For ten years, I did everything the vampires have asked of me. I’ve gone through their classes and learned the skills they’ve offered. After having my family ripped away, I saw no point in bettering myself, but I went through the motions each day, hoping to eventually find peace and meaning in life once again. It wasn’t until I completed my training that I earned a position with one of their noble families. That began something I never expected.

With too many memories and feelings of guilt surrounding Mont de Sang, the vampire’s stronghold within their territory, and my birth district, I had to get away. My new position offered that escape.

“Are you contemplating life again, Jack?” Lady Lucille asks as she joins me in the study.

Lady Lucille is the daughter of my employer, Lord Hugo. The family is not what I would have expected when I first arrived. Nobility has always been portrayed as snobbish and spoiled, but they genuinely seem to care for those around them, even the lowly humans like me.

I may not be as physically capable as the rest of their vampiric guard, but I’ve proven my abilities and I can hold my own when necessary. Where I lack supernatural abilities, I make up for in tactical and critical thinking. I suppose that’s why they keep me around.

“What makes you say that?” I ask, doing my best to smile. Lady Lucille truly is one of the only people who can get a genuine smile from me these days. It’s something I look forward to each day.

“Well, for starters, it’s a beautiful day outside and you’re in here surrounded by ancient legal tomes, instead of escorting me on a walk in the sunshine.” Her perfect lips form an adorable little pout as she waits for me to respond.

“How terribly lazy of me, I apologize for my oversight,” I tease in turn as I close the book I had been reading and make my way over to her.

Offering my arm, I can’t help but smile as she beams up at me with excitement.

“Shall we, my Lady?”

Before she can respond, there’s an explosion outside. It must be close to the estate because it rocks the foundation of the mansion. Thinking quickly, I take Lady Lucille to the center of the room. Moving an old rug aside, I lift the trap door hidden beneath.

“In you go, Sweetheart,” I say, as I usher her inside the hidden room.

Lord Hugo had told me about this ‘safe room’ when he first gave me a tour of the grounds. He had it installed when they first moved to the territory on the off chance something were to happen. At the time, I thought it was unnecessary. Afterall, who would think of attacking a vampire, let alone one of noble blood.

“Wait! Don’t leave me,” she pleads.

“You’ll be safe here. Lock the hatch and don’t open it for anyone but myself or your father, do you understand?”

I wait for her to nod in understanding before shutting the trap door and replacing the rug on top. With a deep breath, I race out of the study in search of Lord Hugo or the head of the guard. Surely, one of them will know what’s going on.

All around me, I hear shouting, crashing and more explosions. In the corridor, I catch Lord Hugo as he’s issuing rapid fire orders.

As soon as his eyes meet mine, he demands, “My daughter?”

“Safe. As soon as we felt the first explosion, I got her into the safe room. What’s going on?”

His eyes momentarily show their relief at the knowledge that his daughter is safe before his anger shows. “A group of the fallen are attacking. I’d call them rogue fallen angels, but the term fallen angel kind of implies rogue. This group in particular has been quite vocal about their displeasure at having any of our kind in their territory. I guess they’ve gotten tired of talking and decided to take matters into their own hands.”

I nod in understanding. I remember hearing about this group over the past few years. They make rude comments when they see me at the market. My association with the vampires has not gone unnoticed.

“What can I do?”

Lord Hugo assesses me, “If you’re willing to stand by our side, I’d appreciate the extra set of hands at the front gate.”

“Of course. Let’s go.”