Imani stared, eyes full of wonder, at a portrait depicting a woman who could only be labeled as a goddess.

Her facial features were defined: slightly arched eyebrows were connected by a ridged piercing; a wide bridge of the nose led to a slightly wider set of nostrils; sharp cheekbones made the flesh directly beneath them appear more hollow; a plump lower lip was perched above a long bone which had been pierced near the chin.

Yellow predator-like eyes somehow gave off a sensation of kindness. Comfort, even.

Her head was completely shaven, allowing for the world to clearly see a pair of pointed ears.

She was posed in a way to partially show her back. On her left scapula, a red tattoo could be made out. It depicted a vertical line, a horizontal dotted line, and a large circle surrounded by three smaller ones.

The woman's image was labeled as Queen Mosi: The Protector.

And it was...

"Stunning, isn't she?"

Imani startled, quickly turning toward the voice which caught her attention.

She was greeted by the sight of another young woman, long hair kept up in a high bun with two beaded sections left down to frame her face. A multicolored headwrap shielded a portion of her neck and ears. A pair of shades were perched along the bridge of her nose. Faint traces of makeup were noticed on her cheeks and lips. The colors accented her natural russet skin tone, overhead yellow lighting aiding in making her complexion look a bit warmer as well.

"Didn't mean to frighten you, young one. My apologies."

"Oh, no, it's- it's fine. Guess I was just a little pulled in by this picture." Imani looked back up at the image standing before her. "It's a shame there's not more information on the piece."

"I think I could help remedy that. I'm a...bit of a historian, you could say. I'm originally from East Africa and am quite familiar with some of the natives' more...hidden treasures in terms of history. But before I continue, what is your name, young one?"

"Imani, ma'am."

"Imani: faith in Swahili. I like it." The woman glanced up at the portrait as well. "If I were to tell you that Queen Mosi was a...supernatural being, would you believe me?"

"Well, I'm pretty open when it comes to stuff like that. I love history, and I've always been fascinated with the prospect of otherworldly beings existing amongst our own. I actually think it's a disservice to consider that humans are the only intelligent lifeforms that roam the planet. Can't say that African superbeings is something I've considered before, but it does sound interesting. So, if you'll allow me, I'd like to know a bit more about Queen Mosi."

The stranger, seemingly touched by Imani's words, nodded. A bright smile lit up her features, and both hands clasped in front of her.

"Queen Mosi, one of the first to settle and build a community in Africa, ruled over a group of people known as the Bakari Tribe. She, as the portrait states, was the Protector of Africa; a noble title that was bestowed upon her and her people because of their lineage as Africa's first coven of vampires."

Imani's eyes widened while she continued to stare, drawn in by a pair of yellow irises. "A tribe of African vampires? Amazing- I've never heard of such a thing before."

"That's because the Bakaris weren't concerned about rumors or speculations regarding their true nature. They didn't openly state what they were. They used their supernatural abilities to help those in need and to keep their common people safe; but the people of Africa normally regarded Queen Mosi as more of a deity. Something of legend that stuck around for so many years, so many centuries, any "logical" person would only be able to see the tribe and its leader as something which could only be fictitious."

"Because the Bakaris, as people, went against the norm of societal standards?"

The woman nodded. "Although deadly because of their species, the Bakari Tribe were a peaceful people. They cared for all forms of life; and whenever they had to feed off of any creatures to quench their thirst, they'd hold ceremonies to commemorate the losses. Since they were able to build up a resilience to human blood, it was quite common for the Bakaris to venture out of their community in order to help others. No matter the job—acquiring medicinal herbs, fixing huts, teaching people about different varieties of fish—Queen Mosi offered her hand whenever it was needed.

"Around the time slavery occurred, members of the Bakari Tribe were shipped out to different sections of the world to help those who were taken from the homeland. It's said that most of them were positioned in North America, which ended up beginning the first set of African American Bakari Tribe members."

"Did they all have yellow eyes like Queen Mosi?"

"No, it was only her. Which was a good thing for them, seeing as blending in with others was easier."

"And did they have that same tattoo she did?"

"A birthmark, actually, And, yes, it was the marking all members of the Bakari Tribe held somewhere on their body. If you'd like, I can explain its meaning to you."

Imani's gaze traveled down to the colored pattern. Biting her lower lip, she rubbed the back of her gloved hand. "Please, do tell."

"As you can see, the mark itself has several components which all have specific meanings. The smaller circles are meant to signify the sky, the air, and the water. The bigger circle is meant to represent the Earth or the land. The line cutting the circle in half vertically is meant to signify the separation between the past and the future—to show how times change and how it's important to move forward without letting the hardships of the past hold you down. The dotted line cutting the circle in half horizontally is said to represent the Bakaris themselves as a bridge between life and death, courtesy of their vampirism. Altogether, the symbol presents the imagery of the Bakaris, and Queen Mosi herself, as being all around and within the people who need them.

"Over the years, accounts pertaining to the Bakaris seemed to have stopped- something that happened shortly after their members went out to save other Africans from slavery. Queen Mosi disappeared after a while too, so no one truly knows what happened to her or the rest of the tribe. But, back in Africa, people still hold her to the highest esteem. Because, like I said, they are all around and within those who need them."

Imani couldn't help but gulp, her mouth having gone dry. "...Are there any still living descendants said to have come from the tribe?"

The woman turned her head, long strands shifting with the movement. She took hold of a gloved hand and settled her own palm against it. "I think you know the answer to that, young one."

"...How could you tell?"

"I have a connection with all of my children, both from the past and now. While the lineage of vampires has been taken over by half-breeds and humans, immortal or not, we all carry Bakari blood in our veins."

Imani was overcome by a sense of pride. Her fingers curled inward, taking hold of a larger hand.

It was difficult to contain tears when the woman partially lowered her shades, revealing a familiar pair of yellow irises.

"You have no idea what this means to me. I've always wanted to know more about my ancestry and where I came from, but it seems like the truth has gotten lost over the years."

"Which is why I like to stick around this museum when I can. You're not the only one I've met who wanted to learn the truth of where you came from. It's just easier to do so in front of a picture that holds centuries worth of history. A picture which has also worked in pulling in more young ones like yourself."

"...Thank you for sharing this secret with me, Mosi."

The Queen offered a smaller, more affectionate grin. "It's always a pleasure to meet one of my own, Imani."