A nibble and a bite separate a vamp from vamplings and Masters from wannabes.

Who your Daddy is, is a big deal to vampires, especially descendants of Sayten! The Bitten are paleskinned and The Unbitten are relatives to African Slaves. This short-story tells the history of how the Vampranttons, some black and some white, become divided powerful vampire families. This is Part 1.

THE CONFLICT
Drackk Ulla Vamprantton, the eldest son of Sayten, co-ruled over the Vampire Nations in the 1200s. Drackk and his siblings were the most feared first-family in all of history. Under their rule, humans were massacred mercilessly at any time for whatever purpose, sport, whim, holidays, and rituals. Fortunately for humankind, there were extended members of the vampire first-family opposed to this kind of savage brutality. Deathino, a twin brother to Sayten, objected and protested openly to the Vampire Council of Law and Policy Enforcement about his eldest nephew, Drackk Ulla Vamprantton. Unfortunately for Deathino, the Vampire Council of LPE did not dare to rein in Sayten's heir; thus, protected by his father's favor, Drackk Ulla even displayed a lack of respect for his uncle and Deathino's vamplings as well. On the occasion that Drackk Ulla was ever issued a summons to appear before the Vampire Council of Law and Policy Enforcement, he invoked Sayten's influence to balk at the council's authority. With Drackk Ulla leading his rebellioners, Sayten permitted all of his vamplings to run amok, unchecked, and without consequence.

THE SEPARATION of POWERS

Deathino was infuriated. His masculine frame puffed to a bulk of intimidating measure, and his teeth elongated to their full length of 6 inches. He was a horrific sight to behold even for an undead of Levato's esteemed physical prowess. "What do you mean the matter is closed?" Deathino's ears jutted out. He was ready to tear into the carotid of his tormentor, the regional vice president of the Vampire Council of LPE. Again, the council of vampires was allowing his nephew to get away with unsanctioned malicious brutality. "It was explained to me, Master Deathino, that the council of vampires voted in favor of halting all inquiries that you speak of." Levato's voice quivered. "I was asked to inform you of these developments at your earliest convenience. I greatly apologize for the delay, but I had been told that the preparations for Vampyre Murdothma were underway and you were not to be disturbed." Levato tried to hold his body stiffly, but Deathino always had this effect on him even when they were vamplings. This twin was more complicated to get to know, and it seemed that with every passing century, their friendship strained. It is why Levato always liked Sayten best. "You well knowLevato, that I'm not seething over the delay. It is the decision that was made that angers me." "I do understand, Master Deathino." "No, I don't think you or the rest of the vampires serving on Council Enforcement, have a damn clue. Drackk Ulla endangers the future of every vampire clan and

nightwalker residing within the shadows, by his continued unchecked recklessness. We will all pay the price for it some day." "We have spoken to Sayten about...." In anger, Deathino cut off Levato's words and got right in his face. "He is Sayten's favored heir, what discipline would you expect Sayten to put upon his chosen son?" Deathino walked away, out of Levato's space. Before dematerializing back to the first-family's castle, he left Levato with some sobering words to digest. "Slaughtering humans and leaving their mutilated bodies on street corners will come with a price, I assure you, Levato; I assure all of you of that." Then Deathino disappeared. Levato breathed a sigh of relief, but he was still very concerned about Deathino's intolerance of his nephew's antics. But not just his father was favoring Drackk Ulla. The Vampire Council of Law and Policy Enforcement were looking forward to the time when Drackk would pay back his long list of indebtors tenfold. Until then, Levato had to arrange a meeting with Sayten to discuss what just occurred in his lair. Being that the first-family were consumed with the daunting task of preparing the castle for Vampyre Murdothma, Levato elected to meet with Sayten tomorrow night before the celebration; seemingly, the hard part of his job just ended tonight. He hated being the messenger of bad news, he thought to himself. Levato dematerialized to his coffin. Just hours away, the castle would be invaded by vampires and their pets arriving around midnight to kick off the celebration. There were no details left undone. The firstfamily excelled when it came to parties. The only thing left for Deathino to do was to go in search of a sacrifice to present to the supreme ruler of darkness. He was informed that the humans were being kept two doors down from the Under Chamber. The young women volunteered to be used in exchange for the promised gift of immortality. All Deathino had to do was select his choice from the group and then try to rest up before the vampire guests arrived. As he proceeded down the darkened hall, he heard voices echoing from the Under Chamber. Curiosity got the best of him because he thought that all the preparations had been complete. The voices were now familiar to him. Instead of joining in on the conversation, he was more interested in why they were compelled to meet underground. He stayed near the chamber's entrance, but did not materialize. He preferred invisibility at this point, as Sayten and Drackk Ulla were deep in discussion. Deathino transformed from out of a vaporized state into an undetectable dispersion of molecules that concealed his identity better. "Sire, what are we to do about uncle?" "Deathino is of no concern to me or you, Drackk." "But he continues to report my killings to the Vampire Council of Enforcement. I know that he follows me, or will even send his vamplings to spy or block our kills." "You overwhelm us so, son. Any losses are redeemed in such magnitudes that we have not found a sufficient cove to store away girths of red pools." Sayten smirked. "There clearly is no one blocking your kills." "I tell you that he blocks me, sire!" "For dominance to control the clans, we must satisfy our bloodkin and their appetite for immorality."

"And I'm saying to youmy stubborn son, human annihilation will wreck our food sources. You must find a way to temper the unprincipled. A rogue mentality will doom us all." Drackk was resigned to an audible, heavy sigh. "All right. What of the antidote?" "Ahh, yes; the antidote. Not to worry. We stand in good stead with leadership." "And of its progress or hindrances, father?" "I assure there are none hitherto Vampyre Murdothma." Levato, who materialized in the middle of the chamber, interrupted Sayten and Drackk's discussion. "What are you two plotting in here?" Levato asked. "Bite your tongue vampire," Drackk laughed. "I hope to do much more than that in the wee hours, friend. What secrets are you sharing that secludes you both in chamber this eve, Sayten?" "I have been assuring my son that the antidote is being produced in earnest." "Yes, that it is," Levato agreed. "I got word of progress before coming here." "What of your twin, Deathino, and his vamplings? You know, he paid me a visit, in my lairmind you, when he learned that I had some news from council to deliver him." "I asked my father that very question, Levato. Did my uncle play nice when he got the news?" Levato's eyes widened. "It depends on how one defines the word "nice." "Our apologies to you, Mr. Councilman," Drackk replied with a polite nod. "I continue to reiterate to you, both, that Deathino will share no part in this. I'm certain that he would object to the way we round up the humans. My twin prefers a more conservative approach to killing, which is completely absurd since the end result is still death." "He has this ridiculous fear of vampires being discovered and then staked," Drackk said. "No lowly human would dare challenge us even if they have awareness of our existence," Drackk assured. "And I hate vampires that sympathize for humans, especially like uncle Deathino does. It's ridiculous since he is an extraordinarily lethal human killer." "As he explained it to me once, Levato offered, it is the fact that we tease and play with our food before we torture them so." All three vampires began laughing. "That is what he finds so repulsive; plus, that little fact already mentioned, which is that we vampires are outnumbered by the humans should they discover us," Levato added. "All the more for us to proceed with the round up, and the experimentation of the antidote," Drackk tacked on. "Numbers will be irrelevant at that point." "This antidote will set us apart," Sayten stated in a wicked tone. "My reasons are personal as I stated once before. It will afford me with some freedom of my own. I do not enjoy sharing everything with a twin. Absolute power is appealing to me, just as it was for our dark lord." Levato looked at Drackk and then directly at Sayten. "Deathino won't consent to a demotion. What preparations have you made to handle him, Sayten, if I may ask?"

"Yes he will. We will force his cooperation by bargaining for the existence of his heir," Drackk stated. My cousins, their father, and all other sympathizers are an embarrassment to our kind. With the antidote in our possession, our power multiplies. If they do not align with us, there will be consequences that will include being burned and staked. There should be only one powerful ruler of all vampire Masters." Drackk Ulla then looked towards his sire with much pride. "It was once before and it shall be again. We had a king in our dark lord, and Sayten will be our prince." All of a sudden, the walls of the chamber began to quake and bits of dirt and concrete began to separate and rain down from the ceilings. Deathino had heard enough. He materialized before his three conspirators. He stretched out his left arm and with sheer power, propelled Drackk against the wall with lightening speed, as Levato jumped back out of harm's way. Sayten did not move for he had recognized his twin's materializing signature. Drackk had the disadvantage of youth on his side, so he was out-powered and no match for Deathino's wrath. He remained limp and contorted against the wall, strangled in his uncle's powerful mental grip. Staring into Drackk's colorless eyes, Deathino spoke to his twin as Levato coward behind the room's gold encrusted table, trembling out of concern for his own fate. "Sayten, on the eve of Vampyre Murdothma, I came here only to acquire my chosen human sacrifice for the dark one." Deathino's voice deepened as he replayed the plot against his bloodkin. He let it swirl around in his head. "But here I find instead, Deathino continued, my twin and his heir conspiring to depose me by threatening the existence of my heirs." His eyes bulged with anger. Deathino could literally feel his blood quicken as it coursed through thin veins and engorged his temples. He wrestled with the impulse to exterminate his arrogant nephew. He was experiencing, for the first time, that it took much self control to hold back imploding fury. "You say that I, that I humiliate your miserable arse? Dearest nephew, Deathino mocked, you must be pulling my teeth? Evidently, an infantilistic mentality is strangulating for an heir; perhaps, something akin to a psychotic vampling." Drackk tried to look over at his father, Sayten, but he did not have the liberty of movement or control of his own body. "You forget, nephew, that I've killed vampires with blood-tie privileges thrice before, and what saves you now will not be Sayten." Deathino never looked at Sayten, but he could hear his twin's breaths from across the room. "I spare your life because I simply do not want to create distraction on the eve of Vampyre Murdothma. It would be very disrespectful. Your father knows this, and it's why he does not save you now." Deathino then took the opportunity to contort Drackk's limbs further so that they bent unnaturally. Drackk cried out in pain as the saliva that had pooled in his mouth, ran down his squared-chin. His eyes protruded, but his pinpoint pupils shifted and rolled around unfocused. He was in excruciating, maddening pain. His breathing grew more labored, audible throughout the chamber, but Deathinohimself near the breaking point, would not relent.

It was distressing for Levato to witness, but Sayten remained where he stood, expressionless, as his heir was getting his butt kicked by his brother. "The fragility of the bond that intertwines us brother, unfurls now as I speak. I pledge to youSayten, that if my nephew should ever renounce my authority and assassinate my heirs, he will be exterminated." Deathino punctuated his words. "By. My. Will." Deathino released Drackk, who immediately crumpled to the chamber's floor. Deathino wasn't done yet. He turned to glare at Levato in a vampkinetic dual. Levato went down onto his knees, coiling in pain, with his arms contortedly raised to his face in a failed effort to shield his eyes. Deathino then took a step back to finally look at his equal. Sayten's cool demeanor was blown, but yet he didn't dare to challenge his twin who was in a volatile state. Deathino took a breath and rolled his shoulders, but did not dematerialize; instead, Death remained upright and turned his back on Sayten's power as he exited the Under Chamber. It was a blatant display of disrespect for a want-to-be-one-and-only prince, the unpredictable, malevolent Sayten.

The Vampyre Murdothma Celebration

Deathino gave no credence to the conversation he overheard regarding an antidote. Sayten was always trying to create a daylight substance to enhance his abilities to becoming a daywalker, but nothing ever came of it over the centuries. More pressing concerns revolved around the celebration. The twins were barely on speaking terms, but with plenty of vamplings in the family, all the fine details of the celebration were still meticulously monitored and supervised through them. One of the issues decided on was to leave the physical properties of the castle behind an energy field, obscured from human sight; however, the castle will manifest upon any vampire's will. Most vampire rituals and parties took place off the family forte, and usually held at the vampire councilmen castle. With newly transitioned, international vampires attending, its space was not large enough for the occasion. The first-family Vampranttons resided in a very imposing rectangular structure with hidden passageways. Below ground, the Under Chamber was a spectacular room. It was secluded from the rest of the chambers and ten stories down into the earth. It secretly led to storage of vampire coffin rooms and other amenities appreciated by its vampire guests. Deathino sent word out to his bloodkin that during Vampyre Murdothma, he would be announcing his plans of relocation. His vamplings were all in favor of the idea and supported their sire's decision. It would be a delicate situation because there were Masters from other regions attending the celebration. This was the time to honor their dark lord by presenting a virginal human sacrifice at the foot of his engraved coffin. For vampires, it is a venerated occasion, and dictated that there be no ostentatious sideshow. Nothing could potentially upstage the honoree, like executing one's nephew or twin brother. The honored was the only guest acknowledged this night. The responsibility fell solely on the first-family Masters, Sayten and Deathino. The first-family had to play nice. What couldn't happen was to give the impression that theirs' was a family divided

or fractured. Division would bring the opportunity for an influx of conspirators and perpetrators challenging the first-family's leadership. It was laughable really, but not unheard of.

The Party's Over Here.....

At midnight, Sayten materialized with his heir and the rest of his vamplings. Drackk Ulla walked one step behind and to the left of his father. The rest of Drackk's siblings walked two steps behind him, in descending chronological order. They were indeed a sight to behold, beautiful, powerful, and deadly, the perfect ingredients of firstfamily vampire males. The spectators were enamored and awed. They also parted in reverence to the first-family and graciously permitted them an unobstructing path to the regal doorway of the Under Chamber. Their greetings were as refined as their applause. It was customary not to act the fool before Bloody Marys were served, lest you got bitten and staked. There was plenty of time for vampire craziness and fun would be had by all in attendance. Deathino and his clan were not all that accommodating when it came to making show-stopping, over-the-top, grand entrances. Their subtlety suited them well as a dangerous and deadly first-family, equally effective in comparison to his twin's display. Deathino led his vamplings into the Under Chamber. He kept his greetings short and amicable as he worked through the excited crowd as the celebration got underway. Vampyre Murdothma brought out even the most reclusive of vampires to honor their former leader. None of the ancient and powerful would miss the biannual event, despite their discomfort outside the shadows. The vamplings were a different story because every night was a party to them. As expected, the place was crowded. All had come out for some crimson drink and delicious bites. "Deathino, you look a bit distracted tonight. What occupies your thoughts, friend?" "Well-well, Juda, the-always-inquisitive Juda. Is it that you are that curious or genuinely, respectfully prying?" Deathino asked. Juda laughed at this remark, repositioning his long, raven, braided hair to his back side. Juda stood 6 feet 5 inches with muscles of steel. He was popular among the species' females who, per tradition, did not participate in Vampyre Murdothma. This was a dangerous event for vampire females, and they stayed away to let the males have their fun. "It was only curiosity, but now it's both." He gave Deathino a sideway glance trying to read his thoughts vampkinetically. Encountering a block, Juda pulled back his attempt. "Okay, I give. Whatever is on your mind does not affect the festivities, I hope. Plus, this is the night we all gather unto our dark lord and Master to show deference to our safe existence as shadow-dwellers. And again, you and your twin have outdone yourselves. It is a magnificent display, Deathino." "Hold your score, Juda. The night is still young." "Most definitely." Juda turned to face the center of the large room to inspect the inventory of the quickly materializing crowd.

"Where did all these nightthings come from?" he asked in an exaggerated tone. Juda's question struck Deathino's funny bone and brought out a genuine appreciation of laughter. "I believe these nightthingshe paused, are some of your relatives. Now, you will have to excuse me so that I welcome them all, properly." Deathino patted Juda's shoulder and headed in the direction of the gathering new vampire arrivals. "Yes, of course. I'll have to seek out your twin to engage in small-talk with me," he shouted out above the noise. Deathino quickly looked back at Juda with more laughter, and raised his hand in acknowledgment as he walked away. Juda was just what he needed. His sour mood was lifting. Commotion could be heard from the back, near the Masters' tables. The thickness of the crowd created a tidal wave rushing towards the loud voices. "There is nothing masterful about leading a bunch of idiots!" Drackk Ulla shouted. "Ask your father whether that's true, cousin. He has been leading you around extremely well," Knigtton replied in a flippant tone. Drackk flew across the table and into Knightton's chest. The dueling vampires rolled together on the floor like dough on a rolling pin, and connected with the back wall with a thud. Drackk was on top, but before he could do any real damage, Sayten yanked him up off of Knightton. He gave a stern warning glance to Knightton, and then escorted Drackk back to his seat. "On this night, you will control your temper. Do not disrespect our guests or me. Let Deathino handle his vamplings. You are mine, so act like it." Drackk took control over his inner demon and composed himself. He nodded in acknowledgment, heeding his father's guttural warning. This was the wrong time and place for an altercation with his bloodkin. He knew that. He looked over to his left and unintentionally met Deathino's hard, cold glare staring right back at him. Gesturing towards Knightton, Drackk went back over to see if Knightton was all right. "My apologies to you all and especially, you, Knigtton. Here, let me help you." As Drackk got closer, Feardren cut his path off. Drackk took a step to his right and was again met by Feardren. "My brother can hear you just fine, Drackk Ulla. And I will see to his care, if you don't mind?" "Of course, of course," was Drackk's quick response. "Please do, Feardren. I let my temper interpose in our conversation. I'm ashamed and very sorry." Drackk turned his back to Feardren to address the onlookers that gathered around. "This party is off to a good start," he declared with mirthful laughter. The other vampires joined in with as much delight, and an energetic laughter overtook the crowd. "Now come everyone, let the vampire games begin!" Drackk Ulla shouted. The boisterously loud roar from the guests was a good indication that the vampires were ready to play rough, especially after watching the first-family members, Knightton and Drackk Ulla Vamprantton, have a quick tussle. This was extremely out of the ordinary for this occasion, but vampires loved a fight; and, that it was between

members of the first-family made it all the more entertaining. It was shaping up to be one hell of a celebration. "Bloody Red or Bloody Dead" was the voted game of choice to really get the blood flowing. All the vampire participants huddled together to discuss strategy. It was always best to have the vampire with the most ferocious appetite anchoring the team. The objective of the game was to engage a target, bite, and swallow, taking as much blood without killing, then repeat step 1. The vampire team with the largest number of limp, bloody, but undead, were the winners. The human females were led into the Under Chamber and lined up, side by side. Someone must have told them that it was a poolside party because they were all dressed in swim wear. It was Sayten who had volunteered to hypnotize the women; one could only imagine what he convinced their minds to believe. Under vampkinesis, they were to be oblivious to what was about to happen to them. The Vampranttons did not partner up the way that first-families were expected to. This was a bad sign. Sayten and Deathino both looked at each other from across the room, but neither engaged the other telepathically. Their vamplings decided to compete against each another. So be it. If things got out of hand, the game would end badly for sure. Deathino stood behind the judges. Levato's participation as a judge was the second bad sign Deathino noted. Levato and other members of the Vampire Council of Law and Policy Enforcement were seated in front of him, and chosen to oversee the event and declare the winners. The vampire spectators had returned to their tables. This competition was always a favorite event. Many of the vamplings chose to stand instead, which angered their elders. Much to the vamplings dismay, Sayten announced that the event would not begin until everyone had taken a seat. They grumbled back, but not too loudly, and still had the good sense to find seats. The young women were extraordinarily giddy with excitement, which was not usually the case when under the influence of vampkinesis. When the music started playing, the human females started dancing. That was the cue for the game to begin. One vampire from each clan proceeded across the room to select their female of choice. After coaxing each woman to the middle of the floor, the vampires embraced their dance partners. Drackk was very rough with his female. She looked uncomfortable as she began to pull back and struggled in his embrace, and that's when he bit her. The female startled, and her expression soon turned to agony. Her arms flailed about and uncharacteristically, she even began to scream for help. Apparently, she was no longer under the influence and was coming out from under the deep spell. All the other dancing females seemed to be coming into their own recognition of clarity. The dancing was replaced by screaming women. Drackk drank until the woman passed out. He then shot across the room to pick out another. Human adrenaline soaked the air, making it inevitable that a vampire blood orgy was about to erupt. The frightened women screamed, begged, and ran around in fear for their lives. The vampires that were seated were now materializing in the center of the floor. It was chaos. The vampire musicians struggled with their desires to join the blood feast, but managed to continue playing.

Loren, the son of Levato, did not have to restrain the brunette he had selected. This human did not fight in protest or scream out for help. She didn't struggle against his embrace or beg for his mercy. She had awareness now that he would drink from her; yet, she remained passive. It was as if she wanted to be taken. She was not under any influence or charmed by a vampire's will. Her acceptance fascinated Loren. He would deliver for sure. "Why do you offer yourself to me, human?" "Would it do me any good to resist the way the others have and failed?" "It would do you no good just the same." "Then get on with it," she demanded. Loren stepped back to look at her closely. She had splotches of blood covering her body that belonged to the other random females on the floor. Some moaning. Others dead. She met the vampire's gaze, and there was fear in her eyes. Her body trembled, but her voice was strong. "You do fear me. I sense it. I smell it." "My body deceives me, but I'm brave," she insisted, boldly lifting her head. "You can't see my heart." Loren step forward and thrust his hand right through her rib cage, and in one deftly motion, yanked her heart out. "Yes, I can. I've got it right here in my hand. See?" He lifted her heart in front of her eyes. There was a look of horror in the woman's face. No sound. The brunette's body collapsed to the floor. Loren stepped over the female, tossing the bloody organ aside. It was a horrendous scene. Deathino looked over to Sayten, hoping to get his assistance in regaining some control over the savagery. There were too many vampires, vamplings, and Masters, so Deathino couldn't do this without his twin's help. Unfortunately, Sayten was definitely enjoying the turn of events. Right then and there, Deathino realized that Sayten had purposefully dazed, but not induced the humans. He only touched the superficial layers of their minds. The humans were very aware of what was happening. The vampires chased, captured, and then fed upon the women. During the chaos, Drackk Ulla ordered the release of the women that were being held in the adjacent vampire rooms. They were all shuffled into the Under Chamber and fed to the wildly excited, voracious, and out of control vampire males. Three vamplings pursued a freckled-faced redhead that dashed under the Masters' table. She kicked and yelled at her tormentors. The more aggression she displayed, the more excited the vamplings grew. One young vampire lifted the table, and another clapped on to her leg and bit down, puncturing his razor-teeth through her calf bone. She cried out in pain. She kicked at his head and face using her one free leg, but he didn't care, nor did he budge. He pulled in, tugging, quenching his thirst. Distracted with the vampire on her leg gave the third vampire an opportunity to bite into the redhead's neck. They were much too strong for the redheaded tomboy. Her strength was deteriorating and consciousness failing. She was at their mercy. When they filled themselves with her blood, they sought out another.

There was nothing Deathino could do to stop the onslaught. There were just too many to go up against, and it would be too dangerous without Sayten's help. He used his vampkinetic ability to summon his sons to him and implored them to return topside. He refused to allow them to take part in the vampire savageness. At the Under Chamber door, Drackk had cornered a short-haired, green-eyed human. There was dark-red blood smeared over her body, down her legs, and some had matted her short hair into spikes. He made an attempt to reach for her, and she swiped his hands away in a forcible manner. "A fighter, are you?" he asked mockingly. "Look, I'll offer you a deal. I can make this a lot more pleasant for you than what your friends have experienced." "No thanks. I'm not interested. All I want to do is go home," the green-eyed teenager said. "You are home, little one." "I wanna go home to my real home," she replied angrily. "What's wrong, don't you like what we did to the place?" Drackk laughed at his own sick words. "You stay away from me!" the girl shouted. "Look, we can do this the hard way or the easy way." Drackk took a glance at his nails and pulled out his hanky to clean the drying blood trapped underneath. "It is your choice." "Neither!" she yelled back. "Shhh, calm yourself little one." Do you want the others to hear you?" Drakuul, the youngest son of Sayten, materialized in front of the female. "I'll take this one brother," Drakuul stated firmly. "You will not!" "There are others you can have. This human is younger than the others. Please, let me have her," Drakuul requested. "What do you want with her?" "She-she should be let go. She is younger than the others," Drakuul stammered. "Yeah, I heard you the first time," Drackk stated. Just then, the girl rushed into Drakuul's back with all of her strength. This sent his momentum forward, so he made an attempt to exaggerate the human's strength to assist her possible getaway. He clashed right into his brother, Drackk. The human took off down the long hall outside the Under Chamber. Drackk shoved his little brother off, and dematerialized quickly in search of the runaway. Her footfalls echoed off the floor with each stride, as she ran searching for an escape route to hide. Drackk materialized in front of her, obstructing her path. The girl screamed out. "My god, what are you?" Drackk rolled his eyes. "I'm the boogie man, sweetheart. And you are being very naughty. You know, the boogie man punishes naughty girls like you." Drakuul then reappeared on the opposite side, leaving the female trapped, but separating the two brothers. "What the hell do you want, Drakuul?" "I told you. I want the girl."

"You can not have the girrrlll." Drackk's tone was vicious this time, threatening really. "I have a say in this," the teenager stated bravely. Drackk gave her a curious glance. "Oh, nooo young brother, this little one is definitely going to be mine. I like her spunk." Drackk narrowed his gaze on the human. Deathino was next to materialize in the hall, right beside the human female. She tried to run, but he grabbed her arm staying her leave. When she looked up into Deathino's clear eyes in protest, he quickly induced her into a deep, calming, sleep. The girl fell forward into his arms. "Oh what the hell is this!" Drackk shouted angrily. Drackk was immediately flown into the air, up towards the ceiling, and then in a free-fall back to the hard floor, head first. Drackk's head cracked and gushed with the blood he had consumed from the Bloody Red or Bloody Dead competition. He lay moaning on the floor too weary to challenge the matured Master on his own. "What have I told you about disrespecting me?" Deathino knew it was not likely that Drackk could speak given his broken condition. He turned to engage Drakuul, who bowed before him. "What are your plans with her?" he asked. "Uncle, I only plan to return the human to her home. That is all." Drakuul did not look directly into Deathino's eyes. He kept his head bowed to the powerful Master. Deathino took a moment to study Sayten's youngest. He knew Drakuul as the quiet one of the brothers. He kept out of Drackk's controversial adventures and reckless mayhem. "Here. Take her then." As Deathino handed the limp body over to Drakuul, he warned him. "She better be alive and human at tomorrow's daylight." "She will be, uncle. I will see her safely home." Drakuul bowed one last time and dematerialized with the limp human in his arms. Deathino felt Drakuul could be trusted with the human. Cleaning up the death inside the Under Chamber was Sayten's mess. Assured that his vamplings were all accounted for, Deathino dematerialized back to his lair. In the aftermath of the celebration, the temperament in the first-family castle was bitter cold. The tragedy most talked about was that not all of the humans perished that night, and those that survived were now living in servitude as human helpers. Their memories could not be altered because of Sayten's superficial inducement. The trauma could not be fully erased from their minds. In light of the catastrophic celebration, it presented Deathino with a perfect reason to go to the vampire council to announce his relocation, so he did. In front of the vampire council, Deathino impressed upon them that his move would secure the southern shipping channels from rogue infiltration. It was perceptible to the council. No other would question it, not even Sayten. Plus, it was clear that although they were blooded, it had become too difficult to remain brotherly and Drackk Ulla, the junior Master, dangerously flexed his will unopposed. The twins had to separate.

DEAD SOUTHERN LIVING

As years passed, there were more rumors spread through the vampire clans of Sayten and Drackk's development of a vampire antidote that permit The Bitten race to tolerate the sun's light without combusting to ash. The Vampranttons in the south were unable to substantiate whether the task had finally been accomplished, but again, the first-family knew of Sayten's quest for centuries. The twins rarely communicated throughout this period, however. For the sake of their roles as first-family Masters, they hid their irreparable fractured relationship. The bloodkin engaged only when obligation and expectation demanded it. However, when there was territorial encroachment by Drackk's vamplings into the south, Deathino took care of it personally. He found it insulting that Drackk chastised him utilizing low-level vamplings. None of those vamplings ever made it back to lair. There was, however, laxity permitted by the southern vampire gatekeepers during the period of the "Black Death" in the 14th century. Deathino allowed vampires defecting from Sayten and Drackk to relocate to the south because of an increasingly infected human population. It was during this time that Knightton and Feardren learned from vampire defectors that, indeed, there did exist an antidote. It was explained to Deathino's eldest sons that the human helpers, imprisoned by Drackk, were used as test subjects for the liquid concoction. Sayten only spared the lives of those human helpers (HH) that could read and write in order to record written documentation of the antidotes' results. Either way, the humans were part of the project, and this finally struck a nerve with the Vampire Council of Law and Policy Enforcement. Subsequently, the plague responsible for widespread human death was ultimately the catalyst in Sayten's demise. He had consumed the imperfect antidote on numerous occasions, thereby damaging the structural make-up of his own vampire antibodies to ward off contracting human illnesses, like the plague. His excessive usage of the antidote caused him to go "mad" in the end and consequently, Sayten suffered brain death. In Sayten's absence, Drackk Ulla was a horrid, fearsome Master over the clans. The Vampire Council of Law and Policy Enforcement continued to balk on their obligation, primarily to guard their own bloodkin from Drackk's vengeance and wrath. He was out of control more so now that Sayten had succumbed to human illness. Secretly, Levato had requested Deathino to return, as he was now the eldest Vamprantton first-family Master. Deathino was content with his role as the dark prince of the south; thus, elected not to serve in his full capacity over all regions. However, he did agree to see his nephew one last time to address the concerns expressed by the vampire councilmen; if he did not, no one could or would. Drackk was found in the Under Chamber, seated in his father's chair. "Let me guess, uncle. You've come to challenge my reign as my sire's heir?" "No." Deathino stated clearly. "Your answer disappoints me." "I can change my mind if it suits me," Deathino warned. "As you wish, but do it with the knowledge that I am no longer a junior Master," Drackk Ulla seethed. He couldn't hold back his contempt and unleashed an audible grumble, but he did not stand.

"Nor I." Deathino snarled back. His patience fragile as he rolled his shoulders subtly as he always did anticipating a fight. Drackk glowered back at his uncle as he contemplated his options. Should he escalate things further with his uncle standing before him now, in the Under Chamber? "I've come here to get your cooperation." "If I choose not to cooperate, then what?" "I've come here to get your cooperation; I am not requesting it." Drackk was silenced. If Deathino had not come to challenge his rule, then had he come for the antidote? "The Vampire Council of Law and Policy Enforcement requested my return." "What! Who?" Drackk demanded to know the names of his betrayers. "If you wish to succeed my brother without interference from me, you will do this as I say," Deathino threatened. Drackk sat back in his father's throne to hear his uncle out. "You will reign in the rogues that wreck havoc in this region, or I will be forced to do so myself. Furthermore, the human helpers shall no longer be imprisoned here. Grant them leave with provisions so that they will be trustworthy to the Bitten Race. Drackk laughed. "You have feared our exposure to humans for centuries, and now you want these humans let go?" "Familiar with the wrath of your temperament, Drackk, they will not betray The Bitten now." Drackk considered his uncle's proposals. In the interest of first-family allegiance, there could be no conflict that weakened his leadership as Sayten's heir. Plus, Deathino made no mention of the antidote, so maybe he would play along after all. "What more is there? There must be more you want?" "Any clans seeking refuge within the southern territories are permitted to do so." Drackk was miffed. He chuckled in spite. "That is it?" Drackk Ulla had always been foolish and full of bravado; therefore, Deathino knew that the only way to affect intimidation was to threaten Drackk's role as a Master. "It is. You will not want to see me here again under any circumstance, nephew. I will contact Levato to inform the vampire council on my behalf as Master and as your elder." At this point, Drackk breathed in a shaky, deep sigh. The bright side was that the antidote was still off the bargaining table, which meant more to him than anything else. He hesitated briefly before nodding his acknowledgment. It was a nonverbal understanding, but an agreement reached. Deathino dematerialized. Very slowly, Drackk Ulla stood up and went in search of his betrayers. Master Drackk Ulla Vamprantton ruled alone. He found ways to manipulate his agreement with Deathino, and took revenge against humans for his father's plague-like illness and his untimely death. It was a solo crusade unleashed on the human race in the east, west, and north. Drackk ruled over what was the bloodiest war inflicted upon humans by a single vampire Master in all of history. Just like his sire had, Drackk Ulla contracted human illnesses from consuming large amounts of the ever-evolving antidote. Just before his death in-coffin, Drackk had ordered human sympathizers living secretly among the clans to reveal themselves without fear of decapitation, but demanded their

immediate banishment. Among the exiled was Drakuul. Many, many years ago, Drakuul had saved a green-eyed human female and for this, his vampire brothers despised him.

Drakuul Vamprantton: Vagabond of The Sea

Drakuul had developed a passion for sea travel during the period when Europeans, Portuguese, and Arabs transported enslaved African humans from the Southeast, West, and Central regions of Africa. Drakuul first started crossing the ocean in the 1500s, after Deathinos death. His uncle had provided for him when he sought refuge in the south. Drakuul feared staying in one place too long even in the southern states, without Deathinos protective mark. Fortunately for Drakuul, Deathinos sons also embraced strict rules and vampire laws, which led to the establishment of The Vampire Leadership Commission. Deathino's heirs became the powerful Masters in the south. When he had nowhere to go, he was shown courtesy and respect by Knightton and Feardren, and the rest of his first cousins. On more than one occasion, they saved him from the sunlight. His cousins expressed a mutual respect for him as a Vamprantton and as a son of Sayten. Unbeknownst to humans, the British merchant ships were sailing a vampire back and forth to the New World. Drakuul had one sailing vessel in particular all to himself, which he frequented comfortably. Hiding in plain sight, Drakuul sailed aboard The Angel. It was his most cherished human transport ship that was steered by evil men. He fell in love with the irony of it. There were no angels aboard the ship. The transportation of human cargo cramped and chained below the deck, to be sold and bartered across the ocean, exposed a non-virtuous nature for greed. In reality, it was of no consequence to Drakuul. He was a stowaway traveling the high seas, and oftentimes he roamed the decks out of necessity to feed. The blood that he gathered from the enchained humans sustained him at least until "The Angel docked. Soon after there was knowledge that Drakuul was traveling on the slave ships, stories spread that he drank from the blacks. This was repulsive to the descendants of Sayten; in fact, his siblings wanted him decapitated. His banishment as a human sympathizer was no longer enough now. His perversity to drink blood from the black slaves was humiliating to Sayten's descendants and despicable to The Bitten Race. Drakuul became the most ostracized vampire throughout the north, east, and west. He traveled about with a warrant for his extermination offered up by his own Vamprantton siblings. His suffering years existing as a vagabond embittered Drakuul. He deeply contemplated ways to exact revenge for his expulsion and isolation. It could be done. And so it was that Drakuul's retribution impacted vampire generations forevermore through the befallen fate of one slave woman.

Drakuul Vamprantton: The Unbitten

With the setting sun, penetrating smog engulfed the harbor of seagoing vessels. The obscuring murk suffocated lit spaces, enticing ship rodents to flee their hidden shelter to roam out into the open. The human seafarers and merchants hustled with indefatigable energy to complete their tasks as the ships readied for sail. Drakuul

positioned himself deep within the shadows with the anticipation of Knightton's arrival. His vision keened on the insects skittering under the night's cloak. When he felt a slight re-calibration in the air's stillness, he tuned to the recognizable approaching vampire signature. Knightton materialized out of the black thickness like a debonair thief of the night, and Drakuul welcomed his stylish cousin with a Master's embrace. "Why on earth must it always be this stenching, dreaded place, Drakuul?" He chuckled under his breath at Knightton's complaint. His cousin was accustomed to the finer things in an undead's life. "It does take some getting use to." Knightton arched his left brow. He didn't mean to highlight Drakuul's deplorable circumstance. Sensing Knightton's uneasiness, Drakuul sought to alleviate his anxiety by pretending he was unaffected by his first-cousin's genuineness. "Will you be staying for dinner?" "Absolutely not!" Now Knightton was offended. Rumors existed of Drakuul feeding from the ship's occupants, in particular, the African slaves. It was the reason why Drakuul could not linger in one lair indefinitely. It was too dangerous now that Dralin, his older sibling, ordered his decapitation. Knightton cleared his throat in a hurry to change the subject. "I've come here with some good and bad news." "And what would that be?" Drakuul asked. "My brothers and I are more than willing to continue to camouflage your journeys, but...." "I understand," Drakuul interrupted. "I am forever grateful to you all and what you have done for me" "Let me finish." "No. It isn't necessary," Drakuul replied. "Let me finish," Knightton insisted. And it is necessary for you to hear me out." Drakuul ignored his request. "I don't know how, but I will find a way to repay you for the generosity you all have shown me." "Repay us by accepting your new home," Knightton squeezed in. Drakuul fell silent. He looked at Knightton with a befuddled expression. "Deathino provided for you, just like he provided for us," he went on. Drakuul bowed his head. "I am indebted to you all for permitting me to seek him out for assistance whenever I needed it. I was allowed to move freely throughout the south protected by your sire's mark." "Unfortunately, his mark no longer protects you now; therefore, as I was trying to say before you interrupted me, your journeys present a bit of a problem for us." "If you are banishing me from the south, I will go without protest," Drakuul said. "You can stop that ridiculous bowing," Knightton ordered. "And you are not being banished." Drakuul was speechless again. Deathino took him in when his brother, Drackk Ulla, who shunned and ridiculed him as a human sympathizer, exiled him. Since Deathino's death, his vamplings stepped up to assist as much as they could. "Knightton, I don't ask anything more from you or from my other cousins."

Exasperated by Drakuul's stubbornness, Knightton spoke quickly to avoid further interruption. "It becomes more difficult for us to protect you from the rogues and Dralin's spies. This is the bad news. Some come here seeking to do you harm to collect the bounty promised for your extermination. There has been an extraordinary influx of vampires seeking sanctuary in the south. You are in grave danger more so now than ever before." "Then I will stay out at sea to prevent animosity between our bloodkin." Drakuul insisted. "The first-families cannot be at odds or it weakens the leadership." "I'm afraid that bridge was crossed centuries ago with Sayten and Deathino," Knightton reminded him. "Your brother, Dralin, hunts for you now." "They were always much alike, my brothersDrackk and Dralin. It doesn't surprise me that Dralin picks up where Drackk Ulla left off." "This is true, but where you're concerned, I'm afraid Dralin is much worse. There is a big difference between expulsion and an ordered execution." Drakuul shook his head. He was so tired of running and hiding from his older brothers. It would never end until he was destroyed. "Look, just give this some thought," Knightton requested. "We have carried out Deathino's wishes by constructing facilities beneath the earth so that you have a place of your own." "No, I can not burden you all with anything more. What of your relationships with my brothers? It's too dangerous to conceal me within your borders." "What of them?" Knightton questioned, focusing only on Drakuul's question and ignoring the rest. "It will ultimately divide all Vamprantton Masters. You know this. I cannot be responsible for that. And I won't be!" "We are." Knightton stopped. "And have been upon our sire's relocation to the south. The vampire clans are not imbeciles. There has been division between our Masters then and now, and you are not responsible for any of it." Drakuul looked out over the ocean. "But I am the only cause of it now," he murmured under his breath. There was no denying that the first-families existed separately, but he did not want to be responsible for the ultimate break. He never would have imagined that saving a green-eyed human could have caused all this. Knightton slowly approached Drakuul who had turned to face the agitated sea, and rested his arm on the vampire's shoulder. "Your lair has been completed, brother. Come home, Drakuul." Those were the last words spoken by Knightton, and then he vanished into the darkness. After Knightton's departure, Drakuul Vamprantton invisibly strolled the ship's deck. The seas were extraordinarily rough this night, so the humans hunkered down below. The dangers of crewmen going overboard were much too great if they remained exposed to the swirling winds that jostled the ship. Drakuul was patient for his meal; he knew that "The Angel's" captain would not be detoured by crashing waves and rough waters. His plaything would be on its way any moment now. The sailor was a bearded, stocky man, stumbling over his feet in a zigzagged pattern as he struggled to maneuver down the alleyway. It was a turbulent sea for sure, but the mans clumsiness was not just due to the ships unpredictable sway. The sailor

was wrestling and pulling along a young slave woman, going towards the direction of the captains quarters. It was the captain's plaything being delivered as anticipated. The African woman was unchained, but her wrists bore the marks of wounds and sores inflicted by the shackles she had been fitted in. Drakuul materialized and then shifted in the darkness in an effort to escape the illumination of the sailor's torch. The sailor became aware of slight movement up ahead. He stretched to hold his arm out in front of his body, but the blackness was so thick that his firelight was of little use in the ships shadows. The slave woman yanked hard against the sailors loosened hold, but this only caused the sailor to become aware to reinforce and tighten his grip. Drakuul waited patiently. His prey would soon be in reach. He noted the strength of the bearded-sailor as he tugged the slave along unforgivingly. The slave fought as she stumbled behind, but was anchored by the human's one muscled-arm. The man was too strong for a weak and dehydrated female slave, but certainly no match for a vampire, Drakuul thought to himself. A vicious wave rocked the ship; lifting it up and then forcibly crashed it back down. The sailor regained his previous unbalanced state and once again became aware of a presence in the shadows. His pace slowed. As he looked about, he loosened his grip once more, but this time threatened the African to be silent. There was danger he could sense, but could not see. Drakuul materialized then vanished, and then materialized once more out of the blackness, frightening the man into speechlessness. In that moment, the human laid his whipping stick down in a trance-like state. Seizing her opportunity and unafraid to run, the slave fought against her captor once more, and he willingly released her. She paused with bewilderment when her aggressor froze and did not try to reach for her. The sailor's eyes were widening as he stared into the darkness up ahead. He appeared to be focused on something that the African woman could not see. It was then that the sailor slowly turned and walked surefooted as the vessel rocked, towards the ships rail, climbed up, and then pitched himself over into the ocean. The woman was horrified. She was relieved to be unshackled and no longer tethered to another slave, but this turn of events was worse than death itself. There was no way she could go back without the sailor. She wanted her freedom, but jumping the rail was impossible not just because of the stormy sea, but she could not swim. But where would she go if she did survive? Where was she? How far was her homeland? The slave stood in disbelieve, pulling her tattered clothes about her. Stunned by what she witnessed, she was frightened now. Was it an African spirit that intervened? She was living in a nightmare, captured, shackled like an animal to be taken to far off lands. The other Africans told her that once the ship docked, things would be a hundredtimes worse. She knew she had to get her wits about her if she wanted to survive her nightmare. She stood alone, a short distance from the captains quarters. Soon the captain and his men would be in search of a missing slave, and the seamans disappearance surely put a price on her head. Temporarily out of harms way, the African slave moved silently into the darkness. There were raucous sailors and drunkenness behind her, so she

knew heading backwards was not an option. Turning to her right, the blackness seemed to thicken. She moved within the cramped space, but then she stumbled over something sticking up from the floor. She reached down to feel a handle of some sort, but something was preventing her from lifting it. Realizing her weight was to blame; she scooted sideways off of what she assumed to be an ideal hiding space. It could be some sort of storage room, she hoped. Before going below, the African looked over her shoulder being careful to not be followed. She had a strange sense that some one was watching her at that moment; however, all she could see was smoky fogged-blackness. She paused again to position herself into a sitting position as she lifted the handle of the top door. Through the small space, she entered her right leg, sensing with her foot the discovery of the first step below. Balancing on her right leg, her arms steadied the rest of her body, and then her left leg was placed beside the right. As she climbed down further into the space, a whisper of wind caused the hairs on her arms and back of her neck to tingle. It was odd to feel the coolness of a breeze across her skin on such a muggy night. She had the strange thought that some thing had entered the small space along with her. Certain that the door lid now situated above her head was tightly shut, the young slave proceeded slowly down the rocky steps, checking her balance along the way. Once on a solid surface, the African strained to see just what this space was. She froze. No longer feeling alone, she was certain there was movement just in front of her. Mysteriously, the density began to lift and the darkened room began to gray. There it was.