The Divergence

───

By the time evening arrived, all five vampires had gradually gathered in Gwendolyn's living room once more.

Lavinia stretched lazily across one end of the couch while Valerie occupied far more space than seemed physically possible beside her.

Gwendolyn sat on the opposite end, hugging one of the decorative cushions Eleanor had left there.

"So..."

Valerie looked up from her phone.

"We're going to the blood clinic tonight, right?"

Lavinia nodded.

"Mhm."

"We should probably get it over with."

"It isn't like we're desperately thirsty."

Gwendolyn tilted her head.

"I just want to know what it tastes like."

"Exactly," Lavinia agreed.

"It's not like humans only eat when they're starving."

Valerie pointed at her.

"That's actually a good comparison."

"We're curious."

Celestine nodded quietly.

"...I am too."

Evelyn smiled.

"I've been wondering since the government announced it."

Lavinia placed her phone on the couch beside her.

"Then it's settled."

"We'll head there after everyone's awake and ready."

Nobody objected.

The conversation naturally drifted elsewhere.

Or rather...

Half of the room drifted elsewhere.

Celestine stood from the floor.

"So..."

She looked toward Evelyn.

"...Shall we?"

Evelyn immediately brightened.

"Okay."

The two stepped into the open space in the middle of the living room.

Lavinia rested her chin in one hand.

Valerie leaned back comfortably.

Gwendolyn hugged her cushion tighter.

The performance began.

Celestine moved first.

She stepped lightly across the rug before turning once.

Twice.

Her black dress flared elegantly around her legs.

Without any visible effort, she leaned backward into a smooth bridge before flowing back onto her feet as though gravity had briefly forgotten about her.

Evelyn followed.

A cartwheel.

Another.

She landed lightly before rotating into a graceful spin.

The two moved around one another almost instinctively.

Neither got in the other's way.

If anything...

Their movements complemented one another.

Celestine transitioned into another series of elegant turns before planting one hand on the floor and carrying herself through a flawless aerial movement.

She landed silently.

As though she hadn't landed at all.

Lavinia watched with genuine admiration.

"...Celestine."

The teal-haired vampire paused.

"...Yes?"

"You're incredibly graceful."

Celestine's cheeks faintly colored.

"...Thank you."

She spoke so quietly that even with vampire hearing, everyone only barely caught it.

Valerie smiled.

"I think that's the loudest she's ever accepted a compliment."

Celestine covered part of her face with one sleeve.

"..."

Gwendolyn giggled.

Meanwhile...

Evelyn had continued moving.

She flowed from another cartwheel directly into a perfect split.

She remained there for a second before looking toward the couch somewhat shyly.

"...Was that okay?"

Three vampires applauded immediately.

Clap.

Clap.

Clap.

"It was great!"

Gwendolyn beamed.

Valerie nodded enthusiastically.

"Very smooth."

Lavinia smiled.

"I don't think I could do that even before becoming a vampire."

Evelyn smiled happily.

She stood again with almost no effort.

Valerie looked thoughtfully at Lavinia.

"...Actually."

"Hm?"

"Can you do a split?"

Lavinia answered almost immediately.

"No."

Then...

She stopped.

Brows knitting together.

"...Wait."

She looked down at herself.

Then rapidly shook her head.

"I actually don't know."

Valerie hummed.

"I don't believe you."

Before Lavinia could react...

Valerie reached down and grabbed one of her ankles.

"Huh?"

At almost the exact same moment...

Gwendolyn cheerfully grabbed the other.

Lavinia's eyes widened.

"...Girls?"

"We're experimenting," Valerie said.

"I don't consent to this experiment."

"You'll survive."

Lavinia tried pulling her legs back.

Unfortunately...

All three possessed roughly similar strength.

Being grabbed first immediately put her at a disadvantage.

She squirmed.

"I object."

"No objections accepted."

Valerie and Gwendolyn gently pulled outward.

Lavinia felt...

Almost nothing.

No painful stretch.

No strain.

Her legs simply continued moving apart with surprising ease.

"...Oh."

"I can actually..."

Then she suddenly felt cool air.

Valerie blinked.

"...Lavi."

"Hm?"

"The patterning is surprisingly elegant."

Gwendolyn nodded earnestly.

"And your thighs are really pretty."

Lavinia froze.

"..."

"...What?"

A fraction of a second later realization struck.

Her eyes became perfectly round.

She immediately snapped both legs shut.

The sudden motion nearly pulled Valerie and Gwendolyn into one another.

Both stumbled forward with surprised laughs.

Lavinia shot upright from the couch, smoothing her dress down frantically.

"You two!"

"You made me flash everyone!"

Valerie giggled without the slightest remorse.

"We're all women."

Lavinia smiled very warmly.

"...Wonderful."

She folded her arms.

"So you wouldn't have any problem stripping right now."

Valerie's laughter stopped immediately.

"..."

She slowly raised both hands.

"...Actually."

She nodded very seriously.

"Now that I think about it..."

"Lavi is right."

"Modesty is an important thing."

Gwendolyn burst into laughter.

Celestine covered her mouth, shoulders shaking quietly as she laughed along.

Even Evelyn couldn't suppress a soft giggle before returning to another graceful twirl across the rug.

Lavinia gave Valerie a triumphant look.

"Thought so."

Valerie sighed dramatically.

"I walked into that one."

"You sprinted into it."

"I'll admit defeat."

"You should."

Valerie leaned back into the couch again.

"...You're surprisingly difficult to tease."

Lavinia blinked.

"I've spent two days with you."

"I've adapted."

Gwendolyn wiped a tear from the corner of one eye.

"I still think Lavi looked really flexible."

Lavinia pointed at her.

"No more experiments."

"Aww."

"I mean it."

"...Maybe just one?"

"No."

Valerie grinned.

"I support one."

Lavinia looked at the three of them before slowly scooting farther down the couch until there was an obvious cushion of empty space between herself and everyone else.

"There."

"Safe."

Valerie watched her retreat.

"...You're acting like we're dangerous."

Lavinia looked her straight in the eye.

"You absolutely are."

That earned another chorus of laughter.

For a while longer, Evelyn and Celestine continued practicing cartwheels, spins and graceful movements across the living room while the other three watched, chatted, and occasionally applauded particularly elegant landings.

Eventually, Lavinia glanced toward the clock.

"...We should probably leave soon."

Valerie stood first.

"The blood clinic?"

"The blood clinic."

One by one, the others rose from the couch and floor, smoothing their dresses before making their way toward the front door, their conversation continuing as naturally as if they were simply heading out to try a new café together rather than experiencing something entirely new to all of them.

...

The group of five became seven within minutes of sunset.

Adelaide arrived first.

A faint rush of air stirred the grass outside Gwendolyn's house, and then she was simply there, standing near the front path with one hand resting confidently against her hip. Her pale green hair settled around her shoulders while the hem of her black dress stopped fluttering.

Rosaline appeared not long after.

Unlike Adelaide, she didn't stop cleanly.

She overshot the house by nearly half a block, doubled back, then came running toward them with a bright laugh and both arms raised.

"I meant to do that."

Valerie folded her arms.

"Of course you did."

"It was dramatic."

"It was sloppy."

Rosaline placed a hand against her chest.

"I can't believe you'd greet me like this."

Adelaide smiled.

"I can."

Once everyone had exchanged greetings, they began making their way toward the location the government had designated as Oakridge's first blood clinic.

No one suggested walking normally.

They didn't run at their full speed either, not yet. The seven vampires moved at a comfortable pace through the quieter streets, still fast enough that humans would have struggled to follow them, but slow enough that they could speak without constantly separating.

The city smelled different tonight.

Lavinia noticed almost immediately.

There were more wolves.

Not necessarily more individual scents, but fewer isolated trails. Their scents overlapped frequently now, gathering into heavier paths that curved through neighborhoods and across intersections.

"They're grouping up," Celestine observed quietly.

Valerie wrinkled her nose.

"Wonderful."

Gwendolyn inhaled experimentally, then immediately regretted it.

"It smells stronger."

Adelaide nodded.

"Probably packs."

The word felt increasingly natural now.

They had already seen small groups of wolves more than once, and online reports had confirmed that werewolves were gathering together far more quickly than ordinary strangers typically would.

Lavinia looked toward one of the nearby streets where several wolf scents overlapped.

No figures appeared.

Still, she felt the same awareness she always did.

Danger.

Not immediate.

Not hostile.

Simply present.

She glanced toward the other vampires.

Their ears twitched occasionally.

Their eyes shifted.

Everyone noticed.

No one seemed especially concerned.

There were other vampire scents in Oakridge too.

Sweet trails occasionally drifted toward them on the wind.

Some were faint enough to have traveled from several streets away.

Others seemed older, left behind earlier in the evening before being scattered through the city by passing cars and shifting air.

Lavinia couldn't yet tell exactly how old a scent was.

Only whether it seemed stronger or weaker.

Fresh or faded.

"We'll meet them eventually," Gwendolyn said brightly, as though responding to something nobody had said aloud.

Rosaline smiled.

"Hopefully tonight."

That reminded Gwendolyn of something.

She quickened her pace until she walked between Rosaline and Evelyn.

"Do you think there'll be more vampires at the blood clinic?"

Rosaline shrugged.

"Maybe."

She counted possibilities on her fingers.

"They could've gone earlier."

"They could come later."

"They might wait until tomorrow."

"Or next week."

Gwendolyn puffed out her cheeks slightly.

"That's not very encouraging."

"It's realistic."

Adelaide glanced over.

"Oakridge is large."

"There are definitely more than seven vampires here."

Celestine nodded.

"We've already caught several scents."

"They simply haven't crossed ours closely enough."

Evelyn smiled faintly.

"We'll meet them."

Gwendolyn immediately brightened again.

"I know."

Lavinia laughed softly.

"That was a very short disappointment."

"I recover quickly."

"Apparently."

As they drew nearer to the clinic, the scent of wolves began to thin.

Not disappear entirely.

Oakridge carried too many overlapping trails for that.

But the heavier canine presence faded until only faint traces remained.

Valerie looked relieved.

"Finally."

Rosaline inhaled deeply.

"...Better."

Lavinia glanced toward the building ahead.

It sat along a quieter commercial road, surrounded by a medium-sized parking lot and low office buildings. The structure itself was plain, rectangular, and recently renovated. Fresh signs had been attached above the entrance, and several temporary lights illuminated the lot.

BLOOD DISTRIBUTION CENTER

AUTHORIZED VAMPIRE ACCESS

A security guard stood beside the front doors.

He watched them approach with an expression that attempted to appear neutral.

His heartbeat accelerated anyway.

Seven vampires moving together weren't subtle.

Their dresses stirred in the evening breeze.

Their long hair flowed behind them.

Their crimson eyes occasionally caught the parking lot lights and reflected them back.

The guard swallowed but remained in place.

Adelaide gave him a polite nod.

"Good evening."

He blinked.

"...Good evening."

Rosaline smiled widely.

"You look nervous."

The guard's heartbeat became even faster.

Rosaline immediately raised both hands.

"I'm not threatening you."

Valerie leaned closer to her.

"You made it worse."

"I was trying to help."

"Try less."

Lavinia hid a smile.

The automatic doors opened.

Warm indoor air met them.

Almost immediately, all seven vampires inhaled.

Nothing.

No sweet scents.

No familiar fragrances.

No other vampires.

Gwendolyn's expression fell slightly.

"We're first."

"Looks like it," Lavinia said.

The lobby was simple but carefully arranged.

Comfortable black chairs lined two walls.

Small tables sat between them, each holding bottled water, pamphlets, and sealed packages of crackers that none of the vampires needed.

A television mounted in one corner displayed government information about the Divergence with the volume turned low.

To the right of the reception desk, a hallway extended deeper into the building.

Closed doors lined either side.

A woman behind the desk looked up.

Her expression remained professional.

Her heartbeat did not.

It quickened noticeably as her eyes moved across seven pairs of red eyes, seven sets of pointed ears, and seven elegant black dresses.

Still, she smiled warmly.

"Welcome."

Her voice only trembled slightly.

"You must be here for blood distribution."

Valerie looked around.

"I'd hope so."

Rosaline nodded solemnly.

"We followed the signs."

The receptionist laughed despite herself.

"Good."

She glanced toward the small scanner mounted beside her computer.

"Have all of you already completed identity processing?"

The vampires reached into hidden pockets almost simultaneously.

Seven dark cards appeared.

The receptionist blinked.

"...Perfect."

"If you could each tap your card against the scanner, it'll verify your registration and record your visit."

Adelaide stepped forward first.

Beep.

A green light appeared.

Rosaline followed.

Beep.

Then Celestine.

Evelyn.

Valerie.

Gwendolyn.

Finally Lavinia.

Each card produced the same soft confirmation tone.

The receptionist watched her screen as their information appeared one by one.

"Everything looks good."

She stood and came around the desk.

"If you'll follow me, I'll explain how distribution works."

The seven vampires moved after her.

The woman led them toward the hallway.

Her perfume mixed with the natural scent of blood flowing beneath her skin.

Lavinia noticed several of the others breathe in slightly.

Not greedily.

Simply aware.

The receptionist noticed their attention and swallowed.

Gwendolyn smiled reassuringly.

"You smell nice."

The woman's heartbeat jumped.

Valerie covered her face with one hand.

"Gwendolyn."

"What?"

"Don't say that to humans right before they give us blood."

Gwendolyn looked genuinely confused.

"...But she does."

The receptionist laughed nervously.

"I'll take it as a compliment."

"It was," Gwendolyn said brightly.

The first door along the hall stood slightly open.

Through the gap, Lavinia could see a small room furnished with a chair, a counter, sealed medical equipment, and a refrigerator marked for blood storage.

A nurse stood inside arranging packets in a tray.

The receptionist gestured toward the rooms lining the hall.

"Each room has a nurse assigned to it."

"They'll verify your card once more, then provide the approved amount."

Rosaline leaned closer to the doorway.

"Do we drink it from a bag?"

The receptionist hesitated.

"At the moment, yes."

"We're still developing better containers."

Valerie smiled.

"Blood juice boxes."

Lavinia looked at her.

"Please don't call them that in front of the staff."

The nurse inside the room glanced toward them.

Then noticed all seven vampires clustered in the hallway.

She froze.

Her hand remained suspended over the tray.

The receptionist cleared her throat.

"You can enter together if you'd prefer."

She looked at the room.

Then at the seven vampires.

"It may be a little cramped."

Gwendolyn immediately looked interested.

"We can fit."

Valerie studied the nurse's face.

The woman's heartbeat had begun racing.

Lavinia leaned slightly toward the doorway.

Seven crimson eyes turned in the nurse's direction at once.

The nurse visibly stiffened.

Lavinia slowly leaned back.

"...Maybe not."

Celestine nodded.

"I think separate rooms would be kinder."

Evelyn looked toward the nurse apologetically.

"We don't want to frighten anyone."

Rosaline smiled.

"Or cause a medical emergency before we even drink anything."

The receptionist's shoulders loosened slightly.

"That may be best."

Adelaide crossed her arms.

"One per room?"

"One or two is fine."

"Seven may be..."

The receptionist searched for a diplomatic word.

"...A lot."

Lavinia smiled.

"We understand."

The nurse inside the nearest room finally moved again, though she kept glancing toward them.

Valerie stepped toward the next door.

"I'll take this one."

Rosaline immediately followed.

"I'm coming with you."

Valerie looked over.

"Why?"

"Because you'll say something ridiculous."

"So will you."

"Exactly."

Adelaide shook her head and chose another room.

Celestine and Evelyn naturally stayed together.

Gwendolyn attached herself to Lavinia's arm.

"I'll go with Lavi."

Lavinia looked at the hand around her wrist.

"...Was there ever another possibility?"

"No."

"I thought so."

The receptionist returned toward the front desk while the vampires divided themselves among the rooms.

Behind them, the lobby remained empty.

No other vampire scent drifted through the entrance.

Not yet.

Gwendolyn leaned close to Lavinia as they approached the final open room.

"Are you excited?"

"A little."

"Me too."

Lavinia looked through the doorway at the neatly arranged blood packets waiting inside.

Her thirst wasn't severe.

None of theirs was.

But now that blood was directly in front of her, its scent clean and unmistakable beneath the sterile smell of the clinic, curiosity sharpened into something far more immediate.

She smiled.

"Let's see what all the trouble is about."