"You're insane. You know that, right?"

"No, I'm not! It's true!"

"You're both mad!"

"Oh shut up!"

A group of young people sat around the lunch room table, bickering about monsters and things that went bump in the night. The three of them went back and fourth with one another, while a pretty young femme sat back and watched them all with a smile on her plump pink lips. Compared to the rest of the group, or the rest of the school for that matter, she was different. Not in a terrible way, however. While every other girl and guy had either ivory or tanned skin, her skin was as pale as snow. Her touch felt as if sunshine was running through your veins, her hair long, wavy, a beautiful dark shade of red. While it was normal to have blue, green, or brown eyes, hers were a golden-green, seeming to glow from all that sunshine built up inside her. Everything about her was different, strange in a way. When she moved, it was almost as if she were dancing. But she was quiet, which is why not many noticed her.

"What do you think, Celle?" The four pairs of eyes turned to her, eyebrows raised as they waited for the young girl's response.

"Well," She started, the remnants of an Irish accent strong in her words. "I think anyone can be a monster. I don't know if I believe in vampires and demons and all that."

Kelly, the self-proclaimed leader in the group, huffed and crossed her arms.

"I swear! This dude was something else! I will never forget those eyes and that face! He looked like he wanted to eat me!"

"Are you sure he wasn't just in costume? It is close to Halloween, after all. I'm sure it was just a dress up party!" Kelly huffed again, rolling her eyes and standing.

"I'm going to go get some more fruit." The group watched the blond stomp off then, as if on queue, all sighed in unison.

"Well, we all still on for tonight?" Their annual Halloween party, held by the school football captain. This year it was at the local art museum, 'Masquerade' was the theme. Marcelle, along with everyone else, nodded. Jan, short for Janice, looked to the burgundy haired girl and smiled.

"Want to come get ready at my house?"

"I'll come ready. Then we can drive over together." She smiled, standing as the bell rang.

Marcelle stepped into the large home, smiling at the brunette woman who had opened the door for her.

"You look lovely, Celle. Jan is upstairs if you want to go up." Adorning her petite body sat a rather extravagant Edwardian-era gown, her hair hanging wildly around her, flowing down to her tailbone.

"You almost ready?" Jan turned in her seat, a dress seemingly from the same era hanging on her own form.

"Wow!" She stated with wide eyes. "I love your dress!" She stood suddenly, waltzing around to observe the intricate designs on the dress. Celle smiled and stared, waiting for her friend to respond to the question. Clapping her hands together, Jan giggled. "Yes! Let's go!"

After nearly two dozen pictures and a rather long car ride to the downtown area, the two girls stepped from the car, handing the keys to the valet man sitting out front. The two wandered for a moment before finally finding their friends, who were dressed in much less fancy costumes.

"Holy shit, Marcelle! You look hot!" She didn't say anything, just softly, as their friend Cal looked her up and down. "Where's your mask?" The two girls held up the accessories, Jan's mask a typical Zorro-style creation, Marcelle's an intricate and beautiful black wired delicacy. Slipping it upon her features, the group made their way to the dance hall and each was whisked away in a glorious fashion.

Celle wasn't one for dancing. She pushed herself past the crowd and out onto a balcony, taking in the night air.

"Hello." A velvety voice cooed from behind her. The girl spun and was met with a face she'd never seen. He was truly a sight, with strong features and a beautiful face. His skin was pale, as hers was, but there was something different about those icy blue eyes. He tilted his head to the side, his unruly black hair falling in front of his eyes. She was entranced by him, but not in a good way. Her heartbeat quickened and her hands began to shake. Feet moved to take a step away from him, but as she moved away, he came closer.

"Hello." She whispered, his lips curling up slightly.

"What are you doing out here? The party is inside." This time, her lips remained glued shut as her eyes remained fixed on his.

. . .

He watched the figures meander into the building, all smiles, most of the girls giggling. He'd been sitting there atop his perch for some time, glancing at the girls who made their way past him. He was, after all, leaning against the railing on the second floor. He had a perfect view of everyone there, his hawk-like eyes taking in the features, his sense of hearing zoning in on the sounds of the hearts beating and the blood pulsing. How lovely it all was. He reveled in this sort of thing. He'd find some young girl, charm her into leaving with him, then in the morning, when he had already had his fill of lust and his hunger was sedated, he'd send her on her way with no memory of the night before. He wouldn't kill her, no. He wasn't much in the mood to have the police on his door step, asking questions. A few hundred years ago, yes. But not now.

The creature watched the faces with a rather dark smile, but that faltered when she walked in. It was a strange scent, one he'd never tasted before. While most girls smelled plain, of the crap they pumped into their body and yet slightly sweet, this one smelled of sage and fresh fallen rain. He watched her from afar, watched her dance-like movements, took in the way she smiled as her friends simply disappeared. She would be the one. She would be his tonight.

He watched her wild red hair move through the crowd as he made his way down the stairs, following her out onto the balcony. Only a couple students hung around out there, but quickly disappeared. He watched her for a moment, cocking his head for a second before straightening up.

"Hello." He said softly, letting a hint of his charm sink in. She spun quickly though, his blue oceans taking in her perfect hour glass frame. They finally stopped on her eyes, which looked to hold every secret of the world in them. Most girls would swoon over him at first glance, but not her. Not this one. But why? She took a step away, and as she did, he took two towards her. Seemingly unsure of what to do, she simply responded.

"Hello." Oh my, what an enchanting sound. She must have held the attention of every creature around with a voice like that. Although, he suspected, she didn't use it too often. He smiled mischievously at her, a small but dark one.

"What are you doing out here? The party is inside." She didn't say anything, just watched him, like a predator watching it's prey. What a befitting stare. "Pardon my rudeness. I suppose it is always polite for a handsome prince to introduce himself. My name is Aiden Ravenwood. And what is the name of the beautiful young maiden standing before me?" He bowed slightly, holding out his hand. Normally, he'd kiss it, but no contact was made. Strange. What the hell was the girl to resist his charms?
"Marcelle. Please excuse me." Oh, that voice. She rushed around him, leaving the man to watch as her frame disappeared into the crowd.

. . .

She felt like she was going to have a heart attack. Or an anxiety attack. Jan was the first to see her friend, sitting at a table, breathing heavily and shaking.

"Oh my god! What happened?" Why was she so afraid of him? Marcelle was sure he meant to hurt, or even kill her.

"I want to go home." She said to her friend, who nodded and pulled the valet ticket out of her purse.

"Take my car. I'll get it in the morning." Celle nodded, standing quickly and making her way to the front doors. Eyes remained peeled for a certain face, feeling as if he'd pop out of nowhere and take whatever he wanted from her. As soon as her body entered into the night, a petite and shaking hand passed the card to the man, who smiled and rushed off. Anxiety filled her as she waited for what felt like hours. Finally, he pulled up in the black Audi.

The drive home was a long one. Every inch of her body hurt from worrying so much, especially her back. She was ready to get home and take off that stupid dress, then go to sleep after a cup of jasmine tea and a nice hot bath. The anxiety was beginning to die down as the vehicle pulled into the driveway of the large home. By no means was it a mansion, but it was an older Victorian home, complete with a tower room, which she called hers.

"You're home early." The blond sitting in the rocking chair said when her daughter walked in. "I thought the party was supposed to go all night?" Marcelle stopped, looking between the two adults.

"I saw... someone. Or something. I don't know. I was absolutely petrified of him. And so I left. I'm going to make a bit of tea and run the bath. I'll be down in a little bit." Both of them nodded, watching as the girl passed by them.

Marcelle looked nothing like them. Her mother had bright blonde hair and tanned skin, big brown doe eyes. And her father was the exact opposite, adorning blue eyes, black hair, and a tall muscular build. Celle was adopted, after all.

Shedding the dress, the girl watched herself in the mirror, letting out a sigh as the corset released everything, including the iridescent pieces of art that flitted open on her back. Stretching her wings was the girl's favorite part of the day, and with a smile, she opened then closed them slowly, raising them up, then folding them flat against her back. Finally, the fae let them rest comfortably, the tips reaching up towards the sky. Lifting her tea cup, Celle made her way to the wash room for a bit of relaxation.

. . .

He watched her, interested in the little bird. She didn't know it yet, but she was trapped. He wanted her. He wanted to feel his fangs sink into her skin, wanted to hear her moan his name as he took her. Perhaps he'd have to wait, though. Wait for his opportunity to take his little birdie all for himself.

Aiden followed her, running through the night, never losing sight of the vehicle that sped down the winding forest road. It finally slowed and then turned, leading down a road and then stopped as it pulled into the driveway of an old Victorian home.

"How cute." He cooed, chuckling at the structure. There was nothing else around, no homes, no other buildings. Hell, the start of the town was nearly twenty minutes away. What normal humans felt the need to live so far away from help if something were to happen? This was getting more and more strange. He could hear the voices inside, the worry in her mother's voice, and the fear in Marcelle's. While that was normally what he'd want to hear, it was unfitting for her. Something in the creature's cold unbeating heart told him that this was not what he wanted. After centuries, was he finally beginning to have feelings for something? What a strange night this was turning out to be.

Finally, she emerged into her room, the light flicking on. Her he didn't have a very good view of her. Was there a reason the girl lived in the tower? With a grunt, the creature jumped, landing on a branch of a tree. That was when he saw it. Those lovely things perched upon her soft skin. He watched in awe as they moved, the look of peace on her face. Suddenly, the vampire wanted her for more than one thing. He needed to protect her. Wanted to protect her.

"What an interesting turn of events." He said with a smile, leaping from the tree.

For now, he'd find a quick meal then go home. He'd track her down in the morning. "Good night, my little butterfly."