini fridge were some water was kept for my refreshment.

Amazement flooded me. I moved around the room systematically checking everything out. I touched the weights and tried them out. Walking through the sitting room, I glided my hands over to feel the soft velvety red surface of the couches. I went to the tv and turned it on. I chuckled; I knew he must have been fishing for inspiration in my thoughts to impress me this much. Bravo Marius.

Lastly, I approached my piano. There it stood the color black and lacquer majestically awaiting me. I sat down and lovingly placed my fingers on the ivory keys. They were smooth, cool, and beautiful. I tested it for pitch and sound. Then after moments I was satisfied and played a song that echoed about the vast chambers sweetly. Marius sat himself on the nearby chair and listened to me until my heart was content.

Soon after a lengthy exercise I made my way up to my bedroom. It was airy and cheerful in an ancient sort of way. I finally was able to change out of my gym clothes and felt wonderful. I considered showering but the bed frankly looked more appealing after I had worn myself out.

........

The sound of the door opening woke me, the light slanted through the windows without in a lower angle, but it was not evening yet and I had no desire to stir awake. It had not occurred to me to lock the doors. I felt happy and safe here. It was a silly thing to do when you felt at home in a place like Marius's house.

I blinked rapidly and rolled into a sitting position, "Who is it? "I called.

"What a sweet voice you have Raina. The dream you were having was so adventurous and fun. Sorry to have disturbed you but I had to see what mind I was hearing. And such a pure mind at that. '' Came in melodious voice with pride and eloquence of a person that I could imagine he thought himself very self-important.

''Who are you? ''I ask in confusion.

''Let me introduce myself? I am the vampire Lestat.''

''Lestat?" I tested the name on my lips, sounding it out.

He was staring at me intently. The kind of way that reminded me of a cat looking at a bird in its cage and my heartbeat was just as fast as any bird's.

''You are not human, and you are not vampire. ''He said coming towards me.

A strange shakiness came over me. Heavy desire to reach for him and take what I wanted from him consumed me.

''I'm hybrid. ''I say simply as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

"A hybrid of what exactly?''

''Vampire and human."

''How can this be true, my God!''

I lifted my hand to halt his approach. He moved silently and glided to a stop at my side of the bed. Glowing eyes gazed down at me. Just then a tall growing shadow came from the light of the door.

"Lestat." Marius said gently. "Come I will explain. "

This explanation I just had to hear so I threw off my covers and hopped out of the bed. I followed their scent deep within the castle. There in the living room they sat by the fire. I crept low and came to a stop at the door. Fire light came under the door in slight skinny beams. Just a sliver of light to pierce the darkness of the hall. I sat myself against the brick wall and hugged my knees tight and laid my head down zeroing in on the conversation.

"I know it seems impossible, and for the average vampire it is, but she is the daughter of the King. It seems Enki took a lover, a human one. Her name was Tanzia. She was a Virgin servant in his temple where she served him day and night.''

"Didn't Akasha know about this? "

"In the end of course my son. Soon after the birth of Raina. Akasha found out after the King was fed upon because she grew suspicious. She wanted to see for herself if he had betrayed her, she was in a fury, a woman scorned. So, she hunted down Tanzia and killed her. Akasha wanted to kill the baby but Maharet took her and raised her as her own."

"How was Enki so different? He made a child, and we cannot.''

"Enki and akasha almost drank the world dry, as you know. Enki was so powerful that he could make life. We do not know all the specifics, but it seems he was so full of human blood at life's essence made him able to produce a child with his human lover."

Tears leaked from my eyes as I silently cried. Mother never told me. And then knowing that mother was not my natural mother devastated me. The truth sucked and in a fit of sorrow I dashed out all the way back to my room where I let out my cries unashamedly.