Prologue

He was a man of science. His superior intellect prevented him from believing in the occult, and his skepticism extended to myths and superstitions alike. He didn't believe in God either to be honest. But that was another story… There was nothing that could have swayed him from his solid convictions.

That was why he thought himself to be the victim of some elaborated optical illusion when he first glimpsed the creature. Surely, there could be no such thing as a crawling human form on that pillar. Humans did not crawl, let-alone on walls.

The vision, however, left him with an elusive feeling of uneasiness. He hastened his pace while mentally admonishing himself for this sign of weakness. He was on a familiar ground. There should have been nothing to unnerve him in such a way. But, admittedly, he was getting more and more worried as the seconds passed. Something just didn't feel right in the underground parking lot tonight.

He opened the door to his car and sat in the driver's seat, relieved in spite of himself. He knew he was safe in there but nevertheless felt compelled to lock the doors. One never knew…

He slowly pulled out of his reserved space and drove toward the exit. The lights went out. He let out a curse, slamming on the brakes. The car screeched to a halt. He was left stupefied for an eerie moment, wondering why the spare generator didn't take over, then something hit the car. He winced. What was it? Had something or someone bumped into the vehicle?

He switched on the headlights, illuminating the space in front of him. Nothing. There was nothing. He must have imagined it, as strange as it may seem. He was so nervous he wouldn't be surprised if his nerves played tricks on him.

He was about to start again when a shadow crossed the beam. He blinked, then he suddenly saw it. Right next to the car, a tall man was standing. The intruder's long, blond hair was falling over his face, but he could still clearly see the cold eyes, the ruddy lips.

He lowered his window, glaring at him. How could someone possibly be so foolish?

"Do you have no sense, wandering in an unlit parking lot? You could have-" he snapped.

Then he caught the look on the livid man's face – undisguised curiosity, supreme arrogance, and something else… something unnerving.

"What do you want?"

The stranger smiled, then his pale eyes smiled too, and then everything turned dark before his eyes.

"So ironic that I should disregard the last wish of such a remarkable man… But you really are too beautiful to go to waste…"


Everything was dark and calm, the silence only disturbed by the distant sound of a car going down the street. Lying fast asleep in an armchair, a man was dreaming. He had fallen asleep brooding over grudges and fantasies of revenge, just like he had been doing for the past two years he had spent in prison.

As usual, the same nightmares were haunting him – the pain, the blood staining his clothes… the hated face of his nemesis… and… the boy, his curse and burden.

The eyes he was seeing right now, however, were not those to whom he was accustomed. They were far too clear, far too icy. The creature who was bending over him wasn't his sworn enemy, it wasn't even the son…

He who never feared was paralyzed with an irrational awe. He couldn't move, he couldn't scream and his heart was thumping in his chest, so hard he was sure the strange man could hear it also. The intruder smirked cruelly, baring white teeth. Teeth that were sharp, pointed, teeth that were growing before his very eyes. His hands tightened around his shoulders in a vice grip, nails digging into his jacket. They were piercing his shirt. Piercing his flesh. The attack drew a groan from him. The man licked his lips obscenely. He leaned in close to the crook of his neck, sighing with sickening anticipation. The cloud of incomprehension dispersed, and the realization of imminent death snapped him out of his stupor. It wasn't a dream, it wasn't a vision… it was real.

"Don't kill me..."

Why wouldn't I? the man replied, slightly annoyed. Even though his mouth wasn't moving, he could still hear the words resound in his head, loud and clear.

And now, if you would please be quiet. I'm not in the habit of discussing with my food.

Anyone else than him would have fainted with horror. He knew he was doomed. That man… that creature was going to kill him, and he would die, miserable, in a squalid prison cell. What a shame to think he would never get his revenge.

But it was too late. A searing pain ran through him as the thing plunged its fangs into his neck, avidly draining the life from him. No! He couldn't allow it.

What is it? Do you have anything you would like to say? the creature scoffed.

"I want you to kill someone," he coughed.

He could feel the blood trickle down his neck as his assailant moved away from him. The human-looking monster had raised an eyebrow, and so he could tell that his last wish was surprising, even to him.

How deliciously devious… The creature smiled. That is the first time I've ever been faced with such an unusual request. But then, you must be quite an unusual man… I can feel it. Egoistical… sadistic… Just the way I like it. Your soul is nearly as dark as mine…

He laughed heartily, a sound directly out of hell.

I'm listening. Who is that person whose death you so ardently beseech for?

He was declining quickly, the loss of blood was too much for his body to take.

"His name is… Miles Edgeworth," he exhaled, his breath coming out ragged and raspy. It wouldn't be too long, now…

"Miles Edgeworth…" the man repeated, letting each syllable roll off his tongue slowly. "Miles Edgeworth…" So, you would like to see him dead?

"That is all I ask of you."

The creature seemed to think it over. His eyes glinted in the darkness, then he said.

"Unfortunately I have no interest in the humans' ways and customs. This is the end for you."

Looking up from the still warm body, the vampire's pallid eyes caught an interesting sight. In the dead man's hand was a crumpled piece of paper.

"Look at what we have here… Are you trying to hide something from me?"

He snatched it with a brisk movement. It was a picture of two teenagers. A man and a young girl were standing side by side before a plain background. They were as different as could be, but they both wore an identically serious expression and the same aura of beauty radiated from them.

"Delightful…" he observed.

The writing at the back of the picture elicited a smile from him. 'Miles and Franziska 2012'. He threw an amused glance to the corpse of his victim.

"Well… Well… We may have reached an understanding after all …"