We are monsters

Can Monsters change? "Blair." The elder Vampire glared down in the corner of his eye at her, watching as she turned her face away. Struggling to hold her emotions back but knowing she had to, for her own sake. Not even being able to stomach the sight of his bright fire-like hair, Blair was glad to be leaving. "Blair." He called her name sternly this time, causing her head to lift. "Yes Cole?" "Hope you're not hungry." A curl of his lips caused her to flinch, the feeling of worm wriggling in her stomach making her want to wretch. Both of them gliding through the woods after leaving the mansion, with only the sound of inconsistent crunching leaves under their feet. Even the sounds of the woods were close to silent, Blair had to remind herself to stay muted and calm around Cole Gradually the trees bega to thin out as the sound of rushing water broke through the lull, both of them stopped in their tracks at the border, waiting as a small stream flowed quickly before them. A million thoughts rushing through Blair's mind. "Good day Alrick." A young-looking man stepped out from behind a tree, his face relaxed. "Afternoon Cole." There was a breeze that wrapped itself around Blair making the sensation of goosebumps appear, the air filled with static as a Warren of Witches stepped out from behind trees. The tension thick as fog. Not even two Vampires could take out an entire Warren, the stream was the only reminder of the contract that bounded both species to be civil. A woman cackled before pointing to Blair, the ribbon around her hair that was tied up in a tight bun flowing in the air whenever she made a slight gesture. "Is that twig your offer?" Cole spoke emotionlessly, "She is our youngest and purest of blood, however, if she is unsatisfactory then here," His palm shoved against her back, forcing her past the stream. "Kill her." Though he spoke with no emotion there was a coldness behind it, possibly mocking her in his mind. The man, Alrick she believed his name was who first appeared from the forest spoke, challenging the female's voice with his own while barely looking in her direction. "She is more than acceptable, I presume this has concluded?" Cole's lip twitched, "Agreed." All of them turned away while Blair stood still for a moment, until her lip curled in one corner. Quickly veering around to walk with the Warren, not looking back once. Most of them moved aside to fall behind her probably to keep Blair in line, ready to attack. She examined the few faces that seemed to stand out, Alrick being the only one whose name she knew. He was an older man just starting to get grey hair in his beard, he seemed kind for now. The other face she noticed was the stern lady who had the figure of a high-status woman and with her dark hair which looked like it didn't have a strand of stray hair. "Don't be afraid." Alrick met her eyes with a gentle smile plastered on his face, talking soothingly as if she was a baby bird. While he spoke about her being welcomed to the Warren she focused on his features, his eyes only just beginning to show wrinkles. The woman from before spoke again interrupting Blair's peaceful observation of Alrick. "Are we really allowing a Vampire to freely walk and roam among us?" Blair noticed how much the woman was like the rest of her Coven, another reminder. Of course there would be other Witches who shared her sentiment, that was fine with Blair. "Miss Fauna, please respect- I'm ssorry dear, I didn't catch your name." She looked up at Alrick before answering as plainly as she could, "Blair, Blair Rosewood." Alrick beamed while covering a nasty glance at the woman known as Fauna. "Well Blair, Welcome to the Warren and plase feel free to ask me for anything you need." For a moment she felt her shoulders begin to slump only to steel herself instantly, "You have my gratitude." The air grew warmer as they pased though a pair of trees to an open field, tents scattered in a wide circle around a small plantation. Blair's eyes broadened as she saw all the bright colours, with more Witches around a fire on the far side. Alrick gently guided her around the camp, narrating as he did. "Over here we hve the tents for all the younges of Witches, all the tents with spiral marks are tents belonging to romantic partners. This is my tent to the left; in the centre we have our farm of herbs, vegetables and fruit trees." Then pointing to a stable, "Over here is our livestock and stables, Oh! And here is your tent." Blair's tent was more luxurious than expected and larger than she needed. Alrick clapping his hands together before rubbing his beard, chuckling. "Well I'll let you get settled in! Call me if you need anything!" Once she slipped through the tent flap and was out of his sight Blair released the sigh she had held in since seeing Cole. Blair relaxed before hearing a voice, flinching. "Evening." Her jaw tensed as she tried to ask calmly, focusing her eyes upon the young male stranger laying on the bed, his blonde shoulder-length hair bobbing in the gentle breeze. "What are you doing in my tent?" "They didn't tell you?" Blair felt an uneasiness under her skin while his body completely composed. It was like every tiny hair on her arms was standing tall reaching for the sky; she stayed still almost uncomfortably asking. "Told me what?" "I'm your partner...Since we are going to be united we're expected to share a tent like all the other partners, I hope that's okay?" Any thought of peace and solitution was shattered like glass yet, there was no reason she could object to the made arrangements. Instead she sat at the edge of the bed unpacking her things. "My name's Wren." His dark ocean eyes softened at her allowing her to speak without fear, "Blair." He rolled onto his side making sure the blanket had a little fold in between them before he spoke again, his eyes serious without a flicker of doubt. "You can trust me, I won't do anything that gentlemen wouldn't do...I hope this sleeping arrangement isn't uncomfortable." Part of her wanted to speak to Wren, her mind already clouded by everything that pursued to this moment. Seemingly noticing her bewilderment he spoke in a hushed voice, calmly. "How are you feeling about...me? Us? Everything?" No answer could express what she wanted to say and none could cover it, so she spoke truthfully, "My feelings don't really matter do they?...But if they did matter, hypothetically of course, I wouldn't know how to process all the emotions within me." "Wanna talk about it?" Instantly she was surprised, addressing her as a normal person felt unnatural, it felt extraordinary to her...and Blair enjoyed it. "I appreciate the offer however I will kindly refuse for now." "We were born enemies and we will die like that if you and I don't at least try to be united. You don't have to love me, you can even dislike or hate me if it helps but...please try for me?" Their words drifted into the silence as she felt the pressure of his request, how could she even think of not complying when she had no reason not to unite the two species? He had sworn to be a gentleman but all she was still uncomfortable when he made space for her. "How can I believe only your words? I don't even know you." For a second he paused before reaching around his neck and unclasping a pendant, leaning up and placing it around Blair's. "This was my mother's necklace, she gave it to me before she died and it means a lot to me. I swear on this that I will be a gentleman for as long as you wear and protect it." Gently brushing her finger over the opal in the centre of the pendant she raised a question. "How can you give me something so valuable so easily?" Wren grinned gently, "How else will you learn to trust me?" Eventually the night drifted on, allowing her serenity as the Witch slept. Blair's mind being able to calm as she allowed herself to feel whatever she wanted, the hours dwindling by. As morning began to rise she left the tent to find some shade, sliding down against a large oak tree. Blair pulled out a small bottle starting to spray her exposed skin before hearing a twig behind her, lifting her eyes to meet Fauna's. "What are you doing?" The bottle was snatched from her hands as she looked up at Fauna's hands examining the liquid swishing about within, Blair raising her voice slightly. "Please return my bottle, it protects my skin from the sun." "How do I know it's not poison that when inhaled kills?" Blair resisted rolling her eyes; lifting her arm which was sprayed first into the sunlight hearing a gentle sizzle before showing it was perfectly fine, then showing one finger which wasn't sprayed to the sun rays and immediately having a small burn on her skin making her wince. She opened her palm towards the Witch, "My resistant spray please?" The lady gave a slight tut before another girls voice called out to their direction, a Witch no older than fourteen. "Miss Fauna!" Without another word, Fauna left the Vampire to her business who started spraying all over especially on her finger. Blair supervised the Warren of witches, most of them being girls doing everyday activities while the sun rose. Hearing a voice calling her after an unknown amount of time, "Blair!" Her eyes danced up to Wren who came jogging to her, his looks more visible now. "Good morning Wren, I assume your night's rest was sufficient." "The others were starting to think you were cursing them." Her eyebrows shot up, "Why would I curse them?" "I mean you have been sitting here watching them constantly for about an hour now, or so they say." Blair folded her knees to her chest, poking her bracelet before eyeing the other witches. "I was just observing them, forgive me If I overstepped a boundary." Wren tilted his head before looking at the sky and listening to the birds' whistle, tapping his feet as if it was a melody even whistling along at points, Blair couldn't even tell what he was thinking. "So it's true about Vampires being formal?" Softly she bobbed her head, tying her boot laces up again. "We rarely show emotions other than a formality, they say it's unbefitting to let emotions rule out logic." "But you're emotional," Wren looked down to see her head turned, alarmed. "I heard you and Miss Fauna had a disagreement?" The insides of her stomach twisted before Blair whirled her face away from his piercing eyes. "It's true, almost every Vampire I know is completely formal, however, I am still learning. Please forgive me for speaking so rashly and dishonouring myself." "Hey don't talk like that...At least don't worry about it too much, especially with me." His lips curled up, "Just be you and you'll see those who truly care will accept you." Blair thanked him before gazing through the branches of the tree and stared at the azure sky, her shoulders alleviating. "The Union is secure your majesty." Cole bowed his head to the dark essence on the throne, his grave voice replying. "Blair?" "Still uninformed, she is safe and most importantly out of the way." The essence seemed to smirk. "Very good. She is essential to our plan of rebirth and vitality, should she perish..." The essence's shadow seemed to now his head, his throne kissed with darkness. "My daughter. The last pure blood of our kind...and our salvation."