It all happens in a blink. He's in front of me, arms on either side of my head. A purring come from within him. He leans in, taking a strong sniff from my neck. I can't breathe, his scent too dangerous at this point. Every inch of me on fire, screaming internally, for something.
He flicks my nose, pulling back, and chuckles. I take a breathe, sending him my deadliest glare.
"Relax Lily. I won't do anything in your state." He pauses for the wheels to turn in my head.
"My state?" I have no clue what he's referring to, I feel an uncomfortable gut feeling.
He tilts his head, frowning. He hesitates. "You feel wrong. Your body isn't right."
I shrink back intro the chair. It shouldn't surprise me, he has been there all along. Listening, at the gate, for years. Still, the forbidden topic sends whiplike sparks tearing through me. I swallow hard. Ready to admit by affliction, my sin, out loud.
"I'm a man, I feel it." I crush my hands together. "I'm not crazy, I just can't stand it. My skin, my shape, my voice, it feels so wrong. Like a forced second layer."
Vlad pats my head, I don't move away. I look up, he seems to want to avoid something. A reason perhaps? He offers a sweetened smile, it melts me. I relax, like I'm at the gate all over again.
"Lily, what your feeling isn't wrong. It's something chosen for you." I lift a brow at that phrasing. "I can help you." He pulls his hand back, I can't help but miss that comfort.
He pulls out a red tinted glass from thin air. I can't help but comment.
"You really need to tell me what you can do Vlad." I say with a curious, yet puzzled look. It earns a grin from him.
"Later, I promise little mage. For now this is more important." He offers the oval glass to me. I take it, inspected it's reflective surface. "This is a soul mirror."
I feel an odd familiarity, a sense of excitement, longing with his words.
"What is it for?" I ask breathlessly.
"It's a magic item made with my blood. Nothing too special." He shrugs with a smirk. "It'll just reflect your soul's appearance on your body."
My breathe hitches, I stare from my cat to the mirror, and again. Hands shaking slightly from nerves, the excitement tingling my fingers.
"How?!" I exclaim. I pause while he shares a toothy grin "Wait, what if my soul isn't.."
He stops me there. "Break it. You'll sleep for a few hours, while your body changes. Well, it might take longer for you. Something like gender, is a much bigger change."
I can't even hear anymore, my focus entirely on the mirror. I brush it with my fingers, treating it, well, like glass. I snap out of it when Vlad strokes my cheek.
"What are you waiting for my mage? The faster you break it, the faster we can pick a new name for you." His caring, loving smile is infectious.
I almost shatter it on the floor right there. Reason sneaks in.
"I'll do it in my room. It'll be bad if I pass out in here."
I stand up from the chair, only for Vlad to pick me up into his arms. I react immediately, attempting to struggle.
"What are you doing?! Put me down!" He snickers, I feel the wind against me for a moment.
I look around stunned. I'm right next to my bed. I feel gravity and plop right on my bed. I glare for the sudden drop.
"You said to put you down." A smug look on his face.
I huff, then glance at the mirror once again. My nerves on edge. My only shot right here. I hold my breathe, and drop the glass off the side of the bed.
The last thing I see is Vlad tucking me in.
...….
POV: ???
A gasp escapes me. My fellow knights look over in concern. I'm not type to show emotion. I rub my hand over my lips. I felt it, a call, one familiar to all knights. One I haven't felt since before the great cleansing.
"What's wrong?" My latest charge stares up, genuine concern on his face.
"I need to speak with Prince." I return to my cold almost dead face.
The cadet nods. Thinks for a moment. "My brother should still be in his office. He's been stuck with more political bullshit."
I nod in thanks, and rush off. I was still perturbed. The training grounds are quickly replaced by the knight barracks. A wood and stone structure quite aged in a refined way. Cadets and knights pass by bowing with respect. Some even mumble 'Captain'.
I reach the door of the commander. I tighten my jaw, he probably won't like this. A knock from me.
"Enter." I do so.
Commander Prince looks up from his piles of paperwork. Dark circles under his eyes. Best to be quick about this.
"I had the calling commander." His eyes widened at me. He let out an agitated breathe.
"Of all the centuries, you chose this one to quit?" He saw no point at getting angry at an emotionless me. "Should I be worried about the source? What can you feel?"
I hesitate, he definitely wouldn't like it. "They are not alone. I can feel a bond with something malevolent."
Prince sighs, digging into a growing headache. "Do you need help?"
"No. It's nothing I can't handle. I'll kill the creature, and bring them back."
Prince thought about it briefly. No need to worry about the strongest, and oldest of the knights.
"Alright, but don't be afraid to ask for backup." He adds before waving him off. "You will always be welcomed back here uncle."
The captain leaves the office. Forever in a hurry, the need to follow his calling. He had waited so long he would not keep them waiting. A once in a lifetime smile, that sent shivers down the nearby knights backs, dawned his face.
......….
"Uhh." I felt unbelievably sore. My gruff voice alerting Vlad of my awakening. I opened my eyes, lifting myself up on the bed.
An all too happy cat was smirking from a nearby chair, waiting.
I blinked away my drowsiness.
"How long was…" I heard my voice deep and pronounced.
I rushed off my bed toward the mirror. A ripping sound coming from my suit. I looked down, stunned. I outgrew the suit, by a bit. At my every movement fabric tore, unable to handle my new size.
I hear a purr from Vlad. He's staring intently, I feel my blush. Ignoring him, for my sanity. I excitedly approach my mirror.
What I see causes a shocked gasp, and an ecstatic toothy grin on my face.