Author's Note: I'm baaack! Cue the horror music, he he! Anyhoo, this story was inspired by a couple of Anne Rice books I've read recently, mainly Interview with a Vampire. Hope you all like this, remember to read and review and let me know what you think.
The Dark Rose: Prologue – The Beginning of Damnation
In the recent months, the Romanian people had been plagued by a formidable enemy. An enemy that didn't need food to sustain them, never tired and their lustful hunger for blood growing with each passing day. They attacked without mercy, not caring for the age of their victims. Men, Women, the young and the old, muggle or magic. None were safe from their bloodthirsty attacks, and the Romanian Minister for Magic was under considerable (but understandable) pressure to stop these attacks, or at least slow them down. The awful fact was however, that Craiova Cluj did not even know where to begin. He sought help from many countries, none of whom wished to get involved in case the creatures decided to seek revenge on any who helped the Ministry destroy them.
And so the attacks continued. Night after night whole families were wiped out. Drained of blood and left to rot in the middle of streets. The death toll eventually passed two thousand, and it seemed that all hope was lost. The creatures would attack until every last Romanian village was gone, and then they would move on. Bringing an apocalyptic death toll, and eventually the countries that had not wished to be involved would be dragged into the war – whether they liked it or not.
A year or so after the first of the attacks …
"But Minister, I thought you wished not to negotiate with Cluj?" Argued George Samson, the deputy Minister for Magic. "The Ancients are not likely to leave us alone if we help!"
"Be that as it may Samson, if we were suffering as they are, surely we'd expect help." Retorted the Minister for Magic, looking over his square glasses at his deputy. "I wish to send ten of our finest Auror's to Romania by next week to see how they can help. Make sure they are aware of the dangers involved, and arm them with the necessary equipment."
"But -" Samson began to argue again, but the Minister interrupted.
"That's an order Samson!" He barked, then taking a piece of paper from the top drawer of his desk and handing it to Samson. "These are the Auror's that I wish you to contact."
Samson quickly scanned the paper, his eyes widening when he came to the very last name. Maiara Daemon was the Ministries top Auror, gaining full marks in her training and being responsible for the imprisonment of countless dark wizards. She also happened to be George Samson's sister.
"No – No, I will not have Maiara dragged into this!" He raged; his face tinged with red.
"She's the best Auror we have George." The Minister said quietly, looking at George with renewed sympathy. "I want her to lead the rest of the team, to ensure that we make our mark in Romania."
George did not answer. He knew very well that Maiara could take care of herself, but he knew that she may never return from this trip. Vampires were not like dark wizards, you couldn't simple shoot them with a curse and be done with it. Vampires were already dead, so a spell would not kill them – in fact, George had no idea how a Vampire could be killed … If they could be killed that is. A painful knot tied itself in his stomach, and he felt the corners of his eyes prickle uncomfortably. The parchment trembled in his hands, and he looked slowly at the Minister who had risen from his chair and was now facing the large oak window behind his desk.
"I should warn you George," he said softly, as if trying to cushion the blow he was about to give. "That this mission is highly deadly, and that some of the Auror's may not return. They must be ready to accept that they may die … A fact that you too must be ready to accept."
He nodded, sending a trickle or tears down his cheeks. At which point, the minister left the window and walked over to George, putting a comforting arm on his shoulder.
"Be strong boy, I'm sure Maiara will not be crying." He soothed. "She's a stronger person than anyone I know, and I'm sure she'll return."
Maiara Daemon looked far less troubled than she actually was. Not two years ago she would've gone without question to Romania, as there was nothing at home for herm except her brother but George had a wife and child of his own, so he would be alone should she no return. But now, Maiara had a husband and an 18 month old baby of her own. She could not bear to even think about what would happen to them if she was killed in action. Maiara pushed her long black curls from her face, and threw her cloak over her shoulders.
She heard the bedroom door shut behind her, and turned to see her husband standing in front of it. She smiled weakly at him, then turned to face the window for she couldn't look at him without thinking that this would be the last time they saw each other. After a minute of heartbreaking silence, Maiara felt hands wrap themselves around her waist. Her husband rested his chin on her shoulder, and gently kissed her neck.
"Caira's just arrived; she's going to walk with you to the Portkey point." He whispered into her ear, making her shudder.
"I hoped that last night time would stand still, and that today would never come." She breathed, feeling hot rivers of tears trickle down her cheeks.
"Maiara you're stronger than this." He said simply, feeling his voice crack with every word he spoke. "We're not going anywhere, and we'll be right here when you return."
"If I return you mean." She retorted solemnly, turning to face her husband and resting her head on his chest, relishing in the feel of his heartbeat against her cheek. "I couldn't do that to you and Aurora."
"There's no good getting upset now, what's done is done." He replied stoutly, pushing Maiara slowly away from him so their eyes met. "Aurora will be just fine here with me, and my sister has agreed to stay for a couple of days. And as for you not coming back, let's not think about it shall we?"
Maiara smiled, though it was strained. Taking a deep breath, she kissed her husband tenderly on the cheek and swept from the room, not wanting to drag out the farewell; it would only make it ten times harder. When she reached the front door, she glanced into the living room, seeing Aurora lying asleep in her brother's arms. Not wanting to go through another heart wrenching goodbye with George, she pulled the hood over her head and noiselessly left the house. Caira greeted her with enthusiasm that Maiara did not share, though it did make leaving her home behind a little more bearable. She felt the eyes of her husband watching her from the bedroom window burn into the back of her head, though she did not dare look round.
The next day …
A howling wind bit into their face, freezing the skin and screaming in their ears. They had just left a town that had been the latest victim of the Vampires, though it had not been much help as many of its residents had been slaughtered and the ones that survived refused to talk about it. However, they had gathered that the Vampires had left in the direction of the Black Woods, taking with them half a dozen hostages with them. Maiara doubted that they would find these people alive, Vampires normally kept people alive long enough to either to sustain them or to turn them into the walking dead. Maiara hoped it was not the latter, for more of them would mean almost certain defeat.
"What are we supposed to do when we find them?" Yelled an Auror over the howl of the wind; shielding his eyes from that snow that was raining down on them like millions of small daggers.
"We cast the protection spell." She stated simply, hardly being heard.
"And then what?" The Auror yelled back. "How are we supposed to defeat them?"
Maiara did not answer. She knew the lore of Vampires well, for her grandfather had been an extremely well known Vampire hunter. He had told her that the group of Vampires that resided in Romania were known as the Ancients, all over five hundred years old and the strongest beings on earth. Devilishly intelligent and bloodthirsty, the only way they could be stopped is by one of their own. So in order to defeat them, one member of the group would need to be bitten and transformed into a Vampire and then to bite the leader of the Ancients. Therefore destroying everyone he's every bitten, including the rest of the Ancients. This would man that the member of the group that sacrificed his or herself would die.
She turned to the Auror, who looked determinedly back at her. "An Ancient can be killed only by one of their own." She answered, watching as the man's face went pale; he understood what they had to do.
"Are you going to tell me that one of us has to be bitten?" He asked, knowing full well what the answer would be.
Maiara nodded, and the rest of the Auror's stopped in their tracks and looked at Maiara with despair. She turned to face the group, a determined look on her face.
"My friends, I know how desperate the idea seems, but it is the only way!" She yelled, a fresh howling of the wind threatening to drown her words. "Not only will this person save Romanian people from this terror, they will also ensure that they cannot spread their evil amongst the rest of the world! I know that I'm asking a lot, but who will volunteer for this? I cannot force you, I only ask that you do this will a brave heart and noble head."
Her speech was answered with silence, save the wind and snow lashing them. Each of the Auror's looked at each other in turn, not knowing quite what to say. Maiara's hopes sank, she'd hoped that someone would volunteer and save her the agony of doing it herself. She was desperate to return home to Edward and Aurora and George. Then, just as she was about to do it herself, a tall, dark haired man with pale blue eyes separated himself from the rest of the crowd.
"I will take up this honour." He announced to the stunned group, shivering slightly, though more out of fear than cold. "I have nothing for me back home, and I shall like to be remembered for doing something worthwhile."
"That you will be my friend," she sighed, taking the man by the hand and grasping it firmly. "None of us will forget Alden."
He smiled nervously back at her, and returned to the rest of the Auror's who looked at him with the utmost respect.
"Now, the hour is late and the sky is beginning to darken. We must reach the Black Woods before nightfall." Maiara warned, wrapping her cloak tightly around her and almost running towards the woods, followed closely by the rest of the group. With renewed flourish, and the thought that they might stand a chance in defeating the Ancients, all fear left them and one by one, they pulled their wands from their pockets, ready for anything.
Midnight, in the depths of the Black Woods …
"Maiara, I am troubled that we have not yet come across anything." Voiced Alden anxiously. "We have been in the forest since after sundown and have not met a living soul, or a dead soul for that matter."
"I did not expect to run into them straight away Alden, they hide themselves well." She replied softly, trying to soothe the man that was soon to die. "It is more likely that they will find us."
Alden fell silent at her pronouncement, as he didn't know quite how to respond. The group of Auror's all held their wands in front of them, lighted with the Lumos charm. Illuminating their path made shadows dance around them, making them very tense and uneasy.
Maiara stopped abruptly, and made a gesture for her friends to do the same. They looked wildly around, but could see nothing. However, it was not the woods around them that made Maiara nervous. She had sensed for a while now that they were being watched, but not from the cover of trees, but from cover of the skies. She looked wearily above her, and saw a shadow race across the pale moon. Her whole body was tense and rigid with fear; she hadn't thought that the Vampires would attack from air. Wings like the devil, her granddad had described the beasts to her. Only the Ancients were able to fly at will, though her granddad had said that there was a spell they had to recite before they could. The shadow moved over the moon again.
"THERE!" Shouted Caira, pointing up at the sky.
It became clear what Caira had spotted seconds later. A beast like nothing Maiara had ever imagined; it had murky dun coloured skin, that seemed stretched and if it was too small to fit over its bones. Its long, dank hair flowed behind it as it swooped from the sky, wings spiked at the ends as frightening weapons. But what made the Vampire so terrifying was its eyes, like no eyes every seen. They were pure obsidian black, and what should have been the white of the eye, was a pale blue. It opened its mouth a let out a piercing scream that made Maiara feel like her head was splitting in two.
"WANDS READY EVERYONE!" Maiara managed to scream at her friends, as the beast swooped ever closer. "THIS IS IT!"
But when Maiara looked for the beast again, it had disappeared. Then a cracking noise behind her told her that the creature was no longer in the air, she turned slowly around, and what she was faced with made her stomach turn.
The creature was now a man, though Maiara could tell that it had once been the beast. For it still had the same piercing eyes, but devoid of its wings and its skin now more white than dun, Maiara felt more like a defeat would be possible. The Vampire stepped towards the group, a sickeningly menacing smile on his face.
"I have never known for mortals to walk so willingly into death." He voice piercing and cold, reminding Maiara of the screeching wind in the earlier snow storm.
"Who says we are to die. What if this time you suffer death, instead inflicting it upon others?" She hissed, sounding a little braver than she felt.
"Your resilience amuses me." Smirked the Vampire, and he walked up to Maiara so that she could feel his putrid breath on her skin. "But I assure you that we have no intention of dying tonight."
A yell from behind her made Maiara's gaze leave the Vampire. At least nine more Ancients had made themselves known, and one had grabbed Caira.
"NO!" Yelled Maiara, but the Vampire had already bitten deep into Caira's neck. All Maiara could do was watch hopelessly as her friend fell limply to the ground, where she lay, a deep and bloody wound in her neck.
She turned quickly to Alden, who looked petrified but resolute. He walked up to the Vampire that stood in front of Maiara and fell to his knees.
"PLEASE! Don't kill me!" He pleaded, and Maiara hoped the Ancients would fall for the plan. "I wish to join you! Make me what you have become, I long to become a shadow of night!"
The Vampire considered him for a moment. A moment that seemed like an eternity for Maiara, she could feel more tears threatening to gush onto her face, but she held them back. Finally, the Vampire spoke.
"I have had to put up with much pleading, but never pleading to be one of us." He drawled, every word dripping with venom. "I know what you are here!" He yelled the rest of the group. "You wish to stop me; you wish to destroy the Ancients! But I tell you now! I will not let this happen!"
And with that, the Ancients attacked without warning. Wands were no use, and in an instant six of her comrades fell to the ground, robes and skin soaked in their own blood, their screams piercing the cold Romanian night. Maiara managed to cast a protection circle around herself and Alden, but it wasn't long before her energy slowly ebbed away and the blue glow of the circle vanished. She looked wildly around her and saw the bodies of her friends. Only she and Alden were left standing. The head Vampire had disappeared, but soon made himself known when she felt his cold, icy hands around her waist and his hot breath on her neck.
"I think I shall spare you my child," he breathed erotically and smelling her hair. "You will make a good slave, attending to my needs. A lifetime of wandering the earth does have its drawbacks, though I shall have to ensure that you are with me for my lifetime."
B-But, I shall die …" She faltered, knowing exactly what fate awaited her.
"You know that you will not, not after I'm finished with you." He sneered. "Leave us! And dispose of this one!" He directed the rest of the Ancients, and motioning for them to finished Alden. Then he turned back to Maiara, smelling the scent of her hair deeply. "So beautiful," he breathed, caressing her neck with his forefinger, making Maiara shudder. "Do not worry my darling; it will all be over soon."
And with that, he sank his teeth deep into her neck. It was pain beyond anything she had experienced in he life, her whole body felt as though it was on fire, and she could feel the slow, hot trickle of blood running down her neck as the Vampire sank his teeth deeper into her skin.
When the Vampire almost drained her, he released her from his grasp and let her fall heavily to the ground. Her vision was blurred, but she saw him kneel beside her. He rested her head on his lap, and stroked her hair gently. He rested his arm gently on her neck, so the skin brushed against her lips. She simple caress of his skin on her lips had and overwhelming sensation that spread all over her body. She slowly reached up to his arm, and stroked it gently with her fingers.
"You must bite, drink the blood of a Vampire or die." He instructed, closing his eyes at the pleasure of her touch.
Maiara's thoughts were of her family. At least if she bit him, she'd be able to escape and see her husband and child again, even if it meant she'd never be able to live with them again. Slowly, she raised his arm to her mouth and bit hard into the flesh. The feeling was indescribable, and when she let go she squirmed on the ground.
"Do not be alarmed, its only you're soul dying." Said the Vampire with some amusement.
As suddenly as the pain had come, it vanished and was replaced with a feeling of extreme cold, as if her very bones had turned to ice. She got shakily to her feet and faced the one that bit her. It was then that she realised that she wasn't breathing, and her heart had stopped beating. Her skin was the colour of snow, and her once shiny curls were now limp and lifeless. Her eyes were now like the ones that had struck fear into her heart when she had looked upon them in the Vampires eyes.
"What have you done to me?" She shrieked, running towards the Vampire and grabbing.
"I gave you the choice." He said simply. "But that is no longer a matter of importance. What is your name?" He asked, as if they had just met for the first time.
"M-Maiara." She replied in despair.
"Then Maiara is what I shall call you." He breathed, twirling her hair round his fingers. "I am known as Elian."
Author's Note: Oooo, I apologise for some of the graphic scenes in that! But hey, Vampires don't exactly clean after themselves do they?
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