The Forgotten Blood God

Xavier sat at the edge of the cot, staring at the wooden floorboards beneath his feet. Sleep had eluded him again, and his body, though no longer aching from exhaustion, felt restless in a way he couldn't explain.

His mind replayed Zander's words over and over.

"You're not human. You never really were."

He wanted to deny it. Wanted to scream that Zander was wrong, that his parents had been human, that his life—his entire existence—wasn't some elaborate lie. But deep down, he knew. He had felt the hunger. He had felt his instincts take control when he attacked the deer. And when the blood had filled his mouth, the aching emptiness inside him had finally disappeared.

Zander had been right about that, too.

Xavier clenched his fists. His twenty-first birthday was in July, only five months away. He had never given much thought to turning twenty-one before—it was just another year, another step toward adulthood. But now, it was something far more.

A countdown.

Zander had told him that his family had planned to reveal the truth when the time came, that the hunger started at twenty-one for all born Vampires. He hadn't explained why.

Xavier needed to know…

When he found Zander in the main room, the older boy was leaning against the kitchen table, watching the fire crackle in the hearth. Xavier didn't waste time.

"What happens when I turn twenty-one?"

Zander didn't flinch. He had been expecting the question.

Xavier stepped closer. "You said the hunger starts then, but why? What happens to me?"

Zander sighed, rubbing a hand through his hair before turning to face him. "It's not just hunger, Xavier. It's a full awakening."

Xavier frowned. "What does that mean?"

Zander leaned against the table, arms crossed. "Up until now, you've been living as a human. You eat human food. You sleep like a human. You age like a human. But that's just… an illusion. A transition period, I guess."

Xavier's stomach twisted. "So what happens at twenty-one?"

Zander exhaled. "Your body finally catches up with what you really are. Your heartbeat will slow—a lot. You'll still be alive, but… different. Stronger. Faster. Your senses will sharpen even more, and your ability to heal will increase."

Xavier swallowed hard. "And the hunger?"

Zander hesitated. "That's when it really starts."

Xavier's skin prickled. "What do you mean?"

Zander met his gaze. "You won't be able to ignore it anymore. The hunger will come in waves, stronger than what you're feeling now. Animal blood might help at first, but eventually…"

Xavier's mouth went dry. "Eventually, it won't be enough."

Zander didn't need to say it. Xavier already knew.

His fingers curled into fists. "How long do I have before I—"

"Not long," Zander said. "Some people last a few months. Others barely make it a few weeks before they break."

Xavier's breath hitched.

"You don't just wake up on your twenty-first birthday and suddenly crave blood," Zander continued. "It's a process. The signs start slowly—increased sensitivity, stronger instincts, changes in body temperature, difficulty eating normal food. That's what's happening to you now."

Xavier's heart pounded. He thought back to the past few days—his loss of appetite, the way food had started to taste wrong, the fire crawling under his skin, his heightened awareness of everything around him.

It had already started.

Zander studied him carefully. "By July, you'll be fully awakened. After that… if you don't learn control, the hunger will take over."

Xavier forced himself to breathe. "And if I don't drink from… people?"

Zander hesitated again. "You'll starve. Slowly. Your body will start shutting down, and eventually, your instincts will take over. And when that happens…"

Xavier didn't need him to finish.

When the hunger took over, he wouldn't be himself anymore.

Xavier turned away, pacing to the other side of the room. His mind raced. Five months. That was all the time he had before his life changed forever.

Five months before the world as he knew it ended.

Five months before he became something else.

Zander leaned against the table, watching him. "I know this is a lot, but—"

"A lot?" Xavier snapped, whirling around. "You just told me I have **five months before I turn into a monster, and you think this is just 'a lot' to process?"

Zander's jaw tightened. "You won't be a monster, Xavier. Not if you learn control."

Xavier scoffed. "Oh, sure. Because drinking blood is totally normal."

Zander exhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You think I didn't go through this, too?"

Xavier faltered. He hadn't thought about that.

Zander met his gaze. "Everyone like us has to go through it. Kayla will go through it, too, in a few years. It's not easy, but you will get through it. You just have to trust me."

Xavier swallowed hard.

Five months.

He had five months to figure out how to control something he didn't understand.

Five months before he was no longer human.

…Later that night, Xavier sat outside, staring up at the sky. The air was crisp, cool, and the stars above stretched endlessly, untouched by the chaos in his mind.

The door creaked behind him, and a moment later, Kayla settled onto the steps beside him.

"Can't sleep?" she asked.

Xavier exhaled. "What gave it away?"

Kayla smirked. "You look like you're contemplating running into the woods and never coming back."

Xavier huffed a quiet laugh. "Not a bad idea."

She leaned back, resting her arms behind her head. "Zander told you, didn't he?"

Xavier didn't answer right away. "Yeah."

Kayla was silent for a moment before saying, "It's not the end of the world, you know."

Xavier turned his head, staring at her. "How can you say that?"

She shrugged. "Because it isn't."

Xavier ran a hand through his hair. "It feels like it."

Kayla smirked. "That's because you're dramatic."

Xavier rolled his eyes. "You're really bad at comforting people, you know that?"

She grinned. "It's a skill."

For a moment, they sat in silence. The tension in Xavier's chest loosened, just a little.

Then Kayla turned her head toward him, her smirk shifting into something softer. "You're stronger than you think, Xavier."

He blinked at her.

She tilted her head slightly, eyes searching his face. "You'll be fine. You've got Zander watching your back. And me."

Xavier hesitated. "You?"

Kayla smiled, nudging him lightly. "Of course. Someone's gotta make sure you don't screw up and get us all caught."

Despite himself, Xavier smiled back.

For the first time since his family's execution, the crushing weight in his chest felt just a little lighter.

But deep inside, the truth remained.

In five months, everything would change.

And there was nothing he could do to stop it.