Chapter 3 Hall Of Pedigree

The rain pours down and the manor looms high above, daunting menacingly as it should. I'm ready to head inside as I told Sebastian to open the door. Dramatically he swung it open and we went inside, it was jaw dropping it of its own. I stand next to Sebastian as I look around the lowly lit room, a very grand foyer if I do say so myself.

The door closes in on itself but I didn't mind because I'm too mesmerized by the grandeur of the foyer. Taking it in, I slowly walk inside, admiring the place, it's full of old regal aesthetic, still keeping it on brand with its very dark medieval gothic atmosphere, fit to the mysterious regal kings and queens of old back in the day.

With the lit chandelier high above the very shadowy ceiling, dusty ornate walls and a grand staircase, it is truly a horror enthusiast's dream, even my own that is. It was a marvel of its own even though it's kinda run down looking and surely enough whoever lives here has a very specific taste.

Sebastian turns around and looks at me, still captivated by it all and said, "It sure is a magnificent marvel isn't it?"

I heard him and snap back to reality, excitedly shaking and said, "It's a wonder of its own! I can't believe it, the detail and all regency to bask it all in, I'm very impressed to the point of being speechless which I am"

I can't get enough of this place already, I just kept looking around and one I find very curious to look at, an etch above the ceiling, there's something painted over it and it looked kinda familiar, even through the low light, it's the recreation of the renowned 'Creation Of Adam' but its altered differently from the original, like it's kinda un-human looking but the low light kinda makes it hard to see clearly.

Still trying to see the painting of the ceiling more clearly, Sebastian clears his throat, who gets my attention, saying, "Theodore, I strongly advise you to not leave this room, alright? And be on your very best behavior, I'll find the others so I can properly introduce you to them as well as Dmitri aka 'Lukas' more formally as well so we can 'explain' the situation more clearly, do you understand?" He said, looking me in the eyes.

I nodded and said, "Promise, I won't leave this room and venture around even though I'm forcing myself to do it, but like I said, I won't and that's a word"

As I said, Sebastian narrowly looks at me, leaning closer, staring into my eyes. I step back a bit as he moves close, getting slightly uncomfortable. Then he retracts, smiling and said;

"Alright, I trust you ... Then, I must off Theodore, I better find them, excuse me" Sebastian said, leaning for a low bow then strides to the next large old regal room, disappearing towards a long hallway.

Finally I'm alone! I have the freedom to look around THIS room only, I'll avoid getting Sebastian's bad side, not worth it. Looking around the grand foyer, I try to resist not touching the items placed on some side tables and pedestal displays. From the old clutter sitting on decorated displays to the grand intricate golden marble floor below befitting royalty, this place speaks elegance despite looking bleak and unwanted. What got my attention is the large dusty painting on the wall, showing three characters, a poise lady in the middle, a dashing looking chap on the left and on the right a younger person, looking fairly similar in resemblance to Dmitri.

The way the person similar to him wears old regal clothes strikes no likeness to ill-tempered Dmitri, or is my eyes just fooling me and that's really him. If that's the case though, he's not happy then and now, it shows how neutral-faced he is on the painting. And it's taken in this very grand foyer on the stairs, no expenses made.

I look closer, checking the people on the painting. I should document this, with a picture. As I positioned myself to capture the picture, I heard a very sophisticated chatter from the staircase, commenting on how fond I am of the disfigured painting. Getting caught off guard, I accidentally pressed my phone in panic, snapping a photo with a blinding flash.

It shocked the woman, who's stepping down the stairs and said, "How incredibly rude! This is very poor mannered and very unacceptable of what you did, you maladjusted strange human ..."

She descends down the steps, very uncomfortable from the flash, looking at me displeased. I clumsily catch my phone and put it away, catching her unwavering gaze.

"Just what do you think you're doing, human?" She said, standing very menacingly, still looking at me.

Nervously standing still, I can't even muster words to reply back to her question, I just look at her for more than a few more seconds then she thumps her long regal scepter, shouting;

"SEBASTIAN! Get OVER HERE at ONCE!" Her loud commanding voice echoes all over the premises of the room.

A few seconds later, Sebastian came out from where he disappeared to, sprinting down towards the grand foyer, surprised to see the woman and me together in the same room. I hope he isn't in trouble.

"Sorry Eleanore, forgive me, I was just finding you and there you are and--" He was cut off by the woman who raised her hand up to stop.

"Sebastian, you're teetering formality to address me is unbecoming, very incompetent even, which it isn't like you to commit, a rare sight to behold ... Like your ineptness precedes you, care to formally and properly address me to this repugnant of a human creature" The woman said to him.

"I apologize, your courtesy ... I deeply apologize for my incompetency and such, disappointing you to such an extent, this won't happen again, I assure you" Sebastian said, bowing deeply.

The woman swished her hands, gesturally brushing him of his excuses and said, "I'm not satisfied by your alibi and address me at once" She said, very displeased.

He bows to the woman, then turns to look at me, standing fully composed, saying, "Standing before you, I formally introduce to you, the very magnanimous, regal and opulent, Head Mistress of House Constance, your courtesy ... Countess Eleanore of Constantine Echelon''

Sweat drips down my forehead, standing before me is an actual countess! I'm shakily nervous right now. Eleanore looks at me, thumping her long regal scepter again, saying;

"You there, ill-mannered human ... I know who you are, if by any chance you're Theodore Thompson is it not?" She said.

She knows my name, how did she know! This is tripping me out. How does a Countess know my name? We recently just met. I scrabble myself to find my footing, still shocked and said;

"Y-Yes Ma'am ... I mean your courtesy, I'm Theodore but how do you know my name, we recently just met right now" I asked her.

Eleanore with poise laughed and said, "Oh you half-witted human, I proudly know everything and anything that happens, it makes my business and attention to know all things I need, especially even to a puny, discreet and displeasing human such as yourself, Theodore. Even though I don't adore wasting my energy mundane information but I need to if I must"

I stepped back a bit more and said, "Okay ..."

Before Eleanore can speak again, another resounding step echoes on the other side of the grand staircase. Looming in the midst of darkness, a dashing young man came out from the archway, wearing the same regal clothes as Eleanore. Descending down the staircase with one hand holding the rail, his eyes are fixated on me, staring intently.

Looking at me, he goes saying, "Well well well ... what an exuberant surprise, our welcoming banquet has arrived, at our very presence on the grand foyer, I would love to a devouring overlook of our regale ... How delightful" He said, rather disturbingly.

He stops next to Eleanore, reminding me of the resemblance of the painting I saw earlier. Eleanore scoffs at the guy, saying;

"Lannister, what in the foreseeable graces of our dear caliph and demise are you doing down here? You are with no purpose not needed here" She said, giving him a displeasing glance.

Lannister smiles and said, "I heard the commotion downstairs and would like to participate in the activity, so I cared to observe the scene ... Hearing so, there's a scummy human within our presence"

He goes on, continuing to look at me weirdly. What's worse is that he swirls his tongue around the corners of his lips, making me shiver. I take a step back a bit more, feeling uncomfortable, more confused and distraught than ever. Lannister was about to move but he was stopped by Eleanore, blocking his path with her scepter.

She gave him a threatening look and said, "How uncivilized of you to portray such behavior, even so say such vulgar undertones towards our esteemed 'guest' in the manor, maybe you haven't notice it before but your observation betrays you, forgetting one crucial difference"

Confused, Lannister looked at me, squinting his eyes and said, "Forgive me, I don't see what your point is, I don't quite see your observation or differentiation" He said, scratching his head.

Eleanore smiled mischievously then looked at me, saying to Lannister, "You miss an oversight ... it's THIS!" Saying those last words, she brandishes a dagger out of her long sleeve.

She swiftly hurls the dagger towards me. I didn't manage to dodge out in time because it was so fast that by the time I saw it coming, the dagger pierced a long thin gash on my arm, with the dagger thuds on the marble floor with an echoing click. Damps of blood dripped out of the gash, I yelped out a shrieking pain. Simultaneously, another loud painful outcry echoes on the upper floors of the manor. Within seconds, running footsteps can be heard, getting closer then atop the dark shadowy ceiling suddenly comes out a figure falling down fast, dramatically landing in the middle of everyone.

I was Dmitri, without hesitation he saw me, with his eyes all dark crimson and his same aura oozing out, I think he's come to kill me again. Seeing his arm, it's bleeding with the same gash as I have, how did that happen? He looks at me as I hold my arm, stopping the blood from leaking out. Dmitri starts to approach me, death comes to his wake. Sebastian intervenes and blocks his path from approaching me.

He lashed out and said, "YOU! How dare you! You damn filthy, stupid, beslubbering bawdy, old fart knocker vagabond! ... Stopping me from hurting this wretched, pathetic and awfully ingrate of a human! I have to kill him and if it means defying me to get a hold of him from you then I shall kill you too ..."

Despite his words, Sebastian continued to stand in his way, shielding me away from Dmitri. Without noticing the others with us, Dmitri was about to hurl more vulgar words when Eleanore clears her throat aloud. He stops, his dark aura quickly dispersed and frozen in his place upon hearing her tone. As he turned around, Dmirti cower as he saw Eleanore's threatening look on him. She then points a finger for Dmitri to stand on that given spot, he obliges and goes over, avoiding her daggering stare.

With the situation under control, Eleanore glances at Lannister and said, "This is what you didn't foresee and the real reason why our valuable 'guest' is still alive and well"

Eleanore went down the staircase, her heels clicking on the marble floor, and stand near to Dmitri, saying, "Your daft, witless and very incautious little brother has made the biggest mistake of his imperishable life, which is 'Contracting a Pact with a human'" She said dramatically.

Still confused, I chimed in and ask her, "Can I ask for an explanation what's the 'Pact' all about and for the record, I didn't create or initiate the 'Pact' especially to a fuming Dmitri over there" I queried, seeing Dmitri start to get furious again as I spoke.

Eleanore glared at Dmitri to stop and said, "Theodore, without your fault of knowing nothing about us, what I can tell if you can understand me is ... WE as Vampirs have our own ways and customs we crucially uphold, one of which Dmitri here DIDN'T follow, hence why you are in this whole ordeal" She explained.

I scratched my head and asked her, "What's a Vampir?"

She sighs deeply, rubbing her temple, utter disappointment crossed her face and said, "Let's us go to the grand dining room and fully discuss it there before my encephalon hurts like mad, there I will answer your despicable questions and Sebastian can you please tend this boy's wounds, before he bleeds himself on my marble floor"

With that, everyone heads to the grand dining hall and I had a feeling all of my answers there will be served cold, not even at room temperature.

In the grand dining hall, everyone is situated in their seats. Eleanore purposefully sat on the grand chair in the middle with Lannister on the right and Dmitri next to him, who's still enraged from earlier. While I sit on the second chair, facing Dmitri due to Eleanore's request to keep a very safe distance away from her.

While sitting, Eleanore taps her fingers on the table, looking around her associates, then she looks at me, getting all intensely feeling nervous. Afterwards, Sebastian came out holding 4 trays, stacked in 2 on both hands. He served Eleanore first, followed by Lannister who's looking hungry and Dmitri who's not giving him a damn. Finally, he turns and places my own portion.

With our trays open, all 3 of them are served with this unusual kind of meat, garnished with elegance and plated with perfection. I was kinda bothered by what type of meat it is, it's making me uncomfortable somehow and it doesn't even have a smell. Sebastian opens mine and out comes a full course meal, a very aromatic and tenderly juicy medium-rare cooked steak. Dmitri smashes his fist on the table, demanding why I got the steak and he doesn't.

Eleanore dabs her mouth and implied, "Your apprehensive actions is a disgrace upon your bestowed title, it's very unacceptable of how you act and throwing tantrums as you go, an embarrassment towards the house and to our guest for your actions"

Dmitri retorts, saying, "This is absolutely unfair, why did the irate human gets the good food while I get stuck with this abomination of cutlery"

Eleanore gave him a threatening look and replied, "You do not have the jurisdiction to complain about what food is served to you, especially after today's events of what predicament you put us in furthermore, how dare you give an appetite to such disgusting human food! I forbid you to stop longing or even think of it" She said, expressing disgust.

Dmitri huffs and crosses his arms, sinking in his seat. Eleanore smiles at his defeat then turns to face me, seeing that I haven't touched my food yet.

"Is there something wrong with your food, Theodore? Shall I have Sebastian to change your course?" She commented.

I shake my head and replied, "No, it's not that, the food is great and all but I wanted to know the pact, what was said earlier about a Vampir and whatever it is happening to be explained"

Eleanore deeply sighs and said, "How discourteous of you, even a human can't appreciate a quiet and well mannered meal and directs to the point ... humans are very dismissively, even showing off a forced hospitality isn't even appreciated, this is why I never show a sliver of kindness to creatures like you humans ... If that's what you want then I better elucidate the situation at hand"

With a flick of her finger, Sebastian clears the table, putting the trays back, interrupting the meal. As Sebastian was about to close my own, he leans down to whisper in my ear, saying;

"I'll give your food back later, alright? After the whole situation today is over" He whispered.

I was unsure at first but I was hungry, I mouthed; "Thanks Sebastian" He smiles, disappearing with the trays at the back of the room.

Dmitri stands looking at me and said, "Human, your involvement in this situation is as complicated as it seems and even Eleanore can't break this curse so the best way to approach is to resort to a more deadly and barbaric measure"

"Curse? What curse? And how's killing me be a solution to this situation that hasn't even been explained to me" I retorted my defense.

"It is the solution, Eleanore, this is the only way, killing this human is the best approach and will not cause any complications for us, I express confidence in my way" Dmitri said to her.

Eleanore shakes her head, displeased and says, "Silence! You don't know what you're saying! Clearly you've skipped lesson again to not know your approach isn't valid to happen"

I chimed in, saying, "Can you guys make sense of what you're talking about? This is all very confusing and it's been a long day"

She shakes her head, implying, "Oh Theodore, you humans are such slow-witted and very ignorant creatures"

With that, I came to my tipping out. I had enough of this slur of insults at these 3 whatever they call themselves because I'm done. I lashed out, smashing my hands on the table and said;

"I had enough of this! I'm fed up with you 3 bickering, insulting and berating me non-stop since I came here, and you know what? I'm done! I'm done with whatever joke this is! For what kind of 'forced hospitality' this is, thank you for it anyway because I'm leaving" I said, standing up and starting to walk away.

"You are not to leave this room, Theodore! GET BACK HER THIS INSTANT! or ELSE!" Eleanore shouted.

I continued walking towards the archway, saying, "Then make me! You're not the BOSS of ME!"

Before I reached the exit, I stopped moving, somehow I couldn't move. I can't even budge my arms or legs, I'm stuck ... What's happening here? Eleanore chuckles and I started to turn on my own facing her, saying;

"You foolish human, you don't know how dangerous that stunt of yours did upon your life, this act of mutiny is deeply unacceptable, now you know the extent of what will happen if you defy me, this is only a glimpse of it ... Now where were we?" She said.

I began to levitate in the air and move towards my chair, I was forced to sit back down, with my limbs and arms shifting to a perfect sitting position as Eleanore sits down as well. The dark aura around me is gone and I'm able to move again. I'm about to make another run for it but out in the corner of my eye, Eleanore is looking at me very closely.

I sigh and stay put, saying, "Okay, I'm not going to make a run for it again, but you guys owe me an explanation of EVERYTHING I need to know" I said, determined.

"How funny, humans are so courageous even in times of untimely peril, which I love about that trait even though I in return despise your kind ... Is answers what you seek then, answers you'll shall know, better listen because this will be crucial to learn, especially on our situation we're all in ..." Eleanore said and continues on explaining.

Out in the corner of my eye, I saw Dmitri looking at me, slightly smiling. I tried to ignore him but still he kept staring at me with that smile like a crazy person. Looking back, I mouthed, "What are you smiling about?"

He didn't reply and Eleanore slams her hands on the table, surprising me. She uses her hex to turn my head around back to her and said, "You pay attention to me! I have to start again, how indolent"

I apologized and let her start again. Repeating herself in summary, she goes on explaining how Vampirs have some similarities to humans, specially for easier context like having their own 'culture' which in their society goes that if one shows a good deed to someone and in some rare cases, a heroic or indebting interaction, that forms to what they call a 'Pact'. Unlike humans, the bond within whoever performs the pact will be in debt indefinitely until the person is cleared of one's due diligence.

"... Likewise, the bond of your caliber is the first one of it's kind and hasn't been performed in a millennia, hence why it's very ancient but simple, in due time, you Theodore holds the verdict until Dmitri returns the favor and with that, the pact will be given due, which I reason will be the hard part to do" She said, ending her long lecture.

"So you're saying, Dmitri here is in debt to what I did to him, which is saving his life and now in order to break this invisible pact, he has to return the favor so we could be even and break the pact?" I said, Eleanore nods.

"Precisely, your action is the most highest contract to be obtained, which explains why Dmitri here can't hurt you Theodore, the barrier protects you from his harm but there's a catch, there's an 'ambiguity' in the pact, he can't harm you but we can yet we aren't doing that, instead use it to our advantage" She said, tapping her fingers on the table.

I raised my hand and said, "And what is that you have in mind?" I asked.

Eleanore mischievously giggles and says, "A plan, Theodore ... One involved Dmitri replicating your performance from earlier, that is the ambiguity of the whole ordeal, hence why we are involved too in a series of activities I have pre-arranged"

"Okay, I'm confused again ... I hate to ask this but why not kill me now if you and Lannister or Sebastian can harm me? It's much easier to break the pact if I'm like you know, dead" I said.

"That is not going to happen, Dmitri somehow skipped his lecture to know that if one has a pact from another and one has somehow got hurt or in any case experience death, the other person will share the same faith, in plain simpleton, if we kill you Theodore, Dmitri will be too and I will NOT have that happen to a Constantine" Eleanore said it clearly to me.

"Alright, that reassured me still ..." I said.

"It still baffles me how a despicable mere human such as yourself has been able to perform an act that only exclusively Vampirs can perform ... Very strange, tell me Theodore, are you by chance a Vampir in disguise or in a past life?" Eleanore asked.

I shake my head, telling, "No. Nothing that I know of, I don't think so, but we heard a unusual loud thunder"

"Hmmm. That proves your pact with Dmitri is more official than ever, then we shall act accordingly to break the curse as soon as possible, but enough about that ... Now Theodore, given the situation at hand, you are hereby stay in the manor indefinitely until the pact is broken and for cooperating without difficulty, I give my word that in time the pact is lifted, no in any kind of harm will come to you, an oath of a Vampir to uphold ... especially you Lannister" She said, looking at him intently.

Lannister expresses disappointment and said, "Yes, I won't do any harm of any kind to the comestible, until the pact ends" He said.

Eleanore grimaces, raising her hand that made Lannister jolt and said, "Don't you EVEN dare, Lannister or I'll do what your plan is to you" She said. Lannister nods, covering his mouth.

She looks at Dmitri, awaiting his response about the situation. He looked at me and said, "I've given thought, If that's the case then, I have my own version of 'ambiguity' in mind, if I can't harm him directly then there are more options to do damage, the non-contact way or even a staged accident ... That would be more efficient on our case"

Eleanore looked at him threateningly and they had an intense stare-off for about a minute. Dmitri admits defeat, crossing his arms and slumping on his chair. She commented, "I can assure you, HE will not and is willing to not do anything harmful to you, Theodore so ignore and don't listen to him and his spew of rhetorical commentary"

Going back to the topic at hand, Eleanore goes on explaining the word 'Vampir' to me. Much like how're called 'Humans', it's how their kind is called and she goes to on saying that they're a superior race unlike humans but due to some unfortunate turn of events their kind has decided to live secretly, away from the prying eyes of humans And every Vampir has their own special ability like their own and bestowed upon on birth and to another way which she personally doesn't want to mention. One far greater wielding such power exists and is only part of a close inner circle of elites like them, upholding titles and privileges, deemed very important yet some not part of it also brandish such power and exist undiscovered amongst the Vampir society.

Eleanore continues, in short historical context, they went into hiding due to the human's obsession of dominance, how destructive as well as cruel and as a result of not wanting their kind to face extinction and misuse of their powers for lesser or greater good of greed and power, the Vampirs vanished, secretly dwelling amongst the humans without ever knowing they exist. She showed her teeth with long fangs, enabling them to hunt for prey and explain they live eternally, prolonging their youth to be always in human age in their 25th, since she lived longer, she's now in her like 30s.

She concludes her explanation, their dietary food consumption is obviously humans. And indeed, Eleanore confessed that she knows what happened earlier of why Sebastian lost me on the road-trip heading to the 'Inn' which is the manor, the unusual cloth turns out was a cover to hide a deceased human body, one of which she mentions Sebastian didn't cover the carcass right. Finishing her words, Eleanore tells me I'm a lucky human who didn't face certain death of being their staple, but if I didn't uphold my promise to cooperate and escape the premises, I will be one of their next main course if ever the curse is lifted.

After she finishes, I squeal in excitement, awestruck, even passing out really, saying, "Your VAMPIRES? The real life V-A-M-P-I-R-E-S? I can't believe it!" I said, very speechless.

I'm actually in the presence of VAMPIRES! No wonder the place and the vibes speak supernaturally, this is the home of a family of Vampires. I can't even fathom the first human discovery of living supernatural beings, I'm the very FIRST EVER!. A dream came true.

Eleanore scowls, utterly displeased of my excitement, saying, "I find your exhilaration of our kind very offensive and furthermore I also deeply dislike your pronunciation of the word 'Vampire' as you interpret us, VERY UNACCEPTABLE! ... Also, we 'Vampirs' don't go 'BLAH BLAH BLAH' which is very revolting to incorporate us saying, Dracul is to blame for it"

I kept my excitement contained for as much as I can endure but this sheer discovery I had is making me burst my emotions out. I ask why she blames Dracul aka Dracula of Transylvania for that debauchery of a word but she exclaims to talk about it for another time. Eleanore stands, calls out Sebastian to fetch her a flute of blood wine and said;

"Since you're staying in the manor, Theodore, we the Constantines will give you the grand tour of the manor, to learn insights and manners since you're staying here, better get acquainted with our customs" She said, getting her flute of wine and took a sip.

As we start to exit, I approach Eleanore with distance and said, "Thank you for letting me stay in the manor and not decided to kill me yet, the least I can do to express my appreciation to your goodwill"

Eleanore looks at me, saying, "Formalities, formalities ... Save it if you will, we have a lot to unpack and decipher" She said, shooing me to back away a bit.

Then, this is it. A discovery of vampires living among us, forced to stay at their grand house as hostage and breaking a curse. I can't even express it with words but this is going to be my overall activity of the entire vacation now. And with the situation I'm in, this will be a long one.

At least, I'm being given a grand tour of the manor, it's better than nothing than being their mean next supper.

Ugh. Even thinking about it makes me uncomfortable.

Just remember, to stay alive and not become their food.

I can do this! Here I go.