Connor

There was nothing but darkness surrounding Connor, and the more he looked the darker it seemed to grow. There was no up or down, no left or right. Connor was just there, in the darkness. Moments later, whether it was seconds or eons was impossible to tell, a small white light appeared. Connor couldn't tell if it was close or far but he drifted towards it anyway. The light was the only source of hope and happiness in the entire valley of darkness.

Connor was determined and tried to get closer to the light. The closer he got, the further it seemed to drift away. Connor moved faster and faster and tried to reach the light but it kept avoiding his reach. He drifted toward it even faster, his heart pounding and the darkness swirling all around him. Everything became a blur and the light began shining brighter and brighter until...

"Mother!" He yelled, waking up with a start. He was now sitting straight up in a bed in a small cottage and felt nauseous from his recent experience. He rolled to the side and put his head in his hands as he began to think. It was nighttime outside, and Connor saw the road and trees out the window almost as clear as day. He also heard the babble of a creek nearby and the chirps and sounds of various animals.

"What...?" He began to say out loud.

Just then Lydia came into the cottage with some supplies and placed them on the table.

"Connor, you are alive! I am so happy, my darling." She said and embraced Connor.

"Lydia... I am so sorry for what I did, I was horrible and unfair. How could you forgive me?" He said softly as he embraced her in return.

"It is ok, Connor. We all make mistakes. I should have told you and Avalonna what I was sooner, but we can't change the past." She said while examining Connor.
"How do you feel?" She asked.

"Dizzy... And weak." He replied.
"I remember a battle, I think I was wounded. Then after that it was just darkness and cold for so long, I thought I was dead. Soon, at least I think it was soon, a light appeared and brought be back to the land of the living. I think the light had something to do with my mother... it had her energy." He said slowly, thinking over each word as he spoke.

Lydia looked down sadly and sighed to herself.
"There was a battle, one of the Red Guard managed to sneak up on you. I had been observing from afar and was fighting two of them when the third showed up. He was an archer, and..." Lydia wiped tears from her eyes and exhaled slowly.

"He shot you with an arrow and I wasn't fast enough to stop it. You...you died." She said softly.

"I died?" Connor replied in disbelief.
"How am I still here then?"

"After the attack, I brought you north to a small hidden city that I knew. Once here, I acted quickly and did the only thing I could think of to save your life. I... I bit you, Connor."

Connor froze for a moment and felt his heart skip a beat. That is, he would have felt the sensation had his heart still been beating. He noticed for the first time how cold his skin was to the touch and checked for signs of a pulse. He had none, but he felt two small scars on his neck that had not been there before.

"I didn't know what else to do, Connor. I am sorry if this is not what you wanted." Lydia said sadly and with such remorse that even Connor could feel it.

"I am a vampire?" Connor said, barely able to speak the words.

"Yes, darling, it was the only way to safe your life." Lydia replied.
"I did not know for sure it would even work, I have never known of a vampire warlock." She added.

Connor did not know how to take this news, he was grateful to be alive but from what he read of vampires, being one was not a life worth living. Although, Lydia did not seem to fit the description of a vampire, maybe he could be different as well.

"So, what does this mean for me? Will I be a monster?" He said, and immediately wish he hasn't. Monster was how he described Lydia when he first found out about her.

"No, my dear." She said seemingly unphased.
"Many vampire can live normal lives, but you will have to avoid sun and possibly drink animal blood from time to time. Again, I am unsure how being a vampire will effect you, you are unique." She stated.

Connor nodded slowly and took in the night air and sounds that seem to burst through the open window.

"Lydia, are you a unique vampire as well? Also, I have never been this far away from Eversong, where are we?" He asked, realizing he was unfamiliar with this town.

"All vampires are unique." Lydia said casually.
"We are in Amar, a hidden town that few, not even the King I believe, know about. It is only a day or two's journey from here to the northern wilderness." she replied.

"So how is it you know about this place?" He asked and got out of bed. He noticed he felt lighter and his muscles began to ache to be used.

"I told you I have lived quite some time, so do the inhabitants of this city. It is usual that nearly immortal beings come across each other at some point." She stated plainly.

"What do you mean, what inhabitants?" Connor asked, raising an eyebrow slightly.

Just then there was a steady knock on the door and Lydia paused before going over to open it. She welcomed in a man whom Connor had never seen before. This man was lean and fair, had pointed ears, light colored hair, and wore simple but sturdy looking armor and clothes. He apparently was an archer, given his quiver on his back.

"Connor, this is Ambur, personal representative of the Queen of the elves." She stated as the man bowed slightly.

"Ah, so this is the warlock I have heard so much about." He said in a voice that was musical and charming.
"I am glad to meet you, the Queen would have come in person but she has other pressing matters to attend to." He stated with another bow. As he spoke Connor found himself listening to every word and finding himself drawn in to the words.

Connor blinked and shook his head.
"There is something wrong with how you speak..." Connor stated, unsure of himself. Lydia grinned and quickly covered her mouth and Ambur looked somewhat insulted.

"I did not mean it personally!" Connor added.
"It is just... It feels as if I am doing magic when you speak, if that makes sense."

Ambur nodded and Lydia finished giggling to herself.

"It is because elves have a natural charming magic when speaking with humans," He started,
"Your warlock powers and no doubt some vampire abilities are allowing you not to be charmed, but you feel the initial sensation of it as a warning."

"Ah." Was all Connor thought to say after his blunder.
"If you don't mind me asking, why are we in an Elvin city?"

"Because it is the safest place your friend, Lydia, could think of. Although she is lucky she was invited in, we do not always open our doors to vampires." He said cooly.

"Who invited us in then?" Connor asked.

"That is not important right now, dear." Lydia interrupted.
"Why are you here at this hour, Ambur? Are you not afraid of the monsters and vampires at night?" She said with a grin and for the first time Connor saw her two fangs.

Ambur cleared his throat before speaking again.
"No, of course not. I am here because Queen Aurora wishes to see both of you in the morning. She only told me she has news about Aster that she wishes to share with you." He stated.

Lydia nodded and rolled her eyes very slightly, but just enough that Connor could tell.
"We shall be there in the morning, thank you Ambur." She replied.

The elf nodded and stood up straighter before bowing and heading off into the night.

"Lydia, you act like you know Ambur and the queen." Connor said with a slight grin.
"What is your history here again?" He asked, hoping none of it was romantically involved with Ambur.

"I have met them before yes, as for my history that is a long story. You must sleep through this night to get your strength back up, then you will be more nocturnal." Lydia replied.

Connor nodded in agreement and decided to take her advice to sleep.