Prologue
The sun was just beginning to set over the tired-looking house of Spinner's End. A man dragging a trunk fumbled in his overcoat for keys. He slid the key into the lock and the door swung open. Little did he know he was being watched? A slender silhouette crouched across the street, hidden by tall bushes. As the door closed behind her target, she stood up and stealthily moved closer. She ducked down beneath a window sill on the east side of the house. Inside the man was sending clothing flying into drawers and onto hangers. He did not seem to notice the woman at his window as conjured a glass of what looked like tonic and gin to the woman.
The blond took a step to the side and rose to her full five foot six frame. She was old hat at this. She knew his mind would be foggy soon, his senses dulled. She had been watching him for months, observing the subtle changes in him; the sensitivity to sunlight, lack of an appetite. She had seen his eyes take on flecks of ice grey. She was close now
"One last time," she whispered to herself as she slid around the back of the house.
She unlatched the back door and slipped inside. Her shoes made no noise as she moved towards his bedroom. The door was wide open and she saw him pour himself another drink. Once he'd tossed it back, slamming the snifter down the side table, she glided in and was at his side. He seemed not to notice. Or if he did, he mistook her for a hallucination, one he'd had for months. It was a pleasant hallucination in his mind.
"One last time," she repeated against neck before she bared her elongated canines and sunk them into his tender flesh.
He went limp immediately, almost as if it were some innate reflex. She took her fill and when she was done, healed the two punctures with a kiss. Her nostrils flared as he slipped into unconsciousness. His scent changed. Not much, but enough that it made her smile. When he woke, he would be almost changed. She kissed him on the lips gently before disappearing from the room. She combed the streets for a suitable meal. She found a young boy in his mid teens and decided he would do. She grabbed him, her hand immediately covering his mouth.
"Calm down," she whispered soothingly in his ear.
"You don't have to be afraid. I just want you to meet my friend," she whispered, the boy nodded his head. She uncovered his mouth and brought him back.
Returning to the house on Spinner's End, she sat him in the living room with instructions to stay there until she came back for him. Upon entering the bedroom, she found the man sitting on the bed, holding his head. He looked up at her in confusion.
"Shit. I'm hallucinating," he muttered to himself. She shut the door and sat next to him, taking his hands in hers.
"No Severus. I'm very real," she said in his ear.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Alena," she answered, her extended teeth showing. Realization shot through him like a whip.
"What have you done to me?" Severus roared.
"Calm down," she said calmly.
"Calm down! You've been feeding on me haven't you?" he accused. She nodded.
"How long? You bitch!" he exclaimed. She narrowed her eyes at him and he went tumbling to the floor.
"Do not raise your voice to me," she stated sternly.
Her features softened as she crouched down by him. She stroked his hair and gazed at him admiringly.
"You are going to make a magnificent vampire," she whispered.
"Come on. You need to feed," she instructed.
"No," Severus protested.
"It will help. You'll feel better," she assured him.
She helped him to his feet and told him sit on the bed. She retrieved the boy and he stood in front of Severus, his eyes glazed over in a trance. The look in Severus' eyes made Alena smile. She stepped up to the boy and sunk her teeth in, taking only a small amount. She removed her mouth and healed the wounds.
"Go ahead," she urged.
Severus rose on shaking legs and felt his canine's extend. He sunk them into the soft flesh of the young man's neck. Blood began to flow into the older man's mouth and he drank it greedily. He grew dizzy as he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"That's enough," came Alena's voice.
He pulled his teeth out and licked the wounds. Miraculously they disappeared. The boy began to sway unsteadily in his condition. Together, Alena and Severus laid him on the bed.
"Do you feel better?" she inquired her offspring.
"Yes," he answered, feeling better than he'd felt in months.