A/N: While this is my first story, I don't plan on it being my last. I'll be trying to keep things a correct a possible, but there is of course a new character and a couple gets a bit jumbled, but all is well in the end. All recognizable characters, I do not own. I have not betas on this story, but I would gladly accept one if you are willing to help.
Prologue
July 17, 1859 - Houston, Texas
As she sits outside, gazing up at the stars, she thinks about Jasper and his warm brown eyes. The way his eyes crinkle up when he smiles that special smile and the way he smells; like leather, sandalwood, and cinnamon. Lost in her own thoughts, Adeline isn't able to hear the man approaching behind her.
"Hello, Beautiful." He says in a voice that makes her cringe. She turns around, facing him when she sees his eyes. The bright red glistens in the moonlight and her heart begins thrumming inside of her chest.
"Now, what might a beautiful woman like yourself be doin' out here all alone?" he asked, a slight twang to his words, though instead of sounding comforting like home, it sounds sinister.
Too frightened to speak, she frantically looks for a way out of the cage he has trapped her in with his body. Seeing her distress, the man reaches out and strokes her cheek. She shivers at the chill of his hand.
"You won't be goin' anywhere." he seethes. "I'll just make this real quick."
Confused and unnerved, she looks up into his deadly gaze. He lowers his mouth to her neck, almost as if to give her a kiss, but then his teeth cut through her skin as if it were soft butter and the pain begins.
Adeline can feel the suction of him draining her life force, just as she can feel the flames beginning at the bite and slowly spreading. She cries out, just before he can cover her mouth.
Sated, he leaves her, succumbing to the flames and falling unconscious.
Slowly the poison spreads, as does the burning. She wakes up four days later to an intolerable burning in her throat and a whole new world around her.