FLASHBACK. The descent

Christina had been my fledgling for four full years when her hostile instincts awakened. Despite that, she was reluctant to leave my side, to the point where she hid that fact from me. Tried to, at least.

No matter how strong-willed and stubborn Christina was, the instinct is irresistible. She did a great job hiding her inner fight until she couldn't anymore. It was the first time she attacked me.

It was such a normal day, too. One minute I was telling her some story from my past, and another she lunged for my throat. I easily subdued her with no harm done, but it became clear that Christina was long past the point where she should've left this nest.

I told her so. Oh, how she disagreed! She wept and pleaded, and then she screamed and attacked me again. In that moment, I knew I should've left her much, much earlier. She would've survived and thrived as a vampire with only barest of explanations. I didn't have to teach her personally.