Chapter Ivy
Ivy
Ivy sat at the large table in Leseldh’s library with Vampires of Iavus open in front of her. She’d already read the book from cover to cover, but with her Ascension set to commence the following evening, she was feeling more apprehensive than ever.
Finare joined her at the table, and he slid the book towards himself as he slipped into the seat beside her.
“You’re reading this old rag again?” Finare looked down and skimmed the topic on the open pages.
Vampire Ascension: Blood Gifts
A Vampire that successfully completes their Ascension will observe various changes to their physiology. Changes to appearance and an increase in strength can be observed in most Vampires entering the Ascendant Era.
Dormant abilities, known as ‘Blood Gifts’, may also emerge in an Ascendant Vampire. Blood Gifts are rare and not well-documented. However, some known abilities appear to be bloodline-specific, while others are more common and found across many bloodlines. Documented abilities include:
Precognition: The ability to foresee events. This ability has only been observed in the Maurell bloodline.
Erath: Also known as the Raven Familiar. Vampires granted the Erath Blood Gift have control of a raven that is soul-bound to the bearer. This ability is observed only in the Idthraki bloodline.
Generate Electricity: The ability to generate electricity through magical means. This ability is observed only in the Blackwyn bloodline.
Mind Reading: The ability to read another creature’s thoughts. This is a common ability observed in various bloodlines.
When Finare returned his attention to hers, she stated, “It seems like the only ability I stand a chance at receiving is the Erath. It’s unlikely, though.”
“I wouldn’t put too much stock into that book, Ivy. It’s ancient, like most of the shit in Leseldh’s collection. This one mentions the Blackwyn Vampires, and from what I’ve heard, their line Ended centuries ago.” Finare’s scepticism was clear in his voice as he tapped on the page.
Ivy let out a sigh as her thoughts swirled in her mind. A fact she’d previously overlooked was the Precognition ability in the Maurell line—did Killian have this ability? Did that have any impact on all that they’d experienced together in the last year?
She realised that Finare was watching her silently, but he looked like he wanted to say something.
“Out with it.”
Finare’s voice was tentative. “Is a Blood Gift that important?”
“Yes. No. Fuck, I don’t know,” Ivy sighed, raising her arms to place her hands behind her head. “I’ve spent the last year being weak and vulnerable. I don’t want to be that anymore.”
Finare closed the book and turned in his seat to face her.
“You’ll get stronger once you Ascend. It’ll also mean you won’t be vulnerable anymore, because the Council’s Order of Protection comes into effect.”
Ivy knew that the Order of Protection was one of the reasons she needed to complete her Ascension. It served as a deterrent for those with ill intentions, because her Ending would come with deadly consequences for the perpetrator.
Ivy furrowed her brow. “Why does it only come into effect after the Ascension?”
“Because the system is broken. It was put in place centuries ago as a means of controlling the Vampire population. It ensured that only the strongest Vampires survived.”
“It seems more like a loophole that can be exploited.”
Ivy remembered Killian’s words when they discussed her Ascension. My Sire is of greater risk to you. She thought back to the exchange between Leseldh and Drachen at the theatre, and presumed the risk was due to the rivalry that simmered between them.
“It is. But we’re almost at the end now. Once the Order comes into effect, you won’t have to worry about anyone coming after you.”
Ivy rose from her seat, taking the copy of Vampires of Iavus and returning it to the shelf. Although Finare’s words were reassuring, she knew there were plenty of other things to worry about once she came out of the ground. But she didn’t dare voice them within the mansion’s walls.
When Ivy awoke on the night of her Ascension, she was plagued by a leaden feeling. It felt like invisible hands were dragging her downward, slowing her steps and sapping her energy. She was informed by Leseldh that it was her body’s way of calling for her Ascension.
Ivy spent most of the evening in Finare’s room, allowing him to distract her with conversation on any topic other than what was to take place.
Her curiosity got the better of her at one point, and when she dragged herself to the balcony adjoining Finare’s bedroom, she peered out and saw Voresta digging a grave in the centre of the garden. The sight made her stomach roll.
All too soon, Leseldh appeared at Finare’s bedroom door to whisk her away to prepare.
The sea of nerves thrashed within her. Her legs were unsteady, and she allowed Leseldh to lead her to her bedroom.
When Ivy saw the emerald-green dress she last wore to the theatre hanging from her armoire door, she had a moment of confusion, thinking that he’d planned a date instead.
Leseldh pulled her close and helped her to change into the dress.
He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead before pulling her shirt over her head.
His hands moved down to her jeans, but her hands were already there, unbuttoning them and sliding them down.
As she stepped out of the puddle of denim on the floor, Leseldh removed the dress from the hanger and slipped it over her head. They didn’t bother with shoes.
Leseldh took her hand in his and led her outside.
Every step towards the grave that yawned open in the centre of the garden felt like a death march.
The heaviness in her limbs intensified as she approached it.
Ivy knew that she needed to complete the Ascension, but her fear of the unknown had her by the throat and was slowly suffocating her.
Leseldh’s words about what came after the Ascension invaded her mind.
When you rise, the love that you feel for me will be stronger than ever before.
Rather than those words bolstering her, they left her feeling conflicted.
Leseldh was the catalyst for the trajectory her life had taken, and while it’d been turbulent, she held no regrets.
But the feeling that something was missing was a dull ache that never left her, and she expected her forever to make her feel more whole.
Voresta was waiting by the grave, and although his expression was serious, Ivy could feel the self-satisfaction radiating from him. Shepherding her to her Ascension was a source of great pride for him.
Ivy looked back towards the mansion and saw Finare emerging from the back door. She pulled out of Leseldh’s grasp to wrap her arms around Finare in a tight embrace as he approached.
“You’re gonna be okay, sister,” he breathed against her neck, his arms squeezing her middle tightly. “When you’ve risen, we’re hitting the clubs. Hard.”
When she pulled back, he was grinning. She couldn’t help but smile back with the same fervour, despite the nerves nipping at her insides. When she turned back to Leseldh, she noticed a strange expression on his face.
“We mustn’t delay.” Leseldh’s words were clipped in a way that spurred Ivy’s action, overriding her apprehension.
She approached the grave and reality struck her.
Her heart began to pound as she dropped into the grave.
Her bare feet met with the cold dirt, and it sent a shiver through her.
A fresh pang of nerves shot through her body, and she blew out a slow, shaky breath as she laid down.
She looked up and saw three faces peering over the edge at her.
She would have laughed if the moment didn’t feel so surreal.
“I’ll be here when you emerge, and our forever will begin,” Leseldh called to her, his eyes flashing a brilliant gold. Those words clanged through her head as dirt began raining down into the hole. Voresta was sealing her inside her grave.
Her heartbeat soared and her eyes were forced shut as the dirt covered her face. She was gripped by panic. Would she suffocate? Was she going to die? Before her terror could consume her, she was wrapped up in the gossamer fabric of oblivion and felt… nothing.