Newcrest Rising

by Katrina S. Forest

Windenburg and Forgotten Hollow have it so easy with all their premade houses and established families. But in a desperate world of empty lots, one man tries to put Newcrest on the map. Hmm? Yes, we KNOW it's technically "on the map." We meant in the figurative sense, and-oh, just read the story! It has vampires! Vampires are cool... right?

1. Prologue

Newcrest Rising: Prologue

a/n: This fanfic is also in comic form on my blog, which can be found in my profile. I hope you enjoy it in whichever form you care to read.

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The two vampires met just before dawn, on the steps of the largest (and clearly, most expensive) abode in all of Forgotten Hollow. One male, white-haired and conservatively dressed. One female, who looked like she had recently been performing at a rock concert. Mohawk and all.

While Forgotten Hollow was normally a quiet place, tonight it was anything but.

"What do you mean I'm not automatically your heir?" the female vampire shouted.

"Now, now," her fellow vampire replied, "Calm yourself, Gertrude."

Gertrude snarled. "It's Miss Hell now!"

"Ah, yes. How perfectly subtle of you."

Gertrude, or Miss Hell, however one wished to think of her, seemed to sense this wasn't an argument she could win through sheer decibels. "Who else is up for the job, huh?" she demanded. "Answer me that, at least!"

"Perhaps I do not yet know. Perhaps I am still considering new candidates. Or perhaps, as the young ones say, it is none of your waxed bees."

Gertrude frowned. "Vladislaus, nobody says that."

"Bah," said Vladislaus, waving away the correction, "Curse these mortals and their ever-changing lexicons."

The first rays of sunlight began to crack through the dark sky. As neither vampire wished to be lightly roasted with a side of wolfsbane, they quickly brought the conversation to a close, each in their own way. Gertrude naturally insisted on yelling. Vladislaus preferred a succinct approach.

"Well, whoever's up against me," warned Gertrude, "They'll regret they ever crossed Miss-"

"I bid you good day," said Vladislaus, disappearing in a puff of smoke.

Gertrude shook her fist at the empty air. "Wait! Come back! You don't just vanish during someone's diatribe!"

But of course, Vladislaus had done just that. In a blur of motion, however, another vampire appeared at Gertrude's side. A thin, black-haired woman, probably a few years Gertrude's junior. But with vampires, who could really tell?

"Smooth," the young woman said.

"Lilith," Gertrude spat. "Unless you know who else he's considering, get out of here."

"No clue," Lilith replied, very much not getting out of there. "But I'm enjoying watching him play with you. Feeling nervous, Miss H?"

"Not a bit," Gertrude replied, opening an umbrella against the rising sun. "In fact, I'm looking forward to the challenge. Tell your brother we've got work to do."

Lilith smiled. "Sure thing."

And that, dear readers, is how our story begins. And you know what? We prefer the name Miss H over Gertrude. We shall, as the young ones say, stick with that.