Authors Note: Hello all! Finally a story I will actually finish. I know when you read it it'll sound a lot like Queen of the Damned (movie). I kno, I kno, I took some songs from it. So sue me! Really, don't though. I'm not really going to stick to close to the movie or book though. Why? Well, 1. I just liked the songs. 2. I also only liked the idea of a vampire trying to be known. I was going to follow the movie at first, but deceided not to. I hope u like it and plz R&R...PLZ!

P.S. swry if there's spelling errors. u can come after me with pitchforks later.

Slept So Long

Prologue

Every hundred years a creature is set free. It goes unnoticed. Feeding in the shadows, hiding in the darkness. Its victim's death blamed on accidents. For this creature is one to have thought to only exist in books and movies. Its white skin and fierce eyes forever promoting images of horror and ironically, beauty. They keep to themselves, now free from their hibernation. They associate with others of their kind. Becoming familiar with the world around them. Sometimes they even added to their numbers. Yet every now and then there is one bent on discovery. One who no longer wants to hide in shadow, who longs to be known to the world. Vampires of old often fear the time when one such as this will awake. The elders do all they can to prevent this disaster. But when one has enough drive and ambition, it cannot likely be stopped. Their quest to be known can lead to the ruin of the vampire race. But if this rebel were to become caught up in human affairs, they could become even more deadly to the vampire's secrete existence.

I

To be different is to be feared. They think if you are born, thinking a different way, that you are a curse. A problem only needing to be solved. Your opinions are destroyed and you become a mindless drone. After you have been taught, instructed in their ways, you sleep. Sleeping until it is your time to wake. To join the others in the secrete dwelling of this Earth. But as you sleep, you dream. But vampires do not dream like mortals. It is we who invade their dreams. Creeping in and torturing their thoughts. Nightmares run wild in our presence, for mortals are weak minded and give into the terror. Thrashing about until they awake and are free from our grasps. I took joy in these nightly activities. Knowing one day my time would come and I would walk among them. Yes, among them. I am the feared one, the different one. We are stronger, smarter than these mortals are. So, why must we fear them? They are a fascinating breed. Their simple minds easy to manipulate. But if they were to use them, the intelligence may even match ours. But in one of my nightly mind wanderings, I happened upon a girl's mind. Yet I did not aim to frighten her. Her mind was deliciously sharp and clever. This triggered a thought, and so I began to explore…

Raiyne knew she was asleep. How else could you explain the misty, endless world. Surrounded by white, with smoky clouds covering the bare floor. Looking down, she found her clothes she slept in gone. A lightweight, satin sleeping gown had replaced them. She ran her hands up her side, feeling the soothing cold of the fabric. Thin straps allowed it to hang off her shoulders. The flowing fabric hugged her firm, yet supple breasts. Going down from there, it hung away from her body. It glided over slim hips and stopped mid-thigh. She wasn't sure why she'd be outfitted in this. It was far too risky for her.

Raiyne's jet-black hair rained down her back, stopping just at her tailbone. Her eyes were a liquid black, shinning at times and looking like an endless inky sky at others. Long lashes framed the almond shaped ink pools. Her lips were full and pouty. If it had been daytime or any other nightly activity other than sleeping, her facial features would be even more intoxicating with the help of plentiful amounts of make-up.

She walked through the emptiness, searching for something; anything. She was one to believe that there was some truth to dreams. That one had them for a reason. They could bring up events in the future or hint to an event that had happened in the past and might happen again. Her feet made no sound on the bare floor as she plodded along. From the mists the sound of drums and a haunting, eerie guitar reached her ears. She could feel them twitch as she spun around. No one stood behind her. The music had moved, changing direction. It's eerie notes now played behind her. The pitch grew in volume; higher and louder. Raiyne's heart pounded in her chest. It may have been terrifying, but it was exciting. She turned to face the direction of the haunting tune. As she walked foreword, hands tense at her sides, the volume became softer. Raiyne stopped and stood staring confused into the misty emptiness. Suddenly there was a loud booming sound. It was the echoing sound of a drum set. The music picked up again. Raiyne was caught off guard and fell back. Propping herself up with her hands, she sat up in a reclining position. About a foot in front of her, the mist began to swirl and rise. It rose, climbing higher above her.

The faint outline of a person could be seen among the mist. As it loomed towards her, the mist parted. Separating to give Raiyne her first look at…him.

D'Artagnan fixed his eyes upon the girl. His eyes were of a dark, steel blue. Only when he fed did they lighten to a pale, almost clear blue. Dark lashes framed them, providing him with the ability of an intoxicating stare. On his full lips was a sly, teasing smile. Sharp, pointed white fangs were revealed, glistening in what little light there was. Dirty blonde, almost brown, hair was shaggy. Finger combed and wavy, its length went down to his ears on the sides and just to the base of his neck in the back. He saw the girl scoot back.

Broad shoulders and slim, defined arms were covered by his shirt. When he took a step towards her, his button-up, black shirt fluttered open for an instant. His skin was pale like ivory due to the lifetime of darkness. A toned chest and hard, chiseled abdomen was revealed to Raiyne. His body was smooth, not cluttered with the presence of hair. Long, slimly muscular legs were clad in leather pants. He wore leather boots. They're make was not that of a clunky motorcycle style, but small and simple.

D'Artagnan's eyes traveled the length of Raiyne's body. She was breath taking, he must admit. Reaching out his hand, he offered to help her up. Cautiously she slid her slim hand into his. She leaned into him as she slowly stood. Her eyes darted about as the music now returned to a steady pace. When she turned her gaze fixing now upon him. He looked as if to say something to her. But she was more shocked at what did come out. He began to sing. And not in that scratchy voice cracking way or pop singer voice. His was powerful, eerie and beautiful.

"I'm over it. You see I'm falling in a vast abyss." D'Artagnan walked towards her as he sang. The way he carried himself was dominating, but inviting. Raiyne stepped back and turned. As she hurried away from him, D'Artagnan spread his arms out as the mist engulfed him. After she walked a couple of yards, she stopped. Her lips parted as she drew in a few shaky breaths. The mist had begun to pile up around her. No matter which way she turned, Raiyne could not see. "Clouded by memories of the past, at last…I see…" D'Artagnan's voice could be heard but he was nowhere to be seen. The haunting lyrics chilled Raiyne. But she stayed calm and began to venture through the mist. Her vision was impaired by the thickness. It was now limited to seeing only about a foot in front of her.

Every now and then, Raiyne caught the movement of a dark figure out of the corner of her eye. "I hear it fading. I can't speak it, or else you will dig my grave. You feel them finding, always whining." The music began to build. Suddenly a wall was in front of her. "Take my hand…" Raiyne stretched her hand out, reaching to touch it. Instead, D'Artagnan's hand reached out from Raiyne's right side. Wrapping his fingers around her small wrist, he jerked her around. "…now be alive!" The drums crashed and Raiyne shut her eyes tightly as she spun around. D'Artagnan pushed her up against the wall. The arm he held was pinned above her head. She expected his expression to be filled with anger. Yet when she locked her eyes onto his she was surprised. They were intense, but he had a cocky smirk on his face.

D'Artagnan stepped in closer, his body pressed against hers. "You see I cannot be forsaken, because I'm not the only one." Raiyne knew she should have been scared, yet fear was not present. Looking downward she saw his other hand move towards her free one. His long fingers caressed her wrist and palm as he brought her hand up. Watching, Raiyne's eyes were full of curiosity. When she stole a glance at D'Artagnan he was smiling still. Her heart did one of those funny flip things. She tried to ignore it as he stopped pulling her hand up. It was almost parallel to her shoulder, bent at the elbow. D'Artagnan looked at her and locked his steel blue eyes onto her black ones. "We walk amongst you; feeding…" Just as she was becoming relaxed, losing herself in his eyes, she felt a sharp pain in her wrist. Her eyes shut tightly in pain as she let out a small gasp. Trying to bunch her fist, she realized she couldn't. Liquid eyes flew open and she looked over.

The numbness in Raiyne's fingers was revealed. D'Artagnan had punctured her wrist with his thumbnail. Her wrist! Raiyne began to struggle as she watched the crimson liquid flow. Like a small river it ran off her wrist and dripped onto the bare floor. As she pulled and tugged, trying to free her arm, she felt herself growing faint. D'Artagnan chuckled at her effort. He brought the wounded hand up towards his face. Keeping his eyes locked onto hers, Raiyne saw a change. The once dark blue eyes were now pale; an icy, almost clear blue. She felt herself relax as she stared into their emptiness. As she let her hand go limp, D'Artagnan brought it now to his mouth. Putting his lips over the wound, he gently ran his tongue over the open flesh. Brought out of her hypnotized like trance by the sudden sensation, Raiyne gasped. Her wrist tingled and the feel of his tongue caressing it made her shiver.

When D'Artagnan removed his mouth from the wound, his eyes darkened to their original state. The wound was no longer there. In its place was a faint, yet visible red dot. Raiyne tilted her head up to look at him. She had hoped to be released. Surely he had obtained what he wanted. Though Raiyne did have a tendency to think and speak all too soon. Instead D'Artagnan now forcefully pinned the other hand above her head. "…raping. Must we hide from everyone?" Before she even had time to react, D'Artagnan had stepped back and pulled her with him. As he continued to walk backwards, he held onto her right hand lightly. Raiyne followed in an almost trance like way. "I'm over it. Why can't we be together?" He stopped moving. Pulling her towards him, he wrapped an arm around her waist. Placing his hand on the small of her back, he pushed her hips into his. Before Raiyne could enjoy his touch, she was spun around and D'Artagnan disappeared. "Endlessly. Sleeping so long, taking of the masks."

D'Artagnan was now behind her, covering her eyes with his hands. Raiyne brought her hands up and lightly grabbed his wrists. Smiling, revealing white fangs, D'Artagnan began to remove his hands. Allowing now for her to see freely. "At last, I see…" When she could see again, Raiyne turned around. She watched D'Artagnan curiously, awaiting his next move. He began to circle her. A predator, inspecting its prey. "My fear is fading, I can't speak it. Or else you will dig my grave." Turning so as not to have her back to him, Raiyne was in the defense mode. The satin fabric swayed around her thighs as she moved. A look of amusement played about on D'Artagnan's face. Seeing this small girl trying to keep control of herself was quite comical.

She wanted him, there was no hiding it. He had her now, and wouldn't let go. "You fear them finding, always whining. "He walked towards her now. Commanding to be feared and worshiped. "Take my hand, NOW BE ALIVE!" The mist exploded into a thick cloud in front of her. He had been nearly a foot in front of her. Temporally blinded and coughing, Raiyne scanned the area when her vision returned. She was alone or so she thought. A scream escaped her when the silence was broken by a thundering drumbeat. "You see I cannot be forsaken, because I'm not the only one." Ghostly figures began to appear around her. They caught her around the waist and spun her. They blocked her path if she tried to run. D'Artagnan stood above them all, on a pillar of mist and shadow. An invisible wind blew softly through his hair and his shirt fluttered about.

"We walk amongst you; feeding…raping." As the creatures grabbed her arms, their nails scratched her frail skin. Hungry mouths sucked what little residue of blood there was, from their attacks, off their fingers and nails. Hands groped all over her body. Still she fought, as she was passed from one haunting figure to the next. "Must we hide from everyone…"

D'Artagnan watched the antics with mixed emotions. Usually he loved to see mortals in pain. But as her blood coursed through him, he became worried. He felt drawn to her in a way that he'd never been before. As he watched her battle these demons, he was concerned for her well being. Though this was only a dream, the sight of her in pain tore at his cold heart. D'Artagnan stepped off his pillar. Landing softly on the ground, he rid Raiyne of the vampires with a wave of his hand. The frightened girl stood, scratches covering her arms and chest. Standing in front of her, D'Artagnan placed his hands on her exposed chest area. Lightly he ran his hand over those scratches, moving outwards towards her arms. Doing the same to them, the scratches healed and disappeared. Her chest and arms were completely free of any evidence of her past attacks.

Raiyne looked now at him, an unsure expression of her face. First he has her attacked and now heals her. What did he want from her? He held his hand out, intending for her to take it again. But this time Raiyne was hesitant. She took the time to notice the music had slowed to a steady rhythmic beat. It didn't take her long to recognize this as the bridge of the song. When she looked back at D'Artagnan, something in his eyes told her not to be afraid. Losing all the fear she still had, Raiyne took his hand.

When D'Artagnan felt her hand slip into his, he pulled her too him and stepped back. Instead of stopping though, he began to dance in circles; ballroom style. His free hand found her waist and he held onto the other still. Raiyne placed her free hand onto his shoulder. Looking up she saw him smiling at her. Butterflies fluttered about in her stomach. Her feet felt weightless, as he twirled her around in the misty land. Where his fingers were placed on her back, they left a tingling sensation on her skin. Raiyne felt him push her closer and she gave in. Her lower body pressed firmly into his.

Raiyne was too caught up in the moment to notice the bed appearing behind her. She didn't even notice D'Artagnan directing their dancing in that direction. She felt herself come to a stop, when the back of her calves touched the bed. The sudden obstacle in her path, brought Raiyne back into a more conscience state. Since she could go no further, Raiyne expected D'Artagnan to cease their dance. Instead, D'Artagnan removed his hand from her back. He placed it gently on her hip and pushed her back.

Staring up at him with hesitant eyes, Raiyne slowly lowered herself onto the bed. Releasing her right hand from his grasp, she pushed herself further back. Her ankles were just barely at the bed's edge. D'Artagnan leaned forward, placing a hand on either side of her hips. The drums crashed, signaling the ending of the bridge. "You see I cannot be forsaken," As he crawled up towards her, the bed was sinking slightly at the combined weight. He now was parallel to her, cold eyes staring into endless ones. "because I'm not the only one." Looking down, D'Artagnan ran the fingers of his right hand up her thigh. His nails scratching very gently on her sensitive skin. Raiyne's eyes widened at the touch. She gasped and D'Artagnan pulled his hand way, which was now right at the edge of her satin gown; which clung to her thigh.

"We walk amongst you;" D'Artagnan shifted his weight and was now lying most to her side. His right leg was intertwined with her left. Still he sat slightly up. Placing one hand on her right side, he had himself propped up by placing the other on the bed, right next to her body on her left side. "...feeding, raping." Leaning in closer, Raiyne could feel the warmth of his breath on her neck. She arched her back at the touch of his fingers on her side. The satin fabric felt electrified beneath his fingers. The sensation it created was intense and unique. "Must we hide from everyone..." His breath sent shivers down her spine. But then, as if she wasn't surprised enough at his actions already, he went even further.

D'Artagnan began to lean in closer to the hollow of her throat; where her neck met her shoulder. The muscles in her neck became tense. By now the music had become softer and was dying out. "...everyone..." His lips brushed over her silken skin as he sang. Raiyne felt herself relaxing. His fangs scratched the surface skin slightly. "...everyone." Just as she felt his lips press against her neck, everything started becoming fuzzy. She blinked her eyes tightly, trying to clear it. Raiyne's eyes darted about wildly when she noticed it becoming worse. D'Artagnan sat up and Raiyne saw sadness in his beautiful eyes. For the first time of the whole experience, Raiyne choked out her first words just as she blacked out.

"N...no...w...w-wait..."