The mansion was quite possibly the largest house that she had ever seen. A giant stone fence surrounded it with tall black metal gate for an entrance. Trees, a fish pond, and a flower garden were just some of the items found within the gigantic yard. Of course, she hadn’t gone inside yet, as the gates were shut. She could see light coming from several windows from previous experiences with elders, she knew many vampires kept human pets. Some were promised to one day become vampires, even though they never would. Still others, fell to the temptation of pleasure that an elder used to control them. It didn’t take much, hell, Kailin could do it as a fresh. But the elders had the ability to send a person into a pleasurable state with a mere thought. It was like a drug, and the humans would be addicted to it very quickly.
  She had been amazed that she found in given that Kristian’s directions had confused her. The strong winds pushed against her hooded cloak in the moonless, starless night. Kristian had told her to dress feminine much like her days as a duchess. She didn’t have anything but the cloak, and a black dress that cut off at her knees. Deciding it would be simple enough she put it on, besides she wasn’t planning on taking the cloak off anyway.
  Next to the metal gate was a speaker box, and she pressed the button. In the distance, she could a buzz echo within the house.
  “What?” A deep voice asked.
  “My name is Madam Caitlyn Bramwell, I wish to speak with Lord Tzion.” She said, her voice was being pushed away by the wind.
  The gentlemen on the other end seemed to catch the majority of it. “Lord Tzion doesn’t wish to be disturbed.”
  “It’s vital that I speak with him.”
  “Go away.” He snapped.
  “Hello?” Kailin looked into the speaker, and then looked at the tall metal gate. There were spikes-like protrusions at the top, but she decided to risk it, once she knew the man wouldn’t answer her back.
  Landing on the other side, she realized that Tzion was blocking the sight of vampires within his mansion walls. It was a precaution used by the more paranoid elder vampires, not that Kailin had ever run across one before. All she had to navigate by was the lights of the windows in the distance.
  She was surprised at the lack of guards in the area. Of course, Tzion wasn’t too scared of human burglars and not many vampires would try to break into an elder’s home, except Kailin. She was determined to speak with him, Gabrielle had been in pain for too long.
  As she approached the front door, she could make out a guard near it. He stood perfectly still, seeming to be unaffected that she was coming towards him. The man was tall and muscular with a black uniform on, but no weapons. He was not a vampire, she could sense that right away.
  “I was not told anyone was let in. Who are you?” He asked when she was close enough, the wind howled over his voice.
  “Tell Lord Tzion, that Madam Caitlyn Bramwell asks for his audience.”
  “Lord Tzion is very busy and…”
  Kailin’s teeth emerged as she turned to him, “Go now, or when I do speak to him I will explain why I destroyed you.” She was becoming irritated.
  The guard now gave her the decency to look shocked. He went up the stairs to the front door and opened it. Sticking his head in, she heard him mumble something to someone inside and then he shut the door. He made his way back down the steps and back to his position next to the stairway. “Wait out here.” He pointed to the ground in front of him.
  Her eyes went to the door and remained there as she waited to be approved for entry. The wind continued to blow harshly on the two of them, but the guard was use to standing in such weather. Kailin would bet that he had been in the snow and the rain before, the wind was probably the lesser of the evils.
  Time seemed to halt then and what was a couple of hours seemed to be centuries. The guard gave her irritated looks several times during her first half hour, but after that he grew tired of his own anger. Kailin eventually took a seat on the steps, despite the objective stares the guard gave her.
  Finally, she heard the door open, and she stood to look at the small man who exited the house. He was young, no older then seventeen with red hair and freckles. “Madam Caitlyn Bramwell?” He asked her, and bowed respectfully.
  When he stepped aside to let her in, she walked in with the dignity and grace a duchess should always have.
  Shutting out the cold wind, he smiled, but did not look her directly in the eyes. “Lord Tzion will see you now. Please, follow me.”
  She marched behind him down several halls, before he finally opened a door, “Wait in here.”
  Kailin gave him a nod and entered the room, as soon as she was within it, the door slammed shut behind her. She pulled the hood off her cloak revealing the French braid in her hair, and stood in the center of the room. Turning her attention away from the now shut door, she began to examine the room. Everything she had seen of the mansion seemed so old, and well organized. It was like being in a museum, even as she looked around the bedroom, she felt that she shouldn’t touch anything.
  The large canopy bed stood on a platform, and on each side was two dark red velvet couches. A dresser and a armoire stood across the room from one another, a dark wood, polish floor laid beneath her feet. Closer to the door was a fireplace with another dark red couch, and a large rug in front of the fire. What interested her the most, however, was to the left of the fireplace. A small heated sitting pool in the corner that caught her attention the most. It was a bit peculiar for a Hallowed to bath or even just wade in water.
  She took a deep sigh, this must be Tzion’s bedroom. It was a strange place to invite a guest into, but it was no time to linger on that. Her mind racked with ways to bring up Gabrielle, she needed the right words to say to him. She couldn’t just ask him right away, after all that would upset him, but she couldn’t waste time with small talk either.
  Suddenly she saw two hands came over her shoulders and unbuttoned her cloak at her neck, removing it. She turned around to find Tzion placing her cloak on the edge of the bed. He looked her over for a moment in her knee length black dress, black high heels, and French braid. His clothes were much of the same as the last she saw him, a black suit jacket and slacks with a beige shirt underneath.
  “Madam Bramwell, your presence here greatly pleases me. I didn’t expect to see you until the convention, which was far to long away anyway. What do I owe this pleasure?”
  Her mind went over all the possibilities that she had to begin the conversation, but then she decided on directness. He would appreciate that she got to the point, after all he was a busy man. “My friend, Gab…”
  “Yes, Gabrielle, I heard she is very ill.”
  “Yes, that is true.” She felt nervous, she hadn’t felt that feeling in a long time. It took it’s toll on her ability to speak clearly, and she found herself unable to control the speed she talked. “We were attacked by some of unnatural hunters and although they didn’t kill her they nicked her heart. As you know a Pyrrhonian can heal everything rapidly, but they can not heal their heart. She is still alive only because I hunt constantly.”
  Tzion walked over to the stand and poured himself some water into a wine glass, “Would you care for some?”
  “No, thank you.” She said, but took the glass from him anyway, “You see, Kristian told me about a scroll he read where a Bowery was injured and dying and a Hallowed Elder…”
  “Ah, I knew there was a point to your story. You have come to ask me to allow Gabrielle to feed on my blood.” He said, and then poured himself another glass of water.
  “Oh, no. I would not ask that of you. I simply wanted to ask for a small amount so that her heart could heal and she could heal the rest herself. We don’t need her to heal right away like the Bowery, just the heart.” She was unable to stop her annoying rambling..
  He looked at her for a moment, took a drink of water then set it down. Kailin found his mannerisms, his voice, and the way he moved alluring. He walked over to her and smelt her hair, then walked behind her.
  She could still see him in the mirror that was placed in front of her.
  “What Kristian told you was true.” He said, standing behind her.
  Kailin became more nervous, and lost her words. She didn’t understand it, at the party she was perfectly normally around the man. Now, he made her nervous?
  “I was assigned to you when you first created the Mephis. I have followed you everywhere you have gone. I have always been there, with or without your knowledge.” He ran the back of his hand down her cheek, “There are many vampires assigned just to watch over you. I am sure that you have met Mathias by now.”
  Kailin nodded, and tried to look over her shoulder at him. He moved out of sight, and she returned her gaze to the mirror.
  “He has followed you, since you were a mere baby in your mother’s arms.” He went silent for a moment, “Did you know that each vampire keeps one thing that they had as a human?” He watched her nod again, “Most vampires consider it a weakness, and most of the time it is. From studying you so intently, I know what your weakness is.”
  “Do you?” Kailin became herself again with those words, but soon returned to her cowering state once he began to speak again.
  “Yes, you wish to be wanted. Oh, you put on a good show for the other vampires and those who do not know you. You seem to solid, emotionless, and strong, but I know. I have seen everything and I know everything from Nathaniel to Lucas.” He turned her around to look into his eyes. “Humans, besides the Pyrrhonian, you have always chosen a humans as your companions . Another weakness perhaps? You desire to be the strong one, the controller, maybe?”
  “What is your weakness, Tzion?”
  He grinned and walked to the small pool, placing his hand in the water and letting it drain off, “I had my emotions, but I tossed them away after a few centuries.” he turned to her.
  “Will you help me with Gabrielle?” She asked, deciding that they were getting off track.
  He walked back over, “Perhaps, if you do me a favor.”
  “What kind of favor?”
  “I am a stronger being then yourself, someone that you don’t have to take care of. Someone who has survived eons and could very well survive you. Someone that will not die on you.”
  Kailin rose her eyebrow, “What are you talking about?”
  He smiled, “Don’t you think its time that you gave up your silly hate for your own species? I could teach you, Caitlyn. Everything that you don’t know about us, all of your questions answered. I could be your master.”
  “I am over two hundred, I no longer require a master.”
  Tzion grinned, “You run highly on your emotions. Hallowed must use their minds to control those around them. You are strong against the Mephis, but weak against all else. I could kill you within the next moments, and you wouldn’t have a chance against me.”
  She swallowed, silence for a moment took place, until she asked again, “Will you help me with Gabrielle?”
  “Are you saying that if I help you with Gabrielle, you will submit to me?”
  “I am asking if you will help.”
  He nodded, “I will aid you, whether you choose to or not.”
  He walked over to a cabinet and pulled a vile from it. Using his nail he cut his wrist and drained some blood into it, then placed a cork into the opening. He turned back to her and smiled.
  “See, here it is.” He pointed to the vile on the dresser.
  “Thank you.” she walked towards it, holding out her hand to grab it.
  Tzion’s hand shot up and grabbed her wrist. “You do not have much experience with other vampires, do you?”
  She didn’t answer him, nor she did pull her arm away.
  “If I do you a favor, you must assist me.” He looked at the vile and then back to Kailin, “I just offered you my precious blood, I must replenish it to keep me strong.”
  “Then I better take the vile, and leave you to hunt.” She tried to pull her arm away, but he kept a firm grip.
  “I do not hunt anymore, my meals are brought to me. And as for your favor, I believe I know exactly what can be done as payment.”
  The old memory of her heart beating strongly in her chest came to mind with the fear. She could clearly see Tzion’s teeth, and she shivered at the thought of being bitten again.
  “I…I am in a hurry, perhaps another time.” Kailin whined.
  Tzion’s other hand touched her waist and pulled him towards her. The hand that had been holding her wrist, let go and wrapped around her shoulders. He ran his exposed teeth over her neck, “Shhh, small one, do not fear me. I shall never cause you harm. Allow this to be a new experience in your short life thus far.”
  His mouth opened and his tongue flicked against her skin. Kailin realized how horrified she was of this man. At first, he was alluring, but now at the very moment that she was so terrified of him that she wanted nothing more then to scream and flee. Her eyes on the vile of blood, and the memory of Gabrielle laying in the blood soaked bed, was the only thing that kept her within his grasp.
  It was a few moments as his tongue ran gently over her neck, that she settled into the moment. But fear ran high again, as she felt his teeth sank slowly into her neck, she could feel the slow penetration. It was painful, as the teeth were removed from the wound, and he began to slowly suckle on her neck. She pushed against his chest trying to escape him, but his hold was to strong. When she was finished fighting, her hands slipped around his waist and she dug her fingers deeply into his back, ripping holes into his shirt and his skin. It was to painful to even scream, all she could manage was gasps. Then suddenly it transformed into an immeasurable pleasure, her hands dropped to her side and she went limp in his arms.
  He gently licked the wound, then pulled his mouth away from her neck. “Now, we share, Caitlyn.”
  His words made a strange echo within her mind, but she understood what he wanted. It was time for her to feed from him, and as she managed to stand on her own. He revealed his neck to her. Kailin was never the kind to look at anyone as food, or to have a desire to tear into anyone’s flesh. She did it to survive, but now she felt it the vampiric urge to tear into Tzion’s neck and feast on his blood.
  His blood was the sweetest she had ever tasted, and as she suckled she felt him growing faint. Her arms wrapped around him to hold him up, and she could hear him beg her to stop. She couldn’t, she wouldn’t. She continued to drink as the flood of memories entered her mind. Much of his life was now her own, and as she heard his moans turn from pain to pleasure, she suddenly felt weak herself. When she removed her mouth from his neck, she looked at him only for a moment, before the world went black around her.

  Slowly her eyes opened, she found herself under the soft down blanket. She pushed it off her and sat up, placing her feet on the ground. For a moment, she forgot where she was and what had happened. When she remembered she felt both embarrassed and angry that she had been tricked by the elder, but that didn’t matter right now. Gabrielle needed that blood, and as she stood up, she looked out at the sun that was shining through the window. How long had she been asleep? The act of turning her head to look out the window, reminded her of the pain her neck now had. She placed her fingers on the wounds that were still open on her neck. It was impossible that they hadn’t healed by now. She went to look in the mirror, and her touch was proven true. They hadn’t healed like her wounds should have, they weren‘t bleeding anymore, but that had actually scabbed over some. The last time she had a scab was as a human.
  “Those will take some time.” Tzion’s deep voice said.
  She flipped around a little surprised and found him sitting in the small pool.
  “As an Elder, I am much stronger of the mind and body then you are. Therefore, my wounds are much harder for your own body to deal with. But do not worry, when you finally become what I am they will heal immediately like they should.”
  “I am not worried, as it won’t happen again.” She looked at the dresser where the vial of blood was, it was gone. Her eyes flew over the top of it checking the area, then shot back to Tzion.
  “Do not worry, it was old and had lost it healing properties if you will. Before you go, I will give you another one.”
  “I must leave now, Gabrielle doesn’t have much time.”
  He stepped out of the pool, grabbing a dark red robe that hung from the wall. As he tied the belt, he walked towards her. When he was within reach, he rubbed her cheek, “Have you made a decision?”
  “I need that blood vial, Lord Tzion.”
  He nodded, and then took her right hand, he pressed the vial into it. “Succumb to me, Caitlyn, and learn your true strengths.” He walked towards the door slowly and when he got to it, he turned his head and gave a grin, “Be careful around Mathias, Caitlyn, he is not to be trusted. Perhaps, one day I shall tell you why.” He said, before vanishing down the hallway.
  Once she was sure he was gone, and wouldn’t be in the hallway. She grabbed her cloak and tied it back on. Her shoes were off, and she searched everywhere for them. They weren’t under the bed or in the closet, she finally decided that Tzion must have some sick shoe fetish and gave up the search. She ran down the hallway, stopping only once to pick up the vial after it slipped from her finger tips. She was afraid, her mind wasn’t right, and her strength felt reduced greatly. It was her normal strength, but last night she had become stronger and more powerful for a few moments. It was something she wanted to feel again, but knew that it was wrong.
  She knew that blood exchanges between a elder and fresh were forbidden. No one had ever told it why it was, but she was sure that it did something damaging. After all an elder was much stronger then a fresh, perhaps she could of died. The front door appeared in front of her, and she felt relief for the first time since she arrived.
  She soon found herself out in the yard and running through the lawn, she stopped at gate that opened as she approached. Shrugging, she walked out, happy that she didn’t have to leap over it. The wind blew slightly, but not nearly as harshly as it had done the night before. She was worried that she wouldn’t get the vial to Gabrielle soon enough.
  She couldn’t leap from building to building in broad day light, and would have to walk close enough to the city to hail a cab. Her bare feet made plopping sounds as they hit the cold concrete of the sidewalk. As she reached the edge of Tzion’s estate, there was a tree near the corner of the stone fence. It wasn’t until she past it that she realized that it was hiding the large figure of her shadow stalker. His hand shot out and grabbed her arm.
  “What were you doing in there?” Mathias asked, his hair was a mess probably from standing in the wind all night.
  She took a moment to swallow her heart back down, and then pulled her arm from his grasp. “God damn it, you scared me.” She snapped.
  Mathias tried to hide his grin, as she collected herself.
  “What the hell are you doing hiding behind trees for?”
  “I was waiting for you to come out of there. What were you doing?”
  “What business is it of yours? Didn’t I tell you to leave me alone?” Kailin reached for the hood of her cloak and lifted it over her head. She didn’t want Mathias to see the bite marks, but unfortunately the action brought his attention to them.
  “What’s that?” He went to grab her hood, but she jerked away.
  He grabbed her arm again, and with his other hand went to pull the hood down, but Kailin yanked away. She made her own hood fall behind her, but he still couldn’t see from the collar. She continued to jerk away from him, until he let go of her arm. About to run away, he grabbed her hair and yanked her closer to him. He pushed the collar down some to reveal the two large scabs on her neck.
  Mathias pushed her away, “Tell me that was not from Tzion.”
  Kailin touched the wounds on her neck, she had almost run away, but decided to stand and fight him if need be.
  “Kailin, tell me that you and Tzion didn’t have a blood exchange!”
  “It doesn’t matter, I’ll forget everything once I feed again. Besides, I need his blood for Gabrielle.” She was sure that he didn’t understand what had occurred or that Gabrielle was injured, but she spoke to him like he did.
  “The knowledge, the memories, they are only temporary if you aren’t Hallowed. That is why it’s forbidden, it’s too much power and knowledge for a fresh. You must earn it over time.” Mathias’ words were full of anger.
  “I don’t have time for this, I need to get back to Gabrielle.” Kailin barked, and started heading down the street.
  Mathias ran up beside her, and grabbed her upper arm, “Kailin, listen to me. Stay away from Tzion, he isn’t to be trusted.”
  “That’s funny, he said the same thing about you.”
  She went to pull her arm away again, but he kept a firm grip. As an elder he was many times stronger then she was. “Tzion is my master, I know many things about him that I am not permitted to share with you. However, I can say that he means to use you for his own devices.”
  “I need to get this blood to Gabrielle.” She said, he was lying, she knew he was. There was no reason for Tzion to use her, besides she didn’t have any desire or need to ever see the man again.
  Mathias let her go, and she began to run down the street. “You could of asked for my blood, and I wouldn’t of forced you into anything either.”
  Kailin stopped and turned around to look at him, “I wouldn’t even know where to begin looking for you.” She turned around and continued forward.
  “I’m always within hearing range, Kailin!” He yelled out but wasn’t sure if she was listening to him.

  Getting to her apartment building, she went to reach for the front door after she punched in the code. A large hand reached in front of her and opened the door. She looked into Mathias’ eyes, as he stood holding the door open.
  “What do you want now?” She snapped.
  “I need to speak with you.”
  She didn’t say anything just looked at him, waiting for him to back down.
  “And if that blood is stale, then at least you won’t have to go back.”
  Kailin looked at the vial in her hand, and then back up to him. “Fine.” She stepped inside, and headed for the elevator.
  Mathias stayed close behind her.
  As they stepped into the elevator he waited for the doors to close before he began to speak. “There is a lot you don’t understand.”
  “I don’t care.” She snapped.
  “You should, most of it involves you in some form or another.”
  Kailin looked over at the tall man, and then back at the elevator doors. “What do you mean?”
  He grinned, a little pleased that she was now curious. “I will tell you much of it after you help Gabrielle.”
  The elevator doors dinged, and Kailin looked into Misses Kriag’s eyes.
  “There you are, Miss Drake, I’ve been beating on your door all day.”
  Kailin walked past her, “I don’t have time for you right now, old woman.” She snapped, and walked over to her apartment door.
  Misses Kriag’s eyes widen and her mouth dropped open, “How dare you!”
  Kailin ignored her, and Mathias followed her lead. When she got the door opened, she allowed Mathias in before she slammed it shut.
  Kristian walked out of Gabrielle’s bedroom with a look of relief, that turned to anger when he saw Mathias standing near Kailin.
  “What are you doing here, traitor?” Kristian growled.
  “I should of know you were behind this, drone.” Mathias’ voice dripped with hate.
  Kailin didn’t have time for their argument, she shoved pass them and went into Gabrielle’s room.
  “I suppose it was your job to get her to Tzion at any cost.”
  Kristian folded his arms, “There isn’t much time, the Mephis are growing stronger every day, Mathias. You should rejoin your master, he needs your help.”
  He chuckled, “Tzion is no longer my master, and I’ll kill myself before I become one of his slaves again.” They stared at each other for a moment, “Did you know you were sending her to a blood exchange?”
  Kristian looked shocked for a moment, and then looked at the floor, then back up. “It had to be done, it’s for the better good of…”
  “The only one it’s good for is Tzion. He is forcing her to become something she shouldn’t be for a long time.”
  “You know nothing, traitor. You are ignorant…”
  Mathias shook his head, “You follow blindly, when the truth is so clear to see.”
  Kailin stepped out of the bedroom shutting the door. Gabrielle had been asleep, she just lanced the wound with her blood and poured a small amount into her mouth. Hopefully, that would be all she would need.
  Both men stopped arguing and turned to Kailin. “He is a traitor, Kailin. Send him away before he poisons your mind.” Kristian ordered.
  “Kailin, what happened to you at Tzion’s is forbidden. He forced his memories, his life, and even his abilities on you.” Mathias began, “He’s trying to make you stronger before it’s your time.”
  “I made the decision, I had to do it for Gabrielle.” Kailin barked.
  “It’s addictive, you can never go back, Kailin. Blood exchanges make the fresh obsessed with the elder’s blood. By doing that, some who aren’t strong enough in the mind eventually try to kill the elder for their blood. It’s forbidden, and I know you knew it was.”
  Kristian shook his head, “Tzion would never do anything like that to you, Kailin. Whatever he did was for your own good and safety. He’s been trying to help you for a very long time now, he wouldn’t do anything to hurt you.”
  Kailin remained silent for a moment, “Go watch her, Kristian.” She said and pointed at Gabrielle’s door.
  “But…”
  “Do as I say or leave.” She barked, and when he left the room, she looked at Mathias. “I do not believe that Tzion would hurt me, but I feel very strange right now.” She walked over to sit at the kitchen table. “My head is swimming with thoughts that aren’t my own, and for some reason, I know you.”
  He nodded, and walked over to the table. “Tzion knows me, and he gave you some familiarity with me.”
  Kailin put her head into her hands, “I’m tired, I don’t understand.”
  He took a seat, “Let me explain the basics, Kailin. Do you understand what a vampire is?”
  She turned her head to look at him, “What do you mean?”
  “Our bodies are only a container as both humans and vampires. When we receive the blood or saliva that mutates us into a vampire, much more happens then just dying. Our bodies contain two parts, the aura and the soul.”
  “I have heard something like this before.”
  “Tzion knows it, and therefore it should seem familiar to you.” He continued, “The aura contains our memories, our choices, everything that makes us ourselves. But every human has two souls, one created by the Higher Being and a demonic soul. When we begin to turn, our soul is ripped from our bodies and replaced with the demon soul. The aura must be strong enough to control the soul.”
  “Are you saying that even Hallowed have demonic souls?”
  He nodded, “It wouldn’t be possible for a human soul to feed on humans the way we do. And therefore we are all given the ability to turn and have a demon soul. Upon our creation two souls are born, but the demon soul isn’t used until we are turned.”
  “Why does the aura need to control the soul?”
  He cleared his throat, “The soul is powerful, the demonic soul anyway. It is what gives elders their abilities and strengths. But it takes time for the aura to learn to control it, and that is why only after a thousand years do we form the abilities. Both the aura and the soul grow stronger, but if ever the aura were to be weaker then the soul, then the demonic soul would take over. Auras have a positive stance while the soul is negative, and therefore would become violent. A select few have negative auras, but if they do then their soul must be positive. Normally the soul will be the stronger of the two, but when it isn’t in humans you get violent murders. While in vampires you get uncontrollable creatures, like the Mephis.”
  “So I am a demon?”
  He nodded, “In a way, I tell you this because feeding from an elder gives abilities and powers to your soul. You are lucky that you have such a strong aura that the first time, didn’t effect you. But I would be careful, Kailin. Tzion isn’t one to think ahead about such matters. As a prophet he has a negative aura, but a positive demon soul. He has to in order to predict prophecies. As the demon soul paints them, but the aura interprets them.”
  Kailin stood up, “I need to rest, I can’t handle all this right now.”
  Mathias nodded as she walked by, “Would you like me to stay until you awake?”
  “No, and tell Kristian to get the hell out too. Both of you need to stay away from me, and out of my life.” Her attitude changed abruptly, telling Mathias that she was fighting between Tzion’s ways and her own.
  She went into her bedroom, and shut the door. Mathias decided that he wouldn’t leave, he wanted to stay and make sure she would be alright. As soon as he was sure of her safety, he would give his master a visit.

  Kailin awoke from her rest, and sat up in bed. Placing her feet on the ground she looked at the mirror of the sliding closet door. Her sleep had been eventful. Every image was of Tzion, and it seemed the more she pushed him from her mind, the more forceful he would be in the next dream. She was too tired to deal with this, her aura was having to take on the added burden of a stronger soul. Energy that she had once used during life was now being used to control the demonic soul.
  Standing up, she felt the presence of two Hallowed within her house. She frowned, she had told them to leave. Her feet stomped across the floor, and she flung open the door. Mathias was laying on the couch, his arms spread wide across the back of it, with his right foot resting on his left knee.
  “I told you to leave.” She growled.
  He didn’t seem phased but her anger, “I wanted to make sure you were alright.”
  Her eyes went to Gabrielle’s door, when she saw it slowly open. Kristian stepped out, and shut the door behind him. “Gabrielle is feeling better.” He told her, trying to remove the venomous glare that she gave him.
  It worked, her features softened. “Is she awake?”
  He nodded, “The outside wound has healed, and she’s stopped coughing up blood. I think by tomorrow, she’ll be good as new. I told you that Tzion just wanted to help.”
  Mathias shot up, twisting around to face Kristian, “Tzion never wants to help anyone but himself, and it would do you much good to remember that.”
  “Enough!” Kailin yelled. “Kristian say goodbye to Gabrielle, and you get out!” She pointed at Mathias.
  Kristian immediately turned around and escaped into the bedroom. Mathias took his stance on the floor, “I need to make sure that you are alright.”
  “I’m fine, now get the fuck out of my home!” She snapped, reaching over she grabbed his arm and began pulling him around the couch and to the door.
  He went with her, as he could of easily of kept his position.
  “Don’t follow me, don’t watch me, and don’t ever talk to me again!” She said as she opened the door.
  She was about to push him out, when she looked at the two men in the hall. It was Jerry and Lucas. Jerry had his hand up about to knock on the door.
  “You have visitors.” Mathias said.
  Kailin slowly looked at him out of the corner of her eye, “I can see that.”
  Lucas examined the large man, and then noticed that Kailin was holding onto him by his elbow.
  “What are you doing here?” She asked both detectives.
  Lucas cleared his throat. “We went to your office and the secretary said you hadn’t been in for a week, so we decided to...”
  “Ok, let me clarify what I mean. What do you want?” Kailin snapped.
  “Well, there seems to be a problem. We have been trying to contact Kristian Milborough, but he isn’t answering his phone or door.”
  Kailin sighed and rolled her eyes, “Kristian, get your ass out here now!” She yelled, and then turned to Mathias, “And you get your ass out of here forever.” With that she pushed him through the two detectives.
  “Kailin, you are going through something difficult. I just want to help.” Mathias said from behind the two men.
  “You can help by leaving me alone.”
  He nodded, “If you need me just call out.” Turning towards the elevator he headed down the hall.
  Kristian appeared from the bedroom, “You are being vulgar and pushy today.” He said brushing off his coat.
  “These men want to speak with you.” She said, and he looked up from his jacket at them.
  “Yes?”
  “Mister Milborough?” Jerry asked.
  “Yes.”
  Lucas clarified, “Kristian Milborough?”
  He nodded, “Yes, that is me.” he took a moment but then smiled, “Didn’t I meet you at Phillip’s party?”
  Lucas nodded, “Yes, sir.”
  “Well, what can I do for you?”
  Kailin interrupted Lucas from explaining, “Remember I told you that these detectives thought you were the victim from down the street.”
  “Oh, yes.” Kristian laughed, “No, thankfully not. I heard on the news that it was a dreadful death, wolves were the final conclusion, yes?”
  Jerry nodded, “That’s what they are saying.”
  “We would appreciate it, if we could talk to you for a moment.” Lucas said.
  “Oh yes, of course.” Kristian went to step aside, but Kailin grabbed his arm and shoved him out the door.
  “Talk about it in the hall, or better yet out of the building. Good day and good bye, gentlemen.” She snapped, and then shut the door.
  Lucas looked over at Kristian with a puzzled look.
  “Forgive her, Gabrielle has fallen ill and it’s been stressful on her.”
  “Is that what the large man she was with was talking about?” Lucas asked.
  Kristian rose an eyebrow, “Large man? Oh, Mathias.”
  He nodded, “Yes, he said she was going through a rough time.”
  “Yes, yes. Of course, Gabrielle’s illness has taken a toll on everyone. Mathias, however, will find any excuse to get into Kailin’s life. He pretends to care, but he really doesn’t.”
  “An old boyfriend then?” Jerry asked.
  Kristian looked at him and thought for a moment, “In a way, yes. Terrible man, be glad that you didn’t have to meet him directly. Now, could I buy you gentlemen some lunch and you can ask me what you will?”
  Jerry shook his head, “We aren’t allowed to take lunches from people we are investigating.”
  “Well, investigate and then I will buy you lunch. Come, there is a small Mexican restaurant down the street from here. They have some of the cutest waitresses in the city too.” He elbowed Jerry playfully in the side. Turning around, he headed down the hallway with the two men following behind him.

  Two days had past and Kailin found herself walking around the park, looking at the trees and wildlife. Her eyes wandered onto the humans, ignorant of the world around them. They didn’t truly understand all the dangers that awaited them when they stepped from their house everyday. Everything they did was so menial, so unimportant, and tomorrow no one would remember them. They worked so hard for a future they would never see, and no one would remember that they were the ones that brought it to them. How she longed to be like that again.
  Ignorance truly was bliss as a human. If they knew of the creatures that wanted to feed upon them, they would never leave their homes. Kailin had to step outside every time knowing what could be waiting for her. Like with Gabrielle, they knew the risks. It was far more rare now to run into a vampire hunter then it was two hundred years ago, but the risk was still there. One might find a Mephis or even a pack of Bowery waiting on them.
  She didn’t know what she would do without Gabrielle. The week had finally passed, and Gabrielle was back to her old self. But during that week, she felt lost and scared. She needed her by her side. Gabrielle was her friend, and even though she didn’t appreciate her nearly enough, she loved her dearly. When she lost her sister, Gabrielle was the only one who dared entered her bedroom. She forced her out of the confines of those four walls, and made her live again. Leila had done that for her as well, back in the days when she lived with Nathaniel. She needed someone to stop her from hiding within herself.
  Who would do that if Gabrielle was gone? No one, and she would be left a mere shell as she hid within the depths of her own mind. When the redhead finally got out of bed, she had to fight back the tears. Only Gabrielle truly knew what Kailin was inside. Scared, lonely, and sad. Being a human hadn’t made her happy, but neither had been a vampire. She still remembered Zdenek’s words. “You were meant to have something.”
  Pulling her from her thoughts was a familiar voice, and as she looked up the face came back from her nightmares. Damon Anderson stood in the distance, yelling at several young adults to run faster. He was training them, but for what? No one that was not born a vampire hunter could stand any chance against a strong vampire. The children from the night before only got the upper hand because they caught them off guard. Lycorisa must have been close by, blocking her senses.
  Kailin knew she was safe, Damon wouldn’t dare attack her in such a public place. A smile played on her lips as she walked over to him. He spotted her slowly walking over to him, blowing his whistle he called them over. The twelve teenagers all in jogging suits lined up in two rows of six, their hands behind their back.
  “Kailin, what a pleasant surprise.” He said, and then looked over at the teenagers, “This is a Hallowed, children.”
  Kailin looked at them, and realized that four of them were from the night Gabrielle was attacked. “You look much older then I remember you, Damon.” She said looking back at him with a grin.
  “I should you stole twenty years of my life from me.” He smiled, “But you look exactly how I remember you to be. And probably exactly as my father and grandfather would remember you.”
  “Your father and grandfather have seen the error of their ways. I delivered them from that blindness.” Kailin pushed back some hair that was blown from the wind.
  “What is it you want? Do you wish to talk to my young friends here? Attempt to corrupt their minds?”
  Kailin chuckled, “No Damon, I leave corrupting all their minds to you.”
  “You are a monster, Kailin.” He snapped.
  “Funny, I remember not long ago I was much like you or these children.” She smiled at them, “Minds so impressionable, and having to hear your lies.”
  “I hear Gabrielle met her end by the hands of one of my students.” He laughed, “Just a sweet taste of what is to come.”
  “Gabrielle is well, and just as alive as I am. Although, I have to admit they did do a good job of catching me off guard. A mistake that will not occur again.” She smiled again at the four from that bloody night. “How did you know it was Gabrielle and me?”
  Damon laughed, “A Pyrrhonian and a Hallowed, it could only be the two of you.”
  “You shouldn’t hold such grudges, Damon. Such stress will shorten your life, if I don‘t do it first.”
  “You would like that.”
  Kailin pushed her hair back again, and looked at Damon, “I hear that you still haven’t an heir. Could you be the end of the Anderson hunter line? I’ve heard of going out of demand, but never in such a manner.”
  “I am going to destroy you, evil beast, if it is the last thing I do.”
  “Don’t try to sweet talk me.” She smiled.
  He glared at her, angrily.
  Kailin smiled, “Damon, allow me to ask you a question with your new found teacher persona.”
  “Very well.”
  “What happens when a born vampire killer becomes a vampire himself?” She picked a piece of the bark from a nearby tree.
  “Never heard of that happening.”
  She looked at him with a smile that showed him her teeth. Stepping towards him, he kept his ground, she knew he wouldn’t back down. Kailin placed her mouth over his neck, and ran her teeth across his skin gently. He held still as if to show no fear, his students gasped some afraid for their leader. Her head slowly came up and she smiled at him looking into his eyes. Turning around she began to walk away with a new found skip to her step.
  She turned around and began to walk backwards, “I think we will have to find out, don’t you?”
  “Anytime, Kailin. We shall meet for the end of all this.”
  She smiled and turned around, “Soon, Damon, very soon.” She yelled and continued forward on the trail.
  His eyes went to the teenagers behind them, “That is the most vicious of all vampires. They are smart and cunning, and should be feared above all else. Never befriend one and never turn your back on one. They are demons straight from the pits of hell.” He snapped, “As for that one, she has killed every man born to my family for the past two hundred years. She is dangerous, and those of you who walked away from the battle with her, consider yourselves very lucky. Kailin is not known for her forgiveness, and with that in mind continue to watch your backs. She’ll come for you eventually!”
  They all stood with wide eyes, none speaking.
  “Now, get back to running.” He shouted, and then blew his whistle.

  Walking out of the park, Kailin made her way across the street and onto the sidewalk. She wrapped her coat around her, making her way past a restaurant. When she got near its back alley, a hand reached out and pulled her in. Kailin let out a squeal and looked Mathias in the eyes.
  “Why the hell do you do that?” She snapped.
  He grinned, “I need to speak with you.”
  “Ever heard of a phone.”
  He frowned, and stared down at her waiting for her to ask him what he needed.
  Kailin watched him for a moment, then rose both her eyebrows. “Well?” She threw her hands in the air.
  “I think there is much more going on then what I originally thought. When the Ancients catch word of you and Tzion’s blood exchange, they might have you destroyed.” He said. The Ancients were the three eldest and the first three vampires of each breed in the world, Eva, Adon, and Fantor.
  “Ok, first of all, I am the best weapon against the Mephis, if they have me killed then good luck to them. Second of all, didn’t I tell you to stay the fuck away from me?” She turned to walk away.
  “Kailin, this isn’t going to go away. It happened, what Tzion did to you was as good as rape.”
  She stopped and turned her head slightly to see him, “I did what I had to do to save my friend’s life.”
  “You didn’t have to do anything to save her life, my group and I would of gladly help you for nothing.”
  She turned to look at him, “What do you want from me? Why won’t you leave me alone? I was fine, everything was just fine, until Kristian and you came into my life. Leave me alone.”
  “I can’t do that, Kailin. I have always been in your life, and you know it.”
  She sighed, “I’ll speak with Tzion about everything, now leave me be.”
  “No, don’t go near him. He’s up to something foul, and the more you are in his company the more he wins.”
  Raising her eyebrow, she stared at him, “Wins? Am I a game to the two of you? Who gets her on their side wins?”
  “No, it’s nothing like that. You don’t understand what is going on.”
  “Then enlighten me, Mathias.”
  He looked down at the slime covered alley and then back up, “I can’t, not yet, you aren’t ready to know.”
  She brushed her curls behind her ear, and frowned. “Don’t expect me to understand what you won’t tell me.” She went to turn, but then looked back at him. “I have a good idea that this is all about the Mephis. They were a mistake and I fix that mistake every time I run into a Mephis. I will not join your cause, they have a right to live, they just need to change how to operate that life.”
  “You don’t understand what they really are, Kailin.” He held out his hand slightly then dropped it.
  “What, Mathias, what?” She threw her hands in the air.
  He stared at her then sighed looking down.
  “That’s what I thought. If I am so fucking important to all of this, then why can’t you tell me? What can’t I know?”
  “You aren’t ready for such knowledge, you won’t be able to deal with it until you are an elder.”
  She walked to the edge of the alley and turned to look at him, “I’m a lot stronger then you or any of the other elders may think. Sadly, out of all of them, you should be the one to know that.”
  “I do know that, but even some things just can’t be explained. They have to be learned with time.”
  Her eyes fell to the ground, and then back up. “You were there, weren’t you?”
  “Where?”
  “The night my sister and I got lost in the nearby woods. We were attacked by some wild dogs, and you saved us from them.”
  He shook his head, “No, I save you from them. That’s been my job since you were born. Protect you from dangerous you don’t yet understand.”
  Her eyes teared up, “Then why didn’t you protect me from Zdenek?”
  “There are some things you are meant to experience, and I’m afraid he was one of them.”
  She swallowed, “I didn’t want to be this, you know?”
  Mathias nodded, “You didn’t want to be what you were, either. This, however, is where and what you were meant to be. It was written long before you were born, and even longer before it was you.”
  “I don’t understand.”
  “You will some day, hopefully a long time from now. But Kailin, my job is to protect you, to stop harm from befalling you. I am telling you now that Tzion is a danger, one that I can’t protect you from. He is my master and I can bring him no harm.”
  “Perhaps, he can explain everything to me.”
  Mathias shook his head, “He’ll only mold the truth to his own use, and tell you only what he wants you to know. Believe me, Kailin, he’s out to cause you immeasurable harm.”
  “We’ll see.” She said, and walked out onto the sidewalk.
  She looked back for a moment to see that Mathias was gone. He had always been there, and she remember him from long ago when she was still a child. The shadow that she had once been afraid of, but then grew a strange bond with. When she didn’t see it for several weeks, she would worry that it had left her. It was a friend that she never named and never voiced.
  The day her sister and her were lost in the woods, that shadow fought the dogs as the girls ran to safety. When the battle was done, she knew to follow it from tree to tree to find her way home. It was Mathias then, and she knew that he meant only to protect her. Somehow, she knew that Tzion held the answers that she needed. All her life she had questions that went unanswered, but now she knew someone who might share them with her. Why was she made a vampire and then left without a master? Why was she the one who created the Mephis? But most importantly, why couldn’t she of been left alone, as her human self?

Let me know your opinion on this novel. It helps me out a great deal. There are two places to leave a message. On my forum and on my blog.
Forum:
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Book Cover is done by a great artist Luis Royo. He didn't do this work for me, and it's his copywritted material.

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