And as the moons of youth spilled once more into dawn

we found ourselves infinite again,

if even for a moment.

- Atticus

PREFACE

She knew the secret, but she kept it. She had gladly agreed to serve the ancient dynasty in hopes that one day she would be one of them. She knew that her life was at risk every day. If at any moment she wasn't deemed useful enough, she would be disposed of. It was an undertaking she was willing to accept.

Unbeknownst to Bianca, she was only the most recent servant in a long list of many… Many who had tried and failed. It was a rare event that the ancients found someone's skills to be more valuable than their blood.

Today, she took a message over the phone, and it sounded very important. Excited to be the deliverer of anything significant, Bianca set off down the long corridor with the message scribbled hastily on a small piece of parchment. She had even almost forgotten how presentation was everything to her masters. She quickly folded the message and placed it on the center of a silver platter.

Bianca gingerly knocked twice on the behemoth doors before peeking inside the large room. It was nearly black inside at this time, but a smooth voice called out from somewhere in the darkness.

"Oh? What a pleasant surprise. Do come in, child."

The girl walked forward carefully with the platter. She was terrified as she paced the stone floor, her legs trembling with each step of the red high heels she was wearing. She curtsied slightly before the ancient ones, presenting what she'd come to offer.

"For you, Lady Sulpicia."

She could hardly see the ancients' faces as they sat back in their thrones. Sulpicia stood in her stoic grace. She ghosted forward, close enough that Bianca's inferior eyes could see her face.

Sulpicia's face lit up. "Ah, it's from our dear friend, Carine Cullen," Sulpicia exclaimed as she took the note. "It appears she has added a new member to her coven. Lovely Edythe has found a mate after all this time…" She gave Bianca a disapproving look. "Might I add that her name is spelled with a 'Y', sweet Bianca."

Bianca swallowed nervously. "Of course," she nodded. "My mistake."

Sulpicia reclaimed her place in the center throne with the unfolded paper in hand. She shook her head condescendingly and made a small gesture with her right hand that Bianca barely noticed.

Two of the black=shrouded guards appeared immediately on either side of the girl. Her eyes grew wide with fear.

Sulpicia's attention returned to the message, seeming to ignore the human girl altogether. "The young boy was given immortality after all."

"Is that so?" Marcus' uninterested voice weighed in.

Athenodora let out a long sigh. "Tell me, sister… Do you truly believe this to be a simple announcement for engagement? They clearly mock us! Both in their transgression and in their increase in power. They are the largest coven apart from our own, yet you ignore this obvious plot for mutiny."

"Mmmm…" Sulpicia sighed in disappointment, though it was a distaste for the human girl rather than Athenodora. She handed the message over to Marcus. "First, it was the spelling… But just look at the grammar."

"At least it seems our grievance with the Cullens is over", Marcus said apathetically.

Sulpicia laughed mischievously. "Over? Goodness, no… Our contention with the Cullens goes far beyond the fate of a mere human."

Marcus sighed and slunk back into his throne.

Curiosity spread across Athenodora's face. "And what might it be?"

Sulpicia chuckled again as she motioned for the guards to take Bianca away.

The guards lifted the girl up by each arm. Bianca tried feebly to break free from their stone grip. She started to scream.

"Why, sister, I thought you'd known me better than that."

Athenodora raised her eyebrows expectantly.

Sulpicia stared after the guards dragging the girl out the door, and her face turned up into a wicked smile.

"They have something I want… and I intend to make it mine."

Marcus turned back face the women. For the first time in a long time, there was a small hint of concern in his expression. "I wouldn't press this issue again, sister… We ought not to perceive Carine as competition. We shall consider her our ally."

The sisters ignored Marcus.

Athenodora's smug expression grew at the idea. "Patience… I'm certain the opportunity will arise in due time."

Sulpicia nodded conspiratorially. "And so it shall… It shall, indeed."

Their sinister laughter pierced the air as Bianca's blood spilled to the floor.