1. Chapter

Something wasn`t as it should be. It was dark and much too quiet. Serena felt quite uncomfortable, when she realized, that no person had crossed her way, since she had left the station. She hurried on to get to her pension as fast as possible, when she suddenly sensed another presence.

She could see a man leaning against a tree, who watched her closely. His clothes were as black as the night all around and his brown hair framed clear-cut pale features. Only the gleaming in his deep dark eyes revealed that there was still life inside him. Cold intensity flooded around him and made her shiver. She felt penetrated by his look and wanted to break through the silence to relieve the tension, she suddenly felt, and so she stepped carefully forwards. He raised his beautifully formed eyebrows, but stayed silent.

"Hey!" she said.

He smiled slightly. "Good evening, Mademoiselle."

At the sound of his melodious voice she felt a weakness she`d never known before and the sense of something she couldn`t classify.

"Who are you?"

His smile deepened. "I`m a creature of the night."

"So you`re a vampire?" she laughed.

For a moment he seemed to be surprised, but then composure returned onto his face again.

"My name is Jaron, count Jaron de Permo."

He bowed and his cool lips touched softly the back of her hand. She slowly pulled back her hand and looked confused at him. He ignored the slight defense in her gesture and continued.

"And may I know who you are, ma belle?"

Her reason told her not to tell a stranger her name, but something in his attitude, something in the tone of his voice soaked her defense and so she answered: "I`m Serena Kritus."

"Serena," he repeated. "A beautiful name. But you`re so much more than just a name."

"What?"

He stepped forwards, reducing the space between them, and looked straight into her eyes. Softly he said: "You`re my victim, dear."

Unable to bear the intensity of his nearness she went back. "So you want to keep on playing this game? You`re the evil vampire and I`m the helpless victim?"

"That`s the way it goes."

She laughed nervously. "Okay, but first tell me, if I play with you, what do I win?"

His eyes fixed hers. "Eternity."

"No, thanks. I`m not interested."

He looked surprised. "Pardon me?"

"Look, I can`t even enjoy the moment. An eternity of failed chances would be quite frustrating."

He grinned diabolically. "I didn`t say you have a choice."

His eyes glowed dangerously as he stepped closer. Now Serena really was concerned. In defense she lifted her arms and stepped backwards, till she could feel a tree in her back.

"Hey, come on! That`s enough now! It`s not funny anymore."

He grabbed her arms with a soft, but firm grip and moved them down.

"I think the fun has just begun." He whispered into her ear caressing her neck with his fingers. She shivered at his cold, intense touch.

"Stop!"

He smirked. "I haven`t started yet."

She stared at him, unable to speak anymore. Dark flames were dancing in his eyes and she knew he would burn her with his cold fire. Suddenly his facial expression changed to a nasty grin and his canine teeth flashed like knives in the pale moonlight.

"You see I`m the evil vampire and you`re..."

A piercing scream cut through the quiet night.

"Not helpless!" Serena smiled sweetly at the vampire in front of her. Jaron staggered back, his face contorted by pain and astonishment. Aghast he looked at the girl, who still held the green-glowing cross in her hand, the same that had burned his chest just a moment ago.

They stared at one another in silence, fighting a battle without words, burning brown eyes pierced glittering green, both struggling for supremacy, but neither winning.

"Jaron!"

A young girl, blackhaired with exotic features, stepped out of the shadows. Icy blue eyes fixed Jaron.

"Orysa, it`s been a while. Are you still chasing ghosts of the past?"

Her eyes flashed with disgust and hate.

"You`re the only ghost I`m chasing. And I`ll get you."

He smiled. "But not this time. Au revoir, Orysa, Serena." And with a bow he was gone, merging into the shadows all around.

Orysa turned to Serena. "You shouldn`t walk alone in the darkness. It`s dangerous."

"I`ve just arrived and wanted to get to my pension." Serena replied.

Orysa shook her head. "That`s no good idea. I`m sure, he`s still there hiding somewhere in the dark, waiting to catch you. He doesn`t like to lose."

"You seem to know him well."

Orysa dodged her look. "We had a past. Well," she cleared her throat. "I think you better come with me. I`ll take you to Mira, she always has place for a guest."

"Mira Sunorrson?" Serena asked excited.

"Yes, do you know her?"

"I was supposed to meet her tomorrow." Serena explained.

"Now you`ll get to know her a bit earlier." Orysa began walking down the road quickly and Serena tried to keep up with her.