(A/N: this is a preface to our story, enjoy!)
Vampire Knights
Preface: Starts With One
Isabella Cullen awoke, free at last from the pain of the torturous vampiric transformation. She was a newborn--wild and bloodthirsty. But she was also different, in a way. Her aversion to blood as a human allowed her one slim chance, in that she could think, could make rational decisions when not confronted by the scent of the living. She could look past the instinct to kill, to tear and drink and feast. But it was a very fine line, and her husband sent her to feed before her tenuous self control was broken.
This was probably not the smartest thing he could have done, to send her out alone. But she was sure of herself, and he could deny her in nothing. And all the trust of their eternal relationship was placed on her instincts. Again, not the best decision, but hindsight is always 20/20.
She darted into the night, weaving around thick foliage in search of the cure for the burning in her throat. But she was young, and her prey was not--that which she so desperately sought evaded her easily. The reckless hunt brought her nearer and nearer to civilization, never a good sign for one so new. But at last her search was placated by a beautiful sight--a barn, not so near to humans that she could smell them. And it was, of course, deserted, save for the animals that resided there.
It was a very pretty scene, this stable on the hill. The moonlight shone across the roof, glinted in the shadows, and cast a silver light over the occupants of each stall. The air was dry, with the omnipresent scent of leather and manure floating on the breeze. The entire building seemed to sigh with the gentle breathing of fifteen horses, deep in slumber—altogether, a very peaceful place. But its serenity was wasted on the vampire, who had eyes for only her quarry.
Isabella Cullen crept up the hill, silent as a wraith. But as she approached, one chocolate brown eye opened as one small pony woke. One can only guess why this pony chose this particular moment to regain consciousness. Perhaps it was the instinctive aversion all animals feel towards vampires, perhaps it was the exceptionally keen hearing of this dark chestnut pony, or perhaps it was merely chance. But whatever the reason may have been, this pony awoke and tensed at the sight of the ghostly pale figure creeping up the hill. And this of course, did not escape the figure's notice.
She went for him first, faster than his eyes could comprehend. Her icy teeth gleamed with silver light, before she buried them deep in his throat. The pony was alarmed, naturally, his eyes flashing white and his head jerking up. But at first he was not physically uncomfortable. His world shrank, going black, and narrowing down to only the gentle tugging sensation at his neck. It was actually very calming, though his instincts screamed of danger.
And this is where everything went wrong. A wise person once compared feeding off animals to living off of your least favorite food for all eternity. Now even though all are repulsive, the degree of awfulness varies between species. Horses--being prey, not predators--are on the more disgusting side of the spectrum, especially to the acute senses of a newborn. So Isabella Cullen broke away, nearly hysterical at the thought of an eternity of that. And as she dashed off into the night she heard, quite distinctly, the scream of a dying pony.
She fled from it, racing for the coven's new home. And after she explained to her mate all that had transpired he took her out again, in quest of a more palatable meal. He would help her bear the weight of the path she had chosen.
And nobody spared another thought for the pony dying in the barn on the hill--nobody except the blonde haired angel, who worried briefly about the results of his newest daughter's lapse in control. But he too was soon distracted, and the pony was lost from time as the rain began to fall.