Lessons to Be Taught

Zinnia stood above Lilith with a solid, and unreadable expression. Her arms were crossed over her chest, and her messy blond hair tumbling over her shoulders. She wore a loose purple robe, with golden flowers printed all over. She had called it an kimono. Though, Lilith was uncertain in what the word mean, she was sure it was from another culture. Another culture far, far overseas…

Her mother had never let her learn much about the outside world. But now, since she was gone, maybe it was time to start learning about those things. Lilith decided kimono will be her first word to research.

“Lilith,” Zinna finally said, her eyes watching the younger girl. “Are you ready?”

Lilith blinked. “‘Ready’ for what?” The woman smiled, as if she knew she would get that response. Her hand went to her side, and drew something out from her robe. It was silver and gleamed in the light of the room. A knife. She bent down, placing it at Lilith’s side.

“Your first test,” she replied, her breath prickling at Lilith’s neck. She stood back up, repeating, “Are you ready?”

“I am,” Lilith swallowed. Zinna smile grew. She nodded and motioned that she will be right back. She left the room for a moment. As Lilith waited, she felt goosebumps form on her skin. She didn’t know what was to come, nor what this test was. She had to be prepared. Prepared for anything. The muscles in her shoulders tensed, her jaw clenched.

She was ready.

Zinna came back into the room, leading in a young man. He had blonde hair, the same shade as her’s. He, too, shared the high cheek bones, and angular jaw. But unlike her dark eyes, his were blue. She had one hand locked around his wrists, and another gripping his shoulder. The man looked to be struggling under her grasp. “Mother, what is this? Again?” He asked, frustrated. Mother? Lilith thought. She didn’t even know Zinna had a son. “Let me go!”

“It will only be a moment, William.” Zinna’s voice was low. She pushed him to the ground, gripping his hair — he fell to his knees — in front of Lilith. He stared angrily at Lilith, his eyes as if to say, this is all your fault. She wanted to back away, but her back was already pressed against the wall. So she sat still.

“Who is this girl?” He spat. Lilith flinched.

“Quiet, William,” said Zinna. She looked to Lilith, “Use the knife.”

Lilith stared at her in horror. “W-what?”

“The knife,” Zinna said. “Use it.”

Lilith stared down at the knife next to her, then the young man. He was glaring at her, not one ounce of fear in his face. Although, his face said different, as it was chalky white. His blue eyes looked even more bluer than before. “What are you waiting for? Use it if you’re ever going to. Vampire.” He reminded her of an angered cat, hissing.

Lilith wanted to say she wasn’t a vampire, but instead, she picked up the knife. She could see her reflection in it’s metal. She realized she was just as pale as William was. “What do you want me to do with…this?”

“Use it,” was all Zinna said. She was still standing behind William, watching; studying her.

Lilith moved the knife between her fingers, thinking. She stared at this for many moments before looking back up. She pointed to William’s wrist, “I need your hand.”

“What?” His eyes narrowed. She nudged her chin at it. He held it out, looking away. She took his hand in hers, they were surprisingly warm. She felt his pulse beating fast. Lilith couldn’t help herself from licking her lips.

She slide the knife across the inside of his wrist. He winced, but said nothing. Blood started to form under the cut. Lilith put the knife to her mouth and licked off the blood. Then she placed it back at her side, and went to his wrist. Her mouth automatically locked on his wrist, sucking out the blood of the wound. At first, he sounded as if he was in pain. Of course, Lilith knew, he was. But then the pain faded into pleasure. As Lilith was taught, a vampire’s bite was an extra surge of dopamine for humans. It was like a drug entering their blood stream.

She pulled his wrist away, wiping her mouth. William seemed to snap back into reality. He brought his hand back immediately, and cradle it in his other arm. It was no longer bleeding. His glaring returned.

“I’m done,” Lilith told Zinna. The older woman nodded.

“You have good control,” she told her. “I’m surprised. From what I’ve heard, it didn’t always used to be that way.”

“No,” Lilith said bitterly. “No, it didn’t.”

“Am I done here?” William interrupted. He wouldn’t look at Lilith or his mother. His eyes remained on the ground.

“No, I think you two have much to talk about.” Zinna left the room, without any explanation. Lilith heard the door lock after it closed.

They sat in silence.

“Just to clarify,” William said. “I didn’t enjoy any of that. I don’t know why mother must always use me for blood.” He was still looking down at his injured wrist. Though Lilith had stopped, her body still craved the blood. She tried not to think of that, though. The blood pulsing in her eyes, she ignored as best she could.

“That isn’t truth,” Lilith said quietly. “Say what you want, but all humans enjoy it. It isn’t personal preference, William, it is a fact.”

He didn’t say anything for a moment. She almost thought he wasn’t going to. “You’re a monster,” he said threw his teeth.

“I know.” And honestly, she did.