Venus, Mistress of the Night

Venus smiled up at Valdin. "It was a strange, long journey I had through the darkness. I feel different. I can hear the breeze as it stirs every tree, and I can sense, or feel the heartbeat of every living thing. I feel as light as a feather, as if some great weight has been lifted from my shoulders."

"The burdens of the living no longer plague you" said Valdin, pulling Venus close to him. "Your new senses and powers of perception are starting to develop. You'll soon be able to do extraordinary things that you never thought were possible. We are the Old Masters, the Keepers of Time itself. For us time stands still, yet progresses as living history unfolds before our eyes. We are both blessed and cursed. Blessed in the sense that we are like angels, watchers, and even defenders of humanity. Cursed in the sense that our immortality springs from that same well of humanity. We are the teachers of the Shaolin Monks, the authors of grace and beauty, and the artisans whose works remain timeless. We are Ying and Yang, good and evil, angels and demons all bonded together as one."

Venus wrapped herself around Valdin and kissed him. "So Vampires aren't all that evil?" she asked.

"Not if they don't choose to be" replied Valdin. "The really evil ones eventually turn into hideous creatures that lose their ability to transform. They are a danger to everything, including us. Some of the living call them Nukekubi, or other names. All they care about is the hunger. The feeding frenzy possesses them, and they leave a trail of destruction in their wake." Valdin caressed the side of Venus' face. "I was heading that way until I met you. I no longer desire to do evil, because there is no evil in you. You changed me when you gave yourself willingly to me. I thank you, my Queen."

Venus thought to herself. Perhaps this was her destiny all along? Maybe she was meant to bring Vampires back to the good side? She didn't know for sure, but she was certainly going to try.

Valdin got up from the bed, and offered Venus his hand. She took it in hers, and got up slowly as she felt a rush of weakness overcome her. She swooned right into Valdin's arms.

"You are weak from hunger" Valdin said. "Come, you must feed."