Prologue
Ariana’s eyes opened wide to the darkness of the
room. She could sense that something was off. Slowly, she pulled herself up
against the headboard as she listened carefully and scanned her surroundings.
Her eyes focused on the window lit by the full moon. The curtains swayed gently
from the evening breeze. Her heart froze and she was suddenly paralyzed with
fear.
I shut that window before I got in bed, I’m sure of it, she
thought.
She heard nothing but the wind,
but she sensed she was not alone. Goose bumps rose on her chilled skin. She
kept her eyes glued to the curtain covering a doorway leading to her office.
She was horrified when she spied two red glowing objects no bigger than peas
that appeared suddenly from behind the curtain.
There was nothing but darkness and
the floating red orbs. She gasped and held her breath as fear took over. Her
heart pounded harder than ever as she watched a figure slink slowly toward her.
Abruptly the curtain was ripped away. The figure stood above her and she could
see now that the two orbs were eyes. It was a man and he was tall, maybe six
and a half feet. His clothing looked wet and heavy.
His long, dark hair covered most
of his face and when he snarled at her she saw two pointed teeth protruding
from his mouth. She realized she was holding her breath and took in a loud gulp
of air. She tried to scream, but nothing came out! Before she could make a
sound the fiend was on top of her as he covered her mouth with his own.
A muffled sound escaped her lips
as she realized with complete disgust why his clothes were wet and heavy.
Enormous tears streamed down her face. She could smell the blood that drenched
him as he held her down. His bright red eyes blazed into hers as her willpower
faded to nothing. She was completely vulnerable and she realized she was going
to die. She tasted the coppery blood that soaked her lips.
“I have compelled you and you
will not scream or move,” he said. “I’ve waited a long time for you.”
“I don’t understand,” she
whimpered. “I’m not alone, I have roommates and they’ll come and check on me.”
She cringed as he laughed
wickedly. “Really? I don’t think so,” he stated so surely.
They will come, she thought. Then, with horror, she understood
where the blood soaking the monster’s clothing must have come from.
“Why are you soaked in blood?’
she whispered.
He laughed again, “Do you really
want to know? Or have you already figured it out?”
“You bastard!” she cried,
already mourning the loss of her friends.
He smiled even wider at the
sight of her tears. It was pleasurable for him to see her in pain.
“I hope you go to hell!” she
screamed.
“If I do, Ariana, know that
you’ll be with me,” he said, his face close to hers. She could smell the scent
of warm, fresh blood, and though she wanted to be repulsed, she found herself oddly
attracted to it.
She stared up at him in
disbelief and confusion, “How?” was all that she could get out before he
silenced her.
“Enough! I’m tired of playing
with you, it’s time,” he growled.
She didn't fight him as he
tilted her head to the side and his pointed teeth ripped into her tender neck.
There was excruciating pain, and then came the blackness.
“Ariana, Ariana, wake up!”
screamed Ariana’s roommate, Leora. “You’re having that dream again.”
Chapter I - Precursory
Leora Randell and Scott Parker had been childhood
friends of Ariana since middle school. They vowed to always be there for one
another and stayed true to that pact by moving in together after they graduated
from high school.
Scott’s dad owned real estate
and they practically lived at each other’s home anyway, so he offered them a
really good deal. He would provide free room and board at one of his condos
while they attended college, but the stipulation was that they had to pay all
utilities and maintain an A average.
Two months after graduation they
would then be required to pay monthly rent if they wanted to continue their
residence. They all worked and could definitely handle the bills, so with a
sweet deal like that of course they jumped on it.
Scott stood in the doorway of
the kitchen as he spoke to Leora, “Hey Lee, I don’t have time to check on Ana,
I’m running late this morning. I heard her scream this morning, is everything
all right?”
“She’s ok, go, I got it
covered,” she said as she poured a cup of coffee.
“Ok good, gotta run and don't
forget tonight dinner is on me!” he yelled as he rushed out the door.
Leora took a sip from the mug
and sat it down on the counter. She walked down the hallway to Ariana’s room,
only to find her still in bed. “Hey Ana, aren’t you going to work today?”
The sheet covered her face as
she spoke, “I don’t feel that great today,” she moaned.
Leora marched over and pulled
the fabric away. She used the back of her hand and felt Ariana’s forehead.
“Well you don’t have a fever but you look like shit.”
“Thanks a lot Lee,” she sighed.
Leora could tell that Ariana had
a rough night. Dark circles displayed under her eyes and she appeared
exhausted. It was quite normal for Ariana to experience nights like this but
normally she sprung back quickly.
“Awww sweetie, I didn’t mean it
like that. It’s just that you look really tired,” she explained. “I’m not used
to seeing you like this in the morning; was it a bad one this time?”
Ariana decided to downplay the
dream; she didn’t want Leora to be concerned and even the mere thought of it
sent sudden fear to her inner core. “No, same old thing, so stop worrying, ok?
I just need rest so I’m staying home, that’s all.”
Leora gave her a concerned gaze,
not really persuaded at all. Fortunately for Ariana she dropped the
conversation for the time being, only because she had to get to work.
“Ok Ana, I hope you feel
better,” she bent down and hugged her before she left.
Finally alone she turned on her
side and curled up on her pillow. It was daylight and if she wanted to get any
sleep she would have to take advantage while she still could. One thing she
noticed was that the disturbing images that invaded her dreams seemed to only
happen in the evening. This turnabout transpired right after her 24th birthday
and had occurred constantly the past four months.
In addition to that, she had
been having the same dream repeatedly evening after evening. Only this time it
was more dramatic and it unlocked something fresh into the picture. She wanted
to rationalize it but she was so tired she could not think straight. The more
she tried the further her eyelids lowered; it was a knockout and sleep won the
battle.
About seven hours later Scott
returned home only to find Ariana sound asleep in bed. “Hey sleepy head, what
are you doing home?”
Half awake she rubbed her eyes
and stared up at him, “Scotty, what time is it?”
“Umm, 4:00 p.m. and you still
have not answered my question.”
She sighed, “I felt exhausted so
I stayed home.”
“Ahhh, I see. How are you now?”
“Much better, I’m all refueled,”
she yawned between words.
He laughed, “You call that
refueled, huh?”
She rolled her eyes at him and
pointed at the door for him to go.
“Fine I’m out of here but Lee
will be home in 30 minutes. I want you up, showered and dressed by the time she
gets here,” he ordered.
She frowned, “Scotty ...” she
started but was cut short.
“No Ana, no protesting today, 30
minutes! I’m taking my girls out for some grub and beer, so get ready.” That
was all she heard as he vanished into the hallway.
Pizza, wings, and beer ended up
being the course of dinner for the evening. Ariana was actually glad to have
gone and she enjoyed being with her friends immensely. Before they left, she
excused herself to go to the ladies room; the beer had started to take effect
on her bladder.
She walked to the bathroom and
as her purse slipped down her shoulder she fumbled with it. She was a bit tipsy
and bumped into someone coming from the opposite direction. She looked up to
apologize and there before her stood the most striking face that she had ever
seen in her life. He was gorgeous.
“Excuse me, I’m so sorry,” he
smiled and his cheekbones defined his face perfectly.
She was flabbergasted for a
second, “Umm...No, I’m the one that should apologize, the fault is all mine,”
her words fumbled out. She was mesmerized by his lovely cappuccino colored
eyes. His hair was dark brown and cut into a chic short, symmetrical-layered
style that hung unrestricted across his brow. He ran his hand through his mane
to comb it back only to have it restore itself slovenly out of place.
Damn he looks hot, she thought.
“It’s quite all right, really,”
he smiled again.
The alcohol took effect; she
felt her knees go weak and stumbled toward him. He quickly anchored himself and
caught her, and when her arm touched his skin something took place.
This wonderful wave of seventh
heaven spread through her, and although it could not be possible, it felt as
though his aura penetrated into every crevice of her soul. She could not
explain why she felt the way she did, but before she knew it her arms were
wrapped tightly around him. Her lips brushed against his and she could feel the
warmth of his breath against her mouth.
She closed her eyes, pressed
into him softly and kissed him. The kiss was exhilarating and he reciprocated
with enthusiasm. She wasn’t prepared for what she saw when she reopened her
eyes.
His cappuccino pupils shimmered
bright and the next thing she knew her lips were near his open neck. She
yearned for the wonderful aroma beneath his skin. At that very moment her lips
parted and her teeth grazed him, then all of a sudden she heard her name called
and snapped out of her trance. Without much thought she instantaneously let go
of him and stood there very confused.
“Ana, Ariana, you in here?” she
heard Leora call out.
She had not realized it before
but they were no longer in the public hallway. Instead they were secured from
view in a closed-off empty storage room.
She reluctantly turned away from
him for a second to respond. “Lee, I’m in here, hold on a second!” she shouted.
However, when she turned around again to face him he was gone.
The ride home was short and as
soon as she walked through the front door, Ariana kicked off her sandals. Leora
and Scott, closely behind her, watched to make sure she didn’t tumble. Her head
was still clouded, however her thoughts stayed focused on the stranger.
“Ana, are you ok?” Scotty asked.
“Just peachy...well maybe a
little drunk,” she laughed.
“Yeah maybe a little, come on
you, let’s get you ready for bed,” Leora said as she wrapped her arm around
Ariana’s waist for support.
“Thanks for dinner Scotty,” she
slurred.
He chuckled, “Anytime Ana, sweet
dreams my dear friend.”
Leora ushered her forward and as
she neared Scott, she saluted him, “Will do, sir,” she smiled.
“She will be fine,” Leora
silently mouthed to Scott. He smiled.
As they stood in Ariana’s room
Leora turned to face her, “Ana, I can’t believe you drank so much, that’s so
not like you at all.”
Ariana hiccupped, “Oh, excuse
me. Ummm, you’re right, I don’t know either.”
There would be no sensible
discussion tonight and Ariana needed to rest. She had worn a pair of jeans and
a pink T-shirt. Leora had her out of them in no time at all. It was May and a
warm night so if she wore her bra and panties to bed it would be acceptable.
Leora placed her in bed then
kissed the top of her head, “Good night Ana,” she said as she closed the door
on her way out.
Ariana laid there half-awake and
thought of the encounter with the stranger at the restaurant. Where did he go? Who was he? Why did I act
the way I did? echoed in her mind. Before she knew it her eyes had closed.
***
“Judas, tell me what happened.”
“She’s everything you said she
would be and of what I clearly remember from my own recollection,” he said, all
lit up as he discussed Ariana, “she’s stunning and her hair is longer now, dark
brown and wavy as it flows across her shoulders.”
He thought, Damn she’s sexy as hell and that T- shirt really flaunted her...
“Judas, enough, I don’t want to
hear your thoughts,” Kirsten shot out.
“Oh,” he laughed. “Sorry, well
looking at her you could never tell what she is.”
“That’s actually a good thing
for her; otherwise, I don’t think she would have made it as long as she has
without being found. Was your connection with her completed?”
He nodded. “Yes, it went rather
more smoothly than what I had anticipated.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, as soon as she touched me
our unification sealed immediately. She felt what I did and she saw it in my
eyes. The combination of all of that was quick and her natural instincts took
over. Had we not been interrupted by her friend the deed would have been
finalized, but more importantly, I am now in sync with her.”
Kirsten looked pleased. “Yes,
there will be time for that later. But at least now the process has started.
Her transformation should progress rapidly, which is good because Luthen will
be trying very hard to pinpoint her.”
“I won’t let him harm her!” he stressed as he
pounded his fist on a table.
She looked at him and
sympathized, “I realize your bond has intensified beyond anything you ever
imagined, but you have to keep a clear head my son. She means a lot to both of
us.”
He nodded, “Yes you’re right
mother. I’m sorry, as the hours move forward I will adjust and be vigilant,
don’t worry.”
“I know you will Judas. Now go
rest, she will need you tonight.”
Ariana tossed and turned as her
repetitious dream performed in her head. But something was off, things looked
the same but it felt altered. As she scanned around it was as if she were
sealed up tight, almost like being in a bubble of some kind. The darkness, the
open window and the covered doorway, they were all there. The only thing
missing was the fiend who had attacked her the previous night.
For the first time in months she
felt comfortable. Her awareness went back to the doorway and where she had seen
those crimson eyes that glowed, only this time an emblem was displayed. It
appeared very familiar only she couldn’t recall where she had seen it. The more
she stared the brighter it got and the luminous light that it gave off was so
familiar. It calmed her and made her feel protected and soothed.
Her attention stayed
fastened on the lighted emblem. If she didn’t know better she would have sworn
that it was communicating with her. She clutched her pillow and embraced it
tightly as she drifted off into a deep state of unconsciousness. Throughout the
night she repeatedly mumbled something; she slept peacefully for the first time
ever.
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