No Escape

Author's Note: Welcome to chapter 3 of No Escape. I hope you are enjoying the story thus far! Once again for new readers I recommended reading the past 2 chapters and if you care to read with pictures please visit: thesims2.ea.com/mysimpage/uploads.php as this is a story I write with the sims 2 game. Chapter 4 will not be released for awhile as I am still writing it so please check back for updates if you are interested in what happens next. Now onto the next chapter!

The Setites clan had all retired to their chambers to grieve for their fallen comrade. Everyone seemed to be in shock of the loss they had experienced. No one would have ever guessed Blithe would be defeated. He may have been a stranger when he came into the clan, but he quickly earned his spot among them and became highly admired. The castle appeared to be abandoned until the Queen's shrill voice began echoing through the walls. In her chamber Vilthia was standing tensely before Blithe's corpse which lied before her feet. She was shaking all over and she knew that she shouldn't let the boy before her see her like this, but right now she couldn't control herself. She felt foolish for letting her emotions have such control over her, but they were too overwhelming to suppress. She had broken her promise to herself and fell in love with Blithe and now her heart was once again broken.

"What are your orders your highness?" the boy asked on bended knee trying to be respectful, but his patience was wearing.

Vilthia turned her focus towards him. "I want to hear your report again," she stated icily.

He sighed exasperatedly. The boy was getting highly impatient; this would be the third time explaining it. Not to mention the outfit he had to wear to seal his identity was stifling and itchy. He wanted to get out of here quickly so he could get back to his duties. The longer he was away the more the mortals would get suspicious of him plus he hated explaining himself. "As I have said already he was dead when I got to him. I could not fully see what happened...reading a dead man's head is next to impossible even for someone with my abilities," he said cooly. "From the glimpses I was able to see Caleb collapsed Blithe's airway and then he vanished. Blithe was thinking I'm so sorry. I finally understand over and over; then it fades to blackness. That is all."

"You must be lying! Blithe would not die so easily and we both know that! He was one of our top fighters. Hearing his name struck fear into our enemies and you dare stand before me to tell me that a child who knew nothing of his power killed him? Caleb knew absolutely nothing; he has been completely caught off from this world! And where did he go? After exerting a deadly amount of power there is no way he got up and walked away. He must have gotten help from somebody!" Vilthia screamed. "Is it you who are protecting him? Did you grow too attached to your assignment? I swear to you if you are you will be punished in far worse ways than you can imagine. Do you really take me as a fool?" she threatened the boy.

He rose from his kneeling position. His patience to be respectful had finally wavered on him. "I am not to blame here! I have no reason to protect that creature! I assure you I will find him and make him beg for mercy. In the meantime I suggest you pull yourself together. You need to accept the fate that has been forced upon you. He is gone and by his own choice. You were right to say that he couldn't have died so easily. We both know that Blithe could have recovered from such an injury; he was powerful enough to do so, but he chose not to. I don't know why he would choose such a thing, but he did and the sooner you accept that fact the better off our clan will be. This is a vulnerable time for us and with our Queen showing weakness as well as the capacity to feel love and compassion a rebellion or elimination is just waiting to happen."

Vilthia bestowed him a look that would send shivers down your spine. She was ready to pounce on him and tear open his throat. She could not believe she was being spoken too in such a manner. She was the Queen! Anyone other than him would be dead by now. Before she could open her mouth to reprimand him he had already began speaking again.

"Now, now my Queen there is no need for such hateful thoughts. Why thank you for the compliment, but I already know that I am cocky. Unlike most people through I have earned the right to be as such and I doubt that you would deny that. Oh and don't worry your secret love relationship is safe with me, but I do wish you would trust me more. I've served you for years being nothing but loyal to you when it would have been easy to deceive you. It hurts to know you think such things...maybe I should stop helping you? Hrm, I may have to ponder that. Now then I think I have stayed far too long; may I please be dismissed your highness?" he mockingly asked.

"You are to return to your post and find information on where Caleb may have gone too. Keep in close contact with those close to him for possible clues. If you find him you are to bring him to me [b]alive[/b]. Now get out!" she roared through gritted teeth. She didn't watch him strut out but she knew that he wore a smug look of satisfaction. Why did I ever allow such a being to be trained! I don't even know what he looks like. The last time I saw him was when he was a little boy before his training begin. I wish I could get rid of him, but he is one of our greatest assets and he knows it. She scolded herself mentally. She hated that a single boy could invade her privacy so easily. Of course she was capable of putting up mental barriers when needed, but he has always been a challenge to keep out and today she didn't posse the strength to block him. That boy can read thoughts, memories, emotions, parts of the past and sometimes the future, along with things related. He was also a skilled fighter should he ever get caught up in such a situation...he was a [i]very[/i] deadly spy.

Vilthia felt drained in every possible way. She sat down and pulled her lifeless lover onto her lap and wept. Just this once she would let her emotions flow from her. Just this once she would let herself feel like humans do. She let all of her conflicting emotions engulf her and while she did her world stopped for just that one night. Tomorrow she would resume her vampiric nature. Tomorrow she would return to her responsibilities. Tomorrow she would address her clan and assure them that she would lead them to glory as only she could do. She was their Queen and she would not let them down, but tonight she would mourn as any mortal would over a loss love.

She sat there trembling as tears fell from her dark eyes. She clutched Blithe to her chest and vowed to get vengeance on Caleb. Vilthia began to remember how she met him and how she allowed herself to fall in love with him. Oh how much he had changed since she had first met him!

It all started 20 years ago and Vilthia still remembered every detail. 20 years to a vampire means nothing; time moves differently for them. Fog and mist surrounded the eerie night their meeting took place. Vilthia had just returned from hunting. She felt invigorated as each limb seemed to be alive within her; a common side effect after feeding. As she approached the castle she sensed the presence of another vampire; one not of her clan. She immediately thought it was someone from the enemy clan. How foolish do they think I am? Did they honestly think I would not be able to detect them? She almost laughed out loud, but contained herself so she would not alert their intruder. As she got closer she realized the situation was not what it appeared to be. The smell of blood and ash invaded her nostrils. As the intruder vampire came into view she saw that he was curled on his side unconscious and badly injured. She knelt down to see if he was still alive.

Seeing very little signs of life Vilthia felt herself relax. If he was an enemy sent to attack the Setites at their main base he met the only end that would have come to him; however part of her believed that he was not an enemy. She didn't recognize the scent of any of her clan members on him and surely there would have been some if they had attacked him. She was lost in thought as to what poor fate he had met when suddenly the man jumped to his feet! Vilthia jumped back at the surprise as he instantly guarded himself.

She resumed her composure and stood before the man who was still guarding himself; he was terrified. Now she knew for sure that he was not a threat-he couldn't be in such a state. She assumed since he was alone that he had no clan or home. Surely someone would have come to help him by now. She wanted to help him and hear his story; maybe she could use him for her benefit.

"It is alright. I am also a vampire. I will not harm you," she said gently.

Vilthia approached him slowly not knowing if he would instinctively attack. When she saw that he showed no sign of attacking she place an arm around his back and began to soothingly rub his shoulder. At the presence of her touch the man burst into tears. She was amazed by this reaction. She had never known a vampire to be in such an emotional state. She couldn't help to wonder that maybe he didn't realize what he is. So many questions had flooded her mind, but she knew that she must first tend to his wounds. She swept him into her arms and carried him to the castle. She went straight to her chambers ignoring all the confused looks from her clan members as she past.

Once inside her room she laid him onto her bed and he drifted to sleep. She began to treat what wounds she could and was relieved to see that the wounds were beginning to heal already. As she treated him she realized that she was staring at him. She was doing things completely against her personality. She found herself captivated by him! He was like a new toy to her! She didn't understand the feelings she was having. She had thought she locked them away forever. She must know more about him as soon as he was conscious.

The man awoke several hours later. He physically looked like nothing had happened to him; vampires heal quickly. He gently pushed himself up from the bed and tried to remember where he was. He held his face in hands as the tears began to sting his eyes. [i]I can't hold them anymore. I can't-[/i]. A hand on his shoulder reminded him that he was not alone.

"I'm glad to see you are awake and recovered from your injuries. You are lucky that it was I that found you or you may have had a different fate. You have wandered onto some dangerous territory," Vilthia greeted him.

"I would have gladly accepted that fate, but I thank you for your generosity. I shall be leaving and not be an inconvenience to you any longer," he replied as he stood to take his leave.

"It's none of my business, but where would you go? You seem to be running from something which means you have nowhere to go too. You don't have to be in such a hurry to leave. This is my home and you are welcomed here; besides you are not an inconvenience. I would very much like to hear what happened to you. I've never seen a vampire in such a state and curiosity has gotten the better of me. Oh, you do know you are a vampire right? I had wondered if you did. Will you please indulge me in your story as part of your thanks?"

He nodded yes at her with questioning eyes.

"Very well...I've had fresh clothes prepared for you so you can get out of those soiled clothes. A servant will escort you to a private place when you are all freshened up. By the way I am Vilthia, Queen of the Setites." She turned to leave the room to give him some privacy, but not without noticing how he tensed as she mentioned her name and the Setites...so he has heard of them.

She seriously wants me to wear this? He sighed irritated as he opened the door to be escorted to where Vilthia waited for him. He was lead into a library where he took a seat opposite of her. There were books scattered around the room and on shelves. Everything was rich in detail. She must have closed off the room today for they were alone and she promised they would not be interrupted until they were finished in here. They stared at each for awhile. He was lost to what she wanted to know about him and why.

"Do the clothes fit you well?" she broke the silence first.

"Yes, although I've never worn anything like this before...but I appreciate it."

"You look good in them."

"Do you know we are enemies? I'm a member of the clan that you hate-well I would be if things had turned out differently-it's a long story. What is it that you want from me?"

"I was not lying before. I want to know your story. I'm very curious about you. I've never seen a vampire act as you do. Tell me everything from the very beginning. Your name would be nice too," she replied.

He remained silent a while longer debating if he could trust her with everything. He shouldn't even be considering befriending her. She seemed very odd to him and her appearance also scared him a little. He wasn't used to seeing the claws, fangs, pointed ears, and all the classic vampire traits exposed so freely. He was taught to blend in with the humans, but then again he was in their castle. He looked at her carefully and decided to tell her everything even if he told her too much or things that weren't needed. He wanted someone to know about her and he had nothing left to lose anyways.

"My name is Blithe and my tale began 3 years ago when I meet someone who changed my life forever. I was just a poor, simple human some time ago. I was fishing at my normal spot trying to catch something to bake for dinner and to relax in an activity that I enjoyed. From the corner of my eye I realized that I was not alone that day. I was honored to share the presence of the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. She was picking flowers out in the field. I tried not to stare-really I did, but I was hypnotized by her. She had long curly blonde hair bright as the sun. Her eyes were bright and wispy green, her lips were small and copper toned, silky soft peach skin; a picture of perfection. She must have realized that I was gawking at her as she started laughing softly to herself.

'Am I distracting you mister? You seemed to have hooked your pants!' she playfully asked me.

I looked down in embarrassment to notice that indeed my lure was hooked and creating a nice rip. I felt my cheeks blush. 'I'm sorry to stare. I'm not used to having company out here and I've certainly never seen you before,' I meekly replied.

'Well, I certainly don't want to be the reason of you being pant less soon...well maybe I do, but I don't think we know each other that well yet.' She turned to leave and called back to me, 'Have fun with your fish friends!'

I found my legs chasing after her before I realized what I was doing. I nearly caught up to her when she unexpectedly stopped and I collided into her. I felt like I hit a brick wall and fell straight onto my butt. She was not fazed at all and seemed to find the whole thing hilarious. She was laughing uncontrollably.

'Are you in the habit of chasing after every woman you see? Oh wait...are you my own personal stalker now?' she asked in between laughs.

I couldn't help but to smile like a clueless idiot. Her laughs were like angels singing. 'Your name? Please tell me your name!' I begged her.

'Will you meet me here tomorrow?' she teasingly asked. I nodded dumbfounded. 'Then I will tell you tomorrow Mr. Stalker.'

I watched her walk away and smacked myself for being so stupid. I wondered what she thought of me. I was certain that I scared her and she really thought I was some weird stalker. She would probably just stand me up tomorrow, but I couldn't help but to feel excited. All I thought about the rest of the day was her. I wondered if she had cast some kind of spell on me-I was completely losing it!

I went to the pond the next day and was shocked to see her there! I couldn't believe it. Her name was Pyrena and I thought she was perfect in every way. We met there day after day learning as much about each other as we could. After a few months I started taking her out on dates and learning the types of things she enjoyed doing. You could say we become boyfriend and girlfriend. I still believe that she stole my heart the first moment I saw her, but I was more amazed that she cared for me as well! It left me bewildered-I was so dull and boring, but yet she loved me for that. She seemed fascinated by the simplest things; almost like she had never experienced them before. I knew that this was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with and so I decided that I would ask her to marry me. I planned for us to meet at a small restaurant in town to surprise her with what I was going to ask. I began to small talk with her as we waited for the waiter and I tried not to think about how nervous I was.

'I can't see you anymore!' she blurted out.

Not the reaction I was expecting as I stared at her in confusion. 'Pyrena, what are you talking about? Why can't you see me anymore? I don't understand...things have been great!'

'Oh Blithe! I can't make you understand. This is all my fault. I knew I should have never came back to see you the day after we met. I was selfish and wanted to feel happy, but now I got you involved in something that I shouldn't have. Blithe we come from two different worlds and you can't exist in mine...I'm sorry,' she explained trying to control the tears that were trying to break free.

I stared at her for a long time. I knew she still loved me or she wouldn't be so upset. 'My world revolves around you. Why am I not allowed to be a part of yours? Isn't it your choice who you choose to be with? I'm too poor to be with...is that it? Are you married? Am I not good enough for you?' I asked deeply hurt. I was trying to understand, but nothing made sense to me.

She looked straight into my eyes while she held my hand. 'Of course not. I love you with all that I am. You are the most handsome, generous, honest man that I have ever known. I wish I could be with you forever you must believe that, but I--I have a secret that no other person knows about. I'm not allowed to tell you. If I do you will probably hate me for it.'

'Nothing could make me hate you or stop loving you.'

She looked down and stared at her lap. I had never seen her look so unsure of herself. She continue to stare at her lap while she spoke, 'If you are sure...Blithe I am not like you. I can't believe I am going to tell you this, I'm not suppose to. Blithe, I am...I am...a...vampire.' She spoke so quietly I almost didn't hear what she said.
I burst into laughs and began shaking my head. 'Aw great, I managed to fall in love with a crazy lady. Here I thought I was the crazy one believing someone like you could love me. I think you may have read too many fantasy books. Vampires don't exist. Come on Pyrena I know somewhere we can go that can help you.' I managed to say as I felt a wave of disappointment and concern. I guess I have to wait until after they make her better to marry her.

'I don't need to go anywhere for help Blithe. I'm not lying. So, it comes to this. Look at me and don't cause a scene. If you hate me after I understand,' she stated.
I almost knocked my chair backwards! I felt myself gasping for air! Did I just see that? Her teeth grew long, pointy fangs. Her green eyes transformed into cat eyes and shined silver! She even softly hissed to make it more convincing. Then it was all gone and she appeared normal again!

'How did you do that? Are you...' I gasped for breathe. 'They are just stories,' I whispered.

'No, we are real. That was not a trick. I will never see you again Blithe. You will always have our memories of our time together, but I will have your memory erased of what you just saw. It's for your own sanity and our secret must be kept. This is why I didn't want to tell you. It's too hard for humans to comprehend. I hope you understand why we can't be together now and can forgive me some day,' she said convincingly. 'I will always love you and will never forget you. Blithe, I hope you have a long, happy, and fulfilling life. Goodbye.'

I looked at her as I tried to make sense of what all this meant. I watched as she got up to leave and all I saw was my whole life disappearing before me. I didn't understand a thing about what she was, but I knew I could not live without her. I jumped up in front of her and pushed her back into her seat. I stood there blocking her from leaving.

'Blithe...you can't stop me. Please don't make this harder than it already is,' she told me.

'Make me what you are and be my wife. Pyrena I won't live without you.'

She looked up at me with the most loving compassionating eyes. 'Blithe, you have no idea what you are asking me to do. You still aren't even sure if what you just saw is real or not. I can't-do you really want to give up this life? Do you really know what you ask? It's a completely new world,' she replied.

'We will have a whole life together for you to teach me. I told you I wanted to spend the rest of life with you didn't I? I'd give up anything for you and that includes being human! Make me a vampire and marry me Pyrena!' I exclaimed as quietly as I could remembering we were in public.

She jumped into my arms and held onto my neck. She cried into my shoulder with the brightest smile. She whispered 'ok' over and over as if she didn't believe this was happening. She gently let go and we went to my house.

When we arrived at my house she sat me down on the couch and began explaining things to me. She told me that this was against the rules along with highly risky. She said that I might not live through this or she might not even live through it. If it did work we would get married right afterwards and go to her clan in the morning. She didn't know how they would react, but if we were married then they couldn't separate us as they view marriage as something sacred. She knew that I was confused and she promised to answer all my questions in time, but we had little time to waste. She gave me an outfit to wear and we both went to change; part of the 'ceremony' I assumed.

'Blithe, you don't have to do this. Are you sure this is what you want even knowing the risks?' she asked standing before me and holding my hands.

'More sure than anything in my life,' I responded.

She nodded and softly smiled at me. 'This may hurt a little,' she said as she pulled me into her arms and bent me backwards.

I felt a sharp pain as her fangs sank into the side of my throat. I could feel my blood pulsing as it rushed to the surface where her teeth were. I could feel the pressure from where she was softly sucking the blood. I felt her arm tightening around me as I began to get dizzy and faint, but oh the pleasure! I still can't describe it fully! I felt as if I was leaving my body as this warm tingling sensation swept over me. I felt an empty void as she removed her fangs from my throat. She had me bite into her wrist to drink a little of her blood. She held me up as she pulled her wrist away. I wanted to scream at her to do it again-that is until the pain began. My body felt like it was on fire and my brain wanted to explode. I felt myself curling into a ball on the floor. I could hear her whispering soothing words to me and explaining that my body was adapting to the new changes it was experiencing. I focused on her voice as she pulled me into her lap. I felt myself losing consciousness-I hoped I wasn't dying.

I awoke some time later filled with a hungering I never knew, but I was too distracted to think about it. Everything had changed! Pyrena was giggling at me and saying I looked like a child in a toy store trying to find their favorite toy, but I couldn't help it. How do you describe feeling like everything around you is alive? Everything seemed to have a life of its own, the floors, the walls...everything! I truly felt as if I had awakened in a new body and I guess in a sense I had. I was actually a real living vampire!

'Is this how you have felt this whole time?' I asked her. She nodded yes at me. 'Oh how boring humans must have seemed to you!' I exclaimed.

'Not really. Humans fascinate me. I was born a vampire and know no other way...that is why I took a liking to you so strongly. We are supposed to remain separated from humans, but I couldn't stay away from you. I was supposed to never see you again after this night. Now we are the same,' she beamed. 'I know you are thirsty, but we must get ready; I have a minister waiting for us over at our spot. I'll bring you a drink afterwards.'

I was still awestruck at all the changes that were occurring so quickly, but I never felt happier. I knew that this was the right thing to do; we were made to be together. We went to where the minister was waiting for us. He was a childhood friend of Pyrena's. He seemed apprehensive at first (which was to be expected with all the rules that where being broken), but when he saw how happy and excited we were he agreed to marry us. We exchanged our vows between the three of us under moonlight that night 3 years ago. As I took Pyrena's hand in mine I had never felt so complete. I knew she was the one woman I was meant to spend a lifetime loving," Blithe said with tears streaming down his face.

Vilthia felt a bit of jealously at how devoted these two seemed to be with each other. She was studying his face and emotions intently. He showed no signs of doubt. He really did love her with all that he was. She asked him to continue.

"The next morning," he resumed, "we went to visit her clan. She called them the Ventrue. How we arrived, I can't say. Pyrena lead the way and did some trick-then we were in a castle...it was very strange. Everyone we passed was curious about me. Pyrena paid no attention to them as she led me to a guarded room. When we entered we stood in front of 5 powerful vampires. I could feel their power-how strange that was to me. Pyrena whispered in my ear that the one in the middle was the King and the others around him were his two daughters plus their spouses. They made up the council.

'Pyrena, do you understand what you have done? How could you do such a thing! Do you know how many laws you have broken? Explain yourself if you can, but don't think it well help your situation at all,' the King sternly said.

She stood confidently before them with a smile on her face. She didn't appear to be nervous at all. 'I am very aware of what I have done. I know I shouldn't have fallen for a human, but I did. I couldn't help it they are such loveable creatures. I was prepared to forever break my heart so that he could be safe and have a fulfilling life, but he swore himself to me. He wanted to do this knowing it was the only way he could ever be happy. We are married now. What is done is done and cannot be reversed,' she calmly spoke with a smile.

'This is why I ordered you to stop seeing him. Humans aren't meant to know of us. Then to make things worse you turned him! You could have died! He could have died! Something could have gone horribly wrong; there are so many things that could have happened. You know we forbid turning humans unless you have permission and others to help you. You didn't have to act so hasty! We would have heard you out if we knew how strong your feelings were, but now I have no choice. Too many rules have been broken and you must be punished. Rules are put in place for a reason,' the King responded.

'I understand. Punish me however you want, but we all know that Blithe is my responsibility now. I acted hasty because I knew what the outcome would have been and knowing how much he wanted to be with me-I wasn't going to let him go. I tried to do the right thing, but I guess it was a little too late for that. I did what would make us both happy.'

The room was silent. I tried to focus on what was going on, but I didn't know many of their rules or customs and besides every little thing still distracted me! I was still overwhelmed with my new senses and my new thirst as well. The King cleared his throat.

'We honor the bond of marriage and cannot separate you now-I believe that is why you acted so fast. I wonder how you may feel if one of you would have died by the transformation. I admire how strong of a bond you show towards each other; however as I stated before I cannot ignore your behavior. Blithe is entirely your responsibility and you two are banished from our world. You are to never return here or have any type of assistance from the Ventrue. You will live with the humans and know only the humans from this day forward-'

'Father! You can't be serious! What about the Setites clan? Pyrena is one of us; we can't leave her unprotected!' one of the daughters interrupted.

'Katarina must I remind you on proper behavior while present in the council room? I am left with no other choice. Does anyone else disagree or have another fair punishment?' He asked the others.

No one said anything to object except Katarina. 'I don't agree with this at all! We can't just abandon one of our own and a new member of our clan. We should be welcoming them. Don't you see she only went behind our backs because she knew we would separate them? I would do the same thing if someone tried to take my husband away! At least they both had the decency to confront us with the truth.'

'If I may say something as well,' Blithe interrupted, 'I am the one who asked Pyrena to act as she did. I didn't know there would be such a punishment...I just wanted to be with her. She was willing to leave my life forever, but I couldn't accept that from her. She was going to leave.'

'I commend you for speaking up for yourself, but Pyrena was still aware of the rules she was breaking even if you didn't. Knowing such things means knowing what you will be giving up. As for my daughter, Katarina you must not allow your relationships to cloud your judgment if you are going to take my place some day. Pyrena has been your best friends for years, but you must remain basis regardless if you think our rules are right or not. Rules are meant to be followed and they will be followed as long as I am King,' her father publically scolded her. 'This trail is concluded. I wish you two the best of luck and I wish it hadn't come to this,' he said.

Pyrena bowed graciously and we turned to leave hand and hand. Neither one of us spoke the entire time until she lead me out of the castle walls. She didn't even look behind her to say farewell to the only place she knew as home. When we finally returned to my house I wrapped my arms around her.

'I'm sorry I've caused you so much pain. Pyrena if I would have known! You will never see your family, friends, or home again! I never would have let you do such a thing! Why didn't you tell me?' I asked.

'Because,' she said pushing me onto the couch, 'you promised me that you would always be with me. You are my home and family now. They would have never allowed me to turn you and I couldn't be with you any other way. It's nearly impossible for a vampire to be with a human. The temptations and complications-it's all too much. I'd give up anything to be with you too; I just needed to know that you wanted to be with me.'
I could see the pain in her eyes, but she never once mentioned it. I made a promise to myself that I would always make her happy. Anything she wanted she would get. I would always be there for her-I would be her other half.

The months passed as we began our lives as husband and wife-as vampires pretending to be human. She taught me everything thing she felt I needed to know; how to hunt, our rules, our culture, how to fight, about our enemies. She got herself a job as a journalist and I continued mine as a manager. We felt so alive. We built ourselves a new home in a quiet place away from the main town when we learned that Pyrena was pregnant. As you can imagine we enjoyed our privacy and thought it would be even more important with a child on the way now. Pyrena quit her job so she could focus on taking care of herself and so she would have time to spend with our baby. It was such an amazing feeling knowing that I was going to become a father. I would often rub her belly or listen to what the baby was doing. Moments like those I was certainly glad to have my vampire abilities.

During this time I also became very good friends with Katarina. I could tell why Pyrena liked her so much and why they were the best of friends. She would often secretly visit us which was always nice for Pyrena. It comforted her to know that not all of her friends had abandoned her and were willing to break the rules. Katarina had always been a bit of a rebel. She felt her father was too strict and she knew things would change when it was her turn to take his place.
Nine months later our baby girl was born; we named her Amira. She was such a little wonder and our family was now complete. I never imagined that I would have two females in my life that were important to me. We were so excited that she had finally arrived and embraced parenthood. Amira was showered with love. Katarina came to visit us often for that first year. She loved Amira so much and often spoke of wanting her own child. Then one day she stopped coming to visit and we never saw her again. We still don't know what happened. We think her father found out that she was in contact with us; he would be the only person who could stop her.

As the years continued to past everything was perfectly normal for us. We made a life together with our daughter and watched her grow. We were so blessed! We even felt like normal humans except for our abnormal diet. We never hurt anyone...Pyrena taught me to never hurt or hunt a human, so we lived off animal blood. Amira of course ate normal human food since her vampire side was not yet developed. Children develop their abilities slowly until their teenage years.

Then a few months ago our neighbors began to look at us differently. Amira was now 3. She had blonde curly hair just like her mother and was just as adventurous as her. Of course by now she was speaking what words she knew. She loved saying,'We vampires!' We had to correct her several times as she said this around our human friends. We tried to laugh it off and blame it on the weird things children say. However she said it one too many times and people started watching us. Amira didn't know better-we never hid who we were to her and we taught her what she was-it was our fault.
I found it rather odd that our neighbors were so easily influenced, so maybe they had been suspicious of us for awhile. People stopped talking to us and would avoid us. Rumors began to circulate that it was weird how little wild life there was around us (a sign of evil) that our skin was too pale and other ridiculous things. We decided it would be best for us to move and start over somewhere else where no one knew us.

But I...I...I didn't know that we decided too late." Blithe stopped talking and held his head in his hands. He wiped away several tears trying to compose himself while Vilthia tried to comfort him and urged him to go on. "It all happened so soon. I knew people acted on fear and hated feeling unsafe or threatened by anything-but I didn't know. We planned to move by the end of this week. I went to work yesterday to tell them that we were moving and that it would be my last day. I called Pyrena during the afternoon to tell her to start packing. She said ok and went on about how happy she was because Amira had just counted up to twenty. She really loved being a mom in every sense of the meaning and I loved her even more for that.

I made my way home last night as I always do feeling invigorated that this would be a new beginning for us and maybe now that time had passed we could return to the King to ask him to reconsider; especially with us having a child. Pyrena would be so happy if he would! I felt my heart quicken as I neared our home and heard screams, cries, and yells. I smelt smoke and tears. I sensed so much fear and hate. I growled lowly as I tapped into my vampiric abilities-my family was in trouble. Our whole neighborhood was gathered in our backyard around something shouting things like 'Be gone Evil!', 'Don't bring your curse upon us!', 'Vampire!', 'Burn!' I was furious and began pushing them out of my way. I didn't care how much strength I was using. When I found an opening to see I died. My precious wife and child...My Pyrena and Amira...my life... was being burnt alive. I could feel their pain and their fear, but yet Pyrena didn't attack! She hadn't tried to fight-because they were humans. My eyes met hers for a brief moment as the humans fought to hold me back and she mouthed I love you to me. My anger exploded and things became blurry. I fought so hard to get to them not caring that they were humans-but my family kept burning.
The humans started coming at me with knives, guns, stakes, holy water, crosses; anything they could use, but I kept trying. I didn't feel anything as the knives pierced my skin or a bullet would enter my flesh. I think this scared them more and truly convinced them more of what we were-I wasn't holding back my power and it showed. They began to get more brutal and worked the fire to burn faster. My poor little Amira was already gone; I couldn't hear her heart anymore-she was as vulnerable as a human. Pyrena was barely holding on and I fought as hard as I could! But there were so many of them! Damn them all! I felt myself growing weaker and weaker from all the blood I was losing. I had all sort of wounds all over myself by this point.

Pyrena screamed to me, 'Flee and live!' and then her heart stopped as well.

I wanted to kill them all. I urged my body to keep fighting, but it was acting on its own now. It was running, running, and running to protect itself to live. I eventually collapsed from reaching my limit and too much blood lost. I lied there on the ground wishing for death until I fell unconscious. I guess that is where you found me. That is my story that you were wanting. I know I gave you more information then you needed. I should have just said my wife and child were murdered by humans, but I...their story needed to be heard. I wish she would have fought. Human or not our child was in danger plus herself. If she would have only fought back we could have won! I don't understand why! Anyways, I am grateful for you're hospitably, but I wish you would have just left me to die. I am dead inside. My body breathes only on instinct to keep living. My heart will never heal. I will forever be broken," Blithe concluded.

He wasn't crying this time just staring. Vilthia felt his anger and despair. She marveled on it and knew she could use this to her advantage. It is what she does best-use people for her goal.

"If we had met under different circumstances I am sure you would not be peaceful with me," she spoke. "Blithe you know I am the Queen of your alleged enemies and you are on the territory of the Setites." He shifted his gaze towards her and stiffened his back. "I can easily kill you if you still wish for death, but I have a proposal for you. I don't see you as an enemy. You were never part of any clan really. You can call yourself a Ventrue if you like, but you were banished before being accepted as one of them. You have no place to go so I offer you a place among us. We can teach you to be a more skillful fighter. Act on your hate, your anger-kill the humans with us and the Ventrue. What do you owe them anyways? Why keep up this human facade? I'm sure several human have died from your hand last night as it is. If you become one of us you and your family will have its vengeance. Will you accept?" she asked him.

He didn't need to give it any thought. He was in complete despair and had nothing left to lose. "Yes," was all he said to her as Blithe fully let go of any decency he had left. Vengeance is all he saw. He would make everyone pay from what was violently stolen from him. Such innocence's and beauty lost without a reason. His family had never caused anyone harm. Yes, they would surely pay.

The Setites trained him in all their ways. His appearance began to change with every wicked thing he did. His eyes turned to blood lust. He bore his fangs, claws, elongated ears, and even his wings proudly. He no longer had a reason to blend in like a human. He had no humanity left in him. He would feed the beast inside him and that is all. The Setites used humans as hunting exercises. They would hunt the Ventrue for pure satisfaction of a hunt. After his training was complete he went back to where he lived with his family and slaughtered everyone there one by one.

Blithe became loved by his clan. He had surpassed their training and skills. He became the one leading fights and missions-acting on pure malice alone. He and Vilthia began to share a twisted romance secretly between them. They kept it a secret because as leaders they would be seen as vulnerable. Many people in their clan only sought out a relationship to procreate and satisfy urges. Being in a relationship makes for an easy target-even one as deranged as theirs. She knew that he would never really love her and she would never hold his heart, but that didn't stop her from trying. She was captivated from the very first day she saw him. The more wicked he became the more she felt she was winning him over and hoped he would soon forget about Pyrena.

Now Vilthia sat holding his dead body and remembering all the events which lead to this. She loved him as much as she was capable of, but in the end it was not enough. He ended up feeling sorry for all the wrongs he committed and the things he had done with her-even if it was already too late. He chose death when he could have recovered. He chose to be with Pyrena and Amira-not her. Her heart became even more twisted at the thought.

"Why! Tell me why!" she screamed. She growled lowly. Caleb will be mine she thought as she drifted to sleep on her lover's chest.