A/N: Wow, never in a million years did I expect the story to garner so many follows, reviews, and favorites already. Honest to God, I thought it would take at least five chapters before it even got one review. You guys are freaking awesome!

Shout outs to all my homefries who left a review: sluggysmom aka my first reviewer, VAlady, perfecta999, murgatroid-98, Lori p 100, racecz5, allison actually, majestic seahorse, Cotharach, Elsie, and Guest.

Thanks for giving me and this story a chance. It was really nerve wracking posting that first chapter but you guys gave me the confidence to keep going and I sincerely thank you all for being so kind and welcoming to a new writer in this wonderful fandom.

Disclaimer: Charlaine Harris is their maker.

Chapter 2

1986

EPOV

Sometimes I wondered where I went wrong with my progeny. I glamoured a history scholar well versed in Sun Tzu's teachings to explain The Art of War the night after she tried to attack a vampire six centuries my senior. He was a marquis of sorts in his human life and walked around with a permanent stick up his ass. Pam, only a few years turned at the time, overheard him making quips about low born plunderers and leapt for his throat. She was lucky that he was an old friend of mine and was just testing her worth as my child. Although we all had a good laugh, her obvious lack of self preservation worried me. It didn't matter that she was being protective of me. There were better ways to do so without losing her head and, as her maker, it was my duty to help her see them. I trained her in ninjitsu when it became obvious she would always be too voracious a predator to survive hunting on her own. When I noticed that she'd always attack instinctively with her hands and fangs, I taught her how to effectively wield a broadsword to keep enemies with stakes at bay. Her entire existence revolved around training to survive in our tempestuous world and being spoiled by me to encourage her development. When I was finally satisfied with her progress, that she'd survive on her own if something were to happen to me, we set sail for the new world.

I'll admit I was strict with her during her first century, but it's the way of our kind. Those who were too lazy or stupid to improve themselves were at risk of exposing us all. They were usually purged before their first decade. Pam understood this. I made sure of it. It's why I had no one to blame, but myself, for her ruthlessness when I saw her throw a child into the river.

I pushed my body harder to catch the screaming child, though I knew the distance was too great. The piercing screams were abruptly cut off when her little body entered the water. Casting my child an exasperated look, I dove into the water after the girl.

The impact from diving in from such a high altitude cracked several of my vertebrae and took seconds to heal. By then, I had already spotted the girl and the accompanying adult only yards from her. Anger overcame me; the man was drained and had similar features to the girl. I never imagined I would feel the emotion towards my child, but after quickly piecing together what must have happened, I felt disappointment towards Pam. I was militant in her teachings, yes, but I never failed to show her affection. Quickly formulating the next step in her training, I grabbed the two humans and flew up to my willful child, spotting a submerged empty car only in passing.

I set them down carefully and detected traces of an enticing scent. It was fleeting and, instead of dwelling, I shored up my resolve to deal with my shamefaced child.

"Pamela, as your maker, I command you to turn the male." I saw her lips open, to make a protest no doubt, and held my hand up. "I don't care if he becomes another Bubba, you are to treat him and aid in his development and training, as I have you. Where I have failed as your maker in teaching you compassion and virtue, perhaps your child will succeed." I felt the command take hold and Pam disappeared into the woods with her future progeny in her arms.

I looked down at the girl. She was in shock but otherwise appeared no worse for the wear. The Great Revelation was only two decades away, but I couldn't risk having a child expose us prematurely. I debated on whether to let her remember the details of the night upon learning of our existence, but decided to spare her the horrors of witnessing the loss of a parent.

The weather was warm enough that she wouldn't freeze to death, so I picked her up and flew us down to the riverside. Satisfied that she'd be at a safe distance from the river, I bent down to place my face directly in front of hers and willed her to forget.

"You remember nothing after your car drove off of the collapsed bridge. You do not know how you made it to shore or what happened to your male relative. You will not remember me or the other vampire."

She blinked her big blue eyes twice and nodded slowly.

I stood up, brushed my hair out of my eyes, and took off for my nearest safe house. I thought I heard a whispered "thank you", but I knew it was just the wind.