Cognata: A Vampire Romance by Jedaiah Ramnarine Page A

The life of an exile has been more fulfilling than the ignorant would assume."
    "Oh, brother... " The blonde spoke again. "We both know where your heart belongs. No matter how far you try running or how cold you continue dampening. We know that it is your desire to make reparations - and what better way to do so through the only power that can make it happen?"
    "Think on it. We'll be around." The brunette went on to finish their conversation as the two of them walked away, leaving a speechless Aristide behind, watching them vanish into black smoke.
    "You can come out now." Aristide's voice vigorously entered my mind. His body did not move. He was waiting for me to go to him, and so I did, like a cat who knew she'd done wrong. I silently came to his side, expecting his wrath.
    "You did not listen to me." His back remained turned to me as he coldly spoke.
    "I'm sorry." That was all I could muster.
    He turned to face me at last but I was be surprised. He was not angered - he was worried.
    "I'm sure you witnessed that event... "
    "Yes... " I still remained unsure if I should speak truthfully or not. "What does it mean?"
    Aristide bowed his head thoughtfully.
    "It might be high time for us to move on from this land."
    "Who were those men? They were so... familiar with you."
    "They certainly are." He began walking toward the direction of the beach.
    "Are you not going to tell me?" I questioned him as I trotted by his side.
    "What is it you wish to know?"
    I held his arm firmly, forcing him to stop and confront me but I quickly turned that gesture from threatening, to loving as I pushed him into the wall, seeping my hands up his chest and onto his face tenderly - "Are we in danger?"
    Aristide looked at me well before holding my hands in his own.
    "I can't say. Those men were once my brethren. It was a game of politics between the three of us. Eventually they sided to eliminate their strongest competitor; me, and so, I was banished. They are here on the Halonic Council's Orders - searching for the lineage of Halona."
    "What is a Halona?" I crumpled my eyebrows trying to understand this strange word. He held my hand, leading me away from the area so that we'd avoid the night's prying eyes.
    "She is an ancient legend. A myth. Once known as the mother of our kind. The Goddess of The Cognati."
    "And she's here?!" I couldn't believe this was happening.
    "That is what those fools assume. I do not believe in legends."
    "I do not believe you." I trusted my instinct.
    Aristide looked at me coyly.
    "Is that so?"
    "I think you know well of this 'Halona'. What other reason would those men have to come to you?"
    "It's impossible to keep anything from you, isn't it?"
    I smirked at him, urging him to tell me the story.
    "Very well. Let us retreat to the safety of our chambers and I will share what I know."
    'Legend has it, that there was once a star so bright, it descended from the blackness of the heavens and came to this world some 66,000 years ago. The natives who found the star immediately paid great reverence to it but it remained sealed like a shell for some time. On the 5th day, it opened and out came the most beautiful female creature anyone had ever laid eyes on. Her name was Halona and she was the first Cognata.
    The mother of our kind as some call her. Her features were said to be so perfectly formed, that her beauty inspired others to follow in the ways of art and literature. She taught the simpletons of her time many wondrous things. She could wave her hand and dissolve someone into dust. She could fly and move things with her mind. Her power was unbelievable and she inspired many cultures of the time to rise to a higher standard of civilization.
    It was said that she lived for centuries, as a queen to her people, nurturing and protecting them, until one fateful day - more stars descended from the skies and came to her side. The myth goes on to say that she was deeply envied by these strange people from the heavens, for all her power