Children of the Moon

Having discovered another living descendant of the royal witch, Reed was excited to share the news with his father, Count Gladstone, in other words, the Vampire King. It was known to the insiders of the castle that Reed was born to inherit the vampire kingdom, once the Count passed away. Light on his feet, Reed climbed up the stairs to the Great Hall, where the Count and his ministers were gathered in a meeting. As soon as he pushed the doors open, all eyes were on him.

"Ah, speak of the devil." Count Gladstone flashed a smile, his wrinkly hand gestured for Reed to approach the round table.

"Father. Sorry to intrude your meeting but I have an important news to report." Reed nodded his head respectfully at the other Elders at the table, as he approached his father.

"I have heard snippets of it. It was the sudden rogue attacks at Mount Verius, wasn't it?" Elder Montaigne, the Count's advisor sat on his right.

"Yes, Sir Montaigne. It was unprecedented and we would not have known of it, if not for the enchanted flares."

Count Gladstone's eyes grew wider, his mouth parted in surprise.

"Enchanted flares? You mean the Lucian Flares?" all the Elders exchanged glances.

"It has not been used in over thousand years, since the witches relocated to the Cave of Lucia. I thought after the war all witches went into hiding," Elder Montaigne spoke in confused tone, "Only certain witches could wield and yield the Lucian Flares..."

Reed's eyes lit up, "There was a half-breed, Morgan, she was half-mortal half-witch. Not just any witch, she carried traces of the royal blood and she did not even know about it."

"And whereabouts does she reside?" Count Gladstone started to show more interest in this new discovery.

"Abley took her to Cave of Lucia, I was hoping Giulia would be able to teach her a trick or two about witchcraft."

"She might be useful in the future if the Zenons decide to infiltrate Allegra, My Lord." Elder Zeke chimed in.

Reed looked perplexed, "The Zenons? You mean the eastern tribe of vampires?"

"And ghouls." Count Gladstone added, "And this is why we held this meeting, hoping that you would learn about it and be prepared for war. We've got reports of sightings near the perimeters of Mount Verius. I was worried that the Zenons sent their rogues into our territory to test water."

"Don't worry, Father. I would gladly train our warriors and prepare to fight."

Count Gladstone let out a sigh of relief before exchanging glance with Elder Montaigne, "Oh I have never doubted your enthusiasm when it comes to fighting. On another note, there's another more pressing matter to discuss. Something.. more personal."

"What is it?"

"Prince Renophilus Gladstone, it is time for you to find your mate."

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According to traditions, when the heir to the throne turned 30 years in human years, the heir must find themselves a mate who would aid them to rule the kingdom. Count Gladstone has spent many centuries in the world and his magical powers were declining. His frail body could not sustain the stress of war anymore and so he hoped that his only son, Renophilus - aka Reed, to take over the throne soon. With news of more tribes infiltrating the kingdom, Count Gladstone's health rapidly deteriorated as he was worn out from overworking. He has been travelling around the world, talking to other Vampire Elders of different tribe to uphold the Peace Accord, but unfortunately not all of them were willing to cooperate. In particular, the Zenons of the Eastern Sea, have been eyeing for Allegra's throne for generations but their forces had always been defeated by the Allegran warriors.

Reed had been living his life as a single vampire, although his mate bond was awaken after his 21st birthday, he chose to ignore it and opt to frolick with a lot... A LOT of female vamps since then. Since the death of his mother, he had difficulty accepting love and the concept of mate bond, as he witnessed how broken his father was after losing his wife in the war. Reed was known as a cassanova, due to his status as heir to the throne, the ladies loved to hang around in the hope of becoming his true mate. So far, it has not been effective - Reed lived his life promiscuously, fighting in and out of the ring, against humans and vampires alike.

Vexed by the sudden request to find a mate, Reed took his red convertible and drove into town. As soon as his vehicle hit the main streets, heads were turned, admiring his beauty and status. Some of them were oblivious of his true identity, while others, who have encountered him before, knew that he was the Prince of Darkness. Reed dressed like a high profile socialite, with tailored suits and leather shoes. Vampires had the ability to communicate with one another through telepathy or mind link, but only a handful of vampires were able to read human minds. Reed was one of the special ones; such ability was passed down in his lineage from his deceased mother - who was half-vampire, half-witch. As he walked through the shopping district of Allegra, he could hear countless of voices - humans - talking about him. He smirked when he overheard a group of college girls with their thirsty conversation, sexualising him. He purposely made a sly turn and threw a glance at them, which made them squealed in embarrassment. He headed down to the Moonlight Lounge, his favourite hangout spot with his buddies - Killian and Damon.

Electronic dance music was blaring inside the lounge, the room was a mix of stench - alcohol, sex and sweat. On the left corner of the lounge was a mini casino, with some slot machines, few poker tables and a pool table. On the far right corner was the main bar, manned by humans and vampires. While vampires do not consume normal human food, they could consume alcohol mixed with blood - any kind of blood, animals or humans. Therefore, the vampire bartending the counter would make a special concoction for the vampires - one only needed to say the secret code. The centre lounge was packed with club goers, college students and other party lovers. Reed made his way through the sea of humans, inhaling their stench and reading their minds, much to his amusement. Occasionally his glance met another, but as soon as he heard their thoughts, he looked away - completely turned off.

"Reed!"

Reed looked up and found the source of noise, his buddy Killian. He was perched on the second floor balcony, waving his arms enthusiastically at Reed. Killian was Reed's best friend, who grew up with him in the castle as his father, Elder Montaigne was working for the royal family. He was an attractive looking, pale skinned vampire, with ash blonde hair and green eyes. He was a tad shorter than Reed, but he was as athletic as him. Both were well versed in the art of combat, often leading the warriors for a siege or merely fighting rogues. As Reed climbed up the stairs to the VIP area on the second floor, another figure embraced him in a tight hug, to which Reed reciprocated.

"Fancy seeing you here, mate. I thought you've got a girl already." said the man - another muscular looking vampire with hazel eyes, short brown hair and thick eyebrows.

"Damon." Reed chuckled, "That's why I'm here. I'm in a pickle right now."

Damon put one arm over Reed's shoulder as they walked towards Killian, who held three shot glasses of tequila mixed with pig's blood. They took one glass each and toasted, downing them together.

"What's up with you?" Killian asked, as Reed sauntered over to the bar stool, placing his chin on his palm, resting his head.

"Sigh..."

"Reed, you have never sighed like that before.. or more like, it's either another rogue attack or.... too many girls to pick to spend the night with." Damon teased him as usual, knowing that the three of them were the most sought after bachelors amongst the vampires.

"Have you smelled your mate yet?" Reed asked both of them with serious face.

Damon and Killian exchanged glances, all of them were about the same age but none of them had found their destined mate yet.

"I actually... smelled something funny the other day, when I was visiting Romania." Damon continued the conversation, waving the bartender for another glass of whiskey mixed with blood. "It was weird, it was not sweet like the other ladies.. it was rather, masculine smelling like sandalwood and..."

"Did you just confess that you're gay?" Killian cut him off, amused smile on his face.

"Shut up, you." Damon snapped back, "Aren't you going out with that mortal from York?"

"Gwen? No way, she's way too young for me. Besides, she won't ever understand our world." Killian retorted.

Damon and Killian continued their banter over their former dating escapades, while Reed's expression got even more sour.

"Wait, we're here cause Reed looks like he needs a drink." Damon evaded Killian's last question regarding his sexual orientation by refocusing on Reed.

"Right, sorry." Killian took a big swig of his bloody beer, taking his place next to Reed.

"The Count wanted me to find a mate." Reed sighed as he leaned back against the counter, facing the dancing crowd downstairs, "I've never smelled anyone as unique as a mate so far, and most of the girls in Allegra only like me for my sexual appeal.. or the fact that I am a blood sucker... or that they want to become Queen."

"Your ability to read human minds is pretty useful at that." Damon commented, "I highly doubt that your mate is a mortal though. You'll be too much for her little cunt to handle."

All of them burst into laughter.

Suddenly, Reed's senses heightened as a new wave of party goers entered the lounge. 

"Something's wrong." he tensed up in his seat as he looked at his two best friends, who immediately switch to alert mode.

"Rogues."

A few seconds later, screams of agony and fear echoed in the lounge as guests scrambled towards the exit. A major stampede was unavoidable as a group of rogues infiltrated the lounge, attacking humans and vampires alike. Killian and Damon jumped into action and started fighting the rogues who entered from the top windows, while Reed leaped down from the balcony to fight the rogues on the ground floor. It was proven to be a distraction, as Reed was left fighting on his own. Although he had the skill and strength to fight, it was almost impossible to fight eight rouges against one. Killian and Damon had their hands full, but when they saw Reed getting cornered, Damon jumped downstairs to lend a hand.

One of the smaller rogue pulled out a short knife from her jacket pocket, with a sinister smile, whipped it past Reed who tried to dodge it but got his shoulder cut. At first he ignored the searing pain of the silver against his flesh, but then he felt his strength sapped away.

"Reed!! Watch out!" Damon rushed to protect Reed as another rogue launched an attack with a bar stool.

Killian heard the commotion and did a mid-air somersault and joined Damon to fight the rouges and protect Reed.

"Reed, what's wrong man?? Get up!" Killian's frustrated voice rang out but Reed could not find the strength to reply. His head begun to spin and the searing pain on his shoulder got even more intense. His breathing got ragged as he struggled to prop himself up. He could not even use his mind link to call for help, as the wound seemed to weaken his power.

Suddenly, a figure came rushing in from the casino's emergency exit, flipping rogues right and left, making their way to Reed. Killian and Damon moved quickly to stop it, until they heard the feminine voice.

"The knife was poisoned. He needs to leave this place right now!" she shouted at the trio as she fought the remaining rogues.

"Lilo!" she called out and another female emerged from the exit door, "Take the prince to the truck now!"

Sensing that the ladies were genuinely there to help, Killian and Damon had no choice but to surrender the paralysed Reed to them, while still launching attacks at the remaining rogues.

"He needs intubation, it paralysed his airway!" Lilo said to the other girl who nodded with urgent understanding that they had to leave this place right away.

"Dear goddess, please forgive me." the girl muttered to herself as more and more rogues came into the lounge, targeting their attacks at Killian, Damon and the unconscious Reed. As they felt cornered and at the verge of losing the fight, suddenly they heard a deafening roar.

Killian's and Damon's jaw dropped as they could not believe their eyes. In the blink of an eye, the girl transform into a giant furry creature, what was known as the vampire's sworn enemy - a werewolf. Her wolf form had a streak of silver on her back, her fur black with some shades of grey towards her tail and her eyes were black with gold swirls. She let out a thunderous roar that made the rogues retreat, as she started tearing the rogues apart.. limb by limb. Lilo grabbed them and lead them out the back door, as Killian and Damon supported Reed. They climbed onto the truck and Lilo sped up away from the scene. A split second later, the big wolf gave chase to their truck as they drove away from the town, past the border of Allegra, entering the neighbouring small town of Norfolk.

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Lilo's truck stopped in front of a big cabin in the middle of the town. It had a small population and everyone seemed to know everyone. The appearance of the trio vampires attracted weird stares from the townfolks as Lilo helped Killian unloaded the truck. Damon helped carry Reed into the cabin.

"You were right, Pa. They got nightshade on their weapons." Lilo told the middle aged gentleman who was waiting inside the cabin. Damon placed Reed down on the couch, as another elderly lady emerged from the kitchen with a bowl of green potion and a metal knife. She put the knife over the flame and placed the burning candle next to Reed. She mumbled some words, before dipping the hot knife into the bowl and touched it against Reed's wound. It cauterised the wound and slowed down the poison from fully consuming Reed from the inside.

"Good timing, Lilo. We got him in time, the poison has not reached his heart. He would be alright in a couple of days." the elderly woman smiled at Lilo as she packed up her tools and disappeared into the kitchen again.

Killian and Damon slumped onto the floor, exhausted.

"That was a coordinated attack against Reed, we were just collateral." Damon let out a big sigh, as Killian looked around the place. It was a nice wooden cabin, with framed pictures hanging on the wall. There were two girls in the picture - one was Lilo and the other was the she-wolf.

"Tell me I'm wrong, are we in the lycans territory?" Killian asked the middle aged man who sat in front of Reed, blowing smoke off his cigar. 

"Yes, Sir Van Grievsen." he anwered. Killian Van Grievsen flinched at the sound of his surname.

"How did you know.. us?" he asked, perplexed.

"We know a lot more about the shadow world more than you do." he formed a charismatic smile, as he pulled the blanket over Reed.

"Damon Skinner, you often come to fish near the Great Lake. Such a great sport." he looked at Damon who dropped his jaw at the sound of his name.

"As for Prince Renophilus..." he did not manage to finish his words, as the front door swung open and the she-wolf returned into her human form, wearing oversized singlet and shorts.

"Welcome back, Yeri." Lilo greeted her as soon as she came out from the kitchen with some snacks for them, and two cups of pig's blood for the exhausted vampires. Both Damon and Killian smiled with gratitude as soon as their lips touched the cups, their strength renewed.

"I lost the rogues in the woods, they just disappeared." Yeri plonked herself down next to the gentleman and gave him a short peck on the cheek, "Sorry Dad, I did get more information from them."

"Dad?!" Damon and Killian were stunned.

"I am Chief Han, the Alpha of Northern Lycans. These are my daughters, Yeri my eldest and Lilo. The woman you saw earlier is my mother, the Oracle. She had a vision about the attack today and I decided to dispatch my two daughters into Allegra to patrol. We did not expect them to attack your prince, kinda glad that they were there when it happened." Chief Han welcomed the vampires into their turf with no animosity.

"I think it is safer for you to stay here until the insurgence subsides, I can send a telegram to the Vampire King if you'd like."

"Thank you, Chief. We are grateful." Killian nodded his head with respect, as did Damon.

Lilo nodded at her father and left the cabin to send the message over the border. Damon walked out of the cabin, taking in the peaceful sight of the little town of Norfolk. More lycans roamed the perimeter on patrol, while some villagers burnt applewood and cherry barks to mask the scents of the vampire. 

"Never thought we'd be fugitive like this." Killian joined in.

"It would be disastrous if Reed died." Damon sounded anxious, "I don't know what the King would do knowing that Reed was seriously targeted."

"Could your mind link go through to Allegra?"

Damon shook his head. Ever since they crossed the border between Allegra and Norfolk, their telepathic ability gradually diminished due to the border enchantment of the Oracle. The only way they could send news out was through post and telegram, which Lilo has done. Meanwhile, the sky begun to turn orange as the sun begun to rise.

"You better come inside before you burn to crisp." Yeri appeared from behind, startling both of them who readily agreed and came back inside. Yeri had prepared two separate rooms with the windows blacked out for Damon and Killian, while Reed stayed downstairs for easy surveillance.

"What a night." Damon sighed as he hit the pillow, sleep came every so easily as his body was extremely exhausted. Killian crashed in the room next door, both of them turned in for the night while the lycans stayed up.