Like the Dead?

Lethargy was common at this stage, Joyce said. After all, you had lost a lot of blood, and even more energy. Were you and your fellows not adequately prepared...

You sighed, removing the end of that statement from your thoughts. It was all you could do. All you should be doing, not worrying yourself over Raquel's worst fears that did not come true. It was a risky move, you all knew that, but it was done, and you were alright. You did not perish in the circle. You did not die in your friend's arms. You did not need to fulfill your promise to the Emperor of the Damned, though he assured the three of you your position would have been more than comfortable.

You were alright. You were exhausted, but you were alright. You were alright.

A knock at the door disturbed your admittedly repetitive thoughts. Before you could gather the strength to respond, Joyce and Raquel entered. Raquel announced their presence with a melodious greeting, while Joyce advanced into the bedchamber with a small smile, teacup and saucer in hand. He placed the beverage on the side table as Raquel lowered his healer's kit at your feet.

“I'm surprised you're still awake, my friend,” Joyce admitted.

“Only barely,” came your quiet reply.

“Not too tired for tea, I hope.”

You smiled. “I could never be too tired for that.”

However, you were too tired to sit up on your own. It was only with Raquel's help that you were able to lean against the head of the bed, propped up by plush down pillows. “Well, that answers my question about your strength,” he chirped. “You won't be leaving this bed for at least two days.”

Even a year felt too soon, the way you felt, and you said so.

Raquel laughed. “I know it feels that way now, dear, but you know how hardy you are. With adequate food and drink and most of all, rest, you'll be on your feet in no time.”

“As you say,” you whispered.

“As it has been proven,” Raquel corrected. “The damned are consummate recordkeepers. In fact, they—“ He paused and leaned in close. Slowly, your eyes traced his line of sight to your mouth. He opened his mouth, closed it, then straightened. “Joyce? Could you come and look at this, please?”

Joyce joined Raquel at his side. The latter pointed at your mouth, then asked you to smile wide. To your dismay, Joyce's eyes also grew wide.

“That is... unexpected.”

“What?” you whined, “what?”

Joyce pulled a mirror from under his cloak and held it before your face. Your eyes darted to your lips, fearfully parted to spy teeth that at first blush appeared normal.

Only at first blush.

Sharpened canines hung from your grimace unbidden upon second glance, large enough to make you wonder why you had not felt them before. “Oh, no...!”

Raquel made a calming gesture. “Now, darling—"

Anxious vigor rushed through your veins. “Fangs? I have fangs?”

“Well, yes, but—“

“Did we do the ritual incorrectly? Am I dead?”

“No! Of course not—!”

“Skies above, what if this is why I am so weak? My body craves not tea, but—"

“Enough.”

Joyce’s voice silenced both you and Raquel’s reply. Free of fear’s grip, your lethargy returned in spades, and you dropped onto the pillows with a groan. Joyce held the teacup to your lips. “Drink.”

The tea was lukewarm and saccharine. You drank half the cup before Joyce returned it to the side table. “Good. Now, before we descend further into terror, let us address the facts.” He forced the mirror before your face again. “Breathe.”

You exhaled on the surface and it fogged up.

“You breathe, therefore you live. We were successful. As for the fangs, they are, as I said, unexpected, but are only that. Unexpected. If you had truly changed, you would know.” He brandished his own fangs in a fierce grin. “Believe me, you would know.”

You tried to lift your head. “But—"

“Hush. No more excitement, not in your state.” He offered the teacup again, and spoke as you drank. “How about this? Should the worst come to pass, I shall take you under my wing. You will not hurt others.”

“I would not like to be immortal, either.”

“And we will find a solution for that as well, but only if it happens. For now, relax. Raquel intended to look you over when we arrived, and he has yet to do so.”

You sighed. It was all you could do. All you should be doing, according to Joyce. “Alright.”

“Good.” He stepped back. “Whenever you’re ready, Raquel.”

Raquel advanced towards you with his usual enthusiasm. “Alright, dear! Let’s see what there is to see!”

All told, there wasn’t much to see. Raquel’s examination did not reveal any more than what he supposed at first glance, though all his instruments and spells told him exactly how sluggish you were. His concern was less about the risk of unexpected vampirism and more about a potential case of anemia. Joyce and Raquel, being non-humans, were incompatible donors, yet to send an adequate substitute to Joyce’s lonely countryside manor would take precious time. “Wiser to fetch one now, then,” was Joyce’s metered response. At that, Raquel tutted over the donor divining the less-than-wholesome cause of your bloodlessness. If they had to silence them… “Then we throw on some conspicuous gauze and stained with paint, or wine, berries! Say there was a riding accident, hunting accident, cooking accident! You think too fatally, my friend. Say our magic was discovered. It is not illegal to do what we did. Frowned upon, perhaps, but not illegal.” At this Raquel was forced to concede. His examinations finally at an end, he gathered his things and advised further rest. Mostly sleep, but he would allow light activity and entertainment as time went on.

Your yawn stymied any further conversation. With a chuckle, the pair rearranged you into a laying position, tucked you in, and said their goodbyes, wishing you a peaceful rest. Now alone in the bedchamber, you stared at the bed’s canopy, tongue cautiously swirling around your new teeth, but unable to do much more. Lethargy was common at this stage, Joyce said. You trusted Joyce. He would not leave you to languish without just cause. You were alright. You were exhausted, but you were alright.

It was going to be alright.