All the Cool Girls are Vampires

"Ummmm, what are you trying to tell me?" Nadine stammered.

"What you have been told is the truth, as far as it goes." Grunella stated. "I was indeed, Maeve's professor, and then lover. But I had long ago been given a gift. So long ago. And when my heart was most full of love for my Maeve, I passed that gift on to her in order that we might always be together. Just as I passed it on to Montague a year ago at Maeves request."

"I'm not sure I follow." Nadine said quietly.

"Well it's all very simple, dear." Grunella smiled. "In a nutshell we're vampires. Montague included. Does that surprise you?"

The look on Nadine's face made it clear that while it explained a lot, it left even more unexplained and that she wasn't sure she wanted that explanation. Yes she knew what vampires were, but that was from movies and pulp novels and such.

"Well dear, first of all there's a lot of disinformation out there about us." Maeve chimed in.

Nadine looked at her lover's mom as if for the first time. How many nights had they spent under the same roof? It was mind boggling.

Grunella reach across to pat Nadine's hand before continuing. "First off, we can eat normal food, go out in the sun, and we do need to feed on human blood on occasion. But it's not like we have to all the time. It's more of a quirk in the way the mutagen works. It is something we have a surprising degree of control over."

"But, you kill people?" Nadine said wide eyed. "You kill people."

"We can, if required, yes." Grunella replied. "There is a substance we secrete. It causes different effects when applied in different ways. At the most basic level if a vampire feeds lightly on a person, then most likely that person will retain no cognitive recollection of the incident. In fact, other than the punctures there may well be little or no evidence that said person has been fed upon. The secretion acts both as a sedative, and an euphoric. While being fed upon the person feels an overwhelming sense of sexual gratification. The pleasure center is overwhelmed into ignoring everything else for a while, you see."

"Have I ever been fed on, Monti? Have you... ever..." Nadine looked at her lover.

"No! I wouldn't do that. Anyway it's a mechanical thing. All we get out of it is food, and I need more from you than that!" Monti vehemently replied.

"The next state that can be induced by the secretion is that of creating a thrall." Grunella continued. "The feeding is more prolonged and as a result, in addition to the temporary pleasure effect, the person is rendered docile and compliant to the vampire. Consider that in computer terms, the operating system is removed and replaced with a simplified version. This can be useful as a means of ensuring the availability of nourishment. The thrall is aware that they are a food source for their vampire. In fact many are quite proud of being so."

"But won't that kill the victim?" Nadine gasped in horror.

"Rarely, yes. Very rarely." Grunella answered. "The person being fed upon is somewhat at the mercy of the vampire, but for the most part, as long as the vampire doesn't overfeed, the thrall will be healthy and have a normal lifespan."

"Oh!" Nadine offered.

"Now the third state is quite possibly the most interesting. It requires repeated prolonged feedings that pass not only the serum form of the secretion, but also the mutagen itself." Grunella explained. "This is done very intentionally and deliberately, and results in the person being fed upon acquiring the condition of vampirism itself. In contrast with simple feeding or the creation of a thrall, the person retains all memories intact, as well as retaining the same personality and appearance as they've always had, with some notable exceptions, of course. Some of which you've experienced first hand with Montague, if I'm not mistaken."

"You mean her tongue?" Nadine asked.

"That's certainly one thing. There is an increase in body tone, and a slight lowering of body fat. There is a notable increase in physical strength and agility that some have falsely attributed to being able to polymorph oneself into another creature, or to shift planes thus moving through objects. No, unfortunately the laws of physics work the same way for us as for everyone else. There are heightened sensory inputs and a more primal awareness, as well as superior night vision compared to normal humans." Grunella concluded.

"But where do you get your food?" Nadine asked. "And what if you bite someone who is sick or has substances inside?"

"Good questions, dear." Grunella acknowledged. "Mostly we get our food at the supermarket just like you. But every week or two we need more. But as you well know there is no shortage of people in the world. People who are for one reason or another, dispossessed, or desperate, or willing to make...um exchanges. As far as disease or substances, part of what the mutagen does is neutralize any toxins or harmful compounds ingested. So as long as they're taken in through the oral interface, they have no effect, ill or otherwise. All told, lifespans are nearly infinite if one takes the proper precautions."

"So Mrs DeVries, Monti....you...feed?" Nadine wondered.

"You know how we work at the food pantry every Thursday night?" Maeve said. "There are almost always people there who are available in one way or another. Nobody is harmed. In fact few are even aware, and we always leave them with more than what we take from them, dear. Runaways, Homeless people, Hookers, Druggies and Drunks. It's an even swap at worst."

"Like, you feed on smelly old Hobos?" Nadine said aghast.

"No. Mostly other women. Guys are for the most part twitchy and messy meals insofar as they're likely to come to with a couple of puncture wounds they don't remember getting as well as a pant load of... um... you know. Wet dreams and all." Maeve said embarrassed.

"And lastly," Grunealla concluded "If we feed to the end, we remove virtually all liquids from the organism, rendering them a desiccated husk which most often turns into dust in a matter of days. It's a last resort, always, but it is an option for the vampire."

"But why? Why do this?" Nadine had arrived of the crux of the issue.

Grunella offered an immediate answer. "When I was first given the gift, I thought it was a curse and vowed not to pass it along to others. That was a long time ago. At first I tried to have normal relationships, but sooner or later someone would take notice and I'd have to move on. Or I'd have to watch my partner grow old and infirm. It took an incredible toll on me over time. There was an incredible loneliness. I mean, most vampires live in fear of being found out, so we're not exactly the most social of people."

"I found a haven in academia," she continued. "It's very conducive to moving about every so often. A change of name and credentials; a new city, and you're set for another good long while. Then one day I went in to my classroom at the start of another semester and I saw her sitting there. In short, to use a word that is not popular these days, I was smitten. I had to find a way to be with her. And when Maeve started coming to my office hours for extra help, I grew closer and closer despite my trepidations and over a century of disappointments."

Maeve picked up the narrative. "She was amazing to me. Strong, capable, independent. All the things I wanted to be, and all I had to do was learn from her. I couldn't help but want to know her better, and I got her to share her past with me. At first, little tidbits here and there, but finally in time she opened up to me. I couldn't help myself falling deeply and profoundly in love with her, even after I found out. And so I begged her. I wanted us for forever, and I wanted it to be her that made me hers. It took some convincing, but as semester break got underway, she relented, and agreed. She gave me her gift as an act of love, and I still tremble when I remember it."

"But what about Monti? Why her?" Nadine asked.

"Maeve wanted a baby." Grunella stated. "She wanted a baby and nothing I could say or do made one bit of difference. When she announced that she was pregnant I was beside myself. I felt angry and dejected and betrayed. Every time I thought about it was like a knife in my heart and I knew that Maeve was not safe as long as the anger continued. So I broke things off and left."

"I don't think anyone but her could have found me, but years later, she did. She didn't try to patch things up. She knew that was hopeless. But she was afraid of being alone forever, and so she once again begged me on Montagues behalf, because that way at least they'd have each other. At first I just told her to get lost. But over the course of the next year, I found myself softening, knowing how I felt time and time again. So when Summer rolled around I offered Montague the internship."

"At first I was just curious. Curious enough to want to meet her. I had no intention of granting Maeve's request. But there were so many little things about Montague that couldn't help but remind me of Maeve that eventually I just couldn't help caving. The more I thought about Maeve, the harder it became to leave Montague alone, and before I'd really thought things through, I found her in my bed, with her pretty pale neck as naked as the rest of her, and a pleading look in her eyes that offering; too much to resist. All the moreso because I knew Maeve wanted it."

"I....I think I get it..." Nadine murmured. "I think I understand...why"

Later that night, she woke Monti out of a sound sleep. "You know I keep having these dreams of you when we're not together. Like my essence is reaching out to try and find you in the void."

"What are you talking about?" Monti said groggily.

"I made up my mind. It's always going to be you. And if you want, now it can always be me... if you want." Nadine brushed back her hair laying bare the smooth brown skin of her neck. She leaned in to where she knew Monti could smell her. Hearing a low guttural growl, her closed eyes briefly flashed a red glow as she felt Monti's fangs sink into her flesh and her body shook with orgasm as she embarked on her fate."

It was more than just a making. It was the bonding of two souls into one.

It was fall and the leaves were turning on the trees that dotted the campus quad. Montague had just returned to their little warren after a trip to the college book store.

She'd just gotten a text from her Mom and Grunella asking them both up for Christmas Break.

"Nadine?" she queried. "Where are you, honey?"

"In here, babe!" she replied in a sing songy voice.

Monti followed that voice into the bedroom where Nadine lay naked and inviting on the bed. "Aren't you cold?" Monti joked.

"Not after you come over here and warm me up, Love." She quipped. "Besides, I know you want me!" she smiled.

"Oh, how can you tell?" Montague said slipping out of her own panties.

"Cos I'm sexy as hell!" she jibed adding "And anyways, all the cool girls are vampires!"