Vampire Sunrise

The Coven Raid

The crashing sounds continued until a burnt odor flooded the courtyard. The iron gates fell twisted and heated.

A winged figure saddled on an almost hairless bear-like creature was first through the gates. The rider was beautiful, with an ebony body and shimmering wings out to its side. It looked how I imagined a black angel would.

The figure was slightly larger than the average man, with a pointed chin and high cheekbones. Deep facial grooves accented its mouth with an upside-down A upon its forehead. The Imperious's skin and wings glistened mirror-like; I saw my distorted reflection across its chest.

The dull bear-like creature it rode was meaty and nearly pitch black except for a thin pelt of red hair down its spine. Its eyes were fire engine red and matched the hair on its back. That pelt would make a fabulous scarf, I thought.

Behind the first mounted Imperious several others followed. The most striking was undoubtedly a female whose place was third in line; this could have been the leader's mate. She had similar features to the first Imperious but with long silver hair down to her waist. Her features were more rounded and elegant but still mirrored and black.

The intruders wore various types of simple armor that only covered their gender-specific anatomy. I counted four mounted Imperious and five more on foot.

The Imperious stopped about twenty feet from me and spoke, "You are to leave this pla.."

I interrupted him immediately, "This is your only warning, leave now, or I'll remove her spine," I said and pointed at the silver-haired female. He paused for a moment.

"I don't know how you managed to arrive here with the humans, cursed one, but take notice; we are an equal match to you. Your antics with the cold do not frighten us, and soon we will toast to our victory with your blood flowing from our cups."

"Sugar, what in the world makes you think I'm cursed?" I answered.

"We know what you are; we are in league with the creator himself!" The other Imperious started to beat their chest in unison as he spoke. "Our creator cursed your kind long ago and sent us to shepherd you and those you have corrupted back into the darkness! The time for talking is over; now, you will see how powerless you are!"

I heard a faint crackling sound.

All of the Imperious expanded their wings, shouted some foreign word, then, a bright wave of light passed from them into Angel and me and the witches. Immediately I felt Angel's pain; she was hurt, knocked to the ground, but not dead.

A fresh wave of burnt magic filled the air again. The magical attack hit the witches, but enough of their magical barrier held; they weren't seriously injured.

I was only slightly affected. I wasn't cursed or like vampires, witches, or werewolves; maybe I was more human than I thought, so maybe their magic was less effective against me. I didn't know, but regardless the Imperious halted their attack. I sensed confusion at my mostly unaffected presence.

The general shouted a war cry, "Imperious, take the demon's head and bask in the glory for our father!" They all launched for me.

I realized someone else had hunted me and mine again; someone had hurt my Angel and my friends! Maniacal laughter escaped from my mouth as I faced the enemy horde.

Rage moved through me until I shook; I closed my eyes and hummed in a demonic drone. I took in a deep breath, trying to control it, but it sounded louder, becoming a haunting reflection of my mental state.

I opened my eyes, and Lilith spoke through me, "Imperious, let me see your blood!"

"Luna Laminarum," she called. A sixteen-foot-bladed chain found its way bone handle first to my hand; the chain curled behind me. I felt Lilith sink back down inside me slightly.