Chapter 1

I opened my eyes. I was lying in a green field, staring at the passing clouds. I think I must have been eleven…no…twelve years old. I had just ran from my three-hour tutorial from my father, being a fifth child in poor family definitely took some getting used too…It took half a mile's run to the hill then I flopped down and closed my eyes.

We were packing up tomorrow to go to another country, I was sure it was either Russia or France but not that it mattered, I had not been to either anyway. The only thing I loved more than performing on stage with my father and brothers was travelling--seeing different countries and as many as possible was my aim in life even if it was going to be short. My brothers and I did not always used to be performers with my father--we used to work in a factory for money…

Remembering the factory I instinctively reached for my neck and felt the back of a large scar…whipped for misbehaving…that is what they called it. However, I would call it standing up for my younger friend who's hand had just been sliced clean off.

Fully awake now, I could swear I could hear someone calling my name, so I sat up to see who wanted me. I saw a boy running in my direction, waving madly. I grinned. It was Darren, my great friend--the same friend I stood up for. I say 'great', because that's what Darren's name means in Gaelic and he was Scottish and to was fascinated with the world. He wanted to come with us in our wagon and perform, but I wasn't sure my father would let him…

I stood up when he stopped a few paces infront of me, puffing slightly. He started to speak, his face urgent, but no words came out. I frowned. People usually make noises when they speak, don't they? Darren saw my confusion and angrily grabbed my wrist and dragged me down the hill. I saw what was so urgent…

The stage…was on fire…

The scene from the hill swiftly changed to me standing outside a blazing open theatre. Darren was disappearing through a gaping doorway when flames consumed the same doorway. I was shouting at him in terror to come back, but again, no words came out. I waited for ages. He did not come back out.

The scene changed again. I was standing in the middle of my blazing home, it seemed strange that here in the centre of the stage--was where I felt most alone where I would usually be surrounded by hundreds to see my father and I perform. I was crying. I was alone. The flames crept closer and closer, but there was no sign of a way out. Closer…closer…

My eyes snapped open, and my body lurched upwards. I did not get far. I crashed my head on the lid of my coffin…and cursed. Grumbling to myself, I successfully opened the lid of my coffin and stretched my arms. There's nothing like a good day's sleep.

I pulled on my cloak poked a few strands of hair back in place. Now in mood thanks to my unpleasant nightmare I remembered a piece of information…my first task when I woke as it always had been was simple…handing out flyers…

For me this was the lowest of the low task I could be given, but because I look more human than the other performers I have no choice but to take the darn role Mr Tall set me. It was late in the evening, the full moon was out and so my freakish appearance could not be particularly noticed as it would in daylight. However, even if I did not look this way, scars and all, I couldn't…sunlight isn't a vampire's strong point and I don't want to make death my priority.

To pass the time I scanned up and down the alleyway for old posters, most were shredded and wet so even if I could read, which I regrettably cant, I would not be able to. Friends of mine used to say it was my downfall--but Seba was considerate…Seba had always said it was my impatience that made me a difficult student, not my intelligence…which made me feel better about myself for a time…but not for long.

I sold a few tickets and handed out flyers to the curious people around me and knew I had been successful in my task. More so than I have on previous nights which made me smile a little. I started walking back to the stadium the Cirque had set up in, the old theatre was ideal for the circus and we all knew it would be a sure hit…

When I felt a drop of water on my shoulder, and I closed my eyes in annoyance. "Rain…" I muttered, and as though it was on cue the shower of water poured down. I shivered and rubbed at my shoulder to keep warm, "Charna's guts! I just washed this!" I said to myself looking at my now drenched cloak, by far it was my favorite…Seba had made it for me when I passed the trails of initiation--

But I averted my mind from Vampire Mountain…I never wanted to go back…I felt I was a failure and I had good reason too…

"Seba and Gavner did not think so," said a voice in my head and I ignored it even though I knew it spoke true…I hadn't failed in their eyes…but I had failed in my own.

I kept walking, the rain now tripled in capacity as it struck the pavement and seemed to bounce back up as the street repelled it. When I had an idea, which caused my painful memories to be momentarily forgotten, and my mouth formed into a grin.

"Time to flit"

Since I was flitting it did not take long to reach the old theatre, it was pretty much a whoosh of colour and I was back. Hiberinus was waiting for me as usual, now the rain had finally stopped I brushed my cloak off as he I approached me.

"Larten…" he said nodding his head,

"Hiberinus…" I replied.

"Was your task successful?"

"You can read the future my friend, why do you not tell me?" I snorted, my head was pounding and all I wanted to do was go back to my temporary put up--a basement.

"Well I would say: yes…" said Mr Tall, his eyes fixed upon me. "I had also your getting better every time you sell…"

"In your point of view" I replied, still wanting to break away. "Now is there a reason you are here or is this just to fill up my precious time…!"

"No reason…I just wanted to ask you how much longer you are staying here with us…after all you said a while--but fifteen years is a bit more than a while--"

I turned to my friend puzzled. He did not know why I had left Vampire Mountain (or atleast I do not think so) but still he could see the future--he should be the one telling me not the other way round. I still however answered my bizarre question…

"I know that Hiberinus…but I do not know how long it will be…I could be back in a month, a year, maybe two years…when I am ready…I will depart…"

"Ready for what?" he asked, "I'm sure if cannot be physically ready for you are now at your prime stage in development. So does that mean you are not mentally ready to become a vampire prince?"

Now I was getting impatient, I would not be surprised if my eyes had not become small dots the mention of prince made me realize he knew what I was running from and I was outraged.

"I cannot go back!" I snapped, "Not yet anyway…I have my own reasons…I do not want to be a part of that world--not anymore…"

Hiberinus nodded, smiling slightly, "If that is what you believe is best Larten Crepsley…" he replied and then with a blink of an eyelid he was gone.