** * * * * Crystal’s POV * * * * *
I cleaned up the dining table and washed the dirty plates. Mary was not around, so I thought it would be nice to take care of those things before going home.
Michael had already left. I really enjoyed his company, he kept me smiling throughout the dinner.
Even though he was a vampire, I felt very at ease around him. Thanks to him I learnt a lot of things about vampires.
They are really an interesting race of semi-immortals, just like the wolves. What intrigued me most was their ranking system…
According to Michael, vampires are ranked into five categories namely: Fledgling, Neonates, Ancillae, Elder and Antediluvian.
* * * * * * * * *
The fledglings are the newly embraced vampires within the last twenty years, still under the protection of their sire.
* * * * *
Michael had said that after the embracing of a mortal, the victim is considered a fledgling. The newly turned vampire must be able to stabilize the beast in him or her.
I also learnt that it’s the responsibility of the sire to ensure that the progeny is even worthy of the embrace.
When the vampire has at least passed through the initial stages of vampiric existence and no longer needs the protection of Sire, the fledgling will be taken before the prince for the presentation.
* * * * *
The second category- Neonates: Michael said they were vampires engaged in their requiem for less than fifty years.
Neonates are generally lightly involved in the true machinations of undead society.
* * * * *
I had that creepy feeling when he used the word ‘undead’ to describe their clan, but I decided to keep calm about it.
Now back to the vampire ranking system. Neonates aren’t powerful enough to really matter and are consequently used primarily as pawns by the Ancillaes and Elders.
* * * * *
The third rank: Ancillaes; those ones where ranking below the Elders, but above neonate. They are those Vampires who have proved themselves as valuable members of the kindred society, between fifty and three hundred years.
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Ancillaes often serve as aides and agents for Elders or the court.
It seems like every rank in the vampire caste system enjoys being served by the lower ranks.
Ancillaes also play their own power games as well, though Michael says their’s was of lesser consequences than the manipulation of the Elders.
* * * * *
The elders on their own were those vampires who had survived for over three hundred years.
* * * * *
I didn’t know that vampires live that long. They are no different from werewolves who can live a thousand years before they meet a natural death.
Finally he told me of the Antediluvian.
According to him, this is a kindred vampire of incalculable power from before the cleansing wars and who are the founders of the kindred vampire clans.
After I checked the dictionary on my phone, I found out that ‘Antediluvian’ literally means ‘before the Fall’ which made sense to me.
Michael refers to this category as monsters who are a thousand years or more and are barely human in their way of thinking. He said they are clever, ancient and willing to do whatever it takes to get what they want.
At that age, few things can stop them from their desires.
Now that sounded more like the evil vampires I have heard about. I hope I don’t come across one someday.
I didn’t even ask Michael which rank he belonged in, but I’m certain it has to be one of the first two.
So vampires are either ranked by their origin or age, unlike wolves that are ranked by their strength and lineage.
* * * * *
After I was through in the kitchen, I went to my former room where Aidan was sleeping and carried him, then I bade my step parents goodbye and left their house.
* * * * *
When I arrived at my house, it was a few minutes past 9 p. m.
I tucked Aidan to bed, then went to take a shower, I felt so tired.
After the shower, I applied lotion to my skin and then put on my pajamas.
I laid on my bed beside Aidan, caressing his face.
I have lectures very early in the morning tomorrow, so I wouldn’t be able to take Aidan to school.
I think I would have to take him to my step parents in the morning then leave for school. They would help me take him to school themselves.
As I was about to drift off to wonderland, my phone started ringing.
Who could be calling me by this time of the night?
I picked up my phone from the little bedside table and my eyes widened when I saw the caller ID. It was Logan Stewart!
Why is he calling me at this time? It has been two hours since I left the castle so what could have happened now?
I decided to ignore his call, which I did. But then he started calling again!
Oh goodness! He bothers me in the daytime and now in the night too…
You should give me a break!!
I clicked the green icon and answered his call…
“Hello Logan… Is everything alright?” I asked.
“Um… Kinda yes! I am at your house right now, please come downstairs,” he instructed.
At first, his words gave another meaning in my head, then I thought clearly and that’s when it dawned on me.
He was in front of my step parents house.
Oh my god! What do I do now?
I had given him that address so he would not discover Aidan, what could he be doing there and why did he even go there in the first place?
Now my secret would be exposed if he finds out I no longer stay there.
“Did you hear me Crystal? I am downstairs, in front of your house. Please come down, I am about to knock,” he said over the phone.
“Wait! No! No! No! Don’t knock!” I yelled loudly.
Luckily for me, my little Aidan is a deep sleeper, he wasn’t awakened by my noise.
“No? Why no?” Logan queried.
“Oh… Because… Because …”
To be continued!!