PAST 1833 Several years after members of the Blood of Malkav clan named Lefu and Luna were destroyed by the vampire hunter legend by Iosif Michea, the other Malkavians decided to stick together set on destroying not only Iosif but all the vampire hunters and wiping their existence off the planet. They were Lilith’s favorite creations, because each member was insane in their own way. They immensely enjoyed bringing chaos and they took pleasure in watching their victims suffer. There were six of them originally: Kali, Melaina, Kieran, Fino, and the slain couple Luna and Lefu. Following the death of the two, Lilith decided to travel with the Malkavians and made Gualtiero a provisional part of the clan. Gualtiero is not a deranged vampire as the rest of them but Lilith wanted him as her companion. Gualtiero had no choice but to tag along. On his first day as a Malkavian, Fino exposed him in the sunlight just to witness him squirm in pain. Lilith arrived in time to stop the madness before it caused a serious damage to Gualtiero. “I was just curious if sunlight can make Gualtiero a true Malkavian,” Fino explained, not feeling the slightest bit of guilt for almost killing Gualtiero. “You knew he would die,” Lilith accused, a hint of amusement in her voice. Gualtiero’s face became barely recognizable. It was badly burnt. He was still holding his face, wincing and grimacing in pain. “We will fix you, darling,” promised Lilith. “Your face will restore its natural beauty.” “Why?” Kali inserted herself in the conversation. “I like him better with a burnt face. In fact, I might start calling him Sunny from now on.” Kali cackled in laughter as Fino joined in. “It would be better if you both put your good sense of humor in playing tricks on humans instead,” Kieran suggested. “I might even be amused and join in your laughter.” “That’s a really good suggestion,” Lilith said, smiling. “Which human do you have in mind?” “How about Parris Hall? There are rumors about him being a vampire hunter. Perhaps we can use him for our experiments. What do you say?” Melaina proposed excitedly. “Parris Hall is an abomination,” said Fino in disgust. “I agree. We will surely have fun with him.” --- The rumors pertaining to Parris Hall was true. He was indeed a vampire hunter. He had slain a number of unsuspecting vampires shortly after Andrei and Iosif successfully destroyed two of the deadliest vampires from the Blood of Malkav. “Soon we will rid the world of these repulsive creatures. Your experiments are remarkable, Iosif. Sef Andrei and your beloved Theodosia are certainly smiling at you from above the clouds,” Parris Hall told Iosif. “Our mission is not done yet. I fear that I am suffering from a mental illness brought about by the constant trauma from our fight with the undead,” Iosif revealed. “You are dying?” Parris asked, shocked at the revelation. “I do not know for certain what I am suffering from, my comrade. But if I am of sound mind, I would never have seen my good friend’s ghost. He died twelve years ago. Sef Andrei regarded me with utmost respect but I am afraid he put his trust on the wrong hunter. I failed him,” Iosif lamented. “Sef Andrei gave his life for this cause and entrusted the only hunter meant to lead us all. You are destined to be our leader, Sef Iosif. Perhaps your friend appeared to you as an apparition to give you more courage. This is not an easy battle, my friend. But you must not think yourself as a failure. We have destroyed a number of the most feared vampire clans. We are going to hunt the remaining members of Blood of Malkav and destroy them all. Do you hear me?” Iosif nodded helplessly. Perhaps Parris was right. “There was a sighting of Nosferatu vampires east of here recently. I am going to make sure every single one of them will turn to dust. Nasty beasts,” Parris added, with gritted teeth as he spoke. “Safe travels!” Iosif said. Later that evening, alone in his home, he felt deep sadness brought about by his isolation. A year had passed since Sef Andrei got severely wounded hunting vampires and eventually perished, but Iosif had not fully recovered from the loss. “A messenger for you, Sef Michea,” an eleven-year-old villager excitedly rapping on his door informed him. A gaunt man handed him a letter that did not say on the outside who it was from. But when he opened it, his heart almost stopped beating. It’s been a while, my dear friend. Come see me in La Scala. We should see the opera Lucrezia Borgia, which will be held there in a month’s time. For old time’s sake. Your friend forever, Gualtiero. Iosif froze. He personally witnessed the female vampire sucking Gualtiero’s blood. He could not have possibly survived the gruesome attack. Still, the scrawl very much resembled Gualtiero’s. Perhaps, Iosif was truly going mad as he feared. --- Parris traveled by chaise to the east. He was prepared for this mission. He had journeyed from one country to another for the past few years and successfully destroyed vampires from powerful clans. He was bathed in vervain, traveling all alone. The chief of the east reached out to him by sending a messenger two days ago. There were strange incidents in the recent weeks. One man, intoxicated with whiskey, walked to the nearby infirmary claiming not to have a memory of how his left ear got bitten off. Another eyewitness claimed to have seen a foreign looking woman tearing a poor old man apart by her teeth! He stopped in his tracks upon seeing a very beautiful young woman. She was tall and perfectly pale. Her lips were bright red and seductive. Vampire, he whispered to himself. He knew he had nothing to worry about. Vervain would protect him. If she dared drank from his blood, she would grow very weak and vulnerable. He smiled at the thought. “Parris Hall? That is a very neat looking chaise,” she said. “Do not be surprised I know your name. The locals described you very accurately. The comeliest gentleman in town.” His smile never faltered. He had to outwit her if he was planning to survive another day. “Thank you. You don’t look bad yourself.” Parris complimented. It was true, but what he didn’t add was that he found her disgusting. “I do not. However, Parris Hall, I want to do bad.” Seduction, that was their main weapon, Parris reminded himself. It took him so much strength to remind himself the attractive young woman in front of him was the enemy. “I’m Kali,” she said, enunciating every syllable harder. Even the sound of her voice was enthralling. Bite me, he coaxed, but not aloud, just inside his head, praying this encounter would be over soon. “Are you spoken for, Parris Hall?” Kali asked, playing with her own hair while simultaneously licking her lips. He was, but Kali did not need to hear that. Two could play at the game. “No, I’m not. Do you believe in destiny? Maybe God above has better plans for me… and I am seeing my destiny now,” Parris said under his breath. They kissed fervently and the next thing he knew, they checked in at a lodge to fornicate. Kali’s enthusiasm was evident. She knew precisely how to seduce and pleasure Parris. She was aware he was just like any other man. They are born of lust. Kali explored his chest and abdomen with her hands. She slowly caressed every inch of his skin to make sure all his nerve endings were on fire with her touch Parris was just playing along in the beginning. He could not wait for Kali to finally drink his blood and be poisoned, but eventually there was no denying that his body was craving for the carnal pleasure. He had never felt that way before. As he moved on top of her, wanting to switch their positions, something caught his attention. From his peripheral vision, he could make out what appeared to be a silhouette of another woman. And he was right, for it didn’t take long for another woman to join in. For the love of God! he exclaimed. His pleasure was at its peak when he suddenly felt a heavy impact hit his eye. He sensed a piercing, indescribable pain. Somebody plunged a sharp wooden object into his eye socket. It was the wooden stake he had prepared for destroying vampires, used against him instead. “Ow,” he cried. “Do you own this disgusting thing, hunter?” a male voice asked. But Parris was in so much pain he could barely think anymore. Rush of blood flowed from his impaled right eye. “This is an interesting weapon. Since we cannot drink your blood, we might as well just have our fun with you,” the vampire continued. It was Fino, evidently amused at his misery. Melaina choked in laughter nastily. Killing a vampire hunter slowly had always made her euphoric. “I think this sickening human’s blood is laced with vervain,” Kieran pointed out. “Where is the fun in that?” “This,” Fino said sharply to get everyone’s attention, “is where the fun begins.” He pulled out Parris’ right arm in full strength to separate it from his shoulder. “No! Please! Don’t do this!” Parris begged, yearning for the pain would stop. The vampires were going to tear him apart and he couldn’t do anything to stop it. Gualtiero remained quiet watching the Malkavians in action. Lilith, who was standing right beside him, was having the time of her life. Watching people in agony was her main source of entertainment. Lilith informed him once that the Malkavians were criminally insane humans she rescued from an asylum and later turned into vampires. Watching them act exactly the way Lilith anticipated them to, he was certain she was telling the truth about their origin. They weren’t even feeding in the poor vampire hunter’s blood. They were taking pleasure in the macabre. Gualtiero watched as they took their time to detach Parris’ left arm, right and left legs, right and left ears, tongue, and genitals from the rest of his body. Kieran removed the stake in Parris’ right eye only to thrust it into his left. “Please, please kill me now,” Parris continued to plead. “I cannot take this pain anymore.” “No,” Kali said, appearing so bored. “Maybe we are captivated with your insides, too.” Melaina busied herself removing Parris’ teeth as he howled in affliction. “Make it stop, make it stop. God in Heaven, please end my suffering.” Parris lamented. Gualtiero finally came to a decision to move closer to the vampire hunter and suddenly ripped the heart out of his chest. Parris Hall has already suffered enough. The other four looked at him as if he were insane. “How did you end having him as a companion?” Kieran asked Lilith. “He is uninteresting and foolish. Do you know how thoughtless you are, Gualtiero?” he hissed in disapproval. Gualtiero stared at him but did not answer. He was still clutching Parris’ heart. “You ended his life by taking out his heart. You ended his suffering. You are feeble. I despise you very much,” Kieran continued. Gualtiero abruptly removed the wooden stake out of Parris’ eye and swiftly stabbed Melaina with it, straight at her heart. Melaina had been Kieran’s companion from the very beginning. “Did I catch your interest now?” Gualtiero asked the flabbergasted Kieran. Nobody uttered a word. It was uncommon for a vampire to destroy his own no matter what the conflict was about. Kali and Fino looked equally confounded. Lilith, however, sneered with delight. “Gualtiero, my darling. You have just earned a permanent place as a member of the Blood of Malkav. What you did was insane, but I absolutely enjoyed it,” Lilith said, grinning from ear to ear.