Bonds of the Fallen
Chapter 13

Bat awoke, her eyelids fighting against the pull of exhaustion that weighed them down. Slowly, she let her eyes adjust to the dim lighting of the unfamiliar room. The bed she nestled in was nothing short of luxurious—a plush mattress embraced her, with soft pillows gently cradling her head. The finest linens, adorned with intricate embroidery and delicate lace, were draped over her. This room was a far cry from her usual living quarters.

With a groan, she rolled over, yanking the blanket over her head as if it could shield her from the reality she now faced. Her limbs felt like they were filled with lead, and her body ached, a reminder of the long night of revelry she’d partaken in.

A gentle rap at the door stirred her from her swathe of blankets. Cautiously, she peeked out from beneath the covers, her mind still foggy and disoriented. The previous night’s events were fragmented, pieces of memories fading in and out of focus like a poorly tuned picture on a television screen.

Her gaze fell upon her attire—or rather, the lack thereof. Gone was the dress she’d worn to the festivities. In its place, an oversized white shirt billowed around her, its sleeves drooping off her arms and shoulders. The scent of fresh mountain water and pine that clung to the fabric was both comforting and familiar, wrapping around like a blanket. Sitting up, Bat attempted to gather her scattered thoughts, shaking her head as if to clear away the fog that clouded her mind.

A more assertive knock sounded, pulling her from her internal turmoil.

“Come in,” she called, forcing herself to sit straighter in bed.

The door creaked open to reveal a man with a black metallic hand. Acel. Through the open door, Bat glimpsed the ritual room that lay beyond, a room she hadn’t noticed the previous night. She saw a golden thread extending from her to Acel, moving in time with his steps. She blinked, and just like that, it was gone.

“How do you feel?” Acel asked as he took a seat on the edge of the bed.

Bat raised a hand to her temple, gently massaging it. “Like I’ve been hit by a freight train. How’s the arm?”

He opened and closed his hand, inspecting the metallic appendage. “Strange, but painless.” His fingers brushed the collar of the oversized shirt, exposing two minor, healed puncture wounds. “He went through with it,” Acel observed before letting the fabric fall back into place.

Her voice was a whisper as she asked, “Where is he?”

With a gentle touch, Acel steadied her as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed, the floor cool against her bare feet. She rose to a standing position, her legs slightly wobbly, but she steadied herself, taking a deep breath. The room spun somewhat before coming back into focus.

Acel’s firm grip on her arm steadied her.

“He’s in a meeting with the council,” Acel responded, his eyes studying her carefully. “Some things need to be taken care of in the wake of the ceremony.”

The mention of the ceremony brought back flashes of the previous night—the golden light that had encircled them, the feel of Val’s fangs sinking into her flesh, the warmth of his lips against hers. She flushed at the memory, the intensity of the experience still raw and vivid in her mind.

“The city was under attack last night. Val had to leave to assess the damage and take the necessary protective measures,” he explained, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face with a tenderness that surprised her. “Are you okay?” Acel’s voice was gentle, pulling her back to the present.

Bat nodded, her voice a little unsteady. “Yes, I’m fine. Just a lot to take in.”

He smiled a genuine smile that reached his eyes. “I can only imagine. Not every day, you’re bound to a Vampir in a blood ritual.”

Bat chuckled, the sound a little forced. “No, I suppose not.”

“He’s assigned me to care for you in his absence.” Acel led her to a table laden with food and tea. He poured her a cup of steaming liquid and placed a muffin on the saucer next to it. “You’re healing nicely. You should be back to your usual self in no time. Oh, and the shirt is yours to keep.” Acel’s laugh was rich and deep, “You look better in it than I do anyway.”

Her cheeks flushed a delightful shade of pink as she looked down at herself, now realizing she was wearing his shirt from the night before. The weight of the shirt on her skin unexpectedly felt too intimate, a declaration she hadn’t been ready to make. Bat resisted the urge to cross her arms over her chest to hide her sudden vulnerability.

“What happens now?” she asked before taking a large pastry from the tray, the sweet, buttery flavors exploding on her tongue. She followed it with a sip of the fragrant tea. Her stomach, she realized, was ravenous.

Acel observed her with amusement dancing in his eyes as she devoured the food. “In the beginning, after the transformation, human habits still linger. Your body is adjusting to its new normal. Take the food you’re eating, for example. It won’t satisfy you. You’ll need blood.”

Bat’s fork clattered against the plate, her eyes widening in shock. Of course, she knew Vampir consumed blood, but the reality of it hadn’t sunk in until this moment. A rich, deep laugh rumbled from Acel’s chest as he leaned back in his chair, resting his arms behind his head in a pose of relaxation.

At that moment, the doors to the main room swung open, and Val strode in. His gaze met Bat’s, a flicker of something dark and unreadable flashing in his eyes. “I see you’ve met Acel, one of my newest and most skilled Harii.”

Once again, Bat noticed the golden threads, but this time, two—one connected her to each of the men standing before her. With a shake of her head, the lines vanished as if they were never there. Val hesitated for a fraction of a second, his eyes narrowing as they landed on the shirt she wore. A storm of anger flashed in his eyes, leaving her breathless and slightly frightened.

“Ace, that’s what most people call me.” His voice carried across the table, accompanied by a wink that sent a flutter through Bat’s stomach. Standing, Ace exchanged quiet words with Val before slipping silently from the room.

Val’s attention shifted to Bat, his posture formal as he asked, “How are you feeling?”

The question made her pause. “I’m not sure. I don’t feel any different. What are the gold threads? Can all Vampir see them?”

“Threads?” he echoed, a frown creasing his brow.

Bat nodded. “I first saw them last night when you...bit me. And then again, just now. They looked like golden threads of light.”

Val hesitated, his answer coming slowly. “I’m not sure.”

The air between them shifted as Val continued, “I wish I could spend the day with you, but the city is under attack. We will stay in Slaingard until it is safe to travel. I want Acel to escort you to my quarters if you’re comfortable with it. I’d prefer you stay there while we sort this out.”

“I’d like to replace out more about my mother while we’re here,” Bat said, her voice unwavering.

“Of course. I’ll assign someone to assist you.” Val’s response was distant, his mind seemingly elsewhere.

A crease formed between Bat’s brows. “Is everything okay?” she asked. Last night, he had been warm and tender, but now he was almost distant and cold.

Val knelt before Bat, cradling her cheek in his hand. “Last night, when you bit my lip, it completed the transfer. I should have been more careful, more restrained. I’m sorry I took your final choice from you. You would have still been able to stop, to make that choice if it had gone differently.” His eyes brimmed with sorrow as if he had shattered something priceless.

A soft sigh escaped Bat as she leaned into his touch. “I don’t regret my decision. It was mine to make.”

Val’s lips brushed gently against her forehead in a lingering kiss before he rose. “I’ll be with you as soon as I can.”

A pang of disappointment twisted in Bat’s stomach. Had she imagined the passion that had flared between them last night? Slumping back in her chair, she let out a huff of frustration.

No sooner had Val left the room than Ace reappeared, holding out a bundle of clothes. “I brought you a change of clothes,” he said, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he took in her appearance. “Unless you’d rather stay in my shirt.”

With an exaggerated groan, Bat rolled her eyes and held out her hand. “I’ll take the clothes, thank you.”

Ace’s chuckle filled the room as he tossed the clothes to her. “Get changed, little Bat.”

Once she dressed, the pair departed for the newly renovated living quarters.

“They were already working on this area when the call came to secure extended living quarters. It was a shopping center, but we quickly transformed it into a defendable compound,” Ace explained as they approached.

The shopping center towered over the city, providing a panoramic view of the districts below. Skyscrapers and large buildings dominated the skyline, their facades gleaming in the bright sunlight. The buildings were made of reconstituted steel and concrete, giving them a modern appearance. The architects prioritized both aesthetics and functionality in their design.

“Those buildings house common areas like kitchens and libraries. The residential buildings are over there. A small unit is stationed here, and they’ll use these facilities. This is the main house where you’ll be staying. You can pick any room. Val’s is just down the hall, in case you were wondering,” Ace said, studying her closely.

Bat didn’t respond to his comment. The space was filled with multiple rooms, each separated by large windows that provided a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape. The windows stretched from the floor to the ceiling, letting in natural light and creating a serene atmosphere. The room bathed in a soft blue glow from the bioluminescent lights, engineered from harmless bacteria. The lights were reminiscent of stories she had heard about the ocean.

“I’ve never seen the ocean,” Bat said, passing by the first room as she wondered how close she should be to Val or if she should stay near the exterior.

“It’s beautiful. I will take you to see it sometime,” Ace suggested as they walked past another room. “I could use a vacation after all of this.”

She explored various rooms, taking in the views of the rolling hills and lush forests that surrounded the building. Despite the grandiosity of the spaces, a sense of intimacy made Bat feel at home.

“This one’s perfect,” she decided, picking a room a few doors from Val’s, closer to the middle.

“Great choice,” Ace said, opening the door for her.

Stepping into the room felt like crossing the threshold into another realm entirely. The beauty that met Bat’s eyes took her breath away, an expansive space that defied anything she’d ever imagined.

A colossal ash tree stood proudly in the room’s heart, its gnarled trunk spiraling up to kiss the ceiling while its extensive branches caressed the walls. A vibrant, pulsating energy emanated from the tree, bathing the room in an atmosphere of life and vitality.

The floors and ceilings were blanketed in rich, warm wood that appeared to have sprouted from the tree’s roots, encasing the room in its embrace. It gave the space a welcoming, cozy feel.

A small, crackling fireplace occupied one corner, casting the room in a golden glow. An assortment of plush chairs and fluffy blankets formed a tempting invitation to sit and lose oneself in the warmth and comfort of the fire.

On the opposite side, a dark, natural pool shimmered in the dappled sunlight filtering through the tree’s leaves. Surrounded by colorful plants and flowers, the pool added a wild, untamed element to the room.

Ace wandered the pool and dipped his hand in its cool waters. “This room represents the World Tree, Yggdrasil, and the well that sustains it.”

Bat chuckled. “Another thing to add to my list of ‘Vampir 101.’ Do you always have all the answers?”

Ace flicked some water at her in response. “After the Vampir saved my village, I made it my mission to learn everything I could about them. I wanted to be one of them.” His eyes clouded as he watched his reflection ripple in the water.

Bat joined him by the pool’s edge. She peered into the water, her reflection staring back at her, unchanged and familiar. “What’s it like to be bound to someone else? I thought I’d feel different.”

Ace withdrew his hand from the water, the droplets pinging against his metallic arm. “I wouldn’t know. I’m not bound to anyone.”

“But how’s that possible?”

He wiped his hand on his pants. “I told you I traveled to the ceremony when I was old enough. I was so excited. My parents decided to travel with me. We didn’t have much, but we had each other, and their health had improved. We were just outside the city, giving the horses a break, when…” His voice trailed off, lost in memory.

Sitting beside him, Bat plucked a leaf that had fallen into the pool. She twirled it between her fingers, the movement pulling Ace back from the depths of his recollection.

Ace’s eyes grew distant as he began. “I encountered a Vampir…a Draugr on the road. I’d never seen one, so...otherworldly. He attacked, and I remember lying on the ground, fully prepared to meet death. When I woke up, my father’s lifeless body lay next to me. The Draugr had taken his time with my mother, drawing out her death. I tried to fight him off. I was weak from the blood loss, but I didn’t die.”

She spoke in a hushed tone, “You turned.”

His voice was steady as he continued, “The Draugr met his second death at the hand of another Vampir that heard our struggle. After that, I understood that sacrifice is the bedrock of all creation. Like the city and its festivals, something must be sacrificed to pave the way for growth.” He stood up, extending his hand to help her to her feet.

Her hand nestled into his, and she felt the strength and warmth of his grip as he gently pulled her up, bringing her to stand mere inches away from him. She gazed into the deep steel blue pools of his eyes, each tempestuous sea holding secrets, comfort, mystery, and danger, all swirling together in an intricate dance.

He placed her hand on his chest, pulling her even closer. His cheek softly brushed against hers as he whispered, “Little Bat, you’re going to be the death of me.”

And then, as abruptly as before, he was gone. Bat stood in stunned silence, her fingers involuntarily caressing her cheek where his breath had caressed her mere moments ago. The only proof he had been there was the soft click of the door latch closing behind him.