Vampiric Rites: Initiation

The sleek black car rolled to a slower speed as they began to approach the front of an imposing estate. Erasmus knew that others in Burrowgatory had lavish homes—he was one of them, after all—but not many of them had fully fledged mansions.

The gates, adorned with intricate, weaving patterns of various flowers and vines, creaked open to reveal the sprawling building beyond, and the car’s speed picked up to pass through the entryway. Even from just the front view of the mansion, Erasmus was impressed by the sheer craftsmanship in the architecture. It felt… older than anywhere he’d seen before, and he’d been around for a decent while now.

In part, honestly, it made him want to consider upgrading the decor of his own home.

Erasmus adjusted his tie for what felt like the hundredth time, his fingers trembling slightly against the silk. He had faced countless challenges in his life—building a bustling business, getting Reuben to go on a first date with him what felt like ages ago…

“Well,” he said, trying to keep his voice steady despite his nerves, but failed to keep the faint tremor out of his voice, “here we are. Seems we’ve arrived.”

Reuben, seated beside him, turned his warm, reassuring gaze toward Erasmus. “You don’t have to look so tense,” he said, placing a hand on Erasmus’s knee. “This is just a formality, honey. You’re going to be fine.”

“Formality or not, Reu, this is Lady Calla we’re talking about,” Erasmus replied, letting out a nervous chuckle. “She’s a vampire lord. The vampire lord as far as I'm concerned. This isn’t just signing a reservation waitlist at a restaurant.”

Reuben’s hand brushed against Erasmus’s arm as if sensing his unease. “You’re fidgeting, you know,” Reuben murmured with a faint smile.

“I’m perfectly composed,” Erasmus replied, though his voice carried a slightly strained edge. He straightened his spine, though his shoulders were stiff. Then, he sighed. “I’m as composed as I can be,” he amended. “Ugh, this is so unlike me…”

Reuben tittered softly. “Aww, poor baby…” He nuzzled his nose against the cool expanse of Erasmus’s cheek. “Rasy, listen to yourself. You’ve just gone through a lot. Not to mention you haven’t eaten anything since earlier today.”

Erasmus’s ruby toned gaze drifted back to Reuben, a soft expression falling over his face. He slipped his hand beneath Reuben’s chin, offering a gentle smile wide enough for his fangs to show. “Only because I don’t want to inconvenience you, Ruby, my little rose,” he crooned to him. “You’ve been so generous with me already, after all…”

The latter shivered, leaning into Erasmus’s touch. “Don’t tease me, Ras…”

“Formality or not,” Erasmus detracted with a chuckle, drawing his hand back, “it is Lady Calla,” Erasmus said, his brow furrowing as they reached the threshold of the gates. “This is no ordinary audience, Reuben. She could refuse me—Hell, or have me drink cherubun blood, maybe.”

“She won’t,” Reuben said firmly. “You’re honorable, eloquent, and, most importantly, she’s probably not going to waste her time on theatrics. You’ll do fine.”

Erasmus exhaled slowly, the weight of Reuben’s reassurance steadying him—but only slightly. “Even so,” he muttered, “it’s no small thing to kneel before someone like her, let alone someone at all—my knees are usually reserved for you.”

The car rolled to a stop, causing Erasmus to bristle slightly, and he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Hells I’m going to be sick.”

“U-um, hate to interrupt, but,” Timothy gave a small, awkward laugh from the seat across from them, though it sounded more like a hiccup. “S-she’s not that scary,” he offered unconvincingly, pausing when Erasmus arched an eyebrow at him. “Okay, uh, maybe she’s a little scary, b-but only in a, um, regal kind of way, you know? Like a queen. Or, um, a really, really strict professor.”

“Very comforting, Timothy,” Erasmus muttered.

“So, uh, we just, um, go up to the front door. She’s expecting you, obviously.”

Erasmus exhaled deeply, running a hand through his silver-streaked hair. He turned to Reuben, his dark eyes softening. “I hate to leave you in here, but this is something I unfortunately have to face alone.”

Reuben’s expression softened, and he reached up to pat Erasmus’s cheek. “I’ll be right here waiting when you’re done.”

“I—um,” Timothy interjected, raising a hand slightly as if asking for permission to speak. “I can, uh, come back and stay with Reuben. You know, to keep him company. If—if you want, I mean. I’m not very, uh, chatty, but I can, um, stand nearby. Like a statue. Or, um, a less helpful tree.”

Reuben bit back a smile, turning to Erasmus. “See? I’ll have excellent company.”

Erasmus couldn’t help but let out a quiet laugh, the tension in his frame easing ever so slightly. “Thank you, Timothy. I’m sure Reuben will appreciate the company.”

“R-right,” Timothy stammered, fumbling to reach out and open up the car door for them. “We should, uh, get going then. She usually doesn’t like it when people are late. Not that you’re late! We’re on time. Early, actually. Uh—let’s go.”

They stepped out of the car, and Erasmus adjusted his coat around himself. The cold evening air brushed against his skin, a sharp contrast to the warmth of Reuben’s presence. He glanced toward the towering manor, absentmindedly tightening his hold on his coat.

Timothy led them up the gravel path, his steps a little too quick, his hands fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. “You’re, um, gonna do great,” he said over his shoulder. “Just, uh, be polite. Don’t interrupt her. And—and maybe don’t, um, look too nervous? She can, uh, smell fear. Probably. I think. Vampire lords are, um… tricky.”

Erasmus slowed his pace, his nerves tightening with each step closer to the looming front doors. He paused at the threshold, glancing back at Reuben one last time.

“You’ll be brilliant!” Reuben called firmly. “I’ll see you soon!”

Erasmus nodded, forcing a confident smile. The idea of leaving Reuben’s side, even temporarily, sent a fresh wave of unease through him. The thought of stepping forward alone, without Reuben’s grounding presence, left him feeling unmoored.

With a steadying nod, he turned toward the doors and made his way up further to the doors. As Timothy reached out to press the brass doorbell, its chime echoing faintly inside the manor. The heavy oak doors creaked open slowly, revealing a tall, expressionless attendant dressed in immaculate black.

“Lady Calla is expecting you,” the attendant said, stepping aside to allow Erasmus entry.

Ah, dramatism at its finest, Erasmus thought.

He glanced at Timothy, who gave him an awkward thumbs-up, and squared his shoulders. Erasmus nodded appreciatively to the attendant, then stepped fully into the manor, bristling while the attendant closed the heavy doors behind him with a resounding thud.

The foyer of Lady Calla’s manor was as imposing as its exterior would suggest. The floors were made of polished marble, blanketed in part by a rich, red colored carpet stretching out beneath Erasmus’s shoes, the tiled surface gleaming under the light of an intricate crystal chandelier that hung high above.

The air was cool, but not uncomfortably so—warmer than outside, certainly—and carried a faint metallic tang that Erasmus suspected he’d become far too familiar with in the days ahead. It made his stomach rumble, a familiar dry ache plaguing his throat, and he almost subconsciously ran his tongue over his fangs.

The attendant led him onward without a word, their movements silent save for the soft tap of heels against marble. Erasmus couldn’t help but glance around as they passed through an arched corridor. They stopped before a set of black double doors, and the attendant turned to Erasmus, their face as impassive as ever.

“Lady Calla awaits,” they said simply before stepping aside and gesturing for him to enter.

Erasmus paused just before the door, his hand hovering over the handle in front of him. “Come on, don’t be so anxious,” he murmured to himself. “Think of worse things. Meetings with competitors, drunken patrons, even health inspectors, death.”

Then, with a gentle twist and a push, he opened the door and stepped inside of the room.

The room that followed was immense, to say the least, yet intimate at the same time, with dark walls lit by the soft glow of old-fashioned wall sconces and a fireplace blazing steadily at the end of one wall. At its center was a sofa, and perched atop it was Lady Calla herself, her posture elegant and poised, so still and serene as though she were carved from alabaster.

She regarded Erasmus with an unreadable expression, her soft, red eyes catching the flickering candlelight in a way that was almost hypnotic.

“Erasmus,” she said, her voice as smooth and commanding as silk over steel, yet carrying an odd sense of amusement. “You have come to pledge yourself.”

“Y-yes, my lady, I have,” Erasmus replied, his voice steady. He wasn’t entirely sure of the most respectful way to refer to her. To compensate, he bowed deeply. He had no doubt that if his heart could still beat, it would be racing in his chest from his nerves. He straightened up his posture, meeting her gaze before promptly breaking it.

Calla’s lips curved into a faint, almost humorous smile. “Good. You’ve dressed for the occasion, I see. A commendable touch of respect. It’s… appreciated, though unnecessary. The pledge is not about appearances—it is about loyalty, integrity, and understanding your place within our society.”

Erasmus inclined his head. “I understand, my lady. I am—I’m here to do whatever I have to.”

Calla rose from the sofa, descending the dais with a grace that seemed almost supernatural. Her pale gown moved like liquid shadow around her, and she stopped mere steps away from him, her presence both magnetic and suffocating.

“Kneel,” she commanded softly, and the word carried an authority that brooked no defiance.

Erasmus bit the inside of his lower lip, feeling a twinge of reluctance at the idea. Gluttony bun as he was, he did value his pride, but regardless, he dropped to one knee, his hands resting on his thigh to steady himself. He felt the weight of her gaze as she looked down at him.

“I understand that Timothy gave you an insight into this,” she said with a polite nod. “Do you swear to obey the laws of the vampire lords? To uphold the peace between vampires and other members of Burrowgatory? To honor the trust placed in you as one of our kind?”

“Yes, I swear it,” Erasmus said.

Calla extended a hand, pale and elegant, to an attendant who stepped forward from the shadows with a goblet. They offered it to her, and she accepted it with a nod before turning back to Erasmus. “Well then, stand up now.”

Erasmus stood, his movements slow and deliberate. As Calla held the goblet toward him, the rich crimson liquid within shimmering faintly under the dim light of the room, the scent reached him first—warm, intoxicating, and undeniably powerful.

Erasmus accepted the goblet with both hands, his fingers trembling slightly as he raised it to his lips. The first sip was fire and lightning, coursing through his veins like a storm. His vision blurred, and he felt the room tilt, his senses overwhelmed by the sheer potency of the blood. He felt saliva begin to pool in his mouth, and his breath shook.

“Steady yourself,” Calla said, her tone cool but not unkind.

Erasmus, seemingly snapping out of a daze, took a moment to collect himself, then reached up to grip the goblet. Once it was left fully in his hands, Erasmus drank deeply, the depths of its rich flavor alone almost too much for him to handle. He drew back from it almost reflexively, hurrying to pass the goblet back.

“S-sorry, I—” Erasmus cut himself off, shaking his head, “I’m still getting used to this.”

“Your moderation is promising,” Calla hummed. “With your pledge, you are fully expected to obey and uphold the laws of our kind’s lords. You stand as Erasmus, vampire of this court. You may go now,” Calla said, turning back to her throne. “The night is yours. I would advise you to use it wisely.”

Erasmus inclined his head deeply, stepping backward toward the door. His mind swirled with the enormity of what had just transpired as he was guided back to the manor’s entrance, more relieved that the process hadn’t been more elaborate.

He hadn’t known what to expect, as Timothy hadn’t mentioned any finer details, but he hadn’t expected that to be because there simply weren’t any at all.

He stepped out into the cool night air and saw Reuben outside of the car waiting for him—Timothy still fidgeting awkwardly at his side—his tension melted away.

Reuben grinned, rushing towards him to pull Erasmus into a firm embrace. “See? I told you you’d be brilliant!”

Erasmus chuckled softly, resting his forehead against Reuben’s. “I think you might’ve been right, my love,” he hummed to him, then scooped him up into his arms. “Now let’s you and I get on home. The two of us have much to celebrate.”