Valentine

Chapter Ten - Orion

I could hear the women chatter from inside the room, but making out what either said was impossible. There was no place in me knowing what was happening in the conversation either, but curiosity often times got the better of me. It didn’t take long for the door to creak open again, with Elizabeth slowly moving out and closing the door as if mother had already been asleep.

“How did it go?” I asked.

“It went fine. I understand a little bit better now but I’m still not sure what to think of this situation. I’m confused and scared about but I know that’s just the name of the game when you do something new.” Elizabeth replied, taking a seat opposite me in a wooden chair with ample padding.

“Yes. I can understand your nerves and frustration towards the situation but after meeting mother, I believe you may understand why haste is important.” I added.

“ No, Not really. I don't actually know what the problem is. She looked fine to me," Elizabeth said. Mother was in a good state today, so the evident rush may have been lost on Elizabeth but that didn't mean it was long-lasting. Mother would slip into her insanity again, soon, and then it would be another wait until she was ready to see those around.

“She isn’t.”

A silence fell between us. No matter what I tried to say from here, there would be nothing that would convince her of my true heritage without showing her. This was do or die, after showing her that I was a vampire, she would either believe everything said up to this point, or she would run away screaming. There was no in between as such was the fickle nature of modern humanity.

“Now that you’ve seen all of this, that you’ve been a part of my world and you’ve remained long enough that I can show you the true aspects of my life, I believe it’s time to show you my vampire side,” I rose from my chair, cleared my throat, turning to face Elizabeth. It was a nervous habit, I suppose, it would be the first time since my mother than an outsider was let into the secrecy of our coven and with that came a plethora of its own issues.

Closing my eyes, I gave myself one last moment to play the situation out in my head. This would either be the point where she stayed or left and gave up on everything that had been said and done to get her here. But having Elizabeth here was the first step. It meant that she had enough faith to at least give it a try.

When I was ready, I turned to my vampire side. There were small, subtle changes in my body; claw-like hands, dark black eyes, extended canines with all the veins pumping a dark black liquid through the system. Keeping my eyes closed, knowing that all the subtle signs would go unnoticed until they were open, it was truly time to see what would come of all this.

“Are you ready?” I said quietly, barely opening my lips.

"Yes," Elizabeth replied.

I opened my eyes, the dark black orbs looking directly into Elizabeth’s eyes. She yipped in fright, but I continued on, opening my mouth wide enough that she could see the sharpened, long canines, finally bringing my hands up for her to see the claws. The veins, those more prominent, that gave off the dark black hue were on my arms, though in the dimly lit setting they were difficult to see.

"Neat-o," Elizabeth said, sarcasm dripping off her words.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Nice little magic trick,” Elizabeth got up from her seat, “but I don’t really buy it. I’m not going to be a part of your cult today, thanks.” She began walking off towards the door. I gave her distance across the long hall until she was nearing the door that led us here. She turned to face me once more, the massive space between us the final thought I had to prove my heritage. Her hand moved towards the door handle, but before she could open it, I was there, my hand on the handle, pulling it open.

"After you," I said coyly.

“How did you do that?” She looked back to where I was standing, fifty feet away.

"I've already told you. I'm a vampire. With it comes all the perks of speed, strength, and agility. I'm not trying to deceive you, Elizabeth, I'm trying to get you in place of my sick mother. She won't be able to rule much longer and I need someone to replace her before it's too late, lest we lose control to a queen that's unworthy."

Elizabeth turned to me, wide-eyed, "That was incredible. You're so fast. I…" She fell silent, and looking at her I could see she was contemplating everything I’ve said up to this point. Her eyes sparkled with the realization that this was all real and she could have a part in it, “I believe you.”