15 Truth

The anticipation was eating me from the inside. I was restless, and barely calm. I paced around my room, several thoughts running through my head. I still couldn't make sense of it.

~Grandfather...

No, Sophie definitely wasn't a vampire. I couldn't feel that bloodlust from her. In all honesty, it didn't matter to me whether she was one or not. I couldn't care less. But the current situation....I was a bit nervous.

Count Nosferatu.... To my knowledge, that is what they called Dracula. A bloodthirsty vampire, I didn't really know what to expect from such a character. Ever since I came to this world, I could very well predict certain outcomes. But this... was completely outside my depth.

An unprecedented occasion where I felt completely clueless about the future. I knew nothing about vampires. All the anxiety had pretty much diminished my appetite.

I glanced towards the clock in my room....

11:59 PM ..... Around 3 hours had passed and I was a nervous wreck. Right as the clock struck 12, I heard a knock on my door.

"Young Master, please join the Lady and the Count for lunch downstairs." Ephyl requested from behind the door. I could feel his lingering presence, waiting for a response.

I had a bad premonition, but nothing could be done at this point.

"I will be out in a second." I replied. Getting ready to make my way downstairs. As I treaded towards the dining hall, I saw Sophie waiting around the door for me. She saw me and ushered me towards the door, leading us inside.

As she opened the door I could see an old man brooding, sitting on the other end of the table, waiting for our presence. When I noticed him, he looked to be dressed in archaic fashion.

A dark red overcoat, with a black vest underneath. His ash white hair split into two Victorian buns. I glanced at his face, seasoned with age, holding a solemn expression. It was then, that I saw his eyes, pitch black, with two thin strands of red in the middle.

When he gazed back at me, I felt fear... Blood curdling fear. As if an eldritch horror stood before me, in all his glory. My bones went numb, and a cold shiver trickled down my spine, my hands started quivering, I couldn't control the jitters. Truly, it was the worst terror I had felt in this world. I couldn't voice a thing, my throat had died down. My mouth felt completely dry, a thirst lingering on my lips. My body shed its vigor, and I felt unbearably rigid.

It was then, that his gaze shifted towards Sophie, and an unnatural warmth spread across his face.

"Grandfather, finally I get to see you, where have you been the whole day?" Sophie rushed up. embracing the man in a joyous hug.

"Oh dear, you can't blame this old man, I was quite busy with work. You know how it is nowadays, I can't find time for anything. Beside, I only got notified you were visiting two days ago, so I had to rush back from France."

"See this is why I told you not to marry that stickler, has he finally abandoned you, I told you he couldn't even keep you safe. He was practically begging for my help." The man cackled, with what seemed to be humor to him.

I saw a slight frown on Sophie's face

"Grandfather, I have been married to Dalton for five years now, you know I love him. Besides, I was the one who suggested to stay here, I know he would never beg for your help. You practically hate the man to the core." She complained, in an innocent manner.

"Fine, don't get angry dear. Of course, I hate him. If I knew you would love him over me, I would have declined when he asked for your hand in marriage. Damned martinet, how dare he steal my granddaughter away from me?" the man chuckled.

His sense of humor was odd, but that didn't stop Sophie from laughing at his jokes. He finally looked towards me, assessing my appearance. I still felt afraid, but after his interaction with Sophie, some of that fear had drained from my body.

"So this is your boy? Hmm." His eyes glancing right through me.

"No, he doesn't have your blood in him. Tell me, what's going on?" The man mentioned in a curious tone. I was a bit surprised that he found out so early. But I still felt no anger within him, clearly he cherished his granddaughter, and trusted her.

When she heard him say that, I could see the color drain from her face.

We all sat down at the table, and she began recounting the story about how we met, and what circumstances led to this day. A few hours later, when she had finished retelling the story, I could see understanding on the Count's face.

"I realize the situation now. So you plan to adopt the boy as your own?" He questioned.

Sophie nodded her head.

"That is your own decision, no matter. However, I can tell you haven't told the boy the whole story, to be accepted as family, he must know the truth." He could practically feel the curiosity dripping from my eyes.

Sophie's face turned ashen. She indeed had hidden this fact from me, but like I had said. I didn't mind. Only, she still felt guilty.

"Zack...In reality I am.. a Dhampir. Technically, a half-breed." she mentioned, recalling that she was in fact 1/6th Vampire through her lineage. This explained the lack of bloodshot eyes, and also the slight absence of fangs. Though, those could be hidden with magic I suppose.

"If you wish to not be adopted under my name... I understand" She continued. At this point I wanted to stop her, not knowing what to say. But then, a sudden urge came over me as blood rushed to my head.

I couldn't think straight for a second, and felt slightly dizzy. But what was odd was... My thoughts, I couldn't control them. My mind replied to Sophie's statement on her own, while I was still a bit entangled with this faint woozy feeling.

"It doesn't matter to me. No matter what you are, I would still love you and I am thankful for your help." I spoke, or rather this thing from inside me spoke. I didn't know what it was. But once I had said those words, I felt completely at peace. Strange.

Hearing my reply, I could see Sophie tear up a bit, and she was extremely happy. Even the old count smiled back at me. Though, I swear his smile... it definitely meant something else. It was more of a sly smirk. Needless to say, I couldn't really do anything about it.

Instead, the three of us had a heartfelt family afternoon. After which, the Count and Sophie looked back on some of her childhood memories. It was a joyous occasion. But I still didn't feel like I fit in completely.

A few hours later, Ephyl escorted us back to our rooms, demanding that we rest from our tiring journey, and that he would call us down for dinner. Especially, shooting me a cautionary glance to not wander around outside the fort. He seemed to think that I was somewhat of a trouble maker.

Unfortunately, he was completely right.

I was indeed a troublemaker. But I wasn't completely damaged in the head. Roaming around outside? Sorry, I valued my life. Instead, I chose to wander inside the fort.

Genius.... I know.

Feeling restless, I could see that it was still around six in the evening.

Dinner was around nine. I chose to sneak outside my room, I was quite curious about this place. My initial nervous breakdown had hampered my explorations. But now that I was somewhat welcome here... Well I decided to take full advantage of the place.

Wandering around the halls, I could see several portraits, though none of them were magical. They were indeed painted in a similar style. Framed in decorative gold. They all looked very similar to the Count. No, it would be more accurate to say, they were the count.... Just younger.

Who the hell hangs portraits of himself? Crazy....

I moved my finger to touch the frame on one of the paintings. As I finally inched closer. A sudden collection of whisps gathered behind my back, scaring me shitless.

Ephyl surfaced and stood there, staring me down as I leaned on the wall, seemingly trying to catch my breath.

"The Count would like to invite you to the study. Please make your way there" He gestured towards a door, and it opened towards a hallway, welcoming me inside.

I walked through the hall, expecting a small office of some sorts. But instead, the fortress housed a huge library, with numerous bookshelves stacked till they almost touched the stone ceiling. I spotted the count, sitting at a small table in the middle, and a seat reserved across him.

When he saw me walk in, he pointed his fingers to the chair, gesturing me to take a seat. He probably had a lot of questions for me. But I was the same, I held numerous questions that I wanted the answer to. Especially what had occurred at lunch time.

He broke the ice first, greeting me.

"Welcome to my study, and also welcome to the Nosferatu family. I am aware you have many questions. Unfortunately, I am not in the mood to answer any of them." He cackled...

Yeah this guy was batshit crazy. I didn't care though, I still wanted to ask anyway.

"How did you do that? How did you make me say those words during lunch." I asked, I was deathly curious. Someone had just manipulated my own words. My own mind, and I hadn't even gotten the opportunity to retaliate. I was apprehensive at this occurrence.

Unlike my expectations, hearing my question. He flashed me a sly smirk again. His eyes gauging me, perhaps he changed his opinion of me once I asked this question. Because he treated me drastically differently.

"Curious, curious indeed. You felt that you weren't in control, usually they don't feel a thing. However, you are wrong. I didn't make you say those words..." He guffawed looking at my confused face.

Didn't make me say it? No, that's impossible. I certainly felt something control me. My eyes lingered at his face, still waiting for a possible explanation.

He did a sort of amused chuckle again.

"I merely made you say your truth boy. But I am happy about your response. Usually, people are disgusted at half-breeds. An unfortunate incident for my Sophie." He remarked.

Made me say my truth... These words were hard to handle, because somehow he had me blurt out my true thoughts. This was a terrifying ability.

"Can I ask you a few more questions?" I inquired, I know he answered the first one purely at a whim. Surprised that I had noticed his fiddling.

"No, I am in no mood to answer your questions. But I posses all the answers that you seek." He smirked.

It was almost like he was reading my mind.

"I am not reading your mind boy, this is called wisdom." He retorted.

Goddamn, why do I always meet the crazy old one's....

Sensing my annoyance, he stretched out his hand, and a book amongst many others, made its way to his palms.

... I feel like I've seen this before.

He pushed the book towards me, and I glanced over its title.

"The Biology of Vampires: A Life in Death", I whispered it out.

"What you seek to understand, lies in here. I have no wish to discuss my past or family with a young boy, I am far too tired for such things." Saying that he started to shoo me away, grabbing a glass of what seemed to be red wine from somewhere. He laid back on the chair, trying to muse in his thoughts.

I could see that he really wasn't going to entertain me any longer, hence I made my way back to the room, planning to read through this thing before dinner.

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~Ephyl

the count whispered. On his command, the gaunt butler appeared from thin air, heeding his words.

"Prepare some music, and close the study for some time. Also, prepare a new bottle of wine, I plan to spend this evening listlessly." The count mused, clearly still happy about Sophie's return.

"Of course master. However, if I may ask, how come you've accepted the young master so easily?" The butler inquired. Ephyl had known the Count for centuries. He wasn't such a lenient man. Sure, the Madame had changed him. But not to the extent that he would be amicable with a wizard brat.

"Accepted? No, until he has my blood in his veins, he is not my great grandson. However, I sensed his mind. Sooner or later, he will ask for my blood, and when he does. I will welcome him to the family. He yearns for power, I can sense it. It is only a matter of time..." The count amused at his own words, started drinking the wine, as it stained his lips red.

"Only a matter of time", his eyes contorted into a knowing smile. As he drowned himself in joy for the evening.