Bulgaria, Sofia Province, 1495

FS*FS*FS

Felicity was thirsty. She was spent last two weeks traveling through the forests of Europe. She met no people, so only food source was animals. And she was not the biggest fan of that type of diet.

Now she saw lights of the small village in the horizon. She was relieved that she'll be able to feed on humans soon. She wanted to speed there as she could but animals' blood made her weaker and she needed to save her energy if something unexpected comes up.

Once lonely vampire reached village she made sure to stay in the shadows. She didn't know where she ended up and in some places legends about the vampires were widely spread. Also Felicity's appearance at the moment was not the most presentable. Outer skirts of her dress were shredded, covered in mud, leaves, and blood. Bodice had hole in it with caked blood staining the edges. Once shinning golden hair were tangled in knots and dirty.

Vampire was looking for her prey, someone out in the open, who she wouldn't need to compel. Just swift move to snap their neck and her dinner would be served. Now she didn't even care about killing. She was so thirsty that she almost couldn't think about anything else.

She was just sneaking along the wall of small cottage when she heard it. Small whimper. Not a man or a woman, but a child. And Felicity was never able to turn her back on the child in need. Maybe it was her motherly instincts. After all once upon the time she was mother herself.

Hearing scared child made the remaining strength in her to multiply. And her keen senses let her know where child were and she hurried to her.

Little girl, no older than five, was crouched behind the kennel. Tears were rolling down her puffy cheeks. Her arms were hugging herself tightly. She must have been scared out of her mind. So Felicity was really careful while slowly creeping closer and closer to petrified girl.

"Shh, little one." Felicity whispered softly not wanting to frighten her even more.

Vampire was not sure if girl understood so she pointed at herself. "I'm Felicity."

Big brown eyes looked at her distrust shinning bright. Felicity extended her hand to her, gesturing that it's her turn to introduce, but little one shied away. That's why blonde raised her hands in placating nature.

"Na- Nadia."

Name sounded Slavic and from the distance she traveled Felicity decided that she must be somewhere in Bulgaria. She knew local language from the last time she was here.

"It's alright little one. Everything is okay. I won't hurt you, Nadia." Felicity said softly. "Can you tell me what happened?"

"Bad man... He- He come to hurt- hurt my mommy. She told me to- to hide." Little one sobbed harder.

"Shh. It okay. You did good, sweetie." She reached out again, but this time Nadia didn't retreat. "I need you to be brave girl a little longer. Okay? I promise I'll come back really soon. Brave heart, little one."

Nadia didn't say anything more just nodded, her brown curls bouncing around her shoulders. Felicity gently patted her on the back, stood up and walked to the door. This time she didn't try to be invisible. Rage was rolling down her body in waves, she was coming for blood.

Approaching the doorstep she stopped, doors were left ajar. She took one step forward and there was no barrier. That means the mother is dead. Her mind gone straight to those big doe eyes of the little girl hiding outside. Sorrow flooded her and her heart broke a little bit for that small angel. Child was innocent but now she was condemned for the life of misery, alone in the big, dangerous world.

She walked carefully trying not to make any sounds, looking around for the man who attacked this house.

The kitchen was where she found young woman's body. Blood was splattered everywhere and man with blood covered knife stood over her. Smell of blood was overwhelming. Her eyes turned bright red and black veins popped up on her face.

From that moment she didn't care why he did this. Now all she could see was the vein pulsing in his neck. All she could hear was his blood rushing in his body. All she could smell was that sweet tempting aroma of human blood she was craving for weeks now. She was so thirsty that her throat started to burn. That's why she didn't question his motives. She didn't care.

She slowly sneaked up behind that horrible man and sank her sharp teeth into his warm flesh. He did not fight. There was no time for that. The force of her bite ripped out good chunk of his throat. She sucked him dried and then let him fall to the floor. Limp. Broken. Dead.

Thirst sated, she once again felt like herself and leaned down to check over the woman on the floor. She knew what woman was already dead; otherwise she wouldn't be able to come inside. But for the little girl's sake hoped she would still be alive. But now seeing the evidence she had to face the truth. Little girl was waiting for her. And from now on she was the only one little one has in the world. So she took clean cloth from the drawer, soaked it in the water and cleaned herself up. She didn't want to scare the child anymore that she already was.

Walking through the cottage Felicity found the room fit for young girl. She took a sack and put some of her things in it. Clothes, toys and toiletries. Gathering things she was making the plan. First she needed transportation. If she was alone, she could walk there, but with small child it was impossible. She also needs to compel someone to take them to the bigger town. That person could also serve as food source. Of course she should take some food for Nadia. But now she has to go to that scared little girl and tell her that her mother is gone. She took a deep breath, straightened up and went outside.

Nadia was still in the same position as was when Felicity left her.

"Don't be scared. It's me. It's okay now. You can come out now, bad man is gone. He can't hurt you now."

Little one raised her head cautiously; her chocolate eyes wide, still scared not ready to believe it's over.

"Mommy?" One word made Felicity's heart squeeze painfully in her chest.

"I'm sorry, she's gone too."

Nadia started to sob again, she understood what that meant. She most likely lost someone before. Maybe her father, there was no signs that male was living in the house. Felicity wanted to comfort the girl. She reached her hand to wipe tears from her cheeks. Nadia looked straight in her eyes, for a second she seemed undecided but then she collided with Felicity, burying her face in stranger's chest. After initial shock worn off, vampire embraced little girl. One hand stroking her hair trying to calm child down, another clutching her closer - showing that she'll keep her safe and won't leave her alone.