Chapter 16

The lack of darkness despite the fact that she was in a closed in room with no lights was the first clue that something strange had happened. In that disorientation between wakefulness and asleep, Colbie allowed herself to marvel at the world around her. She could see the hidden relics of the forgotten parts of the castle. Rarely used, most of the walls and ceiling had cracks in them from many years of neglect and yet it did not diminish their beauty.

Colbie breath shuddered past her lips as she struggled to adjust to her new body. Everything felt hypersensitive. Her skin throbbed and tingled, she heard ached and nose burned from the overflow of scents. She could smell her own sick, sweat and waste the strongest but underneath that she could smell some much more. There was the damp from being deep in the earth and in close proximity to an underground river.  And then there was the scents of those who and existed down here years and years before – years before she was born – before the age of technology.

Colbie knew then even as she sucked on her tongue in an attempt to alleviate the dryness in her mouth and the burning in her throat. She had turned and followed in the path of her siblings. She had become vampire. Colbie felt a tear well up in the corner of her eye as she thought of all the normal human things that she would never have. But she never let it fall.

Clearing her throat loudly and blinking away the moisture in her eyes, Colbie forced herself upright. She had no idea what time of day it was, only that there was a long while until sunset. She had no idea how she knew but the knowledge was imprinted deeply within her brain. She was a vampire now. As most creatures that enjoyed killed and terrorizing the masses preferred the darkness, Colbie’s life would forever remain in the shadows.

When she got to her feet, she faltered for a second but she quickly locked her knees together so that she did not fall. She took a shaky step forward and quickly glanced down at the floor when she felt her bare toes kick something. It was the chalice.

It was strange that the cup which had irrevocably changed her life was so plain. It was made from beaten gold. The surface had dulled over the centuries but the dents from its original manufacture could be seen. There were no jewels or embellishments to the all-important cup of immortality. I suppose if she had been looking, she might have been attracted to the other cup which was still floating in mid air like it was hanging by some invisible string. The surface was a less gaudy colour, silver instead of gold but the exterior was decorated with coloured jewels and the metal was carved with intricate designs that were pleasing to the eye.

Colbie was certain she would have chosen the prettier cup had she been looking. It was certainly more appealing than the cup that she had taken drink from.

Ignoring that matter, Colbie searched for her book. The smell of vomit was burning her nose but she could see no sign of the text that had been handed to her. Her heart lurched. The old man had only told her to read it – it was one of the few words he had spoken which meant that the text had some significance.

With a shake to her head, Colbie closed her eyes and focused on sounds instead. She needed to get the stench and filth that was coating her body to come off. She needed to scrub her skin until it was raw. It hurt all sensibilities within her to let anyone see her before she had become presentable. Colbie wondered how others turned in front of their friends and family. How could there be any dignity in the change if you had your loved ones standing there, watching you purge your body of everything but your blood, and yet they could do nothing at all to help.

She rolled her shoulders as her ears caught the soft sound of trickling water. He feet moved on instinct, getting faster as the seconds passed as she longed to just clean her skin and see her mother and father again. They would know the horrors she had been through. They probably heard too because as the seconds passed Colbie was becoming aware of how acute her senses were. She could hear other people in the lower levels and the catacombs that spread out for miles in either direction but there was the knowledge deep within her that they were not close – not by at least a mile of winding tunnels.

Ignoring the distant footsteps, Colbie let herself be guided to the water. She found it incredible that she could see even in the weak light. Her parents had probably be humouring her with the brightly lit hallways and rooms. They didn’t need the light to see. Then again, Colbie could only see in greys and blacks. She couldn’t see colours. That would surely put a dampener on life if you only had to live with monotone.

Finally Colbie turned a corner and her breath was stolen from her lungs.

She thought she had seen beauty in her life but this was a little patch of heaven. The silvery white roots of the Everwood tree had so far and so deep into the earth surrounding the Carrington estate that they had actually permeating through the ceiling of this small room. The roots let off a glow much like those crystals that shone only in the darkness.

The room had obviously once been a bathing room, a special one used for ritual. There was no way it could have been a normal communal bath as the attention to detail was more beautiful than anything she had ever seen. Her ancestors had obviously loved mosaics as every surface was covered in small pieces of coloured rock and gemstones forming swirling patterns that looked nothing exception – unless you had the sensitive sight of a vampire. On the paler lines that edged the pattern, Colbie could distinguish the difference in colour where words had once been there. They were written a dialect too old to understand but Colbie thought they were beautiful nonetheless.

Taking a deep breath, Colbie turned her attention to the softly lit pool. Water poured in from a small channel on the right, spilling over the edge of the stone side like a small waterfall. On the other side, at the bottom of the pool, Colbie could just make out a small water grate where the water flowed out.

The need to get clean was desperate so with a sigh of relief, the young woman peeled her grimy clothes from her body. She drew in a great bit lungful of relieved air now that the corset was gone. She hadn’t even realised how much it was restricting her due to the general discomfort of the rest of her body.

Standing completely naked, the young woman did not feel shy or ashamed. As the glowing light fell across her exposed skin Colbie felt its earthy magic fill her up. It made her feel whole and complete. It told her that the loneliness that had been a constant companion in her past was gone. And she could feel her – the goddess. She had no idea how she knew but Colbie could feel the presence of Hecate, smiling down at her as she dipped her toe into the pool.

“Cleanse your new form daughter and emerge a vampire fit to be queen. Blessed be daughter.”

The words swirled through Colbie mind leaving her teary eyed and her heart warm. She gave a delighted laugh before jumping into the deep pool. The cool water rushed up to meet her, catching her in its soft embrace. She had no fear, no worries. She just held onto the joy she felt at hearing the goddess for the first time in her life. Never before had she been able to hear her. She had only been able to feel her.

Breaking back through the surface, she took in a deep breath and giggled like a child. The water was full of magic. This room was bathed in it, a focal point that drew from the magic of the Everwood tree above it and the earth that surrounded it on all sides. And Colbie felt at complete bliss as she lay on her back and floated on top of the water.

“Beautiful.” Colbie whispered.

 TO BE CONTINUED!!