Disclaimer: I don't own any of AAR's characters, but I do own the plot and all unfamiliar people.

During this time, Siete decides to spread his blood, trying to make this new species the dominant one. He succeeds. I fall back, knowing no one really knows I exist. This, however, does not bother me. I don't look for fame or even respect, but solitude and isolation. Even this eludes me. I hide my power, not wanting attract attention, knowing what it looks like. To everyone I am a fledgling, a very young vampire that has learned nothing. Yet, in truth, I sit back watching those around me and their problems as they unfold. I believe Siete himself has forgotten of me, or knows how I feel.

Love brings many problems and much drama yet all seems to work out. Even I myself have found someone I have fallen for. He is known as Gabriel, though he is anything but an angel. I've followed him and learned of his story. He was once a shifter in the old Midnight, a servant of Jaguar, who was turned just before it was incinerated, which I might have had something to do with. He may not be as old as some of my kind, but he seems to be quite strong.

I am sitting in the corner of Las Noches, watching Risika end the fight between herself and Aubrey. Gabriel walks in moments after she disappears. I watch as he walks to the bar, pulls out an unmarked bottle and opens it as he surveys the people sitting. He runs his fingers through his short black hair as I get up and walk toward him. Siete glances at me then returns to his conversation with Silver.

"Looking for someone in particular?" I say reaching for a glass and a bottle filled with something yellow.

"Not really. I'm looking for something to do. Got any good ideas?" He replies as I pour my drink.

"Well, I spend most of my time here because of that reason." I say taking a drink.

"What happened just before I got here? Aubrey get his ass beat?"

"Yea. Risika finally kicked him down. He needed it. Maybe he'll think a little more before pissing people off. "

"So will you tell me your name? I don't think I've heard of you." He says looking at me, his endless black eyes flirting.

"Virida. I like to keep to myself… most of the time anyway. Sit back and watch the fun I'm not having."

His muscles visibly move under the tight red shirt as he laughs. "Well, we could have some fun. What do you think?"

"We could, but then all the fun would be over and I'd be stuck alone again."

He looks at me. Something in his eyes tells me he doesn't want to be alone either. "Maybe we could just talk then?" He says, looking into my eyes.

"That sounds good to me." I say heading back to my table.

We sit there and talk for almost an hour before a problem arises.

"… I like being what I am, which is good seeing as I'm almost 250 years old. You don't have you tell me, but, seeing as Ather hasn't sired anyone recently, how old are you?"

Uh oh. I hadn't thought when I lied to him about which line I was in so now I had to lie again.

"About 300. She changed me just after Aubrey beat Risika the first time."

"Oh that's cool."

"You sound disappointed. Is it because I'm older than you or because I'm that old and am weak?"

"I, well,…"

"I'm not as weak as I seem. I know that's it."

"ok…" He started, cut off as the door burst open.

Everyone stopped and stared as two very strong men walked in. One stood about 6"1' wearing all leather, his bare chest covered with scars and tattoos. He had a wild looking gray-black beard and bright green eyes. The second was a little shorter and black covered every bit of him, minus his face and platinum blonde hair. His piercing blue eyes searched to room, looking for someone.

"We are looking for the one who was the first." The first guy says, his voice booming throughout the room. As they walked further in, I caught their auras even though no one else in the room could have. The one with the beard was the first of the shifters, the elder from my time, the other was the first of the witches, and both, of course, were older than me.

"Here." Says Siete as he stands.

"No. We are looking for the first. We are here for the one called Galadriel." The second says.

I sit there, nothing showing on my face, but fear and astonishment rise in my mind. How do they know of me? That I am still alive?