~Prologue~
Three year old Ashlen Baker sat on her mother's lap as she stared at the man sitting in the chair opposite of them. The man was a little creepy to her and it wasn't his mixed colored eyes that creeped her out. Ashlen was just a really shy girl and the man being a vampire didn't change things.
"I must say, I've very surprised that you contacted me. Most people these days wouldn't even think of it. " The vampire man grinned as he crossed one leg over the other, as well as crossing his arms.
"Oh, really? Why is that?" Mr. Baker asked, curiosity in his tone
"Oh, no reason... that I know of." The vampire said as he shrugged his shoulders and eyed the small girl.
"Oh... well anyways, thank you for coming by, Rido Kuran. I'm sure you must have been busy." Mrs. Baker said as she lightly gripping her small daughter. Rido only smirked.
"No, only eating." He said with a slight grin as he licked his lips slightly.
Ashlen frowned a little and pushed herself a little more into her mother. She felt uncomfortable with the way the vampire man was looking her over. It made a small shy blush take over her cheeks.
"Anyways, I want to ask you one thing; are you serious about this?" Rido asked, finally looking away from Ashlen to look at her parents. Ashlen saw her father nod
"Yes. We want our family to get very powerful but there are no other wizards around here. So we looked for the next most powerful person we could find." Mr. Baker explained to the vampire. A pleased grin came onto Rido Kuran's face as a soft chuckle was heard from his throat.
"When Ashlen turns 23, you are free to turn her and take her with you. Until then, we want to keep her with us but you are welcome to visit at anytime. We think it might be a good idea if she got use to you." Mrs. Baker said as she gave her daughter a tight hug.
Ashlen looked up at her mother, then looked over at her father before looking at the vampire man. She was smart for her age but she was still confused about what her parents were talking to the vampire man about. The only thing she understood was that she was going to be seeing a lot of this vampire over the years.
"I can agree to that." Rido said, uncrossing his legs as he closed his eyes for a moment. When they opened they once again gazed at Ashlen's small form.
"I can tell that your daughter will turn into a beautiful young woman." Rido commented, smiling at the three year old. 'beautiful and tasty.' he added in his mind, grinning to himself at his thoughts.
Ashlen, being smart for her age, more then understood what the purblood vampire was saying and a small blush took over her face as well as a smile.
"Thank you, so can we." Mr. Baker said proudly as he had a smile to match. He looked over at his young daughter before turning back at the vampire, who was standing up.
"Well, I'm going to leave now. I'm getting hungry and want to eat." Rido said with a grin on his face as he turned around and headed for the door.
Ashlen quickly wiggled out of her mother's grip as she hurried to Rido. For some odd reason she didn't want the vampire to leave. She quickly ran up to Rido and grabbed his hand, making him look back at her.
"Ri...do." Ashlen said slowly in a shyish toned voice.
Rido couldn't hold in a grin as he knelt down to the little girl's level.
"Don't worry, Ashlen, I'll come back in a few days." The vampire said, grinning as he inhaled the girl's scent. 'Mmmm, she's going to be delicious when she's older.' he thought before standing up and leaving the house.
.~.~.~.~.~.~.
Seventeen year old Ashlen Baker smiled to herself, excited for Rido's visit. The vampire had contacted her and told her he was coming over to see her. Over the years she had gotten used to the purblood man and has even formed a small crush on him. He'd come to visit her at least three times a week for fourteen years now so Ashlen was more then used to him.
Ashlen had heard a rumor that Rido Kuran, the purblood king, was a evil killing monster but she couldn't believe that. Rido was always nice and kind towards her. Although there were some times where he would tease Ashlen, nibbling and licking her neck to pretend to bite her.
Although Ashlen didn't mind. She know knew that her parents promise her to Rido when she was older. Although she didn't mind too much; besides she sort of liked Rido after knowing him for fourteen years.
"Rido? We weren't expecting you today." Ashlen heard her mother downstairs say.
Ashlen frowned slightly. 'He told me but not them that he was coming?' Ashlen thought to herself as she continued to listen.
"I've come to take Ashlen with me." Ashlen heard Rido's voice respond from downstairs
"What? You're too early. Ashlen is only seventeen. We agreed you could take her when she's 23." Ashlen heard her father say. Ashlen could imagine her parents standing side by side while talking to Rido.
"Yes I remember, but I'm not planing on turning her. It was your idea that she get use to me." Ashlen heard Rido say and she could just imagine the smirk I've seen a hundred times before on his face.
"No, you can't have her now. We made a promise; we get to keep our daughter until her was 23." Ashlen heard her mother say in anger and Ashlen frowned.
'Why does Rido want me to live with him so soon? I'm still considered a kid.' she though to herself before Rido's angry voice broke through her thoughts
"You are going to regret that.... on second thought I guess you wont." Ashlen heard Rido's voice and it sounded cool.
A few seconds later there were horror/pained screams from both Mr and Mrs. Baker. Ashlen started to shake and cry at the same time as she realized what happened since she was very smart after all; Rido had had just killed her parents.
Ashlen's heart hurt when she heard the vampire walking up the stairs. For the first time in fourteen years Ashlen was scared of Rido and she finally believed the rumors she heard about him.
Without looking at the door that was slowly opening, Ashlen ran to her window to the ground below. Without looking back, Ashlen ran for it, tears rolling down her face. The only think that was on her mind was to get away and hide, get from the monster.
