Halfling

Acta Damnatorum

The difference between me

and them, I accept my Darkness.

I know who I am.

There's no way to survive

hell without taking a piece

of it with you. Something

only dark souls can fully

understand.

~B.Vigil

Dwayne: "Well, what does it say?"

"It is all about halflings, blood brothers, blood wine, and the mate bond mostly."

Paul: "Care to read some of it aloud?"

"Blood Brothers: A tight forming of a Coven can lead to those referred to as blood brothers. Some are simply just vampires who were turned by the same individual. Those who are apart of the same coven for long expanses of time can experience special abilities. Some can heal others, see futures of those in the Coven, and even share a mate. Though a mate bond shared by a whole Coven is a rarity and should be protected at all costs."

David: "Okay so we already knew that. What else?"

"Mate Bonds: A mate bond was a gift bestowed upon us by a darker, more twisted version of ourselves. These bonds are found and once fully acquired, should never be broken. A shattered bond can break what is left of one's rotten soul. The bond has been around since the first vampire, he died when his mate was kidnapped in battle and killed Infront of him as a means for him to surrender his armies of undead."

Marko: "Well that explains the dream you had. What else?"

"It is mostly just about blood wine and halflings who are turned- wait I think I have something.

Halflings: After a decade of going without fresh blood, the body starts to decompose. They will be gone within the first year and will be lucky to see a second. This bond to their sire can only be broken by the sire's death or the work of two witches. One, Angengelica, burned at the stake during Salem. The second, being my mate. Though you will never find us."

David: "Great so an answer to our problem has disappeared. Any chance we can delay that dream of yours for the next ten years?"

"Highly unlikely."

Dwayne: "Does it say anything about you?"

"No there are a few more pages about how to master skills and to quench thirst without blood but there seems to be a page missing from this book."

Max: "Though they will never come about except the one, here is what has been foretold. A woman of great power will be born before the turn of the twenty-first century, if not sooner. Her anger will spew like lava and she will be the mother of the Seer, and The Fates. If ever born, protect her with your life brothers in darkness. Whatever council is left, take her to them."

"How did you?"

Max: "I studied Latin when I was a boy."

"Why did you keep this from me?"

Max: "You see, when I found out about you, I wanted to see if this would become true. You seemed human enough. I figured the old fool had no clue what he was writing. But when you started changing, oh that was an offer I could not pass up. My own 'niece' being the spark of hope for the vampire council. I knew I had to keep you safe. I was going to tell you eventually, I swear but I did not expect you to become mated to my boys. Sad really. These will be the loins that create the Seer, and The Fates, Ha! What a joke."

Max seemed slightly unhinged. I could tell by the crazed look in his eye that not all he was saying was true. The boys seemed to see what I was seeing and felt my unease. They circled around me in a protective wall of vampires.

Dwayne: "How did you know we found the book?"

Max: "God why are you so ignorant. I placed it here. It was about time she found out who she is. My dear, sweet Y/N. Don't you see? They are not the ones to bring upon the new age of vampires. They are simply trash."

"What about the bond? You can not break that without killing me."

Max: "Well not fully true. Your bond is new and not fully, how did he put it, 'acquired' yet. So you will survive. Painful as it may be, you will live. Though, I can not say the same for them but beggars can't be choosers."

David: "I am starting to think we do not need that witches help. We could simply just kill you now."

Max: "Oh please do. I have one more secrete up my sleave involving your precious mate, though you wouldn't know what it was till it was too late."

He was gone as quickly as he appeared. Marko and Paul started to go after him but Dwayne simply patted their shoulders as a way to keep them here. I am sure another silent conversation was going on that I am not being included on.

"Well isn't this just great. He is insane. This book is insane. And now I think I am going insane. I never thought I would say this but, I miss the snow."

Paul: "What exactly does he mean by acquired yet?"

David slapped him in the back of the head like it wasn't an obvious enough answer. Dwayne shook his head and pulled me down on the couch with him. I curled into his side a little frightened from seeing Max so unhinged.

David: "We need to think of a plan. Forget this Micheal guy. We need to be here for her at all times till we get this figured out."

"What happens if we do fully bond? Does that mean trying to spilt it would kill us all?"

Dwayne: "Most likely."

"Then let's do that. He can't rip me away if it means I'd die."

Dwayne: "Princess, listen, you've only been here a short time and honestly you've been through a lot in that period. I feel like I don't have to tell you this but I don't want to push you into anything just because of what Max is saying."

Marko: "I really care about you and all but I would feel terrible if we all took something that's supposed to be special and twisted it because of some lunatic. We want you to be ready and not feel so forced."

"Listen I get that and I deeply appreciate it but I won't risk you guy's lives for this. I can't just have him rip me away while I know you are dying from it."

Paul: "She doesn't have to ask me twice."

That definitely earned another slap.

David: "How about we call it a night. It's already close enough to dawn. We'll make a plan once the sun sets but for now we know someone must be with you at all times."