Dorian's Destiny: Altered (6 page)

Starting to the right of the fireplace, he
scanned the shelves, searching for titles that might describe his
condition. Finally, after eliminating half the library, Dorian
stumbled upon a book entitled “Monsters and Beasts”. Plucking the
thick book from the shelf, he ran his index finger down its Table
of Contents, searching for the word ‘vampire’, Thomas had
mentioned. “Chapter 66, Vampire, Page 528. How many types of
abominations are there?”

A harrowing thought formed as he stared at
the expansive list. “If I exist, how many more of these do as
well?”

Since being turned, Dorian's view of the
world had changed dramatically, and this new revelation further
distorted his indoctrinated beliefs. “This world is far uglier than
I once deemed, but I can't dwell on that. I need to learn more
about what I am.”

Sitting by the fireplace, he read the eight
pages that constituted his new existence. Most of it, Thomas had
already told. “History, Becoming a Vampire, Vampire
Characteristics. Ah! Destroying a Vampire. I knew he was holding
back information. He considers this damnation a gift. Of course, he
wouldn't share potential methods of destroying his kind. So, either
a wooden stake through the heart or silver can end my
existence.”

Dorian considered what he had just read.
Although he didn't find the cure he hoped for, he did find a
potential way out. He eyed the legs of the mahogany table sitting
beside him. He doubted something so simple could do him in when a
knife through his heart did nothing. Besides, how would he explain
to his host the destruction of his fine furnishings should the wood
prove as fruitless as his knife? Silver, however, seemed
promising.

Returning the book to the shelf, he left the
library and entered the kitchen. The book mentioned that silver
would burn his skin and prevent his healing ability. Not knowing
how to recognize silver utensils from steel, Dorian decided he
would open each drawer and touch every silver-colored object
inside, if need be.

Thirty minutes passed as he purposefully
touched every piece of silver in Thomas' kitchen; each time, the
small glimmer of hope he let spark inside him was snuffed out.
Finally shutting the final drawer, he slid down to the cold floor.
He slammed his head against the white cabinet, hating himself for
being stupid.

“I should have known
nothing would work. I'm destined to endure this curse for all
eternity.” Placing his head in his hands, he only let one tear fall
before pulling himself up off the floor. “I didn't ask for this
curse. There is no reason for me to continue to try to destroy
myself.”

With that statement in mind, he went back to
the library, this time to enjoy himself.

Months passed as Thomas allowed Dorian to
slowly assimilate to his new surroundings. He hoped that being
removed from the forest and having the guidance of another of his
kind would stimulate Dorian's ascension to becoming a proper
vampire. He soon discovered this was not going to be the case.
Dorian seemed content to remain stagnant by feeding only on the
blood of animals. He had even given up hunting; relying solely on
the stock Thomas provided.

Tired of his reluctance to climb the
evolutionary ladder, Thomas decided to assist him by introducing a
catalyst. He found Dorian reading alone in the study. This tended
to be his only extracurricular activity as of late.

Thomas entered the library, carrying two
wineglasses filled with blood. “I thought you might like drinking
from something a little more refined than a jar,” he suggested as
he sat down opposite Dorian.

“Thanks,” replied Dorian, momentarily
looking up from the tome he was engrossed in to accept the offered
glass. Immersing himself back into this latest volume, he had
consumed half the blood before noticing its effects. His body's
reaction to the substance was far more intense. He could fill it
coursing through his veins, strengthening his muscles, and
heightening his senses.

“Thomas, what did you do?! Is this human
blood?!” Dorian demanded holding up the half empty glass.

“Yes” Thomas said nonchalantly, not bothered
by Dorian's harsh tone.

“I thought I told you I wasn't ready to
drink human blood!” He seethed, barely controlling his anger. It
was strong enough to shatter the glass still in his hand.

“I know what you told me, Dorian, but you
were taking too long. I thought you might never be ready, so I
decided to help you along. You're welcome, by the way. Can't you
feel the power? You are never going to become what you are meant to
be by drinking animal blood.”

“It should be my decision!!! Maybe I like
what I am now! Has that thought ever crossed your erratic mind?!”
Dorian yelled while placing the wineglass carefully on the side
table, desperately resisting the urge to throw it in his face.

Thomas shrugged his shoulders. “No. I don't
understand why anyone would not want to reach their full potential.
You are quite an enigma.”

“You are such an arrogant ass!” Dorian's
eyes flashed red, while his claws and teeth extended. Unable to
contain the anger inside him caused by Thomas' total disregard for
his wishes, he lunged from his chair. He allowed the increased
speed and strength given from the blood to propel him at Thomas
before he could to react. The force of the attack sent them
backwards into one of the bookshelves.

“Dorian, you don't want to fight me,” Thomas
hissed before shoving and sending him back across the room to crash
into the opposite bookshelf. “Now go finish your pouting in your
room!” He barked as he walked out of the study.

Dorian did as he was told, not to appease
Thomas, but to finish his tirade in private.

Who does he think he is? My destiny is my
own, and no one else’s. I will evolve if and when I want too, not
when he dictates.

He paced back and forth beside his massive
bed; his rage not lessening, but increasing, bubbling up like a
geyser ready to explode.

The glass he had picked up to throw across
the room burst in his hands. Shards of glass sliced open his hand.
A few drops of blood splashed to the floor before his hand healed
itself.

How did that happen? I was barely gripping
that glass. Has my strength increased that much? Maybe Thomas was
right. I do feel more powerful. Damn him! I wasn't ready.

Finally leaving his room after hours of
fuming, Dorian found him at the scene of the crime. Thomas sat by
the fireplace sipping on his drink of choice, Scotch. He took the
chair across from him. When Thomas finally acknowledged his
presence, after several minutes of awkward silence, Dorian spoke
the words Thomas expected. “I want more.”

“Well of course you do,” Thomas crowed as he
rose from his chair with an 'I told you so' look across his face.
“Let's go baptize you.”

*****

During the car ride into the city, Thomas
bombarded Dorian with questions. “So, who would you like to be your
first victim?”

Dorian cringed at the choice of words.
“Please don't call them that,” he pleaded.

“Fine,” huffed Thomas,
“but seriously, what kind of blood are you in the mood for? Male,
female, young, old, black, white
–
the possibilities are endless.”

“I haven't thought about it and I don't
care. I mean, does it even matter?”

Swerving, Thomas almost
ran the car off the road. “Does it even matter?! Of course, it
matters!” Thomas snapped before explaining. “No two person's blood
tastes the same. Each gender, age, ethnicity has their own unique
flavor. I, myself, prefer young, college age, Caucasian females,
fresh from the discerning eye of mom and dad. Their blood has an
innocent taste with just a hint of bad girl
–
which I fully exploit before
finishing them off. Also, what they eat, drink, and if they are fat
or thin, affect the taste of their blood.”

He talks of blood as if
it’s wine and he is a connoisseur.

Thomas' speech and the way he described
humans as produce turned Dorian's stomach, but his hunger far
exceeded his disgust.

“How about since this is my first time, I
just bite the first person I come across? Keep it simple, just this
once. Next time, I promise to have a particular target in mind.
Please excuse my lack of knowledge on the subject of blood
flavors?”

“Are you being sarcastic, Dorian?” Thomas
turned his head to the right to gauge his facial expression.

“Maybe a little,” retorted Dorian with a
smile.

“Well done. At least I have taught you some
humor.” Thomas turned his attention back to the road. They had just
entered the city. Neon lights were everywhere, causing both
vampires to squint, even behind dark sunglasses.

Dorian turned his head to look out the
passenger window, searching for his so-called victim. He had been
serious about the first person part. He soon spotted a man in a
dark alley. “Him,” he pointed.

“A bum – that's who you pick,” Thomas chided
as he parked the car on the side of the road. “Oh well. He's
probably drunk, which will almost make him worth it.” Stepping out
of the car, the stench hit his nostrils, literally knocking him
back a step. “Ugh! Hurry up, Dorian, before I vomit!” He yelled
back to the car.

“The smell is not that bad,” Dorian
commented as he finally exited the car.

“Ha! Just you wait. When your diet consists
purely of human blood, your senses will increase exponentially.
Then we can discuss the various levels of stench,” Thomas retorted,
pressing the back of his hand against his nose and mouth in an
attempt to filter out some of the smell. “Well, he hasn't even
noticed us yet. That's good sign he is indeed plastered, and I'm
picking up a hint of cheap whiskey mixed in with his filth.”
Turning his head slightly toward Dorian, who now stood by his side,
Thomas prodded, “Well, go ahead.”

“Go ahead, what?” Dorian questioned
returning Thomas' stare.

“Bite him. Or have you forgotten about your
plan to bite the first person you come across? That is the reason
we stopped, isn't it?” He grumbled, losing patience with the whole
ordeal.

“You do it first, and then I will know the
proper procedure,” Dorian responded, smiling sheepishly.

“Proper procedure
–
are you kidding me?!
You just bite the motherfucker and drink his blood!” Regaining his
composure, Thomas finished in a much calmer voice. “Fine, since
this is your first human, I will cut you some slack. Hell, I would
do just about anything at this point to move things along.
Y
ou are exhausting, you know that? At
least you’re progressing, though.
”

The entire time the vampires were standing
in the alley arguing, the bum remained slumped over almost
unconscious on the ground. Still agitated, Thomas, yanked the man
up by his matted mane, sunk his fangs into his neck, and drained
him of half his blood within seconds. Releasing him, the bum
crumpled onto the ground with eyes glazed with fear.

Dorian stared into the bum's eyes and
witnessed the terror they reflected. The site caused him to second
guess the validity of his actions. Was it necessary for him to take
a human life just to satisfy his need for blood? There were easier
and far more humane ways of getting what he needed. He stepped back
a few feet from Thomas and the bum.

“He looks so frightened. Maybe this was a
mistake. I don't think I'm ready.”

“Of course he's frightened. He's just had
half his blood drained. With that being said, he will probably die
anyway. There's no sense in him dying for nothing, when he could
provide you with sustenance. Look at him. It isn't like he is
living the good life. You would be doing him a favor by ending his
miserable existence.” Seeing Dorian still hesitating after his
attempt to ease any moral qualms, Thomas switched tactics. Grabbing
Dorian by his shirt, he pulled him close. He spoke forcefully,
inches way from Dorian's face. “Now, you're going to 'man up' and
drink from this waste of space, even if I have to force you to, and
don't think that I can't.” He released Dorian with a shove toward
his victim.

Why am I so conflicted? I didn't have a
problem killing animals in the forest. But I was angry then, making
it far easier. Ugh! I didn't choose to become what I am, so why
should it bother me to do what is normal for my current state of
being. I want blood, I need blood. So it’s time to stop the inner
monologue and take it.

Dorian knelt down beside the man, who had
since passed out. Sinking his teeth into the bum's neck exactly
where Thomas had, he drank the warm salty blood laced with alcohol,
savoring it. The magnitude of new sensations created as the blood
filtered through his system caused him to stumble back, almost
falling on his ass. Staggering slightly, he regained his footing,
noticing just how drastically his perception had been altered.

Peering up at the nearby lamp post, he
watched in awe as the white light radiating from the beacon,
fractured into a rainbow of colors. Numerous insects hovered around
the miniature sun. There wings fluttered in slow motion, enough he
could count and hear each individual flap.

He thought Thomas had exaggerated when he
had informed him that his senses would increase exponentially with
the infusion of human blood, but that was far from the case. Now,
with little more than a taste of the potent substance, the
enhancements were mind blowing.

Turning back to Thomas to admit the accuracy
of his assessment, Dorian hesitated, mesmerized by the presence of
his companion. Observing him as if for the first time, he soaked in
Thomas' masculine perfection: Wavy blonde hair, glowing amber eyes,
flawless porcelain skin and supple lips stained red and pulled into
a knowing smirk. In that instant, Dorian desired to touch and taste
those beautiful lips. Before he could stop himself, his lips where
pressed against Thomas'. In the fleeting moments that constituted
his first kiss, Thomas' fangs sliced through Dorian's bottom lip.
The pain heightened his excitement, inducing a euphoria never
experienced before.