A Good Nightmare (Ch12)

The figure holding me on the ground blurred and slowly came into focus. It was the last person I wanted to see on earth, Higerth.

"Get a grip on yourself!" he shouted in my ear and shook me again.

"What?!" I shouted pushing him off of me, but he jumped back on and held me down.

"Not, so fast. First I have to ask you a few questions to make sure your still not under the Thirst." He said it as if it were an object and not a feeling.

"What ever it is, I'm fine! Now get off!." We struggled for a moment and I just about got him off and pinned him to the ground when I heard the same velvet whisper of the woman from the field, "It ok Higerth. She's back. Take your grandfather and brother back into the house and let me talk to the newborn alone."

"Yes, my queen," he said with the same low bow as David had done. He walked behind the old woman and to the tree where David hanged. He reached up and pulled him from the limb and his cry of pain came out a gurgle because of the blood.

Once again my throat burned hot and the smell of fresh blood filled my nose. I took a step forward and then one back. Unsure of what to do.

"Look away child," the old woman said as she turned me around and lead me away from them. Slowly the scent drifted away and the wind and my hunger cooled with it. I felt even more drained and tired then I had before.

She lead me down the trail that lead to the house till it was out of sight. Then we went off the trail to a fallen tree which she sat on and patted a spot beside her for me to sit down.

"What happened?" I asked softly. My head was pounding with the beat of my heart and my body felt limp.

She looked at her feet, took a deep sigh and then met my gaze again. "You followed your Thirst, dear. That's what happened."

"Followed my thirst? What do you mean?"

"Exactly what it sounds like. You followed your Thirst. That's exactly what Higerth was testing you against when he brought that girl out." She paused for a few seconds in thought.

" But apparently, you don't go for humans, do you?"

"I... don't? Then what blood do I go for? I mean, I've never heard of a vampire going for anything else."

She gave a soft chuckle, "that's because what you go for is nearly ever heard of, but happens. You, my young one, drink vampire blood."

I looked at her for a second, trying to comprehend what she had just told me. Vampire blood? How is that possible? I thought to myself. I mean, isn't it supposed to be- wait a second, that's it is! I lifted my head and met the old woman's wise eyes. "I can't drink vampire blood."

She frowned and looked at me disappointedly, "and why not?"

"'Cause vampire blood is poison to me and any other living creature. I'd bet my last dollar that the tree David got stuck to is shriveling up right now."

She gave a lite chuckle. "Yes, my dear, it would be poisonous to you, but some how our blood changed you differently then the rest of us. I have to admit, it is rare, but not unheard of." She could see that I still didn't understand. "Humans would call you and others like you slayers."

"What? I thought they were all humans? At least the ones I've read from books and crap like that. Except for Blade, but that's going a little off subject."

She chuckled again and her eyes sparkled. She seemed like she was enjoying my skepticism. "There have been some like that, but that was even before I was changed. Some kings captured some old week vampires like myself and breed them to some humans, but lets just say i didn't end well."

We sat in silence again. I tried to soak in everything she had told me, but it just wouldn't fit. It was like trying to shove a square block through a triangle shaped hole.

I looked over to the old woman. She had a troubled look on her face. I knew so little about her, but out of everyone I met so far, she was the only friend I had. I didn't even know her name. Might as well get one question out of the way. "Excuse me, but what's your name?"

Her troubled look seemed to melt off her face and a warm smile was back on her face. "I have many names child, but most call me Rani."

"Doesn't that mean queen or something like that?"

"Yes, aren't you sharp? Maybe David is right, there is definitely something about you." She sat up straight and looked back into the direction of the trail that lead to the house. "Higerth, you may enter."

I unmeaningly bared my teeth at him when I caught sight of him. My body tensed and and the next thing I knew, I was standing on the log in a fighting position.

Higerth tensed up too and his lips slid back over his teeth.

"Easy young one. Remember, you must learn control. If this keeps up we will have to kill you. Now,I know you don't want that to happen." Her voice did not have the same velvetness to it as before and cut my pride like a blade. I crouched down and forced my fangs back.

"Now, Higerth I need you to take this young one back to your grandfather's house and-"

"But your highness, how can I? What if she tries to kill them again when I leave?

"That's why you are staying here with them until I can find a proper place for here to live." Higerth tried to argue again, but she cut him off and the sharp edge returned in her voice. "No, I have made my decision and you will follow or face the consequences."

Higerth bowed down to her. "Yes, my queen Rani."

Rani picked herself off her seat and walked to the trail and out of sight. Higerth turned to me and I could see the unheld hatred in his eyes. "Follow me newborn," was all he said and started walking back to the house.

"I ain't moving anywhere until you can get my name right," I said crossing my arms and giving a heated look just as bad as his.

"Fine, what is your name?" his words seemed forced and his fists were clenched.

"Karsea," I said staring him down.