The rest of the day was tense, like squatting over hot rocks; there was no room for rest. I had to endure John’s lecture about my behavior and how I needed to control my hunger if I wanted to live. Otherwise, he said, he would end my life himself. I agreed, at least for now. Until I grew stronger than him. For that, I needed a way to raise my level, both in combat and in class.
I settled into his house at Elira’s request. John was reluctant, of course, but fathers are weak to their little girls. Mine had been the sa. So he gave in. He offered a room, just for a few weeks, or so he said. It wasn’t much, an old storage room with a single door leading outside. That made wonder... Could I open my clinic here?
The idea tempted . I could treat people openly, while quietly feeding myself when the chance ca. If I didn’t drink blood often, I knew I would lose control. I didn’t ever want to feel that madness again. It was... terrifying.
And so, after a day of convincing John, I managed to get his approval to run a small clinic out of the storage room, which opened onto the main street of the city. It was also the perfect disguise. Vampires were taboo among humans, and this gave a mask to hide behind.
My own kind no longer welcos , huh? The thought weighed on as I set up the small table and a few chairs, covering them with whatever clean rugs I could find. I used to be human, and now I am a monster. I didn’t know if I should love or hate myself for it. But survival mattered more than anything else.
CREEK.
The old door creaked open behind . John entered with little Arthur trailing after him.
"Settled in yet, Doctor Beatrice?" he grumbled, his tone far from pleased. I was still a threat to him, and his eyes never left .
"Yes. I was just about to put up the sign I made over the door. Could you give a hand?" I asked quickly, rushing to pick up the wooden board I had painted earlier.
"Ashvale Healing House...?" John read the sign aloud, making my cheeks burn with embarrassnt. I knew the na wasn’t well thought out, but it was the best I could co up with on the spot.
"You nad it after our town?! So cool!" Arthur exclaid, his little voice bursting with pride. His excitent tugged a smile out of .
"Yes, I thought it would be the most welcoming for the townsfolk," I replied, following John as he hamred the sign in place.
The sun bathed as I stepped outside, but it didn’t burn. That was what made this character so feared in the original story. The ancient blood in her veins overpowered the sun’s suppression. I couldn’t help but wonder why the author had killed her off so early instead of letting her grow.
I felt a swell of pride. My own clinic... I never thought in my life I’d work for myself, yet here I was.
"What’s that? A healing house? Is old man John coming back in action?"
"No way! The spiritual leader himself is going to treat us?"
Exclamations rose from the crowd gathering outside. They clearly hadn’t noticed at all, standing there in white robes. I guess doctors in this world didn’t wear white, but it was what felt most natural to .
It made wonder. How much did I truly not know about this family? Other than little Arthur, both John and Elira carried powers that would have been terrifyingly strong in the original novel. Do side characters usually have such abilities?
"It’s not who will be treating you," John barked, his voice cutting through the noise and silencing the crowd. "It’s my disciple, Beatrice. Treat her the sa way you would treat . She’s no joke."
I froze, surprised. He called his disciple? And even stepped up for ? Did I misjudge this old man? To na his disciple, though... he hadn’t actually taught anything yet. That offer of the Grand Healing Technique of the Saint of dicine... was it real, or was he just toying with ?
"That woman? She wouldn’t be able to treat a cockroach even if it crawled to her willingly..." A whisper slithered into my ears. Mockery might have been silent to others, but it was loud as thunder to . My hearing was too sharp to miss it. I picked out the ones talking shit behind my back easily enough. A man with a crooked nose and a woman with silver hair... Maybe I’ll visit them at night... when I’m hungry.
The crowd soon fell silent. Cheers and celebration faded into the void. Only mocking stares and suspicious eyes remained glued on . Outsider, that’s all I was to them. Even if John had claid as his disciple.
"Your disciple, is she?" A cracked voice rose above the rest. "Then let her prove it. Let the girl inspect , see if she can treat this leg of mine. It’s kept awake at night for years. If she can heal it, I’ll accept this outsider. If not... she can pack her bags and leave, no matter whose protection she hides under."
The words belonged to an old woman, easily seventy or more. She leaned on a crooked stick that looked like it made her posture worse, not better.
"Old witch Diana," John barked, venom dripping from his tone. "What the hell are you doing here? Didn’t I tell you to piss off and never show your face to again?"
The crowd stirred, whispers swelling. What history do they share? This town is already thick with drama, deeper than I imagined.
"Lower your voice, junior. Where’s your respect for your seniors? And I’m not here for you, am I?" Her brilliant crimson eyes locked on , sharp and invasive. I felt a mysterious pull, like sothing was prying at my soul, trying to dissect from the inside out.
[DANGER!]
The system screen flashed before my eyes, crimson drowning out the world.
[BLOCKING THE INTRUSION OF FOREIGN POWER]
[USER PROTECTION—SUCCESSFUL]
That old woman... if not for the system shielding , what would she have done?If she learns I’m a vampire... My heart raced. She was strong and cunning.
Her expression shifted, her raised brows betraying surprise.
"Follow ," I said calmly, masking the storm inside . I couldn’t make a scene here. Not on my first day. Not when so many eyes were watching. I would treat her, for now. And next ti... I would make sure she died a grueso death for daring to plot against .
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