Ancient Curse

2. The Clan

In the 1950s we moved to United States, we heard about the opportunity for new family members and with our latest batch getting violently taken out by my father it was time to move. In Breaux Bridge we discovered a rogue clan that had been hiding out. My father offered them money, power and stability in exchange for serving the family. There were 15 in total; Frank, Joseph, Damon, Zachariah, Monty, Craig and some women and children that were turned against will. The men found the women and took them in to make sure they were not discovered or murdered. Frank seemed to be the leader of the group despite being the smallest, he was 5'7 dark brown hair with brown eyes. He did take charge and I saw and issue arising the moment I met him. Joseph was tall broad man with a moustache and goatee, he followed Franks every word to a T. Zachariah was an old soul, was a farmer in his human life and just wanted to fit in  So he did whatever Frank wanted. Monty and Craig were brothers in their human life and stuck together like glue, the only reason they followed Frank was the fact he provided whatever they needed. Damon however was different, he was a tall muscular man, short well kept black hair and an attractive moustache unlike Joseph. Frank had taken two of the women to be his wives, Heidi and Vivian. Both beautiful blonde women that looked like they were movies stars, hell they could've been at one point.  Despite the vampire world being the most secretive they weren't afraid to take what was wanted. Joseph was the only other one that had a partner and he seemed to genuinely love her as my parents loved each other. Her name was Violet, a very proper old school beautiful woman, she had three kids that her and Joseph took under their wing. The rest just existed under Franks control.

         My father watched him closely for a few weeks, testing his loyalty by having him do odd and dangerous jobs. Without hesitation he completed the tasks. His two right hand men Joseph and Zachariah followed right behind him. The two brothers took advantage of their decent new found freedom and took on the rolls of caretakers of the property in exchange for their own private guest house away from the rest. They were sweet, I could tell they wanted away from Frank and I didn't blame them. There was about seven houses with our old plantation house, that were on the property my family purchased. In the back there was tiny watering hole surrounded by woods that I claimed for my own. I had my own place built back there and asked for privacy. It was respected for the most part, my mother Lana would stop by frequently to ask about any possible candidates for a mate as it was strange for a vampire to be alone as long as I have. I have never had a possible mate, or even a date. No vampire has piqued my interest to date, and to be honest I am happy being solo. My house was very modest compared to the rest of the house, being only three bedrooms and two baths with a giant sunroom where I had all my plants set up, over three hundred to be exact. It was my slice of paradise in the south.

    It was a crisp fall night when my mother came rushing to my door, panic stricken face. My mother was never one to panic so I knew it was serious. Frank had gotten a little cocky in the woods two towns over and had started a turf war with some damn werewolves. Fucking dogs were the last thing we wanted to deal with, it was a mutual agreement between my father and the wolf pack leader that our lands and boundaries would be respected, and Frank decided to feed off a drunk killed one of the wolves. My mother was panicking because three wolves were spotted heading into the area and being protective she thought they would hit the furthest spot first, meaning me. I am definitely stronger that the wolves but if they decided to attack during the day I would be a little weak as the sun didn't kill us but just made us slightly weak. That is how we have lived so long in the general population. I had been doing my nightly swim when I heard my mother rush into the area, she wasn't alone though. I heard a slightly familiar voice, Damon, who arrived just before her and was doing the perimeter check of my home. Now I know my mother has been my mother for about three thousand years now but nothing ever prepares you to see your family members in the buff. My mother screamed in shocking embarrassment when she realized and that brought Damon flying over to protect, only to realize that it was just me being nude in my pond. 

        My mother covered her eyes and apologized immediately, Damon apologized but his eyes lingered unintentionally for a few seconds longer. They both turned around as I got near water edge and grabbed my towel, drying off I asked what the intrusion was about and in a rush, they got me inside my house to explain. "That son of a bitch is going to start a civil war." I stated flatly as I pulled a sundress of my freshly dried body. I could feel a weird tension, as if I was being watched. Damon had gone back outside to keep an eye on the land. I had a suspicion his curiosity got the best of him, and oddly I didn't mind.  I strolled into my sunroom where my mother stood, admiring all my plant, " I know, your father is meeting with the wolf pack leader trying to make amends. It doesn't stop the wolves already deployed though. I am not worried about us, I am worried they will attack the children. They are such easy targets.". I know my mother very well, doesn't matter if I were 10 years or 3,000 years she was there because she was worried about me. I walk over to her and sit on my couch, "Mother you know I am safe, I am older and stronger than all the wolves combined, so why are you here?".

     She turned to me with a look I haven't seen before and came at me with anger, "YOU are my only child and we are in danger with this, we don't know what connections they may have." I had nothing to say to her, she was right technically. I stood up and went over to my cactus wall, absent mindedly picking at a leaf, "What is the plan then?". She cleared her throat and I heard a rush of air, Damon was back in an instant, " Damon is going to stay here with you unless you want to come back to main house with me and the rest of the clan." She knew I would not leave my house, so that's why Damon was brought with her. I turn and nod at her, agreeing to what I knew wasn't up for debate. Relief washed over her face, and she came over to me, resting her forehead on mine and in our native tongue thanked me, "Lubeste fiica mea." After she nodded at Damon who nodded back, and she ran back towards the main house to get the children and others gathered in safety. I walked towards my spare room that I was in process of turning into a library, Damon standing in kitchen surveying my home. " Make yourself at home, library is in here, water hole outside and I have spare room set up in basement you can use." He nodded and mumbled a thank you, man of few words still I see.