“Because I have already forgotten yours,” Ernesto pressed a button on second half of Dominick’s cross and from it sprang a sectional folding blade. With a flick of his wrist the three, sections locked into place forming a two foot long sword. Muna watched as Ernesto lopped head from shoulder with an elegant and practiced swing. Ernesto closed his eyes; he knew that when a vampire was killed one of many things could happen. Coquilados body began to smoke and before both theirs eyes he melted away into a pool of gold. He leaned down and broke off a piece of gold and placed it into his pocket. He would need to come back later and retrieve the rest of the gold that had now sunk under the sand. He would use it to help the families destroyed by this predator. Muna rushed to Ernesto’s side.

“Are you alright, what just happened?”

“Yes, I’m fine,” Ernesto struggled to his feet “six cracked ribs a sprained wrist and I’m going to need a lot of stitches, but otherwise, I think I’ll live. What happened, and I know this will be hard to believe, is that you were attacked by a vampire.”

“I know what he was, but I’m lucky you were here,” Muna helped Ernesto get to his feet. “I meant why did he melt away like that?”

“He was a vampire of the Aztec Bloodline, when one of their Bloodline is destroyed; they turn into gold and melt away.”

“How did you know he would be here?”

“I had been tracking him for a few hours and he hadn’t made a move until he spotted you. I must apologize to you for not warning you off.”

“What!” Muna violently shoved him back onto the sand! “You used me as bait!”

“Yes, and I’m sorry. He had killed six people already, and once he locked in on you, I was easily able to sneak up on him.” Ernesto got back up to his unsteady feet.

“He could have killed me!” Muna was furious!

“I told you to run.” Ernesto grabbed the stake and Muna watched as he folded the blade back into its wooden sheath and then slid the stake back into place. She realized that it was a cross and then she noticed his black clothing.

“You’re a priest, oh I’m so sorry I knocked you down,” Muna said apologetically.

“I’m not a priest, at least not yet,” Ernesto was pushed back down onto the sand. He looked up at Muna angrily, “Would you please stop that, I’m bleeding here, I need a doctor.” The pack of Chihuahuas began licking his arms and wagged their tails. Muna looked scornfully down at him.

“Bait! You used me as bait,” Muna was angry all over again. Ernesto lay on his back and looked up into the star filled night sky.

“I’m sorry, but if you would have ran, you would have easily escaped,” Ernesto closed his eyes and took in the sea air.

“How could you be so sure?”

“Because, I was prepared to give my life for yours, it’s as simple as that.”

“Why would you give you life for me, you don’t know me?” Ernesto opened his eyes and looked upon her beautiful face and smiled.

“It’s what I’m meant to do.”

“What do you mean, meant to do,” Muna knelt down next to Ernesto as he let out a loud sigh and closed his eyes.

“There are people in this world that can spot vampire from a distance, we posses what is called el hojo de Dios, or the God eye. We’re trained to hunt and kill those abominations. You were never in any real danger. I had been following him for hours.”

“But he almost had you, you almost died. What then?” Muna stood back up.

“First off, he never had me, but should I had failed to report in, I made sure others would have come.”

“I saw him crush you, how did you live through that?” Muna was still suspicious.