have noticed many similarities between our species and yours,” I said. “Enough to make us wonder whether we have an ancestor in common, perhaps. Have the Aeternae ever left the solar system?”
Petra frowned, but there was an affirmative answer in her eyes. I could almost see it. “A long time ago, explorers set out to try and find out how far our interplanetary ships could take them. Not all of them returned, and we do not know what happened. There were no methods of communication outside Visio, during that era.”
“Do you think our people might’ve helped create yours?” Kalon asked.
“The thought has crossed our minds, only we were made by entities we now refer to as the Elders,” Derek explained. “They did not have bodies of their own, and they belonged to Cruor, a world far from ours. They made it to Earth and infected the humans with their dark essence. And the vampires evolved from this peculiar blend.”
“One possibility is that the Elders were, in some way, related to the Aeternae. Maybe the very Aeternae who left Visio for their explorations. Although, I have absolutely no idea how, given the Elders were strange, dark, spirit-like creatures,” Tristan said, scratching his dark stubble. “Still, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for us to consider vampires completely unrelated to the Aeternae.”
Zoltan nodded slowly. “Yes, well, technically speaking, I’d be correct in assuming the only noticeable difference between us is your sensitivity to light.”
“We could do some tests on one another,” Petra suggested, a little too enthusiastic in her proposition. “Find out exactly how alike we are.”
“High Priestess, we should address this with the Lord and Lady Supreme, first,” Corbin replied dryly, pointing at the western archway. “The throne room is through there.”
Petra gave him a brief scowl but complied, motioning for us to follow her as she walked us through several tearooms. Each of these spaces was decorated in a slightly different fashion. The walls were loaded with antique paintings in gilded frames, brass candleholders, and plush, velvet curtains. Frilly gold embroidery adorned the decorative pillows. The furniture was sturdy but elegant, reminding me of designs I’d seen in Versailles exhibitions.
The lights were dim, and I had a feeling the drapes had been pulled and the candles lit in order to accommodate our vampiric condition. It was a flattering thought.
“Your theory about a distant relationship between us is not far-fetched, but it is rather difficult for us to prove,” Petra said as we crossed a third tearoom. This one had been made up in shades of satiny dark green with golden accents. “As I was saying earlier, the Aeternae are usually born, not made. Those who choose to transition into an Aeternae are either Rimian or Nalorean, and therefore considered… impure.”
“Not of an original lineage, that is,” Kalon replied. “That is not to say they’re treated differently. Respect on Visio is given to everyone, until it is lost.”
“How does one become an Aeternae?” Esme asked.
“The process involves being drained of one’s own blood before drinking that of an Aeternae,” Kalon said, eyeing her intently. “The Aeternae who was chosen for the task must drink as much blood as possible, until but a drop is left. Then, the patient is given the blood of the Aeternae who drank them dry. By morning, the transformation process is complete. The retractable fangs and claws evolve. The enhanced strength and speed. The heightened senses. Everything becomes… amplified.”
It sounded similar to how vampires were made, though certainly not as drastic. It made me wonder… were we the lower version of the Aeternae without even knowing it? Had the Elders truly come from them, somehow?
“I admit, I am as intrigued as you are.” Petra sighed. “The similarities are impossible to ignore.”
“Now I’m wondering how the Elders of Cruor came to be,” Derek added. “We never had the chance to learn more about them. They were so evil, so intense and dangerous. We simply had to destroy them before they wreaked havoc on our planet.”
“Would we be able to send a crew to Cruor? We haven’t considered that, since they were all gone,” I said to him.
He shrugged. “When we go back, perhaps. Remember, there is something about that place. It just oozes evil and darkness. Even with the Elders gone, it’s still incredibly toxic.”
My husband was right. It was why immunes were cursed to never become vampires themselves, because of how sick Cruor truly was. My immunity had been cured there, but the time I’d spent among the Elders