strength and concealed their unanticipated need for blood as sustenance
as best they could by utilizing the blood of those they killed in battle. The
breeds served until finally near the 1600s when, with much thanks to Spanish
and English aid, King
Henry was forced to accept the Peace of Cateau-Cambresis and renounce any further claims to Italy.
But that did not end the
power of these warriors, now known as the Valendite Breed, named for the war in
which they were created. Empowered with the role of preserving peace for their
country, the Valendite breed warriors stayed inconspicuous, fearful of those
who might be frightened or threatened by their gifts. They learned to drink
from one another, a blood exchange that left them unfulfilled and empty. Their
accomplishments in the war hidden, buried to protect their identity, they lived
as simple men. Until over the years, and despite their propensity to live
elongated lives, these men and their families were able to hide once again
among the average men.
After the Valendite breeds
assimilated back into life on the hillsides of Italy, very few of their wives
were able to conceive. The breeds were not thriving. The men assembled and
brought their women to the steps of Rome, to the place most known for prayer
and sanctity, to ask for God’s intervention in their lives. Pleading, one woman
by the name of Magdalena offered any sacrifice that might be asked of them in
exchange for fertility.
Her plea was granted. Though
reports of the event were never accurately transcribed, breed historians agree
on a few basic events. Each woman present that day – seven in total – were
filled by one of the seven deadly sins, this act in exchange for the honor of
bearing breed children, continuing the race and nourishing their breed mates.
All was well for the breeds
then. Their race flourished until the time of another generation in the late
1800s. The women became unhappy in their role, seeking independence from the
bonds that held them to the breeds. For without their mates, the women could
survive; it was only the breed mate who suffered from separation. Some began
leaving, traveling to other countries.
A terrible storm struck over their
lands on the day of Samhain 1804. Terribly
superstitious, the women converged in the town’s large cathedral to pray. The
strongest winds ever seen before or since tore down the stone structure,
killing those women trapped inside. After the storm ended, though, very few
women –only those not making it to the cathedral- remained alive.
An apparition appeared
outside the cathedral ruins. The majestic angel stood before the women who
bowed down on their knees in her presence. “You shall call me Magdalena. You
shall pray to me as Goddess. For you are those I saved this day. You are true
to the promise made so long ago and granted to us through the grace of God.
Your honor lies in claiming your breed mate. It is as it should be.”
The women dared not move as
they heard the men approach, remaining on their knees in respect for their
Goddess with whom there was a connection. The soil warm beneath their legs, the
air crisp and cool against their hands. Every sensation, every movement and
sound, was heightened.
Their change not subtle, the men present that day at the cathedral witnessed
the transformation.
“You are no
longer as you once were. Manifested in you now are the elements. While others
broke their promise, you held steadfast and are rewarded with powers in your
own right. No longer shall you exist only to sustain your mate but to also
sustain the earth. My blessings be upon you and your
children after you. It is as it should be.”
Those gathered
saw the apparition spiral in a colorful rainbow that seemed to draw every eye,
a comforting scent and warmth flooded the courtyard where now only seven women
remained alongside the breed men. A new beginning was upon them.
Chapter
One
Lucas held the most
precious thing in his
as best they could by utilizing the blood of those they killed in battle. The
breeds served until finally near the 1600s when, with much thanks to Spanish
and English aid, King
Henry was forced to accept the Peace of Cateau-Cambresis and renounce any further claims to Italy.
But that did not end the
power of these warriors, now known as the Valendite Breed, named for the war in
which they were created. Empowered with the role of preserving peace for their
country, the Valendite breed warriors stayed inconspicuous, fearful of those
who might be frightened or threatened by their gifts. They learned to drink
from one another, a blood exchange that left them unfulfilled and empty. Their
accomplishments in the war hidden, buried to protect their identity, they lived
as simple men. Until over the years, and despite their propensity to live
elongated lives, these men and their families were able to hide once again
among the average men.
After the Valendite breeds
assimilated back into life on the hillsides of Italy, very few of their wives
were able to conceive. The breeds were not thriving. The men assembled and
brought their women to the steps of Rome, to the place most known for prayer
and sanctity, to ask for God’s intervention in their lives. Pleading, one woman
by the name of Magdalena offered any sacrifice that might be asked of them in
exchange for fertility.
Her plea was granted. Though
reports of the event were never accurately transcribed, breed historians agree
on a few basic events. Each woman present that day – seven in total – were
filled by one of the seven deadly sins, this act in exchange for the honor of
bearing breed children, continuing the race and nourishing their breed mates.
All was well for the breeds
then. Their race flourished until the time of another generation in the late
1800s. The women became unhappy in their role, seeking independence from the
bonds that held them to the breeds. For without their mates, the women could
survive; it was only the breed mate who suffered from separation. Some began
leaving, traveling to other countries.
A terrible storm struck over their
lands on the day of Samhain 1804. Terribly
superstitious, the women converged in the town’s large cathedral to pray. The
strongest winds ever seen before or since tore down the stone structure,
killing those women trapped inside. After the storm ended, though, very few
women –only those not making it to the cathedral- remained alive.
An apparition appeared
outside the cathedral ruins. The majestic angel stood before the women who
bowed down on their knees in her presence. “You shall call me Magdalena. You
shall pray to me as Goddess. For you are those I saved this day. You are true
to the promise made so long ago and granted to us through the grace of God.
Your honor lies in claiming your breed mate. It is as it should be.”
The women dared not move as
they heard the men approach, remaining on their knees in respect for their
Goddess with whom there was a connection. The soil warm beneath their legs, the
air crisp and cool against their hands. Every sensation, every movement and
sound, was heightened.
Their change not subtle, the men present that day at the cathedral witnessed
the transformation.
“You are no
longer as you once were. Manifested in you now are the elements. While others
broke their promise, you held steadfast and are rewarded with powers in your
own right. No longer shall you exist only to sustain your mate but to also
sustain the earth. My blessings be upon you and your
children after you. It is as it should be.”
Those gathered
saw the apparition spiral in a colorful rainbow that seemed to draw every eye,
a comforting scent and warmth flooded the courtyard where now only seven women
remained alongside the breed men. A new beginning was upon them.
Chapter
One
Lucas held the most
precious thing in his
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