(Lexa wakes up)
(Lexa's POV)
What the hell? Oh god, I feel dead.
(Lexa gets up of the bed)
(Lexa)
Oh god..no, no, no. This isn't happening. It can't be happening. I'm..I'm..
(Kai)
Hey, you're up.
(Lexa)
What happened? Why..? Am I..? Did you..?
(Kai)
Yes, you're a vampire now. Yes, I turned you. No, you didn't die.
(Lexa's POV)
I'm a..I don't even know how to feel.
(Lexa)
Obviously.
(Crossing arms)
(Kai)
And there is the rage..
(Lexa)
I can't believe you! You turned me into a..a..
(Kai)
A vampire, yes. Learn to say it.
(Lexa)
I could just.. Aaah! I'm a freaking vampire! This is all your fault! You should have left me alone. I can't believe this. My life is ruined.
(Kai)
You're being dramatic.
(Lexa)
Dramatic? I had plans, I had a future. I'm in college, studying to become a lawyer. And..and I have a job. I have to go back to school.
(Kai)
You can't leave the Mansion. Not for a while at least.
(Lexa)
What, you expect me to just stay here?
(Kai)
Right now you're unstable..
(Lexa)
I can show you unstable!
(Kai)
And you're out of control. You have lots to learn before we can let you leave.
(Lexa)
But I have to go to school.
(Kai)
Not anytime soon. You have to call your friend and tell her that you're staying at your parents' house.
(Lexa)
I can't. (Looking down to the floor)
(Kai)
You have to or questions will be asked. She'll get suspicious.
(Lexa)
I think she'll be more suspicious if I stay at my parents' house, they're dead.
(Kai)
Oh, sorry. I didn't know.
(Lexa)
How would you? We don't actually know each other.
(Kai's POV)
True.
(Kai)
Where were you living?
(Lexa)
With Nicole, we have a place together. Will I ever get to see her again?
(Kai)
Yes, you will. Just not until you're done with your training.
(Lexa)
And how long will that be?
(Kai)
Depends on the person.
(Lexa)
Great.
(Kai)
Here, use my phone. Tell her you're out of town.
(Lexa)
I have a phone. Where..
(Kai)
Not anymore. We can't risk it.
(Lexa)
Of course not. (Rolls eyes)
Do you have to be here?
(Kai)
Yeah, can't risk..
(Lexa)
Yeah yeah, can't risk me telling anyone. I get it. Do I have to put it on speaker?
(Kai)
No, it's fine. I can hear anyways.
(Lexa)
Of course, you have super senses.
(Lexa calls)
Hey Nic.
(Nicole on the phone)
Hey there sex-princess.
(Lexa's POV)
Great, that isn't embarrassing.
(Nicole on the phone)
Did you get any? I saw you leave with that hot guy. Please tell me you got some, it's about time you...
(Lexa)
No, Nic. Look, that's not why I called. I'm going out of town for a while.
(Nicole on the phone)
What? Why? Did something happened? Did that dick do something to you? I'll kill him..
(Lexa)
I have some personal things I need to take care of.
(Lexa's POV)
I hate lying to her. We're supposed to be best friends.
(Lexa)
You probably won't be hearing from me for a while, there's no cell service there. And I don't know how long I'll be gone for. It could be weeks maybe months. I don't know.
(Nicole on the phone)
But what about school? Are you sure that you're fine?
(Lexa)
Yeah. I'm fine. I have to go now, but..um.. I'll call you when I can.
(Nicole on the phone)
Sure. Love you.
(Lexa)
You too.
(Hangs up)
(Kai)
It's for the best.
I'll leave you for a while. I'll be outside. There are some clothes for you on the dresser. We'll get you some more later.
(Lexa's POV)
The second he left the room I started..well I started to cry. Well what am I suppose to do when my life has been shattered into a million pieces. There's no way I'll make it a..as a vampire. God! It's so weird to say it. For all my life I've thought all of them were myths. But..but..it's real. It's real, vampires are real and I am one. I'm a vampire. I need to get out of these clothes. Let's go see what they've laid out for me.
(Lexa changes)
The person who picked out these clothes has good taste at least. Okay then, I should probably leave the room. But i couldn't. I don't want to go out and face..reality. As unreal as it seems.
(Kai's POV)
Okay, she's been in there for three hours. I thought she would have came out by now.
(Kai knocks on the door and walks in on Lexa crying)
Oh..
(Lexa)
Sorry, I..um..I was on my way out but then I couldn't..
(Kai)
I thought I could show you around?
(Lexa)
Sure.
(Kai)
Come on.
(As they walk out of the little room)
This is where those of you who are in training stay. This is kind of like your hall.
(Lexa)
How many others are there?
(Kai)
I think there's about 100 people living in this mansion but maybe half of them, even less, are in training.
(Lexa)
100 vampires? Under one roof?
(Kai)
Yeah, it's a big house.
(Lexa's POV)
It seems so casual. He talks about it as if it's nothing. But then again, it kind of is ordinary for him.
(Libby)
Hey Kai! Look, look.
(Lexa)
She flashed her fangs and my heart skipped a beat. She has fangs, real fangs. They like, grew out..or something.
(Kai)
That's great Libby.
(Libby)
I learned it this morning. I'm still practicing it. Can you show me yours? They're a lot longer.
(Kai)
Some other time.
(Libby)
Who's she? Oh! You're the human!
(Lexa's POV)
Okay, seems like she already knows who I am.
(Libby)
You don't smell like one? Trust me, if you were a human, I'd smell your blood from miles away. All I can sense is vanilla. Smells good. So it's true, Kai turned you! That's awesome!
(Kai)
Don't you have some place to be?
(Libby)
Shoot! I'm late for class. Nice meeting you.
(Runs away quickly)
(Lexa)
You..too.
(Kai)
Yeah, she's very..charismatic.
(Lexa)
I noticed. She did..she had..
(Kai)
You'll be able to do it too. The running fast, the fangs, the compulsion. You'll learn, but it takes time. She turned two months ago, and has come far since. She's very dedicated.
(Lexa)
Did she want to..be..a vampire?
(Kai)
No, some creep did it to her and we took her in.
(Lexa)
So there are others out there?
(Kai)
Apart from our group, yeah there are. She's an optimistic person so she's dealing with all of this pretty good. Let's show you the rest.
(Lexa's POV)
If she can be all cheerful and things, can't I? I mean, is it really the end of the world?
(Walks away following Kai)
There's a dining room, which is huge, there's a swimming pool, a gaming room and a library. The library was huge too, even bigger than the one on campus. And apparently the library also has a pool and a football table, like the gaming room, and other stuff too. That's the place everyone hangs out at, which made it really embarrassing to walk into.
(Lexa)
Oh god.
(Kai)
The Count and Celeste wants to talk to you soon.
(Lexa)
Okay.
(Rob talking to Libby)
You're not faster than me.
(Libby)
Yes I am.
(Rob)
Then let's race.
(Celeste)
No you will not. Not inside at least. Go out to the quad.
(Rob)
Yes, Your Grace.
(Libby)
I'll race you there.
(Both of them runs out)
(Celeste walks to Kai and Lexa)
(Celeste)
Hello Lexa. Glad to see you are alright.
(Lexa)
Thanks.
(Celeste)
I've talked to the Count, he'll meet us in the office shortly.
(Kai)
Great.
(Celeste)
(Walks out of the room)
(Kai)
Relax.
(Lexa)
A question?
(Kai)
Yeah?
(Lexa)
Can I use the library? The books I mean.
(Kai)
Yeah, of course. Are you into reading?
(Lexa)
Yeah.
(Kai)
When you're not training, you can spend as much time as you want here.
(Lexa smiles)
First time I've seen you smile since we got here. Looks good.
(They both walks into the office)
(Celeste)
Just, don't piss him off on purpose. He's already in a bad mood.
(Lexa's POV)
Great because I wasn't already scared to death.
(Kai)
I'm not the one who starts it.
(Celeste)
Kai.
(Kai)
Whatever.
(Lexa)
Why are we here?
(Celeste)
He just wants to see that it's done.
(Lexa)
Oh, okay.
(Celeste)
Don't worry.
(Count walks in)
(Count)
So you did it. Good work, Kai.
(Kai)
Thanks.
(Count)
He will learn you the rules of staying here and the way we work. Do you understand?
(Lexa)
Yes.
(Count)
Yes, Count.
(Lexa)
Sorry. I meant, I'm sorry Count.
(Count)
Good. Now start her training.
(Kai)
Yeah, We're on it. Count. Come on.
(Kai and Lexa walks away)
(Celeste)
You didn't have to be so harsh. She's new.
(Count)
I know and she has to learn.
(Celeste)
As you say Count. You have a meeting with Count Livre today, at 5 pm.
(Count)
Right, I forgot about that.
(Celeste)
That's why I'm here.
(Count)
Thank you Celeste.
(Celeste)
Of course.
(Count)
Keep an eye on them, would you. This is the first one he's trained from scratch. He might need guidance.
(Celeste)
Yes, of course Count.
(Count)
You know you don't have to use my title when there's no one here.
(Celeste)
I know Cal, it just sucks you know.
(Count)
I do. Then you'll keep an eye on them. How is Tyler doing? Do you think he is ready to go out?
(Celeste)
He's doing good, but I'm not sure. I'll let you know later, we have a session soon so I'll look into it.
(Count)
Good. If you have the time, we have a new vampire. I thought she could be yours.
(Celeste)
Trauma?
(Count)
Yes, let's go see her. She was in a pretty bad shape when she came in. That's why I thought you could be the one..
(Celeste)
Yes, of course. I understand.
(As they walk away to see the new girl)
(Holland)
No! Get off of me!
(Celeste)
Everything alright?
(Doc)
She won't let me examine her.
(Holland)
Don't touch me!
(She runs away fast)
(Celeste)
Shit.
(And runs after her)
Meanwhile Kai and Lexa
(Lexa)
Can we really be out?
(Kai)
Yeah, there are fences around the garden.
(Lexa)
No I meant..like..the sun is..
(Kai)
Oh. (Laughs)
That's just a myth. Vampires can walk in the sun.
(Holland runs towards Kai and Lexa)
(Holland)
No! How do I get out!
(Kai)
Calm down.
(Holland)
No! I need to get out! You idiots..you..
(Celeste)
Just calm down and listen to us.
(Holland)
Who are you people?!
(Celeste)
We are the ones who helped you from-
(Holland)
Oh god! Those people..they..they did these things.
(Celeste)
Yes, but you're safe now.
(Holland)
No, you don't understand. I'm not normal!
(Celeste)
You're a vampire, just like us.
(Holland)
What? You are too?
(Celeste)
Yes and you're safe here with us. Come with me so we can talk.
(Holland)
But I..
(Celeste)
It'll be fine. You'll be fine.
(Holland walks away)
Sorry about that. You can go back to what you were doing.
(Celeste walks away)
(Lexa)
Is she going to be okay?
(Kai)
Yes, she's with Celeste so she'll be fine. Okay, now where were we? Right, this place. This is where we'll meet every morning for practice. And you'll be given some clothes later today, including workout clothes.
(Lexa)
I don't think I'll find my way, this place is huge.
(Kai)
Okay, true. I could meet you outside your room a few times at first. But eventually you'll find your way around here.
(Lexa)
Right, okay. What am I going to do about school? I can't just drop out.
(Kai)
I'll talk to the Count and we'll see what happens. Maybe you haven't noticed it yet, but soon you'll get hungry. We can survive on human food, which is what we eat in the dining room, but our bodies want is blood. At first you'll get to drink from blood bags from time to time. When you've learned control, you'll get to try drinking from a vein.
(Lexa)
From a person?
(Kai)
Yeah.
(Lexa)
I can't hurt another person.
(Kai)
Honestly, you won't be able to stop yourself. That's the thing we're trying to prevent at this place. You'll learn to feed without hurting someone permanently.
(Lexa's POV)
Feed. That's the word again. Feeding off another human being.
(Kai)
Do you have any questions? You can always ask me or anyone else.
(Lexa)
What am I supposed to do the rest of the time?
(Kai)
When you're not training with me, you're free to do whatever you want within these fences.
(Lexa)
Yeah. But what? (Lexa asked)
I spend all my time either working or studying.
(Kai)
What do you do to relax?
(Lexa)
I don't know.
(Kai)
How can you not know?
(Lexa)
I told you, i only study and work. When i'm not in school or studying, i take shifts at the coffee shop.
(Kai)
Wow, thats..
(Kai's POV)
I want to say pathetic but..she might be offended.
(Lexa)
I know, pathetic. But i have to make money. Not everyone can live in a huge Mansion.
(Kai)
You might have a point there.
(And they just kept talking for a while)
(Lexa's POV)
All of this feels weird. I'm a vampire. An actual vampire. I know I've said it hundreds of times, but still. I'm a vampire. We stood out there in the sun and talked. Everything I've ever believed is..not true. First of all, vampires exist and they can walk in the sun. What if every story I've heard is real? Are werewolves real? Witches? All of my beliefs have been turned upside down. Vampires live among us, or well i mean among humans since i'm no longer one of them. He explained a few more things and then we walked back inside.
(Kai)
Okay so, you're free for the rest of the day. We'll start the actual practice tomorrow morning at 8.
(Lexa)
Okay.
(Lexa's POV)
Damn. I didn't want to part from him. What am i supposed to do now?
(And Vanessa shows up)
(Vanessa)
Hey Kai.
(Lexa brushes her arm uncomfortable)
(Lexa's POV)
I seriously need to grow a pair. I keep getting nervous around other people than Kai. I like Celeste though. I get this feeling off of her that makes me feel safe. Like i do with Kai.
(Kai)
Hey Vanessa.
(Vanessa)
So this is what you've been up to? Or should i say who you've been up to.
(Kai roll his eyes)
(Lexa)
Hi.
(Vanessa)
Hey, i'm Vanessa.
(Lexa)
Lexa.
(Vanessa)
Kai, do you have time? (She says with a flirtatious voice)
(Kai)
Sure. I'll probablu see you around, but i'll definitely see you tomorrow Lexa.
(Lexa)
Yeah.
(Lexa's POV)
Him having a girlfriend never crossed my mind. Stupid of me. Of course he just flirted with me in order for him to..feed..off of me easier. Well, here i am then. What am i supposed to do now? I guess i'll just take a look around.
Oh great. Well, i can't very well avoid everyone at this place.
(Rob)
That doesn't count, you started before me.
(Libby)
I still beat you. there are no guarantees out in the real world.
(Tyler)
She has a point there.
(Rob frustrated)
(Libby)
Hey! Sorry. I never asked you what your name is.
(They all turn around looking at Lexa)
(Lexa)
It's Lexa.
(Libby)
I'm Libby. You'll have ti excuse Rob here. He's kind of a sore loser.
(Rob)
I'm not a sore loser, you're a cheater.
(Rob leaves the room)
(Tyler)
You really should stop teasing him like that. One day he'll get you.
(Libby)
That day isn't today.
(Lexa's POV)
I like her. She's so happy all the time and it kind of spreads.
(Tyler)
Hey. I'm Tyler.
(Lexa)
Nice to meet you.
(Tyler)
How are you holding up?
(Lexa)
As well as i can, i guess.
(Libby)
Things spread faster at this place than on Instagram.
(Lexa) Yeah, I've kind of noticed.
(Libby)
I'm starting to get hungry, how long until dinner?
(Lexa's POV)
I'm starting to get hungry too, to be honest.
(Tyler)
It's only 2 pm, dinner isn't until 7.
(Libby)
God. I'll starve to death. We could go get blood bags.
(Tyler)
Do you want to come?
(Lexa)
Oh..um..i don't know.
(Lexa's POV)
I'm not sure if i should do it without Kai. What if something goes wrong?
(Libby)
Have Kai given you one yet?
(Lexa)
No, he just mentioned it.
(Tyler)
Maybe you should be doing it with him. Let's go find him.
(Lexa)
No, i don't want you guys to bother him. You guys can go.
(Libby)
It's your right to bother him, he's your trainer. And we could ask him while we're on it.
(Lexa)
Ask him what?
(Tyler)
Us who are in training aren't to get blood bags ourselves. We have to ask a superior.
(Libby)
Come on. (Libby starts running)
(Lexa)
She does that a lot.
(Tyler)
Yeah, it's pretty fun. I'll walk with you.
(Lexa)
Thanks.
(They start walking)
End of chapter