The Vampire's Consort (Undead in Brown County) by S.J. Wright

she was desperate.”
    She squirmed away from him at that point, getting out of the bed and going over to the wide window across from the door.
    “I have always thought that our real parents were dead.”
    She looked over at him through the darkness.
    “That’s what you told us.”
    He nodded.
    “It’s true.”
    Sam went to her tall mahogany dresser and kneeled down to open the bottom draw. Inside were sweaters, most of which she’d never worn. But, underneath them was a sheet of paper. She pulled it out and brought it to Michael. Her face was impassive, her blue eyes grave.
    When he began to read, he was incredulous. It was a Xerox copy of an old newspaper article.
     
    HUNTER CHILDREN STILL MISSING AFTER TWENTY YEARS
    Savannah, GA-October 18, 1921
    Two little girls from the Sampson Heights area of north Georgia are no closer to being found after an exhaustive internal investigation into misconduct by high-ranking officials in the George state legislature turned up no evidence that the children were missing due to a political cover up.
    Samantha Hunter and Anne Hunter were taken by force from their family’s home in the upper class neighborhood of Sampson Heights on November 7 th , 1901. Neighbors reported seeing strangers in the area in the days leading up to the abduction.
    Today, the girls would be 28 and 31 years old. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of these two should contact the Sampson Heights Police Department.
     
    “You told us that our parents died,” Sam whispered.
    “Sam, I didn’t find you in Georgia. I found you in upstate New York. There were two adults with you, but they were dead by the time I arrived. How could I know that they weren’t your parents?”
    “ You should have checked! You should have tried to find out about our family!”
    “Sam, I’m sorry. Teddy thought it would be best if we took care of you. I had to give both of you my blood to try to help you heal from the wounds we found you with. But, it was too late. Anne passed away first. Then you a few hours later.”
    He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.
    “I found two adults already deceased and two children who were critically injured. I did what I could to save you both.”
    He gave her an entreat ing look.
    “Sam, I had no idea that they weren’t your parents.”
    “I believe you,” she said softly. “But I think there’s more to the story than either of us know.”
    He moved forward, sitting on the edge of her bed. He took both of her small hands in his and his eyes were full of sorrow.
    “I don’t know what to say, sweetheart. When we found you by the side of the road, I felt like I had to try to save you both. I didn’t want you to become a creature like me. When Anne stopped breathing, Teddy reminded me of the process of turning. I was crazy with fear. Anne awoke as a vampire child right before you took your last breath. Soon, you too were awake once again.”
    She sat beside him and leaned her golden head against his arm.
    “I remember nothing before that moment. When I opened my eyes, I saw your face. That’s my first memory.”
    She looked up at him in fascination.
    “You were my whole world until I began to get to know Anne. Then everything went to hell.”
    “What about Teddy?”
    She furrowed her brow.
    “She wasn’t as honest as you were. She always seemed to be holding back and keeping secrets. I didn’t like that about her.”
    “I see your point.”
    She fidgeted with the ruffles on the sleeve of her polka dotted pajama top. “Luna might be related to us. But, I don’t understand why she was so casual about being around so many vampires. The way that Teddy explained it seemed to indicate they consider vampires to be enemies.”
    He shrugged.
    “Maybe they don’t share Marrok’s hatred of us.”
    “Can you protect Luna? Is it in your power to take her from Edinna?”
    “I’ve already thought of that, smart girl. I’m just waiting for Edinna to call me back about