Enticed By His Darkness

9

The next day I was sitting in an empty classroom at the crack of dawn. I shifted my glass between my hands. Since yesterday morning, a glass full of blood has been my constant companion. I would have loved to have had a whole barrel of it right away, but that didn't go so well. Hopefully this constant hunger will stop at some point. Most of all, I wondered what I was supposed to do here, since I was the only new vampire here. But then I heard voices from outside and then the door was pushed open. A crowd of young people my age crowded into the room. I tensed up and held my breath. What the hell was that? I was shaking all over and kept staring at my seat. Yesterday they kept me away from everything and everyone and now they're serving me a buffet here? I swallowed and tried to stay calm. But I couldn't block out this constant beating of the heart and this enticing blood rushing through the veins.

"Hi, you must be Elisabeth. I'm Becky" a girl's voice snapped me out of my trance and held out her hand. I looked up at her. She had brown hair that fell down her back in an incredible mane. Her eyes were also brown and she wore a floral one Summer-dress.

I nodded and slid further down in my chair. She sat down next to me and touched my arm. A warm feeling spreads through me and I relaxed. All tension fell from me like a leaf from a tree. My fingers weren't so tight around my glass anymore.

"Better?" Becky asked next to me and I looked at her in astonishment.

"And how. How did you do that?"

"Witch" she just grinned and put down the coffee mug she had been holding in front of her.

“The whole school only talks about you. At least we older ones. The little ones are still too busy with themselves" she laughed and leaned back in her chair.

"Aren't you scared of me?" I then asked, putting my hands under my thighs. I had completely tuned out the others in the room. I could only hear their babble as a blur. It was like a buzzing in my ear.

"No, why should I. I have the power to control you" she grinned and snapped her fingers "Also I thought you might need someone here. The others aren't all that .. well open. Most here are withdrawn or arrogant. Think they are something better because they are powerful now" she shook her head and clicked her tongue.

"I can handle that. And .. what are they all?" I asked, nodding my head at the full rows in front of and next to us.

"Mostly werewolves. They multiply like rabbits, I have the feeling. And witches. And there are three elves sitting in front." She pointed to the two rows on our right. I nodded and looked around. But nobody was like me. No blood-sucking monster.

"And what are we learning here?" I then asked, rocking up and down in my chair.

"Well, everything you need to know about the primal creatures. And of course what you need to know about the others. After all, all creatures are represented here. There have also often been conflicts between werewolves, witches, vampires and elves. Hence the lesson. You know, it's not just the primal beings that are evil. Also, some of us switched sides because they didn't want to live the way we do. We protect people and ourselves of course. That's why we need to know how to deal with them," she whispered to me, tapping the table with her manicured fingernails. "So, as you can see, we have quite a few enemies."

I nodded silently and sipped from my glass. Everything just got better and more complicated.

"Do not worry. You'll come with me quickly. We get new students almost every week. Many don't live here. Witches, elves and werewolves do not live here but in apartments in the city. Which of course are secured and monitored by the school"

I bit my lip. So only vampires were held here. Why not. After all, we were dangerous and could kill people. So we were made to understand that we were a danger to everyone and that we were locked up. I stared grimly ahead of me until someone slammed the door. A middle-aged man flopped into the chair behind the teacher's desk and put his bag on the table. He wore glasses and his blond hair was streaked with gray. That somehow made him likeable, probably also because he reminded me of my uncle. He rubbed his forehead.

"Have a rough night Mr. Baker?" Becky called out and everyone started giggling. He gave her a withering look. His dark circles spoke volumes.

“He likes going around with the other teachers. It's the most normal thing for them" Becky whispered to me and I had to smile. Mr. Baker and I had something in common. That kind of thing was normal. Going out on Friday nights and having fun. Not like that.

"All right folks. Good morning We have a new student." He stood up with a sigh and pointed at me. Everyone turned in my direction. I waved slightly, glad that Mr. Baker didn't make me introduce myself. I hadn't fallen flat, but I wanted to I really don't.

Mr. Baker wrote something on the blackboard and then leaned against it. “Last week we talked about the Primordials. I think Miss Taylor is up to date. At least that's what Kate told me," he said and I nodded hesitantly. How would I know what status I was on? I twisted a strand of hair around my finger and crossed my legs. I felt class was awful but better than just sitting in my room and doing nothing. Nick had been on some secret mission since last night and I hardly ever spoke to Elijah. I didn't see him very often either. So I could doing my lessons here as well Mr. Baker started his classes straight away and I had to admit they were actually really interesting.

I learned that primordial beings could be recognized by their black eyes and smell. They smelled of fire and ash, straight out of hell. You could really feel their presence when they were around. They loved the dark and the cold. Sure, whoever came out of hell was dead and whoever was dead was cold, right? Mr. Baker paced up and down the front and talked wildly, which only made him more likeable. He lived for his teaching. Primal beings were demons in human form. I scribbled on my pad. Demons, vampires, werewolves.

They were the most powerful beings that existed. But not invulnerable. You could even kill them. With a blade of pure diamond fused with gold and ashes from hell. Very epic. And of course fire. Those were the weak points. Ash and Fire.

Next I learned about witches. The witches were powerful beings with incredible magic. But there were black and white witches. Depending on which side they chose, they also practiced their magic. But they too were dangerous. Curses, spells. All of which they could use to hurt and kill. They were not to be underestimated. But they were the most vulnerable. Just like humans, she could die and grow old. They drew their power from the earth or from magical objects. There was a spell for pretty much everything. Alongside Mr. Baker, Becky told me about witches and what incredibly cool spells there were. She was over the moon and kept drumming her fingers on the table top.

Werewolves were dangerous. Very dangerous. They could transform whenever they wanted and tear everything and everyone to pieces. It didn't depend on the full moon like most stories do. But once transformed, they were deadly machines and huge. They were fast and strong and uncontrollable when intoxicated. But they too could be killed like humans and aged like them, although they also had the ability to heal themselves. But not if vital organs were damaged.

The elves were a species unto themselves. There were no primal beings of them. They were created by crossing and genetic modification over thousands of years. They have changed as a result of the gene mutation. Pointed ears and eyes like a cat. They had an extremely fair complexion and high cheekbones. And they were beautiful. All of them. And passionate. Here again. Dying and aging like humans.

And then came the vampires. I. my species I rested my head on my arm and slid further forward. With the other hand, I still clutched my glass. I literally hung on Mr. Baker's every word. Vampires were fast, strong, invulnerable, and immortal. The original vampires were created by Lucifer in such a way that they could roam the world for thousands of years and had every power at their disposal. If all the others were defeated, there would still be the vampires, Lucifer's insurance, so to speak. The cold creatures. I had already learned from Nick how to become a vampire. Either by triggering the gene or by vampire venom in the body. If the human dies within a few hours, he becomes a vampire. Not the Vampire Diaries. Nick had swindled me. bastard. I bit my lip and followed Mr. Baker who was pacing. Vampires really had everything. Speed, strength, heightened senses, heightened emotions, the power to manipulate, invulnerability, and immortality. Good Invulnerable wasn't quite right. You could wound and even kill vampires, but they healed. Quickly. And they would live. Live forever. A vampire could be killed in the classic way with a wooden pole. Even ripping out the heart and fire could kill him. But they wouldn't just die like everyone else. no I would live forever Doomed to stay here on earth forever. Good Invulnerable wasn't quite right. You could wound and even kill vampires, but they healed. Quickly. And they would live. Live forever. A vampire could be killed in the classic way with a wooden pole. Even ripping out the heart and fire could kill him. But they wouldn't just die like everyone else. no I would live forever Doomed to stay here on earth forever. Good Invulnerable wasn't quite right. You could wound and even kill vampires, but they healed. Quickly. And they would live. Live forever. A vampire could be killed in the classic way with a wooden pole. Even ripping out the heart and fire could kill him. But they wouldn't just die like everyone else. no I would live forever Doomed to stay here on earth forever.

The rest of the lesson slipped by me as I scribbled on my pad and sipped my glass every now and then.

"You know, I think vampires are pretty cool" Becky whispered to me and I turned to her "They have everything you could dream of. And most importantly, a vampire lover is really great" she giggled and her giggle was so infectious, that I join.

"Do you know Elizabeth..."

"Beth" I interrupted her and she nodded "You know, Beth. I don't know any vampire who looks bad. The gene mutation must have had a hand in it. What you can see on you" she made a gesture to my body and waggled his eyebrows. I giggled softly and shook my head.

"But let's be honest, Becky. What's so great about being stuck on earth forever?" I then asked quietly, putting down my pen and tapping my foot up and down instead.

"Are you kidding? You can experience everything. Travel the world. I would love to be like you. The future must be interesting." Her eyes shone with excitement. I had never heard that before. She wanted to be like me? A monster? But maybe I just didn't understand enough of the world I was in now lived in. If you grew up with it, it was certainly different.

"It's so cool that we have another vampire here. There are four others" she whispered and I looked at her a bit confused "Four?" I asked. She nodded eagerly, "Yes, four. Chloe, David, Elijah and Nick" at their names she sighed and looked down at her fingers dreamily. I had to grin.

"I think you're right. Elijah and Nick are really hot" I giggled giving her a conspiratorial look "But who is David?" I asked, leaning slightly towards her. The others were already turning and glaring at us. Nerd.

"Moment. You know the two? I just see her every holy time. They're almost never home and rarely talk to either of us." Becky looked at me wide-eyed and bounced up and down in her chair. "I barely exchanged four words with them. Elijah and Nick are the two names here at school Guys no one can touch. Except for Chloe of course" she literally spat out the name and her facial expression turned grim again "And who is David now?" I asked instead to change the subject.

"He's just like you. I mean the same age. He's usually late for class or, like today, he doesn't come at all. He parties through the night and then sleeps until noon or longer. He also lives in a room here. But David's actually really fine and he's got his blood thirst in pretty good control. He probably drowns the desire in the alcohol" she giggled and tossed her hair back over her shoulder. Well at least there was another vampire here who might be something to relate to.

We endured two more hours and then Mr. Baker finally let us go. Everyone rushed outside. I noticed how slowly the desire came back and I sucked on my thick red liquid again and again. But that didn't seem to bother Becky. We left the room together and strolled down the hall.

"Do you also have training?" I then asked to distract myself and to break the silence. She nodded, "Yes. But I also have training to become stronger with magic. So not only strength training and martial arts" she played hers Arm up and I had to laugh. We staggered down the aisle and I told her how I got here until someone stopped us.

"Hey Becky. Wait for me" a boy hurried down the aisle and then suddenly stood next to us"

"Beth this is..."

"David" I finished the sentence and looked at him. Vampire speed. Pretty cool actually. You would never be late anywhere again.

"Hi Beth. Nice to meet you. I'm really glad there's another vampire here now" he stroked his tousled hair and we continued on our way.

Suddenly David grabbed my glass and took a sip "Mhh B positive" he grinned and handed it back to me "How does blood taste and smell to you?" he then asked and I looked at him a bit confused. I frowned. "Doesn't it always smell and taste the same?" I asked, looking into my glass. David shook his head, "No. Blood tastes and smells like fresh apple to me."

I looked at him in amusement, but he didn't seem to be joking. "I always thought blood smelled and tasted rusty. But now that you mention it. Yesterday at breakfast it tasted slightly sweet. bit like strawberries"

"How big is the building?" I asked when we passed all the closed doors. There were rooms for all the students, classrooms, lounges and lofts. The building had to be huge. Why was that to me? never noticed?

"I would say you can imagine it being about the size of the Houses of Parliament. Much here is underground. All the rooms for the students, for example. For the older ones there are the rooms like you have and for the big league there are the lofts. So for the teachers, or someone like Nick, Elijah and Cloe, or the older werewolves and witches. You can imagine the lofts as a flat share"

I nodded and was really amazed how everything worked here. But it wasn't really that different from other schools or boarding schools. At the bottom the little ones and youngsters, in the middle the teenagers and at the top the big older ones. My thoughts wandered to the training. I really didn't want to do that, especially since I hated sports clothes. Except for my sweatpants. I loved her. But the rest was so uncomfortable and just plain sucks.

"Hey Bee" I turned and saw Nick walking towards us. Beside me, Becky gasped. I smiled and waited for him to get here. To my surprise, he wrapped his arms around me and hugged me.

"I thought you had something important to do" I looked up at him when we broke apart again. He shrugged his shoulders "Yes we did, but it went faster than expected. And now I'm here for you and to give you tips. And of course to protect you from Chloe, but I don't think you need my protection at all" he grinned and slapped his chest like a gorilla which made me laugh.

"Will.. Elijah be there too?" I then asked as we continued our way to the training hall.

"Naturally. Like he's letting his eyes out of you Bee. I've known him long enough and I can tell when he really likes something" he winked at me and then put his arm around my shoulder "Really cute" he smiled mischievously and I elbowed him in the ribs .

"It's not funny Nick. He treats me like I'm a kid and he's mean" I said crossing my arms in a pout. We followed behind Becky and David. Eventually we got to the hall and I was really blown away.

"Hunger Games 2.0.?" I asked and looked around. A huge circuit training had been set up, which almost scared me. Many stations were already training diligently. There was really everything here. Archery, javelin throwing, sword fighting and a shooting range , like in the police. And there was a boxing ring. And all this in one single hall, which was huge with high ceilings that ran to peaks. Gothic style, which really reminded me of a church. All that was missing was the stained windows and an altar.Three large chandeliers hung from the ceiling, just like the one that hung in the entrance hall.The floor was made of colorful tiles.

"Well let's be honest. It looks like a medieval tournament. Is it really so .. crass fighting? So what if a primordial being is killed? Are these the missions you always go on?” I asked and looked up at Nick. Becky had meanwhile mingled with the others and David was leaning wearily against the wall. I dropped my bag on the floor and waited for Nick's answer.

"You could say yes. All the weapons are centuries old and not that easy to make. The only modern thing is the pistols. Otherwise they hunt and fight with swords, spears and bows and arrows" he gestured expansively into the hall.

"Hunted?" I asked again and he nodded eagerly "As soon as we realize that an ancient or let's call it another villain shows up we hunt down and kill them. Ancients really aren't that easy to kill or track down. But Elijah did almost three hundred years of experience in that. He's the best of them all," he explained, leaning on my shoulder. Villains were the renegade vampires, werewolves or whatever. They only fought for themselves and lived by the motto "f**k it." So we even killed each other. Oh great. I sighed and shook off Nick's arm and reached down for my bag and pulled out my phone will?" someone asked behind me and I turned around annoyed.