Do we really have to wear these?" I asked. The felt-like fabric irritated my skin and made it itchy, "And barefoot over snow?" I had a feeling I'd be losing some toes before this trip was over. We wore brown, ugly ponchos and matching pant's. I wore a sweater out of the same fabric underneath, but Larten didn't

"It is custom," he explained, "this journey is not only a means to get to Vampire Mountain. It is a trial meant to separate the strong from the weak." I looked away from the vampire. I didn't even need to say anything, he knew exactly what I was thinking.

"Layla," he sighed softly, "you can do this...you will do fine." I smiled, but I was still uneasy. Apparently I couldn't bring my bag, only the clothes on our backs. "Where is Madam Octa?" I couldn't bite back the groan.

"We're bringing her?" I whined, I knew who was going to take care of her and it wasn't going to be him.

"Of course I am," he replied, confused as if he didn't understand what he wouldn't bring her, "there is someone I wish to show her to."

"All right…" I sighed defeatedly. I looked to the spider that I used to despise, but now I love her as if she were my own, "You here that? Get ready for a long, hard trip."

Everyone came to see us off, wishing us luck. My fellow performers gave me lots of hugs and kisses. Truska held my hands and said something in the language that Evra said roughly translates to "Come back to us". Earlier in the day she filed my nails to a point to use as weapons. Just my fingernails, though, then she painted them a beautiful shade of dark blue. When I turned to Evra he had tears in his eyes which caused my eyes to become misty. I wrapped my hands around my brother's neck and borderline strangled him.

"Layla...Layla" he wheezed, "I can't breathe!" I let him go as he laughed, ignoring the tears streaming down our faces. I'd miss him so much. After the goodbyes Larten and I set off on our journey to vampire mountain.

When Mr. Tiny said the way was treacherous, he wasn't kidding. We've been for about three weeks, but it felt like we've been walking forever. There was absolutely nothing but snow and rocks around us. No wildlife and definitely no people. According to vampires, only those who rise to the challenge knows what it means to truly live. That's why there are so many rules to follow during the trip. Like, it's against the rules to flit, but we can't be late. Larten told me a lot about vampires on the way. Apparently there are thousands of vampires in the world, but there used to millions! I was curious about the number of females, but I didn't ask.

"Are you all right, Layla?" Larten called over his shoulder to me. I was having trouble keeping his pace, but I didn't want to seem like I couldn't handle the trek. Truth was, I was dead tired.

"Yeah, I'm okay!" I shouted back, "Don't worry, I know it's against the rules to save a weaker vampire." He nodded his head in approval. I was starting to grasp vampire customs, as strange as they are.

"I will slow down some," he compromised, "Do not fall behind." I was about to respond with something smart-alecky, but was cut off when the ground underneath me gave out. I screamed for Larten, though I knew with the distance between us he would never make it to catch me in time. I was bracing for impact when my arm was grabbed and I was being pulled back up. I looked up at my rescuer and was met with big, brown eyes with dark circles under them; I knew exactly who it was.

"Gavner!" I cried with relief as I pulled up onto the path, "I thought I was a goner for sure!" Larten pulled me into a desperate embrace. Judging by how tight he held me, he must've thought I wasn't going to make it either.

"I did to," Gavner admitted, "I thought Larten would've made sure you stuck close to him." I looked up at my mate to see him glaring hard at his friend. It wasn't his fault, if I was quicker I wouldn't have been on the ground and one the the Little people would've fell instead. "I followed your aura to find you, good thing I showed up when I did." Larten opened his mouth to argue, but I cut him off before he started a fight.

"Anyway!" I said loudly, "We should get going, we can't be late." Both men, glaring daggers at each other, nodded in agreement. Relieved that I thwarted a struggle, we continued on our way. Two vampires, a half vampire, and two Little People on their way to Vampire Mountain.