Chapter 1
Vaid stretched, staring up at the dark ceiling overhead. While there was the usual nervousness gnawing at the edge of his awareness, more than anything he felt excitement building ever higher. It was almost time again... and this time it would be different. Giving up on sleep, he got out of bed and began going through his daily exercise routine.
Two weeks ago he had celebrated his forty-third turn. Three days ago everything had changed. He felt better than he ever had before. Every ache and pain gone, his dull sight was a thing of the past, his sense of smell had vastly improved and now... He grinned and glanced up at the ceiling, willing a dim light into existence. It burst into being and shimmered silently. A week ago even that had required him to enter a meditative state and focus every bit of his will and attention. Now it barely required thought.
He wanted to get in a few more hours of practice with flying – that was still difficult. He hadn’t been capable of it before and it still took a lot more effort than he wanted. With the trials coming quickly he needed more control. That alone could be the difference between success and yet another failure. His greatest advantage right now was that the only one who knew of his awakening was his Pater.
Sighing, he sat on the edge of the bed and debated calling on him for another hunting trip. That, too, had become far more fun. It was on a hunt he had fully awakened. For a few days he had noticed it was getting easier to see in this dark realm. Normally he required a light source just to get around, something the Demons discreetly mocked him for. Even when taking part in the trials they had to create lights around the arena for him.
Memories of past trials soured his good mood. Other children who failed were subject to humiliation – no Demon failed the trial more than twice before leaving the city in shame. They would not return unless they had proven themselves by surviving in the wilderness alone for a full turn.
Twenty three times, Vaid thought grimly, glaring at his pale hands. Hands that never changed, set in their shape. Twenty three times he had participated in the trials and failed. They laughed, patted him on the back and reassured him that he did very well... for a human. Sneering, he grabbed his sword and whetstone.
He was no human but he was not Demon, either. He would always be weaker than them and they knew it. He was not expected to ever pass the trials, to be considered equal to them even on that technicality. Only his Pater believed in him. His guardian, his teacher, his closest friend. Naxiatus had raised him after his real parents had given him away in a deal. Bartered him to save another Entaent who had made a deal of her own. Vaid wasn’t sure what he was more ashamed of, the weakness of his species or the fact that they lacked the understanding of what it meant to honor a deal. They wouldn’t accept the terms of the first so they tried for a second.
Still, Pater was glad for it. He loved Vaid in spite of all his shortcomings. Even though he was not a Demon. Even though his bonded mate had left in disgust when he chose to adopt what she knew to be a weak and worthless creature. However many times Pater insisted it was not a problem, only one hundred turns, Vaid could not help but see the loneliness he tried to hide. He missed his bonded terribly but as long as there was an Entaent acting as his child she would not return.
With a frustrated sigh he tried to turn his mind from such unproductive thoughts and focus on the trial. This time it would be different. The trial consisted of two tests. A battle against a warrior that would end when time ran out or one accepted defeat.
They always sent the weakest to fight him – most often one who had not fully recovered from illness or injury. If none were in a weakened state – the least favored warrior would be injured for the purpose just to make the fight somewhat fair.
After that a creature from the wilderness would be brought in – killing it was the second challenge. Vaid had only made it to the second challenge eight times and each of those he had been so tired from the first challenge that he had no hope against the creature. Each time others had to step in and save him. He had been carried out amid laughter and jeers.
It will be different this time. He reminded himself. Already he had noticed that he did not tire as quickly, he healed much faster... especially if he could feed. The first time it had been entirely instinct. When hunting with Pater, he led the hunt. The Demon always stayed close but out of the way – only moving in if absolutely necessary. Only if Vaid was injured and overwhelmed. Both of them had been surprised when Vaid had tracked a strigon and, rather than use his blade as he always did, he had grabbed the creature, torn at its neck and began drinking its blood.
He was oblivious to the creature’s claws raking across his back as it tried to pull him away. The wounds had healed almost as quickly as they were made while he drank the rich blood of the larger creature and for the first time in turns he felt truly sated as he released the lifeless corpse. It was only then he noticed that he had grown fangs and with that first feeding everything had fallen into place. When he looked around he could see clearly for the first time in memory. The dimness did not restrict his vision at all.
It was after that his Pater explained to him what an Entaent was. He explained how they fed and how it could be done. The drinking of blood was optional – it was easiest and certainly the most satisfying, but Vaid could draw the essence directly from the source. Every day after that they would go to the wilderness and practice hunting, sparring and the proper use of will. Though a well trained Demon could still overpower him, finally Vaid did not feel utterly weak and useless.
Sheathing his sword and donning the armor that had been made for him, he went in search of his Pater. Sleep was out of the question and he had only two more days before the trials began again. There was so much to be done....
