It made some sense. I couldn't help but wonder if Cindy had been chosen as well. Her beauty certainly far outweighed mine. Shrugging it off, I said, "So, those who want the Queen's power will come after me."
Chapter 8
He nodded. "Yes, that is why you must train. That is why it's important you become familiar with all of the creatures in that room," he pointed out the doorway, "and learn how to defend yourself. A war is coming, Snow. I know you didn't ask for it, and it seems unfair, but you're involved. And from what I can tell, the Queen has put special emphasis on you."
A devastating weight seemed to sit on my shoulders. The word, 'war,' felt too big. Too overwhelming. "Do you think the others know the Vampire Queen has singled me out?"
"I'm not sure. I would think not." He moved back over to the sword, and took it from its horizontal storage clamps on the wall. Then grabbed another and handed it to me. "These swords should become like second nature to you. Some background about them first."
"Sure." Professor Pops always had a history lesson about something. My mind was elsewhere, and Professor Pops must have realized it.
He asked, "What is it, Snow?"
"How do you kill a revenant?" I peered down at my pink shirt, and tugged.
His arms went around me, and I stepped into them. He pulled me against his chest in a fatherly hug. Swallowing the strangled cry in my throat, I returned his embrace. It'd been a long time since my dad had hugged me. I hadn't realized how much I missed him.
"You are, or will be, a lot stronger than a regular human. Most Marked who are bitten say they feel like they have superpowers."
"So, I'll be less klutzy?"
Professor Pops chuckled, and I couldn't help the smile that curled up my lips. "Let not count on it." He stroked my head with a hand, and I drew in a deep breath, enjoying the smell of old books, paper, and cigars.
After several minutes I pulled away, and considered him. "I'll be stronger, which will make it more difficult for me to die, but I can be killed the same as any human." It was a statement. One that I knew, as I spoke, was true.
"Exactly." He held the blade, still sheathed in a black cover, in both hands. "This is called a Jokoto, or, Katana, which is the now universal term. From the wall, he took a smaller sword that rested under the long one. This is a Wakizashi." He moved into a fighting stance, showing me how to hold them. "Samurai used these swords together during battle beginning in the 7th century." He indicated with his head I should follow. Awkwardly, I bent my knees, and angled the swords. He nodded, and started to move, crossing his right foot over his left. I followed.
As we moved in a circle this way, Professor Pops said, "The long one is for enemies at a further distance. The shorter for when the enemy gets inside. He parried, maneuvering the blades as he battled an invisible foe. "Like this."
I tried to follow, but ended up tangling my hands together.
"Very good."
I laughed. "Really?"
Professor Pops smiled and turned to replace his sword.
Turning back to me, he said, "Samurai believed the katana held their soul, and would only use them as a last resort. They would use the bow and arrow first, then a spear, and finally, if they had to, their swords."
He moved behind me and began adjusting my body. Several minutes later he had me in the proper position. I felt like a rag doll.
"Every day after school, and after track practice, you will come here, and either myself or one of the boys will train you. Dorian is excellent with the swords. Gabe is the best bowman, and Salvatore is brilliant at all of them. Though, if one of those three aren't available, any of them are more than exceptional."
I sighed. "Okay."
"After a couple of hours of training, you will spend an hour or two studying about the different creatures in the other room, until you're acquainted with every one."
I stood. "What about school?"
He waved his hands dismissively. "You'll find your schooling comes more easily."
"I'll have to see it to believe." The prospect excited me. I struggled with several subjects, especially English, Science, and, Phys-Ed.
"I think you'll find much of regular human necessities will come easier, and you'll want to spend more and more time in your new world." Professor Pops took the swords and placed them back on the wall next to the other set.
"Are you sure I'll be okay going to school?" I thought about Chemistry, and what'd almost happened.
"We'll give you a double dose of the tea twice a day. Then send you with a dose to school for emergencies.
He walked out of the room, and I followed. Then he locked it. I couldn't help but stare at a female vampire behind the glass case. Her eyes were red and still seemed to glow.
"What happens if I do drink a human's blood?" The words came out without my thinking about them first, and I blushed beet red.
Professor Pops stood next to me. "I understand your needs, perhaps better than anyone. Human blood will increase your powers, making you stronger in every way, except one." He pointed at my heart. "The more blood you drink, the more like a vampire you'll become. It's like anything in life, if you work to keep yourself as human as possible, that part of you will remain, will be the strongest. If you consume human blood, the way a vampire does, that part of you will become the strongest."
I nodded. "I understand." I wanted to tell him I craved blood, and that I'd almost drank from Dorian today. And I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Embarrassed at the almost sexual nature of my desires held me back. They seemed overwhelming, and I wasn't sure how to control them.
He patted my shoulder. "Don't misunderstand me. Craving blood is part of who you are now. The time will come when you will drink." He paused and his eyes dilated. I saw a flash of what he must've been like as a Hunter. The image scared me, but the look left his face almost as quickly as it'd appeared. "There are two things you must promise me."
I swallowed, and cleared my throat. "What?"
"Promise me you won't drink from the same human twice." At his words he held up a finger. "And, two. Promise me you won't drink for more than ten seconds. Any more and there is a possibility you'll kill the human from blood loss, or your blood lust." While he spoke a second finger went up. "Can you do that for me, please?"