The Undead's Personal Mortician

The Undead's Confession

Lily arrived early at the mortuary, her footsteps echoing through the silent halls. The hush of death seemed to hover over the building, making her shiver despite the warmth of the sun outside. She was eager to continue her investigation, still troubled by her discovery of the revived dead bodies. The thought that they could be walking and talking like living people sent a wave of unease through her.

As she made her way through the deserted rooms, she couldn't shake off the feeling that Lucian was hiding something from her. She had kept her discovery to herself, but every spare moment was spent in the mortuary, digging through records and trying to find any clues that could explain what was going on.

Suddenly, she heard a strange noise coming from one of the back rooms. Her heart thudding in her chest, she cautiously made her way toward the source of the sound. As she approached, she noticed that the door was slightly ajar. With a deep breath, she pushed it open and stepped inside.

The room was dark and musty, and it took a moment for her eyes to adjust. But when they did, she saw a shocking sight that made her gasp in horror.

As Lily entered the room, a chill ran down her spine. On the tables were several bodies, all moving and breathing. She recognized some of them from her previous work and felt a sense of unease settle in her stomach. These bodies should be dead – she had seen them lifeless just yesterday.

But now they were standing, walking, even smiling. And among them was the woman she had seen before, watching her with a knowing look.

Lily's voice trembled as she asked, "What is going on?"

The woman approached her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You're not the only one who wants answers," she said softly. "We were all dead, but now we're alive."

Lily's mind raced as she tried to make sense of it all. It defied everything she knew about science and medicine. But here was undeniable proof.

"How is this possible?" she whispered.

"We don't know," the woman replied. "All we know is that someone has the power to bring us back to life."

Lily's thoughts immediately turned to Lucian. This had to be his doing – he was hiding something from them, something powerful and dangerous.

She stormed out of the room, her heart racing with determination and anger. She had finally decided to confront him, to demand answers for his suspicious behavior. But as she asked his assistant about his whereabouts, she knew deep down what the response would be. The same answer she had been receiving for weeks - he was in a meeting and only available at night. It was all too convenient.

Her mind raced as she paced back and forth, unsure of what to do next. But then she saw the assistant leave her post and head somewhere, her eyes fixated on Lucian's office door. Without hesitation, she strode towards it, now or never.

With trembling fingers, she gripped the brass doorknob and pushed open the heavy door. The familiar scent of leather and wood filled her nostrils as she stepped into Lucian's office. She half-expected to see him sitting at his mahogany desk, but the room was empty.

Confusion and disbelief coursed through her veins as she took in the untouched surroundings. His assistant had always made it seem like he spent his mornings here, but now she wondered if it was all a charade. Slowly, she closed the door behind her, feeling like an intruder in his private space.

In a moment of desperation, Lily began rummaging through drawers and cabinets, hoping to find some answers to his strange behavior. But all she found were mundane papers and business files.

Frustration and betrayal bubbled up inside her as she realized that after all this time, she still didn't truly know who Lucian Stone was. And now here she was, alone in his empty office surrounded by his secrets and lies.

She continued her search, her heart pounding in her chest as she heard the sound of another door opening behind her. Startled, she turned around to see Lucian standing there with a questioning look on his face.

"What are you doing in my office?" he asked, though his tone suggested he already knew.

Lily squared her shoulders, trying to remain calm. "I...I needed to talk to you," she faltered.

Lucian's usually pale complexion was even more ashen in the dim light of his office. He looked exhausted, like he had been roused from a deep sleep. Lily took a deep breath and mustered up the courage to speak her mind. "I know what's going on here, Lucian. I know about the revived dead bodies." She braced herself for his reaction, but his expression remained unreadable.

After a tense moment, Lucian let out a defeated sigh and gestured towards a door in the corner of the room. "Let's go for a walk," he said quietly.

Lily hesitated, unsure if she could trust him. But something in his eyes made her believe that he was going to share something important with her. She nodded and followed him through the door into a dark and empty hallway.

As they walked, Lily couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that settled in her stomach. The hallway felt eerily quiet and unusually dark for daytime. They passed by a faintly lit room, which turned out to be a bedroom.

To Lily's surprise, Lucian stopped at another door across from it and opened it. She expected to see another office, but instead, she was met with an inner courtyard.

The space was enclosed by high walls covered in ivy and vines, creating a natural green haven that offered privacy and seclusion. The walls were painted a soft cream color that contrasted beautifully with the vibrant foliage.

In the center of the courtyard, a delicate cherub perched atop a dark gray stone fountain. Its mouth gushed water, creating a gentle symphony that echoed through the space. Surrounding the pool were vibrant bursts of color - roses, daisies, and lavender - each one seeming to compete for attention with its beauty and fragrance.

Lucian led Lily to a wrought-iron bench adorned with plush cushions and throws in bright shades, welcoming them to take a seat. The courtyard was flooded with natural light, despite the lack of windows, casting a warm and inviting glow over their surroundings.

It was a stark contrast to Lucian's office, which exuded a dark and foreboding atmosphere. Here, in this peaceful oasis, it was clear that Lucian had put great effort into crafting a space where he could escape the stress and pressures of his work.

As they strolled along the path, enjoying the tranquility of the courtyard, Lily finally broke the silence. "Lucian," she called out.

He stopped walking and took a deep breath before speaking. "Lily, I have something to confess. These bodies you see here are not natural deaths. They're...accidents within my clan. And I grew tired of constantly burying our dead. That's why I sought your services once I discovered your unique abilities."

Lily's heart hammered in her chest as she listened to Lucian's words. Accidents? She couldn't fathom what kind of accidents could cause death so frequently. And why did he keep talking about his clan? It sent a chill down her spine every time he mentioned it.

"I don't understand, Lucian. What kind of accidents are you talking about? And what exactly do you mean by 'your clan'?" she asked, trying to control the tremor in her voice.

Lucian let out a deep sigh and avoided meeting her eyes."My clan has...unique dietary requirements. Sometimes, they lose control and accidents happen."

Lily's eyes widened in horror and fascination. "Dietary requirements?"

Lucian's gaze seemed to darken as he spoke again. "Yes, Lily. My clan is not like other people. We have certain needs and...tastes."

A cold shiver ran down Lily's spine. "What are you trying to say, Lucian?"

He took a deep breath and turned to face her fully. "Lily, tell me something," he urged. "Haven't you noticed anything strange about me?"

Lily hesitated for a moment before answering, thinking back on all the moments she had spent with Lucian. There was something off about him that she couldn't quite put her finger on. It was as if there was a hidden darkness beneath his charming exterior, something that he was desperately trying to keep hidden from her. She remembered feeling a strange energy emanating from him, one that was both alluring and unsettling at the same time.

"Actually...now that you mention it," she began carefully, "there was something peculiar about you."

Lucian's lips curved into an almost predatory smile. "Tell me more," he urged.

But Lily couldn't bring herself to reveal everything just yet. She feared what his reaction would be when she told him everything she had sensed about him.

Lily's eyes widened in realization as she looked at Lucian. She noticed that he always seemed to avoid the sunlight, and it suddenly clicked in her mind as to why. "You don't go out during the day because of...your condition," she said, hesitantly.

Lucian nodded slowly, his gaze never leaving her face. "Yes, you're very perceptive, Lily," he replied, impressed. "The truth is, sunlight weakens me and drains me of my energy. I'm not like other people...I'm different."

Lily couldn't help but ask for more information. There were other strange things about him that she had noticed - his ageless appearance, marble-like skin, and ever-changing blue eyes - but she couldn't quite put her finger on what it all meant. And then there was the mark on his hand. The one he claimed was a family symbol.

"What about the mark on your hand?" she asked curiously.

Lucian glanced down at his hand, the mark standing out starkly against his pale skin. "It is a family symbol, but it also represents something more personal," he explained cryptically.

Lily pressed for more information, eager to uncover his mysterious secret. "What do you mean by 'personal'?"

After a moment's hesitation, Lucian finally spoke. His voice was low and gravelly, betraying his nervousness. "It's a mark given to those in my clan who have embraced our nature," he revealed, tapping the intricate tattoo on his hand. Lily couldn't help but shiver as she thought about what Lucian was trying to say. The idea of him being something other than human sent chills down her spine.

"What nature?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

He looked at her intently, his eyes seeming to glow in the dim light. "Tell me, Lily," he said softly. "It could be the most obvious thing but you keep denying it. I know you're well aware that I'm no ordinary human."

Lily felt her heart stop for a moment as she processed his words. He wasn't human? It seemed impossible, but then again, so did everything else that had been happening since she started working for him.

"But that's not possible...," she stammered, her mind struggling to make sense of it all.

Lucian chuckled wryly. "That's what most people think. But we do exist, Lily. And we have for a very long time."

Lily stared at him, taking in his pale skin and unusual eyes. Suddenly, everything clicked into place. Of course he wasn't human - nothing about him was natural in the world she knew. But even though she had her suspicions, hearing it out loud still shook her to her core.

Her thoughts were interrupted by an overwhelming feeling of fear. Vampires were real? She had grown up learning they were just mythical creatures from horror stories.

"Are you trying to say that you and your clan are vampires?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lucian nodded solemnly. "Yes, Lily. We are vampires."