Prologue:

The sky was black as ink, stars speckled over the surface like glittering jewels. The air was warm, making one sweat lightly as they walked though it. But it didn't matter to her, she felt no warmth.

She walked beside her two comrades, her eyes searching the dark carefully. Her senses were keen, analyzing every sound, scent and sight around her. The other two were less observant, chattering lightly to each other as they walked. But she had known better. There were only three of them, meaning they were fairly weak. If they were to be attacked, they would be decimated.

Her eyes widened as a breeze swept over the hills and swirled around them. The two blondes that she traveled with moaned in unison, and she felt compelled to do the same but did not. The air smelled of fresh blood, a cluster of humans not far off.

"Ohh.. So good". The blond sang as the other nodded vigorously.

"Easy Nettie". The brunette said sternly. "You will soon feed".

"I know Maria, it has just been so long". Nettie said stubbornly as Maria shook her head.

"We are not the only vampire's in this territory right now, we must be careful". Maria said with narrowed eyes as Nettie nodded.

"Well lets go then". The other blonde said, glancing toward the sky.

They could leap the distance effortlessly and take them all, but they wouldn't do that. They would hunt as they usually did, drawing the humans to them. And when their defenses were lowered, they would take them.

"Let's go girls". Maria hissed into the wind as the two blondes grinned widely. They started walking oncemore, letting their grace and poise manipulate their movements. They seemed almost to be dancing, as each foot fell onto the dirt path lightly. If music had been playing, their steps would have matched it completely.

Maria smirked, throwing her hand out into the air. "One little human this way comes". She snickered as the two laughed softly.

A man was riding over the hilltop, his blonde hair glowing in the moonlight, as his body bounced up and down on the steed.

Nessie grinned widely, looking down at Maria quickly as she licked her pink lips.

He stopped a few feet from them, leaping off the saddle effortlessly. He strode toward them carefully, his long limbs hanging loosely off his slender body. His eyes flickered over each of their faces, widening in awe.

The horse was pulling against the reins, fighting to get away as his dark eyes filled with fear. Clever beast, he knew just what they were.

He stopped in front of them, examining each of their faces silently as his hand tightened on the rein.

"He's speechless." The tall blonde Lucy sang into the still air as his eyes flashed at her.

Nettie grinned hungrily, her thirst fighting wildly against her self restraint. She dipped her head toward him, her eyes shutting slightly as she inhaled. "Mmm.. Lovely". She sighed as Maria's eyes flashed up at her.

Her small hand was around Nette's arm tightly, her voice clear and authoritative as she spoke. "Concentrate Nettie". She glanced back at the man thoughtfully, her eyes dancing over his frame. "He looks right". She noted softly, her eyes turning to his face. "Young, strong, an officer". She said looking over his uniform. She turned back to the two blondes. "And theres something more, can you sense it"? She glanced back at him smoothly as she smiled. "He's compelling".

It was true, this man exuded a force that almost claimed her mind. He had a gift, something rare among their kind. She knew he would be right for their cause.

"Oh yes." Nettie said leaning toward him again.

"Patience". Maria said, sensing Nettie's blood lust. She would not let her kill this man, not until she fully understood his power. "I want to keep this one". She hissed as Nettie drew back with a frown.

"You better do it then Maria. If he's important to you. I kill them twice as I keep them". Lucy said as the man shuttered and the horse tried to break free again.

"Yes. I will do it", Maria said looking at him again. "Take this one away will you? I don't want to have to watch my back while I am trying to focus". Maria said softly as the man tensed.

"Let's hunt". Nettie said happily, her eyes lit up with happiness. She took Lucy's hand tightly, turning on the balls of her feet and disappering into the darkness in a blur of white fabric.

The man gaped after them, Maria examining his expression silently. His eyes turned back down to her slowly, his hand trembling against the reins. "What is your name soldier"? She whispered as the horse tugged against the reins, stepping backward slowly.

"Major Jasper Whitlock ma'am". He stammered, his voice filled with a reverance she'd heard only in the voices of men of wealth.

"I truly hope you survive, Jasper". She said gently to him as she took a step toward him. "I have a good feeling about you".

The horse finally broke out of his grip, bucking and wailing softly. The man remained still, watching her lean her head toward him.

She used every bit of her vampire abilities to draw him in, to lull him into a false sense of ease. It always made the process go so much easier. Leaning toward his neck, she adjusted herself over his heart, licking her lips carefully. She had to do this just right, restrain herself so that she doesn't kill him. Biting his heart would be it would be the quickest way to ensure success. Her hand wrapped around his waist, closing around his belt loop as she closed her eyes.

She plunged her teeth into the tender skin above his heart, feeling his muscles tense and push against her. The horse screamed wildly, bucking and throwing it's large head back and forth. She drank a little of his blood, the liquid cooling her burning throat. Ah.. So sweet this blood. But she needed to remain focused.

She whispered into his ear, easing his fears as his body limped in her grasp. His legs melted toward the ground, his long body bending backward against her arm. She knelt forward, lowering him to the dirt as his eyes fell shut.

She looked over him softly for a moment, her hand brushing back his soft hair.

Hopefully his heart was strong enough, hopefully he could survive. Now she could feed, he was safe.

Without thinking, she dropped him on the ground and latched herself onto the steed's neck and drained it dry. Just as she finished, Nettie and Lucy returned, eyeing the man silently. "Let's go girls". Maria said, brushing her hand through her hair as Lucy knelt down.

Lucy lifted his body onto her shoulders, rising easily to her feet as Nettie glided to her side.

Nettie looked over the man's face softly, her grin appearing. "He will make a fine vampire." She whispered as Maria nodded.

"Yes. That he will". She smirked as she turned away, disappearing down the road as the others followed.