PROLOGUE

23^rd October 1887, Berlin

The sky was just as red as the blood of the unfortunate ones that Kane fed on. It was heavy cold rain, the perfect scenario for this ruthless vampire to go hunting. He only wanted the half pure blood of the tweens and nothing more. That would make him invincible. Or at least that is what he thought.

-          Find them and bring them to me!

-          Yes my Lord!

-          I want them alive. Kill everyone that is interfering.

Kane was a pure-blood too, just like Louis, his brother, but he knows that drinking the blood of other pure vampires will become the most powerful. And he needed that power to gain respect and tame the rebels that no longer know their places in the hierarchy. He was capable of killing his kind with the coldest of hearts and without any remorse.

Kane was royalty so was his brother Louis, the one he was looking for right now. They never got along and always were in the competition. Their father took care of that. Louis was the one with a warm heart and Kane with cold as ice one. Their mother was killed by the villagers they swore to protect. They never fed on their blood, at least not the king or the queen, and for certain not Louis. But with Kane was another story. He was made of stone and always blamed his parents for their weakness for humans. He wanted to rule over his brother but always the king took Louis’s side, standing for kindness, peace, and harmony.

For a decade they ruled in this peace. People knew about their origins but they never cared or being scared, as long as they were treated right. After these ten years of peaceful reign, Kane had enough. He was tired of all this kindness and wanted something more and different. Being the eldest he was sure that he will succeed his brother to the throne. Due to his coldness and his harsh decisions so far, his father decided that Louis will take the throne instead, for being the most balanced. And that will happen, according to their law as soon as the king or queen dies. But if something might happen to the one who follows the throne, maybe Kane would turn the odds in his favor.

So in his malice and vicious mind, Kane forced a little destiny. He framed his brother a kill and did the same way to his mother. Except that Louis was banished in exile for protection against the furious people and the queen was killed while going into recognition deep into the village. She used to do this often so she could see how her people were living. Less she did know that her own son framed her in the worst possible way. The queen did not use the palace soldiers for protection. There was no need, people were peaceful but that night they weren’t. Kane had been careful to reverse the odds and charge the furious mob against his mother. By the moment she remained alone in a side and dark alley she was ambushed and killed, stabbed through the heart, her head removed.

After that, chaos and hell were unlashed. Kane killed his father biting him and dried him of his royal blood. Along with his vampire army that was blindly following him, he sowed fear and terror among the villagers. Five years of horror followed where Kane subjugated the whole village and drained every single drop of blood. He would not kill though, for now, people were serving him and his entire vampire army as food. They remained docile so they had a chance to live. People were exhausted but so was Kane. Sick and tired of this situation and wanting to conquer other places he decided to make genocide. So he killed all of them and burned down the whole village.

Fear, screams, and horror were heard all over and Kane was literally walking on their bodies. Victorious in an unfair and unequal war, increasing his thirst from human blood and flesh, he and his bloodthirsty army of walking dead, went to the next human settlement. In a crusade of terror and forced submission that lasted ten years, he decimated hundreds of villages and thousands of innocent souls.

Leaving no one alive, he was determined now to make all disappear by killing the royal bloodline, his still alive brother Louis, his human wife and their two descendants, his grandchildren, half-blood, the twins now the age of ten Erik and Adam.

-          Leave no one alive! Lord Kane only wants the kids.

Kane’s ferocious army was plundering everything, leaving in its trail only death and despair. Every innocent soul was killed after being blood drained. Their horses ran through the cold mud, the vampires shouting and terrorizing among the already terrified people. Men urged their women and children to barricade themselves into their houses. But every door of every single house was smashed to the ground. Women inside were yelling their lungs out begging for the life of their children. Nothing would bend Kane to leave those poor souls be. He was so cruel in everything he did. Mocking women’s bodies, ripping their children’s heads off. It was a massacre from both sides because men would not stay to see how their families were killed so they fought back with everything they had: knives, forks, spears, axes, and with their own fists. But all was in vain. Kane was just too strong for the fragile human species.

-          Where is my brother?

He was furious for not finding his relative and he was taking revenge on every human he encountered. He was ruthless screaming and threatening.

Into a nearby house Louis, his wife Anna, and their twins were preparing for the worst to come.

-          Louis, what are we going to do? Your brother is mad with rage and fury. He is going to kill us all.

-          I know Anna. He’s always been like this. His thirst for power has driven him crazy, killing everyone and everything that stays in his way. Including us.

-          We have to save Erik and Adam.

-          Quick, on the back of the house, there is a hidden alley and a horse waiting. Take them there! I will try to keep away Kane as long as I can. Hurry Anna!

-          Come, children, time to go!

-          We are scared, mama!

-          I know Adam, I am too. Take your brother’s hand, don’t let go, and don’t look back!

They flew like the wind, scared until the hidden alley took them to the horse. When they left the house, Kane’s voice was echoing behind them.

-          Hello, my traitor brother! Time to settle this once and for all! In this world, there is only room for one of us, and that would be me!

His mocking laughter spread fear and terror. All of a sudden he launched himself at his brother trying to find a weak spot. Drinking human blood turned Kane into an invincible killing monster. Revealing his sharp teeth, making that sound of horror he had no problem defeating his brother. Penetrating with his teeth Louis’s neck, his numb body collapsed in defeat to the ground. Admiring his trophy he placed a foot onto his brother’s body. Before giving his last breath, Louis managed to say:

-          Leave my family alone Kane!

-          Too late brother. Like I said, there only has to be one, and that would be me! After them!

Taking his sword out Kane cut his brother’s head in just one move. There were three more to go.

-          Let’s go, kids, ride on this horse and don’t stop or look back, whatever happens.

-          What about you mom?

With her warm hand, Anna caressed Erik’s face and messy hair.

-          My sweet child. Your uncle is mean and he wants to hurt you. You have to run and save yourselves.

-          What about you mother?

-          Oh, Adam, you are the firstborn. Take care of your brother.

-          I will, I promise. Come on Erik!

Anna was watching her children with her sad eyes full of tears aware of what her faith will be. She knew that her beloved husband was long gone by now so is her turn now. She armed herself with courage and with her chin up she embraced her cruel destiny.