CHAPTER THREE

As the taste of blood fills my senses, a rush of euphoria washes over me, momentarily drowning out the cries of the human beneath me. Each drop is like a symphony playing on my tongue, igniting a primal pleasure that I never knew existed. It's intoxicating and addictive, and I find myself losing control...the insatiable hunger within me.

A small voice whispers in the back of my mind, a voice tainted with guilt and remorse. I push it aside, burying it deep beneath the overwhelming desire for more. 

More blood. More…

The human is so fragile underneath me I can just break his bone if I wish. 

The others in the chamber watch in silent approval, I can see their eyes gleaming with hunger as well. Lord Marcus, perched upon his throne, observes with a predatory gaze, his lips curling into a satisfied smirk.

Finally, when the human lies still, drained of life, I release my grip, licking the remnants of blood from my lips. A sense of satisfaction washes over me, mingling with a hint of shame that I dare not acknowledge.

"You have shown promise, Aria," Lord Marcus says, his voice echoing in the chamber. "But remember, control is key. We do not revel in mindless slaughter of this such unless warranted. You take your rest now, tomorrow, we hunt."

I nod, though a part of me rebels against the notion. The urge within me screams for more, for the thrill of the hunt, for the taste of fresh blood on my tongue. But I suppress it, knowing that to defy the rules of the Nightwalkers would only lead to my downfall.

I watch as the room disperses in a rush as shadows of people blur past me, leaving me alone standing with my fate. Then I hear Lucian's voice. 

"Follow me, I'll show you where you hide your head," he calls.

With heavy steps, I follow Lucian through the corridors of the decrepit building, my mind still reeling from the events of the night. The scent of blood lingers in the air, urging me to seek out more.

Lucian leads me to a small chamber tucked away in a corner of the building, dimly lit by a single candle. The room is sparse, with only a threadbare mattress on the floor and a small table against the wall. It's not much, but it's a sanctuary of sorts.

Lucian stands there outside while I move in to survey the room, respecting my boundaries. "We will move you to a better space when you pass your test…for now, you stay here.

Was he respecting my boundary, or just having mixed feelings? Not trusting me? I muse to myself as I watch him walk away.

Alone in the chamber, conflicting emotions wrestle within me. The euphoria still pulses through my veins, battling against the guilt that gnaws at my conscience. 

Can I truly master this insatiable hunger, or am I destined to be consumed by the darkness that now flows through me?

Settling onto the worn mattress, I feel the weight of exhaustion pressing down on my weary body. My muscles ache from the night's exertions, yet my mind refuses to find solace in sleep. Fragmented memories of a past life flicker through my consciousness, distant echoes in the void of my mind.

The memory plays out in bits, me running through a dark alley, rain casting heavily to the ground, and the next thing I am on the cold road in a pool of my blood.

I close my eyes in an attempt to shut out the turmoil, but rest eludes me. Instead, I enter a state of restless contemplation, grappling with questions that offer no easy answers.

How did I come to be in this state? Was it predetermined fate, or a choice made in a moment of desperation? Now that I am among the Nightwalkers, what path lies ahead for me?

The chamber remains enveloped in silence, save for the distant sounds of the night. Rain continues to fall outside, its rhythmic pattern a soothing backdrop to my troubled thoughts. 

I play with my mind a little and open my ears to more sounds. Then I feel it, the rush beyond, my surroundings awake.

As I recline on the old mattress, I allow my vampiric senses to take over. With a subtle adjustment in focus, I perceive the night through eyes that perceive beyond the ordinary.

Intermittently amidst the rhythmic drumming of raindrops, a haunting hoot punctuates the air. I angle my head slightly, honing in on the call of an owl perched nearby. Its cry is both eerie and captivating, soothing to the ears even.

Below the surface, I can hear the gentle scurrying of rodents dashing through the hallways and outside beyond.

I can hear the steady rhythm of heartbeats, of life pulsing just beyond my reach. Human lives.

 The scent of blood hung heavy in the air, mingling with the metallic tang of fear and arousal, a heady concoction that stirred the primal instincts lurking within me.

And then, breaking through the nocturnal ambiance comes the primal howl of a wolf. It's a sound that resonates deep within me, stirring something primal and age-old. In that instance, I feel a connection with the creatures of the night.

And above it all, I hear the whispers of my fellow beings.

I cannot help but ponder what the next day will bring. With these thoughts swirling in my mind, and with a weary sigh, I close my eyes, allowing the darkness to envelop me. I can't help but wonder what fate has in store for me in this strange new world. But for now, all I can do is surrender to the embrace of oblivion, and pray that when I awaken, I will be ready to face whatever comes my way.

I eventually succumb to a fitful sleep, haunted by visions of blood and shadows, yearning for the dawn to chase away the specters that haunt my dreams.

I am One with the Night…a Nightwalker, and this is my story.