Chapter One

85 Years Ago

1928 Volterra, Italy

My heart pounded against my chest.

Babum, Babum, Babum.

I held onto the charm that hanged from my necklace as if it was my lifeline, the cold silver reassuring. Daniel held my other hand, and smiled at me when he saw me looking. I smiled back at him weakly.

"WELCOME TO VOLTERRA!" A loud, booming voice spoke, as we entered the round shaped, but chilling room. When the man spoke, I jumped a little, and my grip on the charm tightened. Daniel had a curious expression, as he looked at everyone in the room. Besides the other tourists, there were 3 young looking men standing at the small stage sort of set, 3 huge yet beautiful chairs or thrones behind them. Observing them, I realized their eyes had a red tint. I tried to breathe as I thought of something.

"Daniel. I have a bad feeling about all of this." I whispered in his ear, and Daniel turned to look at me, with a frown.

"Everything's fine. The tour ends in 20 minutes or so." He told me, and tugged me closer to him, and even closer to the 3 curious men. Every one of the tourists did the same, but I heard a whimper come from a little girl from my left. I smiled at her but she looked away, and that's when I noticed the tears falling down her face. I frowned, and turned back.

The 3 men were now surrounded by other people; all pale, with the red eyes, but in dark robes, the hoods up, hiding their faces.

"Daniel, I mean it." I whispered to him again, more urgent and worried.

"Katerina, I told you tha-"Daniel was broken off by a loud scream. I whipped my head, to see one of the men holding the little girl by the neck, his smile wicked and wide.

My hand flew to my mouth, and I stifled a gasp. Daniels eyes widened, and he held me closer, so that my hip was against his. Attached practically.

A woman lunged forward, her arms out, but another man in a dark robe, his hood down, grabbed her, and she yelped. The man had dark brown hair, and he wasn't tall, but he looked around the age of any other 16 year old. A girl, smaller, with blonde hair in a bun, lingered towards me, and I backed up, near the exit. Daniel turned around and rushed towards them, dragging me along with him.

Soon screams were heard, filling the room with them. I saw a dark hooded figure grab a woman, and bite her wrist, blood spraying everywhere.

I screamed, and Daniel shushed me, and then continued trying to open the doors. I turned around and yelped. The little blonde girl was facing me, an evil grin on her face. I slapped her face, and then groaned when it felt like hitting a rock. She frowned instantly, and lunged for me, but was pushed aside. I looked up to find Daniel, smiling. He gave me a hand, and I took it, standing up. I saw another figure rushing towards us, and when I pushed Daniel out of the way, I was knocked aside.

I screamed, when I felt my ribs getting crushed, and I tried to lift myself up, but failed. A cold hand grabbed hold of my neck, and I screamed again. I was shoved up against a wall, and I cried out loud.

"No worries little one. His death will be quick, and so will yours." I was confused, until I realized he must have meant Daniel.

"NO!" I yelled, and I kicked and flailed. Nothing, not even a budge from him.

"KATERINA!" Someone yelled, and I turned my head to find Daniel rushing forward, but someone chased him.

I tried to point behind him, but he didn't realize anything.

That someone was the little blonde girl, and she jumped onto his back, causing him to fall. He groaned when he hit the floor hard, and the little blond girl smiled, then lifted him up by the shirt.

She smiled before she bit him viciously on the neck, and he screamed bloody murder. She sucked his blood, for it was so loud, and heard clearly.

He slumped against her when she let go, and she pushed him off of herself, then she simply wandered away, her smile still on her face.

"No, no, no!" I cried, tears slipping down my face. The man then turned back to me, and he laughed.

"You know what comes next, don't you?!" he asked me. I nodded, and he laughed again.

"You know, you would be a good one. Maybe I'll actually spare your life." Then he bit my wrist and I screamed so loud it hurt my throat.

I stopped when he let go, and I fell to the floor, thrashing around, my muscles contracting and letting go again.

"I'll see you soon." He whispered in my ear, and walked away, leaving me screaming from the fire, begging anyone to kill me, or anything to stop the fire, the burning lava inside my veins, my heart.

"Help." I moaned, and I screamed one last time, before the darkness overcame me.

The last thing I thought was;

Why Me?!