Prologue

Oregon 1997

Lucilla ran as fast as she could. She had fall several times already. It was so dark. Forest was quiet. Too quiet. She couldn't even hear birds. Lucilla was out of breath but she knew she had to keep moving. For both of them. She held a hand of the little girl tightly.

"Lucilla I can't anymore", she said crying.

"You must. Just run."

Lucilla was desperate. She knew they couldn't outrun a vampire. Especially this vampire. She had to take some drastic measures. Lucilla stopped and kneeled next to the girl.

"Zora honey, I need you to listen to me very carefully. I can't stay with you so you must be strong now."

Tears were falling down Zora's cheeks. She was just a child. Lucilla hated this.

"He can't find you. Do you understand?"

Zora nodded.

"What ever happens, you must live child. Lie, steal, cheat, what ever it takes, you must live or this has all been for nothing. Do you understand me?"

"Yes Lucilla."

"Good. I'm so sorry for everything but this is goodbye. Remember what I have taught you."

"Yes Lucilla."

"Now go and don't look back."

"No…"

Zora was crying. Lucilla forced herself to ignore her tears.

"Go!"

Zora ran. Lucilla waited until she had disappeared to the woods. Then she mumbled a short spell and ran to the opposite direction. It didn't take long before she heard familiar voice.

"Lucillaaa… Where are you, love?"

Lucilla closed her eyes and took a small bottle from her pocket. She opened it quickly and swallowed all the dark fluid. She could feel the effects immediately. Her heart would stop beating soon. Lucilla prayed for Zora.

"There's my girl", the voice said.

Lucilla saw him standing in front of her. She hated his arrogant smirk.

"Hello Klaus", she said calmly.

"It wasn't smart to run from me sweetheart. Now where's the child?"

Lucilla looked at him coldly.

"She doesn't belong to you."

"Oh, I'm afraid I have to disagree. Tell me where she is and I promise to kill you quickly."

Lucilla smiled.

"You're too late."

She felt her body shutting down.

"No!" Klaus yelled when her lifeless body fell to the ground. "Lucilla! Don't you dare do this to me!"

Klaus tried to feed her his blood but it was too late. She was gone. Klaus was furious.

"I will find that child no matter what, so this little sacrifice of yours was all for nothing."

Klaus kissed her forehead before he stood up. He had some hunting to do.