Chapter Four (The Hunger)

Rayna sat down heavily upon a silk chair, mulling over all Moracas had shown and told her. Now, he stood by the window, gazing down upon the grounds giving her time alone to think. She glanced around the bedchamber, noting her senses were more astute: she could smell things she could not smell before, see things in the shadows she had not seen before, and hear things outside the window she had never heard before…

 

Rayna glanced down at her hands, her skin. Before the embrace, her skin had been golden in color; now, it was much paler: more translucent. She could see several veins pulsing just underneath her skin, and it both repulsed and fascinated her. Rayna also noticed she did not feel either cold or hot; her body was not “picking up” temperature changes in the air. She tried to imagine how she had looked and felt yesterday, but they were elusive images that would not take hold in her mind.

 

Sighing, she got up and glided over to where Moracas stood. She gazed out of the window too, and was suddenly gripped by a gnawing hunger. “Moracas, mi maestro, I am hungry.” Closing her eyes, she tried to divert her thoughts, but the hunger grew stronger and stronger, making her feel so weak…

 

“Come mi hija. You must feed now. You require sustenance to complete the transformation.” Moracas opened the window, and within the blink of an eye was down upon the ground. Rayna looked out the window, noting she was several stories up off the ground. ‘How do I get down?’ She thought worriedly. Without thinking, she was out on the window ledge and scaling the wall quickly, until she too, was standing firmly on the ground next to Moracas. The ability to move swiftly and with supple grace seemed ingrained within her…

 

“Time to feed mi hija.” Moracas sped off into the night, Rayna right behind him. Her long, white gown trailing softly behind her, her feet barely touching the ground as she seemed to glide effortlessly through the night… Soon, the two approached the outskirts of Agrόn, a small village where several of the royal groundskeepers lived. The village was small, yet quaint. Little two-room casas made of white limestone sat off the main cobblestone path that ran the length of the village. As with any of the villages in Spain, the dominating focus was the Catedral; and Agrόn was no different.

 

Made of light-colored stone, the Catedral stood out among the more plain casas. The main doorway had a rounded arch, intricately carved with filigreed drawings. Several small spires stood on either end of the building: wide on the bottom and narrowed at the top. The majority of windows were covered in black wrought-iron. Directly above the main archway, was a beautiful stained-glass window, displaying a rainbow of colors.

 

Rayna had always loved to gaze at the stunning architectural design of churches, and tonight was no different. “Come querida, we cannot waste time.” Moracas whispered, melting into the shadows. Rayna moved behind Moracas, and studied the scene. Several men walked about the Catedral, carrying various items such as firewood. Moracas put a finger to his lips, motioning Rayna to stay close behind him. She obeyed, quietly following…

 

Moracas moved swiftly behind one lone man, and pulled him into a narrow opening of the church. Fascinated, Rayna moved closer to watch. The frightened man’s eyes widened as Moracas sank his fangs into his neck. Drinking deeply, Moracas put one hand over the man’s mouth, and held onto his body with the other. The man’s eyes flickered briefly as Moracas hypnotized him into silence. Withdrawing his fangs, Moracas motioned to Rayna. “Drink nińa.”

 

Tentatively, Rayna walked over; and as the hunger consumed her, she quickly sank her unsheathed fangs into his carotid artery. Blood gushed into her mouth and down her throat, filling her veins like ambrosia. She felt exhilarated: her senses seemed to come alive. She felt powerful, sexual, and masterful. Drinking as if she could not get enough, she moaned in disappointment when Moracas roughly pulled her away. “Tonto estúpido! You must never fully drain the body of blood or you will be poisoned!” He lashed out, quickly wrapping his large hands around the man’s neck and twisting until it snapped. Picking up the body, he threw it into a darkened corner, and turned to face Rayna.

 

“You must always obey me Rayna. Never go against me in acciones o palabras, or you will die a horrible final death!” Moracas raised his hand as if he were going to strike her. Rayna stood boldly in front of him, not flinching. Slowly, she smiled up into his face. “Ah, perdόname mi maestro. I will strive to do better, I promise.” She gazed into his eyes, the sensuality pouring forth. Moving closer to him, she laid her hand upon his chest. “I want to learn as much as I can muy señor mio.” Appeased, Moracas softened his gaze, lowering his hand. He looked into her strikingly beautiful turquoise eyes, and smiled. Proud of her, his decision to embrace her was renewed at her show of boldness and pride. “That is mucho major, mi querida.”

 

Moracas sped through the night back to the royal palace. Rayna followed, reveling in the night, the shadows. The blood of the human coursed through her veins, her body; filling her with a power such as she had never known. She finally understood what Moracas had meant when he said she was reborn into power and manipulation…