I sat down at the table across from the vampire, trying to control the shaking of my hands. By Solaris! I had no idea that taking blood from a human would be this, invigorating. Not now Brandon! Focus! “Why is it that a vampire is working in the library and not trying to, you know, eat the people in the city?”

The vampire chuckled as he took his seat, slipping his robe back and showing me his head. Completely bald, his ears had started to come to a point. I could trace the veins in his neck and head, though it became a bit harder on his face for some reason. “Interesting. Most people find it rude to ask questions of others before knowing their name. Have times truly changed that much over the centuries?”

“Oh not at all, but most people don’t sit down across from a creature that feeds on them and expect a friendly conversation. Knowing your name won’t help save me, but knowing that something is holding you in check? Yes, I would consider that knowledge important. Life-saving, even.”

“Ah, very well. I suppose it is a valid concern. Long ago I was bound by a sanguimancer to aid the city how I may. Part of that is to help train the next sanguimancer. If it comes down to it, I will literally be forced to lay my life on the line to protect you. Not that there are many threats in this world that could cause me trouble.”

“I see.” I said, nodding. “Well in that case, I’m Brandon Clayson. Pleasure to meet you.”

“Hehehe, accepting so quickly? I could be lying you know.”

“Nope. I see the magic constraining your heart, with thirteen blades at thirteen angles ready to skewer it.” I blurted out, wincing as I revealed a secret.

“Ah, so you can see magic. A recent development?”

“Indeed. And sorry, but you never did introduce yourself.”

“Ah, my deepest apologies.” He said, standing to his full height and giving a surprisingly graceful bow. “Per the Old Ways, I have gone by many titles. The Devourer of Light. Kindler of Hatred. Harbinger of the Bloody Retribution. You may refer to me by any of these or by my title, Blood Duke Alfonse Grim.”

“A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Duke Grim.” I said, standing and attempting to bow while keeping an eye on him.

“Decent. Keeping an eye on one who clearly outranks you is a good idea, but you must make sure it isn’t taken as a glare. Many on the dark path will be searching for the smallest insult in order to justify an attack. And if you should happen to die in the assault, there would be none alive to gainsay their word. Your bow didn’t go as low as mine, but that is due to your physical limitations. It is obvious you are only at the rank of fledgling, possibly borderline master at the moment. That unearthly grace won’t show itself until you reach Elder status. The important part is that you were indeed trying to go beyond the respect I showed you, which is proper given our vast difference in power.”

“I’m sorry, but you mentioned Elder just now. What is that?” I asked.

“Ah, my favorite game then? Let us alternate questions and answers. An elder is a rank in the vampire hierarchy. In order to obtain it without any magical aptitude, you need to be a vampire for at least 75 years and have no political aspirations. Quite rare to be honest, but there are a few out there. Now for my question. You seem jittery, but it isn’t from fear. Who was it they let you get your first feeding on?”

I flinched at his accusation, not realizing that he would be that perceptive. Then I immediately chastised myself. This creature knew the last sanguimancer, and was powerful before the purge. Of course I wasn’t going to slip anything by him. “Hunt Meister Gregory. I’ve had animal blood, but this. I can feel the power coursing through my veins. I don’t know if it’s because it was from a human, or if he had a bit of magic that gives it a boost. Will this feeling go away or will it happen every time I feed?”

“A natural question. The initial buzz will fade unless you manage to feed from a particularly powerful mage. Part of it is your body increasing its aptitude for mana. The more sentients you feed upon, the more your power will grow. You also need to feed from someone with a lot more mana in order to give you that hit of mana flooding your veins. Most lose the feeling by the time they finish being fledglings. That’s about twenty years, and also when they are better able to control the thirst. How did you know I was a vampire?”

“Ah, I see. Thanks, that does make me feel a bit better knowing it won’t always cause such a reaction. And I could see it in your blood. It was dark enough that I activated both forms of vision, just to make sure that I could properly see. Your blood flows slower through your body, but it practically radiates magic. How is it that you look so different from a human? Vampires are supposed to be masters of blending in.”

He shrugged, answering, “Lack of care. I am stuck here no matter what, and I don’t feel like wasting power maintaining a specific appearance. All those of master rank and above can do subtle shifts to their looks, allowing them to blend in. What do you wish to do with your life?”

I sighed, staring at my hands. “Originally I thought to join the hunters, but fuck them. I won’t join them unless the vast majority of them are replaced. Since I can’t cast anything with the normal elements, I suppose I’ll be a soldier for now to earn a living. You’ve mentioned several ranks in the vampire hierarchy so far, could you explain that to me?”

“Hmmm. That is possible, but it is a complex question. Will you answer three of mine in return?” I nodded, and he continued, “Very well. There is a sort of split pyramid structure. At the very bottom are ferals and ghouls. These are people who failed to transition into vampires, or had the process interrupted halfway. Ferals live to kill, and ghouls must consume the meat of humans in order to continue functioning. They are most often used as fodder to weaken an enemy. Above them are normal ca-, I mean people. They live a life of servitude, though how bad their life is depends on their master. Most vampires realize that keeping the ca-, erhrm, people happy ends up with a better run empire. Then you have the younglings and thralls. Younglings are slaves to their instincts, and must be kept separate from society. Thralls are humans that are being groomed to join our ranks. Their loyalty is ensured magically. In return, they are often bestowed with gifts from a bloodline. Around ten years, or less if the turn has enough magic, the youngling becomes a fledgling or a blood novice. Control is still spotty in times of stress, but the biggest issue is fighting the sun. Any exposure can lead to crippling injuries or death. Around 20 years, the fledgling has gained enough magic in its blood to withstand the sun weakening their bodies, and are called Masters. The magically inclined are called blood apprentices. There is a third level here, though it is incredibly rare. Should a ghoul survive fifty years, they will evolve into a ghoul lord. They regain most of their memories, and have the ability to control a group of ghouls. These beings are treasured, as none other may control the ghouls as easily. At 75 years, we have blood knights and blood journeyman, or for the non-political the Elder vampire. At 250 years, blood barons and blood magi are on one side, with the Ancient vampire on the other. Blood counts and Blood Masters appear at 500 years, with their counterpart being the Argentum. At a thousand years of age, a blood duke is born. They all must have magic, and if they do not wish to partake in politics they are called a Timeless One. Beyond that is the Sanguine Emperor.”

“That’s, wow. Fairly complicated. Do many take the path of avoiding politics?” I asked.

He shook his finger at me, “Ah, ah, ah. It’s my turn to ask questions, and I get three. My first is what your affinities are. Second, what is your magic level? And third, tell me the story behind the person you cursed.”

“Cursed? I haven’t cursed anyone!” I said angrily.

“Impossible. I can scent the decay from casting curse magic. It’s weak, but still there. Even the weakest of curse spells will stick around for a year. Perhaps you cursed someone by accident?”

“How? Wouldn’t they have to swallow my blood or something?”

“Oh not at all young one! Yes, our powers are tied to blood, but it doesn’t have to be your blood. In fact, it is usually preferred not to be your blood. But was there anyone whose blood you did swallow? With practice, you can prevent your body from digesting it and instead save it, allowing you to use it to target a curse.”

“Well that’s impossible. Since I’ve turned, the only person I’ve taken blood from has been. Gregory. . .” I trailed off at the end, “Wait, no. It couldn’t be, could it? I remember biting her hand.”

“Oh, you remember something?”

“Yess!” I hissed, letting my anger loose a bit. “That conniving bitch that drugged me! Helped the hunters brand me, I bit her hand hard and got a mouthful of blood. I remember focusing all my hatred on her, and wishing that others would treat her with the same paranoia she showed everyone else.”

Alfonse clapped a bit, chuckling. “Ah, how fabulous! You managed to curse a hunter! And such an apt one at that! Hunters suspect everyone, and will never be able to get anything done if everyone is doubting who they are. Well played young one, well played indeed!”

“Did. Really? You really think I cursed her?” I asked, and a small portion of me started to feel a bit bad.

“Oh, I know you did. It might not last long, but you most definitely cast a curse on her. Tell you what. I’ll give you a free answer if you tell me what your strength was at the time. I’ll see if I can guess how powerful your spell was.”

“Um, ok. I’m mid violet in power, and my three affinities are from highest to lowest: blood, holy and curse. That’s all I have, and only 10% of my power was free when I cursed her, the rest was sealed.”

“Ten percent? She’s lucky. An untrained mid violet in power blasting her with a blood curse likely would have affected her permanently. Oh, she might be able to use a greater cleansing to get rid of it, but that would take at least a cardinal to accomplish. With ten percent, likely a powerful deacon, or any rank of priest should be able to cleanse it. Or she could wait a few years and it will weaken on its own. No more than five.” I started to sink in my seat a bit, until a slight tapping of a finger on the table made me look at the vampire.

“Don’t go second guessing yourself. And I’m not just saying this from a point of the powerful can do what they wish to the weak, though that is the way of our world. I saw the anger light your eyes, saw your magic flare in response. She did something to you, and deserved every bit of your curse. I hope to hear the story one day.”

“I. I’ll think about it.” I said with a sigh, slowly realizing that he was right. She did kidnap and brand me, then blast me with mind altering powder. “I guess for my next question, will you show me the primer on blood magic and on curses?”

“Would that I could.” He said with a sad look. “Alas, the church was rather thorough in their purging so long ago. However, you are in luck, as you have a master sitting in front of you. I am already sworn to help the next sanguimancer, so you don’t even have to ask. But I will be pushing you. I smell the whelp of Farris on you. You will inform him that he is responsible for your mana control training. I will be your master for your specific skills, understood?”

I nodded, thinking. “Sure, I think he might be happy with that. He did say he was having trouble convincing someone from the church to train me in holy magic.”

“I can tell you the spells for that, but you will have to work on them on your own. I could probably block your spells, but they are specifically designed to work against my kind. I will be able to take a more hands on approach to your other affinities. I will have several samples of blood for you tomorrow, make sure you come here without eating first. We will train your self-control along with your blood spells. Agreed?”

“Agreed.” I said, reaching out and shaking the vampires hand. Afterward, I couldn’t help but notice that the energy high I was riding had left, and I was starting to get tired. “If you’ll excuse me Your Grace, I do believe I need to head home and get some sleep. Thank you again for answering my questions, and for agreeing to take me as a student.”

“You are more than welcome.” He said, bowing slightly as he ushered me to the exit.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Alfonse’s POV

After the somewhat gullible child had left, I immediately headed to my sanctum deep below the library. Part of it was the geas driving me, but part of it was the thought of finally being able to pass on a portion of my legacy! It had been so long since I had someone with even a portion of my affinities, and here comes one with the exact same! I would have to take care molding him, however. He took quite nicely to the thought of retribution being warranted, but I still had to lay it out for him. Eventually he needed to be pointed in a general direction, and find the path for justification himself.

“Gah.” I winced in pain as the geas reacted to my thoughts, forcing them back to what to teach him. Obviously the first part was to be able to ingest and separate blood, and keep it from being absorbed. “Which ones of you wishes to be the first set to be cursed, hmmm?” I asked, tapping the cages of the several rats I had caught. I usually set them free after a time in captivity, but these ones were unlucky and were going to be targets. “Oh, that could be fun! I’ll have my minion taste your blood and use it to track you down! Of course, this will have to be in a week or so. He needs practice with his spells first. Lucky you! You won’t be feeling the painful spells!”