Chapter 2

A long and dark corridor. That's where I am currently. How did I get here? What is that place? Why am I here ? I have no idea. It's weird and... Pretty scary.

I'm not really proud of it but dark places quite scares me. The only times I'm not scared are when it's somewhere I'm comfortable enough. Or if Anna's not far. One time our brothers thought it would be fun to lock me up in the bathroom without lights on for almost three hours... Until Anna came to beat them up and let me out. By that time I was a mess of tears. She just stayed with me all night, hugging me without letting go.

Right. The corridor. It's scary, but at the end of it there's a light. Without really thinking I make my way over there, almost running. Like something will jump on me if I don't reach fast enough.

After a few seconds I finally reach that light. I almost stumble to go through and I'm greeted with a circular room. In it I can see mirrors everywhere, all pointing toward the middle of the room. Between each of those there is a roman column.

Curious, I approach the closest mirror. In it I see myself way younger, around twelve years old, curled-up on the floor of what seems to be a bathroom. If I didn't know what scene it was, I wouldn't be sure it was a bathroom. But I know what I'm seeing. It's when my brothers locked me up.

But strangely there's something I don't remember. There's voices. I recognize those. It's one of my brother.

Haha the baby is scared? You aren't even half of us! You can only cling to Anna! Are you even a man? Hiding behind a girl?!

I take a few steps back, as if I got electrocuted. It hurts to hear... It hurts to much.

As if escaping, I look at the second mirror.

Once again it's me, even younger, looking at my father with a wide smile.

Dad! I wanna wear the same dresses as Anna ! It's so beautiful!

It was a mistake. I remember. He was drunk on blood at that time, well. It's not really hard for him to be. Even one sip of blood and he's drunk.

But the moment I said that... His red eyes narrowed and his hand struck my cheek with a speed and force you should never use on a child not even ten years old.

A man never wear dress you little shit! You are a man so no dresses! Now go to your room! Now!

The scene faded for a second before showing me something else.

Me, with a knife in hand. My pants and underwear down on my feet, my gaze down there. Muttering to myself.

If a man can't... Then... If I get rid of that...

One smooth movement, a wet sound on the floor, blood flowing instantly.

I remember the pain, then nothing.

The only thing I remember is waking up in the hospital later, with Anna asleep on a chair beside my bed.

I learned later that it was my dear sister that found me just after I passed out. She was the same age as me but she still managed to call for help with the house's phone. She even managed to slow the bleeding so I don't die right here and then.

Seeing myself lying in that pool of blood in the mirror made the pain between my legs flare up for a second. I wince. It's healed now, thanks to an awakened that specializes in healing, but it couldn't be regrown. Of course I'm happy about that.

I crouch, my arms around my head to avoid looking at the other mirrors. I know it's full of scenes like that, bad memories. Hurtful.

I woke-up with a start, covered in cold sweat. Sitting up I draw my knees against my chest and put my arms around it.

Amazing nightmare. It's not the first time I have it. Most of the time it happens after some unsavory comments from my family in the day.

I start when I hear my door open slowly, a head peeking through. I don't need light to know, it's Anna. I don't understand how, but each time I have that nightmare she appear right after I wake up.

"Jake?... Again?" She ask quietly.

I just grunt as answer. I don't want to talk about it, or it meant I care. I do, but I want to pretend that I don't.

Of course she knows. She enter the room and slowly come to my bed where she sit next to me, putting her arm around my shoulder and squeezing me a bit.

"Want me to stay the rest of the night?"

"A man shouldn't count on a girl to reassure him... Right?"

I can pratically feel her rolling her eyes. She doesn't answer immediately and just reach for my hands. Prying my fingers one by one from the grip I didn't even notice I put force in.

Once she managed to, she intertwine our fingers.

"But you can lean on your sister, right?" She counter.

With her other hand she grab my chin to make me face her, putting our forehead together.

"C'mon. Tomorrow is a special day. I'll stay"

This time it's not a question, but something set in stone. I just manage a weak nod and a little undignified noise. She just giggled and guided me to lay down again, slipping under the blanket next to me.

She put her arms around me. And I lay here, curled-up against her. To avoid crying I breathe out a little, the air hitting her neck. She wiggled a bit with a chuckle.

"That tickle, Jane."

"Shh! Don't say that... What if.. They hear you?" Panicking I lift my head to look at her. I see her purple eyes reflecting the moonlight looking at me.

"So what? It's fine. That's what you are." I feel her shrug while answering with a nonchalant tone.

"Now sleep sister"

She start to stroke my back and my slightly long hair, for a guy, slowly, singing a soft melody to lull me to sleep. If I'm quite good at playing an instrument, she's amazing at singing.

It doesn't take long before my eyes close slowly, her gentle touch making me fall asleep again. Hopefully without nightmares this time. But I do know I won't get any. Not when she's here.

My phone woke us up at 8 am. Well, at least it woke me up. Anna? She started to grumble the instant she heard the ringing and she squeezed me with a whine.

"Noooo.. So waaarm. Let me sleep moooore."

A giggle escaped me for a second, I shake my head at her attitude. She's never been someone to wake up and start her day early. It's usually me that go wake her up in the morning.

I wiggle out of her arms and shake her shoulder a bit with a smile.

"C'mon Anna. You said it yourself yesterday. Today is an important day." I say quietly to avoid startling her too much.

"It can waiiit... Come back personal warmer!" She whine again, making grabby motion with one hand while the other bring the blanket over her head.

I sigh a bit. Seems like I have to use the extreme means to get her up and ready.

"Well, you leave me no choice dear sister."

I grab the edge of the blanket and tug on it to reveal my sister.

Kind of a wrong move. It's at that moment that I notice she's wearing a nightgown, just that isn't a problem ofc. The problem is that piece of clothing got rolled up just before her chest, exposing her smooth belly. And even a little of her breasts.

What the. She's not wearing a bra..

I feel my face warming speedily and I turn away in panic. It's not because I don't have 'that' anymore that my orientation changed. And it may be my sister, it's still a girl. No, a woman. A very beautiful woman.

"Ahem. Get up now Anna, let's get ready. The awakening is in two hours."

Without waiting for an answer I just grab my clothes, baggy sweatpants and a baggy hoodie with a shirt, and make my way to one of the bathrooms.

Of course I have to go through the living room first and so brace myself for another lecture.

But luckily my mother is busy in the kitchen, I can hear her through the door on the side of the living room, and my father is watching tv on the sofa, his back to me.

I tip-toe as much as I can and if he heard me he ignored me totally. Yeah, not even a single 'Happy Birthday'. Well, I didn't expect anything anyway.

I slip into the bathroom, my necessities tucked under my arm. I first see the mirror just above the sink, making me recoil for half a step, my nightmare coming to mind for a second.

I catch myself before I move more, the mirror is just reflecting myself. I take a few step to stand just in front and take in my reflection.

Red hair, amber eyes. Anna often say it's like a flame. I can kinda understand what she means.

My face is mostly androgynous. Because I 'lost' that very young, my testosterone never really gone up. I'm pretty sure I could really pass for a girl if I wear make-up. Actually I'm sure.

I did try after all, in my sister's room.

A sigh escaped my lips as I start to undress. My body is still small, with almost no hair anywhere, something some people are pretty jealous of. A chuckle escape me at that thought.

The shower is finished pretty quickly.

I dont want to spend too much time seeing and touching my body. I hate it too much to find a shower enjoying.

I still do take care of my hair properly. It only reaches just under my ears, i'd like it longer, but I find this important. It's the only thing I do enjoy while washing myself.

All in all I took only twenty minutes before I'm ready, my hoodie and sweatpants on, and return to my room. Of course Anna isn't here anymore, she's gone to the other bathroom available to our house. We are actually quite lucky about that, most houses only have one.

While waiting for the moment to go I sit on my bed, idly scrolling through funny videos. Sadly that moment is broken by my father entering my room, without knocking of course, followed by my three amazing brothers. I can see them already snickering between themselves. I feel like that conversation will really not be fun. I'd rather continue with my videos, or practice the violin. Anything I can occupy my hands with actually.

I distract myself with the fact that those three idiots looks like each other way too much. How the fuck their girlfriends can differentiate between them?! Even I, their brother, can't. I'm not even sure our parents can. I have a gnawing impression those girls can't, and those three takes advantage of that. After all, they almost have the same personality. And if they want they can just hide those differences, and so enjoy each other's girlfriends.

Scums, the whole lot of them.

"Jake. Today is your awakening" My father start, but I know he isn't finished. And interrupting him isn't really a smart move.

"I said it yesterday at dinner. But I expect you to come back as more than what you are right now. Your little... Stunt, a few years ago really angered me. If Anna didn't call for help on her own I would have let you die. At least your brothers will be able to continue the family even if you can't. But today is your chance to correct your behaviour and decisions, even if it's a little. Don't-"

"Father we have to go now. Jake and me." Anna's voice cut him off.

I wince a bit at that interruption. She came into the room behind them at some point. The storm that should have erupted stay quiet instead. I could have been jealous that Anna got preferential treatment, I should be jealous. But I'm just glad for that, I'd rather weather it all instead of her.

"Don't disappoint us" My father finishes his sentence, sending a look at Anna. Our brothers seems to want to say something but a single movement of his head made them understand to follow him out.

Anna immediately comes in front of me before doing a little twirl with a radiant smile, like she didn't avoid an ouragan force ten.

"What do you think?!" She asks excitedly.

She's wearing a white shirt tucked into a white pleated skirt, finishing that with white stockings and white ankle heeled-boots. In other terms: she's amazingly gorgeous, like always. It makes me the ugly little duck next to her, but I'm fine with that.

"Aah.. Amazing as always Sis. But please, don't do that again." I sigh, shaking my head.

"Hmm? Do what? I don't know what you are talking about! Anyway, are you sure you want to go like that? It's a special day. It's also your special day, as much as mine." She answers, playing dumb to my request of not angering our father.

I look at myself and my clothes before shrugging. I didn't really care about what I'm wearing outside, even for our awakening.

Okay, that's a lie. I'd love to wear something else. But I know that will attract some looks and may tarnish Anna's reputation in the city. No way I'll allow that.

"Yes, I'm sure. It's just the awakening. No big deal! Let's go now. You took your sweet time in that shower!"

I get up, grab my wallet and my phone, and go out of my room toward the entrance to our house. She follows me, her handbag on her right, and reaches with her left arm to link with my right. I just shake my head at that. She's being her usual clingy self I guess.

The journey to the 'awakening hall' on bus is pretty silent. Except the vague whispers I can hear around us.

"Why that babe cling to that girly dude?"

"Look, he seems so weak, there's no way he's not her boytoy!"

More than once I have to stop her from lashing with a simple squeeze of her hand in my own or a shake of my head. Before long is our stop and we alight in front of a three story building. It's... A bit weird. It seems to be a modern architecture... But its made to feel like it's been here for years without maintenance at all.

There's vines creeping up the walls, the windows seems like it could use repairs. Heck some of them are only hanging by a single hinge. But everyone know it's indeed the right place to go at eighteen.

"Well, let's go in I guess."

Anna nod besides me and we open the... Very simple and modern door to enter the building. We're greeted with a blinding room. Everything is white, the desk in the back, the chairs, the doors on some corners, even the receptionist is wearing a fully white outfit.

Suddenly, Anna's full white seems to blend really well in here. It's only broken by her long black hair reaching her butt.

"Hello, you two must be..." The receptionist address us, looking at a bundle of paper she has in front of her. Between her computer and herself. "Jake and Anna right? From the Denki family?"

While approaching the, again, very white desk we both nod at the same time.

"Hello. Yes that's right. We are eighteen just today and we're here for the awakening." I answer her with a smile as amicable as I can muster, my sister staying silent.

"Yes. Then follow me please" She get up from her chair and go around the desk through a little opening on the side.

"You don't need our ID?" I ask, finding that a little weird they don't verify our identities at all.

"No need for that, you are both the only ones today. Besides, you are the last two for a few months. Everyone knows it's useless to come before or after their ceremonies. So we never have anyone that is not programmed" She answers with a smile, continuing to walk toward one of the doors in a corner.

When she open it and we follow her in we end up in another big room. This one has roman columns all over and on top of each one is an object.

Sometimes a weapon, like a sword, a spear or I even see a mage staff. There's also other items such as a phial with a mysterious liquid swirling inside, a simple fork for farming and many other.

"The ceremony is simple. You just both have to stand in the middle of the columns on that platform over there, close your eyes and ask to be shown the way you are fated to walk. Who's going first?"

After explaining she looks at us and, before I even have the time to react or answer, Anna let go of my arm, that she didn't release until now, and answer.

"Me! I'll go first!"

"Well, there you have it. I'll go after her no problems."

The receptionist just nod simply and take a few steps back to stand outside the group of columns around us. I direct an encouraging smile and nod at Anna and she takes a deep breath, her gaze locking to the platform we were told just before. It's a simple slab of white stone that is slightly elevated to be visible.

She takes a few shaky steps towards it and finally stand on it, closing her eyes. A few seconds later I start to feel something shift in the air. Like every single item on the columns are looking at her. I know it's weird, and without any logics. But that's how it feels. I shake my head, and the time it took to do that the mage staff I noticed earlier is floating in the air.

It gently approached Anna that is still with her eyes closed, but even like that she lift her hand and the staff lower itself right in the middle of it.

Instantly the room is flooded by four colour of light at the same time. An aggressive blue/violet that seems to make the air crack from pressure, a gentle green accompanied by a breeze, a sharp blue bringing promises of snow and finally a bright but soothing golden light making others warm.

I thought those lights would disappear after a while. But no, they started to move and envelop Anna in them. I whip my head anxiously toward the receptionist that didn't even move or react to that development. She just smile at me, gesturing to just watch.

Still anxious, I decide to wait a bit. And it's so worth it.

After only a few minutes, the lights faded, revealing my sister. And my breath caught slightly. Somehow she became even more beautiful. I didn't even know it was possible. She got a little taller, not by much though. Maybe ten centimetres maximum. And I'm a little sad we aren't the same height anymore.

But I shove those thoughts out immediately. The rest of her body didn't change that much except that now she looks more like a slender and perfectly balanced woman and less like a girl. There's also another very noticeable change: on her back, just up her butt, there's a pair of bat-like wings. A little small but still here.

She became a vampire? But, no vampire have wings... Right?

My silent question is answered by the receptionist that start to applaud.

"Congratulations Miss Denki. You are one of the few people on our planet to evolve and gain a new race. You are now a vampire. And I might add, you are a Noble Vampire. Another congratulation is due too. When awakening you gained control over four elements." Her voice is professional but not cold, brimming with sincerity.

At those words Anna opened her eyes and looked at her staff in her hand with a smile. Then she looked at me and for the second time in a short moment my breath itch again. I feel like a prey she's locked on and, for a brief instant, I don't really mind. It was short, and when that feeling goes her eyes are back to her usual pretty violet.

She smile widely and toss the staff in her hand in the air where it disappear instantly, ready to make its reappearance when needed. In a flash she's in front of me.

Damn, she's way faster than before. And she was already fast.

I can't think much more before I'm crushed in one of her special hugs, I swear I hear a rib creaking under the pressure. It's a little bit more awkward though since she's taller now, so my face is practically smushed in her chest. I feel my face heat up a bit but I decide to ignore that.

"Look Jake! I'm a vampire now! That's so cool!" She squeal in my ears, her voice brimming with excitement and want for praise.

I lift my hand and let my finger go through her hair with a smile. She's way too cute like that.

"Yes sis, congratz. I'm proud of you! Now please let me go so I can also do my awakening"

She only let me go after squeezing me for a few more seconds. I can see her cheeks a little red too, excitement I guess.

With a deep breath, not unlike Anna, I finally climb on the platform before closing my eyes.

Please. I want... To be myself...

For a few agonizing seconds nothing happens. Then the pain. Intense pain wracking my whole body. With a grunt I feel myself collapse on the spot while two weights settle in my hands. I can't really afford to pay attention to them, but I still bring my hands and my arms against my chest.

The pain seems to come from everywhere in my body, but it hurts the most around my head and near my tailbone. Why do I know it's my tailbone? How do I know that? I've never been really keen on anatomy.

[Anna's POV]

Bright violet everywhere, with specs of gray here and there. That's all I can see in the awakening room. Then I hear Jak.. Jane crying in pain. I've never heard her cry like that. Even when slapped by our father she's always been silent. Even when she cut herself long ago she was silent.

But now? That cry was so heart-wrenching that I could almost feel it on my skin. I wanted to rush to her side but that damned receptionist stopped me with a hand on my shoulder.

My head whipped toward her, my hair flying for a second, and I glare at her. I can hear myself growling and I feel my newly acquired fang showing.

She flinch briefly before catching herself.

"Please don't be rash miss Denki. Mister Denki is fine, I swear. I'm actually a healer. And I can feel that his vitals are perfectly fine. Let's wait. I promise that I will intervene the instant there's a problem." Her voice is calm and slow, made soothing to try and appease me.

I do indeed stop growling. That's right, she wouldn't be qualified to be here alone if she couldn't do anything in case of problems.

My gaze go back to Jane immediately. That violet light is still here around her, around us even, it's still drowning the whole room. But I can still see the body of my sister, curled up on the platform I was on just a few minutes ago.

I can't stop a surprised exclamation. Jane's body... She's... Changing. And I think... She's going to be very happy about it.