The Vasovagal Syncope Vampire

Imagine a threat of eternal starvation That is the road to redemption and salvation. This is the path Diego must walk to find redemption for himself and first slayer of man.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

THE Vasovagal Syncope VAMPIREBy J.E. SerranoTrafford PublishingCopyright © 2013 J.E. SerranoAll rights reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4907-0962-8ContentsPrologue, ix, Chapter 1 The Seduction of Diego, 1, Chapter 2 Diego's Education, 24, Chapter 3 Diego's Argument, 27, Chapter 4 Asylum, 31, Chapter 5 Cain' The Rejection, 33, Chapter 6 The Visitation, 39, Chapter 7 Satan's Point, 44, Chapter 8 Hell, 47, Chapter 9 The Escape, 51, Chapter 10 Evasion, 57, Chapter 11 India, 60, Chapter 12 The Disciplining of the Disciple, 66, Chapter 13 Two Disciples, 78, Chapter 14 Homecoming, 83, Chapter 15 Hell's Throne Room, 87, Chapter 16 Confrontation, 99, Chapter 17 Rite of Passage, 112, Chapter 18 Cain's Villa, 120, Chapter 19 Mulsine's Villa, 128, Chapter 20, 138, Chapter 21, 149, Chapter 22 Mulsine's Villa, 158, Chapter 23 Ishar's Conversion, 164, Chapter 24, 173, Chapter 25, 183, Chapter 26 Mulsine's Villa, 190, Chapter 27, 197, Chapter 28, 210, Epilogue, 215, CHAPTER 1The Seduction of DiegoDiego stood on the deck of the ship that served as theEnglish flagship. The warm air of France caressedhis skin as he watched the great king, Richard I ofBritain, and the French king, Phillip II, oversee the boarding oftheir troops. The waves lapped gently on the ship, and a greatsense of purpose and destiny settled upon him.He reflected on how he came to be where he was. His namewas Diego Torrolisimo, born in Cadiz, Espania, in the year ofour Lord 1169. Being raised on the exploits of a valorous familywas what focused his aspirations—to be regarded as highly as hisgrandfather. Because he had been training since childhood, histalents were soon recognized. Being an heir to a ruling familyseverely hampered his desire to engage in battle. Begging hisgrandfather's blessing—much to the dismay of his father—heloaned his skills out to various houses of nobility. He soonfelt prepared to become a warrior in the Crusade of RichardLionheart, the king of England. He had come as a mercenarywhose abilities were well respected throughout Europe, so hewas welcomed by the English to join their ranks to oust theinfidels from the Holy Land.He was twenty-one years of age when he heard of thisexcursion; and though his father, Carlos, Duke of Torrolisimo,did not approve of the venture, his grandfather Rodrigo, theLion of Cadiz, gave his blessing and their family sword to bringesteem and honor to their household. His grandfather used hismany connections with the Crown to get Diego an audiencewith the king. After much dickering, his grandfather offeredtwenty of his cavaliers as Diego's personal escort and a hundredpounds of silver toward the cause.With all the preparation and traveling to Marseille, France,to rendezvous with the English and French armies, who werestaging there to board the Genoese fleet, Diego began to thinkthat perhaps it would have been better had he stayed in bed inthat sweet buxom wench's arms. Be that as it may, they sailed forthe Holy Land the week after Diego joined. After an uneventfulpassage, they made port on the shore of Tyre. They marchedfrom Tyre to Damascus.On their way to Damascus, they were overcome by amonster sandstorm. Diego got detached from his company. Hestumbled blindly about in a vain effort, listening for any soundof horse or men. There was only the howling wind and stingingsand pelting him, taking the very moisture from his body. Hecontinued until he saw what he thought to be a respectablylarge house in a very strange place."Who builds such structures in such a godforsaken place?"Diego asked himself aloud, regretting the stupidity of openinghis mouth in such a storm.Spitting out sand, he realized that despite its apparentincongruity, the sand and wind seemed to suggest he go to thehouse or die. Self-preservation being what it is, he continued tothe odd house.Upon arriving, Diego found it empty. Of course, no onewould be here, maybe when there were trade routes long ago,but not presently. He searched his shelter and was taken abackupon seeing the lavishness and relative cleanliness of the house."How could such an obviously wealthy house go unmolested?"he wondered. Without much hope, he scrounged around forfood; and much to his surprise, which was quickly followed bysuspicion, there in a stable were well-tended sheep and a well ofclear water. He did not earn his reputation by being careless, sohe drew his sword and continued exploring this house that wasmore vast than it had any business being.After a while of reconnoitering the area, he finally settleddown as thirst, hunger, and weariness began to assert themselves.He butchered the sheep and had lamb chops and cool water fordinner. Only now can he say that the house seemed to makeeverything more seductive. He got full from meat and water,and weariness demanded he rest.Diego made himself comfortable, with sword close at hand,and fell into a sweet, peaceful sleep. When he awoke, it was stillnight."I wonder how the king is doing," Diego said aloud."He has come to terms with Saladin and has made it relativelysafe for Christians to pilgrimage to the Holy City once again," avoice answered.Diego spun with sword at the ready. "Who are you?" hedemanded."Oh, just a friend," the voice replied."You are no friend of mine!" Diego exclaimed."My, my," the voice responded, "and here I thought youSpaniards were supposed to be civilized.""If you value your life, stranger, it would do you well not todenigrate my people.""My good man, I was not denigrating your people asopposed to reflecting on a rumored speculation as to the level ofcivility displayed by your people's customs. However, since youentered my home—""Your home?" Diego interjected."Yes, my home. Uninvited! You slaughtered my sheep, drankof my well. I thought pleasant conversation was the least youowed me.""I apologize," Diego replied. "But the storm drove me here,such a forbidding place. How is it that you come to be herealone where none may survive?""Well, that is simply explained, my friend," the stranger replied.Diego waited expectedly."Oh, you would like to hear my explanation?" the strangersaid, feigning surprise."I think that would go a long way in establishing some kindof trust," Diego responded."I am Cain of Nod," the stranger stated calmly.Cain saw the look of recognition settle on Diego's face."You cannot possibly mean ...""Yes, that very same one.""You murdered your own brother?""Yes, yes, I do. Wish everyone would just put that aside.""Wait. How can this be when this story is thousands ofyears old?""Yes. Speaking of a person's age is one of those civilities Imentioned earlier.""But that is impossible," Diego responded, shocked."Improbable, perhaps. Unlikely, most assuredly, but notimpossible," answered Cain."Look, senor, I don't know or want to know what kind ofcraziness you're trying to spread, but I'll have no part of it.""Cain. I told you my name is Cain, and need I point outyou have yet to introduce yourself?""Why should I give my name to a madman?""You think me mad, do you?" Cain asked."If you think you are Cain, son of Adam and Eve, brotherto Abel, then yes, I think you are quite mad.""Ahhh, there you go, insulting me again. I am a murderermany times over, and yes, I have cursed anything and everythingthat is good, but a liar, Diego, I am not.""So you expect me to believe you're thousands of years old?""I do not require your belief."The menacing tone in Cain's voice put Diego on guard."What is it then you require?" Diego asked suspiciously."Not much really, only about two pints of your blood."Diego brandished his sword in a menacing fashion. "Myblood! Step but one foot forward and your taste for blood willbe sated, if you like your own," he threatened.Cain clapped his hands in glee. "What a wonderful performance,Diego, but I assure you if I wanted to take it, you could notstop me."And before Diego could move, Cain flashed to his left side,slapped him then to his right, slapped him again, and thenreturned to his previous position. Diego stumbled back, makingthe sign of the cross."Now, now, we'll have none of that," Cain admonished.Diego looked at Cain with narrowing eyes. "What are you?"he asked."Oh, I've been called so many things, but the name I likethe most is what the Europeans call me.""And what's that?" Diego asked, almost afraid of the answer."Vampyre," Cain whispered."What!" Diego looked around frantically."Calm yourself, my friend, as I said if I just wanted to takeyou, I would. But I see something special about you, Diego, soI wanted to offer you the chance of immortality.""Immortal damnation you mean! Step away from me.""Now, Diego, there is no need for hostilities, is there?""You just told me we're going to drink my blood. I feel thisis an adequate reason to be hostile, wouldn't you agree?""I suppose under normal conditions, you would be correct.""I do not normally meet and converse with vampyres.""I imagine not, but consider what I am offering you.""I have. The consideration is rejected," Diego shot back.Cain looked at him shaking his head, saying, "You are a fool.""Yes, but I'm a living fool, demon!" Diego shouted back."Not for long, my naive little friend.""Go ahead and end this then! You wish to drink of me, then doso and be done with it.""Oh no, my little Spanish knight. You will ask for it," Cainsaid, smiling slyly."How did you ever get so old being so stupid, Cain? I willnever ask to be a hell-spawned demon!""I know nothing of hell, knight," replied Cain.Momentarily taken aback, Diego looked at Cain. "What?Are you not his servant?"Cain looked at Diego with a stare that chilled him to hisbones. "I would not serve God after he rejected me. Why wouldI serve one of his minions?""But you are evil. You drink the blood of men. You killedyou own brother and denounced God.""I am not evil! Merely stubborn. And to this day, I don'tunderstand why he chose my whiney little brother over me.""How then," Diego asked, "came you to be this way? If youserve neither God nor the devil?"Cain looked off into the night. "It appears you are familiarwith my story.""I am," Diego interjected. "Every good Catholic knows thestory of how you slew your brother and escaped to the city of Nod.""Yes, but what you didn't get to read about was the curse.""Yes, yes, I know of this. `Let those who attempt vengeanceupon Cain.'""Yes, that one," Cain interjected tartly before continuing. "Iwas in a village when the dark one visited me.""You mean Satan?" Diego asked, somewhat startled."Do you know anyone that deserves the title more?" Cainasked sarcastically.Diego quietly shook his head."Yes. Well, he came one night," continued Cain. "I hearyou, and the big shot up there had a falling out.""What did you say?" Diego asked, finding himself enthralledby the tale."I told him to go to hell," Cain responded with a smile.The image of this slight man telling the lord of evil to go tohell broke Diego into a fit of laughter."It's good to hear you laugh, my friend."Diego gathered his wits as he realized he was beginning tolike this demon in man's flesh. "I still will not join you," hedefensively responded.Cain looked at Diego. "Yes, I know. You already said that,"he replied."Well, just in case you need reminding," Diego said.Cain glanced at him before he continued with his tale."Well, it would seem that little horn doesn't take rejection well.""What happened?" Diego asked curiously."Nothing and everything." Cain sat unexpectedly. Gracefully,preternaturally. "Well, he gathered a coven of witches who practicedthe dark arts, summoned a blood-drinking demon from hell thatpossessed me," he whispered quietly.Diego was stunned beyond belief. "But the promise?""Yes, the promise. The clever little bastard convinced Godthat since `no man' lifted their hands against me, the technicalitybeing they were women, and since I drew my brother's bloodfrom him and defied all God's teachings, it was fit for me to becursed so.""And God accepted that excuse?" Diego asked flabbergasted."Apparently so," replied Cain."While I may never call you friend, your story touches me,"Diego replied, saddened."Enough too ...," Cain probed."No! I told you I would not willingly join you.""Oh, but you will," replied Cain. "Why delay the inevitable?I can give you immortality!" he exclaimed."Yes, but at what cost? No, my blood-drinking friend, weshall part ways," Diego replied."A shame that. Where will you go if I may ask?"Diego looked at Cain, feeling confused as to how he couldfeel compassion for a self-admitted murderer and blasphemer."It is because you are one also," Cain answered."What? What did you say?" To Diego's astonishment, heheard Cain's voice in his head."I said you too have murdered and blasphemed."How is this ..., Diego thought."Possible," Cain finished.Diego slowly nodded his head, afraid to speak or even think."Very impressive, Diego. When you want to shut thingsout, you do so with quite a bit of strength. You would be aformidable vampyre.""There are others?" he asked."I've made one or two, and they've made others."Diego was shook to his very core. How could such evil exist?he wondered."I already told you how," replied Cain."I must leave now," Diego said as he gathered his gear."Really, must you go now? There is so much I can showyou," quibbled Cain.Diego looked at Cain. "I am grateful for your hospitality,but I must leave and join my king.""King? Your king is dead, Diego.""What? What manner of foolishness do you speak?" hedemanded."I told you, your king fought for safe passage to Jerusalemthen returned to his homeland where he eventually died.""What? That cannot be true, demon," retorted Diego."I do not lie, Spaniard.""I must see this for myself," responded Diego."Well, there's the door. Are you sure you won't change yourmind and join me?" Cain asked again."Yes, I'm sure," Diego answered."Well then, there is nothing left to say then," Cain saidcalmly."No, there isn't. Good-bye, Cain.""Well, thank you for not calling me a monster or anythingdemeaning. But this is not good-bye, Diego." Cain smiled."What? But you said I could leave," he reminded him."And so you may, but you will ask for my gift before thenight is over," answered Cain."I don't think so," Diego said. "I will die and be cursed byGod twice before joining with you," he replied as he walked tothe door. He turned, only to find Cain gone.Well, I guess he doesn't handle rejection well either, he mused.As Diego got to the top of a dune, he turned to look atthe strange house, only to find it had disappeared. Turning, hetrudged onward. Before long another sandstorm was upon him.Do these things just spring up here? he wondered. Hours later hefound himself cresting another hill, with still no civilization insight.I don't understand this. I've walked the distance to the housethree times over. Seeing another dune, he thought, Perhapsover the next one. Exhausted and dehydrated, he crested thedune, only to see an ocean of sand. He sank to his knees as thesandstorm whipped him furiously. Diego collapsed on his side."No, no. Don't want to die. Lord, if you would but spare me.""Yeah, he's not listening."Diego rolled onto his back. "Cain! I should have known,"he said angrily."You did know," whispered Cain."Lord, hear my prayer," Diego began."Diego, please, I already told you. He isn't listening," said Cain."How would you know?" he rasped out of a parched throat."My, you sound terrible. Try not to speak. To answer yourquestion, you know when he is listening because you are awedby his presence. Are you in awe?""No," Diego snapped. "But I'm not easy to impress." Helaughed, coughing up spittle of blood."Really, Diego, you must rest, for though the sight of yourblood is very appetizing, it does not bode well for you.""To die so far from my homeland without even the comfortof God to whom I bid relief," cried Diego."You're not alone, Diego. I'll stay with you," Cain responded.Diego laughed, coughing up more blood. "To think I'mgoing to be comforted by one such as you.""Now, Diego, I know that is fear of death talking, but therereally is no need to be insolent."Diego would have laughed if the pain weren't so great. "Sothe nightwalker has feelings?" he mocked."I don't appreciate the insinuation, Diego."Diego looked up, too weak to speak."That I am unfeeling or a creature of the night. I walk inthe daylight same as you."How? Diego thought, too weak to utter the word."I am the firstborn of my kind. Only me and my immediateconverts have this luxury. So I would not be damned to thenight. Come with me, Diego, and you won't be damned byanything," whispered Cain.Diego moaned, and Cain shifted him to a more comfortableposition. I'm dying, aren't I, Cain? Diego thought."Yes, Diego, you are, but you don't have to," Cain pleaded.No, thought Diego. I will face my death."Then listen for the choir," said Cain. "They will lead youhome."As Diego lay back facing his mortality, he heard a din arise—acacophony of moans and screams. Diego thought, What is this?Diego heard a voice that sounded very distant—Cain's."Hell comes for you, Diego."No! Diego thought. I will not serve Satan.In the background the din grew more discordant, followedby a terrible voice. "You will serve me!"Diego frantically called out to God, "Lord, save me," only tohear a bloodcurdling laugh."I think not," said a booming voice.Diego's thoughts turned to Cain. "You are almost there, myfriend."Diego heard a voice that sounded like it's underwater. "Cain!Butcher, murderer. He is mine! You have no authority here," thebooming voice argued. (Continues...)Excerpted from THE Vasovagal Syncope VAMPIRE by J.E. Serrano. Copyright © 2013 J.E. Serrano. Excerpted by permission of Trafford Publishing. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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