Eastern Europe - November, 2013

After my mother died, Adrian decided to leave his misogynistic views aside and teach me some self-defense skills.

"When I'm away, you need to know how to protect yourself. You can't count on that little shit of your brother."

One day he got home and gifted me my first set of daggers. I'd start my lessons that afternoon.

"Focus on me, Leena," he told. "Pay attention to every move! And now... disarm me, like I taught you."

I took a deep breath, watching my father's body and expecting him to show one sign that he'd strike. He lunged forward but instead of taking a step back and jumping to the side, I panicked and tried to block his attack with my arm.

"Ouch!" I screamed in pain, noticing Adrian's dagger had opened a gash on my wrist. I pressed it as hard as I could as if it'd stop the bleeding and the pain.

The injury was the trigger to bring back to surface all the emotions I had been suppressing in the last few weeks. Fear. Sorrow. Anger. Loneliness. My hands started shaking and my eyes filled with tears.

"Leena," Adrian grabbed my shoulders, pulling me back to reality, "don't you even dare to cry, do you understand? Crying is a sign of weakness and if you show weakness to your predator... well, you'll be an easy catch. You'll be completely vulnerable, exposed. Is that what you want? Do you want to die like your mother?"

I froze for a second, gazing into his deep blue eyes. They were so cold and bottomless as that man was himself.

And I hated him. I hated him for abusing me and Auryk. I hated him for being a douchebag. I hated him simply by being... him.

"Ahhhh," I yelled as loud as I could before slashing my blade against Adrian's forearm, making him drop his own dagger.

"What the..."

"Use your predator's weakness in your favor, dad," I smirked victorious, pointing my dagger to his chest. "Distraction, that's a weakness."

"Huh," my father smiled proudly and ruffled my hair. "At least I made one good child."

Castle Dimitrescu, Unknown Location - Present Days

I slowly turned around. I was face to face with my predator. She was blonde, had golden yellow eyes and the same tattoo on her forehead as her sisters. My back was pressed between the door and her body. Her hand was still covering my mouth so I wouldn't scream. For someone who was dead and could turn into flies, she felt too real and warm.

"It's okay," she said again, before starting to release me slowly. "You're safe now."

Her hand finally uncovered my mouth. She calculated each one of her steps to make sure I wouldn't break, to make sure the situation wouldn't slip out of her control. I wondered if that's how she acted with all her prey.

I fell down on my knees and in that moment, my body ignored Adrian's advice. Ignored even my trauma, my mental health issues and my blocked emotions. The adrenaline from escaping the death had brought all my deeply buried feelings back to surface. I began to sob like I hadn't done since I was a child.

"Please... don't kill me..." for the first time in many years I felt tears running down my face. "I didn't do anything! I know my brother stole from your mother and it's completely wrong, but... he'll return the goblet. I promise."

She calmly started walking away, her eyes never leaving mine. She stopped by a coffee table and served herself a glass of wine.

"Siblings," she sighed and shook her head. "They can be such a problem, can't they?"

I simply nodded in response. I was still trying to recompose myself. I felt weak, vulnerable, scared. I barely had strength to get back on my feet, I had to use the door as support.

"Wine?" She served another glass and pointed to table, inviting me to sit down on an armchair. I followed her instructions. "You should stop crying now, darling. It's gonna give you a headache."

I let out a small, nervous laugh. This one was different from the other two. Not only she was the most gorgeous of the trio, but she was also calm and composed.

I took the glass of wine, wondering if it had any human blood in it. I drank it all in one sip, ignoring this thought. Alcohol was everything I needed in that moment. The Dimitrescu woman was still watching every move I made.

"Where are my manners?" She tapped her forehead like if she had forgotten something. "Bela Dimitrescu," she extended her hand.

"Aleena," I took her gloved hand. "Novak."

"My mother told me about you. Quite a mess your brother has put you into, no?"

"Yeah. Only yesterday I was celebrating my nineteenth birthday and now... I'm here."

Bela smiled as if she completely understood my situation. I blushed. She had the prettiest smile I had seen in my entire life. I remembered Mrs. Volkov words. The charm. Right now she could be attempting to seduce me, only to kill me and drink my blood later. And I wouldn't notice. I'd be too enchanted, too hypnotized to realize I had fallen into her trap. If any of the sisters would kill me, that would definitely be the one.

"My apologies for my sisters' behavior. We're not used having guests around. They'll lose interest on you in a couple of days."

"I hope so," I thought.

"More wine?" Bela offered. I thought it wasn't a good idea to accept. It wasn't safe to be drunk around a woman like her.

"No, actually I'm very tired. If you don't mind, I'm gonna return to my room now."

Then I realized I had no idea where my room was. I was completely lost inside the castle. As she realized I was standing at the corridor for too long, she spoke:

"I'll take you."

Bela escorted me back to the guest room. For a moment, it seemed like she was watching for any other signs from her sisters' presence. But it was a stupid idea to assume she was trying to protect me. She was so dangerous as any of the other two.

"Have a good night, Aleena," she said as I opened the door. "Don't worry about my younger sisters, I'll be watching them."

"Good night, Bela."

Still, I wasn't sure I should trust her. I quickly locked my door and ran straight to the windows. I opened them as much as I could, letting the night's cool breeze fill the room. I wrapped myself in a blanket and lay on the floor, right under where I knew I'd be safe.

Castle Dimitrescu, Bela's room - Present Days

"Are you really that desperate to prove mom you're special?" Cassandra yelled. She obviously didn't like the idea of behaving better around the human girl their mother brought to the castle.

"I'm only following her orders," Bela continued to get dressed to proceed with her plans for that day. She wanted to appear more like her mother and less than... her sisters. "What about you? Found your culprit yet?"

"I'm gonna kill them all by the end of the day. It's easier."

"Really, Cass? Mom's gonna be so mad if you do that. You know how hard it is to convince anyone to work here anymore."

"I can't believe that..." the brunette sister laughed sarcastically. "You speak as you don't have any part in it. As if you suddenly became the good girl only because you played hero last night."

"I do have a part in it. I only don't want to cause mom any more trouble. She has other worries, such as her businesses with Mother Miranda."

Alcina was a very busy woman. If they continued to misbehave and cause her more inconveniences, she'd never have time to study a manner to fix their only weakness.

She walked into the closet again, trying to pick a hat that matched the blue dress she chose. It was weird to look at herself in the mirror without the hood. She adjusted the hat, making sure it'd cover the scar on the side her head. Perfect.

"I know what you're doing," Cassandra followed, standing right behind Bela in the mirror. "You're going to seduce her, take her to your bedroom and have a feast on your own. That's your modus operandi, isn't it? You're so selfish!"

She threw a cushion at Bela.

"Not this time. I don't plan to kill Aleena or even sleep with her. I'll keep her safe until mom decides what to do."

Cassandra fell pensive for a moment. That sounded very strange coming from her older sister. She knew Bela was the most responsible and calm of the three, but she wasn't a saint. She was always seducing women and drinking their blood.

"Of course," she let out a small laugh, showing she had came to a conclusion. "In the end you hope mother will reward you with a stronger body, so you can venture away from the castle walls. She knows your intentions of betraying us and leave."

"I don't know what you're talking about," make-up? Yes. Definitely. Bela didn't want to appear so pale to their guest. "Go get dressed now, Cassandra. Let's do this the right way at least for once."

She was about to leave the room when her sister shouted something else. Something that had her senses alarmed.

"She slept with her windows open, did you know? She has been warned. It's a matter of time before she tries to kill you."

Bela sighed. Of course Aleena should know information about them. Growing up in the village, she must have heard all kinds of stories.

"Then I'll kill her. That's what mom said."

Castle Dimitrescu, Guest Room - Present Days

Waking up in the morning was nothing comfortable. After all I slept on the floor, feeling the cold wind of the night against my skin and my bones. My entire body ached. A few more days in that castle and I'd probably get pneumonia too. I was preparing a warm bath when Mrs. Volkov knocked at my door, bringing my bags and some breakfast.

I felt better after being able to eat and change my clothes. However, the sensation of being trapped in that place tightened my chest. Everything still felt... unreal.

I opened my bags, Auryk was the one to pack them. I knew it by the way he organized things. My brother was a perfectionist in every aspect of his life. He made sure to include my sketch book, I smiled. There was a note on the last page:

"Stay strong, Leena. I'll get you out of there, I promise.

Love, Auryk

P.S.: I'm returning your amulet. You'll need it more than I do."

"Damn it, Ryk. I'll never be able to forgive myself if something happens to you."

He also made sure to hide my cell phone in the middle of the folded clothes. I immediately tried to turn it on. No signal, as expected. Lady Dimitrescu would never allow such a thing. There was always the risk footage of the atrocities that happened inside the castle would end up on the internet.

I sat down near the windows with my sketch book. I tried to think of something to draw, but everything that came to my mind was...

"Shhhhh, quiet. You're safe now, darling."

Remembering the alluring tone of Bela's voice gave me shivers. Every author from vampire stories knew what they were talking about. They were extremely gorgeous, sexy, seductive. Even if I knew all those horrible stories about the Dimitrescu family, I couldn't help feeling a small hint of attraction for the blonde sister.

When I noticed I had been drawing the tattoo the girls had on their foreheads, I threw my pencil away. Less than one day in that place and I was already going crazy.

Somebody knocked on the door again, making me jump back to my feet. For my relief, it was Mrs. Volkov again.

"Ms. Novak," she announced as I opened the door cautiously. I imagined Cassandra could be behind her, holding a knife against the housekeeper's neck. "Ms. Bela requested you to have lunch with them in the dining room."

What?! Why couldn't I just stay in my room where it was safe? Unless, of course, they expected me to be the main dish.

"W-Why?" I spoke.

"She didn't say. She only ordered the staff to prepare something special for you and requested your presence."

"Oh, how kind of her."

I swallowed dry, feeling my cheeks burn a little bit. No. I wasn't attracted for her. That was a stupid and random thought. She was a predator and I was her prey. There was nothing romantic about it.

Mrs. Volkov entered the room, she glanced at the armchair where my sketch book was opened, showing what I had been drawing. She shook her and locked the door, whispering: "It's the always the same..."

Her expression turned serious and she frowned at me with arms crossed as if she was my own mother, about to scold me.

"Do you remember our conversation last night, right?"

"A-Absolutely! You won't believe it, but they ambushed me right after you left my room. If it wasn't for Bela, I..."

"Don't fool yourself, Ms. Novak. Ms. Bela is exactly like her sisters. She's only playing one of her games with you. I work here for a few years now, so trust me. I've seen girls like you finding a terrible fate in their hands. None of them is 'kind' or safe to be around."

I knew she was right. Not even for a second I believed Bela's real intention was to protect me. She was only trying to annoy her younger sisters, stealing their prey. I knew manipulative monsters very well. I was raised by one. And sometimes, Adrian was able to convince me everything he did was for my own good or because he loved me. In the end, it was all a lie.

"Oh," the housekeeper said before leaving my room, "and I'd wear something more formal if I were you."

Okay. That day couldn't get any more weird.

I didn't have many formal dresses to wear. Even less when I only had a couple of bags with me and my brother would never think of the possibility I'd be invited to attend a fancy vampire lunch.

The black one. At least the black one he remembered including. I bought that dress for our father's burial. It was beautiful, but simple. I also wore heels and my amulet around my neck. Now I was finally ready to meet the Dimitrescu's.

I followed the directions Mrs. Volkov gave me to the dining room. When I opened the doors, I couldn't believe what my eyes were seeing. The three Dimitrescu sisters, sitting at the table and dressed formally for the occasion. They were chatting and giggling like three normal girls, what was even more scary.

"Aleena," Bela greeted as soon she spotted me. She was wearing a light blue dress, white hat and gloves. "Please, have a sit."

I observed the table. The seat on the head clearly belonged to Lady Dimitrescu, her daughters respected that even in her absence. Speaking of her, I hadn't seen that bitch since her little reunion with her daughters last night. I wondered where she could be right now. Probably hiding in her chambers, laughing like a maniac and waiting for the news her girls had slaughtered me.

I considered my options, I could sit far, far away from them or... sit next to Daniela. I decided to be polite. I sat next to the youngest of the trio.

"Hello," I pointed and addressed each one by their names, "Bela, Cassandra and Daniela."

"She has a good memory," Cassandra said sarcastically.

"She has other qualities too," Daniela added, her eyes analyzing me head to toe.

Cassandra was wearing a yellow dress and a matching hat. Daniela was wearing green, which highlighted her beautiful red hair even more. My dress wasn't so fancy and long as the girls'. As they stared, I felt I was showing too much skin.

"I hope you had a good night of sleep," noticing I was feeling kinda uncomfortable and lost, Bela broke the tension.

"Yeah, I did."

"This is to apologize for my sisters' poor behavior last night," she made sure to reaffirm she had no intentions of chasing and killing me, unlike Cassandra and Daniela. "And you mentioned it was your birthday. Mother always celebrates the day we were born."

Alcina Dimitrescu, mother of the year. I couldn't really picture that. It was also funny the manner she said 'born', as if the woman had actually given birth to them. Instead of capturing, killing and turning them into vampires who could become a swarm of flies.

"Thank you. I really appreciate that."

I had never seen so much food in my life. I didn't even know what to pick first. I filled my plate with some salad, high quality meat and sautéed mushrooms. Things I couldn't usually afford working on the pub. The food tasted splendidly good.

Bela cleared her throat, sending some kind of message to her sisters.

"Aleena," Daniela was the first one to speak. "I'm sorry about last night. I was just kidding. A stupid way to welcome you to our home. It won't happen again... unless you want to."

I could notice the older sister kicking her leg for this last part under the table.

It was Cassandra's turn. I could tell she was far from pleased with that entire situation. She was forced to be there, acting like someone she was not.

"I'm sorry," she said, with some anger, showing she was truly being forced. "I won't try to kill you again until I receive orders from my mother. But I'll only tell you once, girl: stay out of my way."

They were working very hard to kill me and suck me dry. But four could play that game. I would act accordingly to their behavior.

"This is okay," I responded. "Apologies accepted. Nothing happened last night. We won't talk about this again and I won't be bothering any of you."

We didn't speak much again until the end of the lunch. I was serving myself with dessert when Daniela asked, interested:

"So, how's it like to live in the village? I always wanted to know."

"Boring? I wake up, I go to work, I go back home and sleep. That's all."

"This is awfully depressing! Don't you do anything to have fun?"

"Well, there's some good parts, yes. I have my friends, we can swim in the river or go fishing. Sometimes we reunite at the pub, or someone else's house, for a party. But particularly, I enjoy being alone at home, reading or working on my drawings."

Cassandra let out an annoyed sound before joining the conversation.

"Do you have another concept of fun, other than... books?"

"What's wrong with books?" Bela angered with her sister.

"I enjoy playing with knifes," I told, knowing that would spark the brunnete sister's interest.

"Oh! Is that a kink or a threat?"

"A skill."

"You'll need to demonstrate that someday."

Good, at least we were now considering the possibility I'd have a future and live for a few more days to show Cassadra how good I could be with my blades.

"So Cassandra, Daniela," Bela cleared her throat. "Don't you have something important to do?"

"Oh yes," Daniela quickly stood up. "I made quite a mess in my bedroom this morning. If mom comes home she's gonna freak."

Cassadra remained still on her seat.

"I still have time to fulfill my task. Any problems, Bela?"

"Not at all. I was just about to take Aleena for a tour around the castle."

"Good, I can show her the way to the dungeons."

I let out a laugh. That was a joke. Right?!

"Unfortunately," Bela stood up and extended her gloved hand, inviting me to take it, "I'll show her the parts you'd consider as boring. I don't think you'll have much to add to our tour. Bye, Cassandra."

I took Bela's hand and she guided me back to the main hall.

"Did you enjoy lunch, Aleena?" She asked.

"Yes," I told. "I had never eaten something so delicious before. Thank you."

She was in silence for a moment. Pensive, lost in her own thoughts. Then she sighed and grabbed my hand again.

"So," she smiled. "It's only you and me now."

Castle Dimitrescu, Opera House - Present Days

Bela spent the day showing me the parts of the castle she judged to be more interesting. At first, I was scared but then, I saw nothing that was really too creepy or that a suggested a recent murder had happened. Most of the rooms contained portraits, statues and artifacts related to the story of the Dimitrescu family and their business in wine-making.

"Hey, I saw a beautiful courtyard while we were in the dining room. Can we visit it next?" I asked.

"I'm afraid not," Bela sighed. I detected some disappointment in her voice. "My mother has planted a few roses there and she doesn't like having anyone around. I'm sorry."

"That's okay."

She guided me into another room, an Opera House it seemed.

"Whoa," I exclaimed. "This is amazing. Do you usually receive any musicians here?"

"Not really," Bela told. "It's mostly my mom who comes here and play the piano for hours. We enjoy to hear it though."

Alcina Dimitrescu, the musician. Another thing I couldn't picture.

"So, Aleena Novak," the blonde young woman spread herself on a couch, looking at me with a sly grin on her face, "I spent hours telling you everything I could remember about my family and I'm deadly bored. It's your turn now. Tell me something about you."

"There isn't much to be told..." I walked around the room, running my hand through sides of the piano. "My mom was the sweetest person I've ever met, and also the bravest. She died when I was eleven, attacked by a Lycan while trying to save my brother."

Bela was watching me, paying attention to every word.

"My father was a bastard. He was abusive, violent, manipulative... and Auryk grew up into this bitter, closed down and secretive man all because of him, because of the things he's done to him. I hate my father for that."

"And what about you?"

"I... I'm kind of a disaster. I live mostly by myself, working hard to earn only enough to pay my bills. And I just got accepted in this Art Institute in California."

"Oh, an artist! And will you be attending?"

"Well, if I have enough money by then. I mean, California is everything I ever dreamed. My grandparents live there. Recently they moved to San Francisco, where this art institute is located. They said I could live with them until I find a place on my own."

"And how's it like in California? Is it better than here?"

"Much better! It's always sunny and hot, there's no snow and there are the beaches, the ocean! It's like a dream."

Bela's eyes were wide in interest like she had made the most important discovery of her life.

"Oh! You mentioned your family's business in wine-making. There's a vineyard there in California too, near San Francisco. Napa Valley. You'd love it, I'm sure."

The corners of her mouth were curled up in a small and discreet smile.

"What's up?" I asked, confused. "You seem so... interested?"

"Oh, it's nothing, darling," she shrugged. "I... I just remembered there's something I must report to Cassandra. That's all."

I sat down at the piano, it reminded me of my mom, Savannah Novak. She'd play it for hours and I loved hearing her angelic voice singing.

"Do you play?" Bela asked.

"A little," I told, trying to remember any of the songs my mom used to sing. "My mom taught me when I was little. I haven't played since her death."

"Play something to me."

"Oh no, it's gonna hurt your ears. Trust me."

"I don't mind," she approached. Sitting closer to me. I felt my heart thundering inside my chest. "Entertain me and I'll have a surprise for you."

"Okay..."

I took a deep breath. There was one song that was my favorite to hear. My mom used to say it reminded her of me because of one specific line: 'You see I've forgotten, if they're green or they're blue'. While Auryk had Adrian's blue eyes, mine were sort of a mix. Some days, they'd seem a little blue but others, I had my mom's green eyes.

That was the song I picked to play to Bela. My voice was crackling a bit in the beginning but I was able to keep the tone.

"... how wonderful life is while you're in the world," I finished.

"So, how was it? Did I earn my surprise?"

The young woman seemed to be impressed beyond words. The look in her eyes, the smile on her face... for a second she seemed so innocent, so harmless. She seemed like... a girl. A girl I'd totally fall in love with.

"Enchanted!" She exclaimed, while clapping her hands. "Aleena... you'll need to show this to my mom when she returns. She'll love it, I'm sure."

"I doubt it," I thought.

"Now come, I'll show you your surprise."

Bela took me to another door and when she opened it, my eyes glowed in amazement. It was the largest library I had ever seen in my entire life. The multiple shelves were filled by endless book of all genres, about every subject and in many different languages.

"Oh. My. God!" I didn't even know where I should start looking first. Should I check the Romance section? Or should I see the Science books the Dimitrescu family had been collecting over the centuries?

"I knew you'd like it," Bela stopped by my side, running her fingers through some titles. "Here," she took something from inside her glove, "have an extra key. Here's where I lock myself whenever I want to find some peace and solitude."

"Bela, this is awesome! Thank you... again."

Our looks crossed and we gazed into each other's eyes for a few seconds. It was so easy to be around her. It was so easy to enjoy her company. And so easy to believe that was real, that deep down, she didn't have any second intentions with me.

"You're welcome, Aleena. It's getting late now and it's not safe for you to be around these corridors at night. I'll ask your dinner to be served in your bedroom."

As we returned and I was about to say goodbye, I remembered one last thing.

"Bela?" She stopped to listen. "When I woke up this morning I was so scared and miserable, but somehow you managed to make my day special. Thank you for that... Oh! And for saving me last night too."

She opened the widest of the smiles, as if she had never received such a praise before. As if she had finally accomplished to do something with the perfection she aimed to achieve.

Castle Dimitrescu, Corridors - Present Days

"Aleena? My days inside this castle are lonely and depressing most of the time, but somehow your presence managed to make them better."

Bela wished she had said that aloud, but she couldn't.

It wouldn't last. Someday she'd wake up and Aleena wouldn't be there anymore. In the best possible case, Aleena's brother would return the goblet to her mother and she'd go away. She'd follow her dreams and forget that nightmare ever happened.

In other cases, she would either lose control of her instincts and kill Aleena by accident. Or her mother and sisters would do it themselves while she wasn't around.

It wouldn't last. And she knew it.

She knocked at Cassandra's bedroom door. She had to deliver her the news. There was a place in the world where they could be able to live a normal life. Where they could finally have some freedom.

"Cassandra?" There was a loud music coming from inside. "I have something important to tell you. Open the door."

The music stopped. Cassandra opened the door wearing only her underwear. Her body was completely covered in blood. Bela stared at the bed, where the body of one of the maids was almost completely drained.

"What, sister?" She grinned. "Come on in."

"W-Was that the culprit?"

"I guess so," the brunette sister served herself some wine. "Daniela found some codified letters between she and the man-thing inside her drawers. Apparently she stole the goblet and delivered it to him at one of the secret passages."

"There was no need to make such a mess. It'll take ages to clean up this room."

"Who cares?" Cassadra shrugged. Then, she grabbed the young woman's corpse and threw in Bela's direction. "Here, I saved some for you, sister. Or are you feeling sorry for humans now? Does she remind you of your precious Aleena? Because this will be her fate once mother returns and... you know it."