Prologue
"Young Prince," Vancha whispered to Darren amongst the chaos of Vampire Mountain.
The two stood in the middle of an abandoned hallway somewhere far away from everyone else. "Yes, Vancha?" Darren whispered back as he continued to hold the baby in his arms and look at her with the most loving eyes Vancha has ever seen. There was a hint of pain in his voice. "We must give her up," Vancha said softly. "I know how much you love her, Darren. She'll always be a part of us. It doesn't matter what those old bastards say. Vampire Mountain, all of it, will be hers forever." "But it's still not fair, Vancha!" Darren replied angrily holding the baby closer to his chest. "Human or not, I know there's vampire blood somewhere in her." Tears rolled down the prince's cheeks. "I lost my family and the only best friend I ever had. When I first discovered her, I felt something in my heart. It was when I knew instantly that she had to be the last follower of mine. I knew I was the one to take care of her and would vowed to never let her go. Now, I'm having to let her go."
Vancha placed a hand on the young prince's shoulder, "I know. You've done well taking care of her as best as you could. The rules of Vampire Mountain are clear I'm afraid. She has to be a vampire in order to be welcomed. We must hurry now if we're to give her a safe passage away and on to her home." Darren nodded and followed the fellow prince towards their destination.
#
"I don't see Vancha or Darren around your Highness," Seba told Paris as the other vampires
at the Hall of Princes continued to argue about whether or not the child had the right to be here. "I see," Paris said disappointed. "Go see if you can find them. Once you have, bring them here at once. I will speak with them privately." "Yes, your Highness," Seba bowed and walked out. "Could it be that Darren and Vancha have escaped?" Mika Ver Leth asked. "Possibly," Paris replied with a low growl of frustration. "If that's the case and they slipped out without us noticing, both will be punished. Especially Darren. I love the boy with all of my heart, Mika, but the boy still needs to embrace the way we do things here. Just because he's different from us doesn't mean he's free to do things individually. He still needs work as a prince." Mika looked down, "Yes, Paris."
#
"Do you have the child?" Lady Evanna asked once the two princes arrived at their destination. Lady Evanna stood in a boat. Vancha and Darren nodded. "Then give her to me," The witch smiled sadly as she held out her arms. "Wait," Darren said. "Can I at least have one last time alone with her?" "Make it quick, Darren," Vancha smiled slightly. He and the witch watched Darren walk away from them. He sat down on a rock and gently began rocking the baby. The baby giggled and smiled up at him. Darren sniffed and more tears came, but he had to be strong for her. Somehow and somewhere, they'd reunite. "Sleep baby," Darren whispered softly. He kissed the child's forehead. "We'll be together again soon. I promise. You'll always be with me here," He placed a hand on her heart space. "Nothing will change that."