VXELEVEN

A Voice of The Immortal Beloved

EDRIS SALVATORE

Noire spun at the sound of knocking.

The door pulsed faintly at the frame with a gray, luminescent smoke curling from its edges. “Hello?” a voice called from the other side. “Anyone there?”

Noire hesitated, then pulled the door open just enough to look through. A tall man stood on the steps; composed, and smiling.

“Hello there,” he said warmly. “I’m your neighbor—Edris. I live just beyond the park.” He said as he gestured behind him. His eyes lingered on her like he already knew her, “May I come in?”

Noire studied him. Something about him felt off—he was too still, too sure, too chipper. But locking eyes with the tall, pale stranger pulled something deep within her. So, she obliged, “…Come in. Quickly.”

Edris stepped inside, almost seeming to float. Noire quickly shut the door behind him.

“Well,” he began, “what’s your n—”

“Edris, right?” Noire cut in. “What color are my eyes?” She needed to know if he could see it, too. The question sent a wave through him. Edris paused then gently took her cold hands into the tundra of his. The air seemed to vapor around them.

“It’s going to be alright, Noire.”

Her breath caught, she gasped, “How do you know my name?” His smile didn’t falter. He held her hands firmly but she shook them loose. “Who are you?” she pressed. “What are you?” Her knees buckled and Noire began to crash.  “What am I?” She whimpered. In the blink of an eye, Edris caught her and guided her to the couch.

“You’re safe,” he whispered. 

Noire winced and turned away. “I don’t feel safe,” she groaned.

A flicker—something unreadable—crossed his face. From his coat, Edris pulled out a small pouch. “Drink this.”

Noire hesitated…then took it in a quick swipe. The taste hit fast and went down sharp. It tasted like metal but felt like vitality; she drained it. Now steadied, her body began to replenish. She didn’t understand it but couldn’t stop consuming.

“You are a vampire,” Edris said. Noire froze in her tracks.

“That?” Edris continued. “That was an artificial blood pack…” Another pouch appeared in his hand. “A supplement.”

She snatched it.

“You were turned by a high-ranking vampire. Unfortunately… they were exhumed before your transformation completed.”

Noire stared at him, drinking again. “What does that mean?” Edris shifted in his seat. 

“It means,” he said calmly, “you survived something incomplete. Now, you’re under the care of the charter here in Charleston Estates until you get on your feet and adjust to your new lifestyle.”

A soft smile and kind eyes from Edris sat facing a blank and bewildered Noire. Silence stretched.

“A high ranking vampire?” Noire asked. Edris nodded.

“And now,” she looked down at herself and turned to him. “Now, I’m a vampire?”

Edris nodded again.

“So… now what?” she asked. Edris stood, moving toward the window.

“Now you learn to live.” 

Noire stood, empty packs falling from her lap, and followed behind him. Outside, the park was alive. People were laughing, moving, existing—blissfully unaware. Edris placed his hand on her shoulder and leaned in,

“You’ll need more than supplements.” 

Noire didn’t look at him. She stared blankly and gulped. “…More?”

Edris nodded once more. 

“Real blood…” He he said as he raised a finger, “From mortals.”

A breath escaped Noire as he spoke, shuddering slightly as her hand pressed against the window glass. 

“But,” she uttered. “They’re… people.”

“Yes,” Edris agreed. Noire spun around.

“And you expect me to just—what?” She gestured wildly, “Pick one?!” 

Edris sighed softly, “I expect you to survive.”

She turned back to the window, anger rising again.

“You don’t get to say that like it’s simple.”

His expression didn’t change. “It isn’t simple,” he said. “But it is necessary.”

Silence.

Edris sighed again, “This is how we survive, Noire.” She remained facing the window. He continued, “It is quite literally our way of life.”

Noire shrugged, “And if you don’t drink from people?”

“You die. Completely,” Edris somberly spoke.  “We feed, otherwise, we experience true death—never to know the light of day, nor the depth of night, ever again.”

Noire’s gaze remained focused on outside. Two women were laughing as they passed. Even through the glass, she could feel their vibrancy, their warmth… their blissful ignorance. She took a deep breath,“…So what do I do?”

Edris’ voice softened, “You choose.”

Before she could even respond, he vanished into a gray smoke. Noire looked up to see a bat fluttering about at the top of the front door. She quickly opened the door and the bat fluttered out.

Noire stood alone again. Lingering in the doorway, she looked to the park once more.  The night air hit differently now. 

Across the park, she could see lights and movement. There were a couple of tables and stalls positioned near each other, and what seemed to be an influx of people gathered there.

“A night market,” she said to herself. “…of course.”She was shaken by all the information she received from Edris, but understood what needed to be done. She figured now was as good an opportunity as any to get started. She stepped foot out the door, then froze — my eyes! She rushed back inside, upstairs, into the white bathroom, and straight for the mirror. Her reflection stared back, but her eyes—they were icy gray; which felt so much warmer than the white from before.

“At least I look alive,” she said in a sigh of relief.