“That’s it? That’s all it took? What about cannibalism during hard times for early humans?”
“Fantastic question. And no, there was more to it than that. I guess I’m abbreviating for the sake of time. We can go deeper into it another day, so for now I’ll just say there were other circumstances impacting the change to the sisters."
I shifted my weight and chewed on my cheek. “But being turned is different now?”
Oddo nodded over his shoulder. “There are three ways to turn. This was just the first. And no vampire has turned this way since.”
“And the others?”
The master faced me. “A vampire can offer their shadow. If accepted, ahuman’s soul becomes bound to them. It’s a sacred bond—a promise, really—and it’s what we practice here.”
I nodded, familiar but not fully understanding the concept. Offering a shadow, becoming bound. It was inconceivable.
I swallowed. “And the final way?”
“The final way is the least ideal and the most messy. It’s something we’ve outlawed here but is rumored to be practiced elsewhere. Although it’s frowned upon.” Oddo scrunched his pointed nose.
I had to know. “And what is that?”
The master ran his hand across his jaw. “As a descendant, I would give a human my blood and they would need to die while it was still in their body to trigger their change. But from an Original, it would only take one bite.”
Icy dread emptied into my stomach. Rhazien had given me his blood, and had I been killed, I could’ve turned last night. I could be standing here as an undead being right now. My gut writhed.
“Lady Reyva, you don’t look well. Let’s pause here for today,” Oddo remarked, his dark brown eyes filled with concern.
I wasn’t well. I felt ill. The overwhelming emotions I’d been suppressing threatened to retch from me, but I was determined not to vomit on centuries-old tapestries.
Oddo’s eyes flicked to approaching steps. “Gorvin, perfect timing. We just finished for the day.”
Gorvin’s discerning gaze bounced between Oddo and my pinched expression. He twitched an eyebrow at the young master, who gave the steward a subtle nod.
In the softest tone I’d heard him speak yet, Gorvin said, “Come. I’ll escort you back to your rooms.”
We exited the hall and returned to the open library, where Dommik was returning his text to the shelves.
“I look forward to feeding your curiosity in future sessions, Lady Reyva,” Oddo called from the large, round desk.
“Thank you again, Oddo,” I mustered between steadying breaths.
“You’re very welcome. Oh! And, Lady Reyva, take this.” The Master of Archives handed me a thick text titledNobles and Notables Portraits. “You’ll want to study before the Solstice events.”
Without hesitation, Dommik relieved me of the heavy tome.
I smiled at the Commander and thanked Oddo again before we took our leave. The minute I was back in my quarters, I vomited into a vase.
Chapter 12
Call me Rhazien
Hours later, Alba found me poring over the text on my fireside emerald loveseat. Dommik had excused himself to hallway patrol, and I was enjoying a small plate of cheese and crackers while I studied the portraits of famous vampires, past and current.
“Is that a text from the Sanctum of Knowledge, Lady Reyva?” the chambermaid inquired from under her gray veil.
“Yes, my assignment from Master Wrymark.” I lifted the text to show her the cover title. She squinted from a few feet away and I realized I shouldn’t have assumed she could read.
“Nobles and Notables,” she recited flawlessly.
An educated woman, a chambermaid of the Hive. Curious.
