“ You ’ re from California , then ? What brings you to New York ?” Mr . Holstadtler inquired , but I had already begun shutting the door behind me .
I stood on the Holstadtler ’ s single-step porch , unmoving , as I contemplated what had just happened to their daughter . A beautiful future lost to evil and for what , why ? I couldn ’ t understand it and it tore every fiber of my being apart . I willed the Master to come for her that night , I wanted it . Had the coward shone , his death would have been assured swiftly . Instead , I stood on that porch in vain , and he lived another day to torment yet another innocent .
I walked down the icy driveway with ease and made a right onto the sidewalk beyond the gated yard . As I walked , I thought of the many vampires that I had killed . That night , it wasn ’ t the killing that bothered me . Oh no ! Staking vampires . Killing them . Fighting them . Saving humans from the immortal beasts . That ’ s what I do . I am a Vampyre Paladin , a protector of humans and champion of justice . However , not all humans can be saved , like the Holstadtler girl . I ’ ve had to kill newly-turned vampires before , but that girl was just thirteen years old . Too young for most fiends to be interested in . It was curious that she would have garnered any attention at all . What Godforsaken fiend would dear mark her with a tragem ? That is what churned my hatred .
I ’ ve been a Paladin for so long that I ’ m usually immune to the sensitivity of mourning for lost souls . But for some reason , Sara ’ s transformation made my blood boil . I wanted the fiend who ruined her life and … I found myself with a desire I hadn ’ t felt in a long time . The desire to avenge her .
105