AtoZ Day 20: T is for Thrall, Tlahuelpuchi, The Twins Effect

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Thrall

A thrall is a vampires servant, so called because they are enthralled by their master.

Ludwig is a good example from Dracula: Prince of Darkness. He is perfectly harmless, a creator of beautiful books, until he comes under Dracula's influence, at which point he becomes his minion.

Many vampires are said to have mesmeric powers as a way to trap their prey. We used to have a cat who could stare at a bird and make it walk off a branch into his waiting paws, but I'm pretty sure he wasn't a vampire.

The idea that the will can be taken away is frightening and yet also freeing. Thralls are subject to the will of their masters so they are not responsible for what they do.

Is there a vampire you wouldn't mind being a thrall to?

Creature Feature:

Tlahuelpuchi

This is a vampire from East-Central Mexico and is rather a sad case because it is the victim of a curse. This vampire is not turned it is born this way and cannot do anything about it. They don't even find out what they are until puberty. (Wikipedia)

Examiner.com expands on this saying the vampire lives with its family and must be protected and cannot be killed by a member of that family or the curse will continue to the next generation.

According to Haunted Curiosities these mostly female vampires are the epitome of evil. Once they come into their powers at puberty they have an insatiable thirst for human blood and they can shapechange into animals.

Garlic onions and metal will repel this vampire and they can be killed by chopping off their head with a metal blade.

Movie Recommendation:

Title: The Twins Effect (aka Vampire Effect)
Rating: 15
Summary: Prince Kazaf is the last of the European vampires who are being hunted down by a rival vampire duke who wants their power. Kazaf relocated to Hong Kong where he meets and falls in love with Helen. What he doesn't realise is Helen's sister, Gypsy, and Gypsy's mentor are vampire hunters. With everything in the mix it's going to complicated.
Why you should watch this: It's fun and entertaining. It's a film out of Hong Kong so it has kick arse martial arts and it definitely has its tongue in its cheek at points. Definitely never going to win points for depth, but it is worth watching.

Gloves Off 

(#20 in The Diverse Life of Ianthe Jawara, Vampire)

by Natasha Duncan-Drake

Ianthe was no longer in a mood to play games. She had thought she wasn't before, but now she was furious. Her stalker knew things about her that could only have come from the supernatural community. Someone was selling her out and she was pretty sure she knew who.

Ren let her in without argument and gave her an obsequious little head nod as she marched into his cellar. Lilith stopped by the door, guarding it as if she knew exactly what Ianthe had in mind. Ren clearly noticed, however, he wasn't expecting it when she grabbed him by the front of his grubby shirt and pulled him towards her.

"Look into my eyes, Ren," she commanded.

His face filled with shock.

"You can't ... it's not allowed ... you ..."

Ren tried to look away, but it was too late.

Ianthe did not like mindless puppets and this was the first time she had ever used the power she knew she had.

"You are mine, little man," she said and let the vampiric energy in her veins flow towards the surface.

She had seen Alex do this; she knew her eyes would be glowing bright red and, for once, she wished she could see herself. It was child's play to invade Ren's mind and push his will down deep. She didn't snap it, even though she knew she could have; she didn't want Ren as a slave forever.

"I am yours," Ren repeated dutifully.

This was why vampires of certain bloodlines were feared. They were strong in body, but they were stronger in mind. Very few supernatural creatures could stand against those with such dominant powers of the mind.

"Tell me the truth, Ren," she commanded, "you are helping this hunter."

"Yes," Ren replied, his expression blank and his voice lifeless.

He was in her thrall and she could have ordered him to kill himself if she had wanted.

"Why?"

"He pays well and I don't like you," Ren replied simply.

She almost laughed.

"What have you given him?"

"Weapons and information about your habits and where you live," Ren admitted without hesitation.

"How did he get into my house?"

"I drugged your cleaner in the pub, copied her key and made her tell me the routine of the house," Ren explained.

Ianthe had to hold her instincts in check as the need to kill flashed through her. This rat had broken the first rule of the supernatural community in selling out to a human and he had allowed the priest to invade her home. The vampire in her saw it as a very simple solution; kill until there was no danger left. Luckily for Ren the part of her that retained human decency was in control.

"I should rip your throat out," she hissed at him, baring her fangs and letting her control of his mind drop.

He screamed and stepped backwards crashing into his work table. The smell of urine filled the air and she realised he'd wet himself.

"If you want to live you will tell me every detail you gave the priest," she said, her tone as cold as ice. "I will know if you are lying."

Now she had been in his mind that was perfectly true and Ren whimpered, but he nodded.

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A few of us discovered that we all had supernatural themes for the AtoZ so we got together and did a mini list. If you also have a supernatural theme (ghosts, monsters, witches, spells etc), please feel free to add yourself to the list.

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