Louis stood at the window of his office, staring out into the woods that lay beyond the chateau. Though it hung low, the sun was still in the sky, offering him precious moments of solitude before its descent would rouse Angelique and her motley crew of creatures from their chambers.
He pulled out his pocket watch to check the time. In less than an hour, he would no longer be human. He would never again sleep, nor eat, nor see again the light of day. He would be bound to the darkness, a slave to a thirst he could not understand. He had been preparing for it his entire life, yet now it seemed so frighteningly unknown.
He sighed, putting the watch back in the pocket of his breeches. It had once belonged to the Marquis, stolen after Angelique killed him as the final part of their plan to take over his name and his property. Louis had trusted her judgement for years, ever since she took care of the son he’d murdered, encouraging him to take his place. He had no reason not to believe her. She even looked like the woman he had dreamed about since he was old enough to remember, who brought him comfort as a motherless child.
He hadn’t realized he was wrong until one day, around the age of fourteen. She stayed at his chateau more often than not, but would occasionally retreat back to her city home, which served as the headquarters to the Galère. He found ways to occupy his restless mind, amassing more books than could fit in his library, going for long rides on his horses or creating puzzles for his servants to solve. He especially had a fondness for animals, feeding the stray cats and dogs that wandered up to the house, sprinkling the garden with seeds for the birds. His favorites were the crows, beautiful sleek creatures who waited patiently for whatever leftovers they could salvage after the strays had long retreated. Eventually, he started to feed them their own meal afterwards, setting out chicken eggs and the scraps of raw meat he snuck out of the kitchen when his servants weren’t looking. It soon became a game to him, creeping around the watchful eye of his tempestuous bodyguard, Kali, who surely would have scorned such a thing. Soon the crows began to recognize him, several clustering on the ledge of his bedchamber’s balcony around feeding time, squawking their reminder.
On that particular day, they’d arrived later than usual, just as the sun crept below the tree line. He opened his grand balcony windows to step out, happy to see that five had gathered in wait, admiring their shiny black feathers and their intelligent eyes as they studied him. They startled as he drew closer, and as they flew away, he heard a hiss coming from behind him.
Angelique stood in his room, both her clenched knuckles and face white with rage.
“What’s wrong?” he asked her, both in confusion and alarm.
Angelique’s teeth gritted as she spoke, “Why on earth are you feeding those horrible creatures?”
“Horrible?” Louis had never seen her so angry before. It twisted up her face, robbing it of its beauty. In his dreams, she had always been surrounded by crows, often with no distinction between where her raven hair ended and their feathers began. He couldn’t imagine why the sight of them upset her so.
“This is all the more reason why I need to move in here with you full time. Kali has told me you’ve been sneaking out when you think no one is watching to feed the animals. You must cease this foolishness. You will one day be a vampire—a king! Animals and humans are our food source, not pets to play with!”
“Forgive me,” he whispered, casting his eyes down to the floor with shame.
She sighed. “I came here to tell you that my spies at the palace have informed me the king’s heir apparent has borne another son. This is wonderful news, since we will have full control over this child, unlike our struggles with the first. It will be a much easier swap after we kill the rest of them. That being said, I will be moving into the chateau this week. Although this new revelation has bought us time, we will be increasing your lessons or there will be no way we will be able to pass you off as king. As of this moment, you will no longer be permitted outdoors. Once you have turned, the sun will be your enemy, anyway, it’s pointless to enjoy it now.”
He didn’t have an opportunity to reply, for she turned on her heel and flounced out. She whipped back around before reaching the door, however, throwing a bony finger his way. “And if I see one more damned crow on this balcony, I’ll eat it myself.” And with that, she left, leaving a trail of her rose perfume behind her.
Louis could almost smell the stifling concoction now as the memory faded. It had changed as of late, an earthy scent somewhere between the rainy woods and a freshly lit log on the fire as her manipulation tactics switched from matronly to seductive. She had yet to visit his bedroom since he’d grown into manhood, but he knew it was coming after his transition. He wondered if he’d still be able to maintain the ruse as artfully after he changed.
He blinked, realizing the sun had disappeared. “Tell me again about how this works,” he asked the apparition seated on the leather chair nearest to the window as his eyes soaked up his very last sunset.
“It will be painful, but brief. But I believe it is the only way to ensure your strength and longevity in the years to come,” Thoth explained in his gentle voice. “Do not be afraid, Louis. You have done this once before.”
Louis turned to face him. He was a serene god with long tapered fingers and delicate features that once peeked out from behind a crown of ibis feathers. He’d removed it over time, exposing closely clipped curls and a narrow nose that held up glasses to aid his kind, but beady eyes. He’d also begun to mimic Louis’s style of dress, as if he’d realized his godly visage was no longer needed the longer they were friends. “And you are sure that I will remember her once I see her?” he asked him.
“You once made Ares with your own blood,” Thoth reminded him. “As it is returned to you, you will remember who you are. It may not be all at once, but hopefully I will still be able to reach you before I return to flesh. I have watched memories return to others as I guided them.”
Louis sighed again, growing more anxious as the minutes ticked by. “My only worry is if I can keep up the charade until it is time to leave.”
“You did end up rising up from an orphaned servant boy into a powerful Marquis,” Thoth pointed out with a smile. “And in your past life, you convinced an entire kingdom you were a prince. It is what you excel at. Besides, power hungry creatures are often blinded by their own agenda.” He winked at him.
“Yes, yes, apparently I was quite the monster in my own time.”
“Unfortunately, you were always wise beyond your years, making it difficult to best you. I do not believe Angelique is of the same temperament.”
Louis was quiet. The last bit of color dropped from the sky, forcing the day into night. He swallowed. It was time.
Thoth rose from his chair. “I know this is a lot for a young man to bear,” he offered gently. “I am sorry to be the perpetual harbinger of unpleasant news.”
Louis gave him a small smile. “Even if you didn’t contact me, I’ve long sensed that Angelique is not who she claims to be. I have also had the strange foreboding that I have lived other lives before this one, long before you visited my chambers.”
Thoth nodded. “I must take my leave of you before they rise. Be well, young Louis. I hope to see you again soon.”
Louis nodded, silently hoping he too would see his strange friend once again.
No sooner had the ancient god disappeared was there a knock at the door. “Louis,” came Kali’s graveled voice. “It is time for your transformation.”
Louis looked out his window one last time, this time to see the silhouette of a giant crow against the sapphire sky. He was startled until he caught its eyes. “Tell her I’m going to find her,” he whispered.
The bird let out a low roll from its throat, much like a deep purr, the sound immediately bringing him comfort.
“Master Louis.” The voice behind the door grew sharper.
Louis adjusted his ascot and ran his fingers through his raven waves, before he withdrew from his room, never to be human again.