The Divergence

The quiet comfort of sleep ended with the faintest tug.

Lavinia's brow furrowed.

Another gentle pull followed.

Not painful.

Almost soothing.

She slowly opened her eyes.

The ceiling greeted her first.

For several long moments she simply blinked, her thoughts sluggish as she tried to remember why she felt... strangely comfortable.

Her head wasn't resting on a pillow.

It was softer than that.

Warmer.

She shifted slightly.

A pair of slender fingers continued combing slowly through her long golden hair with patient, practiced movements.

Lavinia looked upward.

Gwendolyn smiled down at her.

"Good evening."

Lavinia stared for another second before letting out a long breath.

"...You're using me as a doll again."

"I would never."

"You absolutely would."

"You're right, I absolutely am."

Her fingers continued gently separating strands of Lavinia's impossibly thick hair before smoothing them back into place.

Lavinia sighed dramatically.

"I was sleeping."

"You looked comfortable."

"I was."

"So I didn't want to wake you."

"..."

"You woke me by pulling my hair."

"I woke you very gently."

Lavinia couldn't even argue with that.

The combing had been so light she hadn't realized what had disturbed her until opening her eyes.

She exhaled once more before glancing around the room.

Apparently...

Quite a few people had invited themselves inside while she'd slept.

Evangeline sat sideways on the armrest of a nearby chair, lazily swinging one foot.

Rosaline occupied another chair with her usual relaxed posture.

Cordelia leaned comfortably against the wall.

Adelaide sat quietly near the window.

Evelyn occupied the edge of the bed, hands folded neatly in her lap.

Seven vampires.

Including herself.

Lavinia closed her eyes again for a second.

"...How long have all of you been here?"

Rosaline answered immediately.

"I slept here!"

"Not you Rosaline!"

Lavinia rolled her eyes only to be met with a wink from Rosaline.

"I try."

Lavinia shifted, attempting to sit up.

Before she could...

Gwendolyn gently pressed one hand against the side of her head.

"Stay still."

Lavinia looked up.

"...Why?"

"I'm almost done."

"...Done with what?"

"Your hair."

"My hair wasn't messy."

"It could still look neater."

"It already looks neat!"

"It can always look better."

Lavinia stared silently.

"...You're impossible."

Gwendolyn beamed.

"So I've been told."

Her fingers worked carefully through the last few strands before smoothing the ends between her fingers.

"There."

She smiled proudly.

"Done."

Lavinia blinked.

"...Can I get up now?"

Gwendolyn thoughtfully examined the ends one last time before nodding.

"You may."

Lavinia immediately sat upright, stretching both arms high over her head.

Several soft pops echoed from her shoulders.

She sighed contentedly.

"Much better."

Across the room Evangeline smiled.

"You looked comfortable."

"I was."

"You looked cute too."

"I refuse to acknowledge that statement, Evangeline."

Rosaline laughed.

"You can't refuse compliments."

"I absolutely can."

"No."

"I just did."

"You tried."

"I didn't fail!"

Lavinia rolled her eyes.

"What happened while I was asleep?"

Adelaide answered first.

"Violetta released information regarding vampire wings."

Lavinia looked over.

"...Already?"

Adelaide nodded.

"Anonymously."

"No names."

"No locations."

"No identities."

"Simply confirmation."

Evangeline swung one leg idly.

"So..."

She smiled.

"Sooner or later every vampire should realize they have wings."

Lavinia considered that.

"...That'll certainly surprise a lot of people."

"It surprised us."

Cordelia observed.

"Fair."

Rosaline leaned forward.

"Oh."

"You definitely won't believe what Violetta did."

Before Lavinia could ask...

Evangeline giggled.

"She got us an interview."

Lavinia blinked.

"...She what?"

Cordelia nodded calmly.

"A news station requested an interview with several vampires."

"They wanted volunteers."

"Violetta accepted."

Lavinia looked around the room.

"...Us?"

Rosaline pointed toward herself.

"Apparently."

Then toward Lavinia.

"And definitely you."

Lavinia frowned.

"...How did I get volunteered?"

Rosaline grinned.

"You have main-character energy."

"I reject that idea entirely."

"You aren't allowed to reject it."

"I should be able to!"

Evangeline laughed.

"It's tonight."

Lavinia looked over.

"When?"

"At eight or so?"

"The sun's almost setting."

She glanced toward the tightly closed curtains.

"We'll have enough time."

Lavinia stretched again before shrugging.

"...Sure."

Everyone looked at her.

"I'll go."

"It sounds interesting."

Rosaline smiled.

"We were all going anyway, though..."

"I've imagined being interviewed before."

She rested one elbow on the chair.

"...But being a vampire wasn't exactly the reason I pictured for being interveiwed."

A few quiet laughs answered her.

Gwendolyn suddenly smiled to herself.

"Oh!"

"I called my mom."

Lavinia looked over.

"How is she?"

"A little overwhelmed."

Gwendolyn admitted.

"The Second Divergence did scare her a bit."

"But..."

Her smile brightened.

"...she's okay."

Lavinia smiled faintly.

"I'm glad."

"So am I, I told her we'd be on TV tonight."

Lavinia reached over and gently patted Gwendolyn's head.

Her thick white hair shifted softly beneath Lavinia's fingers.

Gwendolyn made a pleased little sound.

Lavinia continued patting her.

"...Why did everyone have to come tell me this though?"

Rosaline immediately crossed her arms dramatically.

"I was already here."

"I didn't ask you to be."

"You didn't stop me either."

"I was asleep."

"Exactly. I fell asleep here!"

Gwendolyn lightly poked Lavinia's shoulder.

"...Are you unhappy we're here?"

Lavinia looked at her.

Then around the room.

At Rosaline.

Cordelia.

Evelyn.

Adelaide.

Evangeline.

Finally back to Gwendolyn.

She sighed.

"...I'd never be unhappy seeing any of you."

Gwendolyn immediately smiled.

"I knew it."

Rosaline looked unusually thoughtful.

"...You know."

Lavinia narrowed her eyes.

"...Whenever you start with 'you know,' something terrible usually follows."

Rosaline ignored that.

"I'm becoming a little more open to your harem idea, Lavinia."

The room fell silent.

Lavinia stared.

"...Excuse me?"

Rosaline nodded seriously.

"I've considered it."

"I have several objections!"

"You haven't heard my reasoning."

"I don't need to!"

"I think they're really compelling."

Lavinia grabbed the nearest pillow.

Rosaline smiled.

"Oh?"

The pillow flew.

Rosaline caught it effortlessly before it reached her face.

She hugged it triumphantly.

"I win."

"You stole my pillow."

"I accepted your gift."

"It wasn't a gift."

"It is now."

Laughter spread throughout the room.

Even Adelaide smiled.

Cordelia quietly chuckled.

"I am rather glad I found all of you."

Everyone looked toward her.

She continued calmly.

"The days before meeting everyone..."

She paused.

"...were very long."

"And..."

"...rather boring."

Evelyn smiled softly.

"I'm..."

She hesitated.

"...I'm also glad I met you too."

Cordelia returned the smile.

"So am I."

The room settled into comfortable silence.

Then...

Soft footsteps approached from outside.

No heartbeat.

One of theirs.

The door opened.

A familiar head of purple hair appeared first.

Violetta stepped inside.

She smiled as her gaze moved across the room.

"It seems everyone's awake."

Lavinia looked toward her.

"Mostly."

Violetta gave a small amused nod.

"Good."

"We'll be leaving shortly after sunset."

She folded one hand neatly over the other.

"Before the interview begins..."

"I'd like everyone participating to become familiar with the process."

Another voice sounded from the hallway.

"Really?"

Valerie poked her head around the doorway.

Her bright orange hair framed a thoroughly unconvinced expression.

"How hard can answering questions be?"

Violetta smiled patiently.

"It shouldn't be difficult."

Valerie nodded triumphantly.

"I knew it."

"...However."

Violetta continued.

"A little familiarity is rarely a bad thing."

Valerie considered that for a moment.

Then shrugged.

"...Fair enough."

She wandered fully into the room.

Lavinia looked around at the steadily growing number of vampires.

Then toward the nearly closed curtains where the last traces of daylight still glowed beyond the fabric.

Night was almost here.

...

Lavinia sat on the edge of her bed, tightening the laces of one boot before moving on to the other.

She pulled the knot snug.

Then immediately pushed a familiar face away.

"...Valerie."

Valerie pouted dramatically as Lavinia's palm pressed against her cheek.

"I wasn't doing anything."

"You were approximately three inches from my face."

"I was observing."

"You were invading my personal space."

Valerie tilted her head.

"There's a difference?"

Lavinia lowered her hands to her lap.

"...Is there?"

"There absolutely is."

"I'll believe that when you demonstrate it."

Valerie grinned.

"So."

She leaned forward again, though this time stopped a respectable distance away.

"Nervous?"

Lavinia considered the question honestly.

"...A little."

Valerie blinked.

"Really?"

"I've never exactly enjoyed being the center of attention."

She finished tying her boot before standing.

"I got plenty of attention after becoming a vampire."

She glanced toward the closed door.

"I still haven't decided whether I like it."

Valerie laughed softly.

"I think you'll be fine."

Before Lavinia could answer, Valerie spun once in place.

Her black dress flared gracefully around her legs while her long orange hair fanned outward.

The familiar scent of tangerine and honey briefly filled the room before settling once more.

Behind them, Gwendolyn took an exaggerated breath.

Then another.

She sighed happily.

"I still wonder why we all smell so edible."

Lavinia looked over.

"...Since when is pine edible?"

Gwendolyn smiled innocently.

"...Trees."

"...No."

"Pine nuts."

"...That's cheating."

"It still counts."

Rosaline laughed from nearby.

Across the room Adelaide stood behind Celestine, carefully separating sections of her teal hair.

Celestine sat perfectly still while Adelaide worked with practiced efficiency.

Rosaline watched with obvious interest.

"I didn't know you could braid hair."

Adelaide continued without looking up.

"I had a younger brother."

Rosaline nodded.

"...That explains it."

Lavinia tilted her head while watching them.

"...I'd honestly rather be exploring the Diverged Lands again."

Evangeline immediately brightened.

"We can tomorrow night!"

"I'd like that."

Lavinia admitted.

Rosaline folded her arms thoughtfully.

"Apparently more werewolves have started entering the Diverged Lands."

Several heads turned.

"Oh?"

Rosaline nodded.

"I heard some of the reports this afternoon."

"The next time we go..."

She smiled faintly.

"...we might actually come across wolf scent trails."

Lavinia looked intrigued.

"I wonder what they'll think if they smell ten vampires wandering around."

"They'll probably wonder why we're wandering sixty miles into a forest."

Cordelia observed.

"Fair."

Soft footsteps approached outside.

Every vampire recognized them immediately.

The door opened.

Violetta stepped inside.

Her movements remained almost completely silent, as always.

Evangeline immediately extended one hand toward her with a grin.

Violetta smiled, lightly clasping it.

Their fingers briefly locked together before she released her.

"Good evening."

She glanced around the room.

"Is everyone ready?"

Valerie bounced onto her feet.

"I am."

The others followed more gradually.

Lavinia adjusted one sleeve before nodding.

"I'm about as ready as I'll ever be."

Valerie immediately hooked one arm around Lavinia's.

"So she's ready."

Gwendolyn took Lavinia's other arm.

"We'll help."

"...Help with what?"

"Getting there."

Before Lavinia could object...

They were already half pulling and half dragging her toward the hallway.

"I can walk!"

"We know."

"Then why are you dragging me?"

"It's fun."

"It is."

Lavinia sighed dramatically.

"I've made terrible friends."

"You love us."

"...Unfortunately."

That answer earned several laughs.

The group made their way downstairs together before stepping outside.

Cool night air greeted them immediately.

The scent of exhaust drifted through the parking lot alongside distant restaurants, damp pavement, cut grass, and countless human scents carried by the breeze.

Two black SUVs idled nearby.

Their drivers stepped out only long enough to open the doors before the vampires climbed inside.

The drive proved uneventful.

Oakridge passed quietly beyond the windows.

Streetlights illuminated busy intersections.

Cars continued moving through evening traffic.

Restaurants remained crowded.

People walked sidewalks completely unaware that ten vampires sat only a few feet away behind darkened glass.

Barely fifteen minutes later...

The vehicles slowed.

A modern five-story building stood ahead.

Bright lights illuminated its glass entrance despite the approaching night.

One SUV stopped behind the other.

The vampires climbed out.

Violetta turned toward both drivers.

"We'll likely be here for a while."

She smiled politely.

"You don't need to wait."

"I'll call once we're finished."

Both drivers nodded.

"Of course, General."

The SUVs pulled away moments later.

Lavinia watched them disappear before following the others toward the entrance.

The automatic doors slid open.

Immediately...

Heartbeats.

Many of them.

Receptionists.

Security.

Office staff.

Every heartbeat accelerated slightly.

Lavinia resisted the urge to focus on them.

The scents told a more complete story.

Nervousness.

Curiosity.

Uncertainty.

Not panic.

Mostly anticipation.

A young woman hurried toward them carrying a visitor clipboard.

"General Violetta?"

Violetta smiled warmly.

"That's me."

"I'm Rebecca."

She gave a slightly nervous smile.

"If you'd all follow me..."

The group did exactly that.

Rebecca led them toward an elevator.

The ride to the second floor passed quietly.

Lavinia stood near the back.

Rebecca's heartbeat remained noticeably elevated.

Not frantic.

Not terrified.

Simply...

Nervous.

Lavinia reminded herself not to stare.

Heartbeats alone couldn't explain everything.

Humans became excited.

Embarrassed.

Afraid.

Happy.

Their hearts often reacted similarly.

Their scent...

Their posture...

Their expressions...

Those completed the picture.

Rebecca mostly smelled anxious.

Probably because ten vampires occupied the same elevator as her.

The doors opened.

She led them down a hallway before stopping outside an office.

"If you'll wait just a moment."

She slipped inside.

Every vampire immediately heard muffled voices through the closed door.

"...They're here."

"...Already?"

"...Yes."

"...Wonderful."

Valerie glanced around the hallway.

"I don't know what I expected."

Adelaide looked toward another corridor.

"The actual studio is probably on another floor."

"That would make sense."

A moment later...

The office door opened.

A middle-aged man stepped outside wearing a neatly pressed suit and an easy smile.

He extended one hand toward Violetta.

"General."

"It's wonderful to finally meet you."

"I'm Victor Graham."

Violetta accepted the handshake.

"The feeling is mutual."

Victor laughed warmly.

"I truly appreciate all of you accepting our invitation."

"So do I."

Violetta replied.

"Open conversations like these are important."

"I couldn't agree more."

Victor looked across the assembled vampires.

His smile widened.

"I'll admit..."

He rubbed the back of his neck.

"I initially wondered whether we'd need makeup artists."

He chuckled.

"Apparently I worried for nothing."

His eyes moved along the group.

"You're all..."

He paused.

"...remarkably beautiful."

Evangeline immediately puffed out her chest.

"Of course we are."

The declaration came with such sincere pride that laughter erupted almost instantly.

Victor laughed.

Rebecca laughed.

Several vampires laughed.

Even Adelaide smiled faintly.

The office door opened again.

Another woman stepped out carrying a folder.

Victor gestured toward her.

"This is Alice Groves."

Alice smiled politely.

"I'll be accompanying everyone throughout the evening."

"I hope we all get along."

"We will."

Violetta answered pleasantly.

Victor nodded approvingly.

"Excellent."

"I do have a few meetings before filming begins."

He looked back toward the group.

"But I wanted to welcome everyone personally."

He smiled again.

"I've already instructed everyone to avoid anything unnecessarily confrontational."

"We're here for a conversation."

"Not an interrogation."

He inclined his head slightly.

"If you need anything..."

He gestured toward Alice.

"She knows where to find me."

With another polite smile...

He excused himself.

Lavinia watched him disappear around the corner.

"...He's strange."

Several heads turned.

Violetta smiled.

"In what way?"

"His heartbeat."

Lavinia answered.

"It sped up every time he looked at us."

"But..."

She frowned thoughtfully.

"He wasn't afraid."

"He was..."

She searched for the right word.

"...curious."

"Inspired."

"Excited."

Violetta nodded knowingly.

"Not everyone reacts to vampires with fear."

"Some people are simply fascinated."

"They see us almost..."

She smiled.

"...with awe."

Valerie nodded enthusiastically.

"Remember that girl?"

She looked toward Lavinia.

"The one who asked to be fed on?"

Lavinia groaned immediately.

"You all nominated me."

"We absolutely did."

Rosaline agreed.

"You were volunteered."

"I didn't volunteer."

"We volunteered you."

"That's different."

"It isn't."

Cordelia exchanged an amused glance with Violetta.

Evangeline looked between them curiously.

Neither asked for the story.

Alice cleared her throat gently.

"If everyone's ready..."

She smiled.

"We should head upstairs."

The group followed her once more.

This time...

To the third floor.

The studio occupied almost the entire level.

Bright lights illuminated wide hallways.

Employees moved between cameras, equipment cases, lighting rigs, and control rooms.

Conversation noticeably quieted as ten vampires entered.

Heartbeats sped up.

Several staff members straightened instinctively.

No one fled.

No one shouted.

They simply...

Watched.

Alice continued leading them toward the main stage.

Normally...

It would've hosted one guest.

She looked over her shoulder.

"We usually interview one person at a time."

She smiled apologetically.

"But..."

"There are ten of you."

Lavinia laughed softly.

"That's probably a little different."

"A little."

Alice admitted.

"So we've rearranged the stage."

"There'll be seating for everyone."

"We actually prefer that."

Violetta replied.

"So do we."

Gwendolyn added.

Alice visibly relaxed.

"I'm glad."

She pushed open a pair of large studio doors.

Rows of cameras waited beneath suspended lights.

Comfortable chairs had been arranged across the stage.

Alice looked toward the group.

"Would anyone like water?"

She hesitated.

"...Or snacks?"

Valerie immediately raised one hand.

"I could definitely go for snacks."

Lavinia nudged her with an elbow.

"You know..."

She lowered her voice.

"...you're giving the poor woman more work."

Valerie looked genuinely confused.

"I don't want to sit awkwardly when it isn't my turn to speak."

Rosaline laughed.

"Munching on snacks would definitely be less awkward."

Valerie nodded emphatically.

"Exactly!"

Alice couldn't help smiling.

"I'll see what I can find."

She turned and hurried away.

Valerie looked entirely satisfied.

Lavinia simply shook her head.

"...Unbelievable."

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