When Kuri awoke, she was in an empty auditorium. Mr. Tall was tapping her on the head.
"A fledgling like you should be with other Vampyres." Mr Tall said.
Kuri must have looked confused, because he indicated her forehead.
"You have the Mark," he said, then motioned her out the door.
Kuri got up and walked to the door, stumbling in the darkness.
She banged into someone, and looked up. It was Reiko.
"What are you doing here?!" They both said.
Kuri broke into coughs.
Reiko led her into her empty tent. As she went into the compound, Kuri's coughs gradually subsided.
"I'm here as Larten Crepsley's assistant." Reiko said.
"So I am to assume Larten Crepsley is a vampyre, otherwise you would be dead." Kuri said.
"No. He is a vampire." Reiko said. "But all the same I am alive, and even you look better. Stay here with me and Larten. You will feel better. Otherwise you will die!"
Kuri shook her head. "That man. He stood by while I was in torment. He is using you I know it. I don't trust him. I will go to Darren and Steve. They will help me. They accepted me when everyone saw me as a monster."
"Please don't do this!" Reiko pleaded, grabbing her arm.
"You are the one who is doing this!" Kuri responded angrily. "You sided with the one who turned us! What's wrong with you?"
"B-but I..." Reiko said.
Kuri stormed out.
Xxx
Kiana came out onto the hillside with a new white candle. It was now the night of a full moon, at moonrise. She took her candle outside and put it atop the hill where it could bathe in the light of the moon all night. She left it while she went to talk with the vampire waiting in the shadows.
"What are these scars?" she asked him, touching three scar marks on his face.
"They are marks of trust," Kurda replied. He was silent for a long while, then continued. "The vampaneze, you know, drain humans when they feed, and the vampires do not. They have been at odds, and I want peace. I have been working with the vampaneze for peace talks."
"Wow," Kiana said. "I wish I was brave and a great leader. I was chosen to be leader of the Dark Daughters, future High Priestess, but I…"
She broke off, coughing up blood.