Circle Quartet: 18

Chapter 18

Madam Violet asks us to form into a group of four and each group have five group members. Each group must have the members from the different clans. Abbie and Stefan are in my group together with Helen Teal, a shifter and Dan Taupe, a wizard. We sit together in one group and the task for today is interviewing each other.

Abbie enjoys the class because she’s the one who do most of the talking. I interview Helen, Dan and Stefan, asking them about what they likes and dislikes, hobbies and so on without jotting the information on the book or the D-Vice. We need to remember every single thing that we ask. I know Abbie inside out so I don’t have to interview her. Next, Madam Violet calls name from each group to introduce the group members.

Abbie be the volunteer since she’s too excited to tell about our group. She explains every single detail about us, including the relationship between me and Stefan. And most of our classmates are shocked to hear about this. This is embarrassing! Some of them even congratulate us and ask Stefan when we are going to get married. I can see Stefan turns into beet red when Madam Violet teases him. And now I know that Madam Violet is Stefan’s second aunt from his mother’s side. No wonder she looks gorgeous.

The bell rings and we off to the History class. Aunt Sallie asks us about the review and she already shows our names on the touch-screen blackboard. Those who already sent the review, their names will be written in blue, so as mine and Abbie’s. Aunt Sallie is interested with my review and two others and she’ll put it in the bulletin so that people can read.

“Okay class, before I leave, I want to tell you that this weekend you’ll be having a blooding ceremony. You’ll turn into a real vampire soon, congratulations,” she beams and every one cheers. We have been waiting for this moment; the blooding ceremony.

Dad is going to come here this weekend and I can’t wait to see him. He texted me last night, saying that he’ll come. I know that he really miss me so much. Dad and I are very close and I share everything with him.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you that this is our last class. Next week you’ll be having the physical training class for 2 weeks, after the blooding ceremony. And after that, you’ll have some tests. I’ll see you around, guys. Have a nice weekend,” Aunt Sallie winks at us and the bell rings.

My clans – the vampires, are talking about the blooding ceremony which will be held this Saturday night. We can’t wait for the ceremony. That’ll be the day we’re going to be the real vampires. I can’t wait to have the fangs like my Dad has. And suck the blood from the human flesh. Yummy!

We’re been served with the best blood at the dining hall and this makes our clan feel so happy. Even I grab two bottles with Abbie. I guess I’m kinda greedy lately. Stefan joins us too – he joins for lunch, not drinking the blood. Abbie asks him a lot of question regarding our ‘engagement’. This makes Stefan feels awkward because I’m here too. I think he’s too shy to tell Abbie about our relationship.

There’s nothing much happen after the incident and I don’t even care if he’s my fiancé or not. We’re not like Zayne and Beatrice who are very mature and yet intimidating. And of course we’re definitely different from Raina and Tavis who like to laugh all day long, cracking stupid jokes and sharing ridiculous gifts. I miss Raina when I’m thinking of her. I wonder how she is doing.

The day that I have been waiting for is finally arrived. I’m waiting for Dad at the Hall of North Tower. He called me last night that he’ll be arriving this evening. Uncle Santos is already here and he takes Abbie for a shopping before attending the ceremony. Abbie asked me to join her but I told her that I wanted to wait for Dad.

Dad arrives with Grandma Maegan and I run towards him and give him how-much-I-miss-you hug. Dad shouts with joy as he hugs me and spins me around just like I’m still a seven-year old girl. He’s so happy to see me that he nearly burst into tears. Grandma Maegan ushers us to our room located in the basement of the North Tower. I didn’t know that this place exists!

 The stairs to the basement is really ancient, with the old stone walls and the torches light the way. I feel like I’m in the haunted mansion but I’m not scared. This is awesome! We reach the room where the door is incredibly huge. It’s a dungeon-like door. 

“Coolio!” Dad and I muse in unison as we step inside the room. This is a hotel! But it’s smaller than a suite like my room up in the tower but it’s still cool with the beds and the small fridge. The bathroom is small too but comfortable. We’re going to stay in this room before the ceremony begins.

“The whole family send the warmest regards to you. They really miss you so much especially Ace. And he brought something special for you,” Dad opens his travel trunk and hands me a box, wrapped in a black wrapping paper and a red ribbon.

I open the gift slowly and squeal with joy. Ace gave me books. There are three books. Two of them are novels and another one is a book on dating tips. He pastes a note on the dating book.

Dear Alice,

This is a must-read book. It’s essential for you to make a move on Stefan. I’m waiting for your wedding ceremony and remember, I want to be your best man! Good luck!

From your coolest and macho-est brother in the world,

Ace Black

I think I’m going to hit Ace when I came back to Sewra. Dad laughs out loud when he read the note.

“You don’t need to read this dating book, Alice,” says Dad who is trying to hold his laughter. “I have a lot of tips on dating and making a move. And I can give you one right now,” he winks.

I roll my eyes. “Yeah, Dad. Sure. Like I’m going to make a move on Stefan. That guy is so dense.”

Dad chuckles. “Someday you’ll realize that Stefan is madly in love with you. Believe me.”

I just sigh and nod. I don’t want to think about Stefan for this moment. I’m hungry and I can’t wait to go for the blooding ceremony. I can’t wait to drink Dad’s blood and sleep in a coffin for a day. And the next day, I’m a true vampire!

Dad brings me to the blooding hall where everyone gathers around, sitting in a circle while waiting for Grandma Maegan. She’s the Head of the Elders of the Vampire Clan so she needs to give a small talk on the ceremony. Grandma Maegan comes few minutes later with a smiling face. She greets all of us warmly and begins the ceremony.

Dad takes me to a small room and I’m so shock that there’s no coffin. I thought that we need to sleep in a coffin after drinking the blood from our parents.

“There’s no coffin?” I ask. All I can see are two beds and a machine.

“Coffin is too big for this room so beds are suitable. Go on. Lay down on the bed,” says Dad as he too, lies on the bed.

“But am I suppose to lie inside a coffin and wait for one day before I turn into a real vampire?” I stare at Dad.

“Honey, this is the modern session. It’s simple and fast. You don’t have to wait for a bloody day to regain your true form,” Dad smiles.

“But I like the old way. That way is much cooler than this,” I say, still feeling unsatisfied.

“Remember, Alice. This is the twenty first centuries,” Dad pats my head.

I roll my eyes. He likes to mention that twenty first centuries thing.

My cousin, Aiden, who is a Vampire Doctor, greets us. I lay on the bed next to Dad and Aiden begins the blood transfusion. This is not a ceremony that I’ve been waiting for! This looks like a blood donation. I want to ask Dad but he just smiles. Aiden, too, doesn’t answer my question.

10 minutes later, the blood transfusion thingy ends. Dad thanks Aiden. “Alice, say thanks to Aiden,” says Dad. I just murmur thanks and leave the room with Dad. Now I’m super hungry. I think I can eat 10 humans! My stomach can’t stop growling since this evening.

Dad takes me to the place where we gathered just now and every new vampire like I am seemed so hungry. Their faces look pale and I think mine is the same. I wave at Abbie who is coming back from the room with Uncle Santos.

“Hear, hear! Tonight ceremony will begin. Congratulation, new vampires! Now, let’s begin the feast!” she throws her arms in the air and the servants – I mean, her servants, serve the blood in the bottle.

I grab as many bottles as I can to drink the blood. This is the tastiest blood ever! After the feast, Dad takes me to the room that we stayed this evening. I look at myself in front of the mirror. I love my pale-looking face and my fangs. This is what I’ve been dreaming of. Dad says I look great. I’m now part of the nocturnal creatures. I can’t wait for hunting the humans!