| corrupted by evil. Those that could not deal with the agony of transformation became insane over time, killing anything that moved.
The age of Walter�s parents made them what was known as Grands among the Lycanthrope people, meaning they had the ability to change at anytime, though the full moon still caused them to transform against their will unless they were wearing silver. It seemed to hinder the changing process and there were even rumors it could cause death should a wolf�s skin be penetrated by it. His father, Desmond and his mother, Vondoron had produced three children. Walter, Corvax, and Shakara. Walter was the oldest, which meant he was born into the curse of Lycanthropy. His two younger brothers were completely human, and knew nothing of their parents� or brother�s supernatural abilities. Walter was now in his twenty first year, his brothers were thirteen and sixteen. Desmond and Vondoron had planned to reveal all to their human offspring once they were old enough to choose for themselves if they wanted to be a wolf, and mature enough to handle the responsibility of the power. The brothers had often wondered why their parents never seemed to age, but never really asked them why. They also found it odd that three nights a month, their parents and oldest brother would disappear at night, only to return in the morning with no explanation. As the sun began to sink behind the mountains in the west, Vondoron came out of the house, calling, �Supper�s ready!� �Great,� Desmond stated happily as the males headed for the house, a long day�s toil behind them. Walter�s long shoulder-length black hair bounced as he ran toward the house, eager to eat his mother�s cooking. They ate a delicious meal of roasted boar, fruit, vegetables, and freshly baked bread. Roasted boar was an important staple of the Lycanthrope diet, and Walter�s favorite meal. The family ate ravenously, talking of the day�s events, until Desmond announced it was story time. Walter loved it when his father told his wonderful tales. He spoke of kings, warriors, and the great deeds they had done, the monsters they had slain, the evil they had vanquished. Vondoron worked quietly on a quilt in the corner of the small room while their father spoke. She smiled silently as a yawn passed from Walter to Corvax, then Shakara. It was getting late, tiredness catching quickly up to them. Desmond decided to call it a night, cutting short the story he was telling. The three siblings staggered tiredly to their simple beds, crawled in, and were asleep almost instantly. Walter loved his simple life. His father had often told him that the world was not a simple place, full of lies, trickery, deception, and treachery, ready to ensnare the innocent farm boy. Someday, he would find out for himself. He would have to face it eventually he knew. He was asleep before another thought crossed his mind. Desmond turned to his wife who was still studying her quilting intently. He gazed at her lovingly, his eyes full of admiration. �I�m proud of my sons,� he told her softly. She smiled broadly. �As am I,� she replied. He knelt before her, taking her hand in his. �I love you Vondoron, thank you for being my wife, and the mother of our children.� �And I love you too, my darling,� she told him, her face lit by the glowing hearth of the fireplace, showing the love in her heart. Putting aside her quilting, she stood. Desmond lifted her into his arms, kissing her passionately. �It�s time for bed for us as well my love,� he whispered. �Mmmmmmm,� she growled in anticipation. The hearth had begun to lose it�s glow as the embers died, the coals glowing hotly as Desmond was awakened by a loud commotion outside. He lay in the darkness, his wife asleep beside him, listening. Something was upsetting the animals. Vondoron awoke with a start, Desmond touched her gently, reassuring her with his hand. He stood, dressing quickly. �What�s going on?� she whispered. �I don�t know. Something is trying to get at the animals, I�m going to check it out.� �I�ll go with you,� she said, getting up. He shook his head. �No, stay here with the boys.� �But-� �No buts. Stay here,� he said, heading over to the door. Walter, Corvax, and Shakara met him at the door, dressed and ready. Walter spoke before his father could protest. �What�s going on father?� �I think something is trying to attack our animals. The goats from the sound of it,� he replied,� I�m going to check it out." �Let me come with you,� Walter begged eagerly, his eyes sparkling. Desmond looked at him uncertainly. �Stay with your mother,� he told him. �But father, you-� "Desmond, let him help you,� Vondoron told him in a sympathetic tone. He looked at his oldest son for a moment silently, then said, �Alright, come on.� �What about us?� Corvax and Shakara whined. �I guess so, but be quiet. Okay?� �Okay,� they chorused in reply. The males exited the tiny house, heading for the animal pens while Vondoron stood in the doorway, using her beyond-normal eyes to scan for any signs of a predator. She could not detect anything out of the ordinary at first, but the goats were bleating frantically, indicating something was there. Something had terrified them. They could see by the light of the almost full moon the goats running around their pens, dark shapes in pursuit. Walter heard his father whisper the word angrily, as if even saying it were a vile act. A chill ran through him. �Vampires.� Desmond turned to his sons, and whispered, �Get back to the house and protect your mother. Whatever you do, don�t invite them in.� �Aye, father,� Shakara replied, he and Corvax turning to leave. They gasped in shock to find two pale figures dressed in long flowing black robes standing before them, an evil grin on their bluish lips. Walter whirled to see spidery hands, gnarled unnaturally by death clutch his two brothers, the figures� heads lowering in a flash as the creatures bit savagely into their throats. Desmond yelled instantly. �Put my children down you bastards!� The evil duo only laughed cruelly while Corvax and Shakara twitched and flopped around violently while they sucked greedily. Walter felt his stomach turning over in sickening terror at the sound, his brothers� groans of agony only adding to the horrific sight. He looked up to see his father, enraged at the events, attacking them angrily, his body already transforming into a powerful werewolf. The vampires let go of their victims as Walter�s father attacked, Corvax and Shakara slumping to the ground motionlessly. The undead duo then turned to face the raging wolf. He heard his mother screaming as he ran to his brothers� sides, listening for their heartbeats. There were none. Tears streamed down his face as he looked down at them. An aching filled his heart at the thought of them both being gone forever. |
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