Angelina

Chapter 1

     We passed through our enormous hunting grounds onto their small grounds to get a better look at her. The night and surrounding forest provided ample camouflage. She was just a girl no more than eighteen. A child, no, a babe.

     Lextor, my elder, placed his hand on my shoulder. I turned to look at him and was surprised to see that I was not the only one struggling for control. This small action somehow drew her attention. She was already looking our way but now she sat up a little in the hammock she laid in and stared hard into wildness. We both stepped back deeper within the inky forest.

     We found them waiting for us when we arrived back at the house. There was no need for lights, our eyes adjusted to the night. One look around the room told me all I needed to know. Control was surely an issue. No one can go near the girl until we overcome the raw desire to dominate her. A test many seemed to be failing so far.

     They crouched around us, predators eager for the hunt, waiting for the command. Eyes gleaming black onyx, faces distorted and low growls emanating from deep within. I had not seen my family so worked up in such a long time, not even, when we hunt hungry together.

     After centuries, you get use to the smell of human blood. For those who still taste from the human flesh, charming their meal for days is possible before feeding. However, for us, if human blood-crave takes over we go on a rampage. This was no ordinary blood-crave. This girl could divide us; break up the best of our species with her complex evolutionary lineage.      Lextor used his superiority to speak to them.

     “We will protect the girl” It was merely a statement. “If any of you feel this is a task you are not up to, you are free to leave here now. I realized the implications of this; we have lived together so long…” His voice trailed off, as though he was thinking about the implications right then. He was not the only one.

     There were more growls now, angry ones.

     “This is our way of life.” Lextor continued, speaking with authority. “This is also a test of our strength and bond. We must not fail.”

     After a medium moment, they calmed to a reasonable state. Margas was the first to speak. “I am with you. If I slip up or even attempt to, do what must be done.”

     Lextor gave him a nod. Gilliana, Margas’s mate spoke next. Her question worried me.

     “What about the celebration?” Her voice was still thick with crave.

     Lextor will be seven hundred years in less than two weeks, the oldest in our clan and well respected in other clans all over the world. Vampires from every continent will be arriving to mark this occasion, even some Lycanthrope clans. Many of them do not practice our way of life.

     We of the Morganite clan do not prey upon humans. We hunt the strongest beasts of the wild. We clone and breed them and   somehow their blood has sustained us and given us new life; we are more humane because of it.

     “It will have to be cancelled.” Lextor replied. I heard their low grumbles and the looks of disapproval on their faces well noted, but that was the only solution.

     “If Lextor wants to cancel his celebration, then that’s what we’ll do.” I spoke up, and all eyes turned on me. It was clear I stood with Lextor and what remains of the Moganite clan after tonight.

     However, I understood. This celebration took almost a year of planning. Even though most of our guests do not share in our beliefs, they have accepted our lifestyle and respected our territories. The chance to unite with our kindred like in archaic times- I too felt acute disappointment.