Luna's Ascension

I was in the woods again, the moonlight fell on the ground, scattered by the deep green leaves and needles hanging above, the light reflected off the ebony bark of the trees. I had never been in a forest so quiet, I struggled to creep slowly over the dried leaves and twigs. He was here waiting for me, somewhere. My pulse quickened, as the silence overwhelmed me. I made my way to the nearest pine, and began climbing the boughs, when I felt his icy fingers wrap around my ankle. I let out a blood curdling scream as he slammed me into the tree, his fingers digging into my throat. His green eyes bored into mine from under his shaggy black hair, his full lips broke into a wide toothy grin exposing his sharpened canines. “Found you.” He whispered moments before he moved to bite my neck. Coldness washed over me.  “Cindy, Cindy wake up.” Another splash of cold, “Come on. Wake up.” I heard a young male’s voice growl. Slowly the dream released me and my demon faded back into the darkness where he came.  Groaning I sat up, “What the hell Matt?” I demanded. My boyfriend knelt over me pinning my legs beneath him.  “You were screaming and thrashing in your sleep again.” He explained easing off of me, “The Green eyed nightmare?” He asked. His brown eyes filled with concern.  “What else?” I sighed, relieved to be out of that hell. “What time is it?” I asked him, searching the floor for my alarm clock that I must have thrown off of my night stand during my thrashing.  “Just after three.” He answered, smoothing my wet hair back from my face. “You just got home?” I asked him. He nodded.  “Sorry about the cold water, it seems to be the only thing that will wake you up anymore, and you were burning up like you had a fever.”  “It’s fine.” I said moving to get up, “No one else is home, I’ll just sleep with you in your bed.”  “Your parents will be getting back from their flight at 6.” He tried protesting.  “Yeah, and they have to wait for luggage claim, and the cab ride back. They won’t be home until at least 7, and I’ll already be up again, but if you want to sleep in my wet bed you go right ahead.” I said wrapping my wet hair in a towel, and changing into a fresh t-shirt before heading down the hall to his room. I heard him sigh before following me. The twin size bed was small enough for just him, at six foot his feet dangled off the edge on a good night, but I crammed my way in there and he curled around me, holding me tight. And honestly if my parents didn’t want us sleeping together they wouldn’t be off on vacation all the time.  I awoke to Matt’s alarm at 7 and snuck out of bed. I started to get ready for my last day of high school. When I got downstairs I discovered that my parents were home. They had put up signs and balloons filling the living room with “Congrats class of 2056!” Mom was fixing breakfast while dad sat on the couch listening to the news.  “There she is! Our little graduate.” Mom squealed as she wrapped me in a hug.  Dad groaned as he got up from the couch “C’mere pumpkin.” He said hugging me and mom.  “How was your trip?” I asked, disentangling myself from them. Roger and Linda were good parents just a little aloof. When I was fourteen they told me the drawn out story of how they were infertile and adopted me, and were so blessed to be able to be my parents. By the time I was sixteen they were nearing retirement, and started traveling more, because well Matt and I could take care of ourselves. While I have school they leave me to care for myself, going on about a week long trip just the two of them every semester. But during winter break they take me to the ski resort with them, Spring break we go somewhere tropical, and summer vacation we load up in the RV and drive through all of the lower 48 states, staying in a different campground every night, and never in the same campground twice. Since I started dating Matt when I was fourteen he was invited on every trip. His favorite trips were the RV summers, where he had three amazing months away from his psychotic step-mother, my favorite was when we went to the Bermuda Triangle.  “Oh it was just delightful. A lot of people say France is overrated but at night it’s simply magical.” My mother gushed, “So have you figured out where you want to go for your graduation trip?” She asked eagerly.  “Romania is still sounding the best.” I said, “It would be nice to meet Matt’s family over there.” I mused.  “Leave it to you to want to go somewhere with such dark history.” My mom sighed. “You can’t fool me, I know you just want to visit the ruins of the castle that inspired Dracula.” she rolled her bright blue eyes at me, her gray roots starting to show in her bleached blonde hair. Dad put a plump hand on her shoulder.  “Now Lin, it’s her graduation present, it’s her choice. If her and Matt want to go to Romania we can always just drop them off and go back to Italy.” He gave me a conspiratorial wink with his understanding, hazel eyes. His gray hair was cropped short, and the wrinkles around his eyes and mouth were starting to show his age. “Plus we’ve always known Cindy was different, and had her own interests.” I smiled at that.  Mom was as prim, proper, and as stereotypically feminine as you could get, I know when she adopted a baby girl she wanted the same for her daughter. For the first four years or so she won, and dolled me up in all of the cutest dresses, and enough pink to make me look like a walking, pepto bismol advertisement. By the time I started school, and grew my own opinions that all was replaced with coveralls and t-shirts, by high school I hit my goth phase of dark colors, corsets, black eyeliner, and heavy metal music. I hoarded the classics of literature and all things horror. In over two hundred years there has yet to be an author as ghoulishly inspiring as Poe, horror flicks from the 1980s had an edginess paired with the childish special effects that had me lamenting over being born in the wrong century. No, there were a lot of words to describe me but normal was not one of them, and that was something I was very proud of.  “I suppose if you want to spend your summer traipsing along ‘haunted’ hallways of castles, it’s your choice.” Mom said, “But at least let me do your makeup and dress you up for graduation.” “Sure mom, you can doll me up for graduation tonight, but I’m completing my last day of school as me.” I said with a spin showing off my combat boots, fishnet stockings, black pencil skirt, and red velvet top.  “At least you have class.” My mom smiled at me. Now hurry so you’re not late. I smiled back and with a dramatic bow I left the house. I turned the key in the ignition of my Jeep and drove to school. The final day of school was, I felt, unnecessary, just a chance for the seniors to say goodbye to their teachers. My last period was AP Lit, but my favorite teacher Mr. Wright was out sick. I returned home, and my mother shoved me in the shower. When I was done my mother spent over an hour primping me. She blow dried my hair before curling it, and doing my makeup. No eyeliner, just a darker shade of eyeshadow along the bottom of my eyelid. She always preferred the natural look on me. She chose a bright yellow sundress for me to accentuate my light brown hair, golden eyes, and olive complexion. She let me wear my chunky black heels, but nothing else from my wardrobe would make the cut. Matt finally stumbled down stairs around five, freshly showered his black hair slicked back, he wore black dress pants and a white button up shirt with a black blazer, and loosened black tie. He smiled when he saw me and handed me a black knit cardigan. My mother rolled her eyes, but gave a small nod of approval before Matt slipped the cardigan over my shoulders. After twelve long years I was finally ready to graduate. I kissed my family goodbye making sure to grab my graduation gown and cap as I headed to the town hall. It took over an hour for everyone to get into their proper places, and dressed appropriately.  Finally, the commencement song began and we were led to our seats by our teachers and principal. The speeches were brief before one by one my peers were called to walk across the stage, until my name was finally called. I shook the hands of the teachers who lined the stage and gladly took my diploma from the principal. My family whooped and hollered from the audience. I saw my parents, Matt, my aunt, and my cousin Wendy, along with the translucent silhouettes of my great-grandparents, and Matt’s grandmother. The ghosts smiled and clapped silently beside the rambunctious living relatives, I gave a small smile and wave before walking off the stage to take my seat again.  Afterwards we were dismissed to meet with our families. My mom hugged me and gave me flowers, Wendy smiled and wrapped me in a tight hug as she congratulated me. Her bright green eyes alight with joy. “It’s your turn next year.” I smiled returning her embrace.  “I know but tonight we are celebrating you.” She whispered. My family took me to my favorite Mexican restaurant for dinner and we celebrated. Afterwards I left for my friend Aubrey’s graduation extravaganza. Matt offered to come along but Aubrey insisted it was for the graduation class only. When I arrived Aubrey opened the door her blonde hair and blue eyes accentuated by her fuzzy pastel sweater.  “How are you always so cold?” I asked her as I made my way into her house, “Like it’s seriously sixty degrees out.” She shrugged at me, rolling her eyes.  “Come on, let’s start this party.” She smiled deviously leading me into the kitchen of her apartment.  “No one else is even here yet.” I groaned as she handed me a shot. “Yeah, I wanna take this time to celebrate us and our friendship.” She smiled as she poured her own shot.  “Fine.” I rolled my eyes caving in, “To everlasting friendship!” we clinked our shots, linked our arms and drank. The tequila burned on it’s way down sending a jolt through my body. Aubrey only laughed at me.  “Still a lightweight I see.” She scoffed, as she poured more tequila into the blender making fresh margaritas. I thanked God my parents never really asked too many questions about my personal life, because there is no way in Hell they would approve of Aubrey as my best friend. She was emancipated by the time I met her in freshman year of high school. She managed to work under the table at the butcher shop in order to pay for her renting the apartment above the shop. Due to the rejection of her own parental units who shipped her off to live on her own she dated college boys who provided her with the booze and pot she used to numb the pain. Everyone at school feared her edginess, but respected the hell out of her ability to live on her own without rules. Her parties were legendary, but she often confided that I was her only true friend. When my parents were out of town she would often come stay with Matt and I. I tried my best to get her to stop drinking and smoking, but ultimately she won and showed me the fun it could bring. By the time the party was really hopping, I had drank too much, and let myself out to take a walk. I remember Aubrey finding me and carrying me back.  I awoke to the sunlight burning my eyes, my head was pounding, and my mouth and throat were dry. But my entire body felt like it was on fire. I sat up groaning as I tried to figure out where I was. It appeared to be a cheap motel room. Confused, I went towards the bathroom. The lump in the other bed moved before Aubrey sat up.  “Hey you’re awake.” she smiled.  “Yeah; must have been some party, I feel like shit.” I smiled back, “How did we end up here?” I asked, “And where’s my phone?” I patted my pockets to no avail.  “Okay, I’m going to answer your questions, but you can’t freak out okay?” Aubrey became nervous starting to pace between me and the door. Just then the door opened and two men came in. One wore a hat, hoodie, and sunglasses. The other looked half asleep in a t-shirt with greek lettering.  “Have a seat.” The hooded man said to the frat guy who did so without question. Sitting calmly on the edge of the bed staring at the hooded man as if waiting for more instructions. “Good she’s up.” He said eyeing me as he closed the door and bolted it shut.  I was slowly backing up towards the bathroom trying to remember everything in the room that could be used as a weapon to defend myself. “Cindy, it’s okay. It’s just Mr. Wright. Damn it Leo I told you to wait in the car until I called. She literally just woke up.” She turned to the man who was pulling down his hood and removing his glasses. Sure enough it was my favorite teacher Mr. Wright, his short cropped blonde hair and light blue eyes were in contrast to the black hoodie and jeans he wore with sneakers. “Well excuse me, but it is hot as hell in that damn car, and you were taking too long. Plus look at her she hasn’t eaten in three days. If we want the transition to be a success she needs to eat.” He snapped at Aubrey.  “What is going on?” I asked, thoroughly confused as it seemed the only logical explanation was my best friend and favorite teacher had kidnapped me. “What do you mean I haven’t eaten in three days? I ate last night. Brie, tell him.” “Cindy, I need you to sit down.” Aubrey said, smiling warmly at me.  “Okay?” I asked eyeing the tired frat boy as I made my way to the edge of the other bed. “Oh God, how do I explain this without sounding crazy?” Aubrey asked Mr. Wright. “I haven’t done this before.”  “Okay, okay. I’ll start.” Mr. Wright said, kneeling down in front of me. “Cindy, you are the best student I have ever had, your curiosity and willingness to understand the abnormal, and fascination with the paranormal were very refreshing for someone in your generation. Do you remember all the assignments I gave you and how I encouraged you and Aubrey to work on projects together revolving around your interests in the paranormal?”  “Yes” I answered, confused. Why were we discussing school work right after my graduation? “You had us research paranormal and supernatural lore. It was great and part of what made your class so fun.”  “Do you remember your assignment on Vlad the Impaler?”  “Yeah, he was the inspiration for Dracula. What does this have to do with anything? School is over.”  “Ugh you’re just confusing her. Move.” Aubrey said pushing him out of the way. “Cindy, Leo and I have spent the last four years working together to prepare you for this. You know how you see ghosts? And all the strange s**t that seems to happen when we are together?”  “Yeah…” I answered.  “Okay, ghosts aren’t the only supernatural beings that are real. There are also witches, shifters, mermaids, fairies, and vampires. Like me, and Leo...and now you.”  I burst into laughter, “You’re f*****g with me. Good one guys. You almost had me there. Can we go home now?” I asked.  “Show her.” Mr. Wright said. Aubrey sighed.  “I’m sorry Cindy.” She said before opening her mouth and exposing elongated canines like the man in my nightmares.  “What the f**k?!” I scrambled back away from her and looked to Mr. Wright. He smiled sadly and showed his fangs as well.  “I am so sorry Cindy. It was the only way.” Aubrey said, “Come with me.” She held her hand out to me as I tried to back away farther. “I’m not going to hurt you.” There were tears in her eyes, “If you don’t trust me go into the bathroom and look in the mirror yourself.”  I scrambled off the bed and ran into the bathroom. This had to be an elaborate prank the fangs had to be fake, right? Right?! I stared in the mirror not daring to open my mouth as I ran my fingers through my hair. A couple strands of hair had been dyed a deep purple. Finally, looking fully at my reflection I realized that my golden eyes were a darker brown, my normal copper skin was now milk white, and I opened my mouth to see fangs. I poked them and they did not wiggle or move like the fake ones I wore every halloween. And I realized that even with the anxiety I was experiencing I could not feel my heart pounding. I moved my hair over my shoulder and saw two little scars from puncture wounds on my neck. I placed my finger to my neck searching for my pulse and found nothing. The bathroom door opened.  “What did you do to me?” I asked as I turned around, “My own best friend, a god damn blood sucking vampire! How did you hide it from me? Who even are you?” I backed up away from her, and Mr. Wright as they both stood in the doorway.  “I’ll explain everything if you come back out.” Aubrey sighed heavily. Numbly, I walked back over to the bed and sat back down.  “My birth name is Elena, but I go by Mist now, I was born in Romania back in 1440 to a proud shifting den. Our species had been at war with the vampires for forty years, with our den leading the charge. I was married to my mate Luca, and had already birthed one litter of kittens: Alina, Andrei, Loana, and Marius when Vlad found me in 1460. He killed Luca and abducted me, renaming me Aburi, for my silver hair that reminded him of the mist around his mountain castle. He turned me into a vampire, and kept me under his control by threatening my children. My mother was the leader of our den and relocated after the death of my husband and the capture of me. It took a century for Vlad to finally lose track of my descendents as the shifter bloodline ran dry. I suffered an entire century chained to his side, doing his bidding as his bride, but finally when my descendents were safe I was able to break away. I spent most of the 1500s in Europe hunting down the other vampires Vlad had created. Until news of Roanoke broke, an entire colony was missing. I had never considered the possibility of a vampire taking advantage of the colonization of America. It took me thirty years to secure a voyage to America, and another two years to get from New England to Roanoke. Thus began my hunt of the American Vampires. Unlike Vlad I was able to keep tabs on my descendents, since they had become the first humans to hunt monsters when the ability to shift ran out of our bloodline. In 1995 one of my descendents fled our homeland to America, I stayed close to watch over her. Then six years ago I heard strange reports that indicated a vampire was posing as a teacher in the same town as my descendants. I had to come and make sure it wasn’t an agent sent by Vlad. As I was turned young I was able to dye my hair and enroll myself in school as Aubrey King without raising suspicion . I confronted Leo right away, and while he had heard of the Silver Lynx he shared that he was not hunting me, or acquainted with Vlad at all, but was instead working under the orders of the America Vampire King. He shared his plot with me and I chose to help him. Together we befriended you and built your trust to get you to this point, and turn you into one of us.”  “But why? Why did you stop hunting other vampires to help him instead? Why did you choose me to use and turn?” I asked dumbfounded, there was nothing special about me, other than my obsession with the paranormal and supernatural. Which just made it that much easier for me to be manipulated to this point.  “We didn’t choose you. Ivan did.” Mr. Wright shared, “Or more accurately the prophecy chose you, but I think that’s enough for tonight. You need to eat, you’ve been out for three days. Jason come here.” The frat boy finally moved as ordered, honestly he was so still before that I had forgotten he was even there, especially since him randomly appearing with Mr. Wright was quickly overshadowed by my entire world being flipped upside down.  “Cindy, you need to bite him right here.” Mist pointed to his carotid artery, “Be sure to bite down hard and keep your lips wrapped tightly around his neck to stop the blood from spraying everywhere.  “I’m not doing that.” I said crossing my arms. “If you don’t eat, your transition will be incomplete and you will die.” Mr. Wright growled at me.  “I don’t care, I’m already dead anyways right? I don’t have a pulse, and I’m not killing someone.” I said defiantly, “I don’t care about your stupid prophecy or your selfish grooming. I just want to go home and pretend none of this happened.”  Mr. Wright laughed, “Yeah that was my reaction when I was turned as well. I went straight home only to end up killing my wife and child. Trust me, feed off Jason, you will feel better. I still remember what I felt like when I starved myself, my body felt engulfed in flames, the stomach cramps, the headache and nausea. You don’t need to kill him. Just feed off of him. We’ll make him forget and drop him back off at his dorm.” He crossed his arms looking down his nose at me.  “I’m sorry about your family, but I’m not going to hurt an innocent stranger.”  “For f***s sake. Mist? A little help.” Mr. Wright prodded her. She heaved a heavy sigh before dragging her fingernail across Jason’s neck exposing a line of crimson blood. She licked her nail clean and the scent of his coppery blood overwhelmed me. I knotted my fingers in his curly brown hair and sank my fangs into the spot Mist scratched. The blood sprayed into my mouth with it’s sweet coppery tang washing over my tongue. I drank greedily, finally feeling the hunger begin to satiate. The blood was as refreshing as ice cold water soothing my burning nerves, my headache began to fade as my iron levels rose, and the twisting pit that was my stomach had begun to fill.  “Alright that’s enough.” Mist said. Grabbing my head and pulling me off. I snarled at her and she bared her fangs back. “I said that’s enough!”  “You have to give an actual command for it to work.” Mr. Wright said, looking bored.  “Ugh. This s**t is so annoying.” Mist said, still restraining me. “Cindy Stop.” my body stopped moving on it’s own as I internally struggled to get back to Jason and finish drinking him dry. “Sit back on the bed.” my body moved on it’s own and I stayed rigid. Leo, some help would be nice. Like maybe getting him out of here?”  “Sure.” Mr. Wright said as he stood. “Jason, come here. Put your hoodie back on.” Jason stood and took the hoodie from Mr. Right putting it back on. “Hood up.” Jason put the hood up. I still stayed seated, “If anyone asks you scratched your neck on some thorns in the woods.” Jason nodded with a dazed look in his eyes. “Hey Jason, what happened to your neck man?” Mist asked. Jason turned to her confused, then put his hand on his neck.  “Oh this? Yeah I must have got scraped by some thorns when I was in the woods, I think I got way too f****d up last night.” Jason answered.  “Alright he’s good. Come on Jason, let’s get you back to your dorm.” Mr. Wright said, leading Jason back outside into the night. “Mist, wash that s**t out of your hair while I’m gone.”  “Sure thing boss.” She said sarcastically with a mock salute.  “Aren’t you scared I’ll escape while you shower?” I asked the monster, that I once actually considered my best friend.  “Nope. You can’t move again until I tell you.” she said closing the door behind her. As soon as I heard it close I tried getting up, but I could not. Finally giving up I laid down on my back and wondered how the hell I got here. “Why can’t I move?” I shouted over her shower.  “Because I’m your sire, you can’t deny or disobey a direct order from me.” She answered back.  “Then it’s not hypnotism?” I asked.  “Nope. And I can hear you fine at a normal volume you know.”  “Did you ever hypnotize me like Jason?” I asked at my normal volume.  “Nope. We couldn’t for some reason you were resistant.” She answered. I was out of questions and rolled on my side. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the spirits of my great-grandparents and Matt’s grandmother. “Oh great, just what I need. Your judgment.” I rolled over, turning my back to them. Sofia sat next to me.  “This is how it’s supposed to be. Do not be afraid.” She said.  “Sophie, leave her alone.” Mist said, coming out of the bathroom. She wore black, ripped jeans, and a loose fitting black t-shirt, her crucifix choker necklace was on her neck, and she looked less like my best friend. Her blue eyes were the same but the dye must have been temporary as her hair now was silver with thick purple streaks.  “You know each other?” I asked, looking between Sofia and Mist.  “She’s my ancestor.” Sofia answered. “Good to see you again Elena.”  “Mist mentioned that her bloodline was shifters, were you a shifter?” I asked Sofia.  “No. My grandmother was the last Lynx shifter in our bloodline.” Sofia looked sad. “She’s the one who told me the legend of her great-grandmother the Lynx Argint. I loved when my grandmother would shift into her true form. She taught me everything about the monster’s of this world and how to protect myself. I tried passing that knowledge to my son, but he didn’t believe me.”  “Your grandmother was the last Lynx shifter in general. They’re extinct.” Mist sighed. “They’ll never be extinct as long as the Lynx Argint lives.” Sofia said before disappearing.  “The Lynx Argint?” I asked Mist. “It’s Romanian for the Silver Lynx, which is what I’m called.”  “Why?” I asked. She sighed, before her body changed in front of me. One minute my friend was standing there with silver hair and blue eyes, the next I was staring into the eyes of an apex predator. The lynx was indeed silver, with purple spots and tufts of fur coming from the tip of it’s ears. Just as quickly as she changed she changed back. “That was so cool.” I said in amazement. “Wait, so you’re Matt’s like great-great-great-grandmother?” I asked.  “Yup.” She said, sitting next to me on the bed towel drying her hair. “And you’re like 600 years old?”  “Six-hundred and sixteen years old.” she sighed. “You can move now.” I felt every muscle in my body loosen as I was released.  “So why did you turn me and not Mr. Wright?” I asked.  “So Leo was originally going to turn you, until I came along then he realized that me turning you would be better for his plan. See there is a long history of vampirism. The first vampires were Atlantians before God caused the flood to destroy them. Except they were immortal and adapted becoming mermaids or sirens or whatever you want to call them. Then centuries later Vlad Dracul became the first European vampire. Ivan became the first American Vampire after that. Now as your sire I can command you. As my sire Vlad can command you and me. So if Leo turned you his sire, which is Ivan, would be able to command you as well. Which would have thrown a major monkey wrench into Leo’s plan.”  “What is Leo’s plan?” I asked, stretching my legs.   “Leo’s plan is for Leo to tell you about. I did my part, and now you’re going to be in his care.” Mist said with a shrug.  “What do you mean I’m going to be in his care?” I asked incredulously.  “Matt is currently the end of my bloodline. Now that you’re a vampire you will keep tabs on him and not let anything bad happen to him. Now that my bloodline is once again safe I have to go home and finish what I started.”  “Killing all the vampires?” I asked.  “Killing all the vampires.” She answered with a smile.  “What happens if you kill Vlad?”  “Hopefully, I will die too.” She answered.  “Was our entire friendship...fake?” I finally asked the question I had been too afraid to.  “No. I genuinely care about you as a person, and these past four years with you have been the first time I actually felt alive and happy in over five hundred years.”  “So if you don’t die, when you kill Vlad, I mean. You’ll come back and we can be friends for centuries?” I asked. “You know eating people and taking names?” I smiled hopefully, not wanting to lose the only connection I had to my past life.  “Yes, if I don’t die taking him out, I’ll come back for you. Now stay here and wait for Leo. You cannot leave this hotel room until Leo comes back.” I nodded my understanding as I felt my body tense with the now familiar sensation of being forced to obey her.  “Good luck out there. Keep in touch.” I said giving her a hug. She stood and walked to the door. “I will.” She opened the door and walked off into the night. After she left the spirits came back. They didn’t have any answers for my destiny or fate, all they knew was that I was supposed to become a vampire, and things were going as planned. All they could tell me was “the cosmos are balanced”. Whatever the hell that meant. I finally fell back asleep after I realized I would get no more answers from them.