Part 7

As the first days went by, I discovered that vampires don’t really need anything else than blood, not air, not water, not regular food and especially not sunlight. As I had discovered in the woods, all blood works, it just doesn’t taste the same… and it has different effects. A well feed human that has lived with no real hardship in life, has a sweet taste (even sweeter when they are afraid), and they give quite the boost. After having fed on a rich person, I feel renewed. I feel stronger, faster, lighter and generally more energetic. Luckily for me, I was about to have my first experience with rich blood… And the energy that follows.

I had lived in the shed for a few days, and had gotten used to the terrain, so I didn’t get into any unfortunate incidents with near flying/falling into various houses when I hunted – which hadn’t been for a while. But it was almost time, I could barely train anymore, I was so tired. The last few nights, I had tried to control what had happened the first day, invincibility could become useful. I had gained some measure of control over the ability, but I could only stand still with it… for a few minutes. I had tried sneaking into houses and around the city, and had pretty much succeeded in avoiding people around me, except for that one incident with that guard… nasty piece of business that was – he never did look quite the same without his left hand… Well, I was about to go see if practice really did make perfect, and I at the same time I would see if the castle was guarded well enough to deal with an invisible intruder.

By nightfall I went up to the castle, walking quietly as not to arouse suspicion. By the time I got there, I discovered the negative side effects of beating a guard half to death, (mostly by using his own hand,) the king had upped the security. Well, sometimes you have to run before you can walk. I slowly made my way closer to the main gate, appearing to be air every time a guard looked my way. Oddly enough, I made my way through fairly easy – I guess they didn’t think that “air” was particularly suspicious. Beyond the main gate there was not much security. Perrrfect, I thought, or, at least I think it was me…

As soon as I made my way inside, there was a wonderful smell, the smell of not smelling of excrement. “I have to get my one of these” I heard myself say – apparently loud enough for the little princess to hear, since she suddenly appeared out of the doorway. Looking not more a day over 8, I felt the beast growl in the center of my being when I turned invisible. I turned just fast enough for her not to completely see me, but she had seen something, because a sudden aroma of fear filled my nostrils. Yessss, something thought. She turned around and hurried into her room. Not even thinking, I followed, breaking the cloak of invisibility I had formed around me. I listened in the hall, hearing her lay her head on the “pillow” and creeping under her covers. I opened the door as quietly as I could, which wasn’t as silently as one could imagine, with the door being made of 4 inch thick oak. She was lying completely still, but she was awake – no one could be that afraid in their sleep. I walked into the room, halted at its center. I wanted to try something. I became invisible and tried manipulating the shadows. It worked! Now I wanted to use it. I noticed which way her head was turning and threw a shadow up on the wall. She flinched. As she turned, I threw another shadow up on the second wall. She began to shake. The fear… I like it! I tried another thing I hadn’t done before; I threw a shadow over the whole room, leaving it in utter darkness. The little girl got up in the total darkness, the fear flowing from her as she felt her way towards the door. Just as she was about to reach the door, I grabbed her, holding my hand in front of her mouth so she couldn’t scream. I thought the fear was powerful before, but I was overwhelmed. I almost couldn’t breathe. She tried to fight my tight grasp in vain. I bent down so my mouth was a mere inch from her throat. I wasss going to enjoyyy drinking herrrr. 

Somewhere in my mind, I felt something slip…