(THIRST FOR YOUR BLOOD 1)

CHAPTER 2: Red

Turning eighteen didn't mean anything special to me; unlike other people, I had a different meaning for this day. Merely a pallid, seemingly lifeless vampire, I possess no abilities or transformations. My parents seemed to be the only ones who cared about their birthday, while others reveled in the company of friends and well-wishers. You see, I'd always been a little mysterious about my age. I was adopted when I was a child, at the time estimated to be two years and a half old. Thus, we commemorated my birthday, which is when my parents became my legal parents. It was our special method of remembering the event.

I had been accustomed to being an outsider. To make matters worse, though, even after six long years, I had yet to undergo my first vampire transformation. From the coven's perspective, I was weird, an outsider. I had grown accustomed to the bullying and exclusion, which served as a continual reminder of my perceived shortcomings.

Lord Dustan was the dominant figure in our coven. Sapphire, a daughter, and Kyler, a son, were his two children. Sapphire was about to turn eighteen and was looking forward to her mate, the person who would make her whole. The eldest, Kyler, however, was unable to take on the role of Master until he had found his soul mate. Every vampire in our world had a soulmate who was meant to be their exact opposite.

Kyler felt the weight of becoming Master bear down on him. Like him, each vampire descended from the Master line had to find a mate or bide their time until the old Master's death to ascend to power. An aggressive challenge to the death, in which he may attempt to take the position by coercion, was the other option. However, Isabel was selected to be Kyler's future mate, so fate had other ideas. In the complex web of coven politics, she was destined for him, a worthy woman who would be his mate should he not find his true love by the time he was twenty-five.

I was informed that when a vampire found a mate, their true potential became available. It was thought that a Master's connection to their soulmate was the source of their strength and power. Unable to assume his parents' role as leader, Kyler would have to wait it out till then. Thus, as he approached his twenty-fourth birthday, his destiny remained entwined with the ambiguities of love as he searched for his real mate.

There was more to the impending party than just Sapphire's birthday, though. It was a lavish gala to celebrate her impending nuptials and her coronation as the new queen. The vampires were obviously getting ready for this special event as they scrambled around, hurriedly decorating and getting ready. There was a palpable sense of exhilaration and anticipation mixed with a hint of fear for what was to come.

As I strolled through the forest, I saw that I was retracing my steps from all those years before. Maybe I could have found a better coven that would have welcomed me more if I had just continued to roam. One that didn't cause me any physical or psychological harm.

A hint of nostalgia crept up on me as the moonlight streamed through the thick canopy, creating entrancing patterns on the woodland floor. My path of self-discovery had started just here, among the tall trees and the calm environment. Time had long since buried memories, but now they were rising to the surface and tearing apart the fabric of my history.

I found myself tracing the scars left over from a traumatic past, stroking the cool, pale flesh that covered my body. My childhood injuries were so bad that not even my vampire powers could completely mend them. Every mark revealed a tale of tenacity, bearing witness to the fortitude I had mustered to endure. The majority of the scars were carved across my arms and legs, but I was grateful that the healers of the coven could assist me. They were a continual reminder of the suffering I had gone through.

I was lost in my own thoughts, wondering how I had become marked by something as horrific as this. My dreams were still filled with the vision of darkness and the smell of blood, but I could never quite figure out the specifics. It seems like I was hiding, since nothing makes sense. However, I still recall the discomfort and the chill, and I've avoided dim areas ever since.

I yearned for my past and my lineage, although everything remained veiled in obscurity and mystery. My coven's once-thriving location had been reduced to a lonely, deserted ruin. I was informed that the vampires had moved on and the shadows now inhabited that location. The passing of centuries had buried the remnants of the past beneath layers of time.

I looked at my old pocket watch and saw that the hands were moving forward gradually, and I was shocked to see that it was already seven in the morning. While I was caught in my reverie, the world kept on moving. I let out a deep breath and grudgingly pulled myself away from the forest, which had been my constant companion during this reflective period. The covenhouse was waiting for me when I got back, the busy bustle of it a stark contrast to the forest's stillness.

The lines between fantasy and reality became more hazy as I headed back. At 8 o'clock at night, most vampires were awake for their nightly rituals and training, so I hurried to hide from their critical looks.

There was a knock on my door, breaking the peace of my lonely evening. I sighed and yanked off my headphones, cutting myself off from the music that had been my only company for the past few hours. My senses were not yet enhanced like a vampire's, and I was not able to connect my thoughts with another person. But there was also the dormant vampire DNA inside of me, waiting to be awakened, a glimmer of potential unrealized.

"Who's that?" Curious about this strange person on the other side of the door, I called out gently.

"Your Dad," a deep voice said, and a good-natured laugh rang through the barrier. It was a sound that was both comforting and familiar.

As realization set me, a smile tugged at the edges of my mouth. I quickly spun around from my desk and emerged from the cocoon of my workstation, ready to greet my uninvited guest. I called out, "Come in, Dad," with a mix of astonishment and joy in my voice.

His warm chocolate eyes peered around the room until they met mine. He smiled as he walked in. His eyes reflected the warmth and love we had, which was indisputable.

Curious in a sincere way, he said out loud, "Are you working?" As he moved farther into the space, he shut the door behind him, cutting all external light.

Despite knowing that my claim of devoted production was far from realistic, I couldn't help but laugh at his comment. "Dad, even you realize I'm not doing anything worthwhile," I blushed a little and shyly said.

Taking a seat on the side of my bed, he gently fluffed the pillow in a playful manner. "Yeah, I know," he answered, a hint of gentle mockery in his voice.

At his impersonation, I gasped. "I don't sound like that at all!"

Would you like a nice, bloody Coke to relieve your thirst? He takes a can from his back pocket and offers it to her.

"I'm full, Dad, so keep it," I lied and pretended that I didn't like anything red. Every shade of crimson caused me to become chaotic. It seemed best to keep my distance from it all since I had no intention of hurting anyone. in particular, the actual blood. Because once I see it, even my own kind can cause me pain.

My father, who was aware of the difficulties I was facing, laughed at my reluctance. His assistance had served as my compass along the turbulent voyage of our life. "Alright, Riverlyn, but keep in mind that you can contact me at any time. Do you have any thoughts? "

With gratitude, I nodded, appreciating his unfailing understanding. Gratitude, Dad. You know, it's just the impending ball. I feel like an outsider, I can't help it."

With a sympathetic face, he leaned in closer. "My dear, you're not the only one who feels that way. Recall, though, that you are special, and that should be acknowledged. Like I do, the proper individuals will recognize your value."

His words were like a balm to my wounded soul, comforting it. I had always felt like an outcast in a world where my father was my rock and my source of strength. No matter what obstacles were in my way, I knew I could always rely on him.