LOH - Romantic Dreamer Ch. 6: Mildew and Grave Dust
Hours, days, weeks- Who even knew anymore? Time was a blur of ancient, spooky vibes in Vlad’s mansion. After that whole stupid turned-vampire-transformation-ritual thing (and yes, I did take a long bath), I was pretty bored. There’s only so much brooding one teen can do, even a new vampire teen.
So, I started exploring the drawing room again, really looking this time. The books on the shelves were ancient and dusty. The organ, a monstrous thing of dark wood and gleaming pipes, loomed in one corner. My gaze drifted to the fireplace, huge and soot-stained, and then upwards to the portraits hanging above the mantel. Vlad’s grim mug was front and center, naturally. Flanking him were two portraits of the same woman. Inna Cents, I figured. The dead wife ghost who’d gone all banshee on me. What was Vlad’s deal with her, anyway? And why did he paint my portrait before turning me? Still totally weird.
As I wandered, an unshakeable exhaustion started to creep in. It was like someone had sucked all the energy right out of me, ironic much? My eyelids felt like lead. I practically collapsed onto one of the ridiculously plush, upholstered couches and, despite everything, actually fell asleep.
The next time I woke, the room was still dim, but I felt a restless itch to move. I shuffled to the other couch, hoping for a better view of the whole creepy-cool room. That's when the stomach pains hit again, but this time they were a thousand times worse. It felt like my insides were literally disintegrating, twisting into knots that threatened to rip me apart.
Then, without warning, my feet lifted off the floor. I was floating. Dark shadows, thick and swirling like smoke, began to surround me, pressing in. The air thickened, and I started to spin, faster and faster, a whirlwind of pain and confusion. My blood felt like it was boiling in my veins, every drop a tiny explosion. A sudden, jarring stop. My chest felt like it was going to burst, and then – boom! – a huge, purple surge of pure power exploded from my chest, rocking the entire room.
And just like that, the pain vanished. All of it. But something else was gone too. My heartbeat. The shadows swirled closer, like they were celebrating. It was all so messed up and intense, a terrifying mix of agony and this… incredible, exhilarating pleasure. I’d never felt anything like it.
A few seconds later, my feet were back on solid ground. I stood there, swaying slightly, feeling… amazing. More confident, healthier, sharper than I ever had. I wasn’t aware of it, but my reflection would have shocked me. My eyes were now entirely black, save for irises that glowed a vibrant, blood red. My cheeks pulled back subtly, hinting at something bat-like, and my teeth – oh, my teeth – had definitely grown. Fangs, long and sharp, about an inch of ivory gleaming in my mouth. I was undead, a monster, but I had never felt more alive.
A cheesy, guttural hiss erupted from my throat, a ridiculous, mocking Dracula impression. Immediately, two transparent figures shimmered into view. The two ghosts who’d been watching this whole time. And they were… clapping? Okay, weird. But now that I was a proper vampire, I could see them as clear as day, and they didn’t freak me out like they used to. I shooed them away, waving my hand between them. They vanished, dissolving into nothing like smoke.
I dropped back onto the couch, still buzzing, when a deep, resonant chord echoed through the room. The organ. It was playing. I didn’t even need to turn around to know it was Vlad. I watched his portrait above the fireplace, a smirk playing on my lips, as he continued his creepy, dramatic concert. Ironically, he was playing that super dramatic Dracula song by Bach. I couldn’t remember the name, but everyone knew it.
When the last note faded, Vlad appeared next to me, silent as a shadow, and sat down on the couch. “And how are you feeling, young one?” he asked, his voice a low rumble, almost… concerned. Like a weird, intense mentor instead of the creepy kidnapper he’d been. I didn’t know what to think of him after what happened.
“Amazing,” I said, stretching, “but my neck feels a little... tender, around where you bit me.”
He nodded. “Quite normal. The full transformation is a rather jarring experience. You’ll continue to feel rather… off, I’m afraid, until your first proper sustenance.” He paused, then leaned forward, his ancient eyes locking onto mine. “Now, Rue. You are a proper vampire. My familiar no longer. You have the full liberty to leave this mansion, to step out into the wider world, if that is your wish.” His voice was smooth, like dark silk. “But be warned. The world is not kind to our kind, especially to those so newly awoken. You could choose to stay. Learn all my secrets. The real reason I painted your portrait in the first place.” He sounded like one of those enigmatic carnival barkers from a weird old movie, even with his Victorian-era words. “It is your choice, Rue Thorn.”
“Choice?” I scoffed, but even as I said it, I was on my feet, striding towards the drawing room door. This was my chance!
“Rue, wait!” Vlad’s voice cut through the air, sharp with, was that… genuine concern? "You would risk exposure, the sun’s deadly kiss – all without my wisdom to guide you, to help you navigate this new existence." I hesitated for a single, agonizing minute. But then, the idea of staying another second in this creepy mansion, especially with him, felt like a cage. I bolted.
The heavy, oak door creaked open, and I burst through, not even stopping to wonder how I’d never noticed it before. Who cared! The night air, even if it smelled faintly of mildew and grave dust, was a revelation. I ran, my new enhanced senses picking up every rustle of leaves, every distant chirp of a cricket. I didn’t know where I was going; I just ran until I saw it: a cemetery. Perfect. Total cliche, but perfect.
A mausoleum stood in the middle, looking suitably spooky. No one around. I slipped inside. Stairs led down into the earth. Of course. Why not? I descended, the darkness thick but no longer frightening. After a few minutes, I found a door behind a black velvet curtain. Curiosity burning, I pushed it open.
An underground vampire lounge. Holy bats, it was like a set piece from all of Anne Rice's novels combined! Leather couches, dim lighting, goths and other… interesting folks sipping from crystal glasses. Being a minor, even an undead one, I figured laying low was the best bet. I stuck to the walls, just observing.
“Fancy a game of cards, darling?” A woman with a ridiculous sexy devil outfit and a name tag that read ‘Miss Hell’ (a stripper, I guessed?) winked at me. I accepted.
Mid-game, a striking woman with long, dark hair and an air of quiet command appeared. The owner, I guessed. “You’re not a common sight here, dear,” she said, her voice smooth like cream. “How old are you, exactly?”
I blinked. “I’m almost eighteen.”
She arched a brow. “No, no. I mean, how many years since your turning?”
My cheeks flushed. Oh. That kind of old. “Uh… a few hours, I think?” I mumbled, feeling like a total noob. She got it instantly, a knowing look passing her face. I felt a pang of shame, but kept it to myself.
Hours passed. I was surprisingly good at cards, but a new, dreadful sensation was building inside me. My stomach felt hollow, like a bottomless pit. My teeth ached, an annoying, throbbing pain, and my mouth was so dry it felt like sandpaper. Anxiety coiled in my gut. I started to anxiously scan the room, desperate for… something.
Then I saw him. The human bartender. My eyes widened, and everything went black.
The next thing I knew, someone was shaking me. “Go to the bathroom and clean up, darling. And then please leave.” The voice was Lillith’s, stern but not unkind.
A wave of disgust and self-loathing washed over me. The beastly nature, the primal need for blood, had kicked in. I’d been starving, and my body had taken over. This was my life now. Haunted by a first kill I couldn’t even recall. I hadn't even noticed that my face was back to normal. I cleaned myself as best I could and fled the lounge, back into the night.
My feet carried me towards the village square. There was a fountain in the middle, topped with a statue of Vlad. A raven, perched on his head, looked ridiculously funny. I collapsed onto a nearby bench, just wanting to breathe and process everything.
The air shifted. A familiar presence, almost a scent, tickled my new vampire senses. It had to be Zelmira. One of my best friends. I could feel her walking towards the fountain, distinct, vibrant. I even smelled her perfume – Midnight Bloom, still the same. I chuckled softly. I could hear her stop, hear the tiny clicks of her phone as she started texting. Every sound was amplified, like her phone was right next to my ear.
As she resumed walking, I just stared. It was so intense, all my senses screaming, painting a vivid, almost overwhelming picture of her. Then it hit me: I was stalking her. Like an animal stalking its prey. And she, my sweet, oblivious friend, had no idea.
I started to walk closer to the fountain too, keeping my eyes fixed on her. I wasn't even thinking, just moving, forgetting how long it had been since we’d seen each other. Then, a sudden, piercing squeal.
“Rue!” Zelmira’s voice, full of shock and pure, unadulterated glee.
I snapped out of it, rushing towards her. “Zelmira!” We embraced, a tight hug. But as we pulled apart, her brow furrowed. “Rue, what–? Your dress! It’s so… old-timey. And…”
“Oh, this?” I quickly cut her off, forcing a bright, casual smile. “Yeah, I’ve just been living my best life, honestly! My parents were being so uncool one day, so I just, like, gtfo? Haven’t been home since.”
Zelmira’s eyes widened, a mixture of impressed and concerned. As we chatted, I felt it again, that presence. Lilith Vatore, somewhere in the background, eavesdropping. And then, another, heavier presence. Vlad. Eavesdropping too. Ugh.
Zelmira’s face broke into a hopeful smile. “You know, my parents would be so happy to have you stay with us for a while, Rue. Seriously! I sleep in a coffin!”
Anything. Anything to get out of this hellish place. “I’d love that, Zelmira,” I said, hugging her again, a genuine warmth spreading through my chest. “Thank you.” - Rue
Jazmine Lloyd is a romantic hopeful from Copperdale, living on only so much passion and so little funds. However, she is not worried about her current living situation, as her desire to find love and pursue the fairytale of her dreams goes beyond even the hardest days and the longest nights. Will she find her true love? Only time will tell...
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I found the Legacy of Hearts challenge back in October and thought about trying It out and I finally caved and did it. I'm *hoping* to be able to play this through until the end because I've wanted to do a legacy challenge for ages but always found them too daunting. This one seems like a lot of fun tho and im excited to see where this goes ☺️. Also, many thanks to the creator of this challenge @simplyrockie!
