They looked away and looked back at the book. They then looked up at the Orc.
"It must be Stefan," said Serana thinking out loud. "He's the twice-blooded child."
The Orc shook his head.
"No," he said. "He was turned, not born as a Vampire. The prophecy refers to a child, born as a Vampire who shares the blood of two mortal enemies."
Stefan looked at Serana. Serana looked at Stefan. They were both thinking the same. Lucinda!
"Lucinda," muttered Stefan.
"Who is Lucinda?" asked the Orc.
"Our daughter," replied Stefan. "Our first born daughter. She was...is that possible?"
"Lucinda was born during the summer," said Serana.
"She was," began Stefan. "I remember that night. I've never seen a storm so violent before."
Lightning flashed across the sky. Forks of purple lightning illuminated the dark sky over Castle Volkihar. Rain pounded the windows and the sea smashed against the rocks. A fire burned in the Great Hall. But the hall itself was empty, devoid of anyone. In the distance, a woman could be heard yelling. She was yelling in pain and in extreme exhaustion.
Stefan climbed the stairs to the South Tower. In his arms was a large pile of towels. He climbed the spiral stairs slowly. As he climbed the yelling became more and more pronounced. They reached a crescendo as he reached the top. He opened a wooden door to reveal a scene of both horror and celebration.
Serana lay on a stone table. It was cold and grey with ornate carvings on the corner. She lay with her legs spread wide and her Vampire robes pushed up above her knees. She was barefoot and sweating profusely. Her mother Valerica was stood at her side, holding her hand. Above them was a small chandelier looking object. It was connected to a metal pipe looking object that snaked out of the glassless window. It protruded out into sky.
Lightning forked across the sky. It struck the metal object. Purple current flowed along the metal snake. It struck the chandelier and showered the room in purple sparks. Serana yelled in exertion once more. Stefan placed the towels underneath her, between her legs.
"Come on Serana," said Valerica. "You can do it."
Stefan grabbed her other hand. Serana squeezed it as hard as she could, crushing his fingers.
"If I survive this," said Serana threateningly. "I'm going to cut off your..."
"There's no time for that," said Valerica. "Push Serana."
Serana pushed once more. Amniotic fluid leaked from her body and slithered into a wooden bathtub below her. The bathtub was lined with metal and sparked purple as the lightning forked.
She squeezed Stefan's and Valerica's hand as she contracted. A small body could be seen emerging from her body. A tiny head emerged, this was followed by a small torso and then finally, a pair of miniscule legs could be seen.
"One more!" called Valerica.
Serana pushed with all her strength. The creature slipped out of her body and into the metal lined bathtub.
A blinding flash of purple followed. It was the biggest yet, illuminating the entire sky in deep purple light. It struck the chandelier and showered the entire room in purple sparks. The amniotic fluid sparked and the tiny creature inside it flailed like a rag doll, shaking uncontrollably. At once, the storm calmed. A cloud moved to reveal the huge full moon. It illuminated the room. The tiny creature opened its eyes. They were deep, blood red just like Serana's. It opened its eyes and bawled loudly.
Serana lay exhausted on her table. Valerica bent down to pick up the baby. It was still bawling its eyes out. Tiny fangs could be seen in its mouth as it cried. Valerica cleaned it off and handed it to Serana.
"Congratulations," she said. "It's a girl."
She placed it Serana's arms. She took and gestured for Stefan to have a look. He stood over her and glanced at his daughter.
Serana looked up at him. He kissed Serana lovingly and looked down at his daughter.
"She's beautiful," he said smiling widely.
He took hold of her tiny hand. His daughter grabbed his finger and clutched it tightly.
"Hi Lucinda," he said sweetly. "Welcome to the world."
Serana looked up at him.
"I've always liked that name," he explained.
"Lucinda," repeated Serana. "I like it too. Lucinda Volkihar."
"She sounds formidable," said Stefan. "I wouldn't like to upset her."
Serana chuckled and rest her head on Stefan's shoulders. She sighed in exhaustion.
"You should go to bed and rest," he instructed. "You must be exhausted."
Serana smiled at him.
"In a moment," she said as she looked at her daughter. Lucinda was quiet now and had instead fallen asleep.
"Thank you Stefan," said Serana looking down at Lucinda.
"My pleasure," he said. "Although you did most of the work. I just...helped a bit."
Serana giggled.
"You gave me a family," she said as tears of happiness began to slide down her face. "Thank you."
"You gave me immortality and made me a Vampire Lord," replied Stefan. "It's the least I could do."
Serana chuckled. She looked down at her daughter once more and kissed her forehead lightly.
"You must rest Serana," said Stefan. "Bring Lucinda with you."
Serana looked up at him. She then looked at Valerica, who nodded.
"He's right Serana," she said. "You need your rest. I will take Lucinda. Give her to me."
Serana, reluctantly, gave her newborn daughter to her mother. Valerica took her and held her gently.
Stefan pulled Serana's robes back over her legs. He then picked her up and carried her in his arms. Serana rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. Stefan carried her across the room. The storm resumed, raging into the night. He pushed open the door and carried her carefully down the stairs. The door creaked as the wind closed it with a snap.
He carried her into their bedroom, which was Serana's bedroom from her childhood, and lay her gently on the bed. He then pulled the covers over her and watched her sleeping. The door opened as Valerica entered carrying Lucinda. She placed her gently into her cot and nodded to Stefan. Serana stirred.
"Come to bed Stefan," she muttered. "Don't let me sleep alone."
"I'll leave you to it," said Valerica.
She turned to leave the room, closing the door quietly. Stefan undressed and climbed into bed next to Serana. She put her arm around him pulled him close to her. She fell asleep instantly. Stefan watched her sleeping before he too, fell asleep. The storm raged outside, however it was starting to subside. The full moon was beginning to appear from behind a black cloud. Lucinda slept peacefully in her crib. She had been dressed in black robes. She stirred in her sleep, her hand across her face.
Adult Lucinda lay fast asleep in her four poster bed. Her long hair strewn across her face as she slept. Her Silver Sword lay on the chest at the foot of her bed. Her glass shield was fixed on the wall. She stirred and rolled over in her deep sleep. The fading sun illuminated her features. Her resemblance to Serana was almost uncanny. They could have been twins, except they were mother and daughter. Her hair was jet black like her mother, but with red highlights glinted in the weak evening sun.