Tom T. Thomson: *blushes* Thanks! Glad you like the story!

We set off at sunset. I had departed from the luxurious confines of the Sanctuary of the Clans and had wandered back out into the openness of the night. It was just the four of us. Raziel, Dumah, Kain, and myself. Oddly, I could feel something in the air. Something that told me that when, or if, I returned to this place, I would be changed and nothing would remain the same.

"How far is your city, Raziel?" I asked.

Raziel smiled at me. "It's only around three miles away. We will arrive before the moon rises."

I traveled in the back of the group with Kain in front. Dumah had fallen into step with me. It was then I had a strange thought. What had happened to all the female vampires in Nosgoth? I seemed to be constantly surrounded by men.

But, of course that question would have to go unanswered. We were marching through the familiar stony mountain passes quickly. The brown boulders on either side of me were not unknown to me. The rocks were the only reminisces of Nosgoth's natural world. All plant life had died, the swamps had dried up, and the forest had been burned to ash. We were walking north Kain said, but I had never taken this particular route before.

I looked to my left and saw the tawny glow of the sunset. Its illumination crept up the canyons around us as the sun itself sunk from sight. The sunlight was too weak to do me any harm, and it wasn't as if I was a newborn. I could handle the fiery rays, albeit in small measures.

In the distance, I could hear the rush of water. Water meant danger. I looked up at the faces of my companions, but they didn't seem surprised. It was then I saw the most stunning and most frightening spectacle I had ever seen.

Four great waterfalls ran down the mountains ending in leveled rocky pools. The pools themselves had streams of white foam cascading down them as well, leading to a central vortex. The water surrounding the vortex was blue-green and emitted a spectral light all its own. Birds cried over the roar of water and flew through the cold mist overhead. I saw precarious wooden bridges strung over the deluge below. It was obvious that one had to cross them to get to the other side and I was leery about this fact.

"What is this place?" I blurted out.

"This is the Abyss," Kain replied. "Traitors and weaklings are taken to the center and cast off there."

Kain pointed at the swirling vortex. I felt a shiver go up my spine. Kain laughed at this, mildly enjoying my discomfort. "Don't worry, Marina. I'm sure that you would never betray me."

I stared at the whirlpool. It gave off a sense of dread of foreboding. "Where does it go exactly?"

"It's bottomless," Dumah answered casually. "But that's not where we're going If you'll look north, you'll see my Territory."

Indeed I could. Two purple flags bearing Dumah's distinct symbol flanked the entrance through the rocks.

"I call my Territory the Ash Village. You really should visit, Marina. I'm sure my children would be very charmed to meet you."

Raziel shrugged. "You could go with Dumah. I don't mind."

"But I do," Kain snapped. "She can go to the Dumahim lands later. We do have all eternity, you know."

Were Kain and Dumah quarreling over me? It came as a complete surprise. But instead of bringing me a sense of pride, it merely brought me a sense of dread.

Dumah got the message. "Yes. Very well. I shall go alone. I can respect the fact that other arrangements have already been made."

Dumah skulked away alone.

"My city's over there." Raziel pointed towards the west.

"So I see." Two torches lit the way invitingly to a mountain pass. Two red clan banners had been hung, embellished with Raziel's insignia on either side.

"It's time to go," Kain announced. "You can cross first, Marina."

First? I glanced down at the rivers rushing under me worriedly. One fatal slip and I would be killed.

"Will the bridge hold?" I asked.

Kain chuckled yet again. A throaty rich sound. "We can cross together. There's nothing to be afraid of. No one tumbles into the Abyss until I say so."

Kain proceeded to grab my arm to lead my across the bridges to the land of the Razielim.

As we passed inside the canyon walls, I heard the din of talking and laughing within. We floated down the granite tunnels like wraiths. Raziel strutted proudly first in front of us.

Suddenly, I heard shouts ring out.  "The master is back!" "Lord Raziel has returned!"

Then there was a creak of metal and a great grinding sound issuing forth. It was a gate being pulled open. It was then I caught my first sight of the City of the Razielim.

Throngs of vampires lined the courtyard. They were all as beautiful as Raziel and just as well-mannered. Men and women. They looked at Raziel, their father, with affection and admiration. They absolutely adored him.

Kain's talons were still firmly clamped around my arm. In the midst of all this rejoicing for Raziel's homecoming, Kain, with me in tow, stepped into view. And it was if a candle had been blown out. Everyone quieted down immediately.   And so the dark cloud descends…

Kain smirked. "Greetings my children. I too have decided to grace you with my presence."

"We are exceedingly glad to receive you, Lord Kain," a Razielim woman squeaked.

"Yes…Of couse…Make yourself at home…" Scattered welcomes were whispered all around.

Raziel beamed. "Come, my children! Be more enthusiastic! Your grandfather praises and loves you just as much as I do. Feel no apprehension."

There were a few nervous smiles in the crowd. Some shifted their feet.

They all respect him, I realized. But not how they respect Raziel. They love Raziel, but fear Kain. They treated Kain as a force to be respected, such as a thunderstorm, but wished he would go elsewhere.

As if that wasn't bad enough, all Razielim eyes shifted to me.

"This is Marina," Kain said simply. "She's one of us. Treat her as such."

* * *

The Razielim were very friendly for the most part. I met many of them. They were all most curious about my origins, but they seemed to accept the fact that I had been tucked away and kept ignorant of all affairs around me.

The city was very grand with mosaics and stone carvings strewn on every wall. Small fires and torches were alit everywhere creating a mysterious yet comfortable atmosphere. The city seemed to branch in all directions. From the central courtyard, to the long flight of slate steps leading down to it. Countless gates were opened into other areas, such as small alcoves and hunting areas.

I was currently standing on the stone staircase next to a monument of some kind. There was a flame burning on a platform and the wall above was adorned with the Razielim symbol, chiseled into the stone and then set with white marble creating a royal appearance. I could guess that it was a type of eternal flame, always flaring, as a testament to the might of Raziel's people.

I noticed Kain leaning against a wall alone, morosely lost in his thoughts. I felt a pang of sympathy for him. Why didn't he join in the celebrations? Maybe no one wants him. And he knows it. But they can't exclude him because he is their overlord.

Before I could make my way over to Kain, someone lightly placed their hand on my shoulder. I tensed. Then, I turned and saw Raziel.

"Enjoying yourself, Marina?" Raziel was positively glowing.

"I suppose so. But—"

"What?"

"Kain appears to be depressed. I'd enjoy the festivities if he was involved too," I explained.

"It's the way Kain always acts. He watches but doesn't take part. He just wants to oversee our activities."

"Like a father?" I ventured.

"Precisely," Raziel replied.

"I think I'm going to talk to him."

"Yes. Go on. He won't bite your head off. In fact, he'd probably be flattered by the company. My brethren are cowed by him and won't wander near. Even more so than the other clans."

I slowly walked over to Kain. He was gazing straight ahead and didn't even spot my approach. However, when I reached his side, he turned to look at me, obviously startled to see me there.

"Having fun?" I asked innocently yet demurely.

Kain snorted. "I never do at these functions. They bore me. I only come here to keep an eye on things when I feel my presence is required. Such is the nature of ruling an empire."

There was a pause in the conversation. A cold breeze blew from the northeast. It smelled like—perfume. Like the perfume Luicius' prizes used to wear. An omen of unfinished business. I could see that Kain sensed it too.

Kain stared at me with those luminous eyes. "I want to search your former sire's mansion. I believe there is something there that Lucius hid that may explain your past."

I didn't need to ask how Kain knew about my past. I could see that he had a confusing dream also that hinted at—something more.

"What makes you say that?" My voice was scarcely above a whisper.

Kain growled softly. He did not like being questioned. "Something about Brianna. She reminded me of women I've seen before in the same profession. Except we called them vampire brides. I met them in another mansion."

"You mean Vorador?" I could barely speak. It didn't seem probable. 

Kain nodded. "It may explain the time-gap. We shall go there directly."