My Little Victorian

Prologue

April 23rd 1842

London, England

The rain pelted down onto the cobblestone pavements, the sounds of the hooves of horses clinking on the rough surface filled the street. There were plenty of people walking on the sides, desperate to get out the wet weather.

It never bothered him; no change in Mother Nature bothered him. If it snowed, he was fine; if it was warm he'd be fine but under the shade. The rain soothed his heart; there was something poetic about it that allowed thousands of songs and lyrics into his mind.

Elizabeth had always said it was as if he was born into the element, both of them looking peaceful when the other was present. Speaking of Elizabeth…

Lysander swallowed back the burning sensation in his throat. He was getting worked up over nothing; they weren't going that far yet. Tonight they would form the bond, they would become Dimidium. That was the first step and he was glad that she would accept such a burden.

"You should go and find her," Leigh smirked knowingly at his younger brother who kept gazing out at the street, crouched on the rooftop. "She is not getting younger little brother."

Lysander threw him an annoyed look. "And yet neither do we."

Leigh rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest. "Must you be dramatic? Mother and Father do not seem to mind this lifestyle. It is not like we were given a choice."

Lysander snorted at the idea but kept his opinion to himself as he stood up straight. Narrowing his eyes, he scanned the area for any danger Nocte Venatores. Every civilian lit up in a soft blue, signalling that they were innocents, nothing to worry about much.

"I shall see you later." Lysander murmured before jumping off the roof. His movement was graceful, like a cat's as he landed in a crouch before quickly stepping into the shadows. No one had taken notice or heard anything, continuing to walk home. He waited a few moments, counting to ten in his head before stepping out of the shadow and walking along the path.

His inhuman hearing and senses were running on high, sensing any movement from miles away in all directions. More attacks have occurred lately, he had to be careful.

Storks Manor was heading into view, sending Lysander's heart into a nervous frenzy. He's waited for this day for a year, ever since his eyes laid upon Elizabeth in the market place. It was as if Fate had a hand in it, no two souls were more meant for each other. She was his other half, his destined Dimidium…

As he walked closer, his gut tightened, the smell of death was evident. Lysander's eyes widened, seeing the black iron gates ripped off the hinges and onto the ground.

No, no, no, no! Lysander thought over and over again, running into the gates and finding blood tracking across the pavement. The front doors were forced open as he hesitantly walked through. Through his panic, he failed to sense the hatred and ambush that laid ahead. Only when he stepped into the drawing room, did he realise his fateful mistake.

Elizabeth, her long, curly dark chocolate hair was covering her chest, resting along her back as her ocean blue eyes were filled with fear. As soon as she saw him, the fear intensified. "Lysander no!" she screamed just as she struggled against the hold of the masked stranger behind her. She was in her nightgown, only waking up.

Lysander halted in his tracks, finding five members of the Nocte Venatores in the drawing room, probably grinning underneath their black mouth guards. The familiar black armour with two silver angel wings with a sword in the middle of the amour, symbolising their cult mocked him.

"We have been expecting you Caeruleus," a woman with green eyes spoke, a golden line around her waist to identify her status as the leader hissed. "Here I thought you would never show up."

Lysander swallowed and stood up straighter. "I am here now, let her go."

She hummed, stroking Elizabeth's hair much to his displeasure. His fingers often ran through that soft hair of hers and to have someone else do it set a burning fire of anger in him. "When our informer claimed you had taken an interest in a human girl, I scoffed at the idea." She gripped Elizabeth's hair and yanked it, causing Elizabeth to cry out in pain. "To witness such…abomination, something so disgusting and inhumane makes me wonder what trickery you used on her."

Lysander hissed, his fangs showing in intimidation. "Love is no trickery. Our feelings are mutual and you have no right to separate us."

"Oh? Have you two bonded yet?" she sneered and when Lysander remained silent, she chuckled.

"Let me go!" Elizabeth shouted as she dropped her hair. She glared murderously at the woman, if only looks could really kill. "I fail to understand what is going on but you are trespassing. Leave before I call the local guards."

She chuckled; pinching Elizabeth's cheeks like a grandmother would to their grandchild at something adorable. "My dear, you are in no position to order us around. Besides, after tonight you will thank us for our services."

A loud gun shot went off outside, focusing everyone's attention to the windows. Lysander saw the opportunity and lunged at the woman, his finger nails extending into claws as he aimed for her neck. She turned just in time as he pushed her to the ground, his nails digging through the armour and into her skin.

She cried out in pain, staring into the murderous golden eyes. "Kill her now!"

Lysander snapped his attention away for a split second, allowing her to reach over and punch him square into the chest. Lysander flew back, colliding with the wall and creating a dent from the impact.

"Lysander!" Elizabeth screamed just as one of the Nocte Venatores reached over and cut her throat. His eyes widened as the life drained away from her eyes just as blood sprinkled out of her pale neck.

"ELIZABETH!"