Garnetta awoke to the soft, warm glow of sunlight filtering through the heavy curtains in her room. The light was muted, diffused by the thick fabric, but even in its gentleness, it felt strange against her skin. She lay still for a moment, letting her senses adjust to the new day. Every sound, every scent seemed magnified—she could hear the faint rustling of the trees outside, the distant chirping of birds, and the soft creak of the manor settling in the morning light.
Her body felt different, too. There was a strange mix of strength and lightness that she hadn't noticed before, as if the very essence of her being had been transformed. The events of the previous night came rushing back to her—the deer, the blood, Raphael's comforting presence. She could still taste the blood on her lips, feel the warmth of it coursing through her veins. It was unsettling, yet there was a part of her that craved it, a deep, primal hunger that lurked just beneath the surface.
She sat up slowly, the covers slipping off her as she swung her legs over the side of the bed. The room was quiet, save for the faint ticking of a clock somewhere in the background. Garnetta looked around, taking in the elegant simplicity of the space. The dark wood of the furniture, the rich fabrics, the soft glow of the candelabra—all of it felt both foreign and familiar, as if it belonged to another time, another life.
A gentle knock on the door broke her reverie. "Garnetta, ma chère," Raphael's voice came from the other side, calm and soothing. "May I come in?"
She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the day ahead. "Yes, come in."
The door opened silently, and Raphael stepped into the room, his presence as commanding and reassuring as ever. He was dressed in dark, elegant clothing that seemed to blend seamlessly with the manor's interior, his dark hair perfectly in place. He gave her a small, warm smile as he approached. "Good morning. How are you feeling?"
Garnetta hesitated, unsure how to put her feelings into words. "I… I don't really know," she admitted, looking up at him. "Everything feels so different. It's like I'm in someone else's body."
Raphael nodded, his expression thoughtful. "That is to be expected. Your senses are heightened now, more attuned to the world around you. It will take time to adjust, but you will grow accustomed to it."
He extended a hand toward her, a silent invitation. "Come. There is much for you to learn today, and it's best if we start early."
Garnetta took his hand, the coolness of his touch grounding her. She stood, feeling a slight sense of vertigo as she did so, but it passed quickly. Raphael led her out of the room and down the corridor, the same one they had walked through the night before. The portraits on the walls seemed to watch her as she passed, their eyes following her every move, but she pushed the unsettling thought aside.
They descended the grand staircase and made their way to a room she had not seen before. Raphael pushed open the heavy wooden door, revealing a small but well-appointed study. The walls were lined with bookshelves, filled with volumes that looked ancient and well-loved. A large desk sat in the center of the room, papers and books neatly arranged on its surface. The morning light streamed in through a tall window, casting a soft, golden glow over everything.
Raphael gestured for Garnetta to sit in one of the leather chairs by the desk. She did so, sinking into the chair's softness, while he took the seat opposite her.
"Today, we begin your lessons," Raphael said, his tone gentle but firm. "There is much you need to understand about your new life, ma chère. The first, and perhaps most important, lesson is control."
Garnetta nodded, though a knot of anxiety tightened in her chest. "Control… of what?"
"Of yourself," Raphael replied, his gaze steady. "Your thirst, your emotions, your powers—all of these must be mastered if you are to live among humans without attracting attention. The consequences of losing control can be severe, both for you and for those around you."
He paused, allowing his words to sink in. "You are stronger now, faster, more perceptive than you ever were as a human. But with that strength comes a responsibility. You must learn to temper it, to keep it in check."
Garnetta swallowed hard, the weight of his words pressing down on her. "I… I don't want to hurt anyone," she said softly, her voice trembling slightly. "But what if I can't control it? What if I fail?"
Raphael reached across the desk and took her hand in his, his touch warm and reassuring. "You won't fail, ma chère. Not if you remember who you are and what you stand for. I will be here to guide you, to teach you. Together, we will ensure that you learn to control your thirst and your powers."
He released her hand and leaned back in his chair, his gaze never leaving hers. "Now, let us begin. Close your eyes, Garnetta, and focus on your breathing. Let everything else fall away—the sounds, the scents, the sensations. Find the stillness within yourself, and hold onto it."
Garnetta did as he instructed, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. At first, it was difficult—her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, her senses overwhelmed by the newness of everything. But slowly, as she focused on her breathing, she began to feel a calm settle over her, a quiet center in the midst of the chaos.
"Good," Raphael's voice was soft, almost a whisper. "Now, focus on your thirst. Feel it, acknowledge it, but do not let it control you. You are in control, Garnetta. You decide when and how to satisfy it."
The mention of her thirst brought it to the forefront of her mind. It was there, a dull ache in the back of her throat, but as she focused on it, she realized that it wasn't as overwhelming as she had feared. It was just another sensation, one that could be managed, controlled.
She took another deep breath, imagining the thirst as a flame, small and contained. She visualized herself holding that flame in her hands, keeping it steady, not letting it grow out of control. Slowly, the ache in her throat began to fade, replaced by a sense of calm and control.
When she opened her eyes, Raphael was watching her with a proud smile. "Very good, ma chère. You are already learning. Control is the key to everything. With time, this will become second nature to you."
Garnetta felt a small surge of confidence at his words. She had done it—she had taken the first step toward mastering her new existence. But she knew this was only the beginning. There was still so much to learn, so much she didn't understand. The thought was both daunting and exhilarating.
Raphael stood, gesturing for her to do the same. "Come. There is more I need to show you."
She followed him out of the study and down another corridor, this one narrower and darker than the last. The air was cooler here, the light dimmer, and Garnetta felt a slight shiver run down her spine. Raphael led her to a small door at the end of the corridor and opened it, revealing a narrow staircase that spiraled down into the darkness.
Garnetta hesitated at the top of the stairs, her heart pounding in her chest. "What's down there?"
Raphael turned to her, his expression serious but reassuring. "This is where you will learn to harness your powers, ma petite colombe. It is a place where you can experiment, where you can test your limits without fear of harming anyone."
She took a deep breath, steeling herself, and nodded. "I'm ready."
Raphael smiled, a hint of pride in his eyes. "Good. Let us begin."