Prologue
BPOV
I knew hiding in my closet would not make a difference. Yet somehow, I thought that being in the safest place in the world, my room, would make me safe.
It was no use; it had smelt me miles away. Shivers went up my spine as I heard its musical voice calling my name.
Seconds later, the closet doors were thrown off their hinges and smashed against the opposite wall. Why the wall did not cave in, I would probably never know.
As I crouched in the dark corner, I allowed myself to finally look at the monster that had been tracking me. It looked like a man, but I knew otherwise. He was draped in a long cloak, blacker than night. Two hands, smooth like marble, reached up to where the head appeared to be. As the hood fell back, I gasped, too scared to faint. Beautiful, golden hair swept around the inhumanly perfect features. The skin on the face was smooth and colorless as stone, mimicking the fists. Lips darker than the face curved into an inviting smile. Slowly my gaze traveled up the flawless nose to the part I was dreading. I stopped right before the eyes seeing shadowy bruises under each. Finally, I could wait no longer. I forced my stare upon him.
Red eyes, like blood, penetrated the darkness, watching my every move. If I could have collapsed then I would have, but the paralyzing fright would not permit me to crumple.
His melodic laugh collided with the remaining air. He was playing with me. A cruel game of cat and mouse was occurring, and I was not on the preferable side. Faster than possible, his icy hard grip made contact with my cheeks. The only way I could have moved was to break my own neck.
Death was coming; I could smell him greedily waiting. A set of snow-white teeth smiled mockingly at me for the last time. The pearls, betraying me, pierced my neck. The few moments of unendurable pain were rewarded with the caliginosity that followed.
At last, I was dead. Or was I?