Strigoi CHAPTER 1 It was raining on the night of my death. As I child I always loved the rain. As a child... When everything seemed good, before we found that the rain was dangerous. As children, we don't think of the dangers that might be lurking in the darkness. But this is not the story of my childhood. This is the story of my rebirth. As I said before, it was raining that night. I was walking back to my empty mansion from a night on the town. It was not enjoyable though. Nothing was at the time. My #life was what I considered worthless. I never thought that my #life would be so longed for, so wanted at the time. This is not about wanting to be loved. I was loved. By many suitors. I was young and beautiful and adored by many. But I didn't want any of that. You see, my family was slaughtered by a mad man while I was away with my aunt. That's what I wanted, my family. But I knew I could never get them back. So, naturally, I wanted to die too. At least I thought I did. I realize now that it was not such a good idea. But, back to my story. As I was walking I noticed a strange man standing against the walls of an old abandoned building. I didn't think much of it because I didn't care what happened to me. I just kept walking. Nothing happened at that time. I made it back to my empty home with only the sound of the wind blowing through the cotton fields and the faint sound of my slaves in the distance singing their native songs. I climbed out of the bath tub and threw my night gown on as I walked to my dresser to brush my wet, mangled hair. After I had my hair all combed out I climbed into my big empty bed that do many times before wad filled with kids that had snuck into it in the night because they were scared. How I miss those white sheets. I noticed, as I turned my light off, that the slaves were no longer singing and even the wind had gone quiet. I found this strange because my slaves usually stay awake for a while. I have always gone to sleep hearing their strange, beautiful music. I knew something was wrong. I got up out of my warm bed and put my house-shoes on. I walked as quietly as I could across the room and into the long hallway that led to the staircase. Nothing seemed wrong in the house so I walked outside. Everything felt wrong out there. Even the air felt weird. Like it was telling me to go back. I felt a rush of cold air on my back and I turned to find a man with glowing red eyes and flowing blonde hair. "Hello Catherine." His voice was like satin. So smooth. "H-hi." That was all I could say. "I hear you want to die. Is this correct?" "Y-yes but, who are you?" I asked. It was hard to speak because he took my breath away. "I am Morpheaus de Avancourt." He replied. "And I am a vampire." CHAPTER 2 Morpheaus gave me what I thought I wanted. Death. But only a small dose. "Now!" He said, "do you still want to die?" My blood dripped from his mouth as he spoke. "No. Please no." I said. I could barely speak because of the pain. "Good. Since you don't want to die, I must make you like me." I didn't care, I just wanted the pain to go away. I watched as he slit a small line into his wrist and blood started dripping out. "Drink my child. Drink from me and live forever." Blood dripped onto my mouth and I was unable to resist him. It tasted sweet. Almost like honey but it had a different taste. There's really no way for me to describe it. "That is enough." I heard him say. It was hard to stop, but, I managed. He looked at me as though it was strange that I let go when he told me too. "What's the matter?" I asked. He looked at me and smiled, "You are special my child. Very special." He replied. He helped me up off the ground and picked me up into his arms. He ran into the house and up to my bedroom and laid me on the bed. "Now," he said, "this is going to hurt my child. You have to die completely before you can become an immortal." I nodded calmly and then it hit. It was the worst pain I had ever felt in my #life. It was like I couldn't breath, every single part of my body was on fire. My stomach started cringing and my heart felt like it was trying to jump out of my chest. When it finally stopped it was like I went to sleep. Everything was peaceful, quiet. Then it all went away and I woke up. My throat was burning. "It's all right. It will go away soon enough." He said soothingly. He leaned over and kisses my forehead as though I was a small child. He taught me all that I needed to learn. The important things first. Things like stopping and leaving the last drop of blood in a victim otherwise the death will draw us in with it. We cannot associate with humans unless we are going to kill them. It was depressing really. Not being able to have any contact. It was like walking on the Earth alone for all eternity. I didn't like it, but, I had to deal with it. Almost every night we would go find someone to feed on. He taught me how to use my beauty as a weapon. Luring young, lust-filled men into dark alley ways. We traveled the world together always making our way back, weeks later, to my now, not-so-lonely mansion. Morpheaus filled the gap that had thrived in my mortal heart. He made all the horrors if my past #life fade away. He was my teacher, my guardian. Everything was better with him. But, when you have an eternity to live, most of the good things you have go away. So, here I am. Sitting in the top of the Eiffel Tower, telling the world my story in this book. If you think that this is the end you're wrong. That small story was only the beginning. Here is the adventure. CHAPTER 3

Scarborough Fair It was on the evening my fifteenth birthday that it happened. The month was November. The year, 1987. I was lying half-asleep by my window watching the moon. It was particularly cool that night. Quite to my liking but, it was a strange wind, like something foreign, and I thought I could make out the faint sound of a train. It was strange because trains haven't come through this town in years. You see, I lived in Salina, Oklahoma, a small town where nothing very interesting ever happened. Until that fall, many years ago. When I awoke the next morning, there was music in the air. Carnival music. I opened my wardrobe and picked out a pair of shorts and a Mötley Crüe t-shirt with flip flops. I walked out of my room to find my brother, Jacen, groveling at my parents' feet, waving a piece of paper and begging them to let him go. "Fine!" My mother said, "but only if your sister will take you." Immediately, my brother turned and looked at me with pleading eyes. I smiled "Alright." I said. Jacen jumped up with glee and ran to his room, throwing on some clothes suitable for being outdoors. He grabbed my hand and pulled me outside. "Wait!" I yelled, "I have to get my wallet!" I go back to the door and my dad tosses it to me. "Thank you." I said, walking away. "Be careful!" My mother called. I nod and start walking up the hill with my brother. "Thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!" He yelled, "thank you so much Grace!" I laughed and nodded. "You're welcome." He lead me up to the schools. "Where are we going?" I asked, confused, "aren't the carnivals at the American Legion?" "Not this one! This one's different! It's after Labor Day instead of before and instead of at the American Legion..." He paused. "Yes what is it?" I asked. "It's in the woods behind the school!" He jumped in excitement. My eyes widened in curiosity. "Come on!" He yelled, running ahead. I quickened my pace to keep up with him. He stopped at the edge of the fence and waited for me to catch up. I could hear the carnival music in the distance and I looked at the forest, regretting wearing shorts. We walked down the big ditch to the edge of the forest. Jacen ran to a small path that had been cleared. "Through here!" He shouted. Thank God it's cleared out, I thought. I followed him down a long, curvy forest path into a large clearing. Jacen smiled and grabbed my hand, almost pulling me off balance. I looked around in wonder and enchantment. Jacen laughed happily, waving at his friends and pulling me towards the games. I handed him some money so he could play with his friends and I started walking around. Without hardly searching at all, I found my favorite ride. The Ferris Wheel. I walked to the ticket stand and looked at the sign hanging above it. Scarborough Fair, it read. I bought enough tickets to get on the Ferris Wheel and walked back over. I waited patiently as the line inched forward. When it finally got to me, I handed the man the tickets and sat down on the seat. I started getting myself ready when the man looked at me and asked, "Do you have a partner?" "Pardon me?" I asked. "Do you have a riding partner?" He asked again. "Um, no sir." I replied. "You can't ride without a partner." He turned around, "does anyone want to ride with this pretty little lady?" He called out. "Oh no..." I started to say, shaking my head. Before he could hear me a young man, maybe two years older than me stepped up. I had never seen him around town before. "I'll ride with her." He had said. He had the smoothest, sweetest voice I had ever heard in my #life. He stared at me before sitting down and giving me a lop-sided smile. His hair was a beautiful honey blonde, darker than mine and curly and his eyes were royal blue. It was strange. I had never seen anyone with blue eyes as dark as his. I noticed, as he pulled the bar down over us, that he hadn't given the man any tickets. I looked at the man in confusion. He rolled his eyes at the boy and started the ride. The ride moved up and we sat in silence. "Are you having fun?" He asked, finally. I could feel his eyes on me. "Yes." I said, watching the forest. He continued starring at me then looked ahead. It stopped at the top to let someone else get on and we watched the forest. "Thank you." I said, remembering my manners and glancing at him. He smiled, "You're welcome." He said. The ride stopped and I started to get up. "They need you at the hall of mirrors Henry." The man said to the boy. Henry, I thought. "Okay." He replied as I started to walk away. "Hey!" He called to me, "I didn't get your name." "Oh, yes. I'm Grace." I replied, looking at him. He smiled, his eyes sparkling. "Grace." He repeated. He nodded and took off towards the hall of mirrors. I walked back to find my brother, Henry stayed on my mind the whole way.