I sat on the bed crying my eyes out. I was so stupid. I thought he was interested in me like that. Hell, I wanted him. I did not know why. I was attracted to him strongly. I guess the appeal of him was what was so sexy. He was strong, dark, powerful, lonely, and by his recent reaction to me he was a little sensitive. Everything a woman looks for in a man. Plus, I cannot forget the undead part. He was dangerous, possible evil. The typical bad boy image could not describe Vittorio's appeal. When you really think about it, he did have a look of a vampire. His shoulder length dark brown hair, his deep mystical gray eyes, his Autumn Winter pale skin, which is cool to the touch, and his wide broad frame screamed 'I am a Vampire!' yet, as he looks at you and flashes his charming smile, you cannot think of anything but the god of a man. I truly believed I lost my mind. Vittorio just had a way about him. Then it dawned on me. I still did not why I was here. What was my purpose? It did not seem like I was his next meal. As if my head was exposed for everyone, someone knocked on my door.

Hoping it was Vittorio, "Yes?" I said in a seductive voice.

Michael opened the door, "Marie, may I talk to you?"

"Yes, of course. Come in." I said as I got up from the bed. I walked over to the small table and chairs by the fireplace and sat down. Michael followed my lead and sat in the chair across from mine.

"Marie, I know this is a lot for you right now. I am sorry if I hurt you and I know you may never trust me again."

"Michael, I do not know what to trust. What happened? Please tell me what going on and tell me the truth."

"From the beginning?"

"Yes."

"I honestly do not know where to begin."

Getting annoyed, "Michael, why don't you start with you?"

"OK. Well, my real name is Michael de Angelo. I was born 1911 in Italy. I met Vittorio in 1928. I cannot forget it. It was just after World War I, and it was the day I became this."

"What is 'this'?"

"I'm a ghoul. I am not quite a vampire, but I'm not human either."

Shocked, I had to ask him, "Why?'

"No reason really, Vittorio felt I wasn't ready to become a vampire."

"How does he get to decide?"

"Well, I could not become a vampire without him."

"I do not understand."

"Marie, you are not stupid. I know you have read about vampires before."

"Yea, I guess you're right. This just still feels unreal. It's as . . . (sigh) I've always

been interested in vampires, but at that time they would just fictional characters. Now I have found out they are real."

"That's the thing, Marie. Why do you think you have had this interested in vampires, it's because you are chosen."

Chosen? I got up out of my chair, and walked over to the window. I had no idea what he meant by that. Hell, I was too afraid to ask him. Chosen? How was I chosen? Chosen for what is a better question.

"You have been chosen to become a vampire, but not any ordinary vampire, a Toreador," Michael explained.

"What are you talking about?"

Michael began to laugh. "He was right. You do ask a lot of questions."

"MICHAEL!"

"I'm sorry. Look, every few centuries, a human child in born. This child, however, is not like any other child. This child has the blood of the Upir. Upir is a creature who became what we call a vampire. Upirs are broken down to different races with different clans."

I was bewildered. "Wait, I don't understand."

"Marie, don't try to understand now. Daylight is approaching. Go to sleep. I'll tell you more tonight."

"Okay," was all I could say. I watched Michael leave my room. I got up from the table and sat back on my bed. This is too much. Once again I fell asleep crying. That morning my dreams consumed me.