Chapter Text
Apo’s gaze remained on Scott’s throat.
Perfect.
“For most beings, you probably would have succeeded.” His smile stretched into a grin, exposing his fangs. “However, vampires are already dead. You’ll have to try harder than that if you want it to stick.”
In the silence that followed, Scott took stock of the actual damage from her strike. “You’re lucky I still have access to my wardrobe, or I’d have your head for ruining my coat. It’s one of a kind after all.”
If he found a sufficiently skilled tailor, they may be able to save it, but the new tears in his high collar were beyond his own abilities to fix.
Fortunately, the only other evidence of their attack was the dirt from his own performance.
“I put my axe through your throat. Your head- I saw- On the ground-” Oh, she appeared to have recovered enough to speak, even if it was still weak and shaking. “I- that should have killed you. How are you alive?”
“Come now soldier,” he sighed, brushing the dirt from his hair and face, “keep up. We just went over this. Decapitation doesn’t work on everything. I’m not an animal.”
They must have recovered more than he thought while he wasn’t looking, because their axe swung again, slicing neatly between his ribs.
His exposed lungs fluttered at the unexpected sensation of the night air against them, even as the wound began to heal over.
The axe swung into him again, lodging itself into his collarbone. Cutting through his spine must have dulled the edge enough to prevent it from slicing through bone once more.
Bored of their panicked swinging and annoyed he left his own axe beside the building materials, he grabbed the handle and held it in place, preventing them from pulling it out.
“So,” Scott leaned in, forcing her to meet his eye, “did we get our anger out? Are you going to listen this time?”
Apo let go of the axe and backed away. “This shouldn’t be possible…” Their voice cracked, the resolve that had previously filled them missing.
“And yet here I am.” Unfortunately, her latest attacks appeared to have damaged his outfit beyond repair. “This could be you, you know. You could even spend all of eternity with the one I hear you’re desperate to return to. Wouldn’t you prefer to ensure you made it home to her after you finish your time as a soldier?”
The silver axe burned his injured flesh, but from the look on Apo’s face, the benefits of leaving it in place outweighed the pain.
“I- I don’t-” Their eyes had fallen, staring down at their shaking hands.
“You don’t want that guarantee?” He interrupted, watching her, wondering how far he could push before she broke. “You don’t want to spend forever with-”
“This is creepy. You’re creepy. Where is everybody else?” They stumbled back, looking around once more, clearly deflecting. He couldn’t allow that, now, could he?
“I don’t see what the issue is,” he complained, finally pulling the axe from his chest and dropping it to the ground, “I don’t understand why I’m such a bother. It’s not like I’ve hurt anyone. I’ve not killed anyone.”
Apo pulled their sword from its sheath and relentlessly swung, frantically chanting at him to die, and shredding his shirt and coat in the process. Their final attack stabbed directly into his stomach, leaving them face to face.
“So far the only one killing people around here has been you.” Scott grabbed her wrist that held her sword and pulled her closer, whispering in her ear. “Maybe I’m not the real monster here. Maybe it’s you.”
When they pushed him away he let them, releasing their wrist and allowing them to pull the sword from his stomach in the process. If he had eaten recently, there might have even been blood on it.
“You guys can kill people.” Ah, she was defensive now.
“Yes. And so can you, as the damage to my clothing can attest to.” He gestured to his tattered clothes as evidence of her previous attempts on his life. “You’ve tried to kill me, unprompted, three times now.”
“What?” They scoffed in disbelief. “You just want to talk or something?”
Scott sighed theatrically and shook his head, disappointed. “Why wouldn’t I? We’re not uncivilized. We’re not monsters. We’re people. Just like you and the rest of the town. I had hoped to give you the ability to return to your loved one without fear. I planned to offer you a gift. But so far my hospitality has been spat on.”
From what he’d seen when the original deal was made, her person was incredibly important to her. Enough to initially offer up someone else to be turned in her place. Whoever this person was would be her greatest weakness. Even more so than the town she was supposedly tasked with protecting.
He turned his back on them and walked toward the building materials that had been gathered so far, pretending to dismiss them. “Maybe I won’t offer it now. You don’t seem to want the security of knowing you’d be able to see them again. Perhaps I’d prefer to keep the gift to myself, and not share eternity with people who scoff at its benefits.”
“What makes you think I want to spend eternity with you?” The venom in Apo’s voice had him suppressing a grin. So she did still have a backbone. Just as he assumed when she first killed him. That type of courage would do wonders to counter Pyro’s fear. “Why would I stick around you that whole time?”
He sighed, turning to look at them once more. “Why do you think I would want to keep you here? This is my territory. I never said you had to spend eternity with me. In fact, I would prefer if you didn’t. You’re welcome to spend it however you like. With whoever you like.”
“If I can’t kill you…” Unfortunately, she seemed to be thinking too hard again. Scott braced himself for another swing of her weapon. “What if I just tell the whole town about you? They’d listen to me. I know they would.”
“What exactly do you think you could say about this?” Scott couldn’t help laughing. “It’s not like you can just tell everyone the truth, that you tried to kill me, unprovoked, and it didn’t work. And running into town yelling about vampires will just have them doubting your sanity. Even with Elle joking about them all the time.”
“They’d believe me.” They were determined, Scott had to give them that. Their stubbornness was proving difficult to wear down. “They trust me. Martyn and Sausage saw you at the castle beacon the other night too, so they’ll back me up. And Cleo will believe me.”
“I mean, they all believe you now.” He had to keep pushing, though he masked his irritation with feigned indifference. “But who’s to say how long that will last? And what if I ran into town as well, looking like I do now and announcing that you attacked me, three times, totally unprompted? What then? I have more proof than you do at this point. And it’s not as though any of us have known each other long enough to fully, blindly trust one person’s words over another’s.”
Desperation oozed from the soldier as she fought with herself.
“What about your red eyes?” They asked, grasping at straws — any straw they could find to oppose him. “Wouldn’t everyone notice they’re different?”
“What is with people and eye colors?” He groaned, rolling his eyes. “Look at me and tell me with complete confidence you can name the eye colors of 4 people in town. Quickly.”
She stared at the ground, unable to come up with a response.
“See what I mean? Also, you have red in your eyes. And Shelby’s are yellow. Unusual eye colors seem to be relatively normal around here. Do you even remember what color my eyes were before, or when they possibly could have changed?” It wasn’t as though he remembered what his original eye color was, but it was the principle of the matter. “I spent the last few days I was in town wearing a mask anyway. Sausage and I had this same conversation earlier today. No one can actually prove anything based solely on that.”
“Why are you here then?” They pushed, pivoting the conversation. “What are you trying to do?”
He’d allow the shift this time. It was about him after all.
“What am I doing here?” Scott stiffened his posture and expression, as though incensed by the question. “This castle is being rebuilt from the ruins of my home. I was suddenly woken up from what was meant to be an eternal slumber when you and the rest of the townsfolk arrived. I didn’t ask for this. I was thrust into it. Is it so wrong of me to make the best of my situation and try to survive? I need to eat, but I’ve not killed anyone yet.”
“You eat other people!” Apo countered.
“And animals. Hence why I have sheep and chicken around the corner over there. Or did you think those were for decoration?” The mere thought of taking care of those things without reason was vile.
“What about earlier?!” She shouted, desperation seeping into her voice. “You and Pyro both drank my blood then!”
“How were we to know you hadn’t agreed to it with Owen?” This whole conversation was exasperating, and he didn’t bother to hide it anymore. “We assumed a conversation had already happened. All of us are starving as is.”
“And we’re food for you.” At least they were beginning to get it now.
“Yes, you’re a source of food. But as you might have noticed, we don’t have to kill you to feed from you. It won’t even kill you if we don’t want it to.” He turned back to his construction work, muttering just loud enough for them to hear. “Some people are just so weird about letting other people drink their blood.”
“Okay turn me.”
What? That was a sudden change of heart.
He whipped around to study her as she slid her sword back into its sheath, listening to their surroundings to ensure they were still alone.
“You sure?” He fought the urge to grin in triumph, finally having won their battle of wills, and slowly closed the distance between them.
“I mean if it’s not me it’s someone else.” Her sudden resolve didn’t waver.
A bit self-sacrificial of her, but he wouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
“That’s true.” It wasn’t. Not even a little bit. He’d turn whoever he needed if it served his purpose. “It’ll only hurt a little.”
They nodded resolutely.
Scott didn’t bother to be careful as he dug his teeth into her throat. With one arm wrapping around her, pinning her arms to her sides, he used the other hand to cover her mouth, preventing any loud noises she might make.
Apo was remarkably stoic at first, even with their heart pounding. As they weakened, the human’s survival instincts kicked in and they began to struggle, desperate to get free.
He tightened his grip in response, refusing to release them until he got what he wanted. A human could never compete with the raw strength of an elder vampire. And he reveled in the despair that filled them when they realized it.
As she lost consciousness, he held her weight up, finishing what blood she had left before pulling his face away and lowering her to the ground. He wasn’t sure how long it would take for her to turn and he had better things to do than simply hold her limp body as he waited.
The terror that had vibrated within his chest since turning Pyro had softened, though he couldn’t easily identify what he’d received to cause the change. It didn’t really matter in the end. So long as he was in control once more.
The soldier was lucky he had a change of clothes nearby and a clean handkerchief on hand. While he hadn’t expected things to go like they had, he’d been prepared for a mess to be made. If another human stumbled upon them, it would be easier to explain away an unconscious person than the state of his clothes or the blood on his face.
Though he also paused to grab his axe and holster it at his side, just in case. He didn’t exactly want a repeat of what had just happened.
Scott returned to Apo’s side once suitably attired, armed, and blood free. It wouldn’t do to allow the soldier to wake up alone. Not within the bounds of his castle.
Crouching, he leaned over and wiped the blood from her as well. The black clothing she wore hid her spilled blood well, and while he hadn’t been careful, the only place he’d broken skin were the two pricks in her neck, which could be easily hidden by the collar of her capelet and her hair. The minor bruising she’d gotten from the process would be gone by the time she woke.
Meaning the only permanent sign that this encounter had happened to them would be a scarred turning bite. Just like his own.
The shifting aura of the beacons around Oakhurst hadn’t gone unnoticed during their confrontation. To the northeast, a beacon had been neutralized and taken by the other vampires, and to the west, the obelisk had been neutralized by the humans. As he finished cleaning the blood off Apo, he felt a holy aura from the obelisk as the humans claimed it.
People were on the move. Hopefully the soldier woke up soon. Should any humans arrive, he could lie his way out of this more easily if she’s conscious.
A long minute passed before they began to stir. With a gasp, they burst upright, breathing hard.
That habit would fade over time as her body realized it was unnecessary.
“I see you’re awake.” Scott stood and brushed the dirt off his coat. “Don’t worry about blacking out, it’s natural for those who have just been turned.”
He offered a hand down to help them up, and they looked at him confused for a moment before slowly moving to stand on their own.
With a huff at the slight, his hand dropped. Seemed the military didn’t teach chivalry anymore.
“So, how does it feel?” He asked once she found her feet, condescension dripping from every word. “Better? Stronger?”
“I feel… different?” Apo reached a hand up to cover the scar of his bite. “It’s all so-”
“Wait,” he stopped her, hearing movement from outside the castle ruins. Sliding around her, he spotted the unwanted guests. “We have company.”
Scott stepped in front of Apo to greet the newcomers, ensuring she had time to pull herself together. It wouldn’t do for her to be caught so soon.
“I can’t say I was expecting visitors at this hour. To what do I owe the pleasure?” He asked as Drift and Elle came close enough to hear him.
The two made an odd pair, with Elle completely at ease in her approach and Drift failing to hide her discomfort as her eyes continuously swept the area.
“Ah, Scott,” Elle greeted back, “the others said you were hanging out here. Enjoying your time in the ruins?”
Before he could respond to the hunter, a shuffling behind him drew the attention of both women.
“Apo? Is that you?” Drift stepped closer, squinting as she peered into the low light behind him. “What are you doing here? Have you seen the others?”
The others? Were they expecting someone else?
Unfortunately, he couldn’t dwell on that right now. As Apo stepped out from behind him, Elle tensed and locked eyes with him, sparing only a glance for the soldier.
Her eyes narrowed in accusation.
He gave her an innocent smile and shrugged, irritated by the hunter’s perceptiveness. She couldn’t do anything about it without proof, but she could still make his life harder.
“It doesn’t matter,” Apo spoke gruffly, interrupting the silent conversation and quickly passing him to join the detective and hunter. “We need to leave.”
Scott sighed, noting the new fledgling hadn’t answered Drift’s first question. Seemed he’d have to cover for them again. “Apo here simply wasn’t confident navigating the forest alone at night. I had no plans of leaving here tonight, so, to their displeasure, they’ve been stuck here since just after sunset. They are more than ready to return to town.”
Elle rolled her eyes at his bluff.
“Come on.” Apo passed the others, and Drift hesitantly turned to follow, glancing back at him.
“Yeah,” Drift glanced back at him again, then at the ruins behind him before turning back to the dilapidated bridge. “Yeah, let’s get you home.”
As the two of them walked away, Elle remained, eyes never leaving Scott.
“You’re playing a dangerous game Goldsmith.” Her hand rested on the hilt of her own silver sword.
Was that a threat?
He grinned. “I was forced into a dangerous game. I’m just taking initiative. I’ve done nothing tonight that the other party didn’t agree to.”
Drift’s voice echoed from across the bridge. “Elle, are you coming?”
The hunter glanced towards her friend as she responded. “Be right there!” Her voice dropped back down to a reasonable level. “We both know I’m aware of what you are and what you’re capable of. I have no reason to trust anything you say. It’s only a matter of time before everyone else realizes that too.”
With that, she turned her back on him and hurried to catch up to the other two.
He had to give it to the hunter, she was quite the enigma. Perceptive, but able to keep her cards close to her chest.
How had she known with a glance what had happened?
Humming as he pondered the situation, he returned to the empty castle ruins, the smell of Apo’s blood still hanging faintly in the air.
Eventually, the new fledgling would have to come back, if only to learn about their abilities and diet. It was inevitable.
This wasn’t the first time a vampire had run from him after being turned, and he doubted they would be the last.
Scott gathered up the blood-soaked cloth and his destroyed clothing and brought them down the stairs of the crypt, just far enough for them to be out of sight should any other humans appear tonight.
As he returned to the beacon area, he picked up the axe Apo left behind, setting it against the glowing glass, and began considering his next move. Turning them had done much to satisfy his hunger for the time being, but given the power required to heal the damage they did to him during the encounter, he wasn’t quite able to reach the same strength he had after changing Pyro. It was frustrating, but well worth it to make them suffer.
And given the paranoia around town, should her good friends Martyn and Sausage discover the change in her, it wouldn’t be surprising if they tried to take her out themselves. Those three had the potential to be the biggest physical threats to him as things stood — now it was only a matter of time before they tore themselves apart.
The sound of wet footsteps interrupted his musings as Pyro finally made an appearance, quickly followed by both Owen and Shelby in bat form.
Good.
He had plenty to discuss with them.
-------
The castle beacon had to be more cursed than the others. As though summoned by their attempt to convert it, Martyn burst in, immediately on the attack. Shelby and Owen escaped through the hole in the wall Scott made during his last converting attempt, while Scott and Pyro did damage control. Literally in fact. Martyn managed to set the centuries old wood the beacon was built on alight, making it burn at an unnatural speed.
This group must be the “others” Drift mentioned in passing.
Even as he and Pyro worked to put out the flames Martyn and Cleo didn’t hesitate to threaten them with their swords, insistent that the two vampires stay away from the beacon. At the cost of his mahogany flooring.
Well, it was better to act ignorant of whatever they ask about than to provide them with any concrete information. At least as long as they could.
Which unfortunately wasn’t very long, as Pyro clearly had no practice lying on the spot like this.
Scott would not, however, allow them to force him out of his own home.
While they may choose to defend things they don’t understand, now that he was awake and returned to his castle, he wouldn’t leave it so easily.
They didn’t understand the forces they were dealing with.
This is a fight they couldn’t win.
But he would provide them with an opportunity to run before he seriously fought back.
Grabbing Apo’s axe from where he’d rested it against the beacon, he swung at Martyn, nicking his cheek and forcing the kid to back away towards the bridge.
“I think you’ll find this is my home.” Scott stood beside the beacon, watching the pretend noble and dropping his mask of innocence. “Beacon or no, I think it’s probably time you leave.”
“No, not happening. Not while you have that there. Not when you can convert it.” Martyn stubbornly remained, eyes on Scott now that he was armed as well.
“Scott’s demanded that you both leave now,” Pyro growled, strangely reminiscent of a guard dog.
Well. At least he wasn’t the humans’ only opponent. Even if his only ally was a recently turned scholar.
“So, what’s your great plan then?” Scott rolled his eyes. It was painfully obvious their entrance was an impulsive decision.
“We saw you here before,” Martyn stated like it was new information.
“Yeah. Because I live here.” How many times would he have to say it to get it through this kid’s thick skull? “I’m not sure what we’re not understanding here.”
While Martyn stuttered out a response, Scott turned and threw the axe at Cleo, startling them into falling from the wall they’d been perched on.
“You both might want to run.” He drew his own axe from his side, annoyed by his current reliance on human weapons.
Martyn charged him, swinging.
He redirected the hit with the back of his axe and kicked Martyn in the side, making the kid stumble, and certainly bruising his ribs.
“I don’t think this ends well for you.”
The human swung his lantern between them, fire bursting from it and swiftly spreading around them. Scott backed away, grateful his clothes resisted the flame, even if they felt hotter than they should. Must be another magic ability.
Flashing through the fire as it died down, Martyn’s sword bit into Scott’s arm, and he swung back in retaliation without thinking, his axe catching the kid’s shoulder.
A sudden twisting in Scott’s chest made him freeze, giving Martyn the opening to back away and inspect the injury.
Cleo stepped forward to take his place, and Scott forced himself to move again, focusing on his new opponent.
Redirecting her swing like he did Martyn’s, he retaliated with a swipe of his own. He’d intended to maybe nick their arm, but a swipe from Pyro’s claws caused the farmer to dodge forward.
Instead of missing, like Scott had intended, his axe caught bone as it bit deeply into her chest.
Maroon seeped around the axe head; a bloodied mirror of the injury Apo had given him hours before.
An injury no human could survive.
Cleo was sure to bleed out.
And it was his fault.