Page 23 of Ashvale: The Vampire's Thrall

I'd seen Rowan in the library a few times but only in passing, like he'd heard me approaching and had decided to run. That was probably the most odd thing of all—Rowan had been nothing but friendly. Even a little, dare I say, interested? Now it was like I had the plague. The only person who didn't seem to have a sudden aversion to me was Novalie, and that was hilarious considering the rocky start to our relationship.

"Now almost everyone has themselves under control during bloodletting, we can work on some of the other key skills a vampire needs to survive."

This sounded promising, and I perked up from my position next to Hayes as Elowen looked around at us. She was right, other than one other incident we'd all managed to bite, feed, and stay in control. Which was good, because if one more living vamp had ended up nearly drained I was pretty sure Elowen would have ripped out their hearts herself. She seemed the type.

Hayes coughed and I glanced at him in surprise, seeing the grin he was smothering. Clearly he'd heard my thoughts and agreed.

"The next thing you will need to know is enthrallment—better known as thrall."

I paid attention, interested to know where she was going with this. I had no real idea how to do a thrall, despite having accidentally used it on Hayes previously. Like most things with being a vampire, I had to imagine a lot of it was about instinct.

"A thrall is good for many things: remaining undetected amongst the humans, gaining or retaining secrecy as you move throughout the world, and, of course, exercising your will on others." A few looks of concern appeared in the crowd of us and Elowen smiled slightly, the chilly one that raised the hackles on my back. "Of course, enthrallment can be a huge violation of trust, free will, and if done incorrectly can be catastrophic. We advise that this is a tool you use with discretion and delicacy."

She'd added the warning almost as an afterthought, which didn't comfort me very much. But Elowen was right, it was a useful skill to learn, even if it was morally questionable.

I raised my hand and her piercing eyes fell on me. "Yes, Leonora?"

"Is it possible to resist a thrall?"

Something lit up her eyes, like this was a question that intrigued her—and that intrigued me in turn. "In time, and with enough power, there are those that are able to resist enthrallment, but be advised that this is rare. Typically, it is harder to enthral a fellow member of the undead than a living vampire or human."

I nodded thoughtfully and she clapped her hands together, signalling for us to form our neat lines facing one another as usual.

"You will each take a turn attempting to enthral your partner. Enthrallment itself isn't difficult, it only takes focus and desire. But giving clear instructions, free from loopholes where necessary, is the hardest part."

Hayes looked more than a little wary as I approached him and looked into his eyes. I was getting good at this part of the feed—whether that was because I was more attuned to Hayes than a normal person would be, I wasn't sure. But it was easy for the world to fall away, for the trees to fall silent, for the bottom to drop out from my feet so that only his breaths, his heart kept me anchored.

"Clear commands," Elowen called and I frowned as I tried to decide what to get Hayes to do before smirking as a thought occurred to me.

I took his chin in my hands, sensing he was going to look away and make this ten-times harder for me to stay connected. "Look at me," I murmured and let my hand drop away when his head stayed where it was. "Good. Drop to your knees for me now."

I'd deliberately not muted his emotions, wanting to see the anger on his face as he obeyed. He didn't disappoint. Slowly, like he was fighting my will against his own, he folded his legs so that his knees hit the grass and his body was before mine. A muscle popped in his jaw as he glared up at me. There was anger there, definitely, but there was something else too, something that surprised me. His eyes flashed in warning and I let my smirk grow but remained silent. "Now, I want you to apologise for snapping my neck before. Be sincere. Really feel it."

The change was instant. His eyes softened, his mouth relaxing out of its usual scowl as he reached for my hands and took them in his. The warmth surprised me, he was like the sun, burning hot while I lived in shadow.

"I’m sorry for what I did to you," he said simply, lowering his eyes for a moment and when he raised them again my lips parted at the dampness on his lashes. "It was the only thing I could think to do in that moment to stop you from running away in bloodlust and doing something you might regret."

I stared at him. "Enough." My voice was hoarse and I cleared it as I looked away. This was supposed to be fun. Petty revenge. It wasn't supposed to make me feelthings.

I heard him stand and I dropped his hands like they burned before stepping back. I had done it, enthralled him, and it felt as disgusting as I'd imagined it would.

"My turn," he said, voice gruffer than usual and I took a breath I didn't need before looking up at him.

His face was blank, wiped free of whatever emotions he was feeling—and he was feeling a lot, I just couldn't work out what they were.

"Leonora," he said, stepping close enough that I could smell the soap he'd used that morning. "Jump as high as you can."

It was a strange feeling, the thrall. Like a suggestion tickling at the corner of my mind, almost like it was one of my own thoughts. Except I could tell it wasn't. My legs crouched before I could remember telling them to do so, and then I paused, straightening without completing the move.

Hayes tilted his head. "I told you to jump. Now."

The strange thought that was mine-but-not was back again, more demanding this time and that... pissed me off. I mentally flicked it aside and stayed standing still.

"Interesting," ELowen murmured as she watched us. "I think your technique was fine, Hayes. I think the issue is with Leonora." The undead vampire stepped in front of me, cutting off my vision of Hayes as her face swallowed the space in my eyeline. "Jump." Power filled the word, like it was coiling my muscles for me, readying me to move, and then they relaxed again as I swiped at the command mentally.

The corner of Elowen's mouth lifted as she watched me with something like pride. "A rare gift indeed, " she murmured. "I wonder if perhaps you were able to be commanded previously because your transition was still incomplete."

I shrugged. I didn't really care about the why, if this meant other people couldn't get into my head and control me then I would take whatever I could get.

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