Chapter 1
| Raziel awoke from his metamorphic sleep. At 1000 years old the
vampire was going through a new change. Kain has only just been through
an evolution himself. Now it was Raziel's turn to inherit his Lord's
gift.
He ran a hand through his dark hair and yawned softly. As he did so, there was a feeling of dread within him. Raziel's body didn't move right. Something was wrong with his back. "Reo?" he called to his first-born son and lieutenant. The young vampire entered through the door. Reo looked very much like Raziel. Except for the look of shock that had registered on his face. "What is it?" Raziel asked. "Your back...you have wings, father!" Reo replied in disbelief. Raziel sank against the wall. The fear within him rose. Kain had no such appendage. In short, he had just surpassed his master. "What are you going to do?" Reo asked, fearing for his father. "Face him. Show him my new gift." Raziel refitted his clan robe. Reo opened the door for him. Before leaving Raziel lay one claw upon Reo's back and left to Kain. The Pillars stood in front of him. Kain on his throne with a look of curiousness on his face. Raziel's brothers standing looking at him expectantly. He bowed to Kain and threw his wings to Kain's inspection. The shock registered clear on his face. Kain walked towards him. Kain touched his wings lightly and Raziel flinched slightly. The touch felt sinister. Suddenly, there was earth-shattering pain within him. Raziel felt the bones from his wings being pulled from the very bones in his back. Darkness fell upon him. Raziel awoke momentarily. Strong arms held him. Water rushed in the distance. Whirling waters. Realisation dawned upon him. It was the Lake of the Dead. It was instant death to all vampires. "Cast him in." was Kain's voice. Fear struck at him. Raziel fought with all his might against his brother's hands to no avail. Raziel was picked up and then flung threw the air. Death in the waters below. * * * Louie Du Pont stalked the street as he had so many years in the
past. The wet New Orleans city the only solace for his troubled heart.
Time could not heal a vampire.
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