The Prey in the Night

Chapter 8

 "Very good. You showed much more resilience than I would have. She would have been dead. But this is not my bar to control so I left it in your hands. I have much to teach you, but I am certain you will handle things in great stride to become even more skilled than you already are." I smiled, sitting across from him. We only had a couple hours before dawn, and I wanted to talk with him more. "For the next few nights, sit and watch my men and their actions, then I'll shut down for a night or two and I'll have you teach the security what we're looking for and anything else you need to teach them. In the meantime, let's talk?"

"What would you like to know Eric?" I asked him, grabbing the New Blood he handed me and took a drink. "When were you turned." Sighing, I should have known. "I was turned in 6-7th century B.C. at the mere age of 30. I was around to watch the fall of Jerusalem." He whistled with a smile. Yeah, I was old, that was very clear. "I have been around for a very VERY long time. You weren't even a speck of stardust yet. Honestly, I'm surprised I even made it this long to tell you the truth. I have seen a many war and famine. These days it's a walk in the park. And you?"

"I was born sometime around 960. It's been a long time since I've thought about it and no one has ever asked. My maker turned me as I was dying from wounds on the battlefield. He saw potential in me and I'm forever thankful he did. Tell me about you?"

"Godric correct?" Eric nodded before I continued. "Thalia found me also. I was not raised well or cherished by my family. My eyes made me a target for everyone. I have been called many names due to them. I was an outcast and had no friends, my family treated me like a common barn animal. I spent my days practicing my fighting skills for the night my family took things too far or I decided that I would run away. Being a single woman on her own in those times were treacherous to say the least. Night had just fallen, and I was tasked to bring in the animals from our field back into the pen. Once returned I went to the house, and upon entering, my father met me in a rage. He was upset it had taken me so long to put the animals away that it delayed me from making dinner. He flew into a fit and began to beat me while the rest of my family sat by and watched. My own mother, I her blood, a child she bore simply turned away from me.

He was beating me to a pulp and although I tried to fight back, he was too much for me but then a stranger came knocking; I thanked all the gods above for that person. While my father greeted the stranger, I grabbed the dagger I kept hidden in my boot and stabbed him in the back. I tried to make a run for it, but he was quicker, even wounded. The door was ajar, and I knew that if I could make it out the door, I would be free forever. We fought for a second and I made sure I placed myself just right that when he swung on me again, I would have been knocked out the door. The woman on the other side of the door did not enter, but she had her hands open...beckoning me to her. When he did swing, it was just as I had planned; out the door and into the woman's arms. Before I knew what was happening, she whisked me away to an empty field far away from my home." Taking a large gulp of the can in my hands, I studied Eric. He had sympathy in his eyes, those beautiful crystal blue eyes of his. The caerulean color of them suited him perfect and I found myself thinking of staring into them forever.

"She asked me if I would like retribution for my treatment. Thalia then let me know that I was severely hurt at my father's own hands. The promise of vengeance and to live forever safe in her company was enough for me to agree to be turned. The following night, after becoming a vampire, I returned home. Only this time, my father would never lay a hand on me again. I slaughtered them all while she watched. No feelings of self-hatred or sorrow; only happiness. Freedom doesn't come free, but to this day I still thank my gods for her." Eric sat back, chewing over everything I had just told him. Now he understood where I had come from.

 "Come Eric, let us sleep and I will tell you more tomorrow evening...if I didn't bore you too much." I laughed, waiting for him to follow me to the basement. Placing a sweet kiss on his cheek, I laid down in the coffin and fell asleep.

Author's Note:

Sorry this is so short, but just a little filler chapter is all! :)