1 Uncanny Visitor

Alistair looked out the window at an old couple, the husband hugged his wife reassuring her, she on the other hand wept considerably almost to a point of hiccuping as she stared at the old villa that was home to her and her entire generation of family for centuries. He kissed her forehead as he led her to the waiting car.

Alistair smiled to himself, a bitter smile. He was sad to let them go, they were with him for as long as he could remember. Generation after generation of the same family served him for centuries. He liked it that way; there was no need for him to hide his true form – his monstrosity as he often referred to himself. They were his food source, his face in the outside world and in return he provided them with monetary security. It was a matter of give and take relationship at first and slowly built up to something more familial in form.

The couple's son Nick knocked on the open door. He was very cautious as usual when dealing with the master. He lingered on the doorway motionless, eyes fixed on the floor too afraid to make any noise so as not to disrupt his master's contemplative state.

"Come in." Alistair said without turning. He can smell the fear in him, it was always been like that. Most of the time he quite enjoyed the spectacle but now, it somewhat annoyed him a little. This is not the kind of farewell he had in mind.

Nick stepped forward still afraid to come closer. His eyes moved along the massive book collection covering most of the walls. The impressive collection never failed to astonish him every time he looked at it. He knew that the books alone cost a fortune more than he could ever imagine.

"Take what you like." Alistair smiled as he saw the interest in the young man's eyes. He knew that look. In fact he knew it too well, he had the same look eons ago. When he was a young man himself studying to become the youngest scribe of their tribe. He was the beloved genius, esteemed even by the chief himself. That was such a long time ago but somehow it felt like it was just yesterday, all the admiration and prestige that became the symbol of his existence.

" No. I couldn't, sir." Nick muttered astounded by the offer. He knew how precious those books are for his master.

Nick's response brought Alistair back to present. He wanted to help this kid to achieve his dreams in life but he did not want to press on. It was against his nature. He grew very fond of him, his attentive and ambitious nature. He wanted very much to mentor him, to teach him the ways of life, everything he wanted to teach his son Aron… his thoughts broke off. Aron. He had done everything to protect him. If he had to give his life, then he will do so. His eyes moved to the letter on the massive mahogany desk. His gold wax sealed glitter in contrast with the black envelop, this was the only thing he could do.

"There's a letter on my desk. Deliver it to her." He said trying to sound as flat as possible, hiding his emotions.

"Her, sir?" Nick questioned him confused with the ambiguity of the order. He can sense the bitterness in his voice as if seeing it clearly written all over his face.

"Aine." Alistair spoke as if he had said the name a million times.

" Yes sir." Nick understood it too well. He bowed without question and took the letter securing it inside the pocket of his coat. A month ago he knew that something was amiss. Master Alistair never ventured out of the villa for years, no he never stepped out of the house for as long as he could remember and out of nowhere he disappeared for days. When he came back, he was all sullen and different. In a matter of week he had all of his assets and properties transferred to Nick's family. Everything happened so quickly they all needed to relocate and their identities changed.

Alistair turned to Nick, he smiled fondly at him. "Take that box as well."

Nick opened the box and … "Sir, we couldn't… it's too much." His eyes fixed on the shinning gold bars.

"It's payment for the years of servitude. Did you manage to do everything I ordered?" Alistair looked back out the window at Nick's parents.

"Yes, sir. Down to the last detail." Nick answered proud of how he handled things accordingly.

"Take it. Please." Alistair forced.

"Burn all your belongings. Make sure that your scent will be untraceable. I'm sorry if I put all of you into this…" Alistair chocked down tears. He cared for this family, they were his family all these years when Aron his only son refused to do anything with him.

" It's almost sundown, make haste. You should be miles from here the moment the sun hits the horizon." He forced a weak smile. "Take care of your parents, most especially your mother. She was like a daughter to me."

Nick did not know what to do. He wanted to comfort him, this master that made him shiver with his mere presence but now he looked so old and weary. He was an immortal, a predator that was feared by anyone but for the first time he's seen the toll in all those years in his eyes. Nick bowed, one final bow and was halfway the room when Alistair suddenly appeared in front of him. He moved in an inhuman speed, his blazing red eyes burned deep into Nick's.

"You need to feed sir?" Nick stepped back afraid, his knees was about to go jelly when suddenly Alistair's face relaxed and his eyes changed back to its normal blue. A smile crossed his sullen face.

"Tell her…Aine. " Alistair fought back tears. "Tell her that even with my last dying breathe… I will never betray her." Upon saying that Alistair walked back to his desk without another word.

Nick breathed relieved and hurried outside.

Alistair sat motionless; his hand clenched a cameo pendant. He looked around him, this house became his sanctuary and now it will be his tomb. Three thousand years was it? He managed to remember and all he could do was laugh at the absurdity of his situation. For countless times he managed to end his life but failed and now… now that it was really about to end he never once imagined that he would be trembling in fear. He looked at the pendant, the profile of the woman, Aine, she was the start and now it will end with her as well.

A sudden movement caught his attention; an impossibly black cat stared at him at the doorway. It was unmoving, its gaze fixed on him. Alistair knew that this is no ordinary cat, it moved gracefully as if beckoning him to follow suit.

#

Alistair peered into the deep fog that seemed to settle in the whole garden, this was very strange for him. The fog seemed to grew thicker with every minute, he knew he was not alone he can sensed someone's powerful gaze on him.

The black cat emerged from the fog, it circled around him. Alistair snarled at it, it meowed back undaunted. Then out of nowhere it somewhat grew bigger and in a powerful contortion its body broke apart, transformed into a woman, beautiful to the point of ethereal, flowing red hair that reached the ground and deep purple eyes that seemed to pierced you by a mere gaze.

Alistair frozen in fear, stepped back. He was shocked; being a supernatural himself had not prepared him for what he just witnessed. Who is she? He wondered his mind searching for answers but found none.

"Do not fear little one." The woman smiled leaning for a closer smell.

"Who are you?" Alistair pried. He wanted to know, his curiosity somewhat dulled the fear a little bit.

" I am your mother." She replied as she licked his neck. Her long nails scratched his nape, blood gushed out. She tasted it. "Not bad."

" Aine made me." He turned to face her only to find her purple eyes turning crimson red in anger.

"Aine. Aine! That wretched maggot naming her Aine. She was mine! My daughter! Her name was Ea, I named her after my first born. I had so much in store for her but she chose her pathetic mortal family over me… do you realize the depths of my disappointment?" She smiled lovingly at Alistair who was now trembling in fear.

"Do not fear the unknown fear what you will come to know." She said as she thrust her hand right into his chest, grabbed his heart and ate it.

Alistair's dead convulsing body fell to the ground.