Disclaimer: The Dark Series belongs to Christine Feehan and so do all Carpathians.

Prologue

Taylor collapsed on her bed the energy gone from her body. It had been her final exam today after a week of tests and she just wanted to do nothing but sleep for 4 days. She was not good at coping with stress, she coped with tantrums, screams and a big temper, and this week she had gotten on everyone's last nerve. As if automatically her hand reached for her bookcase where her favourite novels stayed. The Dark Series by Christine Feehan. She adored the stories of the dark and dangerous Carpathian hunters and their lifemates, something about it just drew her to it. The books were worn because she had read and re-read them so many times. She couldn't help herself!

Her hand found the battered cover of Dark Celebration and she pulled it towards her, her hands already opening it up. She leaned against the wall and began to enjoy the amazing world woven in the book. Reading was one of the few things she truly loved.

Her name was Taylor Joya. She was 16 years old and had never had a boyfriend or been on a date. A bit sad but she wasn't really interested in guys unless they where in her books. She had mismatched eyes one was green the other brown. She wasn't beautiful or pretty she was just average. Average face, average height 5'7 and an average life. She hated her hair it was a brown colour and it could not be controlled; it would go form being limp and lifeless to being uncontrollably curly and frizzy. Nothing could be done about it and she only bothered with it on special occasions. Was it any wonder that the guys at school didn't go for her? Her parents were divorced and she had one younger sister who could do no wrong in her mothers eyes. Taylor had always been closer to her dad, he understood her when no one else did. She had never really fitted in with anyone and it saddened her at times. Reading was something that she could lose herself in and just forget the world and who she was for a time, it was like a haven to her. She had just reached the part when Mikhail had gone to visit Aiden and Alexandria when her eyelids started to feel heavy. She scowled at nothing annoyed that she couldn't concentrate on her book because of those boring exams. But sleep had already begun to overcome her and she fell against the pillows the book still clutched in one hand. As her mind began to fade she wished that she could be in that world. The world of Carpathians, lifemates, mages and psychics. As her eyes closed she didn't notice the glow coming form her books and didn't hear the ancient voice whisper to her:

Taylor Joya my people need you. It is time for you to come to us.

She turned as if she had heard but her mind was already in the land of sleep. The voice faded and Taylor didn't realise that her life had been altered for all time.

The moon was full and hung in the centre of the sky illuminating the city with its ethereal light, only the dark and shadowed places remained untouched by moonlight. The humans that lived in this place were sleeping, their minds trapped in dreams but a few remained on the streets some by choice others because they had to. This was his world. He stood on top of one of the office blocks in the city. His eyes, cold and emotionless scanned the city, searching for any sign of the vampire. He was one of the oldest Carpathian hunters and he was a deadly and skilled killer. He sensed the taint of the undead to the north of the city and like a machine he set of to remove it. He had given up all hope for a lifemate and he knew he had to face the dawn soon before that choice was taken form him and he joined the ranks of the vampires. The night had lost its beauty long ago and now he continued his life only for honour and the knowledge that he was removing evil from the world.

No one heard the vampires screech as its heart was burned and its existence ended. The creature had been newly turned and clumsy disposing of it had been no trouble at all. The city was safe again whilst his soul had died long ago. He didn't even feel the loss of his soul he didn't feel anything at all. Without a look back he melted into the darkness.

Taylor stretched and rubbed her eyes as sunlight came through her window. She didn't feel as bone dead weary but her annoyance was still fresh in her mind. She reached over to retrieve her book but her hand met only air. She frowned and sat up but she couldn't see the book anywhere. Maybe I put it back on the shelf she thought and looked over at the bookcase. They weren't there. She froze the stack of novels had disappeared. She sprang out the bed and checked everywhere turning half her room over in the attempt.

"Dad." She yelled. She lived with her dad for one week then her mum the other week but she always brought her books with her. Her dad stepped in wearing his pyjamas and had a mug of coffee in his hand.

He yawned and looked at her "What is it Taylor?"

"Do you know where my Dark series books went?" she asked her dad knew how much she loved those books.

"Your what?" He answered her with a question his eyes showing pure confusion.

"My Dark series books, you know the ones I keep with me at all times, the books I love, the ones I read every night." Her dad just shook his head and looked at her

"I have no idea what you're talking about Taylor." She stepped back and looked at the empty shelf in her bookcase. What was going on?

AN: This is my first attempt at a Dark series fanfic so please tell me what you think. I will make the others chapters longer I promise. Hope you enjoy reading this.

Sneak Preview

(4 years later)

Taylor felt the man behind her run the knife across her stomach and heard him whisper in her ear.

"Now what's a pretty thing like you doing out all alone at night?" the voice slithered across her skin and made her shudder. He moved the knife up to her throat.

"If you don't wanna get hurt then-" but he was cut off as a snarl filled the air.