The Anthales Chronicles: Mephisto's Journey.
an excerpt

Taniji gave a smirk to the smaller girl.

“Oh yeah! You really think you’ll become a master Hunter?” At this rate I’ll be the one kicking your ass…” he said with a friendly tone.

Tedjib smirked at the taller man for this and shrugged.

“We’ll see, we’ll see. You just got appointed to the job; don’t get so full of yourself…”

Taniji blushed at the remark. Mephisto snickered at this. To him it seem like the two Hunters were getting along pretty well. The taller man seems to like the smaller Hunter very much. Mephisto smiled, he’ll have to talk to Taniji about this later. The rest of the day was pretty uneventful. A bit more practice was done in the courtyard but the afternoon was mostly spent trying to avoid Kanima. Just before diner, Mephisto excused himself to the rest of the group and went out. He took a cab and ended up on a small street in one of the residential area to the east of the town. Giving the money to the cab driver, he looked at the porch of the house. Lights were opened. Mephisto knocked at the door. A short man opened it and looked at the vampire from head to toe.

“And you are?”

“I am Mephisto Anthales, son of Anita.”

“She never talked about a son.”

“I’ve been adopted, so it’s kind of a touchy subject. Is she here at the moment?”

“Yes, she’s feeding our newborn girl.”

“Yes, I heard I got a cute half-sister…”

“I’m sure Anita will be pleased to see you. My name is Raoul by the way.”

The older man led Mephisto in the house.

“Want something to drink?” he politely asked.

Mephisto declined. The man nodded and said he would go and tell his wife about the visitor. The vampire was left sitting at the kitchen’s table. He looked around; the place had the homey feeling he always longed for. Anita walked down the staircase and into the kitchen, a small bundle in her arms. Mephisto looked up. The woman was wearing a simple grey dress and her hair was down, waving on her shoulders. Anita looked up from the baby in her arms.

“Mephisto!” the woman cried out.

Mephisto smiled. Anita sat at the table, leaving the small bundle to Raoul. She took the hands of her adopted son into hers and looked at him with misted over eyes.

“What you’ve been doing all this time?” she asked.

“This and that… You know how life can be… I’ve been fine. I meet new people, made new friends. As I can see you been busy as well…” Mephisto said with a broad smile.

Anita smiled at these words.

“You’ve got a half-sister now.”

Raoul approach with the baby. A small sleeping face topped by a turf of lilac hair was lost amidst the clothe surrounding it. The baby was sleeping, a small fist close to it’s face.

“What’s her name?” Mephisto asked.

“Her name is Zebda. She has her father’s family name.”

Mephisto nodded. The girl was so tiny and pretty! Mephisto knew that the girl was born but actually never saw her. He thought he had fallen in love when he heard the news but he fell in love all over again as he saw her. He silently vowed to protect the girl with all his soul. His step-mother smiled at him.

“I will take my leave mother; I just wanted to see how you were faring. I can see that you are radiant. Zebda is he cutest girl I’ve ever seen. I hope I’ll be able to spend some time her in the future.” Said Mephisto.

“You’re leaving already? There’s so much I wanted to talk with you!” Anita said.

“I know mother but I promised someone I wouldn’t stay here for long. I will stay in touch though.”

Anita nodded. Mephisto left. The cold night air made him shiver but he still decided to walk on the way back. The sky was clear and starry. Mephisto sensed another vampire in the vicinity.

“Dante, you can come up now!” He said in the air.

A figure fell from a nearby rooftop to land on the ground with a feline grace. The person was wearing knee length boots, khaki shirts, a leather sleeveless jacket and a fishnet shirt.

“Hello, dear brother… Long time no see. So, I’m not the only one who got the news of our new sibling…”

The girl voice was venomous.

“There’s no way I’m letting you close to the girl.” Mephisto spat at his half-sister.

“Oh really? Try and stop me, I could go to this house right now and destroy them all… I got so much stronger since father’s death.” Dante said, her voice dangerous

Mephisto bristled at this.

“You wouldn’t dare, beside you’re just a low rank in the clan.” Mephisto ground out.

Dante gave a smile at her brother not unlike a cat before it eats the canary.

“Wrong on both accounts brother. I’ve been there to collect your place as you left the clan. Being your next of kin Edmond thought I would be just like you. I think I’ve deceived him quite nicely if I must say so. As far as Zebda is concerned, I think I will let her grow up a bit. A young prey is no sport after all…”

“Dante, if you dare to touch one hair of the girl I swear you are as good as dead.” He hissed.

Dante gave a haughty air to her brother.

“Maybe it would be funny to destroy the rest of the happy family first. Mother first, for running away, then that filthy human she took as a husband, then your darling little sister and at last you for killing father.