Children of the Day

It had been a year. A full year to this night. This night, one whole year ago, Katherine's only daughter had been conceived.

Katrina wriggled in her basket, her thin, little arms just visible. The apartment wasn't big, it wasn't posh, but it was inexpensive and liveable. It was they best Katherine could afford and they had to make do because help wasn't coming from anywhere else. Her parents were buried deep in the earth and she had fled from Edward, terrified by his horrible secret.

Because Edward Redfern was a vampire, one of the Lamia, a born vampire. And he was also the father of Katrina, something that could never be changed. But Katherine would protect her baby from that monster.

Katrina let out a loud wail, signalling that it was feeding time. Katherine placed the bottle of milk in the microwave and pressed the button. The soft hum emitted from the microwave as Katrina continued to bawl.

"Just a second, my sweet," Cooed Katherine.

Three loud beeps informed her that the bottle was ready. She removed it from the microwave, unscrewed the top, and checked the temperate with her small finger. It wasn't to hot. She turned to the shuddering basket set upon the table.

And dropped the bottle.

Milk flooded around her feet but she hardly noticed. Her mind was focused entirely on who stood before her, the man that stood before her.

It was Edward Redfern. He was going to kill them.

"No..." Whispered Katherine, backing away, "I wont let you hurt my baby."

"Our baby," He reminded her softly.

Katherine lunged for a knife and managed to unsheathe one from the wooden block before Edward was upon her. She slashed madly at him and caught his wrist, slicing his skin. Blood gushed from the wound and mingled with the puddle of milk on the floor.

"Katherine, stop this lunacy!" He hissed venomously. His black eyes glittered with anger.

"I wont let you kill us," She said with gritted teeth, still brandishing the knife.

"You know that if I wanted to kill you I would and you wouldn't be able to stop me," He said darkly. His expression softened, "I haven't come to hurt either of you."

Katherine surveyed her ex lover. He was tall and lithe, with long, powerful legs and large feet. His jaw was strong and his mouth was wilful and arrogant, revealing his aristocratic upbringing, and his dark blond hair was tousled. The black eyes, those black eyes, were so deep and frightening that they could draw a person in and consume them.

She let out a sob, trying to brace herself for the stinging pain of teeth.

"I haven't come to hurt you," repeated Edward soothingly. How could something so evil be so gentle?

"Why are you here?" She demanded fiercely, her eyes flickering to that disdainful mouth. She thought she saw a glimmer of fangs but it could have been her imagination running wild. Then again, maybe not.

"You do know she is my daughter. Which means she is half vampire," he said smoothly. Katherine nodded, fighting to hold back the threatening tears. Katrina had fallen silent, as if listening intently.

"I know. But I don't care. She is still my baby. She isn't a monster like you," snapped Katherine. She gripped the knife tighter in her hand, preparing for the attack.

"Katherine I am not going to fight you. I didn't come to fight. I came for her...and for you," he nodded towards the basket.

"No. You're a monster. You kill, I've seen you."

"Yes I have killed. But never the innocent. Those whose blood have touched my lips always been the guilty, those who have murdered and robbed humans of their lives," He said gently, "But I can stop. I will stop. But I want you and Katrina."

"How do you know her name?" Whispered Katherine, in deep shock. He smiled faintly.

"You talked about it, remember? What you would call a daughter, if you ever bore one."

"What if I wont go? What if I refuse?" She challenged him. A look of seriousness crossed him face and he scowled.

"The truth is your in danger...both of you. The Nightworld knows and they are coming for you. If you don't come with me tonight they will find you and they will kill you," He said darkly.

"There's more isn't there? I can just tell," Said Katherine, "You want to...to...make me like you."

"You wont be like me. You will be different but you will drink blood, yes. You will have similar powers but you will not be able to age like I can," he explained.

"No," She cried furiously, "I wont do it. I will stake myself if you make me a vampire."

"You want Kila to live do you not?" Edward hissed angrily.

"Of course," Sobbed Katherine solemnly, "I don't want my baby to die."

"Then to protect her you must be reborn," he said firmly, "It is the only way. Two vampires can defend Katrina better than one."

It was the truth. It was all the truth.

Katherine didn't want to do it. She hated the thought of becoming a mindless killer, a murder, one who slaughtered others to survive. But she would do anything for Katrina.

It was the one year anniversary of Katrina's conceivement. It was also the night Katherine died.