You may not believe me but I have never seen the sun before. I’ve read about it in novels. I’ve read about how bright it is, and how it warms your skin. Sometimes at night I wish that I could feel the sun’s warmth on my pale skin. I wish that I could get a tan but I know that will never happen. See, I was kidnapped as a baby. Actually I was kidnapped right out of the hospital at night so when I tell you I have never seen the sun I mean never.

            Keeping this all in mind I have no clue what my real name is, but I was named; whether it is right or not is beyond me. I am Malaika. I am named after some angel or something. That is pretty ironic since my captors are vampires. I know you probably think I am insane, after all vampires don’t exist, right? Tell that to all the people who have died. Tell that to the people I live with. In fact if you say they don’t exist I would think you are crazy. I have seen them be born. I have seen them live. I have seen them feast. They are real. Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t there, you know.

            So now you are asking how is it that I grew up to the age of seventeen without being touched when I live with vampires? Easy. When I was five I was given a cross to wear around my neck. Again you are asking why. That’s an easy answer. Their king gave it to me. His name is Kuro. He is the oldest living vampire and everyone respects him. If he says not to drink the blood of Malaika, then no one will drink my blood. I will not lie and say that the vampires adore me. I am not. They hate me. Vampires are like people; they want what they cannot have. They cannot taste me so they want me. Kuro is very protective of me. He gave me the cross, he gave me my own living quarters and he taught me some karate, in case I need to defend myself.

            I remember one night (or I think it was night because our home doesn’t have any windows for obvious reasons) I asked why he protects me. Kuro never answered me. I think it is because he is doing someone a favour.

            Meian, another vampire, also looks after me. She watches to make sure I am safe. She used to play games with me when I was a child and she taught me my education, along with Kuro. She raised me.

            So that is my life. I am a prisoner in a vampire home. I have never seen the sun or experienced true safety. I suppose doctors would have a field day with me. They would probably think I am a messed up child in need of medical care and love. I am loved. I am in good health. I just grew up with vampires.

 

~~~~~~

            Malaika slipped out of her room. Her straight black hair was pulled up into a ponytail. She crept down the hallway, trying to avoid Meian. She loved Meian like a mother but today she wanted to be alone. She had to be silent. Vampires have excellent hearing and if she didn’t want to be harassed by them she had to be extremely quiet. This is a skill she learnt when she was little. Malaika passed the eating hall. Most vampires were sleeping this time of day but some were up. They didn’t notice her. She tiptoed past the “birthing” room. That is where the new vampires were laid to rest until they were strong enough to hunt on their own. She peeked inside. Several were resting. One was young, around her age. She closed her eyes in mourning. She had lived in the underground Complex for seventeen years but she never got over the shock of seeing such a young life ended. It disturbed her that some of those who laid there had chosen that life. They thought being a vampire would be cool. They had no idea.

            A hand touched her shoulder. Malaika jumped and whirled around.

            “Sir!” she gasped. Her heart pounded from the shock and fear. She knew vampires were silent in their approaching but she could usually tell when one was coming. Yet if Kuro wished to sneak up of her, he could.

            “It isn’t safe to watch them. They don’t know the rules yet,” he said solemnly. The Rules: No one touches Malaika unless they wish to be dusted.

            “I know, sir. I was on my way to pass but I had to look…” her voice trailed off. She couldn’t lie to the old vampire. The older the vampire, the more powerful they are, and the more they can detect lying. Malaika discovered this at the age of five. She learnt her lesson. She never told a lie since.

            “Where were you heading?” Kuro asked.

            “I was heading to the Gates, sir. I wanted to feel the sun,” Malaika confessed. Lately, she had been obsessing with the sun. She just wanted to see its blinding light and the burning sensation on her skin. Kuro frowned and took her white hand.

            “Malaika, I ask you not to go there,” She knew it wasn’t a request but an order. That was another lesson she learnt when she was younger: always listen to Kuro. He wasn’t to be disobeyed. Kuro smiled at her, “Why don’t you sit with me in the Meeting Room?” he asked. Kuro hated to see his child unhappy so this was his way to try to appease her. Malaika gave a small nod of agreement. Kuro rarely offered her the chance to sit with him. While the Meeting Room wasn’t the Complex’s most interesting place to be it was still an honour Malaika would not turn down.

            Kuro lead her to the Meeting Room. He sat down in a red velvet chair. Malaika sat at his feet. While it was true that Kuro cared for Malaika there were rules of etiquette that neither could ignore in the presence of other vampires. One rule clearly stated that humans were a lower class to vampires. If a human could be near a vampire, longer than a few minutes without being eaten, they would either have to stand back from the undead being or sit at their feet.

            Kuro gently squeezed Malaika’s shoulder then began the meetings. A male blonde vampire walked in the room. He bowed to his master. The vampire started to speak when he realised that Malaika was there.

            “Master, sir, what is the human doing here?” the blonde snarled.

            “I invited her,” Kuro replied. That answer should have been enough to silence the vampire on the subject. Blonde sneered at Malaika. Butterflies grew in her stomach. Granted, over the years, she became hardened to the harassment of the vampires but still a tiny part of her worried. She feared that one day a vampire would disregard Kuro’s rules and would kill her.

            Blonde spat on Malaika. The spit landed on her right cheek. Her face turned red from the humiliation and for a moment she sat there numb. She knew she should wipe of the spit and pretend nothing happened, but she couldn’t move.

            “Sire,” Blonde continued as nothing happened, “there is news-“ but the vampire didn’t get much farther than that. Kuro had jumped to his feet and slammed Blonde to the ground. Kuro slammed him down again.

            “Apologize,” Kuro growled. The blonde vampire was prideful.

            “To a human? Never,” Kuro slammed him to the ground again, “I don’t care if she’s your child or not.” Kuro whipped out a dagger and placed it and placed it on Blonde’s neck.

            “Apologize to Malaika or die.”

            “I will never lower myself,” Blonde said defiantly and within moments he was dust in the air. Kuro turned to Malaika. He cleaned off the spit and kissed her cheek where the spit once was.

            “Dear child, do not be sad,” he whispered. She nodded. Her mind began to defrost and rage overwhelmed her. How dare he humiliate her like that! Kuro placed his cold hands on her face and stared deeply into her dark navy eyes.

            “He has been punished for disrespecting you.”

            “I know sir. Thank you,” she said and as he returned to his seat, she told herself to calm down. By the end of the day, every vampire in the Complex would have heard of the incident. Then the only vampires that would speak to her would be Meian and Kuro. But that wasn’t unusual. That was the life of the only human alive in the Complex.

            Another vampire entered the room. He had burnt red hair and green eyes. He glanced at Malaika and ignored her. Anger filled her again. She didn’t know what was worst sometimes: being harassed or being ignored. She pushed the anger down. There were some things she needed to learn to accept.

            “Sir, there is talk of a powerful vampire coming. The rumours say he could be more powerful than you,” Red reported. Kuro seemed unimpressed.

            “Does this vampire have a name?”

            “Keiai,” Red replied. Kuro jumped to his feet.

            “Finally he returns!” He pulled Malaika to her feet. The ancient vampire was almost dancing.

            “Child, Keiai is the first vampire I had ever sired,” he grinned, “He will be very interested in meeting you,” he turned back to Red, “Find out when he is coming. We shall have a feast that night!”

            “Yes sir. I have more news,” Kuro returned to his seat.

            “What is it, Fedor?”

            “The Hunters, sir. Rumours say they are closing in on us. They may try to stage an attack soon,” Kuro shrugged.

            “I have dealt with them before and come no worse for wear.”

            “Rumours say they have heard of her.”

 

~~~~~~

            You may not believe me when I say this but I am the best-kept secret on Earth. If my parents are still alive I doubt that I ever cross their mind. Older vampires have incredible mind powers. I bet you that Kuro has erased their memory of me. That is if he didn’t kill them. Chances are he killed them.           

            For as long as I can remember Kuro hasn’t wanted the Hunters to know about me. That is one reason why I have never been outside. He doesn’t fear that I will run away. Where will I go? He fears that the Hunters will come and try to take me away. I sometimes wonder if it is just because he is afraid they will learn the secrets of the vampires from me. As much as I hate the vampires, I would never betray Kuro or Meian. I don’t hate them. They have been parents to me. It sounds wrong but it’s true. Their secrets are safe with me.

            Now you may really think I am crazy when I say this but a couple of years ago I began to think I was a present for someone. I have heard of vampires obsessing over humans, of them falling in love with them and then finally turning them. All Kuro has done is raise me so I do not think I am going to be his. But this news of Keiai has me scared. If Keiai is as close to Kuro as Kuro says I may die soon. Granted I will come back but I vowed to myself when I was younger I will not become a vampire. I will kill myself before that happens. I vow now that Keiai will never lay a hand on me.

 

~~~~~~~

             Keiai’s arrival came too soon for Malaika. She was sitting at Kuro’s feet in the Meeting Room when Keiai burst in. Kuro jumped to his feet and bear hugged his friend. Malaika slowly stood up and stared at the vampire. He had dark brown hair that was spiked. At the tip of each spike his hair was dyed a bright red. His eyes, Malaika thought, seemed to match his hair. They were a dark brown with red lightening shooting through them. Older vampires tended to have strange eyes, compared to humans. Kuro, for example, had blue eyes with ice white streaks. Malaika often wondered if one day his eyes would become totally ice white. Keiai was dressed like a teenager- baggy blue jeans, a white t-shirt and a black dress shirt on top that was open. If Malaika wasn’t so afraid of him, she might have thought that he was cute. He appeared to be very confident.

            “Keiai, it’s been too long!” Kuro said. Keiai returned the smile.

            “Certainly, but it’s not like you are ever alone,” he said. At the moment they were both ignoring Malaika. Kuro glared at his old friend.

            “Should I be alone? After all without me there would be no vampire race,” Keiai nodded and bowed to the King of the Vampires. It was like he suddenly remembered his friend wasn’t just a regular vampire but the ruler.

            “Keiai,” Kuro stepped back and motioned for Malaika to join them, “I want you to meet Malaika.” Keiai took her hand and kissed it. She shivered from disgust. Usually she could handle the vampire’s touch but Keiai... it reminded her too much that he would be her death.

            “You must be special to live this long,” he said to her.

            “She is,” Kuro replied. One lesson Malaika had learned about survival in the Complex was at most times it was better not to say anything at all. This proved to be one of those times, “But tonight we shall have a feast then a party in honour of your return, Keiai!”

            “Thank you sire,” he turned to Malaika, “Will she be there?”

            “Of course. Now, Fedor will show you to your apartments.” Fedor appeared and led the newcomer out of the room. Malaika was horrified. In all her life she avoided the parties. She went to one when she was thirteen, at Kuro’s request, and she was sickened. So many humans were killed for that occasion. She didn’t want anything to do with it ever again.

            “Excuse me sir,” Malaika began, “I don’t want to go.” Usually Kuro would invite her to go to the parties and if she didn’t wish to go then he would respect her decision. Kuro placed a hand on her cheek and said, “Child, I would like you to go.” Not a request; an order. For some unknown reason tears filled her eyes. She hadn’t cried since she was three. She swallowed and managed to choke out, “Yes sir.” Kuro smiled at her.

            “That’s my girl. Now why don’t you go get ready? I promise there will be food at the feast for you too,” Malaika almost threw up at that. Watching all her fellow humans die around her would be torture. She calmed her mind again. That was life with vampires. She would deal. She always did.

            “Yes sir,” then she was off.

 

*********

            She entered her room. Dark burgundies and hunter greens decorated her walls and bedspread. Light colours and pastels weren’t her thing. She took a long hot shower, perhaps in hopes that all her problems would be drowned away. She stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around herself. She looked into the mirror. She wondered if it would be the last time she would see her reflection in a mirror. Maybe today would be the day when Kuro would give her to Keiai and she would die. Perhaps that’s why Kuro wanted her to go to the party so badly. Maybe that is why he took away her freedom to choose.

            She put on her silver cross again. Its cool metal made her skin freeze. She turned away from the mirror. After she was dry she entered her room and opened her closet doors. She pulled out her velvet blue dress that matched her eyes. She slipped it on. She recalled when she received it. Kuro gave it to her for her seventeenth birthday. He loved it when she wore it. Perhaps if she showed how much she loved her ‘father’ he would not allow Keiai to turn her. Maybe he would respect her wishes and she wouldn’t die this night. She crossed over to her bed and pulled out her journal.

 

~~~~~

            I think this may be my last entry alive. I hate to admit this but I am afraid. I am used to being threatened by vampires. That is my life but I always knew that Kuro would be there for me. That he would protect me from them. Yet this time I know he will not be there for me. I know he will probably watch as I die. I would love to hide here for the rest of Keiai’s visit but Kuro... I cannot disobey him. You may find this hard to believe. You may not understand why I don’t want to disappoint the man who controls my life. I don’t. I think it has to do with that he is like my father. Kuro raised me and he protects me. Your doctors would probably say I ‘identify’ with my captor. They would probably say that I am chemically unbalanced. I don’t know about that.

            If you are reading this and you are human please find my biological parents and give this to them. If you find this and I am no longer human... tell my parents I am sorry. Tell them I am sorry that I couldn’t stay human. Maybe I am crazy. You are probably reading this and understanding why I think about my parents so much. I don’t know why. I have Kuro and Meian. They are my parents. They love me as they would love a child. But maybe you are right: I am crazy.

 

~~~~~~

            Malaika threw her pen down. She hid her journal. She didn’t want to write anymore. She was depressing herself. She wasn’t normally like that. She would enter that party with her head held up high. She would live out the night. Take one night at a time. That is, after all, how she lived so long now. She would live out the night.

 

********

            She walked into the dance room. Change (in the house of flies) by Deftones was pounding from the hidden speakers. She surveyed the room. Meian was on the other side of the room. She was wearing a blood red silk dress. Her long blonde hair was out of the usual braid and was flying free. Kuro was up at the front of the room, wearing a midnight black suit. Next to him was Keiai, dressed in jeans and a dress shirt, and Kuro’s latest girlfriend, Annabelle. Malaika knew that Annabelle was new to the Complex and figured a relatively new vampire. She smirked to herself. Kuro would probably have a new girlfriend by the end of the week. When she was younger she would often wish that Meian and Kuro would get together. When she was twelve she learnt that when she first came to the Complex Meian and Kuro had been together. It was Meian who ended the relationship.

            Malaika decided she might as well make her way over to Kuro. Then he would know that she was there and then maybe she could sneak out early. She walked up to him. Kuro just nodded to her. She stepped back. There must be other vampires nearby so they would have to follow the protocol. Meian suddenly appeared next to her.

            “Kuro, do you wish for me to hide her?” she asked. Kuro shook his head.

            “They wouldn’t dare,” he snarled, showing a bit of his fangs. He was angry. He rarely bared his fangs to Meian. Malaika realised that they were talking about the Hunters. Kuro was always testy when the Hunters were mentioned. She breathed in sharply. She prayed that they wouldn’t attack. She didn’t want to witness another attack. Once when she was eight, they Hunters attacked on Hallowe’en. It was the day after her birthday so she was still happy from the occasion. The Hunters rushed into the Complex. Meian ran over to her and ordered her to hide. Malaika found a spot where she couldn’t be seen but could still see. Then to her horror she watched the vampires, watched Kuro and Meian, kill the Hunters. She sat there frozen, unable to do anything but watch. They drank. Meian allowed the blood run down her chin. Kuro was more civilized about it. She knew they murdered but she never seen it. She felt cold for weeks afterwards. She tried not to let Kuro or Meian know what she saw but they figured it out. Neither offered comfort or an explanation. They are vampires; that is what they do.

            Malaika took another step back from the vampires as her mind digested what was said. Kuro looked over to Malaika. The song changed.

            “Child, fear not,” he said. She left the group and retreated to a corner on her own. The walls shook around her. She shut off her mind to all the chaos around her and opened it to the music. In the Complex she found only two escapes from her life: her journal and music. When she turned ten Meian gave her a guitar, which she then taught herself how to play. As she listened to the pounding of the music she forgot her fears. Her thoughts of death escaped. Her worries of seeing vampires feed fled from her.

 

********

            Kuro walked up to his human child.

            “Malaika,” he said. She looked up at him. He rarely saw her smile. He wished he would see that delicate smile more. Maybe he would once she was one of them. But she would not be turned for a while. Not until she accepted the vampire way. He was surprised she lived with them so long and still be ill when she heard of them feeding. Kuro thought now that Keiai was here that maybe she would grow out of it.

            “Yes sir?” she asked softly. She always called him sir, never Kuro. While he was glad she respected him, he also wished she would see him closer to her level. As a friend or at least as a parent but Malaika was never open enough to let him in that close. He supposed it was a defence against the other vampires. Never let them see a weak human.

            “Come with me.” She stood up and followed him to where Keiai was. Keiai grinned and kissed Malaika’s cheek. She paled, if that was possible. Kuro knew she didn’t have any colour to her skin. He sometimes thought if the vampires couldn’t smell her humanity they would think she was one of them. Kuro sent Keiai a look of warning. Do not let her know about it until it was necessary. Keiai was never one to follow Kuro’s orders to the letter. In fact that was one of the main reasons why he left. Still the two vampires loved each other like brothers.

            “Malaika, it is nice to see you again,” Keiai said. She just nodded and for a second Kuro thought she inched closer to him. Kuro put a hand on her shoulder and said, “Do not fear child. Keiai doesn’t bite.” Then he laughed. Of course he bit but he wouldn’t bite his child. Malaika grimaced but nodded.

            “Tell me, Malaika, how old are you?” Keiai tried his luck again.

            “Seventeen, sir,” she whispered. Kuro sensed that she didn’t want to talk with Keiai.

            “I barely remember what it is like to be that young! I am just nine thousand years old, you know,” Keiai boasted. Like Malaika would care.

            “And you still act like you were born yesterday,” Kuro snapped. He turned to his child, “Will you find Meian for me?”

            “Yes sir,” then she quickly walked away.

            “Man, Kuro, we got to pump some life in her!” Keiai laughed. Kuro glared at him. Keiai was beginning to grate on his nerves.

            “Malaika is fine. Perhaps you are the one who needs changing,” he said. Suddenly Fedor ran up to the king of the vampires.

            “The Hunters! Sir! They are in the Complex!”

 

*********

            Hunters rushed into the dance room, spraying holy water and their stakes raised. Louder, harsher music pounded the walls. Malaika wanted a way out. She wanted to run up to her room but the vampires had blocked off all the exits from the room. They hoped that way no Hunter would be able to leave the Complex alive. To her left she saw a Hunter dust a vampire and to her right she saw a vampire killing a Hunter. Malaika stepped back. Instinct urged her to find Kuro. He could help her, calm her down or at least get her out of the room but her brain whispered to her that if she looked for him she would probably find him feeding. A hand touched her elbow. Malaika jumped. For a moment she thought it was a vampire. Now would be a perfect time to kill her and say it was an accident. But the hand was warm; it was human.

            “You are Malaika, aren’t you?” the female Hunter asked.

            “Who are you?” Malaika asked with coolness in her voice. She didn’t trust the human. She didn’t trust anyone right now. It was every man for himself.

            “I am Rachel. Listen, I’ve heard about you for a while now. A human girl kidnapped and forced to live with vampires but I am giving you away out. I’m giving you a chance for freedom.” Confusion coursed through her, “But this is my home.” Rachel shrugged and said, “Think about it. You don’t belong here. I will be back,” the Hunter ran off. Malaika watched her ran off, dusting vampires as she went.

            “Malaika?” she turned and saw Kuro. She hugged him, her shoulders shaking. She wasn’t crying.

            “Please… please get me out of here,” she cried into him. Kuro was shocked at the display of emotion. He stroked her hair.

            “Shush, child. They are leaving. They are leaving.” She looked up and saw that only a few Hunters were left. Rachel was nowhere in sight. Was the only reason they attacked was to talk to her? She looked back at Kuro and saw in his eyes that he cared about her. This was her home. She wouldn’t leave.

 

~~~~~~          

            I have decided that this is my home. I have decided that these dark walls are home. I have decided that I don’t need to feel sun on me to be who I am. You are probably very confused. You probably don’t understand why I want to stay in a place where I am threatened. You may think I have that abused-wife syndrome or something close to it. But I don’t. I don’t want to leave my family. See, I have always seen Kuro as a father- type figure but last night I realised he is my father. My father is not some man who gave sperm and now forgot about me but my father is the man who raised me. He is the man who protects me and makes sure that I am okay after being scared. He is the one when I am younger who used to let me tell him my bad dreams after they happen. He is the man who stops the bad dreams from coming true. Please, don’t get me wrong. I still wish to meet my biological parents one day but I have discovered that I don’t need them. That I am happy being Malaika, the human girl who lives with vampires. I don’t think you would understand. I doubt you will ever understand but this is my home.

 

~~~~~~

            Malaika brought her guitar with her as she made her way across the Complex. There was this one spot where she could sit and play without being disturbed. It was in the older part of the Complex. Not many vampires came down there because nothing interesting was nearby. She thought maybe there was an exit to the sewers and that was about it. She sat down next to a lamp and tuned her guitar.

            “Like creeps on the wall

playing to a beat…” She began to sing. She loved making up her own songs. That song was called ‘To The Beat’. She wrote it a year ago after helping a family escape. She strummed the last few chords of the song when she heard clapping. She looked up and saw Keiai. At first she was annoyed. She wanted to be alone.

“That was beautiful, Malaika,” he paused, “May I call you Laika? Or how about Mal?”

“Please just call me Malaika,” she asked softly. She began to pack her guitar away.

“Don’t,” Keiai commanded. He sat down next to her, “I want to get to know you.”

“Why?”

“Because you are special. I can sense it. Plus there’s an added bonus of you being beautiful.” Malaika blushed.

            “I am also human.” Her voice was quiet and sad as she whispered that truth.

            “Do you not want to be human?”

            “I do but vampires don’t look kindly on humans. Kuro and Meian are the only ones,” she paused, “From my experience the only vampires, besides those two, who want anything to do with you are the ones who think they will get something out of it. What do you want?” Keiai was taken back by her honesty. He knew it was true. He was guilty of it too. He wanted to know her because, “You were promised to me,” he admitted. She nodded as if she knew it along. He felt horrible for hurting her. It was against his nature to have any sympathy for a human but here was such a young girl whose life didn’t really belong to her. And she knew it.

            “Why me?” she asked. Her question wasn’t a question of self- pity but one of wanting to know why she was so special.

            “I felt your soul being born. It was so strong. When I met Kuro I vowed to him that I would not make another vampire until I found a woman I would be with for the rest of eternity. I did this in exchange to receive some of his strength. So many years passed and I thought I would never find her. Then, after I arrived in Africa I felt your spirit. I wanted that spirit who I felt so strongly to be mine. I got in touch with Kuro and asked him to find you and take care of you until I could get back. And he did. He protected you.

            “He still does. He didn’t want you to find out yet. Plus he made me promise not to turn you until you were ready. You are very special to him, Malaika. Don’t you ever forget that.” She nodded. She packed away her guitar.

“I don’t feel like playing anymore,” she said. Keiai’s heart went out to her. He suddenly grinned like a schoolboy. He jumped to his feet.

            “Come on! I want to show you something!”

            “What?”

            “It’s a surprise. Hurry, put your guitar away.” They hurried to her apartment and she placed her guitar in her closet. Keiai grabbed her wrist and ran to the Gates.

            “I can’t be here,” Malaika protested. Keiai laughed, “What he doesn’t know can’t hurt him!” then the vampire threw open the heavy gate door. Keiai and Malaika stepped outside. Malaika breathed in the fresh night air. She had never been outside before. The air was cool but refreshing. Then, as if Mother Nature wanted to give her a present it began to rain. Malaika twirled in the street, allowing the rain to fall on her upturned face. She never had been so happy.

            “Oh Keiai! This is wonderful!” she cried, laughing.

            “Truly amazing,” he agreed. For himself, after being alive for so many years rain was nothing to him. What amazed him was the enjoyment she got out of it. It was almost sad to watch.

            “We better get inside. Kuro would kill me if you got sick.” Slowly Malaika stepped back into the Complex. Keiai patted her head and told her to go change her clothes. Malaika left the Gates, grinning.

 

~~~~~~~

            You probably grew up with sunshine and rain. You probably don’t understand the joy I felt when I felt the rain on my face. You might ask what’s the difference between rain on my face and shower water falling on me. I can’t describe it. I know last week I said this is my home but also I see that I belong outside. I want to return. I want to smell the fresh air and the flowers. I could hug Keiai!

            You probably don’t understand how I am not upset about being chosen for Keiai. I already knew that I was. You probably think it is a big shock for me to know for sure but it isn’t. Actually knowing that Kuro won’t let me became a vampire without my permission makes me feel better. What you don’t understand and may not ever understand is that is that the way of the vampires. Honestly how much different is it from a person picking out a lobster from a restaurant? That lobster was loved and cared for but still chosen to die. In my opinion that lobster has it worse off than me. At least I can come back to life.

            You probably think my life is horrible but it’s not. Not really.

 

~~~~~~~

            Kuro sat next to Keiai, who was grinning like a madman. Kuro raised an eyebrow for an explanation.

            “Malaika has a beautiful smile. I knew when she was born she was the one for me.”

            “How did you see her smile?” Jealousy ripped through Kuro. It was almost impossible to make her smile.

            “Oh! You should have seen her dancing in rain-“ Keiai cut himself off. Anger replaced the jealousy. If his child was dancing in the rain that meant she was outside. There were too many dangers for that until she was turned. The Hunters may recognize her or she may realise that she belonged outside. Either way there was a chance that he would lose her. He would not lose Malaika. Keiai stood up as he saw his king become furious.

            “I’ll just go...” he stammered.

            “Why did you bring her outside?” Kuro’s voice was dangerously low.

            “She… she was sad.”

            “You didn’t tellher did you?” Keiai didn’t look at him, “You idiot!” Kuro couldn’t remember when he felt so angry.

            “She already knew! I mean she had already figured it out,” Keiai tried to explain himself. He tried to calm down Kuro. Kuro left the room. He would beat out his anger later that night. He would go hunting.

 

*********

            Malaika walked down the hallways. She had a bounce in her step. She was in a pleasant mood. She watched Kuro approached. She gasped as she saw the anger on his face. She went to get out of his way but he saw her first.

            “Malaika,” he said huskily. She realised that he knew that she knew.

            “It’s okay. Really,” she said. He placed a hand on her face. He always did that to make her feel better.

            “You are still mine,” he said. He eyes were staring into hers.

            “I know sir,” she paused, “Thank- you.”

            “For what?”

            “Keeping me alive.” Kuro kissed her cheek.

            “I will never allow harm come to you. Hell, you don’t even have to be with that moron if you don’t want to.” Malaika laughed. Kuro walked away. Malaika knew that this was where she belonged.

 

*****

            The next couple of weeks were normal for Malaika and the rest of the Complex. New vampires were born, other vampires ignored Malaika and the worry about the Hunters disappeared. Malaika never told Kuro what Rachel had told her. She didn’t want him to know. Kuro didn’t ask her to tell him. He figured she would reveal it when she was ready.

            Keiai kept his distance from both Kuro and Malaika. He still wanted to know her better but he also realised that he better not piss off Kuro anymore. When Kuro and Keiai were speaking they were planning Malaika’s birthday party. She would be eighteen. Kuro wanted her birthday to be special. He was planning a small get together while Keiai wanted a big bash. He figured the more Malaika would go to those parties, the more she would get use to it. Kuro knew it didn’t work that way. So they planned something in the middle. Something where Keiai would have fun and where Malaika would be comfortable. They both hoped it would be a party she would never forget.

 

*********

            Malaika entered the dance room. It was decorated in her favourite colours. The speakers were pounding out her favourite music. In the corner there was even a little pile of birthday presents for her. Malaika smiled. She felt a normal girl. Kuro walked over and kissed her on the cheek.

            “Happy birthday, my child,” he greeted her. Her smile grew.

            “Thank- you sir,” she replied. Meian walked over and hugged her. Keiai wasn’t far behind.

            “Having fun yet?” he asked. Malaika couldn’t help but laugh. She was always happy on her birthday.

            “I just got here!” she giggled. Keiai took her wrist and cried, “Come on then! Let’s open your presents!” Kuro shook his head.

            “You are more excited than she is!”

            “Am not!” they both answered. More laughter. Meian touched Kuro’s shoulder.

            “I love seeing her like this- normal. It’s like she’s not afraid to be herself but I fear it will not last,” Meian remarked sadly.

            “Always the bearer of bad news, aren’t you? Just let her have fun tonight.”

            Keiai placed a heavy object in Malaika’s hands.

            “Open mine first.” For a second Malaika found it hard to believe that Keiai was an ancient vampire instead of a hyper teenager. She carefully opened the oddly shaped package. When he handed it to her she thought she knew what it was. She guessed correctly.

            “Oh! A new guitar!” she whispered in awe. The wood was so dark it was almost a burgundy colour and the wood had a silk finish to it that made it soft. She strummed the first few chords to ‘To The Beat’.

            “Thank- you Keiai.” Keiai grinned.

            “Well, you better allow me hear you play.” Kuro handed Malaika a small box. She opened it and inside was a silver ring. On the ring was a sapphire with small diamonds surrounding it. Malaika put it on her finger right away. It fit perfectly.

            “Thank- you sir,” she said, enchanted by its sparkling stones. Kuro patted her head and said, “I think it matches your eyes.” Meian nodded in agreement.

            Before Malaika could open Meian’s present the group heard a cry. Hunters were attacking again. The three vampires spread across the floor for some damage control. Malaika looked around her for an easy exit. Rachel ran up to her.

            “Your birthday?” she asked. Malaika was startled to hear such a friendly question from the Hunter.

            “Yes,” her tone was cold. She crossed her arms in front of her, hoping Rachel would get the message and leave her alone.

            “Malaika, I hope you thought about what we last talked about.”

            “I did.”

            “And?”

            “This is my home.”

            “How?” Rachel couldn’t understand the attachment Malaika had to the Complex.

            “I can’t explain it.” Before Rachel could continue her questioning Kuro ran up to Rachel, his fangs ready for the kill.

            “Kuro! Don’t! Please!” Malaika cried; tears sprang to her eyes.

            “She’s a Hunter,” Kuro remained her.

            “I know. Please, sir, don’t kill her,” she begged. Kuro stepped back from Rachel.

            “What do you want?” he snarled, placing a protective arm around his child.

            “To free her,” Rachel said simply. She was surprised that Kuro listened to Malaika. She wondered if maybe he wasn’t the monster she was taught to believe. Suddenly she felt something stab her. She looked down and saw a sword sticking out of her stomach, blooding pouring out. Looking up she saw Malaika’s horrified face. She fell to the floor. Keiai stood behind her.

            “Got her!” he cried triumphantly. Malaika pulled herself away from Kuro.

            “You... you killed her...” she could barely speak.

            “Yeah? She was a Hunter,” Keiai shrugged. Malaika began to run. She scarcely heard Kuro call her name. She had to get out of there. She had to leave. She raced to the Gates, pushing through the vampires. Rachel’s face burned in her mind. She was dead because she tried to free her. She was dead because of her. Malaika pushed past the oak doors of the Gates and to the outside.

 

*********

            The sun was rising, casting pink shadows on the sky. She kept running. Finally she spotted something that could help. A building with the words POLICE STATION on it. She entered.