The black wolf with golden eyes rushed at full speed toward me as I stood in a moonlit clearing surrounded by cypress trees on Kane’s Tuscany wine estate.
                The creature skidded to a stop and assessed me with knowing eyes. She snorted and slowly began to morph. Her back legs became long, slender human legs as she raised up on them. Her front legs transformed into slender but well-toned arms. Breasts grew from the hairy chest. The snout reduced into a perfectly formed nose; the fangs became perfect teeth surrounded by full, pink lips. The straight black hair dropped away from a beautiful olive-skinned face but went cascading down her back to touch her waist. Her long ears became lovely shaped human ones. Zandra Moretti stood before me in the flesh.
                “Am I late? I apologize. My brothers and I were patrolling the property.” She reached for the blue robe I offered her. I thought she might appear to me in Lycan form and had brought it as an afterthought.
                The hybrid vampire Lycan mate of the first blood son sat next to me on the same fallen tree trunk that I had used when I interviewed Moon Blood, Kane’s hybrid kindred wolf.
                “No apology necessary. You are more beautiful in person than I had envisioned you as I created you.” I felt pride swell within me as I stared into her golden orbs.
                She tossed her head and smoothed an unruly strand of hair away from her flawless skin and smiled at me. “Thank you for making me such an independent character so that I can keep Kane interested and on his toes around me.” She laughed, and I joined in.
                “I know you don’t have much time. None of you ever do, so I’ll get right to it. What are your intentions with Kane?”
                She leaned away from me as if to say “What? Are you kidding me?” Then grinned. “You should know. You’re writing this series.”
                I shook my head. “No, Moon Blood is writing this series. I just follow her around and write what she thinks and does.”
                Zandra sat up straighter. “Well, in that case, I’ll tell you. I want to marry him. We wolves mate for life. I knew the first night I met him at the Taste of Rome café that I wanted him. But it doesn’t matter if he wants the same or not. I am bound to him through blood and loyalty forever. Where he goes, I will follow.”
                “Do your brothers feel the same?”
                “Haven’t they proven it? Of course. And they will follow where Kane and I lead them.”
                I thought I caught a glimpse of a shadow hovering within the trees. My eyes narrowed to try and see who it might be more clearly.
                Reading my mind, Zandra sighed. “It’s Zeb. He never stops worrying about me.”
                I raised my hand to him, but he vanished the instant I acknowledged his presence.
                “He won’t join us. My oldest brother doesn’t like to incite my ire at his constant spying on me”
                I shrugged. “What about Kane? I’m surprised he’s not lurking around or wants to join us.”
                She stood and stretched revealing her long slender body as her robe fell open. I had forgotten how nudity was just an aspect of a shifter’s life. “Oh, I’d bet he is somewhere nearby. As you know, he’s extremely protective of Moon and me, but he would sense no danger from his creator… unless you are here to tell me that you’ll be killing me off in Book 5 of the Moon Blood Series?”
                “Well, that’s up to Moon, isn’t it?” I countered.
                She smiled. “Then, I’m safe. Moon is as protective of me as Kane and my brothers are. Besides, what purpose would it serve to piss off all your fans?”
                I laughed at her assuredness. I had created Zandra to be independent, confident, and strong-willed. I couldn’t imagine her thinking otherwise.
                She turned and cocked her head for a moment.
                “What is it?” I stood as she alerted on something I had no way to hear.
                She looked back at me as she removed the robe and handed it to me. “Why it’s my lord and master, or so he thinks. He wants me to come to bed with him before the sun rises.”   
                Before I could blink, Zandra Moretti transformed into the beautiful black wolf and sprinted to the woods, home, and the love of her life, Kane.

To learn more about Zandra, Kane, the Moretti Brothers, and Moon,
visit www.carolmckibben.com.

Til Next Time!
​Carol

                

​I’ve been watching American Gods, the television series adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s 2001 novel. Of course, the main character is Mr. Wednesday, who is Odin, the supreme mythological god. This got me to thinking. So, I looked it up, and sure enough, Wednesday comes from the Old English Wodnesdaeg or ‘day of Odin’ named after the Germanic god Odin or Woden. He is equated to the Roman God Mercury. 

So, what about Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday you ask? Me too. So, I started researching. Now I really did know that Wednesday and Thursday were named after mythological gods, but the rest were news to me.
​
Monday comes from the Old English Monandaeg or ‘day of he moon.’ But the moon is steeped in mythology. Artemis, the Greek Goddess of the hunt, forests, hills, the moon, and archery is deeply attached to the moon, as are Selene and Hecate, all lunar goddesses. Artemis is the daughter of Jupiter/Zeus/Thor and twin sister to Apollo, God of the sun.

​Tuesday comes from the Old English Tiwesdaeg or day of Twi, a Germanic god of war and the sky. The translation from Latin is dies Marti or ‘day of Mars.’ The god Tiw is equated to the Roman God Mars. 

​I’ll bet you know what the origin of Thursday is. It’s from the Old English Thu(n)resdaeg or ‘day of thunder’, named after Thunor or Thor, the Germanic god of thunder. The translation from Latin is Jovis dies or ‘day of Jupiter.’ Thor is equated with the Roman God Jupiter (or the Greek God Zeus).

​Friday is derived from the Old English Frigedaeg or ‘day of Frigga.’ Frigga is the Germanic goddess of married love and wife of Odin. She is equated to the Roman goddess of love, Venus.

​Saturday comes from Old English as well and translated from Latin means Saturni dies or ‘day of Saturn’. Saturn is the Roman god of agriculture. Kind of makes sense, right?

And that leaves Sunday. It, too, is Old English from Sunnandaeg or ‘day of the sun’. While it isn’t directly named for a god, like the moon, the sun was prominently figured in mythology with the gods, especially Apollo. The Egyptians worshipped the sun as a god. Most cultures relate it to the ‘Lord’s Day.'

So, there you have it.

Why is this fascinating to me? Because I write about the mythological gods in both my Snow Blood and Moon Blood series.

Til Next Time!
Carol

She walked proudly toward me. Her confidence startled me, and I stepped back. Her piercing blue eyes peered directly into mine, and she displayed no shyness or fear.
            Like my other characters that I’ve interviewed, Moon Blood appeared to be as curious about me as I was of her.
            We were meeting in a small clearing in the midst of a forest on the west side of her master and sire Kane’s Tuscany wine estate. I was thankful for the spring-like weather.
            I squatted down as she approached, and she immediately rubbed her head under my arm forcing me to scratch her head and ears. Her long, shaggy white hair felt like silk under my fingers, and she leaned into my long nails giving her head a thorough massage.
          Sitting back on her haunches, her thoughts filled my mind. You made me independent but loyal, curious and brave but protective of my loved ones. I’m not afraid to challenge my master when I think it’s right. Did you model my character after yourself?
            Her question took me by surprise. I sat down on the mossy forest floor, crossed my legs, and looked at her. “It seems you know me as well as I do you. Often when I am writing you, you just take over and surprise me.”
            Perhaps that is because we are one. We are inside each other’s heads.
            I laughed. “Well, you’re definitely in my head. That’s for sure. But, let me ask you a few questions.”
            She dropped down and relaxed, much like she appears in the image above. Go ahead.
            “How do you differentiate your love between Kane and Enzo?”
            Kane is my maker, my savior. He is and will always be utmost in my mind to protect. Because he has gathered an extended family now, that love and loyalty extends to them. Kane is my father, my family. They are family. She scratched an ear, looked into the distance, her eyes and hearing ever-alert, and then snorted and relaxed. Enzo is my protector. His goal is to always keep me safe. I am in love with him and would make him my mate if I could. He too is family. I would die to protect any one of my family.
            “So, you love them unconditionally? No matter what?”
            Is there any other way to love?
            I sat in awe of her. She and Snow Blood are both the embodiment of the message in all my books. Unconditional love.
            “How do you see yourself as being different from Snow Blood?”
            She cocked her head from side to side and then panted. You ask questions for which you already have the answer.
            I remained silent.
            She pulled herself closer and placed her large head on one of my knees. I am the female version of him, am I not? Except, he is curious where I am always questioning. He asks for explanations from his master and family. I always “ask” why. It’s a minor difference. His is always from curiosity. Mine is more of a challenge. I tend to be disobedient at times, only because I am independent and prideful, but neither ever outweigh my loyalty to my family.
            “Enzo has warned you of things to come. He foretells of evil worse than you have faced before. What do you expect to happen?”
            Perhaps we will all suffer the true death fighting to protect each other. That has always been the threat. I will stand unafraid with those I love. What more can I do?
            I reached down and wrapped my arms around her and held her head close to me. When I released her, she alerted, leaped up, whirled around, and sprinted to the trees where Enzo waited for her.
          He rarely allowed himself to be very far from her, and today was no exception.
        I thought to myself that of all the beloved characters in Kane’s coven, these were the two most noble.

Read Moon Blood, the First Blood Son Series (1-4), starting with Book 1, found on Amazon. Book 5 is formulating in my mind as I write this.

Til Next Time,
​Carol

Last week I talked about building a new character for my Snow Blood Series. His name is Mathias, a character from my heart. For those of you who know me, no explanation is needed. For those who don't, this book is dedicated to Aramis, my winged Friesian angel, who will forever live in my heart.

I wanted to share a few excerpts from Snow Blood Season 4 for your comments! 

I hope you enjoy these excerpts and that they piques your interest if you haven't read this installment. But, consider this, why has Mathias appeared? Why is he protecting Seth? What new evil could want to harm Seth, Snow Blood, and his family?

Snow Blood Season 4 Excerpts:
She was finally mine, in body and soulless soul, bound together through eternity. Nova pressed against me. Snowflakes fell across her salt and pepper coat and glistened like small diamonds on her fur. Shadows of prey lurked in the surrounding darkness as we padded home through the forest. I would have wanted the true death if she had failed to return my love.
 
Too caught up in the afterglow of our mating, I missed the tell-tale signs Nova instantly sensed.
           
Something watches us… follows us. Her telepathic message jarred me into alertness. We both circled each other, she-wolf to husky, eyes outward, looking for the intruder. I felt the presence of something… not dangerous. Searching the trees with my keen vampire vision, I glimpsed the shadowy outline of a… horse? I sprang in its direction with Nova on my heels only to discover nothing…

...AND LATER

I turned and ran faster to catch Kane with Scrawny behind me.

The three of us pulled up short about a quarter of a mile west of the estate. I recognized the field where Brogio confronted Artemis and Zeus. Zeus’ presence there had burned the field. No grass would ever grow there again. The field had become a landmark of sorts to mark our war with the gods. That all seemed long ago, when in reality it had only been a little more than six months.

I gawked at the winged horse standing in the middle of the field. He was a magnificent black horse with long, flowing mane and tail. His hoofs were covered in black feathers, and his black wings spanned what appeared to be ten or more feet each when he spread them out to his side when he saw us.

Kane strode up to the creature. “You are a relative of Pegasus, no doubt?”

Scrawny and I sniffed the ground and approached cautiously.

You may speak to me telepathically so that all can participate. The horse tossed his head in Scrawny’s and my direction.

Who or what are you?

I am Mathias, friend to Seth. 

Kane’s insatiable curiosity got the better of him. Your breed carried knights into battle, didn't it? What is your origin?

Mathias stomped his right foot. I am Friesian. I am guardian for Seth. I told you, I am his friend. He is in trouble. He needs you now.

Kane pressed for more information. What has happened?

Mathias flung his head irritated by Kane’s questions. In helping you with the aspecting ritual to connect with Hades to locate where Hecate had taken the vampire dog, Seth is in trouble with the other white witches in his coven. They strictly forbid the use of dark magic, and Seth has broken that rule. They threaten to take Seth’s abilities from him. They are passing judgment on Seth at his home now. Follow me.

Mathias spread his magnificent wings and took flight. Because vampires have the ability to move from one point to the next with lightning speed, we covered the eighteen miles from the estate to Seth’s cottage outside the north end of Wolfville in a matter of minutes. Scrawny and I scampered after Kane, dodging trees, shrubs and even prey that we startled as we whisked by them. Mathias landed just as we arrived next to a cluster of trees in front of the cottage with the vibrant blue door. Smoke curled from the brick chimney, and angry voices tried to shout each other down from inside. “I tell you, if I hadn’t shown Kane the aspecting spell, his friend would have been destroyed! What choice did I have to save an innocent! I…”

“Not acceptable!” A strident voice interrupted Seth’s plea. “You deserve to be stripped of your abilities.”

“Yes!” Several voices added their agreement.

“Wait,” a soft-spoken voice melted through the din of dissatisfaction. “Seth was trying to help save a life. Isn’t that what we do? Granted, he showed another how to aspect Hades, but he didn’t do the ritual himself.”

Another husky, unpleasant voice attacked. “Shush, Glenna! You’re being too soft. We have ethical behavior that guides the use of our magic.”

Kane waited no longer. He pushed open the door and made his presence known in the sitting room of the cottage. Scrawny followed, but I could not cross the threshold since I had never been invited in before. I stood outside and waited. Kane and Scrawny found themselves in the midst of a large circle of some twenty witches of all ages – young, old and in-between.   In the circle with them stood a tall blonde man with the most angelic face I had ever seen. The word good sprang to mind when I looked into his pure pale blue eyes. Dressed in a white shirt, slacks and shoes, his fair hair spread out around his wide shoulders.

“Ah, Kane, this isn’t a good time,” Seth said. But before the beautiful man could finish, the tallest of the witches took one look at Kane and shrieked. “Demon! Vampire!” With a wave of her hand, she threw Kane and Scrawny against the wall next to the fireplace.

*****************
What do you think will happen next? Can you weave the plot from Season 3 into this?

Til Next Time,
​Carol

Do characters spring from the lives of authors? In my case, yes. When I started writing Snow Blood Book 4, for my Snow Blood Series, I drew upon my love of horses and specifically the Friesian breed. 

When I began outlining the plot for Book 4, a new character  presented himself. My brain was filled with him, so I thought I would take you inside my writer's mind as his character unfolded. He came to me by way of my son-in-law who posted him on my personal Facebook page. So, thank you, Donald. 

After seeing his picture and its significance, I wanted to share my journey with him so far. It wasn't a coincidence, you see. Most of you know I own, ride and compete with my Friesian Okido I.T.. The horse in the photo above is a Friesian, a winged one at that. At first, I thought he should be named after my own horse. But he quickly corrected me and shared that his name was Mathias. Some of you are probably shaking your heads right now and calling me crazy. Probably. But I firmly believe in a hypothesis that William Faulkner set forth about his own writing. He said, "It begins with a character, usually, and once he stands up on his feet and begins to move, all I can do is trot along behind him with paper and pencil trying to keep up long enough to put down what he says and does."

So it has been with all my characters - from Luke to Snow Blood, Ashlundt and Sara to Brogio and Selene or Tim and Corky to Kane and Scrawny.They take on a life of their own.

Because I introduced a new character in Snow Blood Season 3 called Seth, it only seems fitting that Mathias join Seth in Season 4. What you won't know in Season 3 is that Seth is much more than he appears to be. Once his true nature is revealed in Season 4, Mathias will become Seth's natural companion. Or, at least, that is what Mathias revealed to me in the beginning.

He's a winged horse, like Pegasus, but unlike the mythological horse, Mathias' nature and origin will be unclear at first. As the story progresses, readers will come to know much about him. He is a teacher, like all horses. He is a companion and adviser, like horses. He is dedicated and willing to work hard. You don't think so?  My horses have taught me patience, persistence, strength and how and when to use it. They've taught me to live in the moment, to seize the day, and to be demanding when necessary always followed by kindness. They have further developed my sense of responsibility. Mathias will show us all how to be more honest with our friends. I know that I can never fake it with my own horse. He always knows what's going on with me. Oh, one more important thing. Horses have taught me how to be gentle and to move slowly around them so as not to startle them. A nice thing to do for people as well, don't you think? 

Mathias embodies all these teaching abilities and more. He certainly taught me how to wrap him into the storyline. I simply followed him around for awhile to get his entire story. 

So those are my thoughts this morning. You probably wouldn't want to live inside my head, because that kind of stuff is always going on! But, if you love to write, you'll probably get it all. If you love to read, you'll probably get it too.

Til Next Time,
​Carol

​

The lush woods swirled with mist that took on a green tinge. The mist thickened and the hair around my neck tingled. Out of the mist ahead, three blurred, smoky images of a single woman moved in unison. The images simultaneously cast out their arms, as if inciting a spell. I turned to Nova, who appeared frozen in time. I moved like a sleepwalker in a dream to her side, touching her face with my nose. She felt like stone! I turned and snarled at the images, but the heavy weight of the mist held me back. 

The three forms moved slowly toward me. Once in front of me, they solidified into one woman. She wore a black sleeveless gown that seemed to ripple as if the cloth was ink spilling off her and black robes with ornate silver designs.

The designs were just like the runes or alchemy symbols Kane had once showed me in one of his books. Her black hair was pulled into an Ancient Greek-style, high-set ponytail. She carried two old-fashioned reed torches, and a polecat. She put down the black-footed, ferret-like creature, and it weaved in and out of her flowing robes and hissed continuously at us.

A deathly pale marred the woman’s beauty. Her presence engulfed the woods around us with a strong condensation of the mist. A green aura shimmered, surrounding her. I could feel magic swirling around me.
​
I glanced at Nova and whined in fear. The object of my desire had been turned to stone. I bared my fangs, saliva dripping from them, and lunged at this mythical sorceress. But nothing happened. My body couldn’t move. I felt blocked, almost paralyzed when I tried to step forward.

“Do not fear, Snow Blood. I only wanted to meet you.” Her voice was deep and raspy. The green mist swirled up and down her body, and her dark black eyes shone like coal in her pale face.

I looked back to Nova and whined.

“Your companion will be fine when I leave. I am invisible to all but you at this moment.”

I turned to the woman, not knowing her motive, and sniffed the air around her. She smelled like cold, death and moist earth.

“My friend Persephone described your strength and beauty, but her words didn’t do you justice.”

Her sweet words disarmed me. I shook my head, trying to clear it of her voice seeping in and out of my mind, like the mist surrounding her. I knew that she had to be like the gods—charming, deceitful, greedy and evil. So, you are Hecate?

Yes. She reached out to touch me, and I shrank back. “Do not retreat from me… I…”

SNOW BLOOD! WHERE ARE YOU? Brogio’s voice pushed Hecate’s thoughts from my mind.
​
The witch again held out her right hand. “I know you are being summoned. So, meet me here tomorrow night when the moon rises over the trees. I have the gift of prophecy, and I will tell you your future, and that of those you love.”

Backing away, I again shook my head, trying to knock her voice from it. As I retreated, finally able to move, Hecate glowed even brighter and dissolved slowly in the mist. “Remember… tomorrow night… your future awaits you.” Her voice and the smell of sulfur faded away gradually with her image. It left an uncomfortable ringing in my ears.

I stared at the empty space she had left and shook off the remnants of her spell from my coat.
 
If you’d like to read more of this third book in the Snow Blood Vampire Mystery Thriller Series, go here. Haven’t started the series, then click here.

Til Next Time,
Carol
 
 
 

I turned, and he stared down into my eyes. I felt drawn into his dark brown orbs that smoldered and shifted to blood red.

I hadn’t heard his footfalls or the crunch of snow behind me. His presence both startled and overwhelmed me. I moved back two steps to take in the sheer beauty and strength of Kane da Medici, the first blood son of Brogio, the original vampire.

His six-foot-five frame towered over my small stature. Dark brown hair fell around his broad shoulders. He wore black slacks, a white silk shirt open at the collar, and a black brocade jacket. A black belt and boots finished off his stylish appearance. His love of beautiful clothes was obvious on this night he had agreed to meet me in the woods outside his Tuscany wine estate.
You think I’m crazy to meet a timeless vampire in the woods at night? Nothing could be farther from the truth. First, he would never purposely hurt a human being. I know. I wrote him that way. Second, he wanted to meet his creator face to face.

He smirked. “You are smaller and older than I thought you’d be.”

I brushed a snowflake from my silver white hair and flashed him a smile. “And, you are more handsome than any image of you could convey.”

He laughed and shrugged. He bowed and pointed to a fallen tree where we might sit together. He tried to hide the boyish charm that I had built into him. I had no idea just how charming he had become over the years and the nine books I’d written about him.

“So, Carol, what do you want to know?” He hunched over, placed an elbow on a knee, and placed his knuckle under his chin. He gave me a sidelong glance and smirked. “What could I possibly tell you that you don’t already know?”

I leaned toward him. “I want to know if your love for Zandra and Moon has surpassed your lust for never-ending knowledge.”

He sat up in surprise and peered into my own brown eyes. “Isn’t it obvious? I willingly offered my true death to Lucifer in exchange for all those I love. Zandra and Moon being at the top of that list.”

I sighed. “Then you truly have evolved as a character, haven’t you?”

“Call it what you will.”

I placed my hand on his arm, and he turned to me.

 “You have been through so much. You, Moon, Zandra, and her brothers have had to fight off evil humans, shifters, the undead, the original succubus, demons, and even Satan himself. If I could grant you one wish, what would it be?”

He placed his hand over mine and stared into the darkness of the woods. “I’d wish you grant us all peace. Peace to just be together… and yes, for me to explore my unquenchable thirst for knowledge.”

I shrugged. “But you know the worst storm you’ve faced is coming in Moon Blood Book 5, don’t you?”

He snatched his hand away from mine. “Why do you have to put us through such difficult situations? You’re worst than the gods and the monsters that pursue us.”

I sighed again. “Because all of you are so very creative. You find ways to escape the worst situations, and I love watching all of you evolve into something so noble. Yes, you are supposed to be monsters, but I have never known creatures like you who have so much unconditional love for each other. Not one of you would hesitate to die for the others. It makes you all inspirational.”

He stood and began to pace, a habit he now mimicked from Brogio, his sire. “But that comes from Moon. It has all along. First from Snow Blood, and now from his daughter and my progeny, my beloved hybrid wolf. Both the kindred dog and his daughter have shown all of us the way.”

I smiled and turned to him. “And, it is my hope that those who read your stories will learn how to love unconditionally as you have.” I turned to go.

Kane placed his hand on my arm to stay me. “Won’t you tell me what evil awaits us next?”

I reached up and wrapped my arms around his neck and whispered, “Moon Blood and I will reveal all in the next and last book. I know patience isn’t in your wheelhouse but try… and trust that you truly are the heroes of this series.”
​
He hugged me back, sighed, turned, and disappeared through the trees.
 
Read the adventures of the first blood son series. Catch up with Moon Blood Books 1-4 and look for Book 5 sometime in 2019. Want to start at the beginning with the Snow Blood Series? Why not.

Til Next Time,
​Carol
​

So, like me, you love vampire stories. We’re obsessed with these evil mythological beings who have as many different characteristics as there are legends. Mainly, they drink human blood by draining their victims with their sharp fangs, killing them, and turning them into kindred. Other characteristics include: avoidance of sunlight which can weaken and destroy them; the ability to morph into a bat or wolf; super strength and speed; and the ability to have a hypnotic effect on their victims. Mirrors don’t reflect them, and they cast no shadow.

Have you ever wondered how these remarkable creatures came to be? When I began writing my first vampire series, Snow Blood, I asked myself that question and ultimately began the research into vampire myths.

Most people think vampire myths all began with Count Dracula, the blood sucking villain in Bram Stoker’s Dracula, published in 1897. My research uncovered that the mythological history of vamps began long before.

I thought you might enjoy what I discovered.

Greek Mythology
I traced the first vampire to Greek mythology, through the Vampire Bible. It recounts the story of a young Italian man named Ambrogio and the love of his life, Selena. ​

​In this myth, Ambrogio and Selena experience love at first sight when the young man visits the legendary Oracle of Delphi in the temple of Apollo, the sun god. Ambrogio asks her to marry him, not knowing the jealous Apollo wants Selena for his own. Apollo curses Ambrogio by causing his skin to burn whenever it’s exposed to sunlight.

Desperate, Ambrogio turns to Hades, the god of the underworld, and then Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, for help. After stealing Artemis’s silver bow to fulfill a deal made with Hades, Artemis curses Ambrogio so silver will burn his skin. She later takes pity on him, though, and gives him super strength, immortality, and fangs to kill beasts to use their blood to write love poems to Selena.

Finally, Selena, still mortal, escapes Apollo and reunites with immortal Ambrogio. Artemis tells Ambrogio he can make the woman he loves immortal by drinking her blood, thus killing her body but making her spirit live on. The mingling of their blood turns anyone who drinks it into a vampire.
​
Of course, I adore this myth and adapted it to Brogio and Selene in my Snow Blood Series!

​The Middle Ages
Vampire superstition became prevalent in the Middle Ages, particularly with the plague raining death to its victims who were left with bleeding mouth lesions. To the uneducated masses, this was a sign of vampirism.

When mass graves were re-opened during epidemics to deposit fresh corpses, grave diggers often encountered older, bloated bodies with blood seeping out of their mouths. These are conditions that scientists now know result from the buildup of gases in decomposing organs. At that time, though, this was regarded as a sign that corpses were drinking the blood of others.
During that time, it was common for people with unfamiliar emotional or physical illnesses to be labeled as creatures of the night. Research indicates that porphyria may have been linked to the vampire legend. Porphyria is a blood disorder that causes severe skin blisters when exposed to sunlight. Symptoms of the disease can be momentarily relieved by ingesting blood! Rabies also has been blamed for promoting the vampire myth.​​

​When suspected vampires died, their bodies were most likely disinterred to search for signs of vampirism. It was at this time that a stake was thrust through the corpse’s body to make sure the victims stayed dead. Placing a brick in the corpse’s mouth was also used to starve the undead and deter the corpse from feeding further. Decapitation and burning of these suspected vampires’ corpses were practiced into the nineteenth century.

Vlad Dracula

​Many believe that the stories of Vlad Dracula, known as Vlad the Impaler, inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Vlad Dracula was born in Transylvania, Romania and ruled Walachia, Romania from 1456-1462. This cruel ruler fought off the Ottoman Empire and earned his nickname because his favorite way to kill his enemies was to impale them on a wooden stake. According to myth about him, he dined in the middle of his dying victims and dipped his bread in their blood. It certainly makes sense that Count Dracula, also from Transylvania, murdered his victims by draining their blood. And, of course, he could be killed by impaling his heart with a stake. Experts have denied that Stoker based his novel on Vlad Dracula, but the similarities have always been of interest.

Mercy Brown
A real person is the source of a vampire myth. Mercy Brown lived in Exeter, Rhode Island and was the daughter of George Brown, a farmer.
​
George Brown’s community used his daughter, Mercy, as the explanation for multiple deaths in her family in the late 1800s. Mercy, and many of her family members died of tuberculosis. It was common practice in that era to blame multiple deaths in one family on the undead. These bodies were often exhumed and searched for signs of vampirism.

​Mercy’s body was exhumed and didn’t show severe decay. The townspeople accused her of being a vampire and making her family sick from her grave. They didn’t consider that her body was entombed in an above-ground vault during a New England winter. So, they cut out her heart, burned it, and fed the ashes to her sick brother. Of course, he died a short time after.

Modern Vampires​

People who call themselves vampires exist today. These people appear normal but drink small amounts of blood in an exercise to stay healthy.

To avoid perpetuating vampire superstitions, these modern vampires keep to themselves and conduct their feeding rituals in private. These rituals involve drinking the blood of willing donors. Communities of these self-proclaimed vampires can be found on the Internet and around the world.

Some claim not to drink human blood but avow they feed off the energy of others. Thus, the term “energy vampires”? These individuals claim they become agitated if they don’t feed regularly.

Other myths persist, and I could go on. But this read might be overly long. If you want to read a little more, here’s a lengthy article about Polish Vampires.

For now, let’s just say that I’ve always been a huge fan of Greek Mythology, and, to me, the story of Ambrogio and Selena was intriguing enough for me to put forth my story of the original vampire. Hope you’ll read it sometime!

External Links and Resources:

• https://www.history.com/topics/folklore/vampire-history
• http://www.nbcnews.com/id/37981373/ns/technology_and_science-science/t/myths-scientific-realities-about-vampires/#.W_Lg9DhKhhE
• http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20161031-the-real-life-disease-that-spread-the-vampire-myth
• https://culture.pl/en/article/polish-vampires-bloody-truth-behind-dark-myth
• https://www.huffingtonpost.com/father-sebastiaan/10-major-myths-about-vamp_b_9146700.html

-By Eclipse Interviews

Please tell us about yourself.

Brogio: I am Brogio, the first, the original vampire. I was cursed by the gods, Apollo, Artemis and Hades, in particular. All because I fell in love with Selene. You see, I was an Italian adventurer thousands of years ago. I traveled to the Oracle of Delphi to get my fortune read and fell in love with a handmaiden in Apollo’s Temple. It was love at first sight for both of us. I had no idea that Apollo had coveted this virgin for himself. When he discovered we planned to return to Italy and be married, he cursed me by taking daylight away from me. I could only go out at night.

I left Selene notes written with the blood of a swan I killed. Selene was afraid to anger Apollo further and kept working at his Temple. This went on for 44 days – love letters written in blood left for Selene at night. Then I begged Artemis, Apollo’s sister goddess, and Hades for help.  But I angered them, and Artemis cursed me by causing silver to burn my skin and make me suffer. And Hades took my soul.

I begged Artemis’ forgiveness and pledged allegiance to her, and she took pity by turning me into a great hunter, almost as great as she, with the speed and strength of a god and fangs with which to drain the blood of beasts so I could use their blood to write letters to Selene. In exchange for this immortality, I had to agree that Selene and I would escape Apollo’s temple and worship only her forever. We managed to escape on a ship. Selene transported me in a coffin that she could only open after sunset.

Artemis let us be together as man and wife, but a virgin goddess expects her followers to be chaste. Years passed, and I stayed young, but Selene aged as a mortal. When she fell ill and was dying, I knew I couldn’t join her in the afterlife because my soul was in hell. I made offerings to Artemis, begging her to make Selene immortal so we could be together forever.

She allowed me to touch Selene just once, to drink her blood. This killed her mortal body, but our blood mixed together would create eternal life for any who drank it. Artemis said we would stay together forever. But she lied. Artemis took Selene from me to become a goddess of the moon and left me alone. I have spent thousands of years creating others like myself to end my loneliness, but nothing has helped. 

Describe yourself what is your worst and best quality?

My worst quality: I have a temper, and I am very controlling. My best quality: my capacity to love Selene and my progeny.

What is the one thing you wish other people knew about you?

I wish others could understand that I held back from creating other vampires for a very long time until my best friend, Kane, begged me to make him immortal. I was only driven by my loneliness and need to be with others like myself.

What is your biggest secret something no one knows about?

Only Kane, Selene, Snow Blood and the gods know my real story. And now, you do.

What are you most afraid of?

Losing those I love.

What do you want more than anything?

Selene as my consummated wife.

What is your relationship status?

I have always been and will always be married to Selene.

How would you describe your sense of fashion?

I only wear black. Black pants, shoes, socks and turtleneck sweaters. Everything I own is black. My hair is blonde, so I wear it mostly long.

How much of a rebel are you?

I have been defying the gods for thousands of years, so I’m willing to bet I am more rebellious than most.

What do you considered to be your greatest achievement?

Surviving for so long under impossible circumstances.

What is your idea of happiness?

Selene, Snow Blood and Kane by my side.

What is your current state of mind?

I will be a tortured monster until I can finally have Selene back with me.

What is your most treasured possession?

I have many possessions. I am wealthy beyond belief. Having thousands of years to build a wine empire all over the world has left me quite comfortable. I no longer possess what I treasure most – Selene. I am comforted by my kindred companion and dog, Snow Blood.

What is your most marked characteristic?

I am the original. I am the most powerful of all vampires. Only I can defy the gods.

What is it that you most dislike?

The gods.

Which living person do you, most despise?

Most living people are food to me, despite that I try never to harm them unless I must. I do not despise them. I love them.

What is your greatest regret?

Losing Selene and having to turn Snow to save him as my companion.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Healthy blood. (Laughing.) I admire strength; no matter in what form it comes.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Bravery. Selene is the bravest woman I’ve ever met.

Who is your favorite hero in fiction?

Well, I’ve been fictionalized in books, movies and television. They mostly have gotten it wrong, never giving the true back story. But it amuses me, particularly Dracula. So, I am my favorite hero, or, at least Dracula comes in as an interesting second.

 Which living person do you most admire?

My Selene. Have you figured out that Selene is everything to me?

If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

Laughing … why, I’d become mortal, with a soul.

What is your motto?

Carpe diem. Cease the day (or the night in my case) because tomorrow may never come.

Eclipse Reviews thanks Brogio for this interview.

Interested in learning more about Snow Blood? ​Click here.

Kane clinched his fists as he looked up into his sire’s violet eyes that shifted to blood red.
Brogio stood three inches taller over his progeny’s six-foot-five frame. “First you refuse my offer of rule over Milan. I allow you to seek your precious knowledge in Florence. Now, after only a decade, you want to travel the world? What will you want next? A total withdrawal from me?”

Kane stood up tall and defiant. He pushed a long strand of dark brown hair behind one ear. His brown eyes narrowed. “I desire to be the exception to your every rule.”

​Brogio snorted and whirled to face the gigantic stone fireplace that he kept ablaze no matter what the weather. “So, we are at odds. I want your companionship and loyalty. You want separation.” The original vampire ran his large hands through his silver white hair that framed the youthful face of a man only twenty-three years of age.

Kane stepped forward and placed his hand on his maker’s shoulder. “You know I’ve ended my apprenticeship with da Vinci. I’ve learned all I can from him. I want so much more.”

Brogio turned to face his first blood son. “I have kept in the shadows for a millennium. Your going about only exposes our existence to humans. Why do you want to risk all that I have taught you to survive peacefully in this world?” He walked to a large , plush maroon chair, sat, and crossed his legs. “What if you make a mistake like you did before and accidentally create out-of-control bloodsuckers? You will put us all in danger.”

Kane put his back to the fireplace and sighed. “You will never forgive that, will you?” He glanced at Brogio’s handsome face. “You insist on making me the bad son, the creator of problems.” His voice raised an octave on his last words. “Perhaps I should live up to that reputation!”

Brogio used his vampire speed, left his chair, and had his hand around Kane’s throat before his son could blink. “Why do you insist on needling me? I don’t want your antagonism. I need your love and loyalty.”

Kane swallowed and looked into Brogio’s eyes.  He knew his words delivered a cruel cut to his maker.

A black blood tear slid down Brogio’s white cheek. He dropped his hand from Kane’s throat and turned. “You break my heart. You always have.” The master vampire glided to the front door, opened it, and disappeared into the night.

Kane turned back to the fire. In his heart he knew the knowledge he would gain in the future would someday be useful to his sire. He would somehow prove his love and loyalty.

​WANT TO SEE HOW KANE’S KNOWLEDGE AFFECTS BROGIO? CLICK HERE TO START THE SNOW BLOOD SERIES.
​
HAVEN’T CLAIMED OR READ YOUR FREE BOOK – KANE: THE FIRST BLOOD SON? GO HERE! 

Til Next Time!
​Carol