Blue flames flickered in silver lanterns illuminating the grand hall of Lexor Manor.  Paintings of the Lexor clan leaders hung delicately above the crimson, velvet furniture accented by deep brown frames and mocha coffee tables.  Red roses adorned every corner of each table in the manor.  The black marble floor, found in every room, was covered with a white, luscious, old Romanian rug in every hallway.  With forty-six rooms in total, the manor was an excellent place of refuge for the vampiric clans at war to seek shelter.

Down the main hall to the left three vampires of the Lexor clan stood silently in the study.  The air was so thick with tension none of them dared to speak.  Behind the mahogany desk sat clan leader Jay Lexor.  His black hair was slicked back beneath his admiral's hat while his eyes glowed red with anticipation in his pale skin.  The corners of his pale rose lips twitched with frustration every now and again.  His slender hands were clasped together on top of the desk.  A black floor length jacket hugged his six foot three inches height but exposed his stealth uniform beneath consisting of a black shirt, pants and knee high combat boots with long straps.  His appearance gave off a shrill vibe.  

In front of his desk sat his sister, Xannon Lexor.  She was eight inches shorter than him with long golden hair that reflected the image of their deceased mother.  Her icy blue eyes watched her brother with worry.  The black satin shoulder dress she was wearing made it look as though she had been mourning for quite some time, which was not far from the truth.  Standing behind Xannon was her mate Brenton DuVipe, also Jay's number one strategic Captain.  His deep blue eyes were stone cold in his pale, godlike face.  He sported the same uniform as Jay, although he wore an Ike jacket instead.  His short brown hair was drenched from the pouring rain outside raising the tension in the room to the tenth degree.

Another wave of thunder passed followed by a brilliant flash of lightning.  Jay clenched his hands tighter together as they sat waiting.  The other guests in the house were preparing for bed as they were nocturnal beings and slept in the daylight hours.  Xannon kept trying to find something to say but the courage to speak in the hour never came forth.  Every passing second the anticipation grew more unbearable.  Jay's eyes flickered towards the hall as the manor's front door was open and shut with a loud bang.  Three sets of footsteps marched into the study.  The vampires paused to salute Jay who nodded at them promptly.  He noted the soldiers looked tired and knew he needed to keep his questions short.

"Did they attack?" Jay asked in monotone without moving an inch.

"Not tonight m'lord but they are gathering, waiting for something." One of the men replied strongly.

Jay turned his head to meet the Captain's gaze.  This soldier's green eyes meant he was an Aceon, the last aristocratic combat clan.  His black hair, as well as his uniform, was drenched with rain and mud.  Looking up he realized all of them were in the same condition.

"Lycan’s are not the most predictable of sorts so we must be on our guard.  Lancet I thank you for your information.  You all may retire." Jay replied softly addressing the entire room.

"M'lord how is Trixen?" Captain Lancet asked referring to me, his sister, as the others left the room.

Jay hesitated to answer. I was his betrothed and Aceon's legacy leader. I had been wounded three days before after being struck down by a plasma pike taking a hit for Brenton.  My screams still echoed in his head as I fell, blood dripping from my side, into his arms.  That instance had made Jay want to shift his vision on the war.

"She's finally awake.  Her pain level is high still but the wound is healing successfully. Lancet I'm so sorry for..."

"Jay don't." Lancet cut him off. "We all know the consequences of this war and we all know our duty.  We are not heroes among our people.  We are shepherds making sure the wolves don't steal our flock from beneath us."

"The cost I still think is deem unfit for a crime of defense."

"We're tired.  A freshly rested squad is on patrol.  We have no need to worry.  Lycan don't attack in daylight hours.  I must check on my clan but then I shall retire.  Go to her."

Jay studied Lancet as he spoke informally.  The two of them had been friends since the beginning of their era.  The common compassion between them rested on duty and me.  No matter how youthful they looked, whenever one or the other was compromised they felt one hundred years older.

"Good day Captain. Blessed be." Jay dismissed Lancet.

Running his hands over the black framed picture on his desk of his mother, Jay sighed.  Sometimes he wished she was still alive to guide his visions.  Not even the magic of their era could bring her back to life.  She had been a kind, wise leader that acted selfless and loyal.  The year thirty-one hundred had been a ghastly year but one he'd never forget.  Jay's senses knocked him out of his day dream as he stood up quickly knocking the black leather chair to the floor.  With his left hand palm up at his side, he flicked his wrist causing a blue flame to dance in his hand.  The other hand he thrust towards the study door causing it to slam shut with a forceful locking noise.  A hiss escaped his lips as he stared into the shadows in the far corner of the room.

"Advance Lord Ren!" Jay snapped as a tall, pale heavy built man stepped forward.

"Lord Jay you seem so surprised to see me."

"Cut the bullshit Ren.  Why are you here?  You know the law.  No Lycan may enter the safe houses!" Jay's bitter tone tensed as he erased the flame from his hand.

"Relax.  I'm here with a message from our high council.  We have chosen to draw up a truce on the grounds that you help us with a problem that affects all of us." Ren's voice had started to shake confusing Jay.

"Help you?  Since when have the Lycans ever had a need to ask for help?" Jay asked.

"Since our numbers started dropping faster than usual.  We have reason to believe that the Council have come to Syndria."

Jay froze dropping his hands to the desk.  There was only one common fear among Lycans and Vampires.  The Council was made up of the remaining pureblood clans and controlled magic more powerful than life itself. When it came to war and living, they upheld the most relentless of aristocracy law.  If the Council was in Syndria that meant the safe houses would eventually bear no refuge for anyone.  Evacuation was imminent but so was war.  His eyes wandered to Ren who showed fear unlike anything he had seen before.

"Send for the Aceon Combat Guard.  Tell them to help you move both races wounded to Cathreal immediately.  Any frontline soldiers you can spare have them meet me here along with your council. The rest of our citizens will leave midday.  If we can get them to the Forest of the Rangers in two days’ time all will be protected.  As for our armies, we will defend our territory!" Jay hissed violently.

Ren decided not to question him. Bowing to Jay he left silently with the shadows.  Without hesitation, Jay swiftly left the study passing through the groups of people already buzzing with the horrific news.  He had to get to me and prepare us for the leave.  Head down he jogged up the spiral staircase to his bedroom where Lancet, Xannon and Brenton were already waiting.

"She's been calling for you m'lord," Xannon said softly with a tear in her eye.

Jay sat on the side of the bed gently gripping my hand in his own.  My breathing was delicate but made even my pale average figure look beautiful.  Green shadow adorned my eyelids while black liner caressed my lower tear line.  A beautiful creature but one of the deadliest.  Pink lips stood still as glass.  Unexplainably short brown hair was drenched in sweat.  So deadly, yet so delicate.  Slowly, my hazel eyes opened as a smile washed over her face.

"M'lord..." My voice was weak.

"Trix, my love, I am here." Jay could not stop his tears from falling.

"The Council, they want The Flame," I struggled to sit up shaking the drowsiness out of my body.

Everyone in the room had their gaze fixated on me.  The flame was the origin of magic that guided the aristocratic vampires.  If the Council wanted the flame they would destroy their world as they knew it.  Jay slowed his breathing closing his eyes.  He opened them as he stood up helping me stand.

"The Flame has guarded us for eternity if the Council gets a hold of it our existence will be thwarted!" Xannon exclaimed.

"The Flame also holds an ancient power," Lancet responded.
Brenton scoffed. "A power from a fable."

"No Brenton," My voice was sharp, "it is a power from prophecy."

"Damn the prophecy!  No one even knows where the flame is or what it looks like."

"Brenton, peace with you!" Jay snapped as he fell silent.

"A Harbinger."

Everyone looked up at me with a puzzling look.  I had a face so straight it could crack stone.  Grabbing my black Ike jacket, I slipped into it turning to face the group again.

"Our legacy dates back to a time where an Aceon vampire held the ability of psychic and mind magic.  With the ability to predict forthcomings, they were pretty much untouchable but the order was wiped out save for one.  She disappeared passing her bloodline down to the current generation." I sighed heavily at the end of my explanation as Jay pulled me into a hug to support my trembling figure.

"Lancent is it possible?" Brenton asked.

Lancet was hesitant to answer.  He and I came from a bloodline of the strongest magic, including the abilities of Seers, which enabled them to have visions of the future and allowed them to clearly interpret prophecy.  Undoubtedly he knew my vision was true.  Fear resided in him as he relayed the consequences in his mind.  Destruction would most certainly be inevitable.

"Lancet." Jay's voice cut through the silence.

"You all know the power of our bloodline.  There is no doubt that Trixen's vision is real.  What we can't pinpoint is the time of the vision.  All we know is that it's an event yet to pass." Lancet explained.

"Call for Trenidon.  He can heal me well enough to help fight.  I don't want to hear you challenge me, Jay!" Trixen's voice grew stern with her last statement.

Everyone knew better than to argue with me when her mind was made up.  Jay heaved a heavy sigh as he sent Lancet to fetch Trenidon.  His worry about losing me was buried beneath his expression, but he knew I was well aware of his concern.  Their law forbid women of their kin to fight, however, I had grown up fighting with Lancet and developed a power that matched my stubbornness forcing Jay to make an exception.

"I want to fight too!" Xannon exclaimed.

"Xannon! You know the law." Brenton scolded. "Besides, you have no fighting or magic training."

"He's right. I won't endanger your life for the sake of vengeance." Jay said.

"M'lord. Trenidon here to assist the pureblood court." Trenidon bowed.

"Very well," Jay responded to the elder.

"Lie still my child." Trenidon ordered as I lay down.

Trenidon gathered an orb of light and pushed it against my wound.  Jay flinched as he forced himself to not cry, but my screams were unbearable.  Lancet stood beside me as she gripped my brother's hand with ferocious intensity.  After several minutes, Trenidon pulled away.  I lay limp on the bed and my hand slipped out of Lancet's hold. Jay shot up thinking I was dead.

"M'lord she is simply resting.  She will come to in a half hour fully recovered." Trenidon reassured him.

"Thank you. Peace be with you." Jay dismissed the healer.

"We will leave you be." Brenton said as the three of them exited the room.

"Lancet, wait with me!" Jay called to him.

Lancet walked back into the room and took a seat on a black leather chair.  His heart ached for Jay as he shared the same pain. I was heir to a legacy that could never be replaced.  The bond between Jay and myself symbolized the continuation of the pureblood vampire’s existence.  Both of them sat next to each other watching me with worry.  Their lives were suddenly the victim of a true apocalypse.  Lancet couldn’t help but wonder the pressure Jay felt on maintaining the entire existence of their kin.  The burden to ensure everyone’s safety was one that he knew he could not ever shoulder.  With a weight so great and me in a vulnerable state, Jay had to be wrestling with more than just stress.  He was due to be married within just a few weeks, but the war had taken a nose dive and demanded full attention.  All he had ever dreamed of was a life where I wouldn’t be in a life or death situation every second.

“Lancet how do you do it?” Jay asked choking back tears.

“Do what Jay?” Lancet asked unable to take his eyes off his me.

“Stay so strong and confident in her when you know she could endure such irrational harm any moment.  This war has taken such a toll on her life.  I just wanted her to have the wedding of her dreams.  I wanted her to be a Queen among our kin and to lead with her kind and just heart.  I did not want this life for her.  Trixen’s stubbornness to fight and defend alongside us is something I don’t understand.” Jay explained wiping the tears from his eyes.

“I’m her older brother and I know if I fall then she will too.  I keep hope alive for her so she doesn’t have to worry about shouldering the burden of being the lady of our kin with such emotional distress.  Yes, my sister is stubborn, but she is capable of defending herself while remaining unbeaten.  I want the same things you do for her, but there is nothing we can do to alter the war at hand.” Lancet replied.

A reluctant sigh escaped Jay’s lips as he looked up at the ceiling. The events that were taking place were way too much for anyone to have to deal with. Part of him wanted to take off with the guard tonight, but he knew I would never forgive him if he did leave. Lancet could possibly be right. There is nothing they could do to alter the course of events yet to pass. As he searched through the thoughts in his head, something nagged at him. If a harbinger was the source of the flame, there had to be the possibility that Lycan’s Council knew of it as well. Undoubtedly, they were unlikely to have a head start on the whole process. Throwing his head in his hands, he gave up thinking. His head was hurting more than he liked it to be. I needed to wake up so he could be reassured that this war wouldn’t be the death of his conscious. Shuttering at the thought that I was the only thing holding his confidence up, he stood up and walked over to the open window.

“Jay.” My voice seemed to lift his spirits.

“Yes, my love.” Jay responded rushing to my side.

I jumped up shaking off the nausea. Within a flash of a second I flew past Jay to stand at the window with Lancet. Our eyes were fixated on something mysterious outside. A haunting scream shattered the momentary silence. Instantly we all fell to the ground covering our ears. The boorish sound was disgusting and unmatched by the screams of death. Without standing up we all knew what was upon them. Fear clouded our eyes knowing the Council had already found them. Before Jay could crawl towards me a black ball was thrown into the room through the open window.

“Get down!” Lancet hissed just before the solar bomb went off throwing us against opposite walls knocking us unconscious.