PROLOUGE: Our Day of Meeting- 2001

I ran in shame. For reasons I would rather not go into. I don't know if I'll ever regret running away even though things happened to me because of it. I would have regretted staying. My soul would have died, but I think I gave up a piece of me when I agreed to Noble's terms.

I was the girl crying on the bench. I heard him walk up gracefully. He was the most beautiful creature I would ever dream to meet. It was funny because he would say the same exact thing about me a moment later.

He touched my chin. His black onyx eyes entranced me. It seemed the rain ceased to fall in our own little bubble. He could have been a pedophile at that point. I didn't care. I'd take attention were I got it.

Anyone with that flawless, pale completion couldn't be evil. I thought naively that I assumed was no longer possible. He sat down beside me. "What's wrong, darling?" He asked brushing away a strand of my dark hair out of my face.

"Why do you care?" I snapped.

"Now the gentleman in me couldn't let me walk past the most beautiful creature I have ever seen without asking her why she is crying." He remarked. "My name's Noble."

"My name's Artemis." I said coolly.

"You don't have a last name?" He asked in amusement. A smile flicked across his face.

"I don't want it anymore so I don't have it. Besides you didn't give me yours." I remarked cattily.

"I have a job offer for you, Artemis." He said melodically. He said my name in a way that made me feel like a goddess.

"What are you? A pimp?" I asked.

"No." He answered. More amusement flicked in those eyes. "Come with me, my dear. There is no life for you here." He stood offering his hand.

Some will say I made the biggest mistake of my life. Others will try and convince you it was my only choice. I shall tell you neither. I am telling you taking Noble's hand that day was my destiny. Even though I knew in my heart even at the time Noble would cause me more destruction than anything. I couldn't help it. I had fallen in love with a vampire.