Bred For Extinction

The Servant is Called Upon

The hotel called "Immaculate Nights" stands tall in its presence near the city's business hub. A symbol of elegance and luminous vision, a true masterpiece in design and stature in all ways with its towering height and master architecture. Richly decorated inside and out, its guests make up the crème of the region as they busily scurry between business and pleasure. But there is one inhabitant that is here, deep within the darkened catacombs that make up the wine cellars well below the normal man's vision...that is here for strictly pleasure. Far, far below the exterior sight of all the patrons are darkened chambers, halls that at first seem to be graced with the most elegant and flavorful wines of the world tucked away in their cubby-holes awaiting to be selected. Wines meant for the richest of palates...soft, alluring liquids that please the most discerning of guests...wines ancient in age and taste. But for one to traverse deeper....deeper down into those shadowy realms, lit at first by only candlelight, and then by nothing at all....here would one perhaps find something more ancient than the wines themselves. Oh if only one would travel further down those dirt-lined floors where the hotel's employees have been told never to go...there would they come upon a solid door... a door strong with wood and iron that could only be meant to keep others out. It is here, behind this massive obstacle of entry, that a conversation takes place witnessed only by flickering candlelight....a conversation not meant for human ears....a conversation concerning a situation that humans never could understand.

"Father...there are whispers in the realm that breed fear." The words are spoken in haste with an uneasiness that has the speaker jittery with nervousness...perhaps for the situation...perhaps for the uncertainty of the master's reaction.

"Fear? My children fear?" The master's expression stands unmoved in the waving candle flame. Thin and pale is his frame as head leans back, resting as eyes stare to the ceiling above. The massive wooden throne that his body occupies creaks with an age that perhaps matches his own as his weight shifts, bringing his vision down to fall upon his child. "Please...you are the same as always with your over-dramatics, Thanas. Tell me..." fingers reach up to stroke a bony chin as he awaits words from his subject, no true concern ever sauntering his thoughts. "Tell me what has you here at this hour when you should be out searching for dinner."

"Markus has not been seen, nor any of his children in weeks now. Ever since he split from our great family has he been a thorn, yet now nothing...no word, no sight, no presence." Thanas' actions show worry as he paces in front of his master

"And this...this should concern me? It seems a blessing to have him finally out of our hair...." Fingers, knotted and worn with age flow up to slip thru the vampire's seemingly delicate locks. "I see no reason for the distress that plagues your face. It is for the better."

"But father, should we not ask what could have dispatched him...either in direction or in death. He was not one to be easily taken, as you well know father...even you...and please forgive me for my words" Thanas halts fearing the reaction to his next words, "Even you hesitated when the time came that he challenged...allowing him to leave us and begin his own family. The others can be persuaded with your non-chalant speech about the whole ordeal, but I have been with you for so long master, and I know you...and I know you would never allow a child to split from our family if you could stop it. He had become very strong...I know, you taught him to well."

The father's eyes flash with anger for a mere moment, then settle back as his lips curl into a sinister grin, rising as scarred hands press against the armrests to help the transition to his feet. "Hmmm...yes perhaps you know me very well, Thanus. So well in fact, that you know my weaknesses, and always guard them from others. You are my most devoted; it is only because of this I listen to your words that speak always of the worst scenarios. So please, tell me deeper, why should I be concerned...my once beautiful child had become my enemy, true, then it is good he is gone."