“Did they meet again?”, asked Enrique.

“Yes, they did. You see, she tried to move on with her life, but Dwyn couldn’t. He always watched her.

“On her first year of marriage, she led a calmed and happy life. She served as a senator’s and as hostess to other senators, and one time she even served Caesar himself. Everyone admired her, and the men who were not wed prayed to the gods for a wife such as her.

“One day, her husband was sent on political affairs far from the city, so she was left alone with her maids. On one of those nights of solitude, one of the imperial soldiers felt tempted and went to visit her. At the point of his sword, he pressed his manhood against her, and everything that made her so pure and so virtuous was lost. He left her there, raped, ragged, crying, and suffering. With sadness she sent for her father and husband.

“The night they both arrived, she told them what had happened. Then, she took out a knife and stabbed herself in the stomach. Between gasps of pain, she asked for vengeance, for her suffering and her death. Her husband quickly took out the knife and gathered his servants. With that same knife that took his wife away, he killed the criminal. Her father kept her company as her life was slowly waning

“Dwyn had been away at another war with Aton and felt deep agony for what had happened. He had arrived as her husband led the servants to the criminal’s lair.

“Dwyn quickly entered the room and asked the father if he wanted to see his child rise from her deathbed; the old man was taken aback. Dwyn was hearing Lucretia’s last heartbeats. He rushed the old man to make a decision. He agreed.

“Dwyn took her in his arms and asked for her forgiveness. He had always been looking out for her and just when she needed him, he wasn’t there. He sank his fangs on her neck and drank the few drops of blood left on her frail body. She wasn’t responding well to the ritual. It seemed more likely he was accelerating her death.

“The father cried full of anguish, ‘My daughter, you’re taking my daughter’s life away. You’re a monster! Why gods? Why do you punish me?’ Dwyn had no idea of what to do. It was then he sank his fangs on his wrist. As the blood flowed from his wrist it fell to her mouth. She felt a warm and refreshing feeling. She felt her heartbeat grow faster and slowly die. She gasped for air, but no air entered; then slowly exhale, but no air escaped between her lips.

“She opened her eyes wide as her father gasped in amazement. Dwyn rose from her bedside and told the old man, ‘Your daughter shall live for all eternity, but you must not look for her. She will look for you. Go back to your home, and leave a note behind saying your daughter will be given a proper burial, say those were her wishes.’ Dwyn left with Lucretia and took her to the cave where he spent so many years alone. Dwyn had sealed his love for her as he gave her part of his blood.

“Dwyn and Lucretia remain together, still locked in that cave; they only surface when they have the urge to see their descendants or Aton calls them to meet around the world, as he does with all of us.

“Ok…”, Enrique said as he digested all the information provided. “Any more?”, asked the young vampire. “Yes. You really didn’t think that in thousands of years there were only three more?”, Neftis smirked. Enrique smiled nervously.

“Well,”, Neftis continued, “the first awakening of Neferakhen in the era after Jesus, she was reborn in Jerusalem. What a choice! We went there earlier than before; she was barely fifteen. Her parents had died and she was staying with her uncle who was four years her senior. They were Christians and, at many times, they were persecuted. Of course, we protected them, while going unnoticed. Our biggest worry that time around was the witnesses. In that era, seeing a woman go through that kind of transformation would not be overlooked.

“Because of this we devised a plan. One night, while they were asleep, I appeared in her uncle’s room. His name was Ya’akov. He had messy black hair and was, unsuccessfully, trying to grow a beard. He awoke startled, he knew of my presence. ‘Who’s there?’, he asked while holding a candle. ‘I am.’, I said. I got closer to the candlelight; far enough not to scare him, close enough for him to see me. ‘What beautiful angel God has sent me!’, he said unknowing of my nature. Never in my life had I received such a compliment, not even from my husband. I laughed. Everything I did was a miracle to him. My graceful movements and my angelic poise, at least that’s what he told me…”

Neftis stopped. There were tears in her eyes. “Are you okay?”, asked Enrique concerned. “He became very important to me…”, Neftis replied while wiping the few tears she had left on her ancient body.

“That night I told him that he should treat his niece to a trip for her 25th birthday. ‘I have no money’, he said. ‘Money will be of no problem. One month before her 25th birthday you must go on the trip, and do not return after that. I will return with the money the night before you leave.’, I informed. ‘Will I not see your beauty again, before that day?’, he asked while reaching for me. I stepped back. I didn’t want him to feel my cold arm. ‘You mustn’t. I will return that night. Farewell.’, and I left. We kept watch and the night before their trip, I visited him again.

“‘My angel, you’ve come!’ ‘I said I would. Here’s the money.’ I handed him a bag full of coins. ‘Now, I’ll take my leave.’ ‘No! Don’t go, please!’ He reached out for me, and, this time, he took my hand. I was afraid; it had been a while since I felt afraid. ‘Your hand is so cold and pale.’, he said with gloomy eyes. I felt I had betrayed him. That was the first time I cried with my vampire eyes. With my mystical speed I left. He couldn’t see well, it felt to him like I disappeared.

“I barely spoke in the group anymore. They all knew what was wrong, but they did not dare say it. The night of the awakening, I saw him again.

“They had made camp on the edge of a mountain. Neferakhen had collapsed and Ya’akov was extremely worried. He had no idea what to do. That’s when I arrived, with Khera, Meriti and Creips. ‘My angel, help me!’, he exclaimed as he looked up to me from his kneeled stance. I took him by the hand and made him stand up. I wanted to take him away from the slaughter.

“Neferakhen awoke, and between growls and screams, she grabbed Ya’akov’s ankle and bit it. ‘She’s possessed!’, he screamed as he agonized in pain. Neferakhen refused to let go of him. She had nearly drained all of his life when Khera finally cut her head off. Ya’akov was lying on the floor motionless. The blood that was dripping from his ankle had made a trail to Neferakhen’s mouth. It was a truly disgusting sight.

“Just as Dwyn had done to save Lucretia, I saved Ya’akov. He joined us on the fight against Aton. At first he felt awkward, but, ultimately, he acceded.” “Where is he?”, asked Enrique.

“In Neferakhen’s last awakening… she… it’s so difficult… so hard… watching people besides you, people you love die. Neferakhen was my little sister, as we grew up she became like my daughter, and watching her die is becoming more painful each time.” Enrique stood up. He could imagine how tough the situation had become. He knew they risked their lives, but they felt the responsibility to end the threat.