~ Kapitel Eins ~

Nighttime forgets everything. After all, when is more forgiving than
the dark? She needed forgiveness now, someplace dark and cool and far away
from words. The moon was a forgotten sliver in the sky, and she stumbled
along, pushing away the rose bushes the grazed her perfect skin. She held
up her arms, and almost laughed aloud. The long red scratches along the
smooth white flesh were a perfect metaphor for tonight. That's what she was
really, a mar on Salome and Tager's perfect existence. Standing straight,
she shook herself, feeling the anger course through her veins. She needed
to hunt. There was a small settlement near the centre of the woods, she
could smell the blood on the wind.
Kita should have known better than to be out here, especially alone.
They hunt at night, and no power of hers could possibly protect her should
one come. But staying there another moment was a fate worse than death. If
dying by their teeth was the only alternative, it seemed worth it. The
walls of the village seemed to be shrinking around her every day, until she
could barley breathe or think. Even when she left for the woods with a
hunting party, there were so many of them. Safety in numbers, the human
law. But all she wanted now was to be alone. The trees whispered gently
above her, shielding her slender form from the eyes of the heavens. But in
the midst of that calming thought a sudden sense of foreboding came over
her. She was being watched. Kita drew an arrow from the quiver on her back,
knowing full well that it would be useless should this predator be what she
thought it was. An arrow was nothing to a raub. A vampire.
She had been following the girl for a while, marveling at her
foolishness. No human went out alone at night! Except for this girl. She
was young and strong, but Ambrosia could tell little else seeing only her
back. She wore a short, white tunic, like most humans, and carried arrows
on her back, and a bow in one hand. A pity really, one so brave and young,
but those who will wander at night will meet with teeth, there, there was
no doubt. Ambrosia gathered her lithe frame like a spring, preparing to
strike. The girl turned, bow raised, and she leapt, knocking her to the
ground. She held her down, and was just about to bite when she saw her
face. This human was beautiful, more beautiful than any raub she had ever
seen, though they were said to be superior in every way. Her skin was soft
and tanned, not dark, but very different from the milky white she knew. Her
hair was loosely bound, flowing out onto the ground, the color of honey.
Her eyes were warm amber, and her lips sweet wine. This was, without a
doubt, the most beautiful being anywhere. Lost in the honey drenched
softness, Ambrosia lowered her lips. Not to bite, but to lay a soft and
impassioned kiss on the perfect lips.
Kita was hopelessly confused. When the raub had knocked her down she
had been sure that she was going to die. And for a moment it had seemed
that she was right. But in an instant the vampiresse's gaze had soften, and
she was now kissing Kita's limp and pliant lips. She had gotten one good
look at the girl before she had begun her affectionate assault, and she had
to say that she liked what she saw. Her skin was pale and creamy, a
trademark of a raub. Her hair was long and dark and shiny, and fell about
her face. Her eyes were an icy blue, framed by thick dark lashes. She was
killer, but what a way to die! Some how though, killing did not seem to be
on her mind. . . .