2008

Maria. Mistress Maria. Maria Marquez. Mistress Maria Marquez.

I repeat the devil's name silently every night. With every fiber of my being I believe that one day she will die at my feet, that I will see her body engulfed in flames and for the first time in five years I will be completely free of her.

Making my way out of the small shed I had been gifted I was instantly presented by the smell of blood and death. It amazed me how well she could hide hundreds of vampires along the border of Texas without being stumbled upon. There was gossip that Maria had a shield in her army, someone that was dedicated to keeping us in and everyone else out. Of course in my five years I have seen every vampire that has been created in the camp and to my knowledge none of them had a shield. Someone with that level of power, with that kind of range would surely bring the bastards in Italy on us. No, Maria was to smart for that. It was fear that kept us all here, and fear that kept everyone else out.

There was a new batch of humans that were brought in last night as I slept, it was my "job" to weed out the weak and send them to the feeding pit. The stronger ones were sent to Bruce to be turned and trained. The gifted were sent to Maria, she would change them herself. After hundreds of years she has perfected the Makers Mark. Bruce has mentioned it a couple times, even showed me his. Maria would always have some control over him, to be able to command him if he was in range. Bruce and I were punished after that.

The humans began to beg me to save them as I entered the barn, grasping at my arms and legs.

"You have to help us. Those people... they're monsters."

"I have children."

"Who will feed my babies."

"I have a family."

When I was first brought here, their pleading would haunt my dreams. Now its only background noise, a harsh buzzing in the back of my head. I was grateful to never have been kept in the barn, Maria's insistence on me staying human was the only kindness she ever gifted me.

The begging quieted down once they began to realize that I wasn't here to help them, just look over their bodies and test a couple reflexes. It was all done completely unattached, clinical even.

"Nathan." The vampire in question was in front of me in seconds, waiting patiently as I finished up with the last of the filthy beasts. "Those five in the corner need to go to Bruce, the rest can be sent to feeding."

I turned away as he picked the pregnant woman up from the floor and sunk his teeth into her belly. No matter how long I'm here, there are some things I refuse to see.

It was only noon when I was finished with the last of the holding barns and was allowed to return to my room.

2015

Today was my twenty second birthday and as per usual since I turned eighteen I was given two escorts and was allowed to leave the camp for a whole day. I knew these trips were tests, a way for Maria to see how loyal I was. This year I simply wanted to see Texas and watch the normal humans as the lived their life; completely unaware of the monsters that lurked around them.

Like the couple leaning against the ice cream shop across the street. The woman blissfully playing with a couple children. It was the man that caught my attention, or more of, the other way around. We sat there for some time, staring at each other until he gave a small smile and a tilt of his head. Bending down to whisper to the woman kneeling on the ground, he gave me one more look and they made their way into the ice cream shop.

"Anthony, I want ice cream." Anthony and David had gone with me long enough that they became comfortable in their position, so much so when it came to my human needs they let me wander by myself.

"You're every bit as beautiful as I imagined you would be." The male said as he handed me a smoothie. "Smart too; I didn't think you would understand what I was trying to tell you. Unless of course you're a mind reader; god I hope you're not."

"No. I cant read your mind, you were just being painfully obvious."The man talked to me as if we had been friends for years instead of complete strangers.

"I know, I was just messing with you. Your gift is kinda like Alecs right?"

"Peter!" The blonde woman beside him hissed. "I'm sorry, you don't have to answer any of his stupid ass questions."

"What do you want with me?" They were making me weary. Was this another test of Marias?

"To meet you is all. I... felt that you would be here one day. We've been coming to this very spot every year now for three years."

"What he means is, he's psychic and we're here to help you get away." Her smile was bright and kind and for a moment I almost relaxed and let them sweep me off my feet.

"She's not coming with us baby. She doesn't trust us." The man stood from the table and held out his hand. "The next year is going to be hell for you I'm afraid. When that bitch sends you out on your little
"mission" head to North East Washington."

Standing from the table I locked eyes with them both, committing their faces to memory. Committing the strange feeling of safety they gave off.

This had to be another test.

"When you get back, Maria is going to start training you harder than ever. In another month you should have enough venom to create a Childe. Read over this and burn it before you leave" The woman came around the table, note in hand. "I can't wait for us to be family Sky."

That was the last thing they said before disappearing out of the front door.

Sky

There are so many things I want to say to you. So many things I have planned for the both of us; for all of us and I want nothing more than to tell you everything but I can't. Peter says everything he feels is set in stone but I cant risk Alice seeing any of this.

Alice. Can I tell you about her without her seeing you? Is she looking for you? When you meet her, do not trust her. She is manipulative and vindictive.

I cannot wait for you to find the happiness you deserve.

I've been watching you since Maria brought you to her camp, I haven't told Peter though. He would go crazy if he knew I was so close to the camp but I couldn't sit by and do nothing. The moment I saw that your soul strings connected with my own I had to help you in any way I could.

Everytime you've found the little flowers on the outskirts of the camp I was there. It was all I could give to you.

I will love you always,
Charlotte Whitlock

P.S. The Makers Mark is always on the left side; your instincts will tell you to put it on the right (like Maria) but the left is the X and you know what they say about the X.

Committing the letter to memory I took the single match conveniently placed on the table and watched as the letter burned to ashes. Walking out of the shop I ignored the angry yells from the employee and made my way to my handlers and back to the hell I called home.

2016

I was dead inside, nearly broken. Everyday was harder and harder to take, the pain getting stronger with each move. I stayed alive for him, my prodigy, my rock. I took away his life and he saved mine. I took Charlotte's word for it, I found became a maker. I didn't think I was going to be able to, my heart still beating and all but when I saw him I knew.

He was going to be important, yet every time I looked at him I got the most overwhelming feeling of sadness; like at any moment he was going to disappear.

"Sky, she wants you." Lucas, my prodigy, said. The past year had made me more vampire than human, Maria has stepped up her training to twice a day, every day. Her venom running through my veins longer before she sucked the venom out.

The trip across the camp lasted longer than she would have wanted, but I was to numb to care. Taking my sweet human time.

"I have half the mind to punish you." She said, back towards me. "Do you know why I took you Sky? Why I made you what you are today?" Maria asked as I walked over to her vanity.

"To bring back your Major, Mistress. So that he can pay for his wrongs." I reply like every time. My eyes downcast, voice even.

"Yes, and I think I've waited long enough." Her hand wraps around my wrist bringing my hand towards her cheek. Her red eyes boring my maroon ones, that twisted smile painted on her lips. "I think it's time you retrieve my Major."

This is the new chapter to an all new story. I've gotten my muse back and this is the direction she is taking me.