The tasks the vampyr set for Michael were simple at first, uncomplicated. Fetch an animal from the village to feed from it. Hide in the shadows and spy at a window. And numerous other tasks that served no purpose but to measure his strength and agility. Then came the night that Gerard bade Michael to follow him. They stayed to the shadows until they came to the monastery.
Trepidation stilled Michael’s steps. “What are we doing here?”
Gerard looked over his shoulder, clearly annoyed at being questioned. “We are exacting the punishment that they have duly earned, child.”
“You can’t mean to kill them?”
“Of course not.”
Relief flooded through him.
“You will kill them. I will accompany you only to ensure you do not get yourself into trouble.”
“I will not kill those men. Most of them are innocent, and while I cannot return to what I was, I can control what I become.” His first days had been spent relentlessly questioning his sire about any way he could return to being human. It was evident it could not be done. The ritual changed what they were entirely.
“You believe you are in control?” The vampyr laughed and looked Michael in the eye. “Michael, we will enter the monastery. You will then kill every single being within. And when you come across any of those that tormented me, you will make them suffer before they die.”
Michael wanted to argue, to turn away and head off into the night but he could not. His limbs would not respond no matter how he tried. “It will be done,” his voice said though Michael never intended to say the words. With horror, he realized he was powerless to refuse the order from Gerard. His motions were jerky as he fought against the compulsion but he still moved ever forward.
“You will not win, child. This is my gift. The ability to control those vampyrs that are lesser than I, as you most assuredly are. You can fight as much as you wish, but it will only bring you pain and in the end you will do as I desired all along.”
“No!” Michael screamed and fell to his knees. Pain ripped through his head and he pressed the heels of his hands against his temples.
“Yes,” Gerard growled. “Don’t fight me. I will win. I always do.”
And in the end he did. Michael tried to resist him, to stay on his knees in the dirt, but Gerard was right. All it brought Michael was pain.