I gulp, seeing my reddish-brown iris meet mine. My pupils are narrow like a cat’s with the right side opening a bit further due to the light of the lamp. I look to be in my early twenties. My skin is dark and tanned, but ghostly in the same light. My straight hair starts black from my scalp but abruptly turns bleach white as it trails down my shoulders. My ears are slightly pointed and poke through my thick strands of hair. I am good looking though, in an otherworldly way, but I’m sure that won’t pass the how-suspiciously-pretty-you-look test.

I need to compare it with something…

I look around my side of the room for photos but my eyes land on none. I look back at the mirror and bare my teeth. I jolted back in surprise, my canines scarily sharp and long. Like a vampire.

Am I a vampire? I look awfully close.

But wouldn’t vampires crave blood? I didn’t have any urges when my father came into the room. I’m mostly thirsty for water more than anything else. But I’m not hungry.

This is so bizarre.

The door suddenly opens and I jump. I quickly shut off the lamp and threw the curtain close. I don’t want anyone but my father to see me like this.

It’s strange. I didn’t hear them this time as they made it back to my room. Were they just speaking aloud last time or is it merely I was deep in thought I didn’t notice.

I wait, hearing two pairs of feet marching back to the right side of my bed.

“Talen. Are you awake? I brought the witch doctor with me. His name is Armen. I hope he could give us some insight on your current condition. I also sat a cup of water on your nightstand for you and the cooks are preparing your meal as we speak. I’ll go down for it shortly.”

“Thank you,” I whisper.

I know why he has to be so discreet now and why he took that woman away. I am clearly not human anymore.

“Hello, Prince Talen,” an unfamiliar and deep voice announces. “It’s nice to finally meet his majesty.”

“No need for boot licking,” my father grumbles.

“Right, right. This is an urgent matter after all. Do you mind if I peel back the curtain to get a better look? It’s rather dark here.”

I open my mouth to speak but my father answers more quickly.

“That’s not necessary,” he replies. “We have electricity here that is powered by our most talented mages. Look. There’s a lamp so use that instead.”

Mages. There’s magic? What kind of place have I awoken in?

“I didn’t notice before,” Armen murmurs. “Is there any reason we shouldn’t open the window? Sunlight might help him feel better. I know being cramped in the dark can be miserable.”

“He has severe migraines,” father exclaims. “Just use the lamp.”

“I’m sorry for doubting you, my liege.” The doctor sounds remorseful.

I hear the flick of the lamp and watch as the orangish light basks just barely through.

“I’ve checked him,” my father begins. “And he looks very worse for wear. I warn you that it’s not a pleasing sight.”

“I’ll take your word for it.”

The curtains move to the far side of the bed and I’m greeted by a kind, elderly face that morphs from concern to fear. His gray strands of hair are cut short to his ears and stray strands fall in front of his face. He has a short mustache that looks well groomed and only tickles his upper lip. His bright blue eyes scan me up and down as his mouth drops open in shock. He wears a white robe that he pulls together with his frail, pale hands.

To his left is a middle aged man dressed in a black suit with the edges trimmed in gold. His eyes are a deep chocolate brown. His hair is black, slick, and cut close to his scalp. I assume by his tan skin and royal look as well as the knowing stare that this man is my father. Or the king of Trinity, whatever that is.

“This is not your son,” the older man, Armen, whispers. It’s hard to tell if it was more to himself or my father.

My father glares at him, anger building in just the stare alone. “That’s ridiculous. Be careful about what you say, doctor,” he warns.

Armen looks appalled, offended even. He doesn’t dare stare directly at my father though. “Do you realize how serious this is?”

“It’s as serious as you want to believe, but I assure you, he is my son.”

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“Fine,” he surrenders. “But I urge you to take care of this like any other matter.”

“What are you implying?” Father gives him a look that could kill. “He is my only heir. Without him, I have no one to claim the throne.”

Armen sneers but quickly hides it with nonchalance. “There won’t be a throne for him and you know that. If someone finds out that you're harboring him, your kingdom is bound to collapse.”

“Are you threatening me?”

Armen shakes his head fiercely. “No, my liege. It’s just a suggestion.”

“Well I recommend you don’t suggest what I need to do. Remember your place. You’re not my advisor. He’ll be fine. He just needs time to recover.”

A sad look crosses Armen’s face but he nods. “Yes. What would you recommend I do?”

“Give him a basic check up. I’ll be watching to see that he gets fed properly.”

“I will wait here then.” Armen agrees.

“I’ll be back, Talen.” He turns to me with soft eyes.

My father then stands, far taller than I expected. His head doesn’t touch the ceiling, but he’s more than half a foot away from it. He has an athletic build, almost imposing. Scars from what I assume past battles tell tales on his neck and under his chin.

He strides out of view and I once again hear the door close, more quietly this time.

“Watch him,” I hear him say behind the door and quickly assume he’s talking to the guard. Armen doesn’t seem to hear them though as he begins to prod my arm.

He whispers, “Prince Talen. You are in serious danger.” His blue eyes lock onto mine so intensely I almost flinch away.

“Can I be honest? I don’t remember anything, not even my own name or where I am,” I say. “I don’t even know what continent or kingdom I’m in.”

Armen nods, briefly closing his eyes as if he’s coming to terms with something. “This is normal for people that are cursed such as yourself.”

“What am I cursed with?” I raised my brow credulously.

“You are simply as I said. Cursed. It’s a permanent transformation that reacts to people differently. This is more common than you think. It’s just unfortunate that you were struck with it. I’m not sure how concerned you are, but you won’t last long. What are your symptoms?”

I’m very concerned, actually.

My worry only grows larger at the thought of what this might impose on me. As much secrecy my father has been trying to keep, I’m sure after I’m done speaking with this man that he won’t live long to tell the tale. Hopefully, by mercy, he will be imprisoned instead of killed. He is a doctor after all and I’m sure they are also valuable as well as being few. Or at least I assume so.

“I’m allergic to the sun and I’m thirsty. Strangely. I’m not hungry,” I answered.

“Vampirism? Wait, can you look at yourself in the mirror?”

“Yes,” I nod. “I have no problem looking at myself through glass.” I wave the mirror still in my hand at him before putting it down at my side.

“Then it’s something else. Many monsters can’t walk during the day. Only some can manage.”

“So, what does this mean for me?”

“I’m sorry, my prince. Usually citizens of Trinity with this illness are executed. Monsters are not allowed in the main capital or anywhere for that matter. Your father refuses though. Surely this will lead to your downfall.”

I must have been a fool to follow the woman my father mentioned. I wish I knew the full details so that maybe I’d have a better understanding of what’s going on. I’m not sure how strict they are with royalty, but as valuable as I am, wouldn’t there be guards around to protect me? Unless my past self snuck out.

If I have enough sense to know better than to sneak out, why would I ever do it in the first place?

Was it that woman? I guess love really does overrule my common sense. Why must this be the case? So foolish of me.

“So, what’s next?” I sigh.

“That’s all up to your father. As for your check-up? It’s not needed. I can already tell by looking at you. You’re a monster now. You’ll be healthy as long as you don’t stand in the sun’s rays. Truly I don’t know why your father called me up here unless it was to confirm his suspicions. It’s rather obvious what happened.”

“Thank you for enlightening a little about my situation then.”

So I’m doomed. This has probably been my shortest experience of life that I can remember. It’s only a matter of time before more people find out unless my father plans on taking them away just like that girl.

“Armen,” I croak, and wince at how frail my voice sounds. “You need to leave. Father will truly lock you away since you know.”

“My Prince, I appreciate your concern but there is nowhere for me to go.”

I frown.

Right, he does have guards outside of the room. They’ll surely follow him out. Maybe the window but there’s no telling how far this room is from the ground.

Armen suddenly laughs. “It’s fine, my Prince. I can see the gears turning in your head. Don’t worry about me. Worry about keeping away from people’s gaze.”

I solemnly shake my head. “Okay,” I agree. “I’m sorry things have to be this way.”

“I could say the same for you.” He smiles but it doesn’t reach his eyes.

“Is he still in there?” My father’s voice echoes behind the door.

I freeze, holding my finger to my lips for Armen to see. He notices my sudden tenseness as his lips are pursed together in a concentrated line.

“Yes, my liege.” Replies the guard.

“Good. Call for two others.”

Armen straightens himself as father walks into the room. I smell some form of freshly cooked meat. My mouth waters at the scent but my stomach doesn’t react. I watch carefully as he makes it around to the doctor, a metal domed tray in his hand that sits below his shoulder.

He smiles at me, “I have your favorite.” He sets the plate on my legs. I can feel the heat faintly through the thick coat of covers. “It’s fish from the red mountains. I know you don’t have any particular taste for anything else.”

“Thank you,” I smile at him but it’s strained. I try not to hold it and turn back to the plate. I slide it closer to me, lifting the lid off and setting it to the side.

What greets me is a delicious looking grilled salmon. Red peppers, chives, and spices litter on top of the dish in a carefully decorated beauty. Juices flow freely on the edges and greens lay sparingly around the main course. Up close, the smell of the dish is truly amazing. I take a piece of the fish and plop it into my mouth, barely containing the saliva dripping from my lip.

As soon as I swallow it, intense nausea rises from my stomach. An awful taste intrudes my palette and I gag back the piece of fish on the plate. My nose is suddenly assaulted with the fishiness of the dish and I push it away from where my ankles are.

“Damn those cooks!” My father grunts. “I will personally punish them for this.”

I turn to look at him but my eyes instead catch Armen’s, his face as pale as a ghost.

My father immediately begins to storm out of the room. Armen stands with him, his demeanor changing into something more aggressive as his hands clench fiercely to his sides.

“You know what this is!” He yells.

My father turns to him, his face dark with rage. He walks back, meeting him at his chest so close that they nearly touch. He looks down on him, the doctor being a foot shorter. Armen immediately backs away.

“You dare raise your voice against me?” He warns in a chilled voice.

“You know what this is,” Armen repeats, but it’s more in a fearsome whisper. He still meets his eyes, showing determination.

“I do know what it is and it’s those damn cooks. I’ll punish them accordingly, don’t you worry.”

Obviously he wasn’t going to argue any further as he snatches the plate and lid from my bed and continues to storm out of the room.

“Lock him away. He knows too much now,” I hear him say. “Don’t let anyone in this room, do you understand?”

“Yes, sir,” the guard calls.

Armen looks at me in shock and fear as I watch with hopelessness as a metal tin can for a guardian walks into the room and begins to drag him away by the shoulders. Armen lets him, his head swinging down in sudden defeat.

“I’m sorry, Prince Talen,” I hear him mutter as the door closes shut, bringing the dramatic scene to a close.