• Xan sighed as he watched the curious humans grow in number as they stopped to watch the mail truck burn. Xan shifted, making sure that he was completely hidden from wandering eyes below. There was a slight tap on his shoulder followed by a sweet and familiar voice.
    “Tag, your it! I win!”
    Xan smiled.
    Rave, you know better then to abuse your powers by making mischief against poor humans.”

    Rave huffed in protest.
    “I was bored, besides it’s not like they’re innocent, they kill both our race and their own everyday with those pointless wars.”

    Xan turned and faced her.
    “Not all can be judged that way! Listen to yourself your starting to sound like the every day vampire”

    Rave looked down, ashamed.

    “Sorry. But I-“

    Xan shook his head and stopped her.

    “No need. I know you better. You care a lot for the humans; otherwise you wouldn’t have started our group. Now, enough talk, the council has asked for our presence.”

    Rave made a face, childish in its anger.

    “That’s why you were so easy to tag and don’t you deny it.”

    Not waiting for Xan to defend himself, she turned around and disappeared into the shadows. Xan followed her quickly.

    Xan and Rave made sure no one saw them as they entered the so-called Abandoned Mansion. Xan took the lead now as they ventured deep into the bowels of the underground passageways.

    “Stay close Rave, I don’t want you to get lost.” He murmured to her.

    After a few seconds, they reached a huge set of ancient-looking doors. Shadows danced along the walls, seeming to come alive in the flickering firelight. Xan pushed open the doors and walked on, with Rave following close behind. They darted down the short passageway ending in a large room, now hearing the idle banter of hundreds of vampires. They entered the room the talk was coming from, emerging on a raised platform almost like a hangman’s gallows. As soon as they stepped into the light, all talk ceased, and one hundred pairs of eyes were suddenly focused on them.

    Rave pressed against Xan’s back, and Xan reached behind and grabbed her hand to reassure her, even though he also had a very bad feeling about this whole situation. Xan took in the room at a glance. It seemed that every one of the vampires that dwelled in the mansion was attending this meeting, and that certainly did not bode well for either of them. The booming voice of the head council sitting in the back of the room interrupted Xan’s thoughts.

    “Xan, Rave, you are both hereby sentenced to immediate execution.”

    Xan reached back and pulled Rave to his side.

    “Under what jurisdiction?” He asked, a note of challenge in his voice.

    The head of the council stood up and slammed his hands against the large desk.

    “Mine, and you are charged with the murder of the High Elder, plus the deaths of 672 humans! We have evidence that strongly points to you two, as well as witnesses who place you two in the act.”

    Xan glanced around and noticed that the exits were blocked by multiple vampires, all with looks of grim satisfaction on their faces.

    “Please go peacefully, we don’t wasn’t any more casualties.” The head of the council boomed.

    Xan bared his teeth at all assembled there.

    “We were framed!” He shouted. “Why would two vampires that have sworn to protect humans and serve the high council do such a thing?” He glared around at all the vampires there, baring his teeth at them. The head of the council smiled.

    “Be that as it may, no one else could have done it. You see, it was done in pure daylight.” His grin widened. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but you two are the only vampires that can step into the sun and not be harmed.”

    Xan looked down in apparent defeat. They hadn’t committed the crime, but what the head of the council had said was true. They were the only vampires that could step into the light and not be harmed. Almost regretfully, Xan reached for his gun.

    “You think we will go peacefully?” He asked, his voice filled with contempt at such a thought.

    “No, and that is why the situation is such. Vampires!” He boomed suddenly. All the vampires around them tensed, their eyes turning red with battle rage and blood lust, waiting for the command.

    “KILL THEM!” The head of the council thundered.