Gently she picked up my hand and closed her eyes. She sat still for about ten seconds, and then her eyes darted back and forth beneath her closed lids.
She squeezed my hand as though something surprised her. With my improved hearing I noticed the moment her breath hitched and her heart rate increased.
Her lips moved and she attempted to speak. I leaned in to hear her better. “Unnatural,” she mumbled.
Suddenly she began thrashing her head back and forth. The doctor, Professor Blackmore, and I looked at each other, not sure whether this was normal.
With a final gasp she dropped my hand, rubbing her own as though I had burned her. She backed away from me, fear in her eyes.
“Abomination.” She pointed at me. “Vampire! The devil has marked you, and he will claim you.”
Vampire? But I thought I was a siren.
I was taken aback by the rapid personality change. A minute ago Madame Levine was sweetly walking me through her divination process. Now all she needed was a torch and pitchfork to complete the image of the fearful villager.
Madame Levine turned to the doctor and Professor Blackmore. “She has only a couple years to live. Then she will die again and awake as a vampire. The change is already beginning.”
I could smell the fear rolling off of her; the scent excited me. I felt every inch the monster.
She backed out of the door, never turning her back to me. Her brisk footfalls echoed down the hall, and I felt an alarming urge to chase her.
Professor Blackmore stared at me, curious. “I have never heard of a vampire being Awoken.” He rubbed his chin. “Then again, I have never even heard of a vampire being born.”
He turned to the doctor. “You know what this means. You must call him.”
The doctor’s eyes widened. “No Geoffrey, I can’t make that call. The man is a monster; he is not allowed in my hospital.”
Professor Blackmore addressed him. “She needs to be formally introduced to the clan she is now a part of, before she becomes a potential menace to humans.”
Ouch.
The doctor was shaking his head.
“In addition,” Blackmore continued, “she could become the target of violence. The relationship between the mainstream supernatural community and vampires is strained enough. She needs the support of her own clan. Not to mention that the vampires might also perceive her as a threat if they do not understand what she is.”
“Geoffrey, do you understand what exposing her—”
“Make the call—or I will.” Professor Blackmore’s sharp tone did what his reasoning couldn’t.
“Fine,” my doctor said. “Against my better judgment I’ll do it. I just hope this is the right choice.” With that, he left the room.
Dr. Blackmore walked over to my bedside and sat down in a guest chair. “Are you all right?”
“I think so,” I said. But I wasn’t all right, not by a long shot.
“Have you been able to contact your family?”
“No.” A rebellious tear escaped. I was not going to feel bad for myself. I took a deep breath. “It’s just me and my mother—and she adopted me, so I’m not sure she would understand my … situation.”
My mother. I’d give anything to talk to her. I was alone and scared; that’s when mothers are the best. But she wouldn’t understand. She’d think I’d gone crazy and pull me from Peel. And then I’d lose the only opportunity I’d ever had to figure out who my biological parents were and how I came to be adopted.
Professor Blackmore smiled sympathetically. “I’m sorry to hear that. Most of the students have family to get them through this. Has anyone here informed you of what happened between your Awakening and the morgue?”
“No.” I hadn’t even thought to ask. “To be honest, I didn’t know there was more to tell.” I’d become a pseudo-vampire, a revelation they’d seemed as baffled about as I was. I figured that was all there was to know.
“Well then, it falls to me to help you fill in the blanks.”
I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding. “Thanks.”
He gave me a tight-lipped smile. “When you drank the elixir, it Awoke your dormant supernatural traits. Three traits surfaced—”
“Three? You mean I can have more than one supernatural ability?”
“Oh, of course,” Professor Blackmore said. “Some traits are compatible with others. Three is a bit rare, but far less unusual than being born a vampire.” He smiled at me and patted my knee. “You happen to also be a siren and a soulmate.”
I wasn’t too surprised to find out I was a siren, but I had no idea what that last one meant. “What’s a soulmate?”
Professor Blackmore chuckled. “It’s exactly what you might think it is. You have a single true love out there. Only in the supernatural world, it means your soul is inextricably bound to him or her; it’s a physiological, psychological, and spiritual connection.”
I looked at him skeptically. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“I take it this is good news?” he asked.