I felt awful, the stare in their eyes. I saw how each of them was silent because now I know, they were no different than I was. My head was spinning with questions, but I didn't want to be the bad guy here, because I knew Juan was right. I was in born into these world and more are going to be sacrifice, and to be honest, I think owe it to them too.
"I'm sorry..." I muttered and some of them only half smiled.
"No worries, you were also shoved into this world, we can't really expect you to gladly accept this, it took us a while too to actually settle in as we are right now," Marco whisper, as we both watch the door Juan manage to go through, "So please forgive some us if we're a bit hostile than other. Juan especially, it was not easy for him. None of us were born pure bloods so, it took a toll on us."
"Wait pure bloods as is?"
"As in, we were turned, a bit different than you, you have the blood running in your veins. Us? We were turned." It then settle into me that I sure now owe them an apology. I didn't know what the prophecy was all about but sacrificing these boys life for what's ever to come. It sure was one of a hell decision.
Hendery turns to me and looks at me silently, "We're here for a reason Allora, and we're hoping that you could cooperate with all of us, because it's not just you, but for both world."
---
I didn't know what got into me, but I knew what to do. The candlelight flickered against the walls as Marco led us deeper into the underground sanctuary. The others trailed behind, their presence a quiet reminder that this was far greater and I was not alone, whatever lies for us, I know we could do it together.
I hugged my arms tightly, as I wonder over them. "Is it a bad timing to ask how you all were turned?" Beside you was Hendery and Aaron, while Jullian and Marco led the way - while the others were trying to coax an angry Juan, remind me to apologize to the guy.
"We're all a different case." hendery said, "For starters I am one of the very few of us who does not resent being what I am right now."
"You were happy with the situation?"
Hendery shrugs, "Well... rather than being a slumpy grumpy ass like Juan, I was thrilled when I was turned. I fell in love with a vampire and I begged her to turned me for the thrill, power and eternity."
"So you have what they called as a 'mate', am I right?"
"You seem to know about about world," Marco slips in, "You know about mates?"
I could only smile, "Well, it seems like your world and mine seems not different, by know I don't think anyone could live alone, can they?"
Hendery smirks, "Well, not everyone, and not she's not my mate, she was only my creator."
"He's just bitter because she left him in the dirt." Jullian whisper, "He used to be bitter but now he act like he doesn't care."
"I don't!"
Laughter brought it while Hendery could only grumble in annoyance, I looked over to Marco and he chuckles, closely he walked to me and shakes his head.
"I don't have anything interesting to tell you."
"He's lying, he's been around since 18th centuries," Jullian said and my eyes widen, and Marco only shook his head.
"I've seen enough."
"How about you?" My eyes bore to Jullian as he thinks before he too become more quiet.
"You don't have to, Ju -" Marco read the situation but Jullian only shakes his head.
"Don't worry, It's not as painful to remember as before," he said quietly and he turns to me, "I was a medical student in the 19th but I was abducted by vampires to create a perfect fledging, to become a war machine. I survive several experiments and did become powerful."
"I was powerful enough to escape, and I guess I never looked back until Marco found me," Jullian stops, "Since then I guess I was trying to heal myself."
Silence welcome us, and I looked over to Aaron, I don't know why from the first time I saw him it seems like something was different. He didn't talk at all, and every time he talks a sudden burst of energy always run pass through me. I don't know if he had a negative energy or not but I try my best not to get to close. Like Juan he didn't seem like he wanted me here either.
"I was a royal guard for a duke, apparently the duke was a vampire and I was given a choice to be turned or die and you know what I picked." Aaron's voice out and I was startled.
"He swore to allegiance but his master was killed and he fled, " hendery added, "He was like me some other way, he could have died but choose to live."
"And why is that?" I dared to question him, and he smirks.
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
I hugged my arms to my chest, "I'm so sorry, what you all have to go through, I'm just taking it all in, because I just feel like you know... like—"
"Feel like one of us?" Marco finished for me.
I hesitated a bit, but I know he was right, I didn't feel like one of them. I still feel like a human in the end, "Yeah."
Jullian, who was beside me, finally spoke, "Maybe it's because your vampire have not be awoken yet, that's what we've been thinking ways for you to awaken it, but we could only think of a reason."
"Which is?"
"Because you're unmarked."
I frowned. "Unmarked?"
Aaron leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. "Vampires are born into their power. But hybrids? They need to be awakened."
"Awakened how?"
Marco hesitated. Then, carefully, he said, "Blood."
The word sent a chill through me. "What?"
Jullian sighed, rubbing his temple. "You've never drunk vampire blood, have you?"
My stomach twisted. "Of course not." Blood? Never in my days would come to this day that I have to think about drinking vampire blood
Aaron smirks. "Then that explains it."
I stared at them, trying to understand. "You're saying that if I drink vampire blood… I'll change?"
"No," Marco corrected. "You'll need more to turn into a vampire, but the blood, will awaken your sense. You vampire part will be awaken"
The thought made my skin crawl. This can't be happening to me right? This is just a dream, tomorrow I will wake up in my bed and all of this is just a bad dream.
Jullian watched me closely. "You're scared."
"Of course, I'm scared," I snapped. "I woke up this morning thinking my biggest problem was an overdue essay. Now you're telling me I'm some lost heir with a target on my back? That people want me dead? That I have to drink blood to find out who I really am?"
Jullian smirked. "When you say it like that, it does sound a little dramatic."
I glared at him. "I hate you."
"Give it time," he said easily. "It will grow on you."
Marco shot him a warning look before turning back to me. "Look, no one's forcing you to do anything. But you need to understand that staying like this—half-asleep, half-aware—won't protect you. The people coming after you? They won't wait for you to figure things out."
I swallowed hard.
"I'm sorry this is still so hard for me." I said as I stayed back and turn my way from where they had brought me.
"Hey." A flash of brown head pass through and Aaron was in front of me, and my breath hitch, He stood in front of me and as he raise his head, a flash of tinted golden iris before turning back to red.
"I know this seems like crazy for you, but you need to trust us as you trust those before you, you saw what they did back then, I know you did, that could happened to anyone if we don't do something. We're here for a reason now do you trust us?"
I took a deep breath, steadying myself. "What do I have to do?"
The room fell silent. Then, slowly, Marco reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small vial.
Dark crimson liquid shimmered inside.
"Drink this," he said. "And wake up."
I stared at it, heart pounding. This is it, a brand new life for me, I took a deep breath and I reach for the vial, and looked at all of them.
and finally I took the vial