heading towards the waterfront. Parking the car near the pier, Triton exited, immediately sensing Umbriel’s presence near to him. From under the boardwalk, glowing eyes that pierced the darkness signaled to Triton that his best friend, Umbriel was there. Since the day they met, both vampires always had each other’s backs. Changed nearly the same time as Triton, Umbriel came from a different vampire clan but a third opposing clan captured them both, holding them prisoners. Triton, in a daring rescue attempt freed Umbriel from a sunlight execution by invading vampire clan. Together they escaped imprisonment and defeated the entire coven. When the elder of Umbriel’s group perished in the conflict, what was left of Umbriel’s clan blood oathed themselves to Nala and the small clans united. Umbriel pledged his immortal loyalty to Triton. Triton would not hear of such a thing, suggested they bond as equals, and became instant blood brothers.
“Where have you been, brother? I have been calling all night.”
“I was…unavailable. What is the problem?” Triton strode to his friend. Umbriel moved close, almost whispering, “Januar’s clan is infringing on the treaty. They hunt in our areas.”
“There are plenty of humans to go around,” Triton reminded him.
“They’ve turned nearly twenty new ones.”
“Twenty?” Triton asked, shocked at the number. His clan had only turned one new member, Nala’s new boy toy, in fifty years.
“They are preparing for a take over.” Umbriel growled.
“Let’s not get too excited, we need more evidence,” Triton said.
Umbriel’s tone raised, “How much more do you need?” he said, staring hard at his friend. Triton raised his hands to calm Umbriel’s short and un-predictable temper.
“You’re right; I just don’t want a war on our hands. I have seen battles and I have seen peacetime. I prefer peace.”
“You forget brother; I was at your side in war.”
Triton stared at the fierce warrior, they had been through many battles together. War, death, victory, and triumph, old world sword battles to modern gunfights.
“You always have been. I shall always be at yours.” Triton said putting a hand on Umbriel’s shoulder, “Do you remember our first together?”
“How could I forget? I had to save your sorry ass from that Nordic vampire beast. Helga, I think was her name.”
“How was I to know he was a she? Nearly broke my arm with the first strike of her sword. We were so naïve, then, our skills, our powers.”
“I miss a good row with the old iron. Those were the days.”
“I prefer today.” Triton said flatly.
“Do you thirst?” Umbriel asked. Triton checked his watch, “No, let’s return to the mansion, it’s nearly daybreak.”
With only an hour before sunrise, they raced like teenagers back to the old fortress. Umbriel and Triton tried to run each other off the road; they cut in front of each other, sprayed gravel from screeching tires and raced over a hundred miles an hour. Umbriel missed this side of his friend. He wondered what brought this out of Triton. Just like old times, Umbriel thought, beating Triton to the gate of the vampire’s compound. The place they called home had been updated through the centuries with the modern sophisticated state of the art security and conveniences that vampires needed to be undetected. The mansion provided the safe haven for the entire clan for centuries. Most members had to share quarters, except the elders and