A company of horsemen positioned themselves around the front and back of the inn like a SWAT team. Druscilla could hear Clearwater’s voice speaking with the innkeeper. “There is a witch on your premises. We’re here to root them out.”

“Hey now, my Lady, my guests enjoy their privacy – I can’t let you in.”

“This is an order from the King!”

“Where’s the proof?”

“Marshal Trance Bluewater and I are members of His Majesty’s council. Is that not proof enough?”

“No. I need a seal, with his signature.”

“How about I have you flayed?”

“All who bear direct orders from His Majesty must bear with them a seal with His Majesty’s writing. It is the law.”

Needless to say, the witch in question was Druscilla. That obstinate innkeeper will buy me some time.

“Dru, what’s going on?” Penelope asked. They had been winding down for bed when the soldiers showed up.

“Pen, my dear, we find ourselves in a dire situation.”

“What do you mean? What do those men want?”

Druscilla heard a horse galloping away; presumably to fetch the seal. “They are looking for a witch. I’m who they want.” That woman probably tracked me. Fuck! This is what I get for trying to get petty revenge while not fully understanding the risks.

“Y-you’re a witch?”

Druscilla hefted up the closet and set it against the door. “Oh, I’m much more than a witch.” She bared her teeth, exposing elongated fangs to Penelope.

The girl recoiled slowly. “What are you?”

“I’m a Vampire.”

“What’s a vampire?”

“Why tell you, when I can show you? I can easily escape undetected, but I’d have to leave you here. Those men will probably burn you at the stake but not before torturing you for answers you don’t have. Or, I turn you, and you come with me.”

Penelope became pale. “What are you going to do to me?”

“If you do accept, I’ll drink your blood, and then proceed to the ritual.”

“Jared – that was you.”

“An unfortunate event, sadly. Now hurry up and choose, I can hear them picking the back door.” Druscilla had planned to drain Penelope, regardless of her choice. Can’t leave loose ends if I can help it. Still, I’ve grown quite fond of her – she’d be the perfect First Disciple.

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“I either die a horrible death or turn into a horrible monstrosity. What a life.”

Don’t get all self-righteous on me Pen! “Don’t tell me you’d rather die…”

“No, I have family who are waiting for me – I can’t just abandon them.”

“Oh, right. I take it that’s a yes?”

Penelope nodded. “I liked you better when you were dumb and insane.”

“For what it’s worth, I really do like you Pen.”

“I hope that’s true. Now turn me into a Vampire, Druscilla.”

Druscilla’s fangs sank into Penelope’s neck. The girl moaned softly as her eyes crossed and eyelids drooped. The warm elixir poured into the Vampire’s throat until the girl was dry. Now I’m not entirely sure what happens next. Below, the innkeeper was still being hassled by Lady Clearwater. As he was distracted several men had gone through the picked back door and were now going room by room and questioning people.

Using her claws, Druscilla cut her left thumb. She put the bloody finger into Penelope’s slightly open mouth. If this doesn’t work it will be the dumbest thing I’ve ever done. Penelope’s lips closed around Druscilla’s finger and she started sucking. Aha! It worked. Druscilla’s thumb was all the way up Penelope’s mouth. Druscilla felt two pinpricks as Penelope bit her hand. At the back of her head, she felt a pleasant pressure building, threatening to cloud her mind. So this is what my victims felt.

She let Penelope drink until she felt lightheaded. “That’s enough my dear.” Penelope’s eyes had remained shut this entire time. “I said enough.” Druscilla pried Penelope off her hand.

The second Vampire finally opened her eyes. “What happened? Ugh, I feel sick – and hungry.”

Druscilla licked her wounds and they healed. “Welcome to Undeath, my friend. You’re immortal now. Don’t worry it gets better with time. Now let’s go – can you walk?”

“I feel nauseous Dru, I don’t think I can move.”

“You need to feed.” Druscilla scooped up Penelope in her arms and went to the window.

“But what about all our stuff?”

“I’ll be back for it.” What a pain.

Druscilla vaulted out of the window and onto the next rooftop. She stopped to listen to whether somebody had seen her. The soldiers below were silent, however, all Druscilla could hear was Pen’s laboured breathing. “You don’t need to breathe,” Druscilla told her, and Pen went silent.

“Dru, I feel really sick – like someone’s rearranging my organs by force.”

“Don’t worry, I’m with you.” In the distance, she could see the temple spires through her night vision. The tallest of which was a bell tower. Perfect.

She made a beeline for the temple. Carrying Pen with one arm, she climbed up the tower, her fingers digging into stone. The top was abandoned save for a gigantic bronze bell covered in elaborate carvings. “Where are you going? Don’t leave me, Dru.” Pen sounded scared.

“I’m going to fetch you some prey. Wait here, I’ll be back.” She left Pen writhing on the floor as she looked for a human to kidnap. It was already nighttime, and most pedestrians were indoors and in groups. Druscilla had no time for caution as she made out a pair of men talking in a back alley.

She dropped from the sky in front of them. “Who the hell are you?” they asked in unison as they brandished knives at her.

No time for games. “Look into my eyes.” Fall unconscious.

The men dropped to the ground and Druscilla grabbed them by the collar and ran back over rooftops to the temple. She left one on the temple roof and carried the other to Pen.

“It hurts,” Pen mumbled as she gingerly touched her fangs.

“I brought you something.”

“He’s still alive…”

“So?”

“I’m not a murderer, Dru.”

“Oh get over yourself.” Druscilla used her claw to cut a slight slit in the man’s neck. Blood came rushing out, igniting Druscilla’s sense.

Penelope could no longer resist. She all but bit into the man’s neck as tears trickled down her face. Druscilla could see the mouthfuls cascading down her throat. When she was done Penelope looked disgusted with herself. She was mumbling under her breath.

I have to dispose of the body first. She took the body to the temple doorstep. They’ll hardly think to check their bell tower – I hope.

She brought the other man to the tower. Pen was quietly sobbing while hugging her knees. “Don’t be so hard on yourself; everything’s going to be fine.”

“I killed him.”

“A small price to pay for immortality. Look Pen, you and I are special. In the whole wide world, there are only two Vampires. I’ll always be here for you, literary forever. You can always count on me.” Druscilla was never the empathetic type, but she could imagine what Pen was feeling. I should reassure her – but how? Druscilla leaned in and her lips parted Penelope’s. “Let’s sleep, it’ll all be better tomorrow.”

There were plenty of things she could have done better, but lying with her limbs wrapped around Penelope made her feel like she was responsible for Pen – like a big sister. That makes the risk worth it.