Chapter 3

Chapter 3: The Transition

In the chaotic state of my mind, a realization suddenly hit me—I didn’t even know the man carrying me. I didn’t know how they entered our house without being stopped by Aunt Ophelia, who’s even worse than our dog Tati when it comes to barking at strangers. I didn’t know how they got into my room without going through the door.

I wanted to fight back, but my body wouldn’t let me. It felt like I was drugged and had completely lost control. Who the hell is this jerk claiming me as his slave just because he helped me? What the hell is happening to me?

I sniffled. My head was close to his chest, and I could smell his cologne. His manly scent lingered on my nose. Oh fuck. Is that the drug? Why does it smell so damn good? He's drugging me through his scent!

Then I heard a chuckle in my head.

"Your girl is interesting, Brix. She’s exaggerated—but in a good way. Funny, too. I guess you’ve finally found what you were looking for."

If I had to guess, Brix was the one carrying me, and the other voice belonged to Oscar. At least now I knew who had taken me. I just needed to see them to satisfy this feeling inside me. What do they look like? Why does it feel like they only exist in dreams—as if they’re not supposed to be in this world?

Even with my eyes closed, I could feel someone staring at me. It was heavy—like an electric current shooting through my veins. Right. I guess I am being exaggerated, just like Oscar said. But that’s really how it felt.

“Normie,” Brix finally said after a few seconds.

Something in me shifted. My senses changed direction. A sudden heat surged in my body, and I smelled something from afar that made my body react wildly. I didn’t know what it was, but my body longed for it.

“It’s starting, Brix. She needs to drink as soon as possible.”

That must be it—whatever Oscar was referring to must be what’s making my throat dry. If I was right, they were taking me somewhere I could drink it. Well, at least they were helping me.

I felt our movements stop. Brix was now moving more lightly—as if walking. I guessed we had arrived at the place they mentioned. I wanted to open my eyes, but I couldn’t.

“Master Brix,” another voice said. It was familiar. Where had I heard it before? “Everything is settled. Lord Severo attended an emergency meeting but will return shortly. We must prepare before he gets back. Also, your sister has arrived to witness the transition.”

“What?!” There was irritation in Brix’s voice. “This is getting out of hand. What’s the big deal about this?”

“Do you have a problem, Brixton Wenz Cardinal?” A new voice, this time a woman’s, chimed in. Probably the sister. “I heard the news—that the handsome Cardinal finally found his pet.”

I didn’t understand their conversation. Why couldn’t they just give me what I needed to drink so I could stop feeling this way? I still had to cook lunch. Aunt Ophelia would kill me if she didn’t find me in my room.

“Astra is getting weak,” Oscar said.

If these three were siblings, then Oscar was definitely the most considerate.

I felt someone come close to me. A hand gently caressed my face down to my lips. It was soft and delicate, clearly a woman. Like Brix, she also left a fragrant scent in the air.

“Sis Nath, stop staring at her. She needs to drink,” Oscar said.

Listen to Oscar, you idiots!

“Idiot?” Brix repeated, stunned.

Oscar chuckled. “She’s so fascinating.”

“Shhh…” Nath shushed him. “Seductive lips…” she murmured, touching my lips again, inspecting me. “Long, silky black hair. Glowing skin. Pointed nose. Her blood smells good. Damn it, Brix. She’s fine!”

Wait. Blood? Can she smell my blood?

Brix laughed. “Fine to kill.”

Kill? Who the hell are these people?

“Let’s bring her inside,” said a voice I now recognized—it was the doctor from the clinic, Mr. Billy.

Brix started walking again. I could hear their footsteps against what sounded like marble floors. Their voices echoed as they talked. I started to feel scared.

I heard a door open.

“When are you leaving, Sis Nath?” Oscar asked.

“Maybe not for a while. I want to get to know this girl,” Nath replied.

My back landed on a soft bed. I could feel all of them staring at me now.

“Wake her up,” Brix commanded.

I winced when something pricked my arm. A few moments later, I started regaining strength. I could now open my eyes, but I didn’t. What if they weren’t human? What if they were monsters?

“Damn, I love how she thinks!” Nath giggled.

“Told you, Brix. She’s interesting.”

“Open your eyes,” Brix ordered.

I kept them shut.

“I said open your damn eyes!” Brix shouted. His voice rose, but he didn’t physically force me. I heard him sigh. “See, Oscar? She’s my slave, yet she doesn’t even obey me!”

“Open your eyes, Astralla,” Nath said solemnly.

I sighed and slowly opened my eyes. The first thing I saw was the chandelier’s light and a white ceiling. I swallowed hard and looked ahead—three strangers stood before me... and Mr. Billy, the doctor.

I looked at a man with a buzzcut and mischievous eyes. He must be Oscar.

“Right. Oscar here,” he said, grinning wider.

Next, my eyes landed on a woman in a red dress. Her long gray hair flowed down her back, her lips were crimson, her lashes thick. She looked like a model—and now I realized how tall they all were.

My throat went dry again when I looked at the tallest man—the last one. His neck tilted slightly as he stared at me, jawline sharp. Hair in a loose pompadour, lips pressed, eyes staring dangerously. He wore a plain white shirt. His muscles flexed as he crossed his arms.

“Gorgeous,” Nath whispered. “Hey there, Astra. I’m Nathalia. Nath, for short. We can either be best friends… or mortal enemies. You decide.” She smiled sweetly.

“W-water...” I mumbled. My throat was burning.

Oscar laughed. “Water? That’s not what you need right now.”

Nath looked at Mr. Billy and nodded. He bowed and exited.

I couldn’t keep up with their stares. Something about them intimidated me—the way they looked so elegant, so striking... so inhuman.

Nath cleared her throat and sat beside me, helping me sit up. “What’s your lipstick shade?” she suddenly asked.

I stared at her face. She was stunning—so elegant in movement and speech.

“Thanks,” she smiled. “But seriously, your lipstick shade? Are those eyelashes real? What’s your skincare routine?”

“Whoa, whoa!” Oscar joined us. “Stop, Sis. She’s still in shock. Right, Astra?”

I couldn’t respond. I couldn’t even look at the tall guy—Brix.

“Hey, Brix,” Nath said. I couldn’t help but look at him when she called his name. Our eyes met. I swallowed hard. “Why don’t you introduce yourself? Since you two will be spending a lot of time together.”

“What?” I blurted in my head.

“Not really,” Brix said. “I’ll replace her as soon as I find another one.”

“W-what’s happening?” I finally voiced out.

“You’re in transition, Astra,” Oscar answered, clearing his throat when he saw my confusion. “I mean... you’re between two worlds. You’re not fully one of us, but you’re close. You need one thing to complete the change. I hope that makes sense.”

It didn’t. Not at all. Transition? Becoming one of them? I knew it—they’re on drugs and want me to join them.

Oscar burst out laughing, falling onto the bed, clutching his stomach.

Yup. Definitely losing their minds.

“What kind of thinking is that?” Brix interrupted, raising his thick brows. I could smell his disappointment. “Are you really that naïve? Think deeper. But then again, you’re human. Nothing about you is profound.”

“Hey, chill. Give her time, Brix. She can’t absorb everything all at once,” Oscar said.

Brix scoffed. “Humans are so stupid.”

His words pierced me. I was so annoyed I didn’t know how to let it out. But I had to be smart—I was in their territory.

Then the door opened again. Mr. Billy came in with a girl in a trance. She looked out of it.

“Don’t worry, Astra. You’ll like it,” Nath whispered.

Oscar pulled the girl close to me and wiped her arm before holding it near my mouth. I stared at her arm, then at Oscar, who nodded.

I took a deep breath and leaned in. I stared at her arm for a moment… and kissed it.

Silence followed.

Oscar puffed his cheeks, trying not to laugh.

“Astra, girl...” Nath said with a grimace. “You don’t kiss it. You bite and suck it.”

I froze.

Bite?

“You’re kidding me.” My lips trembled. I wasn’t the type to cry, but tears welled in my eyes. “I don’t want this. I just want to go home. Please, bring me home.”

“Yeah,” Brix nodded. “After your transition.”

“No. P-please... I just want to go home.”

For the first time, I truly wanted to go home. I didn’t care if it was with Aunt Ophelia or Eliyah—just far away from this.

“You still don’t understand, Astra,” Brix said. “Don’t you remember what happened that night? When you were being a pathetic human chasing after a man to help someone you didn’t even know? Don’t you remember the pain when you were stabbed—”

“Stop!” I screamed, trembling. I pushed myself back against the headboard. “I-I don’t want to think about it. Please. Just let me go.”

Nathalia’s eyes softened. I didn’t need pity—I needed to get away. I didn’t know who they were, and I didn’t want to. I didn’t want to be here… to feel this… or know what came next.

“Finally, you’re beginning to understand,” Nath said sadly. “Now, all you have to do is accept it. This is your fate, Astra. You can’t escape it.”

I covered my ears. Shut my eyes. Tears fell again.

I failed. I promised not to cry again, but I failed.

“Stop being so dramatic and enjoy it,” Brix muttered, clearly annoyed. “Fine. I know this isn’t easy to understand. But you have no choice.”

“We’re vampires,” Oscar said.

That made me freeze.

“We’ve lived for centuries. We’ve seen this world evolve. Blood is all we need. As long as humans exist, so will vampires. We can’t be killed by bullets or knives. And you, Astralla Martin... are now one of us. Like it or not.”

My hands fell from my ears.

“C-can I go to the restroom first?” I asked.

Nathalia and Oscar exchanged glances.

“Mr. Billy...”

“Yes, Lady Nathalia.” The smiling old man approached. “I’ll assist you, Lady Astra.” He held out his hand. “Shall we?”

I took his hand, and we left the room. I walked past Brix. Once we exited, I finally felt like I could breathe. The house was huge. Chandeliers everywhere. Spotless. Not a speck of dust.

“Are you okay, Lady Astra?” Mr. Billy asked.

“A-are you one of them?”

He nodded. “I’m Billy Sandoval, the Cardinals’ butler. I serve Lord Severo, their father and founder of the Nightfall Clan.”

I nodded even if I didn’t understand. I looked up—this mansion must have five floors. Paintings lined the walls. I didn’t pay attention—most of them were portraits of Nathalia, Brix, and Oscar in different clothes.

“Here, Lady Astra.” Mr. Billy opened the restroom door. “I’ll wait here. Call me if you need anything.”

I nodded. Once inside, he closed the door. I was stunned—this restroom was larger than our whole house. Luxurious, glittering chandelier, and strangely... no mirror.

I turned toward a large window. I saw a field outside. I opened it and stepped out, ensuring no one was around.

I ran.

But someone blocked me.

I froze—Brix. His red eyes glared. His fangs peeked out.

“I-I’m going home,” I said.

He smirked. “Then go.”

But just as I took a few steps, something rose up my throat. I fell, nauseous. My skin burned under the sun. Tears fell.

“I saved you, Astra,” Brix said, standing tall over me. “Now, you live to serve me. Your life is mine.”

I smirked. “Serve who?”

The world spun.

“Can’t you just be thankful I saved your life?”

I laughed. “I didn’t want to be saved.”

He flinched but recovered quickly. “Unfortunately, you’re still breathing. And as long as you breathe, you’re mine. You’ll obey me. You’re my pet—I can throw you away whenever I want.”

Tears rolled down.

“You turned me into a monster!” I screamed. “I won’t forgive you!”

He tilted his neck and laughed. “Monster? Just because we drink blood? I don’t care if you forgive me. Dramatic much. No matter what you do, you will serve me. You’ll never die… unless I decide.”

With my last breath, I screamed, “You can have my life, not my decisions, you demon! Turn me into a monster all you want—but someday, you’ll regret saving me. You’ll regret meeting me!”

I sniffled... my body felt numb.

“I’ve lived for centuries, Astralla. That threat doesn’t work.”

I chuckled bitterly through the pain and anger.

“That’s because… you’ve never lived them with me.”