1 Prolouge

1989

The ringing of crystal echoed on cold stone walls. Light from flickering, flamed torches glistened off of the dew that clung to the stone, soaking the mosses as it dripped to the floor. The morning is unusually cold.

The cold is something that I'm used to. The silence at dawn is not.

The sunlight reflected off of the droplets covering the walls, claiming the areas the flickering light where flames had brightened for viewing. My finger traced the edge if the crystal glass, the ringing continued to ease my nerves even as the glass empties. I took the last sip of thick liquid and tapped my servant on the shoulder beside me. She awakened with a start and turned to look at me.

"Yes, Mistress?"

I glanced at my empty glass and she nodded, picking up a razor blade beside her. One would think that it's a brutal process. Bloodletting, they call it. I find it intricate and beautiful. I watch as she sterilized the blade and delicately pricked the skin of her inner wrist. The blade slid smoothly, slowly and carefully, across her wrist, allowing the blood to rise to the surface. She turned her wrist over my glass and squeezed gently, filling it only half full, then covered her wrist and turned away.

"Cecile, allow me."

She stared at me, then nodded. I grab some sterile gauze and lick my finger, tracing the delicate line of blood with my saliva. It clotted quickly, then I began to wrap it.

"Have you enjoyed your time here?"

She hesitated for a moment, then spoke.

"Yes, Mistress. It was one of the better decisions I've ever made. I wish my mother had agreed to do the same or we wouldnt have starved as children. I'd still have my siblings."

I continued to wrap her wrist with gauze even as I frown.

"Yes, I wish she would have agreed as well. I try to make sure the mortals who serve beneath me are well fed and taken care of. When I saw your mother raising four children on her own, I merely sought to reach out a hand. She declined my offer, yet she blames me for her children's deaths."

I heard Cecile sob softly.

"It was mother's choice. Just like it was mine, and hopefully my daughter's choice as well." I chuckled softly, finishing the wrap on her wrist.

"There. It should heal quite well over the next few days. And if your daughter chooses to serve beneath me, I promise that she and your grandchildren will never know hunger or fear."

She smiled with tears in her eyes.

"They will never know cold or sorrow."

I smiled and nodded as Cecile stood and went to the wine closet, bringing out a century old bottle of Bordeaux and filled the rest of my glass. She paused and glanced out of the window.

"Mistress, its dawn. You should head to bed." I sighed and shook my head.

"I await Dimitri's return. He should be returning home soon."

She returned to her seat beside me and smiled with more affection than I deserve.

"Then I shall wait by your side until his return."

I nodded and smiled, petting the brown hair atop her head. Cecile is a sweet woman who has chosen to stand by my side. I've always given my human servants a choice and a salary to live on. I'm not a monster as most would like to think.

Like Cecile's mother. She refused to stand along side me because she thought nothing more of me than a blood-sucking demon. But in truth, mortals and vampires are no different. We still have desires and needs that must be met, such as food or shelter. I dont understand why they must see us as enemies rather than equals.

"Have you conceived yet, my lady?"

Cecile's question jolts me out of my thoughts. I smile.

"I cannot conceive with the King. As I've told you before, he was made a vampire, not born one. He cant provide fertile seed."

Cecile frowned and looked at me, sorrow tracing her features.

"I know that you desire a child of your own, my lady, so why do you not discuss it with the king and find someone to father you a child?"

The question brought tears to my eyes. I couldnt do such a thing to my husband. I'd rather live a long life with the man I love than hurting him by mothering another man's children.

"Because, my dear Cecile, taking care of the children of my servants, your children, is enough to last me a milennia."

She smiled, as do I. It's a beautiful lie, but a lie nonetheless. I do want children of my own someday. It just seems as though that today is not the day, and that the day wont come along for quite some time.

Theres a crash down the hall, drawing my attention to the sunlight glistening off of the stone walls. I heard the sounds of raging battle. Growls of some beasts, clanging of swords and armour, and the cries of my loyal soldiers.

I have but a moment to stand and push Cecile to the side as a brown wolf the size of a bear charges through the door. As soon as it spotted me, it charged. I stealthily squat, ready for battle, but just before it reached me, Cecile pushed me out of the way.

I watch in horror as the animal tore into my dear friend, as she fought the creature off as best she could. The beast grabbed hold of her arm and threw her into a nearby wall. It charged me again when a boy jumped on top of it.

12 year-old Anton stabbed the beast between the shoulders with what looked like a homemade wooden lance. It roared and bucked back, trying to throw the boy off, but with a twist of his weapon, it fell to the ground dead.

I ran to Cecile's side, the scent of blood all around me, a puddle growing slowly beneath her.

"Cecile. What have you done?!"

Tears streaked my cheeks and droplets of the bloody liquid drip on her supple cheeks. She smiled and coughed the red liquid as she reached to touch my face.

"Oh, Mistress. Do not cry for me. It was an honor to stand by your side and die in your place. I have one favor to ask. Please take care of my children."

I sobbed and pulled her delicate mortal body onto my lap, holding her and willing her to live.

"Please, Cecile. Dont leave yet. It isnt your time." I bit the inside of my wrist and offered it to her. "Here. Drink. Become immortal and stand by my side for eternity. Your children need you."

Another sob.

"I need you."

Cecile just smiled and coughed again, groaning in what seemed to be agony.

"Do not weep, my lady. I dont fear for my children because I know that they couldnt be in better hands. Care for them and do not let me die in vain."

She coughed again, then choked on the liquid rising from her shattered ribs and punctured lungs. Her eyes closed and I panicked. Holding my wrist to her lips, I sob.

"Please, Cecile, drink. Dont leave me."

She did not take another breath.

A roar sounds from down the hall and Anton cried out. I glanced up to see a large white she-wolf tearing him from the brown wolf's body. He slashed at her with his lance and cut her deep just beneath her right eye, but in mere seconds, she snapped his neck. A sob racks my body.

An innocent child.

Dead.

I stood and roar in outrage as I caught a farmiliar scent. The she-wolf runs from the room, and I glanced to Cecile's body.

There's a heart beat.

Immediately, I ran to her side

"Cecile, I swear you shall not die in vain. I'm so sorry."

I tore open her carcass, tearing through the flesh of her womb. Through all of the gore, I heard a small cry.

I pulled the newborn infant from Cecile's body and held it to my chest, protecting it with all Im worth. I will not let this child die. I will not let them take it like they took Anton.

Another roar and I turned to see the white she-wolf with someone in her jaws.

Its Dimitri.

She growled and threw him into the sunlight at my feet. I cried and sobbed as I watched his body burn, his screams burning into memory, my husband turn to ash.