Alan did not respond to Pearl's worried questions immediately. He continued to remain in a crouched position, leaning on the ground for support for several minutes before his heavy breathing began to normalize.
Slowly, color returned to his face and his aged appearance started to reverse. It took another few minutes before Alan was able to straighten his posture and stand back on his feet.
"What was that?" Pearl questioned, watching him return to normal.
"The price," Alan remarked. "You did not think this was called a forbidden spell for nothing?"
"I thought it was called forbidden because the witches did not approve of it," Pearl replied.
"Well, that is certainly one of the reasons," Alan said. "But the reason the Alejandro family labeled it a forbidden spell was that it is incredibly risky to perform. It is life-threatening, and the price to be paid is immense."
"What you witnessed just now was a sudden drain of life force from my body," he continued. "Whenever someone performed this spell, they had to sacrifice a significant portion of their life force to establish the bond with a vampire. And the older the vampire, the more life force is required."
"There were many instances where the caster died during the ritual," he said. "And those who survived witnessed a permanent degradation of their health. The drain caused them to become weak, frail, and aged. Though they recovered slowly using herbs and magic, they were never quite the same as before. An irreversible damage was caused to their bodies."
"But I see no difference in you," Pearl remarked, her eyes narrowing. "Your recovery was not slow at all, and you appear exactly as you were. Not to mention any sign of any irreversible damage."
"True," Alan nodded. "Because I am different from my ancestors. Unlike them, who had a limited life force and were physically weak, my life force is nearly unlimited, and I am physically much stronger."
Pearl looked at him with surprised, intrigued eyes.
"Almost unlimited life force?" she asked. "How?"
"Did I not tell you that I am a bit special?" Alan smiled mysteriously. "Did you forget my jaw shattering punch so early."
Pearl remained quiet.
"Now, because of the price my ancestors had to pay, they were never able to form bonds with more than one vampire. Another bond and they would have surely died. But once again, I am not bound by that limitation."
Pearl looked at him in shock. It made complete sense. If Alan truly possessed a near-limitless well of vitality, why would he be restricted by the rules that killed his predecessors? But then the bigger question was what would he want to achieve with this? She did not know.
"I think we have had enough small talk," Alan remarked. "Let us return to my house."
Pearl nodded and followed Alan in silence. He drove her to the Alejandro Mansion, and throughout the entire drive, Pearl remained in a state of shock, awe, and intense curiosity.
From Alan's sleek car to the paved roads, the bright streetlights, and the modern architecture, everything awed her. She could not fathom how much the world had changed. It felt as if she had arrived into a different world altogether.
Alan did his best to explain and answer all of Pearl's questions. He knew that before she could be of any real use to him, he would have to train her to adapt to this modern world and its technology.
"Come inside," Alan invited as they reached the estate. Pearl stepped across the threshold without issue.
"This is a very fine mansion, Alan," Pearl remarked, looking around the humongous foyer.
"Yes," Alan nodded. "It was built shortly after the vampires were burned in the church."
Pearl was amazed as she spent a few minutes exploring the house.
"Want a drink?" Alan questioned, pouring himself a glass.
Pearl gulped, her eyes inadvertently settling on his neck. She was indeed craving a drink, but not wine or beer. She wanted blood. It was a thirst built over one hundred and forty-five years, and having already tasted his unique and tasteful blood, she craved it more than ever.
Alan smiled, seeing her reaction.
"Come," he said, extending his wrist toward her.
Pearl swallowed hard, and in the next heartbeat, she moved with vampire speed to his side. She clasped his hand, her fangs snapping into her mouth as she bit into his wrist. Once again, that heavenly taste flowed into her mouth.
"I think that should be enough, Pearl," Alan remarked after a few moments.
Though reluctant, Pearl let go of his hand. Her hunger had been satisfied, but her craving remained. She wanted more.
"Do not expect to be drinking my blood regularly," Alan said, shattering her hopes. "We will find alternative arrangements for you."
Pearl could only nod her head in a daze.
"Now," Alan continued, his tone becoming serious. "There are a few ground rules that you need to follow for the next few days."
"First," he said. "You will not be leaving this house unless I say so."
"Currently, you are not equipped to navigate this modern world. I will train you for it and then only you can go out."
"And there is also the fact that there are two people out there who would recognize you," he remarked. "I do not want them to encounter you unless the time is appropriate."
"Recognize me?" Pearl asked, surprised. "Who?"
"Stefan and Damon Salvatore," Alan replied.
An expression of pure anger flashed across her face. Those two brothers were one of the primary reasons the vampires were caught in 1864.
"They are still alive," she mumbled to herself. "So, Katherine ultimately turned them into vampires."
"Secondly," Alan continued, ignoring her reaction toward the Salvatores. "You will not kill anyone without my explicit permission, unless your life is in immediate danger. As for blood, I will arrange for either blood bags from the hospital or allow you to feed from someone, without killing them."
Pearl nodded. These were conditions one had to take seriously if they wanted to remain in secrecy. It was something she was well-versed in.
"I think that should be it," Alan added. "At least for now."
"Come, I will show you to your room," he said. "You can take a bath and clean yourself."
"You will find some old clothes in the wardrobes. They will do it for now. I will arrange proper clothes for you tomorrow."
Alan showed Pearl to her room. He even instructed her on how to use the taps and the shower before finally retiring to his own room. A new day awaited him on the other side of the night.
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