Chapter 2
The Covenant of the Damned

The candles flickered in the distance and the sound of mock breathing filled the room, as the light began to dance off of the walls and illuminated the face of the fair skinned woman. Suddenly the sound of dripping water made her eyes shoot open. She turned and saw the dirty water near the opening of her room where a door should have been but was replaced by a circular opening. She got up from her feather mattress that was a bit worn because of the fact that it was a reject from some abandoned house. Her hair fell a bit passed her shoulders as she loosened it from her smooth white nightgown.

The rats crawled and scattered from her as she paced the sewer tunnels towards the main area when she heard a snapping sound behind her. She quickly turned and looked in the darkness but found nothing. As she walked down the seemingly endless catacombs of the sewers she soon began to hear the precession of violins and fiddles playing a melody she had never heard before. Then when the light began to appear at the end of her path she saw the group of vampires she had lived with for the past 50 years.

"Ah my child…come into the light. This light cannot harm you remember?"

The voice was that of the master, her sire and mentor that she had grown to love for saving her life on her death bed so long ago.

"That music…" She whispered.

"Ah yes, it's marvelous isn't it? You may thank our newest member of the order."

Darla was confused, she stared blankly at first and then as the master waved his hand to usher in the new member.

"Darla…This is our new brother Luke."

A tall muscular man soon appeared before her, he had well defined features, sandy blonde hair, hazel eyes, and a strong chin. He smiled as he lifted Darla's hand and greeted her warmly as he kissed her hand. He had a deep voice as well, it was a voice she could only assume was typical of a man as he was.

"Welcome Luke, I hope you are just as at home here as I have been since I became a child of the master."

He smiled and nodded. At first she couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic but then she realized he was a bit nervous meeting someone like her.

"What is it dear boy?" asked the master, he could sense the newborn's anxiety and wondered what was the problem.

Looking back at him with a look similar to a child he responded quickly.

"It is nothing master…I am free of human emotions But I am a bit in awe for now I have met the infamous Darla and from what I hear she is your prized child among you ilk."

Luke smiled and tried to not lead on that the master might not grow to like him to the same level but he was new after all and he didn't expect to win the esteem of the his master.

"Nonsense…it is true that I do value my children highly and Darla especially but it doesn't mean that you won't have your chance to prove yourself to me."

Darla smiled at Luke to assure him that he did indeed have a chance to be the revered member of the order. Then as she removed her gaze from him she sat in a small wooden chair that rested in the direct right of the master. There in front of her lay a mirror and brush. She sat and stared absently at her lack thereof for a reflection and began to brush her hair.

"Why do you do that my dear?" Asked the master with a slight tone of annoyance.

"Because if I don't it gets tangled silly." Darla said playfully.

"But my dear I know that, I mean why do you do that in front of a mirror? You cannot see your reflection no more than you can step outside for a bit of sun. It is gone my dear."

Darla slammed the brush down and took a deep breath and turned to him with a slight pout.

"I know what I've lost…I just like to pretend is that such a crime?" She said with a not so happy tone.

She stared at her master blankly and knew that she had offended him in her anger. In his eyes, though concealed with a large amount of hate, he was a bit hurt that she had been so angry at his question.

"I'm sorry…I didn't mean to take that tone with you my master. Forgive me."

He got up and began to pace towards her. The music in the room had silence and fear was almost present enough to choke on. He then began to raise his hand to caress her cheek but she knew enough about her master to know that something was about to happen that could possibly get her hurt.

"Now my dear, it was merely a question for a curious mind…you know very well I will not tolerate any sort of disrespect in my order."

His hand was cold as ice and she felt the sharp tips of his talon-like nails against her neck. She swallowed hard and when it felt like the tips of his nails were being pressed harder he removed his hand and smiled.

"There is always a chance for redemption my dear."

He then turned around and faced Luke who was smiling and looked upon his master with great anticipation. The master placed his hand on Luke's shoulder and looked over at Darla.

"Luke here has newly risen and has only killed the undertaker who resided in his cemetery. Let's give him a real welcome meal and a chance to prove himself all in one effort."

Darla got up and looked at the master with a look of question upon her face.

"Darla, my child…my beloved, why don't you show him some real sport?"

Darla looked upon the gleeful vampire that could hardly contain himself as it was with the thought of a kill. He then transfigured into the demonic visage that the vampire is common to have. But she nodded and walked forward towards Luke with an angelic smile.

"Of course, it only seems right that he get his first taste of what this world really has to offer."

The master smiled and then kissed Darla on the cheek.

"Good." He said very discerningly.

With his back turned he repeated himself again.

"Good…"

AN: Hey all this is Daniel aka fromlightintodark06 and I'm very excited about this new fic even though I haven't been able to come up with new chapters for the other fics which I will get around to, leah day and others who are awaiting updates on dracula, but yeah I had to up the speed for this fic because I was so inspired. I would like to dedicate this chap to BEW also known as my best reviewer Sarah. Keep on reading guys.

Daniel