Feeding

Raphael led Garnetta down a narrow staircase that wound its way through the heart of the manor. The walls were adorned with rich tapestries depicting scenes of ancient battles and long-forgotten empires, their colors muted by time. Candles flickered in sconces along the walls, casting dancing shadows that seemed to come alive with every step they took.

The staircase opened into a grand hall, its high ceilings supported by thick, wooden beams. Garnetta's eyes were drawn to the large windows that lined one side of the room, revealing the sprawling forest outside. The moonlight streamed in, illuminating the space with an ethereal glow.

Raphael paused for a moment, as if giving Garnetta time to take in her surroundings. "This manor has been my home for many centuries," he said softly, his voice carrying a note of reverence. "It is a place of refuge, where time seems to stand still. Here, you will have the space to learn and grow without the distractions of the outside world."

Garnetta nodded, though her thoughts were still muddled with uncertainty. Everything about this place was so foreign, so detached from the life she had known. She couldn't help but feel like a ghost, drifting through someone else's memories.

Raphael continued down the hall, leading her to a set of double doors at the far end. He pushed them open with a gentle nudge, revealing a room that was both elegant and imposing. It was a dining hall, though the long, polished table that stretched across its center had clearly not been used for its intended purpose in many years. The walls were lined with portraits of stern-faced men and women, their eyes seeming to follow Garnetta as she entered.

At the head of the table sat a single, large goblet, filled to the brim with a dark, thick liquid that glimmered in the candlelight. Garnetta's throat tightened as the scent of the liquid reached her nose—a deep, rich aroma that sent a shiver down her spine. It was blood, she realized, though not the fresh, metallic scent she would have expected. This was something different, something ancient.

Raphael gestured toward the goblet. "This is for you, Garnetta. It will ease the hunger that you feel, though it will not satisfy it completely. That will take time, and practice."

Garnetta hesitated, her eyes fixed on the goblet. The hunger gnawed at her, sharper now, more insistent. Her instincts screamed at her to take it, to drink, to let the dark liquid soothe the fire that burned within her. But another part of her recoiled in fear and disgust, unable to reconcile the idea of drinking blood with the person she had once been.

Raphael seemed to sense her hesitation. He stepped closer, his expression gentle but firm. "You must trust me, Garnetta. This is the first step on your new path. You are no longer bound by the rules of your old life. To survive, you must embrace what you have become."

She swallowed hard, her gaze flicking from Raphael's face to the goblet and back again. The hunger was almost unbearable now, a clawing, desperate need that threatened to consume her. She took a deep breath, steeling herself, and reached for the goblet with trembling hands.

As her fingers closed around the cool metal, she felt a strange sense of finality wash over her, as if this simple act was a point of no return. She lifted the goblet to her lips, her heart pounding in her chest—or what used to be her heart, she thought with a pang of sorrow. The liquid was thick and heavy, its scent overwhelming as it filled her senses.

For a moment, she hesitated again, the goblet poised at her lips. But then the hunger surged forward, overwhelming her resolve. She tipped the goblet back, allowing the blood to flow into her mouth.

It was unlike anything she had ever tasted before—rich, potent, and almost intoxicating. The warmth spread through her body, soothing the burning hunger and leaving her with a sense of profound relief. She drank deeply, the liquid filling her with a strange, vibrant energy that pulsed through her veins like fire.

When the goblet was empty, she set it down on the table with a trembling hand. She could feel the blood coursing through her, strengthening her, awakening something deep within her that she had never known existed. It was both exhilarating and terrifying, this newfound power that hummed just beneath her skin.

Raphael watched her closely, his expression unreadable. "How do you feel?" he asked after a moment, his voice low and measured.

Garnetta took a deep breath, trying to find the words to describe the whirlwind of sensations that roared through her. "I… I feel… different," she said at last, her voice barely above a whisper. "Stronger. But also… more aware."

Raphael nodded, as if he had expected this response. "You are beginning to understand the nature of what you have become. With time, you will learn to control it, to harness it. But you must also be careful, Garnetta. Power like this can be dangerous if left unchecked."

She met his gaze, the intensity in his eyes sending a shiver down her spine. "I don't want to hurt anyone," she said softly, the thought of losing control terrifying her.

Raphael's expression softened, and he reached out to gently touch her cheek. "You won't," he assured her. "Not as long as you remember who you are, and what you stand for. I will be here to guide you, every step of the way."

Garnetta leaned into his touch, the warmth of his hand a stark contrast to the coldness that seemed to settle within her since her transformation. She felt a deep sense of gratitude toward Raphael, a bond forming between them that she couldn't quite explain. He had saved her, given her a second chance at life, and now he was offering her the guidance she so desperately needed.

But beneath that gratitude was a flicker of something else—fear. Fear of what she had become, fear of the power that now coursed through her veins, and fear of the unknown future that lay ahead. She knew that she could not go back to the life she had once known, that the girl she had been was gone forever. In her place was someone new, someone with the strength and power of a vampire, but also with a heart that still longed for the simple life she had lost.

As Raphael's hand fell away, Garnetta straightened, a newfound determination settling over her. She would learn to control this power, to live with the hunger and the darkness that now defined her. And she would do it with Raphael by her side, guiding her through the shadows.

Together, they left the dining hall, the empty goblet still sitting on the table, a silent reminder of the choice Garnetta had made. As they walked through the darkened corridors of the manor, the sense of finality that had gripped her earlier began to fade, replaced by a cautious optimism. Perhaps this new life would not be so terrible after all. Perhaps, with time, she would find her place in this strange, immortal world.

But as they reached the end of the hall and stepped out into the cool night air, Garnetta couldn't help but wonder what the future held. Would she be able to control the darkness within her, or would it consume her entirely? Only time would tell.

For now, she would follow Raphael's lead, trusting in his wisdom and experience. And as the moonlight bathed them in its silvery glow, Garnetta felt a small spark of hope ignite within her. This was only the beginning of her journey, and she was determined to see it through.