Call of the Vampire Ch. 01

Adamar was the oldest of all vampires present, though like most he didn't look older than thirty years of age. His shaggy, black hair was thick and curly and a beard of stubble ran across his near perfect jaw-line. As he stood thinking, he wore only a loose pair of pants and leather boots, letting his torso be exposed as he showed off his own toned, athletic physique. Very suddenly, Adamar stood up strait and cease his contemplation, keeping his gaze on the door ahead as his soft voice seemed to drown out all others around him.

"Let him in." Adamar said, sending shock-waves of startled confusion through some of the vampires present.

"What!?" many exclaimed in unison, but Adamar was quick to explain himself.

"We will send word to keep the guards alert and on watch. If this is some sort of trap, we'll spot it. I have confidence in that. Also, if this man has decided to go through so much trouble just to talk to all of us, then it is only polite that we hear what he has to say. We are all gathered together here, aren't we?"

"Only polite..." Gaspard scoffed, mocking Adamar's phrasing, though none of the vampires present could actually bring themselves to openly question their leader's judgment.

"Very well then." Celestine said in agreement, turning towards the two guards stationed on either side of the inner entrance who had been watching this entire conversation. "Open the doors!" she ordered "Let all guards stand aside and out of the human man's path!" As the slaves immediately nodded and began to obey, she then turned to Ambrosia, looking her in the eyes before asking "Ambrosia, you can see to it that our perimeter is not caught off-guard, yes?"

"I certainly can." she replied, nodding before quickly disappearing into the shadows cast by the firelight behind her. The door of the keep was soon flung open, all vampires in the great hall gathering to stand closer together with Adamar in front. From the elevation where they stood, they could only see the tops of the towers on the castle's outer walls and the vast Basien horizon out beyond that. The night itself was peaceful, cool and starry. The large Nympharian moon hung magnificently in the sky, casting its pale light down through the open entryway.

Though all seemed at peace, the vampires could hear the neighing of a horse and the barking orders of a man driving it on. They heard the sound of hooves against the stone steps leading up to the keep, growing closer and closer until finally, a figure on horseback emerged at the top.

Illuminated by the moonlight, all could see him with absolute clarity. He was a young man, seeming to be in his mid-twenties with short brown hair cut in a military style. He had warm, hazel eyes, though they were now narrowed in anger with a handsome face shaved clean. On his body the man wore finely-made, extravagant armor that even those who had no knowledge of blacksmithing could easily recognize the quality of. His sword was drawn, the precious blood of the vampire's slaves now wasted as it dripped from his blade and onto the black, stone floor.

When he reached the top of the staircase, the man slowed his horse to a stop. He stood there for a moment, defiantly looking upon the vampire crowd as they had seemingly all gathered there to meet him. The other human guards present at this unusual stand-off took one look at this human man on horseback and backed away from him as carefully as they could.

What was odd about this newly arrived human that only now everyone in the great hall was beginning to notice was that apparently he had not, in fact, come alone. On top of the horse and sitting behind the man was another figure, this one hooded and cloaked in a large, heavy robe with only pale, bare feet hanging down from out of the fabric. What was also odd was that there appeared to be a rope around the armored man's waist. It wrapped around the cloaked figure's waist as well, tying them together. The figure was limp and leaned forward against the man, arms drooping to the sides as if they were unconscious. What was the meaning of this? None knew the answer, but soon all thoughts were interrupted by the mortal man's booming voice.

"I am Julien!" He shouted, his words echoing through the great hall. "The son of Francis and Queen Elise, prince of Basien and heir to the throne!"

The vampires could hardly believe their ears and began to chatter quietly amongst themselves. The only one who retained his composure was Adamar who looked this Julian directly in the eye while only having one question to whisper to Dane beside him.

"Why didn't you tell us he had another with him?" asked Adamar, anger boiling under his words.

"The report I received from the walls only spoke of him. I didn't see it myself." Dane replied, having a much harder time keeping his mixed emotions hidden. Adamar thought for a moment, then simply smiled and stepped forward, walking into the shining moonlight and standing in front of the prince, his horse and his companion.

"Welcome to Castle Plaisir, Prince Julian." Adamar said happily, opening his arms in a welcoming gesture. "And who is this that you've brought with you?"

"I will get to that in a moment." The prince growled back. "First, I have business with you all and I will not be shrugged off by your little slaves!"

"I see." replied Adamar. "Well if that's the case, here we all are, gathered together to hear you." The friendliness in Adamar's expression then began to fade away, his arms dropping back to his sides. Despite the fact that he was trying to be diplomatic, he saw everything that the Prince was doing as a flagrant insult and the tone in his next words expressed that feeling perfectly. "So, Prince Julien..." He began, shooting him a truly venomous look "...tells us then. What is it that you want?"

Julian looked for a moment as if he had not expected to be asked that question. He paused, looking out amongst the crowd of vampires that stood back in the shadows and seeing each of their red eyes glaring at him. The prince cleared his throat, stuttering slightly as he answered back to Adamar.

"W-Well, I wish to join you. To become a vampire as you all are."

Adamar's expression broke into a smile as he suddenly burst out laughing, a good number of the vampire's began joining him and making Julien scowl with anger. One of the few who were not laughing was Celestine as since laying eyes on this human man she had been enamored with him, unable to look away. She found him highly attractive and the way he sat proudly on his horse with his bloody sword drawn struck her as so alluringly powerful that she began to grow a little hot and flustered.

"Is that what this has all been about?" Adamar asked, a wide grin still on his face after coming down from his intense laughter. "Well why didn't you say so? I'm sure that there are many here who would love to claim you as their slave. Then, like all the others, if you serve us faithfully enough, we can assure you that the gift will be bestowed..." Adamar did not finish his sentence as Julien pointed his blood-covered blade directly at him, shouting his further demands angrily.

"I know what you do to the other worthless humans here and I'm not interested! I want to be made a vampire tonight! Now!"

"Is that so?" asked Adamar, a smug expression on his face despite Julien's threatening posture. "Well unfortunately, my dear prince, the gift of vampirism is a blessing only bestowed upon the devout worshipers of Sanguina. But even that is not enough. Ever since our race was first born, we have only been able to expand our numbers through her most sacred ritual in which a sponsor is needed, a vampire willing to beseech the goddess on your behalf and declare that you are worthy of this great gift."

The prince had clearly not known this information at all, his confidence visibly wavering as Adamar spoke to him. After a moment of thought, however, he then straitened back up, looking down again and into Adamar's eyes defiantly as he answered back.

"Well I am a worshiper of Sanguia. I have worshiped her in secret for years before arriving here. She will judge me worthy, I know it. Since the day I begun I have wanted nothing more than to join your kind. As for this 'sponsor' business, I can promise you that as long as the ritual is done tonight, I will face whatever challenges any of you present to me in order to prove myself worthy of your endorsement." Beatrix scoffed.

"Go back to your home, you pathetic mortal!" She spat "After what you've done you've got some gall to think that you have any friends here!" Just then, another voice began to softly speak from within the vampire crowd. It was Celestine's voice, causing everyone in the room to turn quickly and look at her.

"I will sponsor him." She said, causing more looks of surprise and outrage from everyone in the room.

"You will?" asked prince Julien hopefully, though with a look on his face of genuine shock.

"You will!?" asked Adamar, clenching his jaw in anger, a similar shock present on his face as well.

"Celestine, you can't be serious!" exclaimed Beatrix, bringing voice to what nearly everyone was thinking.

"Celestine, may I speak to you for a moment?" Asked Adamar, turning and stepping towards her as he spoke in a way where everyone knew that his request was not actually optional.

Celestine turned and walked with Adamar into a far corner of the room. It was the first time she had been able to pry her eyes away from the handsome prince. As she walked she began to make her case, speaking as quietly as she could.

"Look, I know it sounds crazy and it goes against everything we do here, but I have a strong feeling about this man that I haven't felt about anyone since..." Celestine found herself interrupted as Adamar subtly held up his hand, signaling for her to quiet down as he spoke instead. Strangely, all of the rage in his expression had abruptly faded away and he spoke to her in a calm, collected manner.

"I know, I know. Save your reasons. Thank you for volunteering Celestine. Now I don't have to justify sponsoring him myself." Celestine looked at Adamar with astonishment and could see that he now had a sly smirk on his face. He continued on, saying "I will explain this to the others later, but their anger is good. I want this man to think he's gotten the better of us. We should inflate his ego further. That will make him easier to control."

Celestine still said nothing as only now were Adamar's true intentions becoming clear to her. He couldn't help but crack another smile as he whispered to her further, giving her orders on what to do.

"Give him the ritual. Give him everything he wants. Fuck him yourself, if you have to. Can you believe it, Celestine? The prince of Basien as one of us? Think of the message that will send out to the humans of this land! We are one step away from absolute rule now. Perhaps even the elimination of the Vigilants of Kathros and it literally just arrived on our doorstep!"

As all was now clear to Celestine, she only smiled back at Adamar and nodded her head. Adamar nodded back, beginning to turn back around with her and putting back on his mask of an anger and frustration. Everyone in the room was still looking over at them, though Julien had begun to wipe his sword clean and then sheath it.

"Good." Gaspard said in response, glaring at Julien and clenching his jaw tightly "Now point that thing at any of us again, blood bag, and it will be the last mistake you ever make!"

Adamar began to speak again, quieting all those present and growling as if he hated what he was about to say.

"While I am your leader, you all know that when you joined this cult you were not forced to give up your autonomy in these matters. If Celestine wishes to sponsor this mortal, then there is nothing we can do to stop her. We have room in the castle and resources enough to give him his own slaves. If Celestine will have him, we will happily accept this Julien into our family."

More chatter erupted throughout the vampire crowd. There were scoffs of protest and people began to list reasons all at once about why this could not take place. However, each sentence begun was never finished as the weight of Aamar's words and reasoning sunk into each vampire's mind. What their leader said was true and they all knew it. The only one seeming most reluctant to admit it was Gaspard.

He turned towards Julien again, making an aggressive stance and baring his teeth enough to fully show off his fangs.

"This isn't over!" He growled. "New vampire blood spills just as easily as any human's!" Gaspard then turned away without another word and stormed out of the great hall without a thought of concern for the female slaves he held chained and kneeling behind him. They yelped as their collars were tugged on harshly, quickly standing up as best as they could and following along behind him.

"I hope you know what you're doing, Celestine." Beatrix said, shaking her head in disapproval as she too turned and exited the great hall in a huff. Many of the other vampires decided to leave at that point too. Some clearly bearing the same resentment as they slowly shuffled out through the doors. Others decided to stay for the moment, including Dane and Ivaline who were curious to see this most unusual discussion through to its conclusion.

"Very well then, since we're all in agreement..." Adamar continued, turning once again to Celestine "Celestine, assemble all of your slaves. You now have a ritual to prepare for our new arrival, yes? I trust you remember how to do it?"

"Please, Adamar." Celestine replied dismissively, a smirk on her lips. "Remember who you're speaking to." Adamar smirked back.

"Of course." He said, and then suddenly snapped his fingers as if he had just remembered something. "Julien will require a first slave for his use in the ritual. I trust you can provide one? Hopefully one that can handle a particularly rough..."

"I have something to say on that front." Julien interrupted. "Every human in Basien is aware being a vampire means the owning of human slaves. Well, I've already brought the woman who I wish to be my first." He motioned with his head to the figure sitting behind him on his horse, his fingers moving down to his waist and fumbling with the rope. "She is unconscious. Perhaps someone should catch her." He suggested.

Adamar nodded in agreement and signaled the two guards by the door to come forward and stand ready to do just that.

As the rope became untied, the cloaked woman fell limply to her side, ready to slip completely off of the horse. Julian managed to turn quickly, wrapping his arm around her waist and catching her so as to slow her decent into the arms of the guards.

"Well, finally we get to know about our second guest." said Dane, the lack of information on her having clearly bothered him up until this point.

"Who is she, prince?" Asked Ivaline. "Some little farm girl you saw and had to have? I understand that impulse." Julien did not answer her and instead waited for a moment as Celestine herself approached, striding forward towards the hooded girl as the two guards had her propped up in a sitting position. Celestine grabbed the woman's large hood and threw it off. All eyes in the room once again went wide with surprise as they saw the face underneath, except for Julien's, of course, who instead seemed to almost beam with pride.

She was a young woman who appeared to also be in her twenties, with a face so naturally beautiful that it almost rivaled some of the vampires in that very room. Her skin was pink and rosy and her hair was long and dark as the night. It was clear that underneath the heavy, baggy cloak she wore that she was completely naked, her slim, delicate, yet healthy form showing only slightly through the folds of the oversized cloak. Her eyes were closed and her body limp, though all could see that she was breathing slowly, as if in a deep, heavy slumber.

"Is..." Celestine began, pausing in disbelief. "Is that...?" Julien then spoke up.

"That is the grand duchess Fiona. She was my betrothed. From what I've heard, she may actually even love me too. She is drugged, but she will awaken before too long." Julien dismounted from his horse, holding the reins and standing beside Fiona as he looked down upon her face with a cold expression. "We were destined to marry and rule all of Basien together. Naturally, I've left that idea behind." Julien's voice then dropped to a subtly lustful growl as his next words exited his lips. "I still want her though." He said. Adamar couldn't help but smile and shake his head in disbelief.

"My, my, prince Julien..." He began "What a prize you've brought! Perhaps you have the makings of a vampire after all!"

"I agree." said Celestine, a similar look of approval present on her face. She looked up at Julien for a moment with wanting eyes before turning, once again to the guards. "Let's get both of our new guests into the ritual chamber right away." She ordered. "I will summon my slaves. We have much to prepare." She began to walk back in the direction of her bedchamber, but suddenly stopped and turned back towards the prince. "And Julien...?" She asked, grabbing his attention and causing him to look back into her eyes. "Welcome to the family." She said, smiling before turning and continuing on her way.

"It's an honor." Julien replied, smiling back wickedly as he began to walk were one of the guards led him.

* * *

Fiona's mind began to return to her, slowly escaping from the dark silence of her dreamless sleep. She did not have the energy to move or even open her eyes. She could only feel the hard surface that she laid on her side against and hear muffled voices around her that faded in and out.

"I see you've prepared . . . like a man who follows instructions." She heard spoken in a lustful tone by a woman whose voice she did not recognize. ". . . you ready?"

". . . ready for years. . . . Mistress." She heard spoken back. The voice this time was male and it sounded quite familiar, though in her half-conscious state she could not identify it.

After a short moment, strange sounds then began to echo around her and red light shone through her shut eyelids. The noise only grew louder and more intense before the female voice from before cried out over it.

"Sanguia! . . . and Mistress of the night! We humbly . . . grant this mortal . . . I, Celestine, stand before . . . and to never fear death . . . worship you until the ending of the world!"

The noises grew louder, the lights grew brighter still and more words were spoken, though Fiona could no longer hear any of them clearly enough to make them out. Suddenly, all fell into an eerie silence, only to be punctured a few seconds later by the sound of the male voice letting out a piercing, blood-curdling scream that rang out like none she had ever heard before.

Fiona could hardly move, but even she grimaced at the sound, thinking of nothing but her wish for it to end until, after a long moment, it faded until all was quiet again. Fiona heard nothing more after that, her mind slipping away back into unconsciousness. She tried to resist, but there was nothing she could do as her dreamless slumber returned to her, an unknowable amount of time passing by before she began to wake up again.

This time, as her mind returned to her, Fiona found that she was far more in control of herself. Her pale blue eyes began to flicker open as she stirred and groaned softly with discomfort.

"W-What's going on?" she asked meekly "Julien?" As her senses slowly returned to her, she could feel that she was laying against a cold, stone floor, her left side aching a little from how long she had been motionlessly laying on it. When her eyes opened fully she saw only the shut door of a grand entranceway inside a dark, imposing and sinister looking room. "What in Alfia's name...?" Fiona asked, fear now creeping into her heart as she had no idea where she was and did not like the look of this place at all.