Hybrid Trilogy

Chapter 29 Recognition of Return

That evening the moon was some way away from being full, but as the half-moon rose it none the less emitted an unknown unconscious wave that swept over the planet, all those who during a full moon would become Werewolves, now known as changelings looked up to the sky. All the wolves in the wild, zoos and wildlife parks, across the world began to howl. Vampires and their day light protectors also appeared captivated by something in the air.

Mandrake, now a Vampire of about 6ft 5 inches tall and built like a heavy weight boxer, dark Latino skin with a milky white overlay, very typical of Vampires, with blood red eyes and a Germanic tone to his voice, called to Casandra, she had been the daylight protector of Mandrakes father, Drakon and had been so since she was first taken in service of the Vampire, and Drakon had told Mandrake's mother Poppy that Casandra would come in time.

He and Casandra were on the isle of Skye where they were recovering following a battle with the lady Alcina, he was feeding at the neck of an 18-year-old, when suddenly he stopped dropping his arm, but holding on to the petrified girl, in her mind she felt very lucky she had survived, although her fiery red hair hung loose, matted with blood. "come Witch" he dictated, the girl thought that he would leave her, how wrong as he released his grip he snapped her already blood-soaked neck, and she was dead as she hit the York stone floor. "Where to my lord, do you wish to leave your meal?" Casandra asked perplexed as she indicated the body of the girl, she had never known him leave food, and she felt a little uneasy, a Vampiric victim became a Vampire, and at present Mandrake killed all other Vampires allowing Casandra to drain the magic of the daylight protectors before he did so. "dispose of her, we have more pressing needs" Mandrake said disdainfully "as you will my lord, I shall make preparation for us to depart" Casandra replied offering a small curtsy, she waved her hand and the dead girl burst into flames, before then turning to dust and blowing away on a sudden gust of wind.

Mandrake like his father before him was some formidable presence, he never shied away from a battle with Werewolves, and was known as the deadliest of Vampires, Werewolves who came across him, who were alone and not in a pack would run. To date nothing and no one had ever been able to stand against him, other Vampires had tried to exert seniority over him, because they were older, & because he took exception to this affront as he called it, he had dusted them like they were new born nothings, so as yet not one challenge resulted in anyone living to brag of a battle with him.

A week after their night of passion, and subsequently closing his Deli following a taxing day Anthony rang Katy "hi there my darling" he said in soft tones when she answered. "Oh hello there sweetie, what's going on?" Katy replied trying to sound upbeat and enthusiastic, even though she had suffered such a week of patchy sleepless nights. "Oh, you know I'm good, just checking in" Anthony lied, for he too was suffering from sleep deprivation "you sound a bit tired, you ok?" He asked trying not to offend her. "Well I've had an awful weeks sleep to be honest, but you don't sound too good yourself" Katy replied with some concern, "yeah it's been a tough day, and to be fair it's not been too good for me on the sleep front either, and on top of that I think I'm coming down with something" Anthony said "oh no not good, do you want me to come over?" She asked again with concern ""no don't stress, I'm just going to bed" Anthony answered almost too quickly. "Oh" she said feeling suddenly deflated "I love you" she added quietly "I love you too, sorry I'm just feeling a bit flat, trust me I'm no company, I'll call you next week, bye" he said apologetically and put down the phone and went into the kitchen, placing a filled stove kettle on the aga. Anthony like all his family that had lived here previously, had always tried to retain the farmhouse's character, it held lots of antique furniture and many handed down possessions. The only modern-day things in it were a TV in the living room, a phone in the hall, a radio in the kitchen, central heating, plumbing and electric lights, but even these were old by today's standards, it was essentially as original as the day it was built. Anthony made himself some tea and then took to his bed, his bedroom had two wardrobes, two chest of draws and an oversized cast iron bedstead, with black filigree work at the head & foot of the bed, it had crisp white Egyptian cotton bed linen, a stripped wood latch door and bear floorboards with rugs on either side of the bed, another door that had once housed one of the farmhouses bedrooms now contained the on-suite bathroom.