“As the human population grew, early man perceived vampires as deadly.Humans grew scared of them.When the black plague started in 1346, killing millions of people, vampires suffered from what they called the red plague.Their numbers dwindled and soon, they faded into myth.”
Adalyn knew the rest.Knew how they rose after the atomic bomb was dropped to end the second war of the world.How they were the reason that the Earth and life on it flourished, despite them being labeled demonic bloodsuckers from Hell.
Humans were stupid.
She didn’t know how life was before them, and while there were many bad guys in the underbelly of the society, vampires had managed to unify the world to end third-world problems like hunger and endless war.
“Because their numbers had come close to extinction, all born vampires are required to procreate before their turning.Once turned, the sterilization process kicks in.However, with the modern invention of cryogenic storage facilities, procreation has turned into a medical procedure rather than a parental bond.”
So, somewhere out there, Gareth might have children.It seemed so odd.
“There are three types of vampires,” she continued.“Born, made, and dhampirs.Most have heard about the first two, but the third is a hybrid technique that only born vampires can do.Dhampirs are only made in the strictest of moments, usually to preserve the life of a human.A thrall, for instance.The effect isn’t permanent, but could last anywhere from forty to one hundred years.”
They stopped for lunch, and she mimicked how Marm Scarlet ate.Proper eating etiquette was going to be some other day, but she figured it didn’t hurt having it in her brain.The rest of the day she took notes and stayed attentive to the videos and lessons, soaking up the knowledge like a sponge.All she wanted was to make Gareth proud.
Chapter Eleven
When Marm Scarlet leftfor the day, Adalyn went to the kitchen in order to help.Even though Mrs.Brenda said no, she eventually wore her down until she was tasked with chopping vegetables.
“What did you learn today?”Mrs.Brenda asked.
“The history of the vampire race,” she replied, carefully peeling carrots.“It’s quite fascinating.Tomorrow it’s all the mythos and I think that’ll also be very interesting.I mean, I know the silly stuff people believed, but when all of it falls into a context, it’s very eye-opening.”
“There are still people out there believing all the fake rumors,” Mrs.Brenda said.“Like vampires bursting into flames if the sun touches them.”
“If that was the case,” Jessie added, “then the illumination of the moon at night, which is from the sun’s rays, would also make them go poof.”
“Huh,” Adalyn murmured.“Never thought of that.”
“Idiots.That’s the problem with rumors,” Mrs.Brenda said with a harrumph in her tone.
Adalyn grinned.When she was done peeling the carrots, she cut them up into bite size pieces.The next hour or so, they worked as a unit to create a favorite dinner for Gareth.She’d never had haggis before, but was willing to try anything.
“I take it Lord Huntley was born in Scotland?”she asked.
“Yes, he was,” Mrs.Brenda replied.“When his family’s import business expanded to North America, he and a few other family members moved with it.They were one of the rare vampires who actually raised their son.Of course, being nobility, his other obligation is parliament at the capital.”
