Chapter 1

A light breeze swept through the room, in from the open window. The night outside was silent, nothing moved, and the air was still. It was like the creatures of the wood knew what night it was, and they shuddered in the darkness with fear. Tonight was the first night my coven hunted together as a group.

I was dreading it.

I pulled the covers over my head, and squeezed my eyes closed, grumbling under the covers "I'm not going Richard. You can forget it."

Feeling a presence next to me, I sighed and raised my head, peering out from underneath the covers.

"It's just me. Sorry to intrude but I asked Richard if I could talk to you first."

I smiled up at Raven, who didn't look a day older than the first time I'd met her. The hood on her cloak was pulled up, shadowing her face eerily in the moons faint light. Her violet eyes looked down at me with amusement, and I sighed, looking away.

She looked like a real vampire, and her knowledge about this life was far superior to my own. She or someone, anyone else would be better suited to leading the coven.

"What do you what to talk to me about?" I sat up and decided to listen.

"You know you have to do this. You'll never learn Kori, unless you try."

I gave a half smile "but that's not fair. Why cant you or someone, anyone else do it? I can't lead a hunt, I've only been on a few myself."

"That's no excuse. Bruce left this position to you, and everyone believes you can do it."

My fingers threaded into the quilt, thinking over Jades less than encouraging digs at my skills as a leader. She was right of course, but it didn't change anything. I had no choice but to do this, thanks to Bruce's decision to leave the coven in my capable hands.

"You're not alone in this Kori." Raven assured, with a soft look in her eyes that was rarely seen.

I sighed "I know, just give me a few minuets to get ready."

She nodded and gave a small smile, before black whirling leaves encircled her. Her image disappeared, and I stifled a sigh before reluctantly leaving my bed.

It had been one month, just one since I had been changed into a vampire. I had no idea what I was doing half the time, when I hunted, I forgot who I was, and simply acted on instinct. This was different, I had to look after everyone for the whole night, keep track of where they were, and look out for any potential dangers.

It didn't help that my coven were afraid of me either.

After I had accidentally killed Rose, and not so accidentally killed Slade, everyone had been weary of me. Richard had told me that it was simply because they were intimidated by my powers, but in my opinion it was because of my alter ego.

I hadn't felt Blackfire at all since I'd killed Slade. However, the memory of when I had lost control of my other self certainly hadn't gone away. I was constantly on guard, on edge when I went out to hunt. I always feared that I would get too carried away, that somehow I'd let her out again and cause trouble just like last time.

Maybe that was why everyone was so afraid of me, because they thought the same thing might happen again. I was beginning to wonder if they even trusted me, as it was obvious I didn't trust myself.

I got ready quickly, and picked up a hair brush. Sitting down in front of the mirror, I began to run it through my hair, trying not to snap the plastic in my hands.

I was very nervous, that much was certain, not just because I was the leader of a coven, or that no one seemed to trust me... it was because of Richard.

I smiled, because in a way, it was ironic that I was scared of the guy that I loved, and it was only because he was trying to protect me.

Sadly, I shuddered at the memory soon after.

Flashback:

"Richard, are you sure I should hunt alone?"

He laughed "Kori, you can do this, I have every faith in your abilities, your not going to mess up, so stop worrying."

I scuffed my feet on the forest floor, we were hidden in the shade of the trees overlooking the city. "How long does it take you to feed?"

Richard smiled and stroked his thumb over our joined hands "only a few minuets. I'll meet you back here when you're done."

I nodded and smiled, letting go of his pale hand "alright, see you later " and quickly ran down the hill towards the city.

I had tried to be independent, but having Richard along with me for hunting was a little strange and it took me out of my comfort zone. Having him around was a distraction, and I was relieved when he had suggested that we fed separately.

Under the nights protecting pale light, I crept in the shadows, following a man quietly. He was quite tall, and dressed in black, walking quickly up the street. I had to pick up the pace just to keep him in sight, wherever he was going, he was in a hurry to get there.

I followed him, interested to see where this strange character was going.

It took longer than expected for me to realize where this man was actually going, it became apparent to me the moment he turned, and looked behind him wearily. He was a vicar.

I all of a sudden knew that it was a definite no, no to try and kill this man. The cross on his necklace caught my eye and something deep inside me stirred. My vampire senses told me to run, like I was supposed to be afraid of that sign, like it was dangerous to me. But I was still human, not physically, but mentally, I still had the mind of a naive human girl. I'd tried my best over the past few days to learn more about the vampire world, but some lessons you have to learn the hard way - by experiencing them yourself.

The vicar walked along the side walk, checking behind himself every so often like he sensed I was there. I followed him until he reached his destination - a church.

He opened the black iron gate and walked up along the path until he reached the church doors, he then let himself in.

I followed until I reached the gate which separated me from the churches grounds. I peered up the pathway curiously, wondering why I wanted to go inside, and yet also runaway. It was like my human self felt protected by the church and what it stood for, whilst my vampire instincts were screaming at me to get away from its structure.

In a trance like state, I raised my leg and was about to set my foot down on the other side of the gate, on holy ground.

A hand suddenly swiped out and grabbed my arm in a tight grip. I winced in pain as the fingers clenched around my arm painfully. I looked up and saw dark, blood red eyes narrowed angrily. In one swift movement, Richard pulled me back and into his arms.

At first, I couldn't quite understand whether he was angry or disappointed with me, it was only when I felt how tightly his arms were wrapped around me, that I knew he was afraid. His face was buried in my hair and I heard him whisper "never. Never do that again."

He seemed so scarred, so terrified. What had I done wrong? Or what was I about to do that was so wrong?

Richard moved slightly, but his grip on my arms didn't loosen. I noticed that his eyes were a strange mix of red and black colors, and I wondered what emotion he was feeling.

"What were you thinking! Do you not understand how close to death you just were!" He shouted, a strange catch in his voice.

"I -I didn't know," my voice was weak, and I fought the urge to lower my head in embarrassment, or was it shame?

His face softened, and he bowed his head slightly so that I couldn't see his eyes. We couldn't breathe, so vampires had to take a few moments to calm themselves, just like a human would when taking in a deep breath.

"If a vampire sets foot on holy ground, their body is burned, just like the sunlight would harm some species of vampire. However unlike the sun, every vampire is instantly killed if they come into contact with so called 'blessed ground.' I'm sorry, I scared you didn't I?"

I said nothing as I looked at the church. There were so many things about this world that I didn't know or understand. How was it that vampires were alive, when they were dead at the same time?

"In all fairness star, I think you scared me allot more. I thought I would be too late when I saw you so close to the gateway, I don't think I've been more frightened." He gave a nervous laugh, and I smiled apologetically.

"I'm sorry. I felt like I had to go inside for some reason."

Richard sighed, and slowly loosened his grip on my arms, before finally letting go.

"Did I hurt you?" He asked quietly.

I smiled and answered truthfully "no, I have much thicker skin now that I'm a vampire. If I had been human though, I think that you would have crushed my bone."

Richard furrowed his eyebrows, murmuring a quiet 'sorry.' I shook my head dismissively, before looking over to the eastern sky, the sun was rising. Richard also noticed this, and sighed.

"We should go. You can have the remaining blood from our emergency stash. I think its best we go home before any humans see us, I look a little suspicious right now."

I then noticed the small splashes of blood over his shirt. I grimaced before nodding, letting him lead the way. As we got further away from the church, I looked up quietly at his dark form, a serious look was in his eyes, but otherwise his face was placid. That was never a good sign. It meant he was thinking over something deeply.

I looked down at the ground, confused and a little frightened. He had said that no vampire could survive touching holy ground, but my foot had touched down before he had pulled me away.

End of flashback:

Ever since that day, I've been studying more about vampire culture, in fear that I would mess up again like last time. I didn't want anyone to worry about me, so I didn't say anything about what had happened.

That experience alone had told me that I wasn't ready to be the coven leader. None the less, Richard and Raven kept insisting that I did this, so I would do my best. That was all I could do really.

I walked out of my room and closed the door behind me, making my way down stairs.

Walking outside into the silent night, I looked up at the members of my coven all waiting patiently. Some still looked a little weary, but they looked how I felt so I couldn't blame them.

Garfield Logan, Raven Roth, Wally West, Jinx Hex, Victor Stone, Karen Beecher, Roy Harper, Jade Nguyen, Terra Markov, Jericho Wilson and Richard Grayson all awaited my leadership.

I put on a brave face, and centered myself, calling my vampiric confidence to me. Opening my eyes I smiled, letting my wings lengthen from my shoulder blades.

"Alright. Lets get this party started" I smiled as I launched into the air, looking over my shoulder to see everyone follow me from the ground. Looking forward once more, I bathed in the nights comforting glow. Every fiber of my being was loving the excitement that blood lust stirred up in my body.

It was time to hunt.

ooo

Yay ^_^ Its finally done!

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