Chapter 2: A Century Ago

Benjamin and Amun ran through the desert as face as they could go, for safety in the worst places. Kebi, Amun's new bride ran close to her husband's side not going away. She had a cling to him that was unexplainable and strange at the same time. They were a close knit couple as if there was something invisible to the human eye. Benjamin just ignored it; he was just used to them being together.

Through the scorching deserts of Egypt, the three clan members ran finding something to feed on since they are not vegetarians who feed on animal and human blood. The Egyptian clan only feeds on human blood. This is one reason why they move so quickly. Each time a tribe in Egypt gets suspicious, they move again so that they won't get caught. To society, they are a myth of monsters who rule the underworld, but this is not true. Some are chosen this fate, and are cursed with it until the ends of time. Others, by far if they are caught are then burned if they cannot be destroyed. These are the lucky ones; to be able to end their being is what some vampires wish for.

They find victims straying and struggling against the wind, and do what they must: hunt and suck the life out of them. They were pleased to get rid of the tingling thirst inside their throats and the craving. Their eye color went back to normal; a golden color compared to a dark almost black color. They were satisfied. Shortly after the meal, questions and discussions started to fly.

"Where do we go now, Amun?" Benjamin asked. His now red eyes looked upon the leader with curiosity and worry.

The leader looked at him with his usual look of impatience but excused it since Benjamin was a great ally with a remarkable power he didn't want to lose. "There's a little tribe up north that we could go to. It should keep us for a while. Not much people, so there won't be any trouble when we hunt there. No commotion like some of the other places we've been too."

Benjamin, nodding his head in consideration asked another question. "How far is it from here?"

"'Bout an hour I would say. Very far from Cairo. If we start now, we'll be able to find a good place to stay instead of battling the dark."

"Well, I'm ready, are you?" Benjamin commented with his eagerness showing.

"Yep, me and Kebi are. So, let's go."

The clan once again started running against the wind like they were before and took half the time to get to the little town than Amun predicted. They found a place or as they called it a little hut and settled down in the darkest area in the little town they could find. It wasn't much, but the place would satisfy their needs for the time being.

"Benjamin, we're going to browse the town. There's nothing more we can do with our place, so we're going to see what surrounds us. You are free to do what you want. We'll be back by nightfall. Come, Kebi." Obediently, the young woman with the same olive tone skin and dark haired woman came to her husband's side smiling over at Benjamin in acknowledgement and went on her way. Benjamin just stood deciding what to do. He pondered the thought for a few moments. He didn't want to stay locked up all day and decided that he too should go out and see what surrounded him. He walked out, and looked up noticing the bright yellow sun blazing down on the sandy earth and the bright blue sky without a cloud in sight. This was a normal ordinary day in Egypt.

He walked slowly and observed the nothingness on in the area. There was just silence and sand. Nothing more, nothing less, but that was life in the country of Egypt. It has been like this for a few more minutes until his walking led to something. He saw a little village with about a million people going on their days going shopping, and working as they hid their faces showing nothing but their eyes. There were also huts made of straw that were small and rounded like any other houses, this suit the people. Flea markets sprung as well selling whatever they had: hats, clothing, baskets, foods, everything that could get them money. Chants and songs were song and dances were done as the people wished for a helpful soul to assist them in their time of need.

Benjamin saw with the businesses went on as if there was nothing new. People didn't know him and seemed like they didn't want to know him. They just ran by him like he was invisible to the human eye.

He continued on, watching in fascination on how these people could make a living doing what they do. Sales being shouted, prices changing people crowding to get the latest and the freshest. The chaos, the screaming of adults, the cries of children the exchange of items back and forth.

He noticed that there was a little hut that was nowhere as crowded as the others, so in stride, he walked destined to see what is in there since he needed to hide from the crowds and the dreaded sun.

To no surprise to Benjamin, it was just a little place to get away from it all, not very much people. It was dark, small and there was nothing much going on. One or two people sat at the few tables in there sipping cool liquid and talking. Their eyes turned when he walked into the room. He olive toned skin and little boy face caught their attention as well as his red eyes who gazed at surprise as they circled the room. The ladies of the room couldn't take their eyes off of him and kept their delight to themselves; it's been a long time since they've seen a good looking man. Strong, devious, the perfect tone of skin, the beautiful features that he possessed, everything about him. Benjamin noticed, smiled slightly with a little wave, and then took a see at a table in the corner. As he sat, the eyes went back to what they were doing.

A group of service girls saw this; they giggled and whispered compliments of the attractive man. Some of them fought to who will serve him first or will take turns. Still whispering some more, they decided to take turns and nominated the smallest woman of the group to step forth first for the rest could spend the more time with him during the meal. She was small, with her mouth covered with black fabric along with the rest of her body. Benjamin saw that she was coming his way and couldn't take his eyes off of her. There was something about her that was appealing to his eye and couldn't help but stare.

"Welcome, welcome." She spoke as she bowed her eyes on her customer. Benjamin continued to look at her dark brown close to black eyes. "It is so nice of you to join us here today for you couldn't have chosen a better place to eat. May I serve you? Or have you not decided yet?"

It was music to his ears; her voice was gentle and smooth but quiet like the river. He was in a far away land when she spoke or looked at her. He felt as if he was melting away. "No, thank you, I just need a rest from this heat." Of course, he couldn't eat human food which was a downfall on his side.

The service girl had a quizzical look on her face. No one came into a restaurant just to sit, but to eat... But, as her good nature went, she didn't argue with him, but smiled which showed in her eyes and nodded. "As you wish. Please, call if you need anything." She bowed in his presence before leaving.

"I will." Benjamin replied smiling at the beautiful lady. The woman walked off to the group of the other service girls waiting for a report.

Benjamin enjoyed the cool environment and the way the people conversed on and off. He didn't mind one bit.

The door of the place once again opened and to a surprise Amun and Kebi walked in hand in hand and covered in sweat. Kebi's dress was dusty from the sand. The both of them noticed Benjamin sitting in the corner and walked over.

"Amun, what brings you here?" Benjamin's curiosity began with his eyes looking beyond his guests.

"Taking a little break. A lot of land has been covered. This is the perfect spot to stay for a while. It's the last of civilization for miles on end. We can hunt and stay for a while without being caught. This place is great." Amun said noticing that Benjamin wasn't paying the least bit of attention. "What are you looking at?"

"The most beautiful woman I've ever seen."

"The service girls?" Amun looked in his direction. "Which one?"

"The small one." Benjamin replied, his voice still out of it. Amun's eyes searched within the group and found her. The small young woman giggling as she told her tale.

"Oh, what you think you'll have a chance of eternity with her?" Amun asked with a little laughter nudging his head in the direction.

"Yes."

"You're out of you mind, Benjamin. You'll never have a chance."

"Look at you and Kebi. She was a quiet girl too and look at what you did to her." Benjamin motioned towards Kebi who just smiled.

"That was different. Besides, what difference does it make? You'll find a mate one of these—"Amun was cut off by another service girl who walked by.

"May we serve you, sir and madam?" She bowed in their presence.

Kebi shook her head, the same with Amun. The service girl bowed again, and left for her crowd.

Turning back to Benjamin, Amun asked. "What was I saying?" he thought and remembered. "Oh, yes. You'll find a mate one day, but you'll be able to get a vampire mate. Not a human because of your powers."

"And if I refuse?"

"We'll see what happens. But believe me, Benjamin; you won't want a service girl. You'll have to transform her and see the agony she'll have to go through. You don't want to see that. It'll break your hollow heart to see your love in that much pain just to be with you for all time. You wouldn't want that. Then, you'll have to explain what is happening and what she is to expect. That's what I had to do with Kebi here." Kebi nodded.

"It was painful, but it was worth it." She grasped her mate's rough hand holding it. She was the quietest of the group and was a random when she talked. She began to praise was happened in a way. "Amun was with me all the way, never leaving my side. He held my hand, telling me sweet words that I wanted to hear. I wouldn't want anyone else to experience the pain I did. Sure it's worth it, but then again it's a curse too. Not being able to age in the only precise gift we have."

"You see what I mean?" Amun pushed. "That's why you wouldn't want to have a service mortal girl. Not to mention the fact that it's dangerous."

"Dangerous how?" Benjamin's attention shifted to his creator and mate.

"Well, you'll have to protect them once they decide to be with you. Not to mention that if they do turn and they'll have a supernatural power the Volturi," He shuddered at the word. "Will take her. They wouldn't dare go after you. I would kill them all before they got you. They won't use your powers for good." Amun's word was true.

"I would be willing to take the risk. "

"You say that now, but it will change, trust me."

"You don't know that for sure, it's not like you're a prophet."

"Oh really? Well then, we'll have to see about that. You don't believe my word?" Amun's voice was sounding more like a threat and a challenge than a normal being.

Benjamin wasn't going to be talked down; he was going to stand up what he wanted. "No, I don't."

"So be it, Benjamin. So be it." Amun said as he leaned back in his chair, his hand not letting go of Kebi's proving that he was right.

We'll see alright, dear Amun. Benjamin thought. We will definitely see about that.

A/N: Whatja think? Please, please, please review! :D