Silver is Rising

Going back is not always a good thing or an easy thing to do, but it’s what I had to do.

20 odd years ago I left my beautiful country for better opportunity’s anywhere else, going through Europe, USA, Asia, and even Russia, trying to find where I belonged. Everyone knows that feeling, not fitting in anywhere, being different, being put into little boxes that only serve others better, everything I ran from when I was 18.

Did I make my fortune? Did I find that place I so desperately wanted to belong?

Nope

I always made enough to get by pay bills etc., To me I had a blessed life no real drama’s since I left home just flowing along with the river and where it lead me. Then my grandfather got in touch with me, he was dying, and it was time to go home. I am the only living relative, so it fell to me to sort his affairs and bury him.

The flight home seemed so much longer then I remember, some lawyer was going to be meeting me at the airport, but was at least another 6 hours away. I decided to have a sleep.

The driving rain was making driving near on impossible to see, suddenly there was a flash of lightning and my grandfather standing in the road. I swerved and crashed into a bank.

I got out of the car and headed toward the only light I could see, thinking what the fuck is this, my personal rocky horror. As I got closer to the light the rain eased, and before me was a magnificent castle, only reinforcing my idea this was the rocky horror picture show, only this castle was of the standard found all over Europe. I walked up the grand steps to the front door and knocked… so far no raging party, like the movie. The door opened seemingly by itself, I cautiously walked in…

“Hello” I called out “HELLO” I tried a little louder

“Welcome home my dear” a female voice gave me a fright from behind and I jumped and turned to see my long dead grandmother standing there. “Don’t worry darling your safe here”

Then she smiled and I saw the fangs…..

Nothing worse than having a nightmare on a plane…I woke up and freaked out a little…not quite remembering where I was. I regained my composure to realize that the movie was one of the twilight movies. I laughed to myself, silly sub conscious putting vampires in my dream, which made me wonder, did my Nan sparkle….

I dozed on and off for the rest of the flight.

I got to Auckland airport and found a man with a sign bearing my name, he looked like a chauffeur. He took my bags and led me to a waiting limo; turns out he was a chauffeur.

He took me directly to my grandfather’s lawyer’s home.

It was a very grand old house, in Remuera; I wondered how much my granddad paid for this guy…

“Welcome Miss Alexandrov, we have been expecting you.” An old man said when he opened the door

“I trust you had a pleasant trip?” he asked

“It was fine” I replied

“Oh forgive my manners,” he said leading me inside and to a lounge” I am Alexander Quinn, your grandfathers lawyer.” He pointed at a couch for me to sit down.” I will get right into the will because you have come a long way and will be leaving early, and you will need your rest.”

I was puzzled a little

“Ok, this is the last will and testament of Alfonso Alexandrov; I hereby leave everything I have, to my great, great, great granddaughter, Silver Alexandrov. On certain conditions as listed below.

“Hold on …he was my grandfather not my great times 3 grandfather? And he’s not dead yet…is he?” I interrupted.

“Don’t worry Miss Alexandrov it will all be explained later, if I may continue?”

I nodded for him to go on

“The 1st condition is she must come to the family home, and be there before I pass on. There she will receive answers and keys.” He put down the piece of paper “ That’s all I have been asked to tell you, you may stay here tonight I have arranged a car to pick you up at 5 am, it will take you straight to your grandfather’s estate.”

“Wait…is he alive or dead?”

“Oh he is still alive but his time grows very short, it was a shame we did not find you a year ago, you could have had more time with him.”

“Oh …I was…in some forest…so you had been looking for me for a year?” I said dodging the fact I had been in prison for stealing a bit of food for a homeless man to give to his family.

“Yes” he said “Now I will show you to the guest room and show you where the kitchen and everything is before I go to bed myself.”

“Oh yes sorry, it is very late here.”

I thanked him and went to bed…

The driving rain was making driving near on impossible to see, suddenly there was a flash of lightning and my grandfather standing in the road. I swerved and crashed into a bank.

I got out of the car and headed toward the only light I could see, thinking what the fuck is this, my personal rocky horror again. As I got closer to the light the rain eased, and before me was a magnificent castle, only reinforcing my idea this was the rocky horror picture show, only this castle was of the standard found all over Europe. I walked up the grand steps to the front door and knocked… so far no raging party, like the movie. The door opened seemingly by itself, I cautiously walked in…

“Hello” I called out “HELLO” I tried a little louder

“Welcome home my dear” a female voice gave me a fright from behind and I jumped and turned to see my long dead grandmother standing there.

“Don’t worry darling your safe here”

Then she smiled and I saw the fangs…again

Dam it …that same dream… I went back to sleep and woke to the alarm on my clock. 4 am…time to get ready to leave.

I got up showered and got dressed. Mr and Mrs Quinn were waiting in the kitchen with fresh coffee.

“Did you sleep well?” Mrs Quinn asked

“Yes thank you the bed is very comfortable”

“Miss Alexandrov, I hope you don’t mind” Mr Quinn began to ask “But I would like you to consider my services after your grandfather has passed on.”

“One day at a time please Mr Quinn, though I am sure if I need a lawyer the fact you already work for my grandfather means I will probably retain your services.” I replied

“That is fair enough” Mrs Quinn said

“Yes, it is dear.” Mr Quinn replied “My law firm has worked for your grandfather as long as I can remember. He really is more than just a client, it will be sad to see him gone”

“I barely remember him “I said feeling very sad “My family moved away when I was very young, all I remember is his comforting warm smiling face”

“It is sad your family moved away, but did they not spend holidays at the family estate?” Mrs Quinn asked

“No. After we left my parents never went back, they seemed to be afraid of him, looking back now. Is there something to fear from my grandfather?...He’s not a paedophile is he?” I asked

“No, no, no” Mr Quinn said

“From what I know they had some kind of argument, however I was never privy to the details. I do know that after your parents were killed he was very sad that he had not made up with them, He told me life is too short for some to dwell on things you or they did wrong.”

“Well that’s a relief” I said

There was a knock at the door

“That will be your car. I do hope we see you again soon Miss Alexandrov, though not too soon. I hope the old man can hold on long enough for you to get to know him.” Mr Quinn said

We said good bye and I got into the limo. It was a boring trip, nothing happened. I dozed in the limo dreamless this time.

We went deep into a forest, I think it was the Kaimanawa forest but I couldn’t be 100% it had been a very long time since I was in this country. We stopped in a small clearing just off the road, there was a helicopter waiting. The chauffeur got out opened my door and got my bags, and went to the helicopter, he jumped in, it would seem he was my pilot as well. I got in and sat down.

“It is only a short flight from here mam” He said.

We took off and flew a little south, then I saw it… below me was an amazing castle, off to one side was a small village, there were no roads here at all, but there was a small airstrip. My guess was when they needed supplies they would fly out to get them. As we got closer to the castle I could see people standing lined up out the front door. The chopper landed and the pilot turned off the engine.

“Welcome Home mam” he said as we disembarked

It turned out all these people were servants at the estate, all dressed in uniforms suited to their station. Everyone bowed to me, which made me feel uncomfortable. But in a strange way I felt like I was home.

A man stepped forward.

“I am James, I will show you to your rooms” this well dressed butler looking person said. “If you require anything during your stay please tell me and I shall do my best to accommodate you”

“I would like to see my grandfather as soon as possible”

“He is sleeping at the present time, I suggest you settle in while you wait for him to awaken, I shall come and get you when he is ready.” James said

“Oh of course,” I exclaimed “How bad is he?”

“He is very old Miss, and with that amount of age health is fickle, but he is holding his own awaiting your return”

He lead me through the most amazing architecture, marble stairways and beautiful wooden décor I hadn’t seen since I toured Europe, everything here seemed like it was new but still it was all so very old, must be worth millions in furnishings alone. This was even better than all the castles I had visited in my travels.

“This will be your wing, for now” James said as he opened a door to a massive hallway with rooms on one side and windows and doors leading to a balcony on the other.” You may wonder around wherever you like except the lowest level of the dungeon”

“Oh, why what’s down there?”

“Just it is full of storage and junk, not really safe unless you know the path through it all, wouldn’t want you getting trapped under a pile of old statues and tables.” he said “ I shall come and get you when your grandfather is awake” and he left.

I wondered around my “wing” as James had put it. There was a huge living area, thankfully with a TV. A smaller but cosy dining area, bathrooms that looked spotless and never used everything was very old.

There were a couple of small bedrooms with their own bathrooms, and my room, it was huge with a living area, bathroom, walk in room or wardrobe that was already full of beautiful clothing and shoes. Aside from no kitchen or wash-house it was like a separate 3 bedroom house. I walked out on to the balcony, and looked around.

5 floors each with a slightly smaller balcony than the one below, below was a massive pool and beautiful gardens, and an entertaining area. You could have an old fashioned ball down there. I could see the doors from the ballroom to outside. This place would make an awesome private resort, or rich persons get away.

James came up behind me. “Sorry to disturbed you mam, but lunch is being served in the main dinner hall, and your grandfather will be at lunch today.”

“Thank you James.” I followed him through the maze or hallways and stairways to the main dining hall.

There sitting at the head of an enormous table was my grandfather, he seemed so much older than I remember him, but then it had been a long time.

“Granddad?” I asked tentatively looking at this frail old man

“Arh my darling granddaughter I am so pleased you could make it, my you have grown so much since I saw you last” he said

“It was a few decades ago though granddad”

“Yes it was, I am so very sorry I did not get to apologise to your parents before they passed, it would have been nice if we could have spent just one day as a real family again.”

He seemed to wonder off in a haze of depression. He suddenly snapped back out of it.

“Anyway regrets are in the past, we have much to talk of before I pass away, there are things you do not know, that you simply must learn and try to remember.” He paused “All this can be yours, I also have some small businesses around the world that will need to be taken care of, it will all be yours.”

“May I ask a question?” I asked

“Of course silver child speak”

“How did our family get such a huge and unknown castle?”

“My old employer was a very rich man, He had this place built for my family, for generations to come, but he did have one small condition.”

“Oh?”

“Yes that he be allowed to come and stay every so often, He comes to visit about once a year, he is extremely generous to all that work here, and occasionally I do a bit of work for him, though these last few years I have not been much help, My capacity to do things has greatly diminished. You will be able to meet him soon, He is arriving tomorrow night, he also wishes to be at my side when I pass.”

“That is so nice of him. What sort of work did you do for him all these years?”

“I used to do a lot of research for him, we have a very vast library here full of very old books some not found anywhere else in the world, however now there is this internet thing, my assistance is no longer needed as much as in the past.” He wondered off again into his depression and snapped out of it again faster than last time. “I should like for you to continue my work here, when I pass on.”

I looked at him he seemed so sad.

“If you decide to do so, your life will be extended as mine was, and you shall receive so many benefits, there will be no more struggling to make ends meet”

“Your life was extended?”

“Yes Silver child, I am now over 200 years old, my employer has a very rare and special elixir that he used to keep me young, I stopped taking it a few years ago, but us humans still have a finite life and it catches up fast once you stop.”

My eyes nearly popped out of my head, and my crazy grandfather was going through my head

“So you really are my great, great, great grandfather?” I said not wanting to let him know I thought he was crazy

“Yes child I am, however my children and theirs seemed to have been cursed, and you are all that is left of our once great family.” Again he drifted off into his depression.

“I think I shall go rest, Silver my dear feel free to explore the grounds, talk to the locals, they are all good people working here.” He said as he carefully got up and leant over me and kissed me on the forehead” I am so pleased you came. I do hope you decide to stay. We shall talk more later perhaps at dinner” he smiled and another butler looking person came to assist him. “Thank you Terry” granddad said to him” I shall be pleased when I can finally rest”

I finished my lunch, thoughts reeling through my head, how can it be possible, how can any of this be possible, people must have seen this place, hunters in the forest…someone must have seen this place, and my grandfather is over 200 year old, he must be delusional. I decided I would go for a walk outside and check out the little village.

In the little village everyone seemed really happy, and so very polite. There were gardens with vegetables and herbs, a small farm bit with a couple of cows and some sheep, chickens everything you would expect in a self-sufficient village, only more Victorian. They even had an apothecary, there was a large well in the middle of town and while I was looking at the well a young woman came over.

“That’s just in case we get no rain and the tanks run out” she said I looked up to see a beautiful woman with blazing red hair and deep green eyes and an awesome smile with pure white teeth.

“It’s a good idea” I replied

“I’m Angela” she offered

“I’m Silver” I replied

“Oh you’re the master’s granddaughter we have heard a lot about you, he was hoping like crazy you would come.” She said

“Really I didn’t think he would know much about me”

“He has ways of keeping an eye on people when they are not here, but only for their own safety of course, he really is a wonderful person”

“I don’t really know him that well, though now I wish I had.”

“No time for regrets, I know he will be so happy you’re here, and with the Lord Master coming to visit, you’re in for one very exciting time.”

“Lord Master?”

“Yes your grandfathers boss, he is also a good man, though we only see him at night, he will often come to our little village picnic’s to have some relaxed fun. Oh we are having a dinner down here in a few nights time I’m sure the village would love for you to come. I know your grandfather would be there if he was not so ill and I’m sure the Lord Master will be there”

“It sounds nice, I will probably be here then” I said with a smile

I couldn’t work out why but everyone here seemed so content with their lives, though they had normal clothes for this era, everything they seemed to do was almost medieval with a modern twist, but only if it made life easier without relying on modern technology. Like the water tanks off each house, and solar power, there was even a water wheel and windmill. If the world was cut off from all power tomorrow these people wouldn’t even notice, perfectly set up to be totally off the grid, except for the phone/internet line. Maybe a simple life is the best way to live.

Angela showed me all around the village and introduced me to some of the villagers, she explained some of them still worked in the nearby towns at ‘normal’ jobs and how they were flown into their jobs by my grandfather’s helicopters and a small plane.

She showed me the green houses where they grew everything that required a high temperature, like coffee beans and pineapples. Everything about this place was set up as if for the apocalypse.

She showed me how they had managed to keep out people who hunt in these woods, with a cleverly constructed wall of trees, even the gates to get out looked like they were just trees. She explained we had some hunters here who would go out to get deer and wild goat and boar or even to fish.

“What if someone here wanted to leave and go live in the outside world?” I asked

“Then they go, no one here is here against their own will, your grandfather would never allow that. He has even provided some with support to help them get on their feet out there, most come back eventually.”

“Is life really that good here?”

“Yes it is, I went and lived out there for a while, but so many people out there are so greedy, selfish and very into making their lives a drama and the lives of anyone they know. I made a few good friends out there and I still visit them every now and then, they love the fact I send them normal letters and not emails” she laughed” some people really get caught up in the internet don’t they?”

“Yes” I laughed “Some people would die without it they are so addicted”

“See here we have what we need and a lot of what we want, and if something we need isn’t here we work together to make it happen.”

“That’s amazing, people out there really could learn from this place, your right so many are greedy and selfish.”

“You are very much like your grandfather and you look a lot like your grandmother.”

It was starting to get dark

“Would you like me to walk you back to the castle?” she offered

“No thanks I’m sure you have things to do, I can find my way” I reassured her

“Ok then hopefully we will see down our way again soon.”

I went back to the castle, after lingering a while in the garden out the front. So many little solar powered lights made the garden look almost ethereal, and so very beautiful and captivating.

I found James waiting for me at the hallway door to my wing.

“Did you have a pleasant afternoon mam?” he asked

“Yes the village is amazing, as are the gardens”

“Your grandfather sent word to tell you that he will not make dinner tonight”

“Do you think it would be ok for me to just go sit with him?”

“I think he would like that, but I shall ask his assistant for you, will you require dinner in your rooms or in the dining hall?”

“I think I’ll skip dinner tonight thanks James, I’m really not very hungry after that wonderful lunch”

“Very well mam, I shall go speak with Terry right away then mam”

“Thank you James”.

I went to my room and just wondering around looking at the artwork and tapestries when James returned.

“These are amazing works” I said

“Yes they have been collected from all over the world, your grandfather likes to save old things, some are even made by him.”

“Amazing” I said feeling under talented and suddenly out of place everyone here seems to have a purpose except me.

“Your grandfather’s assistant seems to think you sitting with him would be a good idea and may bring some light to the dying man’s eyes.”

“Oh good” I replied” I feel so bad not having spent the time with I should of if only I had known when I was younger.”

“Do not regret the past my lady, it is what makes you the person you are today”

“Wise words James” I said laughing to myself…it sounds like a Facebook status…

He led the way to my grandfather’s rooms. We went past so much beautiful art and more tapestries and statues. If all this was up here I wondered what it was that they had in storage in the basement.

We got to my grandfather’s rooms and Terry was waiting for us. He put his finger to his lips to tell us to be quiet, and I followed him.

“He is sleeping restfully for once so please do not wake him” he whispered as he led me to grandfather’s bed. He had set a lazy-boy chair next to the bed and I sat down looking at my grandfather. I briefly saw the smile I remembered as a child. I sat there watching my grandfather most of the night till I fell asleep in the chair.

I woke the next morning around 11, still sitting next to my grandfather’s bed, only he was sitting up watching me.

“Silver my dear, why do you sleep in a chair next to old mans bed, are your rooms not satisfactory?”

“No granddad, not at all, my rooms are wonderful. I wanted to be near you, I felt all the time I had missed this was in small part a way for me to be here for you.”

“Oh child” he chuckled “Do not mourn me when I am still here, I have lived a wonderful full and long life, and you are here now that is all that matters.”

He seemed so much more coherent today than when I saw him at lunch.

“Now this evening my Lord Master will be here, I do so look forward to you meeting him, as I know he is very much looking forward to meeting you.”

“Why do you call him Lord Master?” I asked

“Well he has been around a long time, you see my employees are really more than employees and they call me master, I always called the Lord Master, my lord, so my employees started calling him Lord Master. So it just went from there”

“I guess that makes sense.”

“We are from an older time. My-self, the lord Master and some of my employees, when you held people above your station in high regard, and showed them the respect of their title. Not like today where titles mean nothing and money is the controlling power. “

“Well I am just guessing, but I am sure the Lord Master has plenty of money”

“Yes that he does, but money is not everything.”

“I know I have lived largely without money, I was happy mostly”

“And how are you feeling now that you have come home?”

“I’m home, you can’t get much happier than that. Though that happiness is steeped with sadness.”

“What do you mean?”

“After all these years trying to find somewhere I belong, then I find what is left of my family ready to pass away and I feel at home here.”

“My child, you are here now, you get to inherit all this and more you do not yet know of, you never know, you may even find love here.” He winked at me

I laughed

“So tell me more of what I will be doing if I take over your home and job”

“It’s easy, every now and then the Lord Master or one of his childe will call or pop in and ask you to do some research on something, then you go to the library and look it up, and email them the relevant information, he owns the satellite we feed off for our wireless connection, we had to get very modern very fast, but he took care of it all.”

“How did you communicate before email and phones?”

“Pigeon’s, personal visits, snail mail as you young people call it. Needless to say it all took a rather long time before telephones and internet.”

“How is it this place has been here so long yet no one knows about it?”

“Well now days it is easy, those who fly over see a hologram we made, so all they see is trees, however there is certain clues as to where the small airfield is, I couldn’t very well have my pilot’s crashing into the castle because they couldn’t see where they were going” he laughed and I laughed with him “I am sorry my dear, I suddenly feel rather tired, I shall have to have a rest before he arrives. Please remember he is important and to dress up a bit.” He winked at me “Off you go and do the girly thing”

We laughed again and he snuggled into his bed as I walked out of his room and to my rooms.

James was waiting for me at the door to my wing.

“My lady” he said bowing his head “Is there anything you may be requiring of me today?”

“Not that I can think of.” I replied “Oh wait, what sort of ‘dressed up’ should I be for this evening?”

“Normally when the Lord Master visits everyone wears their very best, I can show you some clothes we have here, I’m sure you will find something suited to both you and the occasion.”

“You have clothes here?” I asked

“Yes my lady, from every time period of the last 1000 years and even some older.”

“Ok then let’s go have a look” I was getting excited, I had always loved clothes, more so ones from older time periods that I could never afford to buy replicas of or a modern version, I hardly had any ‘good’ clothes.

He led me to the upper basement; the wine cellar was to the left and seemed quite extensive. We went to the right. We past more stairs going down further.

“How many floors are there below this one?” I asked

“Only 4” He replied “But the lowest level is out of bounds”

“Yes I remember, lots of stuff stored there and a dangerous path” I laughed

“Here we are.” He exclaimed

Before me were many wardrobes all full of beautiful dresses and matching accessories.

“Wow” I exclaimed “that’s certainly a lot of clothes”

“Yes my lady, many years of fashion, some worn by residents of this home, some collected for their exquisite design. The men’s section is over there” he waved to the left

“This may take me some time” I said still partly stunned

“I can help you my lady, if you tell me what sort of thing you are looking for.”

“I just need a nice suitable dress to meet the lord master in”

“Each wardrobe is full of a certain time period, or designer, maybe you would care to wear a Versace, Channel, or alexander. I believe we may even have some Mothers of London, however I do not feel the lord master would care for that style”

We searched through the wardrobes for a few hours till we found the perfect outfit. It was early 1800’s French, and looked like something one would wear to a ball in Venice. We started making our way to my rooms with all the dress, and accessories.

“I shall send someone to help you with your hair and make-up if you wish my lady” James said as we laid the clothes out on my bed.

“I think that would be a good idea, well for the hair at least, I think I can do my own make-up though”

“Very well my lady” and with that he left

I showered and started to try the dress on, so many layers to a dress this old and the corset was proving an issue when there was a knock at the door.

“Come in” I yelled

“I’m here to help you get ready for this evening my lady” a young ladies voice said

“Oh goody, do u think you can help me with this dress first?” I asked

“Certainly my lady” she replied

“Please call me silver” I said

“As you wish my …Silver” she smiled “My name is Katherine”

“Awesome Katherine” She helped me get the dress on and done up, I don’t know how lady’s in the old days did this every morning It was driving me nuts doing it just this once. After we got the dress on I sat down in front of the elegant dressing table and did my make up while Katherine did my hair.

By 7pm I was finally ready.

“How do I look?” I asked Katherine “And please be honest”

“You look like you stepped out of an old storybook my lady” Katherine said

“Is that good?”

“Yes My lady” she giggled

“I told you call me Silver”

“Very well Silver”

“Have you met the Lord Master guy before?”

“Why yes Silver, many times.”

“Do you think I am dressed well enough to meet him?”

“I think he will love it. You look like a goddess.”

“As long as he’s not the type to start hitting on me, It creeps me out when old men do that”

“Oh he won’t he is the consummate gentleman”

“That’s good. To be honest I am a bit terrified of all this”

“All what m…Silver”

“The pomp and ceremony thing, meeting this Lord Master person, and of course my grandfather dying”

“He is happy now you are here Silver, it is the time he has chosen to pass on, he is lucky to be able to do that, many people can’t. As for the Lord Master, he is a lovely man. I’m sure you will not have a problem.”

“Is there a certain etiquette I need to know about?”

“No m…Silver, just be yourself” she winked at me

“I feel like a princess dressed as a turkey ready for the oven” We both laughed and there was a knock at the door.

It was James, His eyes popped out of his head when he saw me.

“Are you ready my lady? The lord master draws close”

“I think so James”

“I shall take you to down to the door so you can greet him with your grandfather.”

I followed him down to the front door entry way, my grandfather was sitting in a wheelchair waiting for me.

“Silver, my child.” He said looking at me like he was about to cry” You look extraordinary; you know that dress was one of your grandmother’s most favourite, I’m so glad you chose it.”

A Black and silver carriage, with 4 black horses pulled up to the door. It was exquisite; I noticed all the beautiful detail in the carriage and the harness.

The driver got down and opened the door.

A man in dark cape stepped out and moved slightly to the side, then a middle aged man with thin long dark hair stepped out aided by the driver and the other man whose face I couldn’t see. They walked up the stairs greeted first by all the servants bowing before them, to us waiting just inside the door. I curtsied and my grandfather bowed his head.

“Alfonso, My dear friend, you need not bow to me.” The old man said

“My lord I am honoured you grace us with your presence, I would like you to meet my only living relative, my beautiful granddaughter Silver Alexandrov.” He turned to me

“You are indeed a beauty Miss Alexandrov, It is my honour to finally meet you and be a guest in your home.”

“Oh it is not my home yet my lord, but I am honoured to meet you too as I have heard much about you.”

“Please call me Gustavo, and may I present to you, my childe, Dominic” with that the man in the cape removed his hood , his perfect long black hair falling out over his shoulders, and his amazingly blue eyes caught me by surprise, he was beautiful. He bowed to us.

His features were strong and he looked almost ethereal, I could make out the shape of an extremely good body under his clothes like he worked out just enough. There was defiantly something about this man I wanted to get to know, but there was this look in his eyes that he was a most gentle and caring man… maybe it was just me but he seemed to stare at me for an awfully long time.

“Well Gustavo would you care to go to your rooms or shall we adjourn to the lounge” My grandfather said

“My dear old friend, I can see how you fare, my wish is for your comfort, though I do really wish you would reconsider.” Gustavo said

“I am too old now my friend, I have lived more years than most would care to remember and for that I am very grateful to you, but I am ready to move on.” My grandfather said

“Very well my friend, then I insist that I take you to your rooms and help make you comfortable.” Gustavo said

“I am not in a position to decline you; I am feeling a little weak”

“You should have stayed in bed and let me come to you instead of this pomp and ceremony. Dominic I’m sure you and Silver can entertain yourselves while I take care of my old friend here.” He waved us away

Dominic and I walked into the adjoining lounge room as Gustavo lead my grandfather back to his rooms.

We sat down. There was an awkward silence.

“Well this isn’t at all awkward is it?” Dominic finally spoke “Tell me, why are you wearing that old dress?”

I laughed

“I was told to dress up, I found this and thought it was too adorable to remain sitting in a stuffy old storage wardrobe.”

“Fair enough, So you like to dress up?” he raised an eyebrow

“Yes, I am a woman after all, I feel it is something every woman should love every now and then.”

“So what sort of clothes do you normally wear, designer 18th century aside.”

“Jeans and a top mostly, it all depends what I am doing”

“And what do you do?”

“At the moment not a lot, but my grandfather seems intent on me taking his place, even though I am not sure what exactly that entails aside from doing research for Gustavo.”

“Is that what your grandfather said?”

“Yes. Why? Do you know something else about the job?”

“Your grandfather takes care of all my sire’s accounts, and all the research that needs to be done, he makes sure we don’t get stung by large taxes, and he is very good at making new companies to hide more money in.”

“Oh dear, I have no idea how to do that.”

“Your grandfather has made it easy, I have used a template he made once a while ago, it’s very simple but if he doesn’t get the chance to explain it all I’m sure my sire will let me show you.”

“So why did Gustavo call you his childe?”

“Because that is what I am”

“So you’re his son?”

“Sort of, it is hard to explain.”

“It almost sounds like you guys are vampires” I laughed “shame that can’t be true”

“And if we were vampires would you join us or be a ghoul for us, or run screaming blue murder.” He looked at me so seriously it almost scared me

“Honestly, I think I would beg to join you, for some reason I have always wanted to be a vampire, but they aren’t real.”

“Maybe” he said smiling what seemed to be a cross between thinking and evil.

“So what do you do for Gustavo?”

“Mostly I am his bodyguard, but I do whatever is necessary at the time.”

“Have you ever killed anyone for him?”

“Occasionally” he said looking at me as if to gage my reaction

“Ok so if I were to run screaming blue murder now?”

“I would hunt you down and make you see reason.”

“Or kill me if I don’t?” I said laughing

“I do not think I would go that far” he said laughing

There was another awkward silence.

“So how long will you and Gustavo be staying?” I asked

“I’m not sure at this point, but it should be at least 2 weeks” Dominic replied

“I think the villagers are having a picnic thing tomorrow night, a lovely young girl called Angela invited me, do you think you and Gustavo will be going?”

“Gustavo will for sure, I might.” He said

“So does he let you have the magic life extending elixir my grandfather was taking?” I said thinking it was a great joke

“No I don’t need it” he smiled that evil smile again, only this time it sent a shiver up my spine

“Well I’m going to go to my room to get into something more comfortable, this outfit is amazing but it’s very constricting.”

“I should come with you, make sure your safe” he said, I laughed

“Why do you think the old ghosts in this castle might get me?”

“Something like that” he winked

He followed me to my rooms and came right on in.

“Nice décor” he said looking around my pink and cream floral bedroom

“It’s not quite my style, but it is nice.” I replied struggling to try and get the dress undone. One issue with old dresses they do up at the back and require 2 people for putting it on and taking it off. Dominic saw me struggling.

“Would you like a hand?” he said

“Umm… please.” I said as he walked towards me

He slowly unlaced the top layer, and then the corset underneath.

“That should do it.” He said letting out a little laugh

“Thank you” I said slightly embarrassed

I ducked into the ensuite with a long black skirt and a nice red velvet shirt, took off the cumbersome dress and slipped into the more comfy skirt and top. I turned around to walk out the door and Dominic was standing there smiling.

“Do you mind?” I said

“Not at all” he smiled “You have a very interesting Tattoo on your back”

“Ok now you’re making me very uncomfortable” I said “but thank you it was a gift from a friend

“Sorry, I just have this belief that if you see something you want in life, take it before someone else does.”

“Oh and what is it you have seen that you think you want?” I asked

“You.” And with that he grabbed me and kissed me. I could feel his rippling muscles in his arms as he held me close, it was exhilarating, breath taking, and I nearly fell over. It took me a moment to regain my senses and I pushed away.

“Sorry Dominic, I’m not that easy.” I walked past him into my room to find James waiting there

“Sorry to disturb you my lady, but the lord master has requested Dominic attend him”

“Good he needs something to do” I said

Dominic smiled at me when he walked past,

“See you soon Silver” he said, I could of sworn I saw James wink at him before they left my room.

I suddenly felt suffocated in my room so I went to the gardens for a walk and to clear my head.

The gardens here were truly remarkable, there were fountains, and ponds with some fish, there were statues of old gods, It was set out so each section had a different theme, one was Greece, one was Japanese, there was one section I was drawn to, It was devoted to the triple goddess, and Celtic themed. There was even a quaint little house at one end it seemed empty and the door was open.

I knocked, but there was no answer.

“Hello” I called and there was no answer

I decided not to go in, after all this had to be someone’s home; it was too perfect to not be.

I sat on a bench that was near a pool with a beautiful fountain of a fairy.

The driving rain was making driving near on impossible to see, suddenly there was a flash of lightning and Dominic was standing in the road. I swerved and crashed into a bank.

I got out of the car and headed toward the only light I could see, thinking what the fuck is this, my personal rocky horror again. As I got closer to the light the rain eased, and before me was a magnificent castle, only reinforcing my idea this was the rocky horror picture show, only this castle was of the standard found all over Europe. I walked up the grand steps to the front door and knocked… so far no raging party, like the movie. The door opened seemingly by itself, I cautiously walked in…

“Hello” I called out “HELLO” I tried a little louder

“Welcome home my dear” a female voice gave me a fright from behind and I jumped and turned to see my long dead grandmother standing there. “Don’t worry darling your safe here”

Then she smiled and spoke to me

“Please do not be afraid, you will always be perfectly safe here”

“Nan, please help me”

“Do not fear Dominic, he only wants you as a lover.”

“But I don’t want him, I don’t even know him”

“The only thing you have to fear is….

I suddenly woke up…Gustavo was next to me

“If you were so tired my dear why did you not just go to bed” He asked

“Oh I wasn’t…I…” I stammered

“Do not worry so much my dear, It is funny you came here, to this part of the garden.” He smiled

“Oh. why?” I asked

“This was your grandmother’s favourite place, before she passed on” he said

“You knew my grandmother?”

“Of Course. I have been your grandfather’s friend for over 200 years.”

“Oh right.” I said thinking the crazy gene must be infectious

“No I am not crazy and neither is your grandfather.”

“What?”

“I can feel your thoughts; you think we are crazy because we have lived so long in a world where it seems impossible.” He replied “But believe me when I say things that seem impossible and merely waiting to become possible, and things you think not real have always been there.”

“Now you are confusing me”

“I am sorry I do not mean to. But do not discount what you think isn’t real.” He said “I heard you had an interesting time with my dear boy Dominic.”

“Umm…I’d rather not talk about it if you don’t mind”

“Young people these days” he shook his head “He can be impulsive, but he knows what he wants.”

“He told you?”

“Yes, of course. He tells me everything I need to know.”

“Then can you tell me why he just …he just…”

Gustavo laughed

“He lost out on so many nice girls over his lifetime, because he hesitated, tried to do things the perceived ‘right way’. And every time he missed out.”

“Oh so he thought it would be ok just to jump me in my room?”

“You like him don’t you?”

“No, defiantly not.” I exclaimed pausing “well maybe”

“Now, now my dear, you cannot lie to me. I feel your mouth says no but everything else about you says yes.”

“Ok this is getting creepy.” I said starting back to the house.

“I am sorry my dear but when we come here…this is the only place we can…be ourselves, and you will need to know what that is like. Your grandfather wanted this place to be a haven or sanctuary for us and a few other special beings”

“What do you mean?” I stopped

“There is a were-panther here, and some magically talented people, and I am over a 1000 years old give or take, and I am a vampire, Dominic is also a vampire, I made him that way.” He seemed so pleased with himself about it “I would like to make you that way too, if you would consider it.” I was suddenly in his arms, feeling trapped but safe at the same time. “ however it is not necessary that you become like us, you may still work for me if you desire, and stay your short lived human self, or you can even take the path that your grandfather ended up taking and live for as long as you want, for that all you need do is drink this.” He handed me a goblet filled with some thick liquid I couldn’t recognise in the darkness. But I had an inkling it was blood “. So what would you desire?”

“I desire to think about it” I said breaking free and turning to him “This is just too much to take in all at once, I need to think.” My mind was racing. Is everyone here totally insane?

“I shall have Dominic attend you till you have made up your mind, I believe he will need to teach you some programs on the computer to help in your job, just tell him when you are ready, and I shall tell him to keep his lips to himself” He winked at me and vanished

Now that would be handy thing to be able to do I thought to myself, maybe they are not so insane or I am turning as loopy as them.

I started to walk back to my rooms, shock horror Dominic met me half way back.

“I apologise for my behaviour earlier Miss Alexandrov, it was a little to forward of me. It will not happen again.”

“Ok.” I shrugged

He seemed shocked at my simple answer, but I was just too busy thinking about how crazy things were here.

“My lord Gustavo has requested I help you with those programs I was telling you about.”

“Yeah, he said something about that.”

“And now you know our secret, it will be much easier to help you without having to hide everything about me and explain why I can only help you in the evening.”

“Are you going to feed off me?” I asked stepping away from him

“No I only feed on the willing or from a blood bag.”

“Oh, and what about this turning into a vampire, do you really think I believe all that supernatural crap?”

“I cannot turn you, if you really want to be one I’m positive lord Gustavo will assist you.” He looked a little pained by that. “and it is not crap as you call it, it is all very real” he showed me his fangs, and I just stared at them for a moment not sure if I was excited or scared

We got to my rooms and I went to my bedroom door.

“I shall be in the room next to yours if you require me, but please remember night time only, I do not like the idea of becoming deep fried by the daylight.”

“Well I am going to sleep, because I currently am kind of a daytime person and it is very late now.” I reached up and gave him a kiss on the cheek “maybe tomorrow evening we could get to know each other better”

“I would like that.” He smiled a soft warm smile that reminded me of my grandfather.

I went to bed and slept soundly.

I didn’t wake up till lunchtime the whole house seemed to be buzzing with energy.

I wondered around thinking about the weird events of last night, before I knew it I was back down at the Celtic corner of the garden I sat on the bench and just stared at the now active fountain in the pool.

“It is a lovely place right here isn’t it” a woman’s voice said behind me I jumped and turned to see a beautiful woman with dark red hair and blue eyes wearing light chiffon type dress of a strange bluish green depending on the angle.

“Oh I am so sorry dear I did not mean to scare you” she said “I am Silver Longflower”

“Hi I’m Silver Alexandrov” I said not really paying attention to the words I had said

“Arh so it is true your parents did keep your name, they claimed they would when they left”

“You were here when my parents were?”

“Yes dear, as were most of us.”

“They must of thought highly of you.”

“I was your mother’s dearest friend until they left”

“Why did you not go too?”

“My place is here, where I am safe.”

“Why are you a vampire too?”

“Oh the gods forbid no.” she laughed “But I am very long lived like them.”

“So what are you?” I asked tentatively

“I am what you would call fae or fairy” I can come and go between this world and mine freely but it is really only safe to do so here, and preferably when the vampires are not out.”

“Is this your home here?”

“Yes when I am here I live in this house, your grandfather had it built for me.”

“Is that why you were not here last night because the vampires?”

“Partly, I had some things to deal with in my world, it was just dumb luck the timing was for when the vampires would be here. But I left so quickly I forgot to close the door so I came back”

“You don’t like them or just all vampires?”

“For vampires they are ok, but my blood is unique and they would love to get hold of it, it can increase their abilities, give them new ones, make them more than what they are, some say they can walk in daylight after drinking my blood. But it is only a temporary boost, then like a drug they want more”

“Oh, now I see why you stay away.”

“Don’t get me wrong I have meet lord Gustavo and his minions before, and they claim they will not feed off me or try to, but I know how strong the blood can be and it calls them when we are in close proximity. It is my choice to stay clear of them, for both our safety.”

“That makes sense”

“So you are thinking of allowing Gustavo to turn you?”

“I don’t know what I am thinking anymore, I am so confused.” Then I suddenly though “how did you know?”

“It’s a talent, This will help you, it’s a special honey wine I make myself, it brings you clarity, and you can see what it is you truly desire. Though it would be my wish you do not let them drink your blood”

“If I do decide to become a vampire, will you avoid me as well?”

“We are connected by destiny my dear, or I would have never appeared to you today. However till you learn to control the bloodlust I will stay away”

I drank the wine she offered. Then I felt the need to lie down, so I did on the grass next to the pool.

I don’t remember what happened in my dream, but I woke up feeling fresh and alive and I knew exactly what I was going to do.

Silver was no longer here and her little house was locked, I think she knew what I was going to do too.

I wondered back up to the house, coming across many people doing work in the garden rushing from the kitchen to the village and back again.

They were setting up for their little village picnic on the main garden in front of the castle, one of the villagers said it was so my grandfather could still be a part of it in some small way.

It was getting dark so I headed to my rooms to get changed for the picnic.

I got there in time to see Dominic coming out of my room with a panicked look on his face.

“What’s wrong?” I said thinking it was my grandfather

“I couldn’t find you” he said looking like he was about to sulk “I was worried you had run away.”

“No I just went for a walk; I did not expect to be quite this long.”

“Please next time leave me a note, unless you are running away.” He laughed

“There are 2 very different sides of you dear sir, very different indeed, I’m sure Sigmund Freud would have a ball trying to figure you out” I laughed “I’m just going to get dressed before I go down to join the villagers in the garden for their party, I don’t suppose you would care to join me.”

“It would be my pleasure my lady.” He bowed before me laughing.

“Ok…please don’t call me that…it un-nerves me” I said going into my room.

I picked out a simple but nice dress, and since it was strangely quite warm I didn’t bother with a jacket. Then I slipped on some nice flat sandals and walked out the door to meet the dark knight with spectacular eyes.

We were walking through the hallways, and chatting.

“So have you decided what you’re going to do yet?” He asked

“I’m still not sure, I mean do I take the chance of a lifetime and let my dreams come true, Hell I don’t even know if I want to do granddads job.”

“What would it take to convince you?” he swung me round so he was in front of me staring deep into my eyes

“Why do you want me to become one of you?”

“If you become a vampire then we have eternity to get to know each other.” He smiled

“Just to let you know, when a guy says what I want to hear I stop trusting them”

“But what if what you want to hear happens to be the same as what they want?”

“We better get down to the party.” I said swinging around past him and running off down the hall

He ran too right in front of me faster than I could see.

“You think you can run faster than a vampire?” he laughed at me

“No but it was fun to try.” We both laughed and continued to the party

My grandfather was sitting in his wheelchair being fussed over by many of the woman from the village, Gustavo was showing some children little tricks of illusion which the children were delighted with, There were men over by a make shift barb-b-que, everyone seemed to have a glass of something and they were all so very happy.

I went and stood next to my grandfather.

“Arh Silver my beloved granddaughter I would like you to meet everyone, everyone this is Silver hopefully she will take my place when I am gone.” My grandfather announced to everyone and everyone cheered, many of them came up and gave me a hug and said welcome. Admittedly the first few I was a bit stand offish but I got the hang of them being overly friendly.

After the meal I noticed my grandfather was looking tired, I excused myself from the group of villagers I was talking to and told Dominic I would just be going to take my grandfather to his room. I went over to granddad and whispered in his ear “Would you like to go inside now?”

“Yes please dear.”

I took him inside with everyone saying goodnight on the way it took us about 30 minutes just to get to the door.

I wheeled him into his room and helped him take off his dressing gown and get into bed.

“So my dear, have you decided what to do yet?”

“Everyone seems keen on that answer, but I wanted to talk to you first.”

“How can I help you?”

“I have always wanted to be a vampire, but I didn’t know they were real, now I have so many options including that and I just don’t know”

“Go with your heart my dear, if vampire is what you want then do it.”

“What would you do in my situation?”

He chuckled “I have been in that situation and I was ghouled to give me more time to decide, but when I had decided it was too late I was too old, and looking like I was 30 with the experience of 200 years, even though Gustavo was more than willing to turn me I just felt it was no longer the right path for me, so I remained a ghoul. Till recently when I decided I wished to move on.”

“So you think I should go for it?”

“As long as your feelings for Dominic are not your reason for being turned, then yes.”

“No he really has nothing to do with it, I’m not even sure how I feel about him, though I do kind of feel like Gustavo and him are trying hard to get me and Dominic together, I just don’t think I am ready for a relationship of any kind.”

“That makes sense, but just go at your pace don’t let anyone bully you into something you do not want.”

“Thank you granddad, I haven’t known you long but I am going to miss you when you’re gone.” I snuggled up to him on his bed

“Don’t worry my dear, you will be fine.” And with that he fell asleep, I moved into the lazy boy chair next to his bed.

I was woken by Gustavo

“Maybe you should go to bed my dear.” He said hovering over me

“No thank you, I want to stay here with my grandfather.”

“Probably a good thing.” Gustavo said “I do not think he will wake tomorrow”

“Really, how do you know that?”

“Because my dear I have seen many die, and I can feel life ebbing away from a human.”

I climbed on to the bed next to my grandfather and snuggled into him.

“So have you decided about your future?”

“Yes and Yes you can make me a vampire, after my grandfather passes away.”

“Very well my dear, I know he would be pleased. And as for his job?”

“Yes I will take over his position too.”

“Wonderful, I shall tell Dominic to make preparations; I will see you tomorrow evening”

I lay next to my grandfather and went to sleep.

My Nan was sitting at a fireplace in a rocking chair knitting.

“Come sit my dear” I went and sat down

“You have made the right choice, soon your grandfather will join me and we will only be able to see you in your dreams”

“So I will still see you?”

“Of course we are here for you, we always have been.”

“What about my parents”

“They are lost from your world and ours; they left here and stopped believing.”

“So what do I do now?”

“Trust Dominic he will guide you, as will Silver once you are ready to see her again she will come back.”

“So who should I not trust?”

“James and Terry, they plot to take your grandfathers place, the only 2 here touched by greed.”

“Really?”

“Yes they seem to think their years of service mean they should take over, but you are family and it is your destiny to be here, also be very wary of some of Gustavo’s other childe…”

There was a knock at the door…

I woke up still snuggled into my grandfather, it was daylight outside.

“You sleep with an old man for whose comfort my dear, yours or mine?”

“Maybe both” I replied

“It is a lovely day outside today” he said dreamily looking out the window “I am glad you came, I am even more pleased you want to stay”

“Never mind that now granddad, just rest.”

“I am looking forward to being with your grandmother again”

“Granddad?”

“Yes”

“I love you”

“I love you too my dear” with that he closed his eyes “Thank you” and then he passed away

I started crying holding my grandfather close, servants came and went but left us alone.

It was night time before I knew it and Gustavo and Dominic came into the room.

Dominic came over to me and sat next to me holding me.

Gustavo knelt next to his best friend and wept tears of blood.

“We must make preparations for the funeral” Gustavo said starting to regain some of his composure “Child have you been here since last night?”

I looked up at Gustavo “Yes” I said so very quietly. “He passed away around 3pm”

“My child, please come with me” Gustavo said I saw Dominic shake his head

“It’s ok Dominic I am not going to turn her just yet” he said reassuring him

“It has been a long time since I have seen such love between two people who are not married or in some kind of similar relationship.” He put his arms around me “Everything will be ok my child”

He led me out of my grandfather’s rooms and to my own I was so emotionally drained I had no energy to fight.

“GO TO SLEEP, we shall prepare everything and then come get you”

I curled up in my bed and cried myself into a restless sleep.

I felt like I was being violated, and someone was laughing

I woke up and it was very dark, I couldn’t see anything at first. I tried to get up a hand held me down. I tried harder.

Still the hand held me down. I felt what I thought was someone entering me, I thought it was Dominic, even though I couldn’t see a thing but I lavished every minute of it. Then I could feel something strange happening to me then I briefly blacked out. I woke again still being held down but this time I tasted something really strange and delicious … I wanted more, then it stopped.

I woke up and jumped up so I was standing on my bed looking down at Gustavo, Gustavo was looking up at me smiling “Well aren’t you a feisty one”

“What’s going on, I was dreaming and then, I woke up...I feel weird” I fell down to my knees on the bed. The pain was excruciating it felt like something was trying to rip its way through me in every direction at once. I started throwing up as well. I felt like I had been poisoned while in the jaws of some demon being chewed up and spat out.

Gustavo was saying something but I couldn’t hear him. Then I passed out. I don’t know how long for as I came to

I could hear arguing.

“You said you would wait”

“I did, she wanted it after her grandfather passed, he passed I turned her.”

“You could have waited till after the funeral.”

“What is the problem here Dominic, you sound like you didn’t want me to turn her”

“It is just…I don’t know. When it comes to her my feelings are confused.”

“Are you afraid she will now not want you?”

“Maybe, I just wanted to get to know her more before…”

“It is done now.”

“We will need to find her first meal”

“I have taken care of that. I have a couple of options for her even”

“Do you think that’s a good idea, she could frenzy and take out both of them.”

“She will be fine; she is a lot stronger than I thought. I don’t want you feeding off her either”

“What do you mean?”

“shh …She is waking.”

I opened my eyes to see Dominic on one side of the bed and Gustavo sitting next to me on the other.

“What…” I started to say slowly waking up with a kind of fog clearing from my head

“You are a vampire now, all you need is to feed and rest.” Gustavo said to me

“What…” I started again; I could feel the thirst building inside me

“Here comes your meal now” Gustavo said “You should know these 2 planned to betray your grandfather and you, now you may have one, and I shall take the other as my ghoul and ensure he is punished a lot for his betrayal”

I could smell their blood, and feel it pumping through their veins. I could hear their hearts beating, they more I looked at them deciding the more their blood called to me. I thought for a moment, which one deserves to live. I looked up, it was Terry and James. The 2 men my grandmother warned me about in my dream.

They looked so calm and compliant. Standing before me with their heads down like they knew they had done something wrong and had accepted their fate. I launched at Terry, after all he was my grandfather’s assistant so I judged that he was most at wrong. And I drained his blood. I could feel the sticky sweetness slide down my throat; I could see all this man’s thoughts, plans, past and present. I could feel the life leaving his body and filling mine. I had never felt so exhilarated.

Just before I drained his last drop Dominic pulled me off him

“Never drain the last drop” He said

I turned to him reached up and kissed him passionately and deeply.

He seemed shocked, but not as much as I was.

“I’m sorry Dominic” I said jumping back a bit “I don’t know what came over me.”

“It is the blood, everything you have is intensified, your passions, your dislikes, your senses.” Gustavo said smiling

“Now James come with me.” He beckoned to James who dutifully followed “We have work to do. Dominic I shall leave you to care for Silver.” Gustavo continued.

“I have so many plans for you all and now finally everything is in place.”

Dominic and I looked at him as he walked out the door.

“What did he mean?” I asked Dominic

“I’m not sure” he replied “Let’s get you back to bed, you will sleep again soon, it is nearly dawn.”

I climbed back into bed and Dominic slipped in next to me. I feel asleep cuddled up to Dominic. Not even starting to wonder why he was in my bed.

When I woke the next evening, Dominic was already awake.

“Care for some fresh squeezed human juice my dear?” He said

“Umm I guess so” I said “is it always like this?”

“Is what always like what?”

“The constant thirst. And how often will I have to feed?”

“Yes the thirst is always there, and you can learn to control it so you only have to feed once every few weeks, some can even go months without it, but your new so it has to be regular, once a night should be ok”

“How long do you go between feeds?”

“Depends where I am and what I am doing. Mostly I go a week before I feed, but if I am using my abilities then I tend to feed more often.”

“Would Gustavo really turn James into a ghoul, like my grandfather?”

“Your grandfather was special, normally being Gustavo’s ghoul means nothing but pain and suffering. We do not all treat our ghouls like that though.”

“So all vampires have ghouls?”

“Most of us do, they are handy for helping us during the day, when we sleep.”

“Oh so will I need one?”

“I think our sire already has a couple of humans picked out for you to ghoul, one is ex-military and the other is a very good personal assistant, but you will have to wait a little while before you can ghoul them.”

“Do you have one?”

“No I was both P.A and bodyguard for Gustavo, he however had ghouls running around during the day for him.”

“And how would he have time to pick out ghouls for me, when he’s only just meet me”

“He arranged it all as soon as we got here, just in case you said yes”

“I have a lot to learn” I said feeling a bit sad

“That depends, have you ever played a vampire role playing game made by black Kat.”

“Actually yes, when I was in America it was my most favourite role playing I ever did. I never found another group of people to play with though”

“Well that’s kind of like real Vampire’s. The guy who wrote it actually did it to “cover up” some vampiric activity’s, he thought that if his role playing game became successful, then whenever something needed to be quickly covered up they could say oh we are just a live action role play group. None of it is real.”

“Right so all the clans are the same?”

“Not quite, they left out a few, due to inter clan fighting.”

“So what clan are we?”

“We are Clan Aristi. We are all about the money, well most of them are. Gustavo had a falling out with some of the elders. So we keep to ourselves and make more money than any of them.”

“That’s funny I played a Aristi once before” I laughed

“Well aside from the clan’s that are missing, not a lot is different, we have the same rules.”

“So what should I do now?”

“What do you want to do tonight?”

“I meant for the rest of my un-life.” I laughed

“Well let’s start with tonight, 1st there’s your grandfather funeral. Then no doubt the villagers and other people working here will want reassurance that nothing will change. Maybe you have some ideas how to make this place better, maybe you want to find a way to make your own fortune, I really don’t know it’s entirely up to you.”

“Well then we had better get dressed.”

Dominic went to his rooms and I got changed into a nice simple black dress, most woman have one; I have 3, a simple one a clubbing one and an evening one. I chose to wear the evening one.

We went downstairs together to find Gustavo waiting for us with James.

“You know it is a sad thing when a good friend passes, you would think I would be used to it now.” Gustavo said “My other childe’s are due to arrive soon then we can do this funeral.”

“Other childe?” I asked

“Yes I have a few they all knew your grandfather.” Gustavo replied

I saw a look of pain on Dominic’s face. “What’s wrong” I whispered

“He is just sour because he and some of the others do not really get along” Gustavo answered “Remember dear we can hear whispers.” He laughed

“I’m going to go for a walk, everything out here seems so much more …amazing” I said looking out at the garden

“Don’t be too long” Gustavo said smiling as if he was the cat who got the cream

I left the boys to it and went to see how preparations were going. Angela ran past me.

“Hay Angela” I yelled after her

“My lady Silver” she puffed out running back to me

“Where are you going and can I help with anything?”

“No my lady, everything is ready I was just running to my house to get changed.”

“Oh, do you mind if I follow?”

“Of Course not my lady”

“Please just call me Silver.”

“Sorry with everything that’s going on I forgot”

We laughed and continued down to her house.

Her house was beautiful, sort of a modern medieval, with natural wood everywhere and some of the most exquisite country styled furniture I had seen.

I waited in the lounge till she came back all dressed up in suitable mourning clothes.

“So do you live here alone or do you have a significant other?” I asked

“No I am single, but I live here with some friends. Bob and John they are a nice couple very easy going and they love it here.” She replied the she looked at me as if she wanted to say something.

“May I ask you something?”

“Of Course you can” I replied

“What made you decide to be a vampire?” she asked

“You can tell” I said looking in the nearest mirror I could see

“I can, but I am not….” She paused “Human” she surrendered

“I don’t know I just know it’s something I have always wanted to be, so when the offer came up despite all the objections in my head I went for it. I even asked my grandfather about it, he seemed to think it was a good idea.”

“And now?”

“Now I’m worried it might change me, I mean there’s this constant thirst that I have to get used to, but apparently I am doing well to control it, a whole new set of rules to remember, and daylight to avoid” I laughed

“Well here we are used to vampires and other things of a supernatural source; I know the people here are more worried about what you plan to do with all this and not what supernatural being you’ve become”

“Oh that reminds me I wanted to have a village meeting maybe tomorrow night, any ideas I have in the future I want everyone to be a part of, I don’t want to exclude anyone. I want to make it clear to everyone that they are more of a part of this place than me and show them respect that they deserve. If I have an idea no one likes I want people to tell me, so I don’t do it. I want to improve things without crossing any lines. But I have no idea how, and I want ideas from the people who live here see what they want. If they want change and if so what or things to stay just the way they are.”

“I’m so relieved to hear you want us to be involved. Your grandfather was a good man but he never included us in the decision making. Sometimes people got mad but after things changed a few times but they got over it.”

“Oh like with what?”

“When we got phones, the internet and computers, televisions and all the modern connivances’ that require power.”

“Oh and now?”

“We all love them, the fact we can stay off the grid and have all this is so cool. Some of the strongest objectors now are the strongest supporters and would probably start a riot if they were taken away.”

“Well I certainly won’t be taking anything away” I laughed

“We had better head back up to the castle, they should be starting soon.”

We walked back up to the castle to find everyone gathered around the pyre that had been set up. Angela explained it was custom here if one died they were burnt in the old way to allow their spirit to float up to the other spirits passed before them.

I saw Gustavo and he beckoned me over to him, I said good bye to Angela and wondered over.

“My other childe will be bringing the body out soon stand with me here till this is over.”

I really felt like I had no choice so I stood next to Gustavo and waited. I had a look around all the villagers gathered, there were some I didn’t recognise, and I saw Silver standing in the background smiling at me, then she turned more sombre and looked at the pyre.

It was about 10 minutes before the small procession started down the main stairs of the house. There was 2 beautiful blond ladies leading throwing a mix of blood red and white rose petals, then 6 handsome men(including Dominic) carried a wooden stretcher with my grandfather on it all wrapped up like a mummy and behind them were 2 more ladies scattering black rose petals.

They all looked so fabulous and were so graceful like watching 10 porcelain doll ballerinas. I watched as they carefully placed the stretcher on the pyre. They all bowed their heads and stepped back. Then Gustavo picked up a flaming torch and grabbed my hand.

“Let’s do this together” he whispered

I let him guide me to the pyre and we pushed the torch into the wood and stepped back, he still had my hand.

“Be calm” he whispered

Despite the flames that suddenly roared up in front of me I remained perfectly clam, it was almost like I had no choice because I wanted so badly to run away from the fire.

We stood there and watched as the flames engulfed my grandfather’s body, my eyes followed the smoke as it rose up and drifted away. I could feel someone staring at me, so I looked around to see 4 of Gustavo’s childe looking at me, I couldn’t work out 2 of their expressions but 2 seemed to not like me at all. I looked back up at the smoke column rising into the air, tears started to fall from my eyes freely, they were red. A sign I was no longer human.

“Good bye granddad” I sobbed

People started to move away from the fire and to the tables that had been set up in the castle ballroom for a feast.

I kept staring at the fire. I didn’t notice Gustavo’s hand leave mine nor did I notice that I was the only one here now. I suddenly felt completely alone again.

My new family had gathered in the lounge without their sire or Dominic.

“So what do we think of the pathetic thing Gustavo has turned” Camille said with disgust

“I think we should give her a chance.” Anastasia said “no point name calling when we don’t even know her”

“I think she hot” Phoenix said Talon and Rift nodded

“I think I’m going to have her by the end of the week” Rift said

The boys all laughed Camille gave Rift the evils “You would you disgusting pig” she snapped at Rift

“Has anyone seen how Dominic looks at her?” Lily said “I think this time you should leave well enough alone Rift”

“Look at her” Angel seethed “sitting out there all teary eyed about someone she didn’t even know, hell we know her grandfather better than her, we should be taking over this place.”

“You know we can’t do that Angel” Lily said

“Well I think she is ok, I mean she’s new at this, she doesn’t know us we don’t know her, we should give her a chance, we were all new at this vampire thing once” Lucius said with Luca nodding in agreement. Dominic walked in

“Camille could you go ask Silver to come inside please Gustavo wants to see us all” he said to her she walked out of the room.

“I don’t know that was a good idea” Anastasia said

“I’ll go too.” Talon said getting up and heading for the door

“I’ll go as well then” Dominic said “I was hoping you’d all be nice to her, after all we have all been in her position before.” He followed Talon out

I sat down on the grass and kept watching the fire. I do not know how long I sat there for.

“Excuse me” I heard a woman’s voice behind me “But our Sire, Gustavo wishes to know if you will be joining us at the castle or if you are going to stay out here till dawn and fry like your grandfather” I could hear the venom in her French accented voice. I said nothing.

“You can’t mope about like this forever, the sun will rise soon the fire is nearly all gone, your grandfather has certainly gone it’s time to get a move on with the rest of your undead little life” She said “Now get the hell up and go inside” she tried to demand

“Who the fuck do you think you are?” I spat at her turning to see one of the blond woman that were Gustavo’s childe, she was tall and thin with blond hair and perfect blue eyes to match, she reminded me a bit of Barbie, except she had that nasty attitude.

“Oh so you’re not dumb, be careful how you speak to me, I am a lot older and stronger than you, if I desired I could snap you like a twig, or even better I could get you to snap yourself.” She threatened

“Then do it” I said staring back at the nearly dead fire not caring at this point what she or anyone did to me

“Camille” I heard a male voice say “Are you being nice to our new broodmate? Or are you being your charming spiteful self again?”

I turned to see one of the handsome men that carried my grandfather and Dominic standing behind Camille.

He reached his hand down to me, he had long fingers, I looked up to his face and he instantly reminded me of Spike from Buffy the vampire slayer.

“Come Silver, it is time to head inside and meet your new family” he said

I took his hand and got up, he was very strong and pulled me up a little faster than I expected. I looked at Dominic he seemed concerned so I held my hand out to him and he took it and lead me back to the castle.

“I see you and Dom here have gotten a little close.” The other man said with a strange smile” Well I am Talon, one of your broodmates. Let’s go meet the rest they are simply dying to ask you some things”

We went inside, everyone had gone and there were only a few servants cleaning up after the feast.

We walked into the large downstairs lounge Gustavo was not there, but the rest of his childe were.

“Oh good you found the whelp” one of the other females said she had dark hair and darker eyes, yet another perfect looking porcelain doll “Sit” she demanded

Dominic stayed next to me

“Don’t be such a bitch Angel” He said to her as we sat down on a couch

I could tell I was being judged, which I should of expected but it threw me off guard and they were all staring at me which made me feel really uneasy.

“Well Dom you’re the oldest here why don’t you start this little party.” Angel snapped at Dominic

“They have questions for you Silver, none that are so important they can’t wait if you don’t feel up to answering” Dominic said to me

“How about we start with introductions” a good looking guy, with steely grey eyes and long dark hair and yet another fine looking body, said “I am Rift, I am the second oldest of this darling bloodsucking troop from hell.”

“You meet Camille and that other charmer is Angel, then we have Anastasia, Phoenix, Talon, Lucius, Luca and Lily” Dominic said pointing out each one. Anastasia was the other blond but she seemed to look somewhat gentler than Angel and Camille, her hair was past her waist, and she had nice soft brown eyes. Phoenix had a hot looking body and was showing it off by not wearing a shirt he had long blood red hair and green eyes, I had to suppress a laugh when they said his name as my back was covered with a tattoo of a black and red Phoenix that a friend from Chicago had gifted me when I was working for him, it was also my working name. Lucius may have also had a hot body but it was hidden under baggy clothes, he had long brown hair and brown eyes he also looked like a gentle person, Luca looked like him but with shorter straight hair, I later found out they had been brothers before becoming vampires. Lilly was the most delicate looking one of them all, she had wavy red hair and blue eyes, but she was smiling such a delicate beautiful smile.

“I want to know what is so special about you” Talon said snidely “Why did our Sire turn you?”

“Why don’t you ask him?” I replied nicely as Gustavo walked in

“Yes Talon why don’t you ask me?” Gustavo said

“Sire I’m sorry I didn’t see you there” Talon backpedalled “it’s not important”

“You are right there Talon, it is none of your business just as when I turned you it was none of anyone else’s business” Gustavo said then he sat down on one of the lounge chairs

“There’s been a development back home and I must go soon after we arise, I have decided that Dominic will stay with Silver. Angel, Lucius, Camille and Luca will come with me. I would like the rest of you to stay here for a while, at least until I call you. You can all work on training young Silver here.” He pointed at me as I looked around the room at the others I could see amusement, contempt and interest on the faces of my new broodmates

“I have one rule for you lot, I know sometimes things can get… interesting… however under no circumstances are you to taste her blood at all.” He looked at Dominic. “And I mean any of you. Try and be nice to each other, I expect Dominic and Rift to send me regular reports on how things are going. Hopefully the 5 of us can sort out the issues back home then you will all be able to go back to your lives.”

“Yes Sire” they all said at once

“Now it is time for bed the sun shall be up soon.” Gustavo went around and said goodnight to everyone and we all went to our respective bedrooms. I was alone again, and I felt a bit disappointed Dominic did not join me.

I sobbed myself to sleep thinking of my grandparents.

I woke in the early evening to find my pillow red with blood which made me mad with hunger, I went to my new fridge in my room and grabbed a bag of blood, I started drinking then suddenly I was violently ill.

Dominic walked in to see me throw up the contents of the bag I had just drained.

“Guess that’s not your type” he said holding my hair back off my face and smiling at me so caringly as I vomited the last of it out

“What do you mean?” I asked when I had done

“We Aristi can only drink certain type of blood, for each of us it is different. I can only drink A positive but lucky for me I’m not fussy about where it comes from” He explained

“So how do I know what I should drink?” I asked kind of panicking

“Well you were fine feeding off Terry so maybe serving people, or whatever blood type he was, or it could even be people who betray others, or the fact he was male.”

“So what I just go round feeding on people like that till I find what’s right?”

“Basically, however we can cut the list down with the supplies we have here, we ensure all the blood we get is identified by sex, job, race, lifestyle, age and blood type due to our clan’s needs, I should have told you this earlier I’m sorry”

“It’s ok, so where do we keep this supply?”

“Come with me” he laughed and he led me out of my room

We went down stairs into the basement, down to the 4th level, there was no storage here. There was a door with a timer lock it was open now, through the door was a hallway of more doors 21 in total and large living area.

All the childe and Gustavo were here. Gustavo saw me and beckoned us to come in and sit.

Dominic went to a large fridge in the corner and started pulling out packs of blood.

“Oh dear our sister hasn’t found her taste in blood yet I see” Rift said in a sarcastic way

“You’ve all been through that hell people, give her a break.” Gustavo said He turned to Dominic “Try the second shelf 3rd bag from the back on the left.”

Dominic pulled it out and looked at it and then handed it to me.

“Try not to throw up on the furniture please, the smell is a nightmare to remove” Angel sneered at me

“ANGEL ENOUGH” boomed Gustavo’s voice she half cowered into the couch she was seated on.

I took the bag Dominic handed me and slowly sipped at it. This time no violent reaction, no throwing up. I felt a sense of relief and satisfaction so I quickly finished the bag.

“Gustavo gets it right again” Talon said “You know he has managed to pick all of our distinct blood of preference, He’s very talented like that”

I read the label servant, female, 30, European, healthy, B neg.

“From now on you will only be able to drink from those who have service type jobs, housekeepers, cooks, cleaners, butlers, hotel staff, etc” Gustavo said looking very happy “ Now my childe gather round it is time for me to go and take care of this troubling matter back home”

The four going with him stood to one side as Gustavo kissed each of the rest of us on the cheek and said goodbye.

“I still think you should take Dom with you sire” Rift said “I would feel better knowing your 1st childe was by your side”

“Enough Rift, I have already told you my decision and Angel is perfectly fine for the job.” Gustavo replied “Now you lot behave yourselves”

We all walked then out to the front yard where a helicopter was waiting for them.

“See you all when I get back” Gustavo said