The Princess of Vampires

Chapter Five

Chapter 5:

The rain hammered hard against the windows, pouring its dreary shades of gray into the large dark study. I had no idea what I was looking for, so I did a gentle ransacking of his desk and drawers, doing my best to not make a mess or disturbing anything, especially on his work area.

It only took a few failed tries before I discovered a folder with my name on it. I looked at the filed documents quickly and realized they were hospital or some kind of medical records.

Then I swiftly slipped the papers inside my bag. I moved to the wooden bookshelf and gazed at the vast library, not exactly knowing where to start. So, I just started to slim the titles, running my fingers over the smooth cool binds. I looked for secret levers as I pulled the books forward. I hoped to find a room full of information I so craved about my past. I knew some things; my father was a king and my mother his servant. I wanted to know more of my origin. And who was my mother's murderer? Who was this Akasha? I wanted to ask Lestat, but could I trust him?

I discovered Marius had the oddest collection of books, I noted. Rows and rows of ancient scrolls and different kinds of bibles. Some of which I had ever heard of before. Some where old encyclopedias that were thick and heavy that contained the information on the supernatural. Like vampires and demons. This was not exactly normal research. Who does this? I scanned the room after my disappointment that I could find nothing useful in the library. There in the corner a glass case held an old book that seem to stand out from the rest. From the looks of it time ravaged its once fine leather cover and now it was faded, cracked, and dry. Something told me that this was it and the answers were there.

I squinted to read the almost faded gold letters.

THE ORIGINS OF THE UNDEAD

For a moment, a ghostly breeze carried with a whisper too faint for me to make out. I twisted the handle until the lock gave way. This was it. I knew it instinctively. I quickly shoved it into my bag and ran out of the study. I breezed by many lamps mounted on the walls in the hall causing the flames to almost extinguish with the sudden displaced air. I felt as though I was carrying some precious gem in my bag.

Once in my room I went to the sitting area by the fire and the first thing I went through were my medical records. I scanned the information and realized it was just about my health and abilities. Also, the rate of growth that seem to me quite normal. It appeared to me they compared my data to see how I differ from being hybrid to each, a human and a vampire. All growth data seem to be the same but when I reached my eighteen birthday, I aged no more. I remained frozen in time as they put it. They listed and explained each of my vampiric abilities that I had. And the contrary gifts like I could walk in the sunlight. The fact that I could drink blood and eat food as well. I also had strength and speed, but it was marginally weaker or inferior than a full vampire. This of course I knew.

I shut the manila folder and shoved it back in the bag. It was basically common knowledge that I realized about myself long ago. I had no interest in reading about it more.

So, I moved on to the book. On pins and needles of expectancy I cracked it open. It was brown leather and had a metal clasp designed and crafted by hand, like in the olden days. The paper or lack there of reminded me of the kind material that scrolls were made of. Secondly, it appeared the entire book was written by hand by many different people like a diary of sorts.

I turned the pages in excitement but carefully as I heard the paper crinkle with every touch. I was in so much anticipation that my hairs on my arms and neck stood on end.

My door suddenly opened, and I jumped as Marius entered not casually like usual but in a fury of haste and stopped and stood before me with a look of fear and anger that shocked me.

"Hand it over please," he said reaching out for the book.

I closed the book and hugged it to my chest.

"I need to see this."

"I'm not in the mood to play this game, so give it to me."

Not wanting to test him, I tentatively handed it over to Marius.

"And the other please," he said sternly.

I pulled out the folder from my bag and handed everything over begrudged that I may never see it again.

"Were you spying on me Marius?"

"Never mind all that." He said holding the bundle to his chest, "I'm sure that you overheard my conversation with Lestat. He looked at me for an acknowledgement and I gave him a small hesitant nod.

"How far did you get in the book?"

"I read the cover," I said disappointed; mostly in myself.

"Tell me about my past Marius?" I asked hoping he would be forthcoming.

A clap of thunder rumbled above us, pushing my erratic heartbeat farther over the edge. Marius sat next to me a sighed deeply.

"In ancient Egypt lived the king and queen of vampire kind. The Adam and Eve if you will of our race. In the age of the old gods, the Egyptians worshiped the pair as their blood drinking gods or demons, they were sometimes referred to. In those days not every god was benevolent some were evil. And malevolent they were. Made by spell casting priest with the book of the dead to protect the Egyptians from foreign invaders like the Greeks and the Romans was their origin. In that time the king and queen were so filled with blood lust they almost wiped out the planet of humans killing more than the Egyptian's enemies ever intended. They even killed their own vampire children. No one could stand against them. So, in the end their greed and lust for power and blood defeated them both and they feel into a deep slumber that continued for thousands of years."

"This king was my father, right. Enki." I asked nervously.

"Yes, Raina he was, as you had overheard."

I now understood all the extra attention the vampires gave me and the sheltering need to protect me. The reasons for the strange looks and how they seem to fear and love me at the same time. It made sense now. This past was just that, in the past. This truth gave me no comfort that I had wished it would bring. I had no real feelings for this king and servant mother of mine. I missed my adopted mother. My Maharet is my mom, and she loved me like her own daughter, I knew it in my heart.

"Marius," I say sadly.

"Yes, my Princess?"

"Hold me.".

And so, he did as I cried on his chest for hours