The music pounded against Dacia's eardrums, filling her mind, drowning out all of the other chatter she could hear. It transferred itself to her empty veins, creating a second, or rather a first heartbeat. It lengthened her stride, held her head up high and gave her yet another reason to come to Nirvana, a local hard rock night club. Even on Halloween, the club was the same, apart from the fact that some people were in costumes. Dacia was not. The colored lights flashed and the fog machines spewed so much smoke, it would have completely disoriented any normal human being. But Dacia Summer’s wasn’t normal, and she sure as hell wasn’t human. The pull of the bodies on the dance floor was too much and she was yanked into the frenzy. She moved quickly through the crowd, dancing with nearly everyone, getting several cat calls.

“Looking’ good tonight, Dacia!”

“Babe, where ya been?” Dacia was a regular here at Nirvana. Most everyone knew who she was, or at least her name. As she danced, the smoke seemed to almost grow hands. The smoke drifted up, trailing along her jaw line and down her neck, sending a shiver down her spine. A new voice reached her ears, much different from the other men in the club. There was also the fact that no one could hear it but her.

Dacia Summers. Long time, no see, love. Dacia froze, much to her dance partner’s dismay. Her experienced eyes scanned the club quickly, locking onto a dark figure in the corner farthest from the dance floor. He would have been invisible to human eyes. As it was, Dacia could only see his outline, but she knew exactly who it was. She untangled herself from her partner and wound her way back onto the carpeted areas. The shadows parted in the corner revealing a slim white haired man leaning against the wall. He was so still, he could have been mistaken for a statue.

“Zarek. What are you doing here?” The man turned his shining silver eyes on her and smirked. In the blink of an eye, he was behind her, wrapping his pale hand around her neck. She could feel his lips on the side of her neck, his fangs scraping against where the pulse point should be, sending shivers through her entire body. “Zarek, I know you came for a reason, not just to seduce me. Again.” She resisted the urge to just relax back onto the strong chest behind her. Zarek had always had this effect on her.

“What makes you think I have any other business here?” He whispered against her neck, his hands mirroring the smoke, drifting down her neck and her arms to lace between her fingers. Wrapping their arms around her stomach, they swayed slowly to the music.

“Because I can feel another one of us.” Her head fell back on his shoulder. “Memphis is here, isn’t he?” Almost no one paid attention to the two vampires dancing in the shadowed corner. Everyone was too busy picking their next sexcapade partner or just getting smashed. Only two people kept their eyes on them at all times; the bartender in the middle of the room, and a smaller white haired boy wearing a long black trench coat on the second floor.

“He is indeed here. But he would not dare to disturb us.” Zarek moved forward to kiss her, but she moved her head back as far as she could. “What is it, love?”

“Aidan’s downstairs. I can’t—” Zarek growled and pushed her away so hard, she hit the wall with a loud thud. It dazed her for a moment, sending black spots across her vision.

“Why in God’s name do you remain with Aidan Faron?” He met the wall at the same time she did, looming over her with both hands on the wall beside her head. His expression softened for a moment. “Come back. Come back with me to the coven.”

“I can’t, Zarek. I have a club to run.” It was the only reason she could think come up with not to go rushing back to the vampire coven, where she started. She wanted to go back to living with Zarek and the rest of the court, but she wasn’t sure if she could. Shaking her head to clear it and to try to forget how close Zarek was to her, she tried to get back onto the original topic. “Why are you here, Zarek?”

“Zeveriah sent me. He worries. He cannot protect or watch over you, as he wishes he could, when you are so far from the manor.” Zeveriah was the local vampire lord. He was the oldest and the most powerful of them all, the only one more powerful than Dacia herself. He was also her creator, her sire, and he was very protective of her. She was his oldest fledgling still walking around. The rest had been permanently dead for a long time.

“Why would he need to protect me? Did Vann see something?” Vann was Zeveriah’s strongest sorcerer, and he possessed all the powers that Zeveriah did not. But one of his most prominent was the ability to see the future.

“He saw danger. He saw someone trying to hurt your new family,” he spat out the word family like it was something disgusting, “He saw someone new joining your family, and he saw loss. You are going to lose someone close to your heart.”

“He’s more vague than usual.” Dacia frowned. Vann could usually tell exactly what was going to happen. This was most unlike him.

“His visions have been very clouded of late. But even this one seems strange. Perhaps you would like to see him and speak to him yourself.” Dacia started to say yes, but she stopped herself. To return to the vampire court meant that she may never come back. But she would fight for all she was worth to get back out. And she had to see Vann. She nodded and Zarek smiled. He looked up at Memphis.

Memphis! She’s agreed. Alert Zeveriah and Vann of our approach. Dacia barely saw him nod, and then he gone.

“Is there anything you must attend to before we leave?” Dacia nodded and closed her eyes, reaching out with her mind. The music from the club dimmed until she could barely hear it as her consciousness shot straight through the floor between her feet.

Aidan? Can you hear me?

Of course I can hear you, Dac. You sound strange. What’s wrong? Dacia glanced at Zarek who was patiently leaning against a wall.

What isn’t wrong? Listen, I need you to run the club for a bit. I have some…business to attend to. There came no answer for several moments.

You’re going back to them, aren’t you? Back to the court. Back to Zarek. Dacia chuckled out loud. She could hear the venom in his voice when he said Zarek’s name. The two were constantly at war over her.

Aidan, Zarek is already here. Memphis was here as well. Vann has had a vision that concerns us and I need to speak to him about it.

Dacia, if you go back in there, they will never let you out. We both know that.

I’ll find a way, Aidan. Alert me if something happens. And with that, she closed to link, the club music coming rushing back. Zarek held out a hand.

“I know that you have not fed in nearly 3 days. You know you should feed nightly. Your powers are not at their full potential. I shall take you.” Dacia glared at his smirking face, but took his hand anyway. He yanked her arm, propelling her into his arms. The instant she met his chest, they vanished into the shadows, reappearing in the center a large room completely filled with vampires. “Look who I’ve brought home.” Dacia pushed Zarek gently away and stared around the room. Every vampire stood from their seats, taking tentative steps forward.

“Dacia? Are you really back?” The speaker was a tall man with the whitest skin she had ever seen. There was no color in his presence, apart from the shining red streaks in his midnight black hair. Valden, younger brother to Zeveriah, second in command in the vampire court and one of Dacia’s closest friends. He hugged her tightly, smiling broadly.

“It’s good to see you too, Valden.” Almost every other vampire came up and hugged her. She had been in the court for just over a millennium, before she left with the Faron twins and a few others. Hell, she helped Zeveriah form the coven, bring together the vampire lords that ruled over various sections of land and cities, and bring the vampire population back into control. She was a major part of why the vampire race even still existed. Zarek stood to one side, smirking.

“Dacia, Vann is waiting for us.” Dacia nodded and bid farewell to the crowd. Zarek dragged her into a completely deserted side hallway that led directly to a small nondescript door. The door opened before they got within 10 feet of it. Before them stood Vann, a slim man with black hair that reached his shoulders and fell gracefully over one eye. The one violet eye they could see was shining with delight.

“Dacia. I knew you would come, though I know not why you are here.”

“May we enter, Vann?” Vann gave a small bow and stood to one side to allow them into his quarters. The sorcerer’s room was simple, and very cluttered. Books, scrolls, potions, and many other things were scattered about the room, covering nearly every surface.

“Sorry for the mess. Dacia, what brings you back to the manor?” He plopped down behind a desk covered in texts that he was translating.

“You do, Vann. Zarek told me about your vision. They usually aren’t that vague. What happened?” Vann shook his head.

“I am not certain. You know The Oracle is much more accurate than I, but one is not allowed to enter unless they want a vision about themselves. All I received were flashes, impressions, and feelings. You are in danger, Dacia. Someone or something wants to destroy your family, and the life you’ve built. They are going to kill the ones you hold dear, then they’re going to expose you, and all of us.” Dacia paled.

“So, if I don’t figure out what’s going on, and stop it—”

“The war will escalate. Every being, human or not will take sides. And the entire world will be at war.”

“But no pressure or anything.” Dacia mumbled sarcastically. “So, got any clues as to who this person might be?”

“Not a single one.” Vann paused. “Zarek, do you have the time?” Zarek pulled out his cell phone and glanced at the screen.

“Nearly 11, why?” Vann’s face brightened considerably. He stood quickly.

“Out, please.” He shooed them toward the door. “I must prepare.”

“For what?”

“For the celebration. Dacia, meet me at The Oracle’s door at 2. We’ll go see him together.” Dacia stared at the unvarnished wood of Vann’s door. She turned to Zarek.

“Celebration?” Zarek stared at the floor for a moment, then smiled. “What is it, Zarek?”

“Tonight is the Halloween ball. I totally forgot about it.” He turned to the wall, pressing the right eye of one of the marble statues that lined the hallway. A section of the wall slid back to reveal a secret passageway. The manor was riddled with these shortcuts. It was often too large to just walk from place to place, even for vampires. He pulled her through, sliding the opposing door open to another hallway. Across from the hall was a pair of doors that seemed very familiar to her. Her room.

“My room is still here?” Dacia shoved the door open. The room inside was decorated in a gothic medieval style. She spun around, arms held out at her sides, plopping down on the down mattress of the canopy bed. “I can’t believe my room is still here.” Zarek smiled and stepped over the threshold.

“It is amazing. Zeveriah refused to let anyone enter after you left. For over 300 years, not a single being has entered. He even had Chizz cast a protection spell on the space to prevent anyone from going in until you returned.” Dacia propped herself up on her elbows to look at him. She hopped up and hurried towards him.

“If there is a ball tonight, I suppose I should get ready.” Dacia motioned for him to leave. Zarek looked at the door, then back to her, smirking. She didn’t even have to hear his thoughts to know what he was thinking. “Forget it. Out.” She shoved him out and slammed the door behind him. She leaned against the door and blinked. Such a short time and she was already starting to think like a member or the court again. Shaking the thought from her mind, she crossed the room to the rather large walk-in closet Zeveriah had gifted her with a long time ago.

Dacia stood silently in the hallway outside the lord Zeveriah’s chambers, directly across from the closed double doors. Since they formed the court, every year Zeveriah had held this ball. And every year, it was a masquerade ball. And every year, Zeveriah converted his own room into a grand ballroom for the purpose. She was the last to enter. Every one of the over 100 members of the court were already mingling and having a good time. Do I really want to do this? She had only seen less than 30 members of the court since she returned. Seeing the rest might lead everyone to assume that she was back for good. Two younger vampires, fledglings stood at either side of the doors, staring at her expectantly.

“Alright. I can’t put this off forever.” She strapped on her mask, red and gold to match her period dress from the 1500’s. Pushing herself off the wall, she motioned for the fledglings to open the door, and open the door they did. Everyone was silent. All eyes were on her, human, supernatural being and vampire alike. There were costumes from every country and every era. Most of the coven had dressed up as something from their own time period, or something they’d witnessed in history. Dacia had been one of Queen Catherine’s maids in waiting, and closest friend of Anne Boleyn. When Anne married the king, Dacia became one of her maids in waiting, and was present at her execution. That was how she’d met Zarek. One vampire slid forward smoothly, dressed in fine clothes of black and silver. A long silver chain dotted intermittently egg sized howlite stones and silver, black and white designs hung from his shoulders under a cape of black velvet and ermine fur. He took her hand and bowed low, kissing her knuckles. He looked up at her, turquoise eyes shining through the black mask. A beautiful golden crown studded with onyx, howlite and diamond stones rested upon his long blonde hair.

“Lady Boleyn.” Dacia smiled. Someone had recognized her costume. The big give away was the pearl necklace from which hung a golden “B” pendant. She had come to this ball as Anne Boleyn, second wife of King Henry VIII. And it looked like this man had come as Henry himself. She smiled and gave a little curtsy.

“Your majesty.” Judging by the eyes and hair, she thought she knew who it was. When he stood, she saw something she hadn’t noticed before. A single gold chain with a blue teardrop pendant swung stood out among all the black and silver. That confirmed it. Her king was Zeveriah himself.

“May I have this dance?” As if on cue, a group of musicians in the corner started up. Zeveriah swept her out onto the dance floor, joining the rest of the coven, who had gone back to their merriment. They swirled around the floor, through many songs.

“It is wonderful to see you again, my child. It has been near 400 years.” A cold finger brushed her cheek lightly. “You have changed little.”

“It’s good to see you too, Zeveriah.”

“Are you here long?”

“No. Just to see the Oracle, then I have to go back.” Zeveriah frowned beneath the mask.

“Why must you return to that false life? You belong here, at my side.”

“You know I can’t stay here, my lord.” Zeveriah’s eyes dropped, and so did his hands. They stopped in the middle of the dance floor. She almost never got so formal with him, and when she did, it usually wasn’t good.

“Very well. I believe you have another suitor.” Dacia turned around to see Zarek standing behind her, dressed in his original courtly clothes from the 16th century. Zarek was Anne Boleyn’s bastard son by the poet, Thomas Wyatt, who he had also been named after. After he had been changed, he dropped his father’s name and took the name Zarek. He smirked at her.

“Would there be a reason you dressed up as my dead mother? Or was it only to bring me pain for your own amusement?” She ignored him and turned back to Zeveriah, but she was staring at empty space.

“You hurt him. He does love you, you know.” Zarek put his hands on her shoulders.

“I know. And so do you. And Aidan. And who knows how many others. Everyone wants to get with the most experienced woman in the coven.” She gripped his hands and stared at the spot where Zeveriah had been. Zarek put a little pressure on her and steered her off to the sidelines, toward the drinks. Toward the small fountain of blood that Zeveriah had procured for the occasion. They each filled a glass, drinking in silence. A soft whistling reached her ears, and she ducked a split second before a silver and black knife landed in the wall where her head had been. She glared at the culprit. A small girl with purple hair that fell over one masked eye was smirking at her.

“Just wanted to see if your reactions were still as good as they used to be, Dacia.”

“Ridge. How are you? Body count still near the top?” Ridge smiled. The girl was dressed in an outfit from The Phantom of the Opera; the Phantom’s costume from Don Juan Triumphant. And knowing Ridge, it was probably the costume from the original production. She was one of Zeveriah’s top assassins, with the third highest body count out of all 32 of them.

“Of course.” Ridge, whose actual name was Celeste pulled the small dagger out of the wall and slid it back in its place in top of her black cane.

“I should have known you’d try to kill me.” Ridge waved a hand absently.

“Oh, I wasn’t trying to kill you. Besides, a knife in the head wouldn’t have killed you. It would have hurt like hell, and probably puncture your brain, but you’d have been okay in the end.” She said all this with a smile on her face, which scared Dacia slightly. Ridge had always been a little crazy. “Oh, excuse me. I have to try to surprise Ransom.” Ridge hurried away.

“She is so dead.” They watched her slink through the crowd toward the only man not in a costume of sorts who stood in the corner, surveying the dancing with disdain. A yelp sounded, and they knew that Ridge had failed. No one ever surprised Ransom. He was the top assassin. After him was Phoenix, who was standing next to him, and third was Ridge.

“Why must she constantly challenge them?”

“Ridge has always wanted to be at the top. Ransom and Phoenix will never cede her the top spot unless—”

“Angels!” The music stopped and every head whipped toward the closed doors. Every vampire in the room drew up some kind of weapon from somewhere on their costume. Even Dacia pulled a small dagger out of the clip that bound her hair, and Zarek slid a stiletto blade out of his sleeve. Ridge had pulled a full length sword from her cane, and Ransom somehow had a kind of winged punching blade in each hand. A moment later the doors burst inward. Standing in the doorway were five lone figures. Two blondes, one brunette and two men with blue hair stared at the room full of vampires.

“Ah, Xerin. Good of you to join us.” Zeveriah was lounging on the throne at the head of the room. The lead figure glared at him. Xerin was tall and strong, with waist length blonde hair and dull gray eyes. In his hand he held a long sword with a golden hilt and guard studded with amethysts.

“Zeveriah.” He merely said. The two leaders stared at each other for a moment, then each shouted at the same time.

“Ransom, Phoenix, Ridge, Aspen! Attack!” Four vampires peeled themselves from the crowd and attacked the intruders.

“Xavier, Braxlin, Dreylen, Layla!” The other four met the assassins in mid-air. Dacia watched them struggle. One angel came flying out of the mess, slamming into the wall. It was the only female. One of the blondes left the fray and hurried after the brunette.

“Xavier, what are you doing?” Xerin shouted. Xavier glared at him.

“It was suicide bringing us here, Xerin. You knew the ball was tonight, and yet you neglected to take out his top assassins! I’m taking Layla home.” In a flash of white light, Layla and Xavier were gone. The two blue haired men disengaged themselves from the fight, shoving the vampire assassins backwards.

“Xavier’s right, Xerin. You didn’t think this attack through.” Both vanished in more flashes of white light.

“Well, Xerin. It seems as if you have lost your touch for war. Pity. You were a worthy opponent.” Xerin glared at him and followed suit with his warriors, vanishing into thin air. Dacia stared at the doorway for a few moments, then turned to Zarek.

“What was that all about? What have I missed since I’ve been gone? Were those really angels?” Zarek laughed and turned his gaze up to Zeveriah. My lord, I believe these festivities have ended. Dacia could hear every thought spoken between the two.

I believe you are right. Dacia is asking for explanations, is she not?

You know, sometimes you are very irritating. Dacia interjected. Zeveriah’s laughter echoed through her mind.

I am aware. I will take care of the masses. He pushed himself off the throne and addressed the coven at large. “It seems our ball has been cut short. It would be best if you simply returned to your quarters. I shall discuss this matter with Zarek.” Nearly every vampire gave him a small bow and left the room. He slumped back in his chair. “Dacia, why in heaven’s name did we ever create this coven?” Dacia smiled and approached the throne.

“Because we wanted to unite our kind and stop the needless killing.” She knelt next to the throne and placed her hand on his. He smiled and closed his eyes, pulling the mask off his face. Dacia and Zarek followed suit, throwing them to the floor.

“And I had to lead this coven why?”

“Because you are the oldest and the strongest. Now, please explain what the hell just happen here.” She gestured at the doorway. That was where Zarek stepped in.

“A few years after you left, an angel named Xerin tried to destroy the coven. He sent many assassins into our midst. One nearly killed Zeveriah, but Ransom got to the assassin before he could hurt our dear lord.” Zarek plopped down in a chair he had dragged over from the wall. “Since that day, a war has raged between our kind and theirs. And not only is it angels, but there are other creatures, even humans that have joined their side, just as some have joined ours.” Dacia stood and started pacing, mumbling to herself.

“Speak up, child. I cannot hear you.”

“‘The war will escalate.’ ” She repeated in a whisper. “Vann said it when I spoke to him after I arrived—” A grandfather clock gonged away, cutting off her words. Only two chimes. “Damn! I’ve got to go. Vann and I are seeing the Oracle.” Before either of them could speak another word, she kissed Zarek quickly and hurried out of the room. She made it to the Oracles basement room in record time. Vann was waiting for her, wearing a joker’s outfit and a colorful mask. How fitting.

“Shall we?” Dacia nodded and pushed open the door. The inside was a simple bare stone room. There were no furnishings, and only one window. In front of this one window, a cloaked figure faced away from them.

“Dacia Summers.” The voice echoed around the room, worming its way into both of their minds. “It’s been a long time since you visited me last.”

“A lifetime.”

“More than a few. You have come in regards to Vann’s prophecy?” It wasn’t really a question. Dacia knew that he could hear every word they though, and even the ones they didn’t. “I wish I could help you.” Her heart dropped.

“You can’t help?”

“Nothing is clear on this matter, not even to me. I saw exactly what Vann saw. All that is known for sure is that one of our kind will harm you and your family, someone will replace the one you will lose, and whatever happens there will decide the fate of the world.” He turned his head slightly to her. She could see a little bit of a smirk.

“You’re not telling me everything. I can feel it.” The smirk became a full on grin.

“Very good, Dacia. You are well on your way to replacing me.” A small blush crept its way into Dacia’s cheeks. “No, I’m not telling you everything. But the rest you must find for yourself.” He turned back to the window, signaling that the meeting was over. Vann pulled a stunned Dacia from the room and closed the door behind them. Dacia slumped against the wall.

“He can’t help. The world’s entire fate is on my shoulders.” Her voice was a whisper. She didn’t move when she felt Vann’s hand on her shoulder.

“Worry not, Dacia. I am certain you will—”

DACIA! The single word reverberated through Dacia’s mind, carrying waves of fear and panic. Her face paled past its normal deathly coloring, if that was possible.

“Aidan.” She muttered and took off down the hall. She pulled on her vampiric abilities and added to her speed, reaching Zeveriah’s quarters before Vann could wonder where she went. Zarek took one look at her face and hurried toward her.

“Love, what is—”

“Take me home. Now.”

“But you’ve only just arrived. You must stay a while.” Dacia shook her head rapidly.

“Something’s wrong. Really wrong. You need to take me home. I don’t have the strength to get there myself. Please Zarek.” The pleading look in her eyes was enough. Zarek nodded his agreement and wrapped her in his arms. Vanishing from the manor, they reappeared under a shadowed canopy across the street from Nirvana. The flashing lights of the police car parked outside the club illuminated them immediately. “Oh my god!” She tore from Zarek and ran toward the blocked off alleyway that led to her club, The Blood Rose, Zarek right behind her.

“I’m sorry miss, you can’t go in there.” A deputy stopped her from one side of the caution tape. Her eyes darkened.

“Listen to me. That is my club. And I am getting in whether you like it or not.” Her foot snapped out and connected with the deputy’s kneecap. Zarek watched her run past and down the stairs into the club. The scene that greeted her was grim indeed. Two body outlines were taped out on the floor next the bar and there were officers everywhere. Her steps down the stairs were slow. She stared down at the crime scene that was once her bar.

“Wha…What happen here?” She mumbled as she reached the cement floor.

“Miss! You can’t be down here!” One of the officers ran toward her. She dodged around his arms and dashed towards a door behind the bar. The door led to a series of rooms that some of them slept in, when they didn’t return home.

“Miss!” She threw open every door, searching for Aidan and the others. She could feel Zarek tugging at her mind, trying to get her attention. She ignored him and continued her search. Two strong arms grabbed her from behind and slight fear filled her. Completely forgetting about her inherent strength, she struggled wildly against the restraints, until she felt something cold and metallic being tightened around her wrists. She had fooled around with Zarek and Aidan to know exactly what it was. They’d handcuffed her.

“Let me go! I have to find them! I have to find my family!”

“They’ve been taken to the station, which is exactly where you’re going.” She was forced up the steps and out into the near dawn light. Before she was shoved into the police car, she locked eyes with Zarek.

Find Nadia. I don’t think she’d let herself get caught. Zarek gave the slightest of nods and slipped back through the crowd to go find his greatest rival’s little sister. Dacia glared at the police officer as he slammed the door, but she’d stopped struggling. The lights were flipped off and they pulled out of the alley, headed for the rest of her family.