Empire of Lead Story Excerpt

Piece from a vampire novel. Ancient Master is teaching her new recruit:


“While senior vampires have a vast physical superiority over low-levels, they rarely fight each other through such crude means. Our methods are far more sophisticated."
"How do older vampires fight?" said Link, curious.
"I don't think you're quite ready to learn that, yet," said Delta, raising an eyebrow. Then she frowned, looking thoughtful. "Though I should give you a sample, so you might recognize our methods in the unlikely event of encountering a senior without me. As well, so you will know how much you have yet to learn."
She stood, smiling. Relaxed, at ease, in no way threatening. Yet Link shuddered. There was something stirring, something undetectable to normal senses, though its effects were definitely apparent. A feeling of pressure built. Sound and sight became distorted, the former developing major wow and flutter while the latter now had a significant astigmatism. Link heard a burst of wavering music, as if a child were playing with an old-fashioned record turntable. He began to sway on his feet. The last thing he noticed was the color drain from the world as eyes opened all around, staring at him...
"I appear to have overdone it," said Lady Delta. "You will be fine, though."
Link was on his bed, with his master sitting at ease nearby. He sat up.
"What...?"
"Tell me what you experienced."
Link did so, actually feeling a bit nauseous as he remembered.
"Interesting," said Delta, looking off in the distance and thoughtfully stroking the line of her jaw with an index finger. "I suppose you simply don't have the... framework of experience to properly perceive what actually happened."
She bid him good evening, rose and left.