I own nothing other than Arianna

Chapter One

Despite the warmth of the Dallas night I shrank into the wooded black jumped that swamped my lithe figure, hiding my small waist and curvy torso, the hem reaching just above my knees. I had the hood pulled up, hiding my long blond hair though I knew it barely resembled the golden blond that it had once been – aside from washing it in cold water whenever the chance happened upon me, and my hair was filthy. I didn't care about the state of my hair or how the bulky jumper concealed my body from onlookers; to them I was just another homeless person and of little importance.

And that was the only thing that had been keeping me safe for the past few years. I knew that my survival depended on me to change my appearance, even if it was as simple as having a good shower (I know, what torture) and getting some new clothes. I had been lucky when I pick-pocketed a beefy man, too drunk to realize what was happening or even where he was and his wallet was thick with notes. I imagine he'll dismiss the missing cash as having lost a few games of poker or on beer.

I was determined to find a motel despite the darkening sky hoping desperately not to end up sleeping in another alleyway. For most people, this would be an easy task but it was proving exceedingly difficult to convince managers that I had money to pay upfront for one night but my filthy appearance didn't exactly portray an honorable citizen. And now I was down to my last option; the vampire motel Camille.

Vampires made me anxious but not for the reasons you think; it doesn't have anything to do with the fact that they drink blood or that they exist for that matter. No it's the fact that when one of them, particularly an older vamp, realize that I'm not human that they do their typical 'capture and use to my benefit'. Don't get me wrong; there are actually some nice (or as nice as vampires can be) vampires but generally they want whatever will give them power.

Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on how you look at it, it was the last place that anyone would ever expect me to be and I reluctantly trudged across the road to the hotel. It was entertaining to see the shocked glances from the human companions of vampires in the lobby while the vampires present barely spared me a glance. I headed toward the front desk where the woman at the reception gave me an open look of disgust and I knew that she considered herself superior. She was dressed in a blood red skirt that looked a size too small and a deep black frilly top that was tucked in to the skirt that ended at her waist.

"I'm sorry; our positions for blood donors are full." The woman said in a sickly sweet voice before I had a chance to speak.

I raised an eyebrow unimpressed though my dirty fringe hid that from her, "How good for you. I need a room for the night." I told her.

The woman looked down at me with contempt, "We're full I'm afraid."

I glared at her now, "We both know that is bullshit. The bright red sign outside the place you work? You know that? Well it very clearly says that there are vacancies. I'm only here one night and I can pay upfront in cash for your cheapest room."

The woman's expression didn't change, "I'm sure there's an alleyway a couple of blocks away that you'll find suitable."

I clenched my first more than ready to give her a black eye that she deserved when a shadow literally loomed over me. The woman's eyes widened and she gaped at the giant behind me, her mouth opening and shutting like a fish. A large, pale hand rested on the counter next to my right hand and the rest of his body came up close behind me so much that I could feel his chest brushing slightly against my back.

"Is there are a problem?" The man asked, his deep voice filled with boredom.

The woman snapped out of her stupor and smiled flirtatiously, "Not at all sir. This…lady," She sneered, "just wanted directions."

My hand clenched and unclenched, itching to reach out and slap her silly and I was more than prepared to make her look like a fool to whoever she was stupidly staring at, "Yes, the directions to one of your vacant rooms that I keep asking for. You have a strange obsession with alleyways; you might want to get some help for that." I told her, leaning in to whisper sympathetically.

The woman laughed somewhat hysterically, her cheeks now a blazing red, "I think she might be drunk. I'll just call security and then I'll be right with you Sir. I'm terribly sorry about this."

She picked up the phone, smiling innocently at the man behind me and I couldn't take anymore of her annoying, snotty attitude. Several things around us began to shatter – the windows, a filing cabinet – as did the phone in her hand. She shrieked, dropping the melted plastic and attracting more attention than I'd like to our presence. I cursed under my breath at my stupidity and recklessness and whirled around to make a hasty escape before someone could get a good look at me. I bumped in to the man behind me and I had no chance to get a few steps away when a cold, rough hand wrapped around my dainty wrist.

We both froze – me in horror and him in confusion – as a golden cord encircled our wrists and began to tighten painfully, digging into our skin. I jerked desperately, trying to remove my wrist from the connection and refusing to let this happen. Of course my wrist didn't budge a clear sign that whoever this man was he was definitely powerful and had been chosen as my protector. Tears filled my eyes as I struggled to think what that would mean for me; this was a vampire I was being bound to. No human could ever have a chance at being bound to someone like me.

I whimpered as the cord tore ruthlessly into my skin, a surprised grunt the only sound from the vampire as the same happened to him. I began to feel dizzy, watching the cord pump my blood out of me appearing an ethereal pink that emanated as it made its way down the cord and into the vampire. Nausea began to bubble inside me as the fiery red haze of his blood took its path down the cord and replaced the blood that had been taken from me. With a gentle hum the cord glowed with content at the fresh bond, happy at the protector that had been bound to me and before I processed what had happened my body began to topple over as I fainted.

A/N this story has been bugging me for a while so I've decided to try and see where it goes. I'm pretty sure I'll be following the TV series and not the books. Next chapter will be longer I hope. Read and let me know what you think.