Father's Son
Galactic Year 2175, Bludfist Tower, Xeno Euro
I stood before Lord Earlan Bludfist, my father, staring him straight in the eye, measuring him. I knew he was strong and powerful, not just as a vampire, but as a politician and business man as well. My suit, I noticed, was styled after his own. All black, only our eyes giving color to our darkness. He nodded to me after a few moments of eye contact and turned to the crowd.
"Now is the time to rejoice, my people! After sixteen long years, my one true son has returned!" The crowd began murmuring louder and a few of the people there began to clap. The applause slowly moved through the crowd, dying quiet as it moved along. My father walked to the doors and they slid aside to welcome us.
"Come! Let us all celebrate my son's safe return home!" As if I was always just lost. He knew where I was for the past sixteen years, he just kept me away for his own sake. I wasn't completely Human or Vampire, it was dangerous for me. The two women flanked us as we passed, both of them keeping their eyes only on me. They were beautiful, of course, all vampires were beautiful. It had to do with how the DNA injected into their bloodstream change their biology. There was a lot of science involved, and unlike the fantasy novels, none of it even remotely involved magic. It was more like they were their own species, one that evolved separately from humans. But then, what did that make me? I asked myself this question every day, but I had never gotten a real answer. So I always said that I am simply Alex.
"My son," Earlan spoke to me as we walked into the building's lobby, "I have long awaited your return, your mother-"
"I don't have a mother. Or a father. As far as I'm concerned, I'm an orphan." I cut him off from continuing and let my blood burn a bit. Showing my strong vampiric presence. The two ladies behind us both gasped at my outburst of bloodlust and killing intent. Earlan, however, simply smiled at me and continued speaking.
"Very well then," He said nonchalantly, as if my words had no effect on him, "You were chosen as my heir when you were born. One way or another, you will take over Bludfist Tower and Xeno Euro. Now, this party is a chance for you to get to know other members of the family. There are other heirs, of course, there has to be some semblance of a competition for the throne after all. But, you have my blood, literally, flowing through your veins. Your power as a vampire lord should be no weaker than mine, perhaps even stronger. I know the results of your final tests. I am... disappointed... but I am willing to look past your lack of magical aptitude because you have shown extraordinary growth in both intelligence and vampire power."
"That's so gracious of you, how ever will I repay your kindness?" I replied sarcastically, I didn't care what he or any of the others thought of me. "You should know, father, I do not plan on playing the part you have created for me. I refuse to be imprisoned, watched and used any longer. I know that I am just a project for you, someone that you see as basically just a clone of yourself. I know what I am to you. But you are nothing to me." My response was cold and calculated, I knew it hurt him that I knew his plan. Doc told me it would, and this reason is why I knew, I had the upper hand here, not him. As much as I hated the man, I knew that he had truly loved the woman who had been my mother. Earlan though, contrary to my belief, ignored my words for the moment and continued leading me to the party venue. We had the crowd of vampires following us up the tower.
We arrived in front of a huge set of black double doors. Earlon turned to me one last time and smiled, though warm enough, the smile seemed like it came from a serpent rather than a loving father.
"Welcome home, son." With those words he pushed the doors open and led everyone into a grand ballroom. It was like I had travelled back in time, the ballroom looked like something out of a goth Victorian fantasy novel. The floor was black and red marble, polished to shine like the surface of a pristine mirror. Chandeliers of black titanium hung from the ceiling, the stairs and banister were polished black wood. A dark crimson carpet lined both sets of the curving staircase. The scenery was absolutely beautiful, in a dark, disturbing way. Earlan clapped his hands and music began playing over speakers set around the room. Not completely Victorian, then.
Earlan led me up the stairs, to the balcony overlooking the massive room. "These are your people, son. I hope that, perhaps, these halls will house more than just vampires in the future." I looked out over the room, filled with people now socializing and drinking from the many bars set up around the hall. "Like I said. I know what you want me to be. I may be that, I may not. But I will decide, on my own and in my own way. If that is what I am." My response didn't seem to surprise Earlan in the least. In fact, he smiled, this time much more warmly.
"I will allow you to follow your own path now, son, but I will still be watching at a distance. Oh and keep Doc as your man. He has done a good job raising you and he deserves his reward." I rolled my eyes at his words.
"There really is nothing like human emotion within you. Even when happy, you still manage to sound so emotionless about your subordinates." I shrugged after speaking up and prepared myself to enter the main floor of the hall. "I'll go and meet our people now."