Vampire Greek: The Burning King

A woman in a long blue dress with we the door. She was carrying a matching purse in her right hand and a pair of sunglasses in the left.

“Took you long enough,” she rolled her eyes. “I’m not the one you should be scared of, you know.”

“You.” Roman started, backing up from the door. “You smell, your scent, you’re just like the girl from yesterday.”

“You mean Willa? I’m much more powerful than that, sweetie. Hi Caitlyn!” She looked over his shoulder and smiled at Caitlyn, who didn’t respond.

Roman whipped around. “Caitlyn, you know her?”

Caitlyn shook her head.

“She doesn’t know me, but I’ve known her since before she was born. Your father promised you to me before you were born.”

“What do you mean he promised her to you? Who are you?” Roman demanded.

“My name is Aphrodite.” she said grinning. “I know you’re not a believer honey, but I’m sure you’ve heard it before.”

Roman said nothing and watched her, silently.

“You know, I had almost forgotten about Caitlyn till you and Willa came into contact with her. She has a powerful presence, especially for the daughter of Zeus.”

“Willa... You mean Audrey? So she wasn’t lying about being a goddess?”

“Hm? No, but she lied about the name, obviously.” Aphrodite giggled.

“I can reverse this,” she motioned to Caitlyn’s body. “If you want me to.” I had to make sure she was one of the girls I had chosen to be my maidens. There’s no need for her to look like this, for now at least. Her emotional state though, I think that was your problem.”

She made a flicking motion with her wrist and Roman, against his will, moved aside. She put her hands on Caitlyn’s shoulders and Caitlyn’s skin illuminated a bright white light, till she was too bright to stare at directly.

When the light faded, Caitlyn was a child again, almost exactly how Roman had seen her last night, besides her completely black eyes and deadpan expression. Claire walked towards them from the kitchen, and squealed when she saw Caitlyn as a child again.

She ran over and touched Caitlyn’s face and arms, examining her all over.

“I am-” Aphrodite began.

“Yeah, yeah, a goddess, I know. I was right!”

Roman was surprised she didn’t get upset about being cut off.

“If that’s all you came for, you can go now.” Roman said, nervously.

“This isn’t why I’m here boy, but I will be taking her from you sooner or later. Being a vampire is... How should I say this politely? Disgusting. I’m here to warn you. Attacking Willa?” She laughed. “That was the biggest mistake you’ve ever made.”

“I told her to run.” He started explaining. “I told her to get away from me!”

“And she didn’t. Probably because she may have been infatuated with you. Nevertheless, when you bit her, our ichor started coursing through your veins. You can’t even begin to understand the scope our blood, our powers and our immortality. He tried to kill you once, last night. That fact that you’re standing here is a huge problem.”

“That was Zeus? I thought Audrey struck me with lightning. ”

Aphrodite shook her head. “Willa was struck by it too. There’s no way it was meant to harm her, but it was surely meant to kill you.”

Knowing that the Audrey, or Willa hadn’t tried to kill him put a small smile on his face, and he wasn’t sure why.

“I was already immortal, in the vampire sense. After biting Audrey, or as you said... Willa, my heart started beating again. I felt more powerful, more energized, than I had ever felt before.”

Aphrodite’s expression changed.

“Zeus is going to scatter your ashes over animal feces. You don’t have long, vampire.” She sneered and walked out the door.

“Even I have to admit, I don’t like you consorting with demons.” Hera told Willa.

“He’s not a demon, he’s a vampire.” Willa responded. Hera was no longer huge and they were walking together slowly past the twelve giant thrones above their heads. Torches in the room lit up as they walked past them, but the throne room stays dark for the most part.

“Vampire, demon, monster, there’s not much of a difference. He’s from the modern world. Now, you yourself are pretty young. You’ve never seen an empusa, but let me tell you, they’re too similar to be dealing with.”

“I don’t see him as evil. He cried for that little girl before going to save her father. There must be some good in him.”

“You like him, don’t you?” Hera stopped moving.

Willa looked away.

“There are so many other mortals on Earth, why would you choose-”

“I don’t want a mortal.” Willa said, frustrated. “I want someone that lives long, if not forever, just like we can. I want love that won’t end in death.”

“There are more gods on Olympus than you may realize dear, plenty of potential suitors.”

“I don’t want a god. We’re all so connected and intertwined, it’s so confusing. Many are egotistical maniacs over the little things they command. I just want to find my happiness elsewhere, that’s all.”

Hera smiled. “I could speak to Aphrodite, maybe she could help you find someone else.” Judging by Willa’s reaction, Hera could tell Willa disagreed with that option. She sighed, smiling. “You’re so different, Willa, that’s what I like about you. Any other god would have a fling with some mortal, but you’re better than that. You’re one of the few daughters of Zeus I actually care for. That aren’t my own, that is. I’m glad I made you a goddess.”

“Thank you for giving me a second chance.” Willa said tearing up a little.

Hera hugged her tightly. “Thank you for teaching Zeus a lesson. He can’t keep using and abusing mortals. Sooner or later, they will all rise against him.”

“What am I supposed to do now? He’s going to kill Roman!”

“Roman... Is this vampire’s name? Interesting.” said Hera, thinking to herself.

“You could warn him, try to get him somewhere safe. We didn’t pay much attention to the newer evolutions of monsters and their supernatural auras. He could potentially hide if he surrounded himself in the right crowd. But it won’t be easy. Remember, this thing is walking around with the blood of the gods in its veins. That embarrasses Zeus. That’s why the palace is empty right now, that’s why it’s so dark. He sent them all away so we could speak to you alone. Zeus is not the only god worried about this. All eyes are watching this situation unfold.”

“I’ll do whatever it takes.” said Willa, determined. “I’ll save him.”

“You better hope so.”