 A vampire hero? The vampire is a creature people have claimed to see in various forms in several countries and throughout history as early as the 16th century. The Transylvanian vampire is said to have eyebrows that meet. The Bulgarian vampire has only one nostril, and the Mexican vampire a fleshless skull. The Russian vampire has a purple face. The Brazilian type had plush covered feet. Supposedly, many could turn into bats or wolves. How can I shape a hero from these vastly different descriptions? Easy. He could be or do anything I could dream up. The possibilities were endless.  My Take? Somewhere in the myth is an ounce of truth. Most vampire stories have two core similarities: the creatures only leave their haunts at night and they feast on human blood. Keeping the foundation, the history of this species began to take form. These vampires hide from a world that doesn't understand them, and the sun which could easily destroy them. They live in Balinese, an underground city of vampires. The hero of In the Dark? A knight in shining armor. Okay, no armor, but he does have a sword. And a gun.  Soren
Combine a vampire and a knight, and you get Soren Rayner. He's a Guardian, and a protector of his people. A good guy with a clear sense of right and wrong... according to his culture, not yours. Soren doesn't make mistakes. Mistakes cost lives, and that is not a path he's willing to go down again. But when a human woman cries out for help, his years of rigid training and his dedication to helping those in need, led him right into one giant mistake. She recognized him as vampire, leaving him with only two options. Keep her or kill her. P.S. Yes, I know. Don't hate. I was a teen in the era of Buffy. He's the first image that comes to mind when I think vampire and cop all in one. It simply can't be helped, and I'm not complaining. Jen Colly
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 Which cities? Below what? I see I've got some explaining to do, so let's talk vampires. What if vampires are real? Not were real in the past, but are real today. I certainly haven't seen any. So where are they? Simple. They live out of sight, in underground cities. Several such cities are scattered throughout Europe, but France holds the largest population with two cities in the north, one in Paris, and another farther south. The chateau to the left marks the entrance to Balinese, the largest vampire city in Europe.  Easy to find, right? Perhaps. The old chateau sits in the countryside of northern France. A road passes by a good distance away, clipping the edge of the forest to its south. To the average eye, the chateau seems abandoned, which is just as well. Unless you're a vampire, you'll never get inside. The gate is guarded. Now, should you be a vampire, you're welcome inside. The dank corridors beneath the ground level are further degraded than the chateau above. Crumbling walls, debris covered floors, and low arches stretch on and on. These are the perimeter corridors, designed to deter any unwanted guests. Ready to turn back yet?  Balinese. The interior heart of the city? A palace fit for a king. Originally built in the early 16th century, Balinese has grown immensely over the years. To your left is the foyer outside of the dining hall, a shining example of their intentions to stay right where they are, in the city they love. Balinese is a fully functioning society, not much different from the humans above. Each vampire city has its own stable government, and laws specific to that city's particular needs. Laws are enforced by Guardians. Should you, as a human, enter one of these cities on your own accord, the last sight you'll see is a Guardian's sword in your chest. You've been warned. Jen Colly 
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AuthorJen Colly is the author of the paranormal romance series: The Cities Below. Follow the Blog!Archives
March 2025
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