As Miron opened the diary, he found an envelope with his name on it. He recognized the hand-writing from his grandfather Valentyn. Carefully he opened it and found a letter along with a folded old parchment.
Dear Miron, my grandson393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoQqu6WmbT
When you're reading this, it means my life has come to an end, but I can assure you, your life has just started a new chapter. I'm sure you've met however shortly Sigert who gave you my diary. He may appear strange, but you can trust him, despite what he is and once was.
The reason for this letter is to give you a warning of what is to come. It's a family secret and a curse from my side. Only men can have it, and it does at times skip generations, but it's always there like a shadow. It will start with a terrifying nightmare finding yourself bleeding from your hands, and that blood soon forms into strings. After that, it will happen very soon in reality.
It's alright to be afraid of it, but you need to overcome and control it over time. Blood bending is not to be taken lightly not only for its great power but over time it devours your sanity. Use it only in the utmost dire situation.
When you're learning your power, listen to what Sigert says, they are valuable life lessons. It is odd coming from a former vampire-hunter, but Sigert is an exception from all other vampires I've met in my life.
The rest will be explained to you in time.
Take care Miron, and may God be with you.
Your loving grandfather,393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1hdyyMM6A
Valentyn
Miron folded the letter and looked up with a deep sigh. Leaning his head back against the wall while staring at the ceiling, recalling his grandfather's memories. Now seeing them from a different light due to what he's learned. Soon he unfolded the parchment and recognized a colourful painting of a gruesome scene. The style was medieval and recalled looking at it when Miron was a child and visited his grandfather. It hung in a dark corner of the living room. Recalling back then, he would always look at it for some time before playing in the living room. The picture had a secret magnetic effect. Did Miron sense it all this time?
"Miron? May I come in?" Suddenly asked his mother at the door. Rapidly he placed the diary and parchment under the bed and opened the door. Suddenly his mother embraced him tightly. "I was so worried about you. Where have you been? Since when are you back here? What is going on, my son?"
"Sorry, mom. I had a strange dream and needed some fresh air to shake it off."
"I've called the factory you won't be coming today because-because-" Her lips trembled as tears welled in her eyes. "Your grandfather Valentyn has passed away last night."
Without thinking, Miron embraced her tightly. Valentyn was her father. After a while, he led her to his bed, handed tissues and stroked her shoulder to comfort. "Oh, I'm such a mess." She sobbed and tried to collect herself and force a smile. "You can cry too. There's nothing to be ashamed of tears." She placed a hand to his cheek. "You're such a good son, and no matter what, I will always love you. If you need help, let me know, and we can figure something out together. You are not alone, Miron Valentyn Doyemsky."
Suddenly he felt a burning pain within his chest, but no tears came from him that day.
As Sigert said, Miron waited on the spot in the forest at breaking dawn. The sky was coloured in an orange and reddish hue, and soon the sun rose in the horizon. Miron waited patiently and walked around a bit to avoid getting cold from standing and rubbed his hands.
"So, you've read the entire diary, pojke?" Asked Sigert and leapt down from among the trees.
"Only the first few entries, how it all started with my grandfather."
"Ah, then the best part will come soon." He sniggered. "So, you are aware of what happens when practising or basically using your new power?"
"That it'll cost a part of my sanity? Yeah, Valentyn must have held it up pretty well to get that old and not that crazy."
"It depends what you do in your youth; it will affect later on when getting older. Not to mention, when the power is activated, the ageing process slows down. Your grandfather was actually a lot older than he seemed if you hadn't noticed the dates of the entries."
"What? You read the diary?"
"You haven't been paying attention, pojke." Sigert frowned. "I helped him as he was in the same situation as you are now. No need for a diary to remind me." He smiled, and Miron noticed the oversized canines on the upper and lower jaw.
"Then you're really a vampire, as you say." Gave Miron cautious.
"My aren't you the suspicious one? I never said I denied what I am. Besides, what difference does it make when helping you?"
Miron blinked to Sigert's notion.
Sigert scoffed amused and crossed his arms. "Thought as much."
"Do you have the blood bending power too?" Miron hesitated.
"No, it's a curse that only you humans can have."
"Then how are you going to teach me?"
Sigert hummed amused. "Your scepticism is refreshing. Regarding the use of your power, I can only show you the way, but the rest must be done by yourself. Aside from that, I will teach you how vampires think and how to confront them. You will be taking up the vampire-hunter mantle from Valentyn. Your power may be a curse, but it can be put into good use to lure vampires since many grow weak at the faintest smell or mere sight of blood." He eyed Miron for a moment with a broad smile. "Apropos blood, Valentyn and I made an agreement. Perhaps you would want to continue that tradition?"
"What's the agreement?" Miron tried to remain calm but his voice gave an off edge tone.
"It's a blood pact; once it's sealed, it must be held on to until the day you die. I'm a vampire and need fresh human blood to survive. While I train you, you will donate me twice a month some blood. I will refrain from there on to feed on no other human." He paused as he read the dread on Miron's face. Sigert chuckled. "I'll let you think on it till next week."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjT2H6zQEt
