Chapter4
  When Mamkai got home he was surprised to find one bed empty. His great, great grandmother’s bed, slept in but left. “Oh no” he sighed softly to himself. His grandmother often headed off on her own without help or someone to help her. He had only just got back in time and the sun was starting to rise his grandmother also often got rid of, hid, or took the only parasols to protect the family from burning.
  “Damned old woman.” he muttered and headed to his room. He could never understand that female; he hoped he’d never have to.

  Muttering and cursing the old woman time and time again he headed to his bed he tried to sleep. He did all he could to get that result, but for some reason all he could think of was that girl. He already thought of her a lot, but those thoughts never interfered with his sleep or life. He could always push the thoughts away but now he couldn’t. Why not? It seemed to be that he feared for her safety, well he always feared for her safety. But then again she hadn’t been at risk of falling onto the wanted list of the Aristarkh family; she would end up on it now. That is if someone found out.
  It took him about half an hour to work out that what he feared most was that she didn’t believe in him or that she did not trust him. God forbid, could she be with another man, or another vampire?

  I suppose I should now tell you that Mamkai was the next in line to inherit the Aristarkh family name. He was a vampire but not like they are usual described. Yes, the sun burnt him easily but it didn’t kill him. Yes he lived off blood, but it was usually from a sheep or pig or cow. If it was a special occasion he had donated human blood, but biting people was too risky. He did not fear crosses and a stake through the heart kills anyone! He did eat meat and he did eat vegetables. He didn’t sleep in a coffin and he didn’t always wear a cape. His hair was black but that was from he couldn’t help it. His eyes were not red but a dark brown, so dark that he looked to often have no colour in his eyes at all.

  He just wanted a normal life. But due to his upbringing and the future he was expected to have that, was one of the many things he could not be given. He was told from a young age he would have to run the household and all the family that were in it. He would have to train them to listen only to him. Along with building up a fear in their hearts to ensure that they would to listen to him.  He was told not to mingle with humans and that he must marry a vampire from another powerful wealthy family. He was told about slayers and trusted few people even if there were from the family. Mamkai was permitted little if any childhood.
As he turned over his bed he thought one last time of Tirana and fell to sleep as he heard her voice in his head.
   “Mamkai? Are you real? I want you to be real. Please?” a thought came to her “Am I insane?”