I sit and relax for several minutes, then get up to get butler. Just as I get up the butler comes in the door. I think how nice and convenient the watchers are.

“Thank you sir,” the butler says.

“Quite welcome,” I say and follow it out. As we are walking down a hall I think of Oaky and Rock.

“They are fine sir. They both decided to check out the pool.” It says.

“I hope the chlorine doesn't bother them,” I say.

“There is no chlorine in the pool. It is maintained by magic like most things in the house.”

“Doesn't that draw attention?”

“Many have asked how we do it, but we just tell them we have people come in to take care of it. That satisfies the most curious.”

“Good idea, I'm impressed.”

“Thank you, it was my idea,” it says with pride.

“Ingenious, you are just good.”

I don't know how, but I can sear there is a hop in its float. We enter a room with a large couch and the biggest big screen TV I have ever seen. I hear someone on the TV say Jacob just as the thing goes off.

A gentleman with light blond hair stands up and turns to us. He looks like a bodybuilder with dark skin. I can't be sure if it is a tan or his normal color.

His eyes appear to be all pupil. At first it looked like he had no eyeballs. As he gets up, it looks like one simple movement to him. It looked more like a wave of the hand than a complex movement.

“Butler you forgot to warm me,” he says. His voice was soft and smooth, but with an authority that I have never heard.

“Sorry sir, I was distracted,” Butler says.

“He is right,” the man says.

I have never seen leather blush before. Butler leaves in a hurry. “Butler is the best help Elisa has ever had. I envy her. I can't summon or call watchers,” he says.

“I don't mean to be rude, but what is your name?” I ask.

“I am the one being rude, not you. My name is Dessen. I am the local head of the night people's guild.”

I walk over to shake his hand as I say, “Welcome to see you. My name is Jo...” As I get to my name I grab his hand and feel an electric shock and jerk my hand away.

“I know your name Jode. Every other worlder here knows it,” He says and flexes his hand as he lowers it. “You are truly an ancient. No other human can resist my drain.”

“You what?” I ask, flexing my hand trying to get feeling in it again.

“I am a vampire that drains energy. I was curious as to how you would react to it.”

“Well that wasn't nice.”

“Perhaps not, but interesting. If I had been able to drain from you, I doubt you would have known. Humans with a touch of magic in them never react to my drain. They are able to replenish it as fast as I take it.”

“I thought vampires ate their food like spiders, not trying to be insulting.”

“No insult taken. And it is true, some do. Just like humans, vampires vary greatly. And yes some feed just like in the movies.

The only difference is that the ability they describe is merely spells done by the person.”

“You don't mind being called a vampire do you?”

“Not at all. Vampires nowadays are portrayed as mysterious and wanted. Who wouldn't want to be that?”

“Very true,” I say and motion to the couch and sit down. He takes a seat with me. “Butler said you wanted to see me? Was that just to drain me?”

He chuckles, “No, but I wish I could, the power you possess is every vampire's dream.”

“I don't know if that is a complement or an insult.”

“Neither just a statement. You are an interesting man Jode. You speak your mind without hesitation.”

“Are you able to read my mind?”

“Just surface thoughts mainly. I am not as good as the watchers. I require the subject to be in sight.”

“Subject, I sound like a test subject.”

He laughs, “That is what I mean. You don't even question yourself, if what you say is appropriate or not.”

“Why, wasn't my statement appropriate?”

He chuckles, “It wasn't either appropriate or inappropriate. I just used it to make a point, you don't question what you say.”

“Why should I? What is appropriate in one conversation may not be in another. If you try to second guess, you always come out wrong.”

“So true, I would have loved to meet you as Balthazar too.”

“Did you read that in my mind?”

He smiles, “No Elisa has informed me.”

“Then you know everything by reading her thoughts then?”

“Alas no, her mind is well guarded. Even watchers cannot read it. I'm sure there are many secrets best left unknown in that mind,” he says sadly.

“Yeah, but secrets only stress the mind.”

“Perhaps in most, but I doubt it in her. She has lived long enough to know.”

“True, over ten thousand years is a long time.”

“I was hoping to get a little info on your purpose here.”

“Can't you read it, it would be so much easier.”

“It would if I could. But the problem is that your mind is moving so fast, I can't get a clear understanding.”

“That's me, flighty as always.” I say and he laughs. “Well to stop the curses and possibly open the portals we need another ancient. Balthazar left us a message in Mount Poo Poo, but we think it requires more people to get it.

“A phase shifter? What is that?” he asks.

“Sesney do you mind?” I ask.

“Not at all,” Sesney says. Dessen jumps up and looks around. “You won't be able to see me Dessen. I am in another dimension.”

“What are you?” Dessen asks nervously.

“Have you heard of the old tales about the men who walk without?” Sesney asks.

“Yes,” Dessen answers, starting to calm down and sits down.

“That is my people.”

“But it says you are dangerous,” Dessen comments.

“Most of my people are. It took the ancients a year to find me.”

“Is it true you can't be killed?”

“Yes unless you are able to get to our dimension. But the ancients were the only ones able to. Not counting Elisa.”

“She can summon you?”

“Not me no, I am already summoned, but she does have the knowledge to summon others, yes.”

“Why has she not mentioned this?” Dessen asks a bit unnerved.

“For the same reason I questioned talking to you,” Sesney says with regret.

“Fear?” Dessen answers.

“Correct, we would be hunted like your race was many years ago.”

“Sad isn't it?” Dessen says with a bowed head, “Even my race is not immune to prejudice.”

“Not really, it is simply fear,” Sesney says without comfort.

“That is no excuse,” Dessen says with disgust. “I wonder if opening the portals would be a good idea.”

“It is not for us to say,” I comment, “Things will happen as they will with or without us,” I say, then add, “A very wise man told me that once,” I can almost hear Sesney shifting.

“If you need assistance, don't hesitate to ask. I look forward to the portals opening. I miss my family.” Dessen says.

“We can take you back with us,” I say.

“Thanks for the invite, but I must decline. I still have responsibilities here.”

“If you change your mind the invite stays open,” I say.

“Thank you, but I must take my leave now, my responsibilities take me other places. It is a pleasure to meet you Jode and Sesney. I hope to be able to speak to you both again some time,” Dessen says and I nod.

“May life shine on you Dessen,” Sesney says.

Dessen walks out to leave me alone, “I wonder if someday prejudice will be a thing of the past?” I ask.

“I doubt it, but it is a nice thought,” Sesney says.