Daisy Sun: Chapter Five- Identity

Chapter Five: Identity 1

Ruth and Niles left at an alarming speed. It took them rarely ten minutes to get ready, and another five minutes to go over the same plan they already discussed. Ruth seemed very fixed on keeping an eye on me, and also on any visitors. She stressed this with her thick words, not bothering to reassure me that I was not held captive against my will. Even though it seemed as if they were all taking great measures for my safety, I still felt I had little freedom in doing anything without a set of eyes on me. 2

I was glad Ruth was gone, because the tension she brought in her presence was hardly tolerable and always daunting. Though she may have meant good in her actions, her words seemed to sputter an entirely different meaning, one that was more personal than general. With her gone, I felt a load off my shoulders, not having to rehearse my questions in my head in fear of upsetting her. I didn’t want to see her on an extremely bad side. Theo and Josephine were easily likeable, and Niles as well if you kept up with his mood changes. They were more understanding and more patient it appeared, but I still remained cautious of my actions and my thoughts. 3

It was too late to feel misplaced in a horror storybook, though my mind did often meander to thoughts of being swept into a dream world. Every hour that night I questioned if what was happening was even real to begin with, and I pinched myself constantly to come awake. I always figured if I was put into a crazy situation involving mythical creatures where my life was in dire danger, I’d be pretty hyped up and excited over the adventure. Now I realized the horrible truth: all mythical facades were overrated and majorly over exaggerated in the emotions department. I was not at all awed by the excitement in having my life dangling in front of potentially dangerous vampires who wanted my blood for power. And what was I? A Rare Blood? Could such a name exist and be taken seriously for what I was? Yet what was I exactly? There were still questions left undone, but I knew Josephine would get around to it. She clearly tried to shoo Theo away so we could be left alone. She probably wanted to savour the details rather than share them with him.4

It took longer than I expected for Theo to finally leave the house. He lingered by the door, unwillingly, as if disputing with himself whether to stay or go. It wasn’t like he had much of a choice, and even if he left, I knew he was walking about the perimeters of the house, waiting. Only what was he waiting for exactly? For this werewolf ally expected in a few hours to come? Or for the impending visitors Ruth stressed over? I hardly knew anymore. 5

The house remained the same: still and unbearably quiet. I watched, from my position in the armchair, Theo and Josephine in a heated conversation at the deck door. I couldn’t understand what was being said, their voices were too quick and short under their breaths. I wondered whether this was the way they usually spoke, or whether it was done purposely because of me. Eventually, Theo reluctantly took a step back from her, hardly tolerable enough to continue the conversation as if he knew it would lead him to another corner. I could already detail Josephine’s strength in never giving up an argument. She was just that persistent. 6

He left, quickly, without a single glance to me. Josephine shut the screen door, and turned to me. Her face went from dark to an instant glow, spreading her beauty across her unique face. 7

“What was wrong?” I asked her, wondering whether she was going to give me an honest reply.8

“He think it’s pointless being out there. He thinks no one’s going to come, but I can’t afford the risk when Ruth is the one demanding this.” Josephine explained much to my delight. “It’s strange. He’s always so willing to stay outdoors, which is why he’s the first anyone turns to for a guard.”9

“Do you think he’s right?”10

“He has a knack for being right, but I still can’t afford the risk. I won’t let him stay in here. Then he went on about how it doesn’t make a difference and that he could sense another presence from a mile away, and so on, so forth.” She dragged at the end, appearing bored by the topic already. 11

I gave a short nod, unsure of how to respond, so I didn’t. She took a few steps forward, turning her head around the room as a means to seem as casual as possible. 12

“Are you tired?” She then asked, looking over to me.13

“Not really. Why? What time is it?”14

“Almost midnight.”15

“I would have thought it was later than that.”16

“Yes, time does a funny thing in deceiving us.”17

“I guess.”18

She sighed. “Do you want to go to your bedroom? I think it would be best to talk while you’re resting. It might help doze you off until the morning.”19

I didn’t necessarily want to go back to the room, not when she emphasized how it was my bedroom, as if I owned it now and would be sleeping in it forever. I got up though in agreement, stretching my legs from its stiff position.20

She left the lights on from the living room as we turned to the corridor and then up the stairs. My eyes followed my feet, not wanting to slip against the smooth, wooden floors. When we got to the room, she simply reached over the night table and turned on the ancient lamp. The light it produced was dim, but very easy on the eyes much to my pleasure. 21

She waited for me to climb into bed until she sat down at the edge of it, fiddling with a chain I had never seen until now. I couldn’t detail it in my view, but it was long and silver from what I could see. She was quiet for a moment, knowing what she had to do. I was very eager to learn more, yet it was nerve racking keeping up with the meaning behind every truth. 22

“I hope the bed is comfortable.” She softly said, turning to look at me. “We can always change it if it isn’t.”23

“It’s perfectly fine.” I replied, clearly not wanting to lead up to the conversation in fear of how long that would take. “You don’t have to change it just for me. You make it seem like I’m going to stick around for a while.”24

She frowned. “I’m afraid you don’t really have a choice.”25

“So what then? You’re going to keep me here until I die?” I retorted, not able to control my anger any further. 26

Josephine’s expression darkened, as her lips hesitantly spoke in response,27

“Actually, you won’t die.”28

My eyebrows lifted in confusion.29

“I’m sorry. What?” 30

She sighed, fiddling uncomfortably with her chain. “A part of your traits involved…immortality. It’s a loose term in your case, because, in a sense, you can still die the way any human dies, but not out of old age. You stay like this forever.”31

I blinked several of times as my heart was unable to keep pace with her words.32

“I’ll never get old?” I repeated, feeling my words choke in my throat. 33

“I’m sorry.” She nearly whispered. “We should have mentioned that earlier, but that would have been too much.”34

“I don’t understand.” I simply replied, with a shrug. 35

“Maybe you do, but you just don’t want to.”36

I was quiet for a long while. My head hurt against the possibility of her words. Suddenly, nothing seemed so worse as now. Not the vampires, not the werewolves… I had to grip the sheets of my covers tightly in hopes of regaining any sanity left. I could barely utter the word, barely think it, yet its definition ran through me at a rattling speed.37

“Are you alright?” 38

Her voice forced me back. I managed to move my body, and averted my attention towards her in hopes of forgetting what I had just heard. 39

“What else do I need to know?” I asked, though it was difficult to firm my voice. 40

She studied me for a long moment, unsure of whether to answer right away or not. She let the silence invade for a long while, and I tried desperately to focus on her and away from the word and its meaning. I had never felt so distorted before.41

“How old are you?” She said, suddenly, with a strong voice. 42

“Seventeen.” I answered, in a mere whisper. 43

“What’s your name?”44

I paused a moment, thinking quickly. 45

“Daisy Morrison.” I finally said, gulping down the lump that formed once again. My eyes looked down at my hands, though it saw something entirely different. 46

“No.” She immediately replied, shaking her head in disapproval. “You can keep your first name, but the last one has to go.”47

I looked up in shock. 48

“Perhaps you’ll make it up on your own in case you decide to be in the public again. I doubt you will be able to though. Not for another few years, when you’re disappearance is long forgotten.”49

Her words were fluent and quick. She wore a grave expression, and her words were as serious as she appeared.50

“Unless it’s absolutely necessary, which may be the case in the near future. If that’s so, then we’re going to have to do something about your look.” She examined me shortly. “I suppose I’ll have to cut off most of your hair.”51

I instantly grabbed a hold of my long, black hair, as if protecting it against her awful motives. 52

“You don’t understand.” She said, suddenly sounding as firm as Ruth. “We can’t risk being exposed. The slightest thing can ruin us. You can’t even begin to imagine what our kind would do to us then.”53

She was right. I couldn’t imagine.54

“Let’s get this straight,” she continued, “you’re never going to see your family again. You’re dead to them. You’re going to be placed somewhere safe, and you’ll deal with the facts then. For now, you can’t do anything rash. Even if you do, you won’t get far. Rare Bloods may have strong blood, but you’re all known to be weak.”55

Against my will, my tears formed in my eyes at the cruelty in her tone. This was the way I expected to feel in the beginning: scared, overwhelmed with fear, and a helpless captive. 56

“Why are you telling me all this?” I sounded out, fighting the sob in my voice.57

Her face immediately softened, unable to play the bad guy any longer.58

“To get the worst of this conversation over. I’m telling you absolutely everything now so we won’t have to continue breaking your heart slowly throughout this. I can’t bear it more than you.”59

I believed her of course. Her hand reached over to mine, taking apart my clasped ones. Her warmness lessened my negative emotions. 60

“Don’t forget. We were all once in your position. We know what it takes to let go of this life you led. It’s the hardest part of being what we are.”61

“And what are we?”62

She paused, exhaling shortly. “We’re not them.”63

Them. 64

It was strange looking at myself as the outsider when I had been leading a perfectly normal life only a few days ago. Being in that position, not knowing there was an entirely different reality, didn’t feel so normal at the time. 65

Funny how perspectives change, I thought. 66

Now I had no choice but to change my entire identity, something I had previously wished but suddenly no longer wanted. 67

“Daisy?” 68

I looked up, startled by the name she formed with seriousness. 69

“I’m fine.” I said, though it was completely untrue. 70

“You’re strange.” She replied, studying my face intently. “When I mentioned immortality to the others, they were more than stoked. You’re just a pile of a million different threads of depressing emotions. They’re bustling out of you and I can hardly keep up.”71

I forced a chuckle and shook my head. 72

“I’ve just been through a lot and I’m trying to swallow this down now.” 73

She smiled shortly. “It’s difficult to process, I know. There’s so much to say about it, but it can’t all be answered. Not tonight. I think I should leave you alone then, just so you could think everything through. At least we got the worst over.”74

I didn’t want her to go, not when so little was said. However, I nodded anyways, feeling like I was hit with a whole boat load of information I needed to gather together. She rose from my bed, wished me a good night, and instantly left the room, closing the door behind her. 75

I tried laying down, looking for some comfort that might help me sleep. It did little good. I barely felt tired, rather I was more alert than I had ever been before. I tossed and turned, kicking off the covers, feeling hot and stuffy. I opened the window as far as it would allow me, and stared out into the night. All I saw were trees, all close together, not too far of a distance away. 76

I sat up, positioning my pillows against the bed board. I looked about the room, while a discomfort troubled my breathing. This wasn’t my room. This wasn’t my home.77

I closed my eyes, only to see the faces of them smiling back. I trembled against the sadness, putting my hand to my forehead, trying to stable my breathing. I watched my life rewind before my eyes, of as much memories that were buried in the past, both beautiful and haunting. It was stirring up my inner emotions, boiling them against a hot fire, as I collapsed further into pain. It was so sudden, so filled with force, that the tears escaped easily from my eyes. 78

I was never going to see them again. How was such a thing possible? How was I to easily let go of a family who had done nothing but support me through my wickedness and violent mood swings? Already it felt like a whole lifetime ago, as if they weren’t real, and I had only conjured them up out of feeling as if I needed to belong somewhere other than here. 79

I spent what felt like hours focusing on their faces, trying hard to keep them burning alive in my memory. If I was never going to see them again, I wanted to remember them as they were in their happiest moments for all of time. 80

For all of time, I repeated to myself. For all of eternity. 81

If I made it that far.82

I still shunned the thought of this immortality trait that should have eased my fears in never becoming like her, but it worsened my mood instead. There was too much guilt to live with already, how was I going to overcome it when I knew it was going to torment me forever? 83

I could have been better to them. I could have showed them how much I loved them. I could have been the daughter and sister they didn’t have to love unconditionally, but for who I was inside. A side they never got to see much of. 84

And now where were they? How were they feeling without me there? I couldn’t imagine the horror in them coming home to find that I had still not returned. The days must have been as difficult on them as they were on me. However, they didn’t know I was still alive and that I was seemingly alright. They would always never know and never fully understand my disappearance. They would never have answers, never discover a motive, and never be satisfied with any theory for it either. They would never overcome this no matter how much I wished they would. 85

I cried a lot. The tears streamed down my face, burning my cheeks until the air cooled it down. It dripped onto my nightgown, soaking up the top part of my chest, salting my mouth and my cuts. I wiped them away frantically, hating to see myself fall deeper into my weakness. 86

I needed out. The room all around me was much too vacant of the comfort I had thought it contained. I could no longer be so motionless, or be willing to fall into a dream. I was tired of running away from reality; it was a chase I was never going to win. 87

Without putting much thought into my actions, I jumped off of the bed. I felt free to walk about the house, I could easily tell Josephine that I tried to sleep but it didn’t work out against my efforts. She wouldn’t have to sit down and talk to me further about the things I was now obligated to know about their kind, and my kind. I would simply roam about in a flood of my own thoughts and return to her when I felt I was ready to retain more information.88

Feeling content about this, I left the room, listening to my creaks, and waiting for her to show up when she heard them. If she was downstairs, she could easily hear them. The cottage seemed to echo every movement made. Or maybe they just all had great ears…89

I hurried down the steps, tightening my grip around the threshold so I wouldn’t slip. By the time I was at the bottom, the light in the living room was still turned on, and I made my way there just to see if it was occupied. I expected to see Josephine there despite the pointlessness in that. I was half disappointed to find it empty, but I figured she was probably outside with Theo anyways. 90

When I thought of that possibility, I had a strange yearning to go outdoors. Though the night looked intimidating, I had still the craving of feeling the fresh air on my face after being stuffed in a cottage all day long. It would be the most refreshing thing. Maybe out there I would find Theo and Josephine, and I wouldn’t have to worry about wandering away. For some reason I didn’t like walking about without them knowing it. I felt uncomfortable that they thought I was still in my room, sleeping. 91

I checked the time on the round, numeral clock in the corridor. It was nearing two in the morning. I knew this would ruin my sleep schedule greatly, but I hardly cared anymore. 92

Without luck, I looked about for some slippers, unsure of where everything was placed about the cottage. When I found none I didn’t give up, instead I simply bolted right to the screen door and opened it. I was perfectly content with walking around barefoot. The grass and dirt would be a great change from the hardwood floors. 93

I was taken aback by the shudder of cool air that hit my face. The air felt moist, as if it was about to rain or already had. I closed the screen door behind me, walking across the deck to the stairs. I hurried down them, my eyes instantly wandering about the backyard. It was hardly a backyard. The forest was overcrowding any form of space, giving it a half circle amount of open grass. The darkness certainly brought on an edgy feeling, and my eyes scanned about the house, awaiting the sight of Theo’s large body frame. 94

His presence would no doubt comfort me, yet his stares would most likely disrupt that as well. There was something very rare about this presence that left me feeling very much like my usual self, and that was something no other had mastered in the house so far. By the thought of him, I really did feel a desire to talk with him instead of Josephine. My eyes ran about the edges of the house, wondering whether he was on the other side, but not really the right amount of courage to walk that far. In the dark, everything seemed big and haunting, especially in the surroundings of a forest. 95

Back home I missed out on every opportunity that involved being in such an open space of wilderness. I didn’t lack involvement out of dislike, but rather out of discomfort in changing my entire environment from the city to the rural landscapes of nature. The thought of the city tightened my chest, striking mental images through my mind of the buildings and the roads, and the lights. There were so much lights. 96

And pollution, my mind murmured when the sky caught my eye. 97

The stars glittered wildly in my view, crowding one another like a blanket across the night sky. I wasn’t use to such a sight, and I was especially surprised as to how drawn I was towards the bright dots, as if I were under some sort of hypnotized state. 98

I walked ahead, in a slow pace, eyes still drawn towards the shine that brightened me internally. I did manage to forget about the pang of emotions I underwent like a heavy tidal wave. The ground felt cool and moist beneath me, and the grass reached up my ankles, swiftly passing against my skin with each step I took. I had to raise my nightgown slightly so it wouldn’t dirty. It was already becoming annoying. 99

Wind passed through gently, the way it should in September. There was so much greenery around, that to think the Fall season might come and abolish it was difficult to comprehend. It was pleasant, even when I couldn’t detail much in the darkness. 100

Along with the second gust of cool wind, a distant snapping sound reached my ears. I stared ahead suddenly, to where I believed it was coming from, but the forest was just a pool of black. I stood still for a moment, relying once more on my hearing skills, and waited for more sounds to reach my ear. I turned to the cottage, and looked about, half expecting to see Theo or Josephine along the perimeters. There was no one in sight though, and the edges of the house from my perspective would be unable to detail any person. There were too many bushes and gardens bordering the cottage’s surroundings.101

A second snapping sound came in the same direction, but much more closer. This time, I was familiar with the noise of branches cracking against each other, as if a force had pressed down on them. I remained still for a while longer before I took a step forward, a move so unplanned and dim-witted. Why was my body so focused towards following the sound instead of listening to the fear in me that told me to rush back into the house and wait for Theo or Josephine? It was a surge of feeling I had never witnessed in myself before, a sort of power in me that suggested there was nothing at all to be frightened over. 102

Leaves ruffled wildly shortly afterwards, but not from the wind, but from something entirely different. I craned my neck and squinted my eyes, trying to spot any outline of a person or an animal that could be causing the rumble barely 20 feet away from me. I sensed the presence very strongly, envisioning a set of eyes on me. I knew how vulnerable I would be for any sort of encounter, especially if it were of merciless intentions. 103

And like the flow of the wind, the growl that erupted from the bushes and trees ahead stung my ears and quickened my breath. Instantly I took a step back, already trembling by the inhuman sound coming from the shadows. I knew my moves were much too quick, and that I most likely deepened my level of danger in whatever was making its way over. The presence felt more thick now, and it shocked me how well I could sense it, like a ray of warmness coming from the direction of its position. How was I feeling this? I was unsure, but I didn’t bother to wait and contemplate it.104

I hurriedly questioned whether to move again, but decided against it, knowing that if I had to move, it would have to be in inches. I didn’t want to give the stranger any wrong ideas, and I didn’t want to come off as a threat either.105

Yeah, right, I thought, how could I ever come off as threatening? 106

The growls continued, soft and low, humming in my ears. I shivered in goose bumps, trying to sort out my thoughts, but always wondering in the back of my mind whether I was going to make it out of my trepidation. 107

Quick movements were made, pushing against the sticks on the ground and the leaves nestled by the stranger. It terrified me to even wonder what was making its way closer, but the warmness now intensified, turning burning hot against my face and body. I shuddered and accidentally took another step back out of instinct more than anything else. 108

The moves stopped, and the growl sounded louder now, more wolfish and husky. My eyes never left the forest before me, and they stared ahead in the direction of the noises and the warmth. I knew where it was, but it was all a matter of moments before it came into view. 109

With the help of the bright stars, I had enough light to detail the presence, coming at me now in slow movements. The first thing I noticed above all else were the heavy, oval shaped red eyes, gleaming at me directly into my own eyes. 110

It startled me how big its outline was now, nothing like anything I could have attempted to imagine. Wide, and tall, on all fours… I held my breath, feeling my vision blur against the tears that made its way out of my dry eyes. My hands both closed, tightening, forming fists. I did this to release my nerves, and the intensifying terror that bottled me. It must have received the wrong idea, for it came forward once more, out of the forest now, into full view, trying to close the gap between us. 111

My muscles stiffened, and my head began feeling heavy on my shoulders. I needed oxygen, yet I was too scared to breathe. Was what I was seeing real? Or was it just a manifestation of my deliria? 112

It’s a giant… My mind didn’t let me finish. It could not utter the word. Yet there it was, glistening its eyes at me, creasing its mouth, showing its sharpened, white teeth that somehow seemed to glow like the stars above me. The blackish fur even seemed to push against the wind, tossing in different sorts of directions, but standing tall anyways. The growls dragged on more this time, and it moved again, but not towards me, but inching its way around me. I was clearly its prey, yet it didn’t appear like that to the animal. It twisted its body, yet its eyes never left mine, as if I were going to leap at it any second. What did it think? That I was going to attack it any moment? That I had the strength to do so? 113

Look at me, I thought, I’m skin and bones. And you’re…114

It was so much more. I knew I could easily be ripped to shreds, and probably would be as well. I had the crazy idea of screaming out Theo’s name, but I knew the silliness to that. What could Theo do? He probably wouldn’t even hear me. In fact, I probably wouldn’t even make it to the second syllable. I would be torn into pieces, scattered about the grass like a typical prey in a jungle. 115

I swayed, feeling my eyes flutter, as I took a giant step back to keep balance. I needed to breathe. I was going to pass out any second. 116

It took a giant step towards me in response; its movements so swift and dangerous, clearly intimidating against my own. Its mouth opened -- and how big it was!-- and screeched a growl so loud I felt my heart shake in return. It didn’t end there. Another step and then another…117

The ground shook in its weight. It was hardly ten feet away! I trembled, glued to the ground, unable to move an inch as it hurried towards me. With its mouth still opened, and its eyes still on me, I had the great impulse to duck down and cover my entire body, as if that would defend me from its clawed paws and giant teeth.118

I could feel it shift taller, ready to pounce on me. I opened my mouth to scream and shut my eyes, half expecting my life to pass before me. However, there was nothing but darkness, and it hurt me significantly to know I would die without a look back at the ones I loved. It was so unfair. 119

A sudden loud growl erupted as my body was pulled back in an instant, wrapped in a warm arm. The strength was significant, I could feel the muscles against my chest, and the hand over my thudding heart. A voice, soft and careful chimed in my ears, giving me ease.120

“It’s okay.” He whispered.121

I slowly opened my eyes to Theo’s face inches away, staring towards the now still animal who gleamed at me with a different expression. Almost confusion. Or realization. 122

His arm loosened from mine as he took a step closer to the giant dog with an impulsive fury. Before I could hear his words, or determine his expression, my eyes drifted to the back of my head, and my body gave out on me. I fell backwards, already losing consciousness, save for the snatch in the arm once more before I hit the ground.123

------------------
I felt uncomfortably positioned on the side of my body. I opened my eyes to find myself on the couch of the living room. The lights were off but the bright light shined through the deck screen door, revealing a morning on its way. There was a thin blanket over me, and a small pillow positioned underneath my head. I sat up, already feeling sore on the side of where I laid and kicked off the blanket, carefully listening in for any signs of life. 124

For a moment I forgot what I was doing and how I get to where I was. After a short scan of last night’s events, the memory washed over me, filling my heart with the same thunderous fear it had previously exploded over. I remembered the eyes, the body, the height, the growl… I shuddered at feeling death’s presence for the second time, and wondered what I was still doing alive. Death had come to claim me twice, it was going to inevitably win sometime, and last night’s close call was not going to be the last one. 125

I stood up, wobbling to the side before I gripped the edges of the glass table to steady myself. I felt very unbalanced but I was fully alert of everything around me. I had regained a considerable amount of might, and would not be needing to rest any longer. That was a big positive taking into account how sick I was of the sleep. 126

I felt sweaty against my nightgown and hoped suddenly that Josephine would have something else for me to wear besides it. I straightened it out, pushing out the gaps and the dents that had added up over my sleep. I combed through my hair, trying to pull free the knots that formed in the back as I walked out of the living room. I continued down the hall, passed the staircase and to the left where I heard something slam against a table. 127

The kitchen, with its many open windows, opened before me, with its white cabinets, marbled countertops, and giant space. As I neared it, voices reached my ears, one sounding unfamiliar from the other two. 128

The first person I spotted was Josephine, pulling out a mug from the cabinet. When she saw me, she smiled widely and took out another mug. I turned my eyes to the table where Theo was sitting, across from a man I had never seen before. Sitting still and bright, he was, typically, as large and toned as Theo and Niles. His skin was a deep bronzed colour, and his hair a blonde shade. His deep, blue eyes sparkled, standing out above all the extraordinary features on his face. I knew, almost immediately, that he was most obviously one of them. 129

“Good morning!” Josephine said in her high, welcoming tone. 130

I turned to look at her, but I didn’t say anything in return. My eyes eventually located the man’s face once more, searching for the answers that were clearly depicted on my own face. He shied away from my stare, clearly unable to keep up with my eye contact, as he looked over at Theo. There was guilt written all over him, and Theo, in return, gave me a warm smile. 131

“He’s sorry.”132

The words were answers enough, but they still left me gripping for more. I looked at Theo with narrow eyes as I crossed my arms and waited for them to continue.133

“Sit down.” Josephine then said. “I’ll get you a bowl of cereal. Would you like that?”134

She didn’t wait for an answer. The bowl was already out as well as the Froot Loops. A few seconds later she propped the bowl onto the table, in front of the seat next to Theo. My hunger kicked in at the look of the colourful cereal, swimming in the milk. I carefully took a seat, keeping my eyes on everyone’s faces. 135

“He really is sorry.” Theo told me, though there was humour in his face. It reminded me of his furious glance towards the animal just hours ago, and how quickly his mood seemed to change. 136

“I am.” The man uttered, his husky voice obviously pained. “I wouldn’t have touched you if I had known who you were.”137

I studied his expression, trying to link the animal’s face to his. The only similarity that I could pinpoint were the shape of his eyes; oval and big. 138

“What did you think I was?” I asked, irritation filled my voice unintentionally. 139

“I wasn’t thinking straight.” He answered. “I thought you were one of the counsel members.”140

“Tobias hasn’t eaten anything in days.” Josephine then said in his defence, setting two mugs down for both the man and Theo. She took a seat next to me. “When you’re hungry and in that body, you can barely make sense of anything.”141

“That’s still not an excuse.” He replied, shaking his head. “I should have been more careful.”142

“Yeah, you should have.” Theo agreed with little aggravation behind his words. “If I wasn’t there in time, you could have killed her.”143

“But you were.” I found myself saying quickly. “So it shouldn’t matter. It’s over.”144

“No, it does matter, because what if the next time this sort of thing happens, and I’m not there?”145

“I won’t be that irresponsible again.” The man argued, offended and hurt by Theo’s words. 146

“You never know what may happen, Tobias.”147

“Theo.” Josephine sighed, trying to be firm and caring at the same time. “We all make mistakes. Even you do sometimes. This sort of thing just happens.”148

Theo clearly looked indifferent, ready to reply until I beat him to it.149

“It’s fine.” I said. “Really. I’m not upset.”150

They each shot me a sceptical glance.151

“I’m not. Besides, it is my fault for leaving the cottage in the first place. I should have just waited, but I was so eager that my idiocy got the best of me. I won’t be that careless again.” I explained to them, feeling ashamed for getting into that mess. “I didn’t realize it could get so dangerous.”152

There was a short silence. Theo’s face softened, and Josephine’s brightened, as the man named Tobias stared with surprise towards me. 153

“You’re a real sweetheart.” He said, as his mood significantly lifted. “I knew Damien knew what he was doing. I mean, I admit at first I was a bit disappointed by his choice in even disturbing the peace of the first covenant, but I can see it really paid off. She‘s definitely worth it.”154

Josephine’s face darkened, as her smile faded shortly.155

“You never did tell me how Damien was, Tobias.”156

Tobias looked at her and shrugged. “The boy’s hard to read. He barely said a word after he explained what Sheldon had done and what he did in return, but there was no regret in his voice. He was angry though. Very angry. I wouldn’t go near the boy for a long while.”157

“Well, what do you expect when you have his entire race after him?” Josephine replied, sighing again. “Theo, you’re going to have to talk sense into him when he arrives.”158

Theo scoffed. “Damien barely listens to me.”159

“Well he listens to you more than he does to any one of us. He’s stubborn, and he’ll most likely convince Ruth to follow out whatever he’s planned.”160

“How do you know he’s planned something?”161

“Damien always has a plan up his sleeve.”162

“Can I know what’s going on?” I intruded, feeling so excluded it became annoying. 163

Josephine quickly nodded. “Of course, Daisy. What would you like to know?”164

It shouldn’t have taken me so long to reply, considering there were so many questions in me, but I was just unsure of which to begin with. They sat, patiently, staring at me with hard expressions, ready to fill me in on whatever I was missing out.165

“What Sheldon did--” I grimaced saying his name for the first time. “--how does that strike any conflict? I mean, its in a vampire’s nature to hunt for blood. I’m not saying I agree with his motives otherwise I would be dead already, but I don’t understand why he had to be killed for it.”166

Josephine sat up more, putting her arms on top of the table. She looked at Theo and Tobias for any signs of answering, but they offered none. So, she turned to me, digging her eyes into mine.167

“It’s forbidden for a Vamp to hunt on their own, unless it’s absolutely necessary. Only if it’s absolutely necessary you need the permission of the head counsel, and they never consent to it.” She explained. “They’re very careful not to take lives randomly. They choose their victims very wisely, and they make sure the killings happen in completely different areas, so as not to spark any suspicion to any of the disappearances.”168

“But you’re talking about human blood.” Tobias barged in. “Vamps are only allowed to feed on that once every few months.” 169

“Yes, and they make sure to distribute equal amounts to each other. Human blood is much more powerful than animal blood, and that’s what they’re told to feed on a daily basis. However, animal blood doesn’t completely rid the hunger, and it eventually slows them down, so they’re constantly in need of human blood.”170

“So they have to be together?” I had to fight the doubt in my tone, but it was there. “Can’t one just be on their own?”171

“No.” She simply answered. “Strays are forbidden.”172

“Unless it’s Damien of course.” Said Tobias. “He’s not in a covenant, however he still has to show up when they’re called together. He still follows the rules, makes his appearances, but pays no part in living with them.”173

“Well Damien’s earned that privilege, but he was never given that much freedom in the past. They might very well strip that from him as well. The point is, you can’t be completely blocked off by the counsel otherwise you’re always running away. That’s what strays do. They run and kill and feed. The cycle continues on, until they’re stopped and killed.”174

“And how many covenants are there?” I asked, eager to store the information in me. 175

“There are seven, and they’re all ranked according to strength, which is mostly due to their age.”176

“Their age? Why?”177

“The older a vampire is, the stronger they are.” Theo answered, in a low voice, as if he didn’t like talking about it. 178

“So Byron, the leader of the first Covenant, is the most influential, because he’s the oldest and one of the strongest.” Josephine said, looking towards Theo every few moments. “The leaders of the other covenants are as old as he, but they lead different sects according to the ages.” 179

“All the leaders are originally from the first covenant then.” I replied, finally willing to understand. 180

“Yes, but they’re elected to one of the seven covenants.”181

“And Sheldon was going to take Byron’s position after he stepped down?”182

Josephine vaguely shrugged. “We all know Byron is never planning on stepping down; he feeds on power as much as he feeds on blood. However, it is apart of a leader’s duties to select the next in line to take over in case they decide to step down or are killed. The person they choose is usually the one they are most close with, so Sheldon’s death is supposedly very personal to Byron. The Vamps’ sympathy towards him is going to allow him to persuade them to do anything he wishes, unless they’re smart enough to see through his intentions.”183

Tobias grunted loudly, looking angered by the mention of Byron. Theo also looked just as grave, and it caused me to mentally depict the strong Byron in my mind; no doubt a horror fest ensued in my imagination of a most fearsome creature inflicting terror on innocents. I hoped he wasn’t as merciless as I perceived him to be.184

“I don’t understand.” I finally said after a moment of deliberation. Their eyes instantly bore into me. “If I was bitten by a vampire, wouldn’t they want me instead? I don’t see why I have to hang around werewolves if we’re so different.”185

“It’s not about difference to us, Daisy.” Theo replied, choosing his words carefully. “You’re a Rare Blood. Vampires want nothing to do with you. They stick to their kind and to themselves. Bringing in a Rare Blood would be too much of a distraction; I don’t see how it would do any good when you’d be the centre of attention, a temptation if you will. The value of your blood is enough to distract every nasal passage in a room of them. They forbid any union outside their race. They can’t afford the outcome of such a thing.”186

“But what about you and the others?”187

“We don’t keep to ourselves and block out all human contact like they do. That is what you still are, whether you believe it or not- a human.”188

I scoffed. “I highly doubt a Rare Blood constitutes as a human being when I have a piece of Vampire in me.”189

“Whatever is in you is a very insignificant part. It’s enough to drive them away, but it hardly effects us. Unlike them, we don’t thrive on blood to satisfy our hunger. They don’t look at you as a means of association. They look at you as food. They want no relations with their prey.” 190

I kept my shudder from showing when the word hit my ear. A prey? It gave me a nauseous feeling, one I found inconceivable, so I aimed high to rid the word from my mind. 191

“But I’m immortal.” I mumbled, hating that word as well. “How is that human?”192

Tobias chuckled. “Believe me, Daisy, you’re not that indestructible. You can die just as easily as humans, ruling out the age factor. Your body rejuvenates against age, but its not enough to heal wounds that may kill.”193

“So if I wanted to kill myself, I would be successful?” I felt a hint of content in this, knowing my existence wasn’t completely eternal.194

Theo frowned, but Josephine answered.195

“Wishing you were dead would be a very selfish thing. You haven’t the slightest clue of what Damien is facing for saving your life. He’ll be brought before the counsel, and Byron will most likely turn him away. He will probably end up escaping his sentence, and be more of a stray than he already is. Like humans, he’ll be hunted. Byron’s unforgiving, especially when it’s personal.” She sighed and stared deeper into my eyes. “Daisy, Damien’s killed a Vampire Royal just to save your life. The least you could do is appreciate it.”196

Though she was right, I still couldn’t help but feel assured that I didn’t have to be rotting --internally-- forever. She was right to appreciate this Damien, and I did with all my heart, but he didn’t have to save my life in the first place, and he certainly didn’t have to choose to put himself at such a risk either. Whatever he had done, it was his decision, not mine. I was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time. I would always have to suffer the bad luck in that because life, with all its pleasantness and distorted routes, would always be unfair.