The eve of your final day was upon me. I had spent the last nineteen evenings acclimating you to this life, teaching you of mine and this house's past. You had learned intimate details of myself, my loved ones, my shortcomings, and my triumphs. I sat behind the polished oak desk as you walked into my study, my hands folded over the surface. You were dressed in formal attire at my behest.
"The nights have blurred and our time is quickly drawing to a close, like the sun showing it's rays on the horizon." I peak my fingertips and motion to one of the large chairs within the study, "Sit."
You obediently take a seat and I stand, moving to look upon the night sky through the window. "Twenty days, that was the agreed-upon number. You would be made keenly aware of this life and what it held for you." I saw your reaction in the windowpane, as you stare upon me with adoration, the way you had been doing most of this time now.
"Do not be swayed by the emotions you have when I feed upon you, the bloodletting and the energy, it is a small thing to consider in this." I return to the desk, blue wisps of flame drifting from my fingertips. I had donned an elegant red dress for tonight, the slip showing my leg and running clear up to my thigh.
"Tomorrow you will make your decision. You will lose everything to be with us, you will cease to be as you are now. I know this to be true because it happened to me as well. Friends, family, children, parents, and anything in-between. They are all lost to you, that is the price you will pay for this." I step to the small cabinet and withdraw a small cocktail shaker as I speak to you.
Two martini glasses go down and I shake up my favorite drink I enjoyed as a mundane. Gin and carrot juice filled each glass. I filled my own with a large helping of blood, making the orange liquid turn to a deep crimson. I garnished each with a carrot and presented the one without blood to you.
"Enjoy the effects of it, my sweet. If you choose this life, it will most likely be the last time you will get to." I sat upon the second chair next to you, facing you while crossing my legs. "When I retire in the morning, walk outside and watch the sun rise. Drink in the sounds and smells of the dawn. Listen to the creatures coming to life. Look upon the city, watch the mundane start to move as the vehicles dot the streets."
I watch you gingerly sip the cocktail and I sip my own as well, silence hanging between us for a few heartbeats. My ears fold and I shake my head. "I am not some all-knowing creature of the night, some dark mistress that can make all your problems fade away." I frown and look upon my glass, then back at you. "I am still a fearful rabbit... I fear for the safety of my family. Oh yes, I managed to keep the celestials at bay. Things have been going well for the last four years or so. However, hate always finds a way... Perhaps in the future when they feel their strength is replenished, perhaps the old ones will again decide we are nothing but abominations."
My ears fold and I grin. "Ah, I am going off on a tangent now. Let us return to the here and now of it, shall we?" I take another sip of my bloody cocktail and set you with a look. "Do as I ask you, walk the trails and forest of the property, take a car into the city. Drink in the life of the day before you make your choice."
"If you decide it is not for you, I will understand. Katrina will strip you of these memories with thaumaturgic energy and you will wake up in a hospital after being in a deep slumber for the last twenty days. Your life will be guaranteed and you will remember none of this." I see the deep frown upon your face and click my tongue. "I will not lie, I would miss you my pet. Ah but if my stories have taught you anything, I do grow fond quickly, don't I?"
I place my hand to my chest and sigh. "About six months ago, I sat in that very chair you are in now. I was about three seasons from having been with my family for a full decade. On that night... everything changed..."
Final Episode: Blood & Carrots
"You cannot be serious, Lorelai!" Elias shouted the words towards the phone on his desk, his nails digging into the polished wood.
"I wish I were joking, I truly do." My sheep's voice came back on the speaker of the phone. "She has invoked an ancient bygone law from our antiquity. Even I was unaware of its existence. I have consulted with one of our elders and her claim is valid."
"Elders? You mean they exist?" Elias snarled the words and I saw him shudder at the thought of it.
"It is not something I speak of, I do not call upon them lightly. However, yes, she can claim the right to a house war based upon you felling her family all those years ago." Her words came through resigned and bitter.
"This is madness... if she seeks satisfaction, let her come duel me personally. We do not need to drag-"
"You think I did not push for this? The elders have spoken and I have no power, literally. I am honor-bound to follow the council's decision. If I interfere I would be stripped of all my power, my hands are quite literally bound by our laws." Her words came out in a bitter hiss.
"When does this officially begin?" Elias sighed the words, resignation in his voice.
"It already has, I recommend you call your members back to your home right away in preparation. Please remind Gloria and Alex they are not expected to stand by you. They will, but they are not required." I heard the resignation in her own voice as well and stood slowly from the chair.
"Thank you for calling me and warning me." Elias shook his head and folded his arms, stepping away from his desk.
"Elias... remember what you stand to lose. Be strong and know that at the first chance I get, I will have her to a sword for this." The call clicked off and my fox stood there staring out into the night sky.
"Master..." I spoke gently out towards him.
He looked upon me and I saw the tears in his eyes as he shook his head. "Are you not happy, my lady? You finally get your chance to settle things..." He gave a ragged sigh and jerked his gaze away from me. "I never wanted anyone to be involved in my own issues, yet now everyone is..."
My ear lifted as my phone went off, it was Lorelai calling me. Elias nodded at me and I connected the call. "Y-yes?"
"Alice... there is a loophole in the house war laws. I have zero hope of you following it, but I will tell you about it." Her voice sounded resigned like she already had her answer. "Anyone under ten years is exempt, you can withdraw from the family and-"
"You're right, you already knew the answer, my love." I hissed the words into the phone.
"I know... please make it through this, Alice. I would be lost without you, I love you." She didn't wait on my words and ended the call. I ground my teeth and put my phone away, looking back at my fox.
"Brought up the ten-year clause, did she?" Elias spoke out towards me, his tail lazily wagging.
"She did... what will we do now?" I spoke the words as I moved next to him and put my hands to my hips.
"Most of Sarnai's house is young and inexperienced. She will strike with a small vanguard, I already know who it will be." He clicked his tongue as he stared out into the darkness, the moon high in the sky.
