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