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Her Empire

Chapter 1 Awakening

I lay inside a posh, red velvet-lined coffin. It was pitch black inside it and my head rested on a matching red velvet pillow with white lace trim. I opened my softly glowing red eyes and peered in the darkness and stared at the heavy coffin lid that shut me in. I had no trouble seeing in the dark with a natural ability called infravision.

My skin was fair, without a scar or scratch. Flawless as some would say. My hair reached to the middle of my back and had the most beautiful curls you ever saw. It was a lovely shade of blonde with almost-white highlights that melded in so perfectly that they didn't stand out at all and complimented the overall color of my hair. My lips were rosy red and my eyes a shade of ruby that glowed softly in the dark. Everything about me drew both men and women in and said 'beautiful'. My body was curvy and slim but also toned. My scent was always pleasing.

I took in a deep breath, something I had not done in centuries. I placed both hands on the right side of the coffin lid and pushed to the left. With a little effort it began to budge and with a loud grinding sound it began to slide open. Once there was a big enough gap I got a better grip on the heavy lid and quickly shoved it off with ease. It landed with a loud thud and leaned against the coffin which was elevated above the floor with legs, much like a chair or bathtub. I remembered that the lid of the coffin held a red cross on it that covered the entire length of the lid.

I coughed as dust coated me and swung my legs over the edge of the coffin and hopped onto the floor, landing with a small thud, my dress and hair billowing a bit as I came down. I was still wearing the same black dress with gold trim and matching silken shoes I had been put to rest in.

I looked about. I quickly realized I was in my bed chambers. It was dimly lit with braziers that never go out, even when wet. Just the way I liked it. Unfortunately, it hadn't been touched for some time, maybe a century or so. Cobwebs and dust coated everything.

With one sweeping motion of my arm, dark magic came across the room like a shadow. It swept over everything before reaching the wall furthest from me all in a matter of seconds. Whatever the shadow passed over, it took with it all the dust and cobwebs, leaving everything spotless.

I smiled as the room regained it's comforting feel. Without the dust I could clearly see that it had been untouched by anyone since I 'died', as some would say. The room still was my favorite shades of purple, all complementing each other. Two couches faced each other in the center and a rich rug filled with purples, reds, and golds with a gold trim lay across the floor beneath them. The grand fireplace was still there and had not been torn down. Its' dark bricks and large mirror complemented the room with a mantle covered with various things that I had thought beautiful and worth keeping. The mirror above the fireplace was there to give the room a bit more lighting. In the far right corner was the larger door that would lead me into the corridor. My large bed was a lighter shade of purple than anything else in the room and the bed frame was gold. The coffin was between the bed and the couch. The corner to my right had a door leading to a privy. The far corner to my left had a vanity and dresser along with a shade to change behind. The corner to my left held a shrine with a step. The wall here made a sharp turn outward to make room for the shrine. On the step a coffin was propped up against the wall. Many candles and herbs were ever-lit on their respective places and holdings that were carved into the stone of the shrine. The lid of this coffin also had a red cross that ran its' length. The shrine took up the entire left corner.

I walked toward the second coffin. "My Guardian." I stood a few feet from the shrine and waited patiently as the door of his coffin grinded a bit before the lid flew down and landed just in front of the shrine, missing me by inches. I didn't even flinch. He stepped down and looked at me from beneath his dark blue helmet. I was an average sized woman for my time, standing at five feet. My Guardian towered over me at six feet.

"My queen." he stated with only a hint of longing in his voice.

"Hello, my dear." I smiled warmly.

"Hello, my queen." It was hard to tell with the helmet on his head but I could see that he was looking at me longingly.

Sadness washed over my face but only for a second. I regained my composure and smiled. "Shall we?"

"Yes.." He sighed, making his dark blue armor clink. His longing was unchanged by time. "Your probably dying to sate your thirst." He took my hand in such a way that made me smile. "Such a beautiful smile."

I couldn't help but blush at that and my smile grew wider only to fade when my throat began to burn. I was beginning to feel the effects of awakening. 'How long was I out..?' I wondered to myself as we walked out of the bed chambers and into the corridor. The burning in my throat grew more and more until it was almost unbearable. 'Must have been a long time for me to lust for blood this badly..' I thought as we walked along the quiet and empty halls. The only noise was the clinking of his armor.

I could sense a presence trailing us and I made a slight nod to my guardian who went a little ways ahead to leave me to my own devices. I walked a little slower as my trailer grew near. Finally I stopped, pretending to admire a painting, and the trailer made a lunge in an attempt to put me in a chokehold. What they weren't expecting, however, was my reflexes. I waited for the opportune moment and with lightening speed I was behind him and held him in a chokehold in less than a second. Just from his scent I could tell that he was human.

"Your human. Hmm... There have never been humans here. Why are you here? What year is it? Are there more of you? If so, where?" He gave up all struggle as my words sank in. He was obviously waiting for the opportune moment to bolt since I was no match for him.

He struggled to get the words out as I held him tightly. I loosened my grip only enough so he could talk. He spoke with crude grammar. "We rule this castle. Came here many years ago. Fought off many monsters. Monsters still roam this place. Year is 2000. We dwell in area around castle entrance. Let go.. Please..." When his pleas didn't get him any where he began complimenting me. "Lady smell good.. Lady's voice pretty..." He continued to shower me with compliments in attempt to talk his way out of my hold or at least break me down enough so he could break free. Unfortunately for him, although nice, compliments wouldn't get him anywhere.

I grew bored after he ran out of compliments and bit into his neck. He tried to scream but I crushed his throat. I sucked every drop of blood from his body before letting his corpse fall to the ground, shock of his last moments still in his eyes. In that instant, my guardian was at my side. I smiled, not even a hint of blood on my mouth as it had all been swallowed and was digesting.

I let out a happy sigh as the burning in my throat had ceased. "We've been out for many centuries. The year is 2000. Humans have colonized here at the entrance and the area around it. This provides me with a unique opportunity.."

"How so?" he asked with genuine curiosity in his voice.

"Well, Alastor, my dear. This allows me to see how humans work and I can bend or shape things to my will as this is my castle with my demons. I can kill them all. Which, while rather funny, will not provide me with lasting entertainment. I want to see how humans run dynasties. I want to see how they claw for power. All the while I want to be in control and to see it all. I have a few ideas but I'll need the humans on my side if I am to go through with this."

"Your definitely the daughter of Dracula with your thinking... Maybe.." he started, his hands moved to the small of my back as he pulled me close, his armor clinking. "I can finally claim you as mine.. Once the setback has been taken care of."

I smiled. It was one of the things I always wanted. "Yes.. Perhaps so. Let's find out who's in charge."

He let me go and offered his hand as a proper escort which I gladly took. "Let's find out, my lovely Cassandra."