“If you guys are good trackers as I’ve heard you are; you’ll smell that we don’t eat human.”

(Excerpt of Sororate Chapter One)

“Welcome to the Jade Hotel.” The Chinese man smiled politely. “I believe your reservation has you in the Lotus Suite. Our room service will bring up your complimentary bottle of champagne for your stay.”

“We don’t drink alcohol.”  He returned.

Well we can’t, if we got drunk and lost our control of the bloodlust being Werewolves?  No, it was too hideous to consider…

“Very good Mr. Sabre," the clerk didn’t miss a beat. “Then we can arrange another beverage to be served instead.  We have a selection of de-alcoholised wines or soft drink or juice or iced tea -”

“The de-alcoholised wine would be fine," my husband interrupted.

I could tell he didn’t mean to be rude, as he looked over his shoulder at the door of the hotel.  Declan just wanted us to hole up protectively in our room.

“The hotel has a gym as well as a sauna and a pool.” The clerk went on. “In the gym you can purchase massages and we even have an acupuncturist -”

“No thanks, we won’t be leaving our room.”  He said shortly and then he read his name tag.  “Sorry, Hsu?  My wife is really tired and we’d just like to get checked-in.”

“Of course Mr. Sabre," the clerk continued politely. 

However he mispronounced our surname, to my husband’s chagrin.  Instead of saying Sar-bra, it sounded like the clerk said Say-ber.  The European Werewolf hated it when outsiders would incorrectly spell or mispronounce his Italian surname.  However he didn’t correct the stranger this time, all he wanted to do was get out of sight. 

The clerk requested, “If I could please get your credit card as well as sight your passport for identification purposes?” 

Declan handed the items over to him and he scanned them into his computer before giving them back.  Next, the clerk passed him our hotel room’s electronic key.

“Inside your room, you will find a menu for Room Service and your complimentary de-alcoholised wine will be served shortly.” The clerk finished.

“Thanks.”  My mate retook hold of my hand to lead me away.

Then I don’t know why, but I think it was because I sensed something?  I looked back over my shoulder at the hotel clerk who was watching us leave, when I caught him sniff.  He wasn’t sniffing because he had a cold, but he was sniffing us.

Frickin’ hell, he’s another Asian Werewolf!  They’re everywhere!  This town really is their territory. 

Just then I surprised my husband when I stopped, turned around and marched back over to the counter.  The small lobby of the hotel was quiet with no other people around and the clerk was standing by himself. 

“Look,” I began, “we know this is your territory. We’ll keep to our room and then in the morning we’ll leave. We don’t want any trouble.  If you guys are good trackers as I’ve heard you are; you’ll smell that we don’t eat human.”

Declan’s eyes widened when he realized who it was that I was talking to.  Whereas, the hotel clerk’s face remained perfectly calm.  He even smiled politely again.

“We are aware of that particular quality about you as our guests, thank you Mrs. Sar-bra.”  The clerk said, now mysteriously pronouncing our surname correctly. “If the hotel had any objection, we would not have proceeded with check-in.  But thank you for sharing your dietary requirements with us, we will be sure to notify the kitchen.”

My mate came to stand protectively beside as he looked suspiciously on the hotel clerk – slash – Asian Werewolf.

“We hope that you enjoy your stay at the Jade Hotel.  Please feel free to enjoy our features such as the pool, spa or sauna which is included in the cost of your room.”  The hotel clerk ended with a slight bow.

I sensed that he meant it and he didn’t see us as a threat, so we were allowed.

“Come on, B.”  My husband gently pulled me away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Come on B, you’re a ‘growly thing’ as well as a ‘Light Person’, that was just a slow jog for us!”

(Excerpt of Sororate Chapter One)

Declan retook hold of my hand and hurried us along.  We picked up our steps until we were power walking as the sun sank lower in the sky.  We were walking so quickly, we attracted some peculiar looks from the other tourists we passed. 

We managed to walk another three kilometres before the red sun touched the dusky horizon.  The view from the Wall showed the upcoming town where our hotel was situated but it was still two kilometres away. 

“Come on, let’s leg it.”  He ordered as the sun started to disappear.

My husband ran in front, almost pulling me along as I felt tired from walking all day.  We ran in a speed which would have been considered fast for humans, but it was slow for our kind.  It was too risky to show off our supernatural speed in public, nor could I just instantaneously phase us there. 

He led the way down some exit steps from the Great Wall and onto a road.  Then we bolted the rest of the way into town with Declan still pulling me along.  With the force he was squeezing my hand there was no way he was letting me slip from his grasp.  He didn’t let go until we entered the safety of settlement.  I stopped to catch my breath as I leaned wearily against the side of a building.

“Come on B, you’re a ‘growly thing’ as well as a ‘Light Person’, that was just a slow jog for us!”  He taunted.

“I’ve also been walking two days straight!”  I snapped amidst my puffing. “My feet are sore and my legs are tired!”

“Moan moan moan.”  He rolled his eyes before he looked around warily.

“What is it?”  I watched him.

“When we ran into town, I smelled more markings. This town is somebody’s territory so being outside after dark isn’t safe here either.  Let’s just hurry up and get to the hotel.” 

Declan grabbed hold of my hand again to pull me off the wall and after him down the road.  We walked down several streets before we stopped under a street light so he could check our itinerary.  He input the address of the hotel into the GPS then we followed the device’s directions.

We passed through a bustling commercial section where many people were either walking around or sitting at different outdoor tables and chairs.  Out of curiosity, I glanced through shop windows or a few of the front of restaurants.  It was the restaurants which had the outdoor seating where families sat down eating.  I also noticed at a couple of these tables elderly people played Mah-jong.

“Oh look, Mah-jong.”  I paused to watch until Declan pulled me along again.

An old Chinese man with a long, thin, white beard who was smoking a long, thin pipe looked up from his game as we passed.  To my surprise, his brown eyes abruptly turned white, with just his tiny black pupils remaining.  Frickin’ hell, he’s an Asian Werewolf!  The old man showed me his eyes to let me know that he also knew what Declan and I are. 

“OK, let’s go.” I walked out in front and now I was the one pulling him along.

I wished I’d brought my Katana along with me, the silver-coated Japanese sword.  I would have felt a whole lot safer with that insurance policy in my backpack.  Declan spotted our hotel’s brightly lit sign and he escorted me off the street and into the small foyer where the check-in counter was located.

“We have a reservation for Sabre.”  He handed over our itinerary with the barcode for the hotel clerk to scan.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I hope your scent isn’t going to get us into trouble again on this latest holiday.”

(Excerpt of Sororate Chapter One)

            Last year, Declan started to grow orchids amongst our vegetables as a hobby.  They needed constant care but they became his pride and joy, especially since they were ‘our flower’.  Before we were formally acknowledged as mates, he used to give me orchids which were grown by other members of the tribe.

            “OK Brandon.”  He looked warily on our great, great, great, great grandnephew, Brandon Sabre.  He handed the 14 year old, a list of things to do in the greenhouse while we were on our tour of Asia. “I know these lands and I know where you live. With my sense of smell, I can track you no matter where you go on this planet.  If I come back to a dead garden, your ass is grass and I doubt your parents will miss you THAT much.”

            The poor boy’s eyes widened as he visibly gulped whilst looking on his tall, muscular Great x4 Granduncle standing before him, glaring menacingly.

            “Declan, don’t traumatize the kid!”  I rolled my eyes.

            My husband handed over the list to Brandon whilst he stared long and hard to instil his threat.

            “Er, no sweat Uncle.” The boy nervously licked his lips.

            I walked over to his side to pat him on the back reassuringly, “Don’t worry Brandon, the job’s pretty easy and the list of instructions is straightforward.”

For some reason, his eyes widened further as he now looked in my direction.  I even overheard him inhale deeply, which Declan caught as well.  My mate rolled his eyes in a weary manner.

“Frickin’ hell woman…” he complained, “…I can’t take you or your pheromones anywhere!”

My husband suddenly pulled me into his arms which were away from the teenaged boy, whose face fell as soon as my scent was removed.

“Dude, she’s your Great x4 Grandaunt and she’s also a married woman.” He growled. “Now scat!” 

I watched Brandon quickly turn around and leave the greenhouse before he broke into a run and disappeared from our property. 

Then my mate shook his head, “I hope your scent isn’t going to get us into trouble again on this latest holiday.”

“What do you mean ‘again’?”  I looked on unimpressed. “When have MY pheromones gotten us into trouble?”

“Gee, let’s see now…” he pretended to think, “…how about in Russia when the European Vampires tried to feed on you?”

“That wasn’t just because of my Lokoti Werewolf pheromones, it was also because of my aura as a Circulator.”  I refuted.

“And that other European Werewolf Marcus, who tried to claim you?”

“That was because there aren’t many female Werewolves left in the world.” 

Out of the blue, Declan picked me up in his strong arms as he laughed evilly, “I know and you’re mine!  MINE I say!”

I squealed with laughter as I squirmed out of his grip and then I too ran out of the greenhouse and back into the house to finish my packing… 

…

… now here we were, hiking the Great Wall of China with our large backpacks strapped on.  The Wall was busy with other tourists and we passed a couple of other people also with backpacks who had the same idea as us.   However as the afternoon grew late, Declan pulled us aside to check the GPS on his mobile phone.

“Right.”  He looked on his watch and then back at the GPS.  “It’s 7 PM and it’s still 5 km’s to the town where our hotel is.”

“So what if we have to walk in the night?”  I shrugged. “We’re ‘different’ Declan, we shouldn’t be afraid of the dark.”

My mate gave a peculiar look as he put his phone back into the front pocket of his backpack. “You think I’m afraid of the dark?”

“We are creatures of the night, aren’t we?”  I smirked.  “With your big build even in human form, you’re still intimidating.  I doubt we’ll get mugged.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about.”  His scowl deepened as he looked around at the surrounding countryside whilst sniffing the air. “We’re on somebody else’s territory.”

“Huh?”  I gave a funny look. “Well, yes we are.  It’s called China, Declan. Chinese people claim ownership of this country.”

Rather than laugh, my husband looked indignant.  “B, sometimes I wonder whether you’re more ‘Light Person’ than you are like me.”  He hinted at my being a Circulator as well as a Werewolf.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked offended.

“Smell the air!”  He barked.

I closed my eyes to help me concentrate as I breathed in deeply through my nose… I smelled vegetation, I smelled moist earth, I smelled the warm humans walking past, I smelled the distant aroma of somebody cooking somewhere and then I smelled something else… This something was like a pungent animal smell, so strong that it left behind the realm of the natural and entered the supernatural. 

My eyes snapped open to look on in surprise before I managed out quietly so no passersby could hear, “Is - is - is that Asian Werewolf?” 

The European Werewolf for my husband, nodded as he looked down the side of the Wall at the valley below. 

“They’ve marked this as their territory, as a kind of invisible fence warning off other supernatural beings.  We should be safe in the hotel, but I don’t want to be out here when it’s dark. They could mistake us as hunting on their territory.” 

I looked on impressed at how he knew this, or sensed this with his intuition. I guess being a Circulator could interfere with my Lokoti Werewolf instincts, but my husband was attuned to his.  He immediately knew things about the European Vampires or the European Werewolves we encountered without ever reading the SSIT Reports.

After a moment, Declan noticed how I was still looking on him, or smiling rather. 

“What?”  He gave a funny look.

“You’re hot when you go all authoritarian about this kind of thing.” 

To which he smirked back, “I’ll remember you said that later on in our hotel room.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Are you frickin’ nuts?!” I barked.

(Excerpt of Sororate Chapter One)

2^nd August 2226

            We strolled hand-in-hand in a comfortable silence as we stared out at the picturesque views.  Declan and I were enjoying the walk and I must admit, I was starting to really like this part of our holiday in China.  We were into the second day of our hike along the Great Wall and right now, our trek took us through a mountainous part of the country. 

            The Wall curved around before it sloped downwards and then upwards again as it followed the peaks.  The sky was blue, the air was clean and the breeze was cool, which kept us from overheating.  However, when my husband first told me that we would be hiking for three days, I must admit I wasn’t what you might call, ‘excited’ by the idea.

            “Are you frickin’ nuts?!” I barked.

            “Relax B.”  He customarily rolled his eyes. “We won’t be camping but we’ll be hiking. Each night we’ll have a hotel booked so you can still get your creature comforts of hot showers and a soft mattress to sleep on.”

            “But hiking all day, for three days straight?” I complained.

            “Look, we won’t even be walking the whole thing! It’s less than half that we’ll be doing as they’re still restoring it.”

            “I don’t care if it’s only a quarter of the way!  This is three days that we’ll be hiking the thing?!” I said indignantly.

            “B, sometimes we run up to 300 km’s in one night on a hunt.”  He gave a funny look.

            “Yeah, but that’s one or two nights a month and I have the bloodlust fuelling me along.” I frowned.

            We were of course talking about the fact that my husband and I were Werewolves.

            Declan was a 163 year old European Werewolf with the appearance of a man in his mid-thirties in human form.  My blue eyed and blonde haired husband was finally growing out his crew cut which he had for 140 years so now his scruffy hair sat just below his ears.   However when he was in European Werewolf form, he looked completely different.  

            His height of 190 cm’s almost doubled as his muscular build practically tripled in width.  His hands and feet turned into dangerous claws.  He was hairless but his head changed into more of a wolf’s as he had a short snout over jaws of razor sharp teeth.  His eyes glowed green with his round pupils turning into thin, black slits.  As a European Werewolf, he would run on all-fours in speeds up to 300 km/h and he was so strong he could lift up a car on each arm. 

            Me on the other hand, I was a 160 year old Lokoti Werewolf with the human appearance of a half Native Alaskan in my late twenties.  I had dark blue eyes and recently, I had my hair restyled.  Now I have a fringe and my former long, black hair was cut just past my shoulders.

            Lokoti Werewolves have a more humanoid appearance in our supernatural form.  Although my 170 cm height remained the same, my body bulked up like a weightlifter’s with extra muscle. My eyes glowed bright turquoise as my black pupils vanished.  My teeth became elongated and sharp and the nails on my hands and feet grew longer, like claws.  Lokoti Werewolves can run up to speeds of 200 km/h in our upright form, but because I was also a Circulator I could move in the speed of light.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sororate

By K.R. Smith

Cover Graphics by Isabel de Sequera

Cover Photo by Nina Ackerman

Claws come out in a Werewolf marriage; B Sabre is called the Last Circulator and the first female Lokoti Werewolf, whereas Declan Sabre is the last European Werewolf. These two love to fight just as much as they love to make love. In between, the two also like to travel the world.

This results in meeting other supernatural beings, like Asian Werewolves, North American Werewolves, European Vampires, South American Vampires, Wiccans, Voodoo and even humans psychic’d up on Yaje.

However, B and Declan still butt heads over a problem some couples face… B can’t conceive. Whereas he's relieved not to create more of his kind; she's sensitive over her condition. But just as Circulators are ever-changing as the universe, is her condition permanent?

Available July 2012 at

Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Apple iBookstore, Kobo, Sony, Diesel, Smashwords and Lulu

A Writer's Anonymous Confession

Hi, my name is Onaya3 (hi, Onaya3) and the last time that I wrote was approximately 12 hours, 16 minutes and 33 seconds ago. If I don’t write, I start to shake. My heart races a million miles an hour and my breathing becomes shallow which medical professionals call hyperventilating and I may experience dizziness. Funnily enough these symptoms mirror what is also called an ‘anxiety attack’ however to me, I find it hard to differentiate the two.

I guess what I wanted to share with you are my passions as well as my obsessions which comes out in my writing. I like to write about science fiction, the supernatural and of course, romance. I learned to categorize my books under these headings when I began to post my work online.

My first book ‘Circulate’ was about time travelers who moved through time by a physiological ability to morph into beings of light. So far what is known to mankind, only light can move through time. Naturally my imagination tweaked, “what if there were humans who could move through time by turning into light?”

Ghosts can appear to be made of light and in a sense, they’re traveling through time. Their biological bodies have decomposed but humans are still seeing them centuries later. So what if there were humans who could in a sense, turn themselves into ghosts to phase through time? Hence my warped imagination when ‘bing!’ and spewed forth the idea of Circulators.

I used to be a huge Vampire fan. When I was seven years old our teacher let us write about whatever we wanted in an exercise book. Years later, I found out she pulled my Mum and Dad aside one particular Parent & Teacher night to say she thought I showed great potential, it’s just that she was concerned I always wrote about Vampires. When my teacher asked me to try another subject; I wrote a story about a trip to the Zoo… and the supernatural quality about this Zoo was after dark its animals turned into Vampires.

I think it was December 2007 that I read Stephenie Meyer’s book ‘Twilight’. I checked out her website where she cleverly posted the first chapter online and after reading it? The very next day I bought the book. Then something strange happened… I found myself crying out, “ditch the Vamp and go for the Werewolf!” I did a complete turnaround from being a Vampire’s ‘cheerleader’ to cheering for the Werewolves instead. Why go for something cold and dead, when you can have something hot and panting?

After one too many glasses of red wine and looking over my paranormal DVD collection, my mind went ‘bing!’ once more. Rather than just the Werewolves depicted in the Stephenie Meyer universe; what about the types depicted in ‘Underworld’, or ‘The X-Files’, ‘Howling’, or in ‘Supernatural’? What if there were simply different breeds of Werewolves in the world? Hell, humans differ culturally and physically depending on the geography so why wouldn’t a supernatural creature do too?

My character Elisha Baker who’s a Circulator, has always had a fascination for the supernatural and she began SSIT – Supernatural, Scientific, Investigative Team – with her friend Xavier Bell when the two met at Cambridge University. They investigated ghost lights surrounding stone circles, haunted houses, reincarnation, ESP and then after looking into Vampires, they stumbled upon Werewolves.

However the two by no means view their work through the same pair of glasses. To quote Xavier when editing one of his partner’s reports on an investigation;

“You are not critiquing ‘Wuthering Heights’ here. We are not doing a literary examination of when Kathy’s ghost appears at the window!” Xavier shook his head. “Look, take out, ‘extraordinary’, and put in ‘unusual’.”

“But that sounds so… boring. It doesn’t fully describe what it was like to see those phantom lights!” I argued back.

“Alright. We’ll keep ‘extraordinary’. But ‘fantastical’ has to go.” He put his foot down.

“But…” I started.

“There is no way in hell can we lodge a legitimate scientific report to our financial backers who happen to be one of the most reknown scientific companies in the world, with the word, ‘fantastical’ in it!” Xavier exclaimed.

“Yes we can!”

“No we can’t!”

“Look, how about I delete the whole smegging thing and then you write it up!” I snapped.

Xavier took my laptop off me and read through it thoroughly. Then he paused, and looked up with this incredulous look on his face. He looked at me as if I were mad.

“‘We felt truly privileged on this night to witness such a spectacular event’?”

“What’s wrong with that?!” I said exasperated.

“We’re scientists! Not sports commentators on World Cup Soccer!” he cracked up laughing.

I was lucky enough to meet my long-time pen pal Maryann when she came to Sydney. When I took her sightseeing, we walked through the Botanic Gardens. There I took a photo of a display by the pyramid greenhouse which was spelt out by plants; ‘SEX + DEATH’. I thought this summed up Werewolves perfectly and in particular, Declan Sabre. Allow me to introduce you to somebody who is turning into one of my most popular characters.

Declan was at one stage, the last of the European Werewolves. Aside from European Vampires hunting his breed almost to extinction for their strength and regenerative capabilities; he didn’t like it when his kind kidnapped his missus. Bianca Sabre nee Wisetail is the first female Lokoti Werewolf; in a world where female Werewolves are as rare as a winning ticket to visit Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. She is a contrast, both the beginning and the end as she is also called ‘The Last Circulator’.

Werewolves and Vampires are members of the Shape Shifter family since they change from human to other, with their ever-present bloodlust. As some have been trained to hunt animal to spare human life, others haven’t. It’s a battle not to become murderers and indulge in their constant hunger.

The meshing of Shape Shifters with Circulators comes up halfway through my Circulate Series. The way that I write is a collection of random scenes and when they reach a certain number; I collate them into order. But I swear, in Ancient Greece when they postulated that our creativity comes from the Muses? I think they must have got confused with schizophrenia. My characters’ constant chatter keeps me from feeling bored however they also can be too distracting. I experience writers block when just like in ‘Get Smart’ the cone of silence comes down and I can’t hear my characters anymore.

Please excuse me for my pages of rambling. I can’t write a series in linear order and I feel like I have to explain myself. When a person asks; “how’s your writing going?” “Really well, thanks.” “Have you finished book two yet?” “Er…” “What about book three?” “No, but I had this idea on the train home last night and I just had to write it…” It’s usually about this time the person rolls their eyes and shakes their head in a manner that says, ‘hopeless’.

SSIT Report on Human/Animal Shape Shifters

(Excerpt of the SSIT Reports on the Different Breeds of Werewolf, Separate Species of Vampire and Human/ Animal Shape Shifters)

INTRODUCTION

The Supernatural Scientific Investigative Team found Human/Animal Shape Shifters to be the most intriguing facet of the vast Shape Shifter family. This paranormal creature has ties to both the natural and supernatural, in history, physique and ability. Whilst Werewolves have a prehistoric 'forefather' and the exact beginnings of the Vampire remain in a fog of speculation; the Human/Animal Shape Shifter timeline runs parallel with human development.

All across the globe, there are clans/families of humans who can turn into an animal of similar size which is native to their geography. The Human/Animal Shape Shifter can turn into one animal only, not a variety, and the animal it turns into is genetically predetermined. For example, if a child is born to a Shifter parent who morphs into a lion; so will they. The ability to transform from human to animal and back again starts from birth.

However, the cause of turning into the particular animal can differentiate. Depending on the clan and/or family, each has a story of how the first transformation took place, but can be based on one of three ways; from spirit possession to genetic mutation and even through cross-species reproduction. Although Human/Animal Shape Shifters are varied; e.g., tigers in South and South East Asia, panthers in South America, rhinoceros in Africa or polar bears in the Arctic; they all share a common trait. When in animal form, their eyes appear completely black with no irises or whites showing.

When shifting to animal form, their black pupils dilute to encompass the entire front of the eyeball. Their human sight switches to a transcendental vision which is something else. The Human/Animal Shape Shifter subject we interviewed quoted, "our sight switches from clear lines of shapes and solids, to weird, quasi, energy fields. We don't see the shape of a tree or its leaves, but we see the energy coming up from the ground and stretching out to the branches." This field of vision extends not only to flora or fauna, but to the very earth itself.

Through a highly evolved sense of survival, Shifters have displayed many uncanny talents. One, is their unique sight in seeing the energy fields of their environment including Ley Lines. Two, is a finely honed sense of smell, which can pick up the most minuscule change in the atmosphere. In the past, there have been recorded instances where marine life or even some land-based animals, run for safety hours before a tsunami hits. Or, animals in volcanically active areas may vacate their homelands days before an eruption. Human/Animal Shape Shifters share this ability and use it to keep their clans/families safe. Thirdly, is the behaviour some animals display around humans, such as dogs reacting badly to a visitor in their territory. Then the seemingly nice person exhibits dangerous tendencies and the saying arises, "animals sense these things." This can also be said with Shifters, whose similar instincts help them avoid unsafe situations.

Other physical attributes shared by Human/Animal Shape Shifters is their muscle. Most of their kind displays strength, which is fifty times that of a human, but it can also depend on the kind of animal it shifts into. For example, a Shifter which morphs into a rhinoceros is stronger than one that changes into a panther. All have regenerative capabilities, which may not be as powerful as a European Werewolf, but faster than a human. However, like their Werewolf and Vampire 'cousins', Human/Animal Shape Shifters are severely allergic to silver. Any kind of contact with this metal can result in serious injury. They can be as strong as a Lokoti Werewolf, but Shifters do not have supernatural speed. When they change into their animal form, they match the same speed of the animal.

Although this paranormal creature is related to the Vampire and Werewolf by a similar cellular structure, which transforms them from human to other; a major difference with Human/Animal Shape Shifters, is they do not have the bloodlust. Their kind does not depend on blood or flesh to maintain its health or longevity, which is similar to a human's lifespan. In fact, if the Shifter morphs into an animal which is a herbivore, in human form they will carry on a vegetarian diet. But like the breeds of Werewolf, the impact of a full moon affects their brain chemistry and triggers them to change although they can also revert between cycles.

When our Investigators pointed out this similarity with the differing breeds, the interview subject became offended. We were advised that Shifters are the deadly enemies of both Werewolves and Vampires and will attempt to destroy them upon sight. This is because Human/Animal Shape Shifters are preyed upon by both, especially by the Vampire. Since the species prey upon Werewolves for their strength and regenerative capabilities, when a Werewolf couldn't be found, SSIT learned that Vampires would hunt Shifters instead. Elisha Worthall then tried to persuade the subject that Lokoti Werewolves, whom had become her friends, were not man-eaters. However, their alternate food source of fresh kill from the animal kingdom, did not placate the Shifter who turns into a member of this realm.

SSIT came across numerous relationships formed between humans with ESP and Human/Animal Shape Shifters. There are dozens of stories of Medicine Men, Shamans, Druids, Witches or Wizards who imbibe potions or other plant substances, to embark on hallucinogenic journeys. Often on these 'voyages', they would think they could turn into a particular animal or 'become one' with them. Just as the psychics would feel an affinity to an animal, they would also protect Shifters who could turn into them. Another commonality they share is the connection to the earth, with both Seers and Shifters drawn to Ley Lines. Just as Human/Animal Shape Shifters can see the energy in their surroundings, they have informed SSIT they can differentiate psychics by their greater energy fields, too. This in turn, made the Shifter protective of the human, as well as attractive as a suitable mate.

During the Witch Hunts, several clans of Shifters and psychics from differing countries, banded together to form the Conclave. In secret meeting places around Europe, the Mediterranean, the Americas or Asia, which were near power-based landmarks, Seers and Shifters would help each other. Not only did they have to contend with Werewolves or Vampires preying upon them, but humans as well. Murderous religious figures from the dominating churches, vied for their extermination in similar ways, which incriminates Hitler and the Nazis today. Shifters whom had protected humans by fighting off Werewolves or Vampires in their territory, or Seers who treated humans as Healers and Midwives, found themselves hunted by the very people they had helped in the past.

It is for this reason that the Conclave remains a secret from society. Only my investigative partner Elisha Worthall, was permitted to attend a meeting, being a Circulator. Both Shifters and psychics can see a Circulator's aura, which is caused by their bio-electromagnetic fields being in temporal flux. Although the Conclave was open to learning about the other secret society called the Circulate, when Elisha Worthall offered to introduce them to the Lokoti Werewolf pack, it was met with mistrust and refusal. Indeed, she was made to swear never to tell the Lokoti Tribe about the Conclave and to my understanding, she never has. Although SSIT has shared our reports on the Different Breeds of Werewolf and the Separate Species of Vampires with the Lokoti, this report like the Conclave's existence, will remain hidden.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WEST AFRICAN VAMPIRE

(Excerpt of the SSIT Reports on the Different Breeds of Werewolf, Separate Species of Vampire and Human/ Animal Shape Shifters)

WEST AFRICAN VAMPIRE

~Physical Characteristics~

As mentioned in the Introduction, most Vampires appear human but change form when fighting or feeding. However, there are a few species which may only attain a human appearance by feeding on this mammal. The West African Vampire is an example of this.

They are biologically a ‘blank slate’, that is to say they have a rare mutation of the albino gene, which has no skin pigmentation, hair or eye colouring. They literally are a translucent white because their bodies are missing the basic hormones which regulate their colouring. They have the unnerving appearance of a native to the continent of Africa, but with white afro hair, white eyes with small black pupils and a white, sometimes translucent skin.

This species is always male and as such, their feeding is concentrated on human males. The West African Vampire’s choice of meal is not born from luxury; rather it is out of necessity. Not only do they drink the blood of the victim, but they take other fluids from the human body including from the pituitary gland. By ingesting the victim’s blood, hormones and other bodily fluids, the West African Vampire adopts the colouring of its victim and sometimes other physical characteristics. This species is the most like a Shape Shifter, as its appearance can alter depending on the appearance of its meal.

On this note, West African Vampires choose human males to feed on because if it fed on a female and imbibed a large amount of oestrogen; it would greatly effect its shift in shape. Although SSIT cannot confirm if this could actually cause the male West African Vampire to change into a female, scientifically we can project it would be worse than a transsexual undergoing medical treatment to change gender.

West African Vampires do not have fangs or sharp elongated teeth, and its strength is five times that of a human being. Instead, this species uses the flora or fauna in its native area, such as specific plants or venom that has a paralysing effect, to make poisoned darts and stun their victims. When their prey has been neutralized, the West African Vampire then carries the human male to their hide-out/home to slowly drain them. The feeding is a drawn out process as they use many of the victim’s bodily fluids to replenish its own. This is while the human is alive, paralysed and in subsequent agony throughout the entire time.

Their longevity is one of the shortest of the Vampire species, reaching 200 years old. Of course, this age can only be reached from successfully hunting to prolong its strength and regeneration. However, if a West African Vampire cannot feed at least once a month, then their metabolic system, strength and life expectancy fails.

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NORTH AMERICAN VAMPIRE

(Excerpt of the SSIT Reports on the Different Breeds of Werewolf, Separate Species of Vampire and Human/ Animal Shape Shifters)

 NORTH AMERICAN VAMPIRE

~Physical Characteristics~

WARNING – This species of Vampire has poisonous fangs which can paralyse humans.

When they change from human to Vampire, their eyes glow and appear red on the outside of their irises, with yellow in the middle. Also, their foreheads become pronounced giving this species along with their glowing reddish eyes, a more ‘demonic’ appearance. Their upper canine teeth become long and sharp like the fangs on a snake. The venom is secreted by the fangs, which can paralyse humans for up to 3 days – if they survive an attack. The nails on the Vampire’s hands become longer and sharper.

The strength of a North American Vampire is fifteen times that of a human and they are the strongest of the species investigated by SSIT. They have lightening fast reflexes, although they are not as fast as European or South American Vampires. They can run up to speeds of 360 km/h in short bursts and cannot jump as high as their European 'cousins'.

Their longevity is 300 years and it's believed their life span is shorter than the other species because of their faster metabolic rate, which attributes to their greater strength. South American Vampires need to hunt every third day to survive. However, after drinking from another Vampire or a Werewolf, 7 days can pass before they have to hunt again. It's not uncommon that this species will hunt their own kind, or cannibalize their own coven.

North American Vampires can perform strenuous physical activity with ease. With their bloodlust, they relish killing their victims in as a violent way as possible. Unlike the European variety that use cunning and covert tactics when hunting; they prefer a ‘smash and grab’ approach. Often, news reports of highway car-jacking with the vehicles destroyed and the owners missing can be attributed to their destructive nature. 
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SOUTH AMERICAN VAMPIRE

(Excerpt of the SSIT Reports on the Different Breeds of Werewolf, Separate Species of Vampire and Human/ Animal Shape Shifters)

SOUTH AMERICAN VAMPIRE

~Physical Characteristics~

When a South American Vampire changes from human to other, their eyes turn completely red with their black pupils disappearing. All of their teeth become pointed and sharp and look similar to a piranha. This species of Vampire does not produce venom, however they rely on their teeth, nails and speed. The nails on the South American Vampire’s hands become long and sharp like small knives and are the strongest nails of all the species SSIT encountered.

The strength of a South American Vampire is ten times that of a human. Like their European cousins, they have supernaturally fast reflexes, which can be measured at the same rate as the speed of sound. However, South American Vampires are able to maintain this speed by running long distances, but they cannot jump the same heights a European Vampire can.

This species longevity may reach 400 years if they are successful in hunting. If they cannot feed on fresh blood at least once every 5 days, then their metabolic system, strength and life expectancy fails. Using their ability to take extremely long breaths, they can successfully hunt underwater. By utilizing their multiple sharp teeth, they aren't averse to masticating the flesh of their victims to squeeze out more blood. It is because of this that many humans who are dragged from rivers such as the Amazon, are accounted to have been the victims of a piranha attack instead.

South American Vampires are extremely sensitive to the cold, and are the most susceptible to frost bite. Only once did SSIT hear of an instance where three South American Vampires ventured into a cold habitat, when they came to hunt the Lokoti Werewolves in Alaska. It was said this occurred during the summer, with the long hours of daylight which warmed temperatures. Instead, this species prefer the hot jungles or other regions where it does not snow, in South America.

On this note, it's not uncommon to find South American Vampires in Mexico either. Those who reside in this country often prey upon animals to avoid detection and therefore destruction by humans. Domestic live stock, such as goats are chosen for their accessibility and then the El Chupacabra aka ‘the Mexican Goat Sucker’, is blamed instead.

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EUROPEAN VAMPIRE

(Excerpt of the SSIT Reports on the Different Breeds of Werewolf, Separate Species of Vampire and Human/ Animal Shape Shifters)

EUROPEAN VAMPIRE

~Physical Characteristics~

WARNING – This species of Vampire has poisonous fangs which can kill humans.

When a European Vampire changes from human to their supernatural form, their eyes turn completely white and their upper canine teeth become long and sharp like the fangs on a snake. This species of Vampire has venom that is secreted by the fangs which can kill humans and paralyse Werewolves. The nails on the European Vampire’s hands can become longer and sharper, although not as strong as claws on other supernatural beings. This means they can pierce human tissue; however, they may break on harder substances like clothing such as denim or leather.

The strength of a European Vampire is ten times that of a human. They have supernaturally fast reflexes, which can be measured at the same rate as the speed of sound. However, they are unable to maintain this speed by running long distances, but are able to use this by jumping heights equivalent to four story buildings.

This species' lifespan is one of the longest in the supernatural world, up to 500 years old. It was told when interviewing one European Vampire subject that there was a member of his species surpassing his 600th birthday, although our investigators were unable to contact, meet and examine this individual. It was explained that he was able to obtain his great age from successfully hunting to prolong his strength and regenerative ability. However, if a European Vampire cannot feed on fresh blood at least once a week, then their metabolic system, strength and life expectancy fails.

They also have an excellent sense of smell. This species can smell a Werewolf within a 100 km radius and track it with a 99.9% success rate. They advise it is by the potent pheromones the Werewolf releases. Although European Vampires are severely allergic to silver, they often use silver coated weapons when hunting their favoured source of nourishment.

European Vampires appear to exist precariously on a double-edged sword, as their supernatural state can bring many benefits but just as many downfalls. As their bodies enter a form of biological stasis, they do not age and can maintain the same appearance for all of their existence. To some, this can be a vain benefit; however, the medical repercussions are plentiful. As mentioned previously, Vampires do breathe and they have a heartbeat which in turn moves the blood around their bodies to ensure motor function. However, from the almost suspended state their bodies exist in, their heart beat dramatically decreases, which means European Vampires encounter difficulty with strenuous physical activity. On this note, this species is required to spend a significant portion of their time slumbering to conserve their energy.

The idea of Vampires turning to dust from a stake to the heart; may be attributed to a European Vampire’s rapid decomposition when it can be clinically called dead. As their bodies were partially shut down from the moment they were turned, their rate of decay is rapid with a drying effect. Even their skeletons are broken down to basic components in minimal time with only a biological ‘ash’ left. The full rate of decomposition occurs in seven days, which means an autopsy on this species must happen immediately from the time of death. This was noted when SSIT attempted to study a decapitated body. This mode of murder was a common one, to ensure the Vampire could not regenerate by imbibing blood.

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