Chapter 2.

How can I make such a long story shorter? In truth I can't. A vampire is eternal, thus their stories are long and endless.

Dwayne's story would of ended June 4th 1869 if it hadn't have been for my own actions. Lately more so the past year there had been strange disappearances, murders. They said that demons were lurking in the night preying on the lives of the innocent.

The demon part was right.

Dwayne was brought into our home at half past ten in the night. He had been tacking up a few cows that had wondered out of the barn when he was attacked. Two passing farmers had been walking past on their way home from the tavern when they heard the yelling. Dwayne had been attacked, from his blood loss and open bites his attacker was an animal. Dwayne's hair was tasseled and his clothing was badly ripped. I tried to ask him what had happened, but he was in shock. Nancy cleaned his wounds thoroughly. They were mere scratches compared to the large gash on his neck. She along with doctor Mead stitched him up. The doctor announced he had lost manger amounts of blood but would recover.

My sister spoke to Dwayne privately the next morning hoping to understand what had happened. I didn't believe what she told me. Dwayne had informed her the aslant looked like Max.

Max…..

This was the same Max that my sister was being forced to marry. Dwayne had been the first to display his reaction and anger towards Max. I couldn't bare to see my sister suffer. She was so vivacious, full of cheer and hope. She made me laugh. War had made me cold and serious, but somehow I could find laughter in her words. Dwayne was quite, what is the word?- Smitten. Back then I still wonder if Dwayne had been in love with her. Dwayne was five years her senior, but not like Max. Max had to be at least my father's age. It wasn't all that uncommon for a man Max's age to marry young. Funny what was considered okay back then.

That day my sister informed Max's servant she wouldn't marry him.

By the evening Nancy was glad in a wedding dress of satin and lace, her green eyes holding back her tears.

So much for my sister's freedom of choice.

I watched the suns red glare fall into the fields, the night becoming ever so clear. I was trembling with emotions, my mortal self could barely control and composure. Even if I had known that the day would be my last moments as a mortal, I still wouldn't of changed anything. Even still as a vampire I am most regrettably reckless when angry. I haven't changed that way.

I had decided that I was going to save my sister no matter the cost. I would take her and Dwayne away, we'd be our own family. A family of lost soul's in search of a new home. My father had failed to protect her. But what was worse after my gentle mother had died, he had failed her wishes. To be care for their world. At least what was left of it. He had drank himself in debt, signing away our land and even selling my mothers jewelry. Not every piece had gone away I had kept a silver locket with tiny emeralds set around the engravings. A gift to my sister. I would take my fathers place, I wouldn't fail my family.

Max's estate was ravished with all the modern fashions. His furniture, china, and even his dogs were so beautiful that it was almost sickening. I would of knocked if the door hadn't swung open by none other then Max.

" David my boy! I have been expecting you, please do come in." Max's cheerful welcome made me feel tense. Somehow though I wanted more than anything to stand in the doorway I find that my feet had brought me inside. When he gestured to take a seat I sat.

"I want you to leave my sister alone Max." My eyes were locked dead center on him. I had worked out all I wanted to say to him on my walk here, even tell him that I'd kill him. But now, sitting here in front of him I had lost my nerve. My mind was lost in a nauseated haze,

"Would you care for some tea David?" I shook my had. What was he trying to pull? "David, I am trying to help. You know I have been married, but it never truly worked out. They died rather quickly. I don't have children either. You see David your father has neglected you and your sister I am offering the two- Dwayne also if you like- an once and a lifetime opportunity. A chance to make a family and thrive forever."

"Why the hell us? Why marry Mina? You could take your pick of anyone. Leave her alone. God willing Max I will kill you!" His will over me had weakened some. I was on my feet my hands were clutching his collar. He didn't tense up or even flinch like I would of wanted him to. He was the one in fact who caught me off guard. Before I could react he had flung me into the air. I came crashing down hard on a wooden chair smashing it into pieces.

When I pulled myself off of the hard wood floor. I had lost sight of him. I couldn't comprehend how he had managed to fling me and disappear in that little of time. For an old man he was sure fast. I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand and I turned around. He was behind me a grin so wicked, so inhuman on him I felt myself quiver. He laughed as he grabbed my throat with only one hand. He spun me around quickly and I was facing his twisted face, my back thrown into the wall. He looked like the devil. His eyes were red, jagged pointed fangs and deformed face mocked me. He was still laughing at me, he tone menacing.

"David I was hoping we could do this the easy way. Now I am afraid you won't get a choice in the matter." He lunged at my neck and the pain hit me instantly. He was draining my life slowly. I tried to fend him off me but I was losing strength and consciousness fast. When he released me I felt myself drop to the floor. I could not speak, his fading footsteps was the last thing I remembered.

Dwayne had to shake me roughly to get me to wake up. His wounds had healed for the most part minus the bandage rapped around his neck. I was slightly dizzily and my recollection of what I had endured only a few hours ago lingered in my mind. "Max-"

"I know." Dwayne sighed and took the bandage from his neck off. He revealed the bite to me and I felt my own neck and froze. I had an identical mark on my own neck. "Your sister knows what he is Kyatonna told her. When she found out you had left to see Max she ran to Kyatonna. One of Max's servants followed her. David they said she was performing some ritual, a spell. They are going to burn her. The townspeople have gathered. They shot your father. Hurry up! They want her dead before dawn."