The Guardians: Vampire House

Unfortunately, I could not get the Zombie Novel I'm working on to upload. I did, however, recover my vampire house Series. So here is the Introduction, and Chapter One. A teaser of what is to come.

Introduction

Let me tell you a story of honor, betrayal, and death. It's a story of a house divided, by rules and obligations. I am Rein Mia Rogue, a watcher, and soon-to-be leader and protector of these realms. I run a house with over 200 members, including informants, teachers, scholars, archivists, warriors, guards, and watchers like myself. There are also relatively new blood who were turned by outsiders and sought shelter among us. However, there is a traitor among us causing chaos, and it's my job to figure out who it could be.

This house is not your average house. It has been around for eons, and mortals call us bloodsuckers, demons, or those who feast upon flesh. However, we are vampires. There is an uprising happening, a power struggle, and I am stuck proving my worth to be the leader by birthright. Some say I do not deserve this position, but my skills and lineage say otherwise. My lineage goes back to the first of us, Lilith, who birthed Elizabeth Bathory, the queen of blood. Then, there was Vlad, whom I wish never to hear of again. He was a disgrace to our kind, and my father put an end to that. 

Now let me tell you about the ones who are tasked with being my guards. Currently, there are four: Fury, a strong, short-tempered woman skilled in close combat, known for her fiery red hair; Aurora, the lighthearted wise one, known for her bladed fan and sight skills, is also my trusted friend; Luna, quiet and stealthy, known only as the blue terror, is my informant, skilled in staying hidden and unnoticed, and a variety of martial arts and ranged weapons when needed for combat; and then there is Dart, skilled in everything, a master of all types, who's been around longer than I. He is calm, patient, and honorable, and the only other one I would allow in my chambers. The fifth guard will be determined in the next clan tournament; which you will be in, Dante. You are the first fledgling to have proven yourself as a protector and deserving to be in this tournament.

Now, I beg you to rest, Dante, for tomorrow you will partake in the battle.

Chapter One: The Doubt

"I am growing tired of the snide comments that my housemates make when I walk by. They seem to think that I am not capable of leading this place. But I beg to differ. After all, I played a crucial role in the war against the Demon Hunters. My mother's failure almost cost us the entire platoon, but I stepped in and got the job done with minimal casualties. Yes, I may have a quick temper, and my actions may be brash at times, but I am an effective leader."

Rein sighed as she looked out of the window of her mother's old room, which was decorated with maroon-covered walls and towering bookcases filled with books written by thousands of Archivists. This was where she used to come before every war meeting to study the weaknesses of each creature that posed a threat to humanity. Unlike her housemates, Rein took her responsibilities seriously and made sure she was always prepared as a tactician.

Dart looked at Rein with concern. He sensed her losing herself. He stood next to her, with arm around her shoulders. “Rein, you can’t let them get to you. They are confused, the death of your mother was sudden. No one was prepared for this. Not even you. Their whispers will stop, after the tournament.” Dart said with a comforting tone. Rein turned to Dart, and buried her head in his chest. This soothed her, as he wrapped his arms around her. Rein began to cry; she needed this. She had yet to mourn the loss of her mother. “Let it out, let it all out. You need to grieve.” Dart said sympathetically. “Thank you. Thank you for understanding, thank you for always being here for me.” Rein stated with sorrow.

Dart had a secret, a secret he dare not reveal, and it was killing him. He cared very deeply for Rein. More than a guard should. There are rules for this and he must follow them. Otherwise the consequences will be grim. 

“Rein, I need to excuse myself, from your company. I need to feed. I shall be with you in the marrow.” Dart stated and quickly left The room. When Dart entered the hall, Aurora was there; smiling almost vindictively like. “I can see your thoughts, remember?” Aurora stated snidely. Dart glared angrily at her, and was about to go off on one. Yet, he envisioned it for her to see, instead. “Well, you can do that Ooor you could listen to me. I know of a way for you to be together. It’s happened before in the past.” Aurora cockily said. He looked at her with surprise, yet, he already knew the way. “I’m listening.” Dart said melancholy like. 

Aurora motioned for him to follow. She couldn’t speak of what she knew where there could be prying eyes. They walked down the hallway and turned toward the rooftop entrance. They climbed the two flights of steps and exited out onto the roof. There she sat him down and began to explain the ways. 

“You only knew of one. That being the fight to the death. Yet there’s other ways. Prove your lineage noble, and pure. Or she will need to claim you. Then there’s entering the tournament and fighting us.” Aurora stated with caution.  “Well seeing as she has no male relatives, fighting to the death is not an option. Can’t prove nobility or purity, since no one can read my blood memory’s. Only option left is fighting the rest of the guards. Yet I refuse, due to my strength. As for her claiming me. She can’t with the house so divided.” Dart said regretfully. 

Aurora looked at him confused like. “You really don’t know do you?” She asked perplexed. “You really don’t, and neither does she. Perfect!” Aurora exclaimed. “What are you on about?” Dart asked. Aurora giggled and ran off to inform Rein. There’s a reason the house is so divided as it is. They don’t think Rein is qualified due to the lack of a mate. The old bloods believe that Queens rule better with a companion. Although Rein wasn’t really looking for one this would solve a lot of issues amongst the elders. 

Yet the moment Aurora stepped in front of Reins door, something was off. Aurora immediately telepathically called for Dart and in an instant he was there. Dart slammed the door open and rushed to Reins side. 

Rein was slumped over on her desk, crying as if someone stabbed her in the chest. “They informed you…” before Aurora could finish that sentence Rein looked at Dart with sadness. “If I don’t find a mate, they threatened war.” Rein somberly stated. Aurora grinned, even chuckled a bit. “ Why is this funny to you!?” Rein stated in a demanding tone. “Because you have one right next to you.” Aurora said whilst pointing at Dart. Rein shook her head and cried a bit more. “They want the fledgling Dante to be my companion. I don’t get to choose.” Rein sobbed. Dart grew angry, he knew Dante was a bad choice. He’s too young and inexperienced. “I’ll fight him in the tournament!” Dart exclaimed, while grabbing Rein holding her close to him. “I would do anything for you, I truly love you, Rein.” He declared his love, in front of Aurora. The worst possible thing to do in front of a median watcher. “The elders accept your challenge, however, if you lose; you are banished from here.” Aurora stated with a voice not of her own.  Aurora then fell to the floor, and Rein rushed over to her. Rein grabbed her shoulders and looked into her eyes. “You shits, how dare you try to usurp me? How dare you threaten my guard and use my sister for your service! How dare you make decisions for me!?” Rein screamed and Aurora replied. “They will be doing a lot more if Dart loses. I need to lay down Rein. They’ve done something to me.” Aurora said weakly and immediately collapsed. 

“Take her to the medic. I’ll deal with these Elders the only way I can.” Rein stated. Dart complied, yet didn’t know what she would do or say to these Elders. 

Aurora opened her eyes, and jokingly yet weakly said “My knight and shinning armor.” Dart looked at her with a slight smile, yet, he had concerns. Aurora could sense those concerns, and tried to pinpoint where Rein was at this point. Dart arrived at the medics office, which was several flights down into the basement. Yet, it didn’t look like a basement, it was redone, to model a high-end hospital. Earthen tone walls, and state of the art equipment. With paintings of famous mid-century Italy and French artists. Dart was impressed by the sight, he has never been to this area. He got lost in one of the paintings, created by Edvard Munch. The medic snapped him out of his trance, with a worrisome look. “I’ve never seen a case like this, in Vampire history. The elders really did a  number on her. They drained Auroras life energy, and severed nerves. She cannot regenerate with her life essence being drained like this.” The medic stated. Dart grew angrier then before. He pounded his fist to his other hand, shaking his head with disgust. “How do we help her?” Dart questioned. Before the medic could say anything, Aurora interrupted them. 

“Don’t worry about me, worry about Rein. Without her the house is lost. The Elders are planning to destroy her; by any means necessary. They are the traitors, and Dante is the plant.” Dart went to Aurora and stood at her bedside. Aurora was like a sister to him; yet he never expressed his feelings. 

“For Flipping Sakes, Dart. I knew what I was getting myself into. I’ll be fine. This is a consequence for doing a deep Dive on the Elders; when they hijacked my body. I hijacked their memories. Look, Rein is with Fury right now, and you know what that means. GO before its too late.” Aurora weakly stated. Dart shook his head, and left, whilst also reminding the medic of what could happen if he harmed Aurora in any way. The medic simply stated, that he is not with the elders. For he was rescued by Rein. He owed Rein everything.

Fury was the head of the warrior caste. She is the one who you go to when you need the big guns. The Calvary, more a long the lines, there’s a reason she is called Fury. Hell hath no Fury, because she’s here. Fury hates the Elder caste, absolutely loathes them. She’s made that stance clear several times over by disobeying them and cutting her link.

Rein stands outside of Fury’s mansion door, waiting patiently to be welcomed in. Dart arrives, and pulls Rein towards him. “What the hell are you thinking? You know what Fury is like. Would you just let me fight in the Tournament.” Dart strongly stated. Rein pulled away from him, and glared her icy stare. 

“I cannot allow it.” Rein stated angrily, and looked back at the door. Where Fury was standing, quietly awaiting her guests to finish. Fury looked at Dart and then back at Rein. “Dart, I don’t know why you have an issue with me, and I really don’t care. Leave it out here, and come in.” Fury stated. Dart and Rein entered her home, walked down the entrance corridor to the living room. Decked in Maroon and red tone colors, with towering bookcases just like Reins dwelling. They immediately sat down on the red plush couch. While Fury sat across from them in her plush maroon recliner. Waiting for them to speak of their plight. 

©2024 Mary Robbins

Computer Crashed/Health Issue

 Hello all

Unfortunately, my computer has crashed, erasing much of the harddrive information, files, and documents. I have been very busy with recovering these items. Which I have managed half of recovery. 

I've also had health struggles, my Retinopathy has become severe, where I need more eye injections and laser surgery. Yet I am still writing on the books I plan to publish with Lulu and Ingramspark...

Please be patient as I continue to recover the lost files. I will be posting another sample of a different book I am writing on, Later in the week. This one has to do with, Zombies. :)

Book Updates: Unpublished

 Since Amazon's announcement of limiting publications per day, as well as discriminating against AI usage of any kind. Including Manual AI, (Machine learning, OCR) where all it does is touch-up images. Much like an artist would do in Paint programs. It helps me keep my lines straight, clears up blotches, and fills the coloring/shading in correctly. It basically fixes my mistakes, since I cannot... I have retinopathy and other health issues that prevent me from, drawing straight, seeing if colors are missing, or fixing my own blank spaces. My illness causes tremors, and partial blindness. AI has helped me, fix many a painting and drawings. I have thus, unpublished my books with Amazon.

I am currently, looking for a different publishing site. One that will actually promote my books, make it actually visible in the search queue, and give better deals for the customers. I'm already looking into one called Ingramspark, I will be trying them out soon, with my Sci-fi fantasy novel.

I'll update everyone again, soon. With links to that book.

In the meantime happy reading everyone.

Sample Story: Secrets of The Past

Introduction

Sitting here studying my grandfather's notes on Atlantis, I began to see the same thing he did. I discovered that there is a deeper secret, than that of advanced technology. I discovered something that people ignored. Even though, my grandfather drew it out for them. I have a feeling this will be another all-nighter. Maybe they’ll listen to me, if I just bring back, visible evidence, instead of old journals and scribbling.
Yet tonight is seriously not that night. Exams in the morning, and Mr. Bjorn, is not a jolly fellow. On top of that, the whole archaeology class is expected in the field, at 5 am. This is a weekend project, and I might need backup. I’ll talk to Marissa in class in the morning. I know she absolutely loves these types of puzzles. As I make my way to the bedroom, I hear my name being called. Maria. Maria. I turned to look, yet nothing was there, except a strange glowing light. Coming from my grandfather's, old trunk. I went toward this old trunk, opened the lid and all I could see was what looked like a telecommunications device. With my grandfather on the other end, in a strange place. “Oh good, this thing still works!” My grandfather exclaimed. “Look Maria there’s no time to explain, you need to come to these coordinates. Drop everything” (static and silence). I’m dreaming, right? He’s supposed to be dead and gone!? Why would my parents lie to me all these years? What the heck were they hiding? I get packed, quickly and call Marissa right away. Head to my Ford F150, it’s a clunker I know, start it up and head to Marissa’s house.

Chapter One: Grandfather's Mysterious Call

”Marissa I hope you packed everything essential, my grandfather's coordinates, are leading right into the Bermuda Triangle.” Marissa looked at me wide-eyed, as a way of calling me crazy. At this point, I dare say she might be right. I mean, the Bermuda Triangle, where ships and planes go missing. No one has yet, to come up with a reasonable explanation, besides “High Levels” of “Methane”. I question that, every now and again. “Hey, Don’t look at me like I’m crazy, even though I think I am right now.” So now, Marissa switches to the pitiful look. “Maria, I don’t think you are crazy, the idea yes, but not you. I don’t know how I would react if my dead relative called me in the middle of the night. Especially, telling me to drop everything and go to the Devil's freaking triangle.” She exclaimed.

I looked at her as if it were my last day on earth. “To be fair, my family never said he was dead. They said he was only gone, however, my father and I had assumed. Since it’s been 10-odd years.” I said, As I began to get up, the crystal-like device started to glow again, with a humming sound. Marissa stops me and says.” Maria! Your crystal is glowing.” I pull the crystal out of my bag, and once again it’s my grandfather. “Maria, I hope you got the coordinates, we could really use your Detective-like brain. There are things here, that no one in our era could have thought of.” He exclaimed. I look past him, to see other family members there. My father, who went missing 5 years ago, was standing right behind him. Grinning, and looking at me. “Dad, what are you doing there? And why haven’t any of you contacted Mom and me sooner!?” My father looked away for a moment as if he were ashamed. “Maria, we just figured out how this device works, for that matter, we just discovered this place 5 months ago. It’s amazing. You really need to come here. We can restore our families' namesake.” My Grandfather explained.

”The Devil's Triangle though? This can’t be for real, it’s too crazy. How am I supposed to get there, without the plane taking a nose dive?” I questioned the madness that is my family. At this point, Marissa takes the crystal from me, looks dead at me and does the hush sign at me.
”Hey Grandpa, Ruddy! She’s under stress, don’t mind her. However, I too am curious about how to bypass that certain obstacle. You know, without getting my little brother killed out there.” She smiled, tilted her head and waited for an answer. “Well, Marissa, there’s a control center, here where I am standing, and if we hit that switch.” Points to the right, on a Coral like wall, there was a lever, with odd Latin writing. Obex Hominis, Nunc Diminuitur . This means the Barrier of Man is now Diminished. I raise my eyebrow and ask; “How many times have you tried that switch?” He then responds, hesitantly. “I have tried it about, three times since I have been here. Which led to these people from Hawaii passing through, and then your father.” He pauses, and looks at a flashing red sign, on a huge screen-like monitor.

”Maria, we don’t have much time. You need to get here. This place is failing. And I am not sure how long we have left here. Look, the third time I used that lever, something big came through. And it’s been tearing up everything.

Including the very system, that is keeping everyone alive…” The crystal goes dark. I look at Marissa, then at our stuff. I pick up our stuff, and head to the door. Look at Marissa and with one gesture. She’s out before me. I piled all our things into the trunk, and we both headed on 4 miles down to the private Airport. Where her little brother works as an instructor. We didn’t even have to go inside to get him. For some weird reason, he was already packed, and ready to go. “Jay, don’t tell me, how did you know we were coming when none of us called you.” He smirked and placed his hand in his pocket. “I got a letter here, from your dad. I think he sent it before he left.” Jay handed me the letter. It was from my dad, and he did send it before he left. “It says, that I would be coming here, to ask for a lift to the Devil's Triangle. Also says, to keep an eye out for me. That still doesn’t explain how you knew it would be today.” He laughed and then grabbed Marissa's phone. Pulled up a tracking App and tapped on it. “I have been following her phone, because of how many times she has lost it.” He said while laughing.

Facepalm, “Okay, we need to go. Like now. My family is in a lot of trouble right now. Not sure how much, yet I know it’s serious. Help us load the plane and let's get going.” I said as I walked back to the trunk pulling everything out. Marissa walked toward the plane while her brother and I carried the load. Shaking my head, realizing she’s always in dreamland, when things, like heavy lifting need to be done. Jay and I loaded the plane, and I sat down in the opposite seat of Marissa. Looked at her grimacing and began to ask her why she never does heavy lifting, when Jay pipes up. “Marissa doesn’t do the heavy lifting due to a previous injury before she met you. She can’t lift above 15 lbs, or her shoulders will dislocate. Weak muscles.” She looks at me with grief and continues on with the explanation. “I was an Acrobat before we met, I got caught in the wires, during a test run, and it shredded my arms and dislocated both shoulders. Physical therapy only did more damage. I’m used to it, although it does suck, not being able to do the things you love.” She stops talking and looks back down at her book. I had no words, yet I understood her completely.

”Jay, the coordinates are, 25° N, 71° W. We should be fine, they said they could bring the barrier down, upon our approach.” Jay just looked at me like I was crazy, I looked back at him. “Yeah, I know, sounds crazy, yet it really isn’t. It’s an actual barrier knocking planes down and sinking ships. Don’t ask me how, I have no idea yet.” Jay puts the plane in gear, as I sit in the co-pilot seat. Watching everything and one turn into ants as we ascend and fly to the Devil's Triangle. Yet as I watch things become smaller, and clouds go by. I start to doze off, and I try fighting that sleep. Yet I was subdued and quickly everything went dark.

The light then appears, I’m still sleeping, that I do know. I stare blankly at the light, refusing to move. The light comes closer and appears to be a human-like figure. The light dims, as the figure is now right on top of me. It reaches out for me, and I awake in a panic. Marissa jumps to her feet and rushes next to me. “Are you okay?” She asked seriously. I look at her, and I say everything.

“There is something more about this place than meets the eye. I don’t know what's going to happen down there. Yet I dreamt of a glowing human-like figure, who was trying to reach for me. I woke up at that instant. So no, I’m definitely not okay with any of this. I’m actually pretty scared, now.”

Marissa takes my hand, and we both head to the back, to talk more about this dream. “Tell me, more. It’s 5 more hours until we arrive.” She states.
I look down, and the crystal has changed from dark to blue. With Latin text coming through. Petentibus veritatem, eam habebitis. Si verum est cor tuum. Si responsa quaerentium, vera sunt corda. Dominus Animarum te vindicabit. Marissa looked at me. Not understanding any of the text. So I read it out loud in English for her. To those seeking truth, you shall have it. If your heart is true. If those seeking answers, hearts are untrue. Lord Of Souls shall claim thee…

”Wow, that’s scary. Are you sure you still want to go through with this? I mean Jay can turn around…” She said, nervously. “I’m sure, we need answers. And I’m sure I need to clear my grandfather's name. I mean the council really did a number on him. He can’t even teach anymore, Marissa. We need to do this.” She got up and sat back in her seat, picked up her book and continued to read. She does this to distract herself, from anxiety. I don’t blame her, I’m feeling anxious as well. Yet I don’t have time to relax. That weekend project is a definitely now project. And with 5 hours until arrival, I need to get cracking on this one piece of scribbling, my grandfather took of years ago. They look like Runes, yet no Runologist in the world can decipher it. The fact of the matter, I don’t even think it’s from this world. I honestly do not know how it fits, with Atlantian Lore. These Runes were only leaving more questions, to be answered.

It’s because of these rune-like symbols, my grandfather was laughed out of the council. The more I look at these symbols, the more they look like crop circles. “Wait a minute… Marissa, do you remember that farm, down in Lancaster with that huge weird-looking crop circle?” Marissa looks up from her book and does that little thinking position. Starts laughing and then gets up and sits down next to me. “Marissa, I’m serious. Look at these Runes and then compare it to that crop circle.” She takes the sketch from my hand while going through the photos on her phone. Oh, low and behold, it’s an exact match. “Maria, you’re not thinking that Atlantians are aliens?” She asked, as if shocked I would even suggest such a thing. “I’m not entirely sure they’re “aliens”, per say… However, I can’t rule that entirely out either. If you look at the Rune and that symbol. It does match. What if Atlantians were human
colonizers, from a far-off galaxy? And what if, their ship landed here on Earth? What if they colonized, like, had generations here on this planet. What if, they are what we evolved from or what if they’re the reason for our evolution?” She shook her head and sighed. “With all these whataboutisms and what-ifs, we’re about to be there. All those answers will be given. I think you should rest, you’re nearly pulling 20 hours here.” Marissa stated, with a long sigh. She then confiscated my work and told me to sleep. I got my travel pillow out and started to sleep. I don’t know if Marissa is right about this. I just have a really bad feeling. Things will become worse before I get any answer I am seeking. With sleep, comes nightmares, or a premonition of what will happen? That same being from before is again, in my dreams. I am trying really hard to stay here and not wake up. I mean it’s a dream, it can’t really hurt me, can it?

©2024 Mary Robbins

Secrets Of The Past Is Currently being worked on. This is just a sample. More to come soon.

More Updates

I'm excited to announce that the book preview section of my website is now live! However, I am still working on the forum section, and I'm considering not having one at all. I don't think it'll be used much anyway. People can always email me directly for tips and suggestions on how to publish their works, and I'm happy to receive emails promoting other people's self-published books as well.

I always try to keep my book prices affordable because I understand how difficult it can be to manage finances. Even though I only receive a small percentage of the sales, I'm content as long as my work can bring joy and imagination to the next generation. It gives me immense satisfaction to know that I can make a positive impact on young minds. Also, all the images included in my books were created by me using a variety of methods, including hand drawing, paint programs, and AI technology.

Currently, I am taking a break from writing children's literature and focusing on my sci-fi novel. I will be sharing some chapters here so you can get a feel for it before it's published.

As always, happy reading everyone.

Greetings: Introduction and Under Construction

Greetings everyone,

I am currently in the process of moving everything from Wix.com over to here. I am not that great at creating websites, blogger.com is the easiest for me. So, what's this site all about you ask?

This site is for me to, well, promote my story/novel writing side. It will hold updates, pertaining to the books I am working on or have already published. Meaning, yes, you will get to preview upcoming and already published books, by me. (Mary Robbins)

Now since that's out of the way. Let me tell you what is currently being worked on. (Site wise) I'm currently working on the "Author Bio" section, as well as the code of conduct. (Rules, Terms of Service and Copyright). I will also be adding a forum, and book preview section.

Everything should be done within the next couple of days. (Hopefully, if there are no distractions.)

So please do check back often or as much as you like.

Happy reading everyone.