“I think that is why Elijah wants to work with you, get you prepared for prom. He doesn’t have the time frame to work with you that he had with the others.”
“Well I better go, but will you look through the book and see what you can find?”
“Of course I will. Maybe we should contact Grams too. I think it may be time to let them in on everything. Of course assuming they don’t know yet,” Eliza suggests.
“Good idea, I better go, take care of my little peanut,” I say as I run down the stairs.
***
I get down to the family room and the entire Pierce family is there waiting for me. I remember what their fight training is like from when we took on the Cerberus, but also know this is different. I need to learn how to handle my new increased senses, my thirst, and just normal daily living.
Elijah turns to me. “Hey kiddo, are you ready? Today we are going to work with your control. You never know when a mortal will get injured and bleed around you, so we will work around open human blood bags today. I want you to learn to control your response long enough to be removed from the situation.” A vampires reaction to blood is also called bloodlust, but I’ve only heard the Pierce’s refer to it that way once before. They try very hard to be civilized in every way.
“This takes a long time to learn. I still struggle with it as you know from when Nathanial got injured and when his mom cut herself. You will not perfect it like Isaac or Constance, but you will learn to get out of there and fast, instead of feeding,” Sophia reassures.
Last year Nathanial’s mom cut herself and Sophia had to excuse herself from the situation. She blamed being sensitive around blood on the memories of Nathanial’s attack. Later that night she confessed everything to Nathanial.
“Okay, I am ready.”
“I have already talked to Eliza and Matt about this. Matt is at work and will not come home until he calls and we clear it for him. Eliza has placed a spell so none of us can get into the room her and Elyn are in,” Elijah adds.
“That makes me feel a little better. In case something goes wrong, I can’t get to them.”
“Exactly.”
They begin by putting a blind fold on me. Then bring out various items for me to smell. The goal is not only to control my reaction to blood but also to food. Eliza and I already made me a day crystal, with the veneficus lamia sol solis partonus stone. This is the same black diamond Grams and her mother used to make day crystals for the Pierce family. When they returned to Wenham with Danika and needed one for her, Eliza and I helped Grams bless one. Now I have one of my own. Who would have ever suspected we would need to make one for one of us? Alexander has a talent for making jewelry and encrusted the stones in to a band that I wear as my wedding ring. Since Matt proposed with my mother’s ring and we did not feel the need to spend extra money on a band, this works out perfectly. The two rings fit together like a perfect set.
“So, how exactly does my day crystal work? I ask as they wave the unappealing food in front of me and I pull away from the god awful stench that makes me gag.
I hear Florence crack a smile, telling by the sound of her lips moving against her teeth and the saliva from her mouth. I have learned specific sounds everyone makes, the increase in my hearing has been the most difficult to deal with. I am glad that was the first thing we worked on.
“Well my dear, your day crystal helps with many things. The first and most important is you are able to go in the sunlight. It also helps with controlling your cravings to a point. Another important fact is you can eat regular food; this helps decrease suspicion among the mortals. Normally human food causes vampires immense distress, severe stomach pain and it is not pleasant,” Florence explains.
“Okay, now back to work, I want you to tell me what you smell and try to keep a straight face,” Elijah instructs.
“Okay, well this one is bacon, that’s easy, and it smells revolting. It is so strong.” I wince and turn my head.
“Yes bacon is one of the stronger scents. Now don’t turn away, just try to get used to it,” Elijah encourages.
I sit as Danika waves the plate of bacon in my face. I get a sick feeling almost as though I’m going to throw up. I can tell it is Danika by the tapping of her foot.
“You can do it Eb. The next one isn’t as bad,” Sophia encourages.
I try to fight through the smell, and it doesn’t take long before I am used to it. Just to be a smart ass I reach out and grab a piece throwing it in my mouth and eating.
“Very good Ebony, I still can’t eat bacon,” Danika confesses.
They continue on with a few different scents, including flowers, perfume, food, and cleaning products. Then they bring out the blood, first animal then donated bags of human blood.
Isaac walks behind me and unties the blindfold. “Let’s remove the blindfold. Now that you know how to fight through when you can’t see and what you smell; you need to learn how to fight through the smell and sight of blood.”
I can feel the burning in my eyes and throat. My chest feels as though someone poured acid on it. The human blood is so much harder to control myself around. I feel the ripping in my mouth as my fangs descend.
“It’s okay Ebony, when you feel this happening try your meditation techniques. Try to think of Elyn, anything to take your mind away from the blood and your thirst,” Constance encourages.
Almost as soon as she says Elyn, I feel everything retract. I just think of my beautiful little girl and how I never want her to see me as a monster.
“I think I’ve found my calming tool,” I say with excitement.
“That you have,” Sophia agrees. “I still have nothing that works that good. You have only been a vampire for a few weeks, and I have been one for over a hundred years. You amaze me Ebony Triggs…ah excuse me, Ebony Barton.”
“Well I kinda thought it would be Triggs-Barton-Pierce now,” I joke.
“You have always been and will always be a member of this family, whether you have our last name or not,” Florence says as she hands me a drink.
“Maybe we should take it a step further,” Elijah suggests.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“Matt called a few moments ago, I told him it was safe to come home. We can try to have the open blood with a mortal in the room.”
“But…but…what if…?”
“We are all here to make sure he doesn’t get hurt. You have a mortal husband and daughter, I think it is important. Little kids get cuts and scratches, you need to be prepared. For the safety of those you love,” Elijah insists.
“I understand, but I am scared.” I look as Matt walks through the door.
I watch as my husband, the father of my child, enters the room and I try to remain calm. The temptation from the blood is still in me, I can still smell it. The sound of Matt’s heart pumping pounds through my head. I can hear the blood passing through each chamber. Picturing our wedding, and our daughter, I fight the temptation as Matt comes closer.
“Hey there baby, how is your training going?”
I try to meditate in order to relax as he gets even closer. I raise my hand signaling for him to stop, and see Alexander reach out his arm preventing Matt from getting closer.
“She’s doing great, but you have to watch her closely. Make sure you react based only on her signals, and no quick movements. We’re all here to ensure your safety,” Alexander explains.
“Ebony, can I come say hello and maybe give you a kiss?” Matt questions.
I nod, “Yeah, I’m okay. How was your day?
“Better now that I get to come home to my girls. So, how can I help with training?” He moves very cautiously.
“You’re helping just by being here.” I smile, and stand for a kiss. Everyone’s eyes are glued to us waiting to ensure I can handle the close contact.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Another Milestone
It’s hard to believe that Graduation is finally here. Elijah says I’m ready to go. Only o
ne month after becoming a vampire, I’m ready to go out in public. We can only guess that I’m progressing so fast because of my magickal powers. I’m really getting used to the new me, and am so glad that Eliza and Matt don’t care or treat me differently. I know Grams, Mom, and Dad were all a little shocked, but they took it better than I expected them to. Being a vampire has halted my magick training. I just hope to resume soon, and I am even more determined to get rid of Naberius. We wanted to banish him in my second trimester, but so much was going on and time just flew by. I’m glad he hasn’t made an attempt on us or Elyn, but we do have to deal with him soon. I can’t deal with that now, I need to get ready for Grad.
“Sophia, you look beautiful!”
“Thanks Ebony, are you almost ready?”
“Yeah, just gotta put on my dress.”
“I’m so proud of you, with everything you’ve been through this year you are still graduating at the top of our class.”
“It hasn’t been easy, but I’ve had great friends and family to help me.”
“And you always will.” Sophia gives me a hug.
“So, is Nathanial ready for his valedictorian speech?” I ask.
“Yeah, I think so. He refuses to let me hear it.”
“Okay, ready. Commencement here we come. How many is this for you now?”
“I don’t know a few dozen maybe, at least for high school. I think you may have to find a spell to age us a few years. Then at least we can get jobs and go to the bars and such,” Sophia suggests.
“Yeah I am sick of high school and this is my first time. I don’t know if I could make it through again.”
We meet everyone else downstairs. They are having a celebratory drink. Everyone is here, the Pierce family, the Triggs family, well, at least Eliza since she is the only one left. The McCord family and of course the Barton family are also present to help celebrate all our achievements. It’s nice that the Barton’s haven’t questioned Matt and I living at the Pierce house since we had Elyn. They must just assume we wanted to be here close to our friends and with lots of help. I think one day they may need to know the truth.
In her motherly tone Florence asks, “Are you kids ready? Don’t forget your caps and gowns.”
“They’re already in the car,” Sophia answers.
“We should probably go. We don’t want to be late; this is too big of a day,” Florence adds.
***
The entire graduating class is waiting to be seated in the fold up chairs placed on the football field. Facing the stage we all wait patiently for the dignitaries to enter and the ceremony to begin. Within moments our class leader walks in and the dignitaries all follow. She raises the ceremony baton and pounds the end of it to the ground, signifying the beginning of commencement. We all take our seats as the principal begins his speech. I wish we could all sit together, but because everyone is seated in alphabetical order Barton is nowhere near Pierce. At least I get to sit next to my wonderful husband, and Alexander has connected our little group telepathically. He wants to make sure they can all keep an eye on me, being my first time in public since my Embrace. Everyone at school thinks it has been because of recovery from Elyn and Sophia has been bringing my work home. The other reason to link our minds is so we can chat freely, but Matt and I are both pretty interested in the ceremony that we pay little attention to the others.
Nathanial steps to the podium, “It is great to stand here before you and see the faces of those I grew up with over the years. We have spent the past four years here and for many of us it has become like a second home and a second family. We have shared in many great memories and many failures together but today we are here to celebrate the end of a very important stage. Many of us walked through the doors of grade school together and others joined us at different stages of their lives. We have grown together and now the time has come to find the exit and to go out on our own and begin our new lives, as adults.” He pauses momentarily and glances around at all the faces we have become accustom too. “Today we celebrate our achievements. We have made it through both some of the hardest and best years of our lives. Now with only a few weeks of school left and final exams, we are nearing the end.”
Nathanial continues on with a wonderful speech for the next several minutes, after they begin to call our names to receive our diplomas. One by one we file across the stage and pause for pictures. The end of the ceremony comes quickly and we jump up throwing our graduation caps into the air screaming and hugging those around us. This truly has been an amazing experience, and I’m so glad that with everything going on I have been able to participate. We go join our families as they congratulate every one of us.
“We are so proud of each and every one of you. This is a great accomplishment, and we have some surprises for you once we get back to the house,” Florence says.
Mrs. Barton cries as she hugs Matt, “I can’t believe that my baby has graduated. You really are a man now Matt. Things might have been done a little backwards for you, but the fact that you still got it all done amazes me. I have to admit that when you and Ebony told us that you were going to have a baby and get married, I was scared that that would be the end of your education. I can’t tell you how proud I am of both of you for following through and completing high school and I’m even more proud that you both plan on attending college next year. Elyn is a very lucky little girl to have such dedicated and intelligent parents. We love both of you and that beautiful little daughter of yours very much.”
“Thanks Mom, I think we’re just a little scared. But with such great family and some amazing friends helping us, failure just isn’t an option. Plus I think things worked out alright for you and Dad doing it all so young, we have great role models to guide us,” Matt admits.
Once we share our well wishes with the other students, we decide it is time to head back to the Pierce house for celebrations of our own.
“Do you think we can stop at the manor? I would like to check on things and even pick up some items,” I request.
“Sure. Does anyone else want to join us?” Matt asks.
Eliza, Sophia, Nathanial all agree to escort us to the manor. Everyone else decides to meet us at the house when we’re finished.
“We’ll take Elyn back to the Pierce house with us,” Mrs. Barton offers.
“Thanks Mom,” I say. I love calling her Mom, although it is still a little awkward. I’ve never had anyone to call Mom while I was growing up and now I have three, my Mom, Matt’s mom and Florence. I’ve got such a great life now and can’t wait to see what the future will bring.
***
Arriving at the manor I feel emotional, sad that Elyn isn’t getting the chance to grow up in the same home as I did. Entering the front door I sense that something is different.
“Do you feel that Eliza?” I ask.
She gives me an awkward look, “Feel what? I think you are just emotional since it has been so long since you have been here.”
“Maybe your right,” I agree as we enter and close the door.
I quickly go up to my room and begin to collect items I want to have with me. As I’m in my room I get a sense that something isn’t right again. So I hurry to gather what I need and want, and head back down stairs. In the kitchen I begin to go through our apothecary cabinet to gather supplies we made need to continue our training. I can hear Eliza still upstairs in her room.
Sophia comes into the kitchen, “How you holding up?”
“Not bad, I just have the weirdest feeling being here. It is making me rather uneasy.”
I hear a small crash from upstairs and I race to the top floor with all my speed. I shout to Sophia, “Stay with the boys!”
Reaching the top stair I hear Eliza cry out for help, I fling her bedroom door open with my telekinetic power and race in. For a moment I pause in shock, it is him, the one we have waited for all this time. Standing nearly seven feet tall, with pale green scale like skin, long pointy nose and chin and eyes as red as blood, I can’t beli
eve Naberius is here. The horns protruding from his forehead create a cracked skin effect where they once hid. I still have some of the potions from downstairs in my hands and throw the freezing potion at him. Eliza is on the ground and injured. I can smell her blood and begin to feel the effects. My eyes and throat start to burn, my jaw aches as my fangs begin to protrude. I can’t fight the response right now, I have too much adrenaline. I run to Eliza and toss the healing potion; I can see the shock on her face by the change in my appearance. The fangs and black eyes along with the paling of my skin and dark circle under my eyes is something my sister hasn’t seen yet.
“It’s okay Sis, it is still me and it’s just the blood and adrenaline causing it. Now let’s get this Bastard!”
She smiles and points behind me. Naberius is fighting through the freezing and headed towards us. Deciding to use my newly acquired vampire skills and lung at him, he is surprised by my speed and strength.
“I took your parents witches, and I will take you as well,” he growls.
Me physically fighting him gives Eliza the chance to recover and get the potions I had organized.
“We’ll defeat you,” I swear. “You had no right to take our parents.”
Eliza jumps to her feet, and I see Sophia in the door holding more supplies.
“I thought I said stay with the boys!” I scream.
He hits Eliza with a fire ball. I think to myself, I can’t look. Sophia is there she’ll help her. I need to continue the fight.
“I got her Ebony, don’t worry she’ll be fine,” Sophia yells.
“Kay, so what about the boys?” I yell while emerged in hand to hand battle with the demon.
“Alexander’s here, he was still connected to us when we got here and heard everything. He came right over. So he is taking the boys home and I can help,” she explains.
Eliza sits up to her to check through the supplies Sophia brought up. “I’m good; let me see what we got here.”