“Crap!” Glancing at the clock standing nearby, he saw that it was already six and he still had to get ready for the dance. “Damn it!” he said, cursing himself for falling asleep.
He seen a note on the door.
Went to the dance. Your father and I didn’t want to wake you. Hope to see you there. Love ma.
Crumbling the paper, he threw it away, slipped on his boots and hurried out the door.
Sprinting through the field, he tripped on a fallen tree trunk, fell to his knees and forcefully kicked it away as he recovered himself and rose to his feet. Nearby, he heard feminine laughter. He looked around, feeling self-conscious but saw no one.
“For Pete’s sake,” he mumbled under his breath. It had not started out as a good night and he thought about going home.
Instead, he continued, ignoring the laughter that seemed to echo around him.
“Ruben… Ruben…” Glancing left and right, he saw nothing. He thought that perhaps the well water was bad and tried to block the sound out. Then a beautiful blonde woman stood in front of him. She wore a long, white dress, hair cascading down her back. Startled, he stood there. She drew closer and he felt as if his heart would pound out of his chest.
“Hello Ruben,” she said softly, in an angelic voice.
“Hello ma’am…” He said, taking off his hat.
She stood blocking his path, smiling.
“Ma’am… Do you need help?” He asked politely.
Her grin grew wider. “Indeed, I do,” she said, grabbing his hand and placing it on her breast.
He pulled away. “I--I’m sorry ma’am.”
She laughed. “Old fashioned, I see.” Walking around him, she tickled his back with her fingers, causing him to shiver.
“If you don’t mind me asking ma’am… How do you know my name?”
Standing in front of him once again, she shrugged, “I guessed.”
“What do you need help with? Not to be rude ma’am but I’m on my way to a dance, I’m limited on time.”
“A dance, huh?”
He nodded trying hard not to stare.
“What if I told you, you don’t need to go?”
He cleared his throat, “Ma’am?”
She moved closer, placing a hand on his chest. “Such a strong man. Yes you will do.”
He tensed, unsure about the situation.
“What if I told you what you want at the dance is right here?”
“Uh… How do you mean?”
“Well, you want a wife. Yes?”
Feeling his face grow warm, he wondered how the woman knew so much about him. “Yes, but how--?”
She placed a finger on his lips. “Shh… no more talking cowboy, you’ll get your wish.” She brushed her lips against his and stared into his eyes. “You’ll thank me for this. Your life is too boring to continue this way.”
Jerking his head to one side, she bit into his neck. His vision blurred and he dropped to the ground with a tugging sensation at his neck. Jerking as if he’d been bitten by a rattlesnake and the venom had taken hold. Around him the night disappeared.
Sydney, Ruben's new wife, eventually told him why she had changed him. Loneliness had beset her and she needed protection. She had abandoned the man who had created her years prior, because he was obsessed with blood and terrorizing humans. She knew if he ever found her by herself, he would destroy her.
Eternal life and special abilities were not a bad deal. But the bonus was his wife. He adored Sydney and not long after their union, she gave birth to a child they named Samone. Samone grew to be a beautiful young woman. She took after her mother in appearance and was intelligent.
On Samone’s nineteenth birthday she begged her parents to let her go on a hunt alone. Though initially against it, they finally gave in to her pleas, urging her to stay close and return quickly. She agreed and set off to find prey.
Fifteen miles East of their home, Samone caught scent of a human. She scanned the woods, setting her eyes on her game. A middle-aged man hunting alone.
Attacking, she set her fangs into his neck. When she was nearly done feeding, she heard movement around her. The scent was not human. Standing, she locked eyes with a man. He looked down at her lunch and grimaced, repulsed. The man stepped back and thinking he was going to attack her she reacted. Midair as she launched at him, the man’s body dropped to the ground and something like mist went into her body. His spirit was now inside of hers, their spirits intertwined in ecstasy, a spiritual lovemaking occurred within seconds and he was quickly back on his feet.
Stunned at this awkward greeting, she fell to her knees trembling. He went to her, kneeling down, they locked eyes and knew they were destined to be together.
Maurice and Samone ran into the forest, now inseparable. After a few days of bliss, Samone became ill. Her stomach grew and she was unable to walk.
Within five months Samone had birthed a boy child, they named Stephen. They loved him but were afraid what others would think if they saw a half breed and decided to get as far away as they could to protect their new son. They settled in a remote area just off the Red Sea called Tihama. Until they were discovered…
Chapter Four
The first sign of evil
Hundreds of years had passed since the butterfly woman disappeared, and life was good. Shifters were marrying, celebrating, enjoying eternal happiness until one day one of their own went missing. After days went by and Maurice didn’t show the village became worried. No one had gone off by themselves without returning from a hunting trip. Weeks went by and still no Maurice. The village called a meeting to decide who would search for him and decided to give him more time, in case he wanted to be alone for awhile. Soon, weeks turned into months and they decided Maurice’s family would conduct the search.
Days went by without word from the family, so the people decided to hold a spiritual wake to see what could be seen. They were shown the lurking souls, murdered by vampires and Maurice. Their hearts cried and grew cold as they saw the tragedy unfold before them.
Hunting, Maurice was further from his tracking territory than usual. He set his eyes on a parasite. Leaping into the vampire’s body, they mated. A half-breed created: spiritual shape-shifter and vampire. A monstrosity.
When his family found them, they were surrounded by other vampires as well. Attempting to rid the world of the child, Maurice and his new family killed them. But not before they got a hold of the girl who had Maurice under her spell. They ripped the girl demon to pieces. But the child still lived.
After the wake, the shifters began preparing for war. They split into groups and scouted areas vampires liked to hide out, destroying as many as possible.
They needed help. To repopulate for a chance to destroy all vampires, so they called a meeting with the leader Therous. A tall, skinny man who’s demeanor always seemed angry. He agreed that this was the best plan, and wanted total domination over the vampires.
His plan for retaliation spread through the village like a disease. To raise children to hate vampires and the new half-breed. Training the youth to fight, they taught them that their sole purpose was to destroy the abomination.
Chapter Five
Daniel
Remembering back to my transition from child to adulthood being told stories of how the gem works. I was in shock to realize the gem would either kill me or keep me alive.
I had plenty of time to agonize over this horrible fate that was mine to bear. The thoughts invading my mind were torture. Could I not choose my own mate? I have to stick with what’s given me without question?
Would it be selfish to choose who I wanted to be with forever? If I were to keep my gem alive and well, it should be acceptable for me to find the perfect mate. And should I want to procreate with her and put her or myself in danger, at least that is a choice. I doubt she would want that considering the chances of survival.
I knew this problem could be dealt with. Find the gem, bring her home and let everyone see I have
her. Then go on with my life without interference.
It’s not as if I would marry a human girl I hate. Hate, already without knowing her. Her being the main cause of this unnecessary training and immunity to human blood--my one true love.
We were raised to not drink from humans, but I did not always follow the rules. My past incidents were nothing to boast about. When they did occur, I did not feel compelled to stop. I fight with myself on occasion to do what’s right, but there are times when I don’t care. There are consequences for drinking from humans. Torture, and sometimes banishment. Which was why I tried to stay away from scents that compelled me to let the monster out. Times I did feast on a human, it was never reported and I’d always managed to cover my tracks.
My sister Celeste was lucky. She does not have a gem. Females have it easy. They pick who they want to be with. If she picks anyone at all, she has only two choices, vampire or human. She envies Ill-suen men because she thinks it's love at first sight, accompanied by the romance and fireworks she longs for. It’s all because of the stories she’s heard, some true perhaps.
Maybe in ten years I will change my mind and want this. Ten years left to live and enjoy freedom then my time for fun is up. Ten years to try to be good and not thirst for my desires.
My true love will be gone forever never to return.
Chapter Six
Daniel
“So, what do you think sis? Can we pull it off?”
I’ve been trying to convince her for awhile to take this journey with me, so I wouldn’t die of boredom.
“Father would kill me, Daniel. Plus you need time to think. Alone.”
The conversation wasn’t going in the direction I wanted it to go. “What’s there to think about? The hatred I have? It would be best if you came, so I won't have time to dwell on the anger. You would be able to stop me from killing her, you know it’s true.”
Annoyingly, she rolled her eyes. “Give yourself more credit. You're not going to kill her. You’ve had plenty of time for the immunity to kick in.”
“The slip ups?” I asked looking down, embarrassed. She smacked me on the side of my head.
“Shut up and just suck it up,” she hissed.
“Fine but if I don’t come back, you will have my death on your hands, knowing you could have saved me.”
A slight growl issued from her. I chuckled at the thought of maybe winning this argument.
“I’ll go to father if you don’t think you can handle this on your own. Grow up. You’re a hundred and ten and acting like a child,” she accused.
“Guess not,” I mumbled under my breath, knowing that once father got involved, there was no winning.
I tried to think of a clever response. “I’m really only eighteen if you count this,” I said, gesturing and pointing with both fingers in toward my body.
“Your body doesn’t age, Brother, but your mind should. Act your freaking age.”
She did have a point, but I couldn’t help but continue my charade. “So act my age huh?” I said sarcastically, hunching over and shuffling around, as if walking with a cane.
She busted out with a loud laugh. “Your vampire age, dumb ass,” She squealed, before a loud knock sounded at the door, startling us.
We knew who was behind it and put on our serious faces, hiding our smiles. I sauntered to the door, sighing before opening it. “Father,” I addressed him.
“I assume you’ve managed to set things in order for your journey.” he asked, remaining in the doorway.
I nodded. “I have things in order Father.”
“Good. Then you wouldn’t mind following me to the study hall,” he said, turning away.
The study hall, as he calls it, is a huge room with a million books. He assumes we sit there and study the human world all day, everyday, which in most cases, good Ill-suen do.
“Sure.” I glanced back at my sister lifting an eyebrow and half smiled.
She giggled under her breath.
“Is there a problem?” My father shot a glare back at me.
I cupped my mouth, realizing what my sister said wasn’t far off. I was acting like a child. “Not at all. I’m following.” I announced, deciding not to act like an adolescent.
Excited about my journey, my stomach churned, legs had turned to rubber, as if they would buckle under me. I figured it was the thought of leaving for awhile that was getting to me. I tried to pull myself together.
My father frowned, brows knit. “I know the feeling son.”
That’s the reason I hate being around my father for longer then a few minutes. He knows what I feel. A humbling experience, depending on what my feelings are at the time. “It’s not what you think, Father. It’s just--”
Smiling, he shook his head. As we walked to the east wing of the castle, I glanced over his shoulder at the sparring room for children. Remembering when I was that age was almost bittersweet. I was going to miss the fun I had here. The only place I called home. The only place that will ever be home, I was leaving and it was depressing.
Whenever I enter the library, I'm reminded of my younger self. Studying with Celeste and too young to appreciate the knowledge and wisdom surrounding us. Dark walls rise into the third story ceiling, lined with books, aged by time. A spiral staircase leading to the second and third level of the library retains the musky smell of cherry.
Father guided me to the second level, into the antechamber, hidden behind a bookcase. There, in the middle of the room was a large desk with a leather suit case, already opened. As we approached, he began explaining items I was to take with me that occupied the case. “Passports, cash, drivers licenses, credit cards. If you are going to need more cash I can wire it to you, but I think you have enough here with the credit cards.”
“I was under the impression I wouldn’t need this much stuff, I won't be gone that long.”
“You know the drill. Do I have to remind you how long this journey could take?”
“Not as long as you think,” I mumbled under my breath.
He ignored the comment. “You have a few days before you leave. Is there anything you wish before you leave that I can help with?” His formality annoyed me.
I thought of something I wanted, only he could provide. Sensing his reaction, hot anger rose in me.
“You know I cannot allow that. You must save yourself for your gem.”
“I know. The gem. Blah. blah. blah,” I mumbled. I hung my head in defeat, still trying to think of something to say to make him change his mind.
“There’s no point. It will not happen!”
I rolled my eyes. I haven’t been able to act on these new desires, and it was killing me. Only recently did I start feeling the need for love and sex, when before I had never thought about them. The thought has been occurring to me these past few months that I should take a vampire wife of my own. When I returned, I figured I would do just that. There’s no law against wanting more than my gem.
My father slapped me back to reality with a nice big pat to the back almost knocking me into the wall. Instinctively, I flashed my teeth but quickly withdrew knowing that was a losing battle. “Go, have some fun before you leave, but stick to the plan. Don’t give into temptations.” He looked at me as if he already knew my thoughts before I did. I walked away aggravated.
I’ve had many years to study, experience life to some degree, and acquire some wisdom. I have talents and abilities I cannot use except in private, for fear of humans noticing our kind. Even when I went to school among humans I was not able to compete in sports, or music, because father was afraid I would excel beyond human capacity--slip up—and someone would notice.
If it wasn’t for nature and privacy of our woods, I would have gone insane. I always felt better when night came, because then I could roam in the wilderness on my own.
My first human kill occurred at Saps Natural Falls. It was a bright sunny day and I was hungry. When I began hunting deer, I heard a woman and child coming down the hill. Hiding beh
ind some trees I saw a woman yelling at a child.
As I listened to her thoughts, her intent was to kill the child. I decided to act on not only my want for the woman's blood, but as her daughter's savior.
Walking toward the river, the woman grabbed the child by the back of the neck, forcing her to her knees. Unable to watch any longer, my anger grew uncontrollable. I ran down the hill and behind the woman. Grabbing her by the back of her neck she released the little girl and started yelling for help. I looked into the woman's eyes and asked, "Why?"
She looked down at her feet, sobbing, unable to respond.
My glance fell to the frightened child, “Whats your name?” I asked.
“Haley,” She replied.
"Haley, your mother and I need to talk.” I pointed to the hill behind her, “Would you mind going up to that hill and waiting until we're done?"
She nodded and I watched her run up the hill until she was out of sight. Returning my attention to the woman, I forced her to her knees.
"So, this is what you were going to do?!"
Forcing her head into the water, I wanted to show her what it was like to be deprived of life.
She struggled and I finally pulled her up, knocked her to the bank, unconscious. Standing above her helpless form, instinct kicked in, I drank deeply. I drank until I could no longer hear a heart beat. I placed her into the water and watched her float downstream. Staggering back, I let my body fall to the ground and closed my eyes. Moments later, I opened my eyes and the girl was standing above me. Sitting up, she kneeled next to me. I placed my hand on the back of her head erasing the memories of that day. Heading home I knew I would face the wrath of my father. I had adopted a human child.
My flashback was interrupted as I had a misstep with the stairs.
My thoughts continued as I made my way to the bedroom, the little monkey on my left shoulder was giving me ideas, and the one on the right—a voice so soft I barley heard it, said, “I’m better than this.”
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