Chapter 2

We arrived at the coven within mere moments. With basic greetings I explained the circumstances in which I had found myself just prior to arrival. This coven was well equipped for humans. The previous coven maintained a human population. I was directed to a bedroom where I could lay Sara down for rest. Sara woke shortly after arrival. I requested sustenance for her in advance of her waking. The provisions that appeared were a simple sandwich and a glass of water. Bringing this to her and setting it on the side table next to her bed I inquired.

“How are you feeling?”

Slowly she sat up. “I think I’m ok. I’m a little sore but I don’t think anything is broken. Where are we?”

I smiled and gently told her, “you are currently in the country about a quarter mile from where we were. You have only been unconscious for about thirty minutes. While I waited for you to wake up I requested a sandwich and some water for you. You are more than welcome to partake.”

As she picked up the sandwich and took a bite, I could see the curiosity burning within her. Luckily for me there was very little fear. “I suppose I have a little bit of explaining to do. Let me start by saying that everything you saw was real. Neither generated by your imagination nor created from shock. Even though I have changed shirts and my wounds have healed, I became impaled upon a steel pipe. Now that you are no longer in shock or as intoxicated as you once were, I can explain further why.” Rather than standing the entire time, I walked across the room and sat in a chair. She continued eating her sandwich and drinking water on the edge of the bed.

“Let me preface this explanation with a few things in advance. The first one being that there are things in this world that have been made out to be fiction or mythology. In some cases that was intentional, however this does not change reality. Reality can be a little disconcerting so please do not fear for your life or for your safety. I hope that I have proven by now that those two things are my top priority.

You were wondering how a man was able to extract himself from a steel pipe and still live to tell the tale. You also mentioned that I should not be among the living. This proves where reality takes a slight twist from what you might believe. Few entities in this world can heal themselves rapidly. One of those creatures sets before you now.

I shall be the first to inform you that the creature’s mythology known as a vampire does have truth within. They have existed for millennia but remain hidden from the human world. Of course anyone can say that a vampire exists however I am willing to provide proof. As proof I provide myself because a vampire sets before you.

Most humans fear vampires. They are afraid that we wish to kill them. Many movies and books have portrayed us as monsters. Yes, blood is required, and human blood provides more power than that of an animal. However, most vampires stopped taking blood from humans without consent. Over time we developed more efficient and humane methods. Today we ask humans to provide us with blood voluntarily. In return for their blood, we offer services such as healing. There are actually many humans that know we exist and they provide assistance each day”, I said. As my voice faded from the room I knew she still had not absorbed everything yet. However, time would resolve this issue for her.

“I believe you. I also believe that you won’t hurt me. Is everyone here a vampire?”, she asked. Sara still exhibited calm that would only last until she actually faced the reality of a vampire. Seeing a vampire with fangs exposed would be a completely different ordeal.

“Not all in this coven are human and not all are vampire. Let me digress for just a moment. How are you feeling? A sandwich and water only helps so much“, I asked gently.

Sara took a moment to assess the question and give me a complete answer. “I’m extremely sore. My chest hurts where I hit the door I think. There is pain in my back and my neck but I think that is normal. Do you have any medicine here that I can take?”

I chuckled slightly at the question of medication. She didn’t know that I could heal her completely in a matter of seconds. With this in mind I made the offer. “We have no need for medication here at the coven. Any injuries both minor and life-threatening, are handled quite easily. Let me make this offer to you. You have the right to refuse and I will not force anything upon you. If you wish to be healed completely, simply drink this,” I said. I extracted a small vial of a red liquid out of my pocket. I carried several on hand for this very reason. Held within this small glass tube resided blood I donated. My blood had far more potency than that of any other vampire in the area.

With a single look at the vial she recognized that the vessel contained blood. Due to the potency of my blood, only a small amount was required. “So you’re telling me that all I need to do is drink that and I will be healed?”

“Yes. This small amount will provide you with more healing than your body needs at this time.” I said as I proffered the vial in her direction.

Sara slowly reached out and took the vial from me. I did not see any fear or disgust in her eyes, but I did see confusion. She obviously did not understand how something of such small quantity could heal her. To my surprise she asked no further questions. Sara simply opened the vial and poured the contents into her mouth. Not long afterward the power held within flowed through her veins.

Sara’s eyes glowed very slightly as the power surged through her body. Even though not visible from the outside, I knew that all of her injuries, bruises, and damage just healed themselves. A small look of shock on her face surfaced.

Suddenly a burning question struck Sara. “Oh my God, I just drank vampire blood! Does that mean I’m going to become a vampire now?”

With a chuckle and a smile I simply replied, “No. That process takes more than just drinking a vampire’s blood to take place. I am surprised however how quickly you drank the contents without question.”

Sara smiled slightly and responded, “I knew how bad it was going to hurt in the morning. I was not looking forward to that and medicine is medicine.”

“You are quite accurate. How do you feel now?” I asked.

Sara contemplated the question again for just a moment and then with a smile said, “I feel strange. My skin tingles and I feel very warm inside. I feel like I could run a marathon and not even be breathing hard.”

Keeping the smile upon my face, I responded, “you probably could run a marathon but I don’t guarantee you wouldn’t be breathing hard.” I laughed a little afterwards at the thought.

“You are welcome to stay the night here until light returns. At that point I can take you home or I can call you a cab should you wish.”