Footprints [Raven Marie]

[Jesse Fforde]

Jesse contemplated the girl for a few long moments, eyes narrowed and uncertainty dancing behind them. Eventually he nodded. The decision had been made on both their parts. Now was the moment of no turning back.

"My name is Jesse Fforde. I am the head of my own bloodline -- there will be others like you, turned by me, or turned by those I've sired. You'll meet them. We're not going to do this here," he said, and reached into his satchel to produce a scroll-like tome which he unrolled and handed to the girl -- though he didn't let go, yet.

"This is what we call a tome. Once you read the words written on that page, you'll be instantly transported to the lair. We call it Third Circle. It'll be your home from now on, and you will guard this tome with your life. It'll be your only way in, and portals that work much the same way as this tome will be your only way out. It's our haven, and anyone who threatens the sanctity of that haven will be killed," he said, dead serious and brooking zero argument.

"Now, before we go anywhere -- I've given you my name. What's yours?"

[Raven Marie (DELETED 9137)]

She listened and looked at the scroll. She thought it to be curious. She didn't take it yet mostly because she saw that he didn't let go yet and she thought it to be quite rude if she just snatched it. She didn't tell people her name but, she trusted Jesse and told him her name hesitantly. "Raven Mari." She said quietly biting her lip.

[Jesse Fforde]

Jesse noticed the hesitation. If she'd not given him her name she might have got another lecture and the whole deal would have been off. But she eventually relinquished, and he had to snort.

"Sorry. I know a Raven. If you turn out anything like her I might have to banish you," he said, already imagining what Clover would say. He imagined telling Clover he had found a replacement. A better Raven. Raven 2.0. A Raven without the other's flaws. He had a feeling that might go down like a cup of cold sick, so it probably wasn't a good idea.

He let go of the tome, before reaching into his bag for another one. He had come prepared. "Alright. Read the words. Out loud. You'll find me at the other end," he said, reading the words on his own scroll before disappearing into thin air.

Limbo awaited on the other side, the third and ground floor of Third Circle. It was a vast space held aloft by pillars; there was a stone, industrial feel to the place with no windows, its floors adorned with rugs, walls with artwork, with couches and beanbags in various corners, a TV with all the usual games attached. Out of the way of the living space was the ritual table, the crafting bench, the forge. There were computers, too, and distant doors leading to other apartments. On the West wall was a shimmering door, a portal that led to a different house, and beside it an elevator.

Jesse circled the space -- for the moment, it looked like no one else was home. This was probably ideal. And then he waited, hoping the girl wouldn't just run off with the tome.

[Raven Marie (DELETED 9137)]

She watched him go and looked at the scroll curiously. She sighed and read the words the best she could. She disappeared and saw Jesse at the other end. She looked around surprised.

[Jesse Fforde]

He barely gave the girl enough time to come to terms with what had just happened. With one hand at the small of her back he ushered her toward the elevator; they were going to go up one floor. When they reached the second floor -- Cerberus -- she would be hit by vibrant colour, screaming at her from all angles. The vast space would smell like spray paint. This was where the walls were continually changing, where he and Clover often perfected their art. The one thing he never did change, however, was the effect of a giant snake circling its way around all four walls, it's giant head hidden amongst the debris of other pieces of art. It was a constant work in progress.

At the far north end of the space he led Raven toward the secret door -- one that opened up onto a large-ish bedroom with a fireplace, and all the comforts of home.

"This won't be your room. There are are plenty of other places you can sleep. But this is the quietest part of the lair, and it's where your home will be over the next week. The transition is going to be hard. I'm going to drain you of your blood, and then I'm going to feed mine back to you. Okay? You're going to get severely ill, and it's going to last for a whole week. Every night, I'm going to come back and feed you some more of my blood, and it's going to start to make you feel better. Okay?" he said. This was far more explanation than many of the others had got.

[Raven Marie (DELETED 9137)]

She had looked around a little bit before he had rushed her into the bedroom. She wondered what the rushing was about but, decided not to ask. It wasn't really any of her business. She was more nervous than ever at the moment after she had just heard what he said. She had been nervous from the start when she had first agreed but, his words made her want to back away. Wouldn't it be painful? She was used to pain. She was starting to wonder if she could handle this. Her best chance was just to get it over with. She nodded knowing that it was going to be painful. No matter how much people wanted it nothing was always non painful. Mostly everything came with some sort of pain. She waited patiently.

[Jesse Fforde]

Silence. Jesse was no stranger to silence. Being a mute for over a decade, he understood silence. But in silence there was still meaning, and he could see it written all over Raven's features. This young girl who looked so damned innocent, and he was basically telling her that she was going to spend a week dying. Of course she should be terrified.

He could have told her that she had one last chance to back out, but he didn't. She had a tome. She had been inside their home. As soft as Jesse's heart had become (though he would tell no one) he could not allow that kind of knowledge to slip out the door. Even poor Charlie was told absolutely nothing until she was nearly killed by a fellow vampire, and he'd had her in his employ for how long?

With that simple nod, Jesse took a step forward.

"It'll be okay. Eventually," he said as one last reassurance before he pushed Raven's jacket away from her slender young neck, fingers sweeping the stray strands of hair out of the way before needle-sharp canines pierced the skin. It would hurt, at first, before it grew numb, before she grew dazed. He wanted to rip and tear but he didn't. He squeezed his eyes shut and forced control on himself, his body tense as he began the process of draining her, her blood oh-so-delicious on his tongue, sliding down his throat.

Yes, he concluded. Young blood was always the best blood.

[Raven Marie (DELETED 9137)]

Her hand shook as he continued. The pain passed through her quickly soon going numb. She was dizzy and wanted to fall asleep. She had to stay awake. She tried to stay awake. She had been right when she thought that this was going to be completely painful. Would he be right that it would be okay again soon? He to be right about everything else. She had every reason to trust Jesse now and not only because her life was in his hands. He could've killed her two night ago but, he didn't. Instead he made what seemed like friends. He had helped her then he had given her a choice. She was grateful for that. She would remember that. Now though she had to remember to stay awake. To not fall asleep yet.

[Jesse Fforde]

Jesse opened his eyes, sharp and focused as he found a focal point in the wall across the other side of the room. There was a crack there, in the brick -- and why not? They were buried beneath the Earth, and what with all the Mystics in town and their earthquakes, Earth liked to shift. The brick was sturdy, however. One single crack did not mean the whole edifice would come crumbling down. Not now, not in the future.

The beat of Raven's heart started to slow. Jesse drank until the beat was nearly dead. At this point, the body was always easy to move, and move her Jesse did. He led her to the bed where he propped her on the edge, holding her up with one arm around behind her back. The twin wounds on her neck healed, only the faint trace of blood left behind. Lifting his wrist to his lips, Jesse, tore a hole in his skin.

"Now you have to drink. As much as you can. You'll know when to stop -- the pain is going to hit you like a sledgehammer. If you're strong enough, you'll get through it," he said, holding the bleeding wrist up for the girl to take.

[Raven Marie (DELETED 9137)]

Raven couldn't exactly see completely anymore. Most things came in a blur though she could hear. She was still shaking a little but, did as she was told. She tried not to hesitate. Her body was lighter than before and more limp. It was hard to move but, she didn't have to move completely. Jesse had a hold of her keeping her balanced with his arm. He was correct again the pain hit her but, she still obeyed. A few minutes and she knew to stop finally.