AN: No reviews yet so please let me know how I'm doing! Anyway, enjoy!

When Carter awoke, everything was clear. The smells, the sights, the sounds; everything. She inhaled in shock, and realized that she could even taste the world around her. Then she frowned, and inhaled again. The action felt wrong; there was no relief in the air that whistled down her throat. She considered this for a moment, and then leapt to her feet when she heard movement off to the side.

"It's alright," said a voice from the trees. It sounded vaguely familiar. She tensed, trying to recall where she had heard that voice before.

Then she remembered.

"Samuel?" she asked, her brain grasping at the foggy memories of her last moments. The sound of her voice startled and intrigued her. She contemplated its musical sound for only a moment; she was quickly distracted when she heard Samuel speak again.

"Yes," he answered, stepping cautiously out of the woods, guarded relief in his voice and on his face. "It is me… I won't hurt you." He raised his hands in front of him and stepped a little closer.

"I—I know, I remember," she stammered, confused about how she knew he was being truthful. "I don't understand… What's happened to me?" She stopped abruptly, dazzled by the incredible beauty of Samuel's face.

"You have been changed," he said slowly, his hands still raised, gauging her reaction. "You're a vampire now."

"What?" Carter gasped, her eyes wide. "But vampires don't exist! That's not possible!" Even as she said it, she knew again that Samuel was telling the truth. Her brow furrowed at the thought. "I know you're not lying to me, I can feel it. Why can I feel that you're being truthful?"

"Vampires do exist," Samuel said calmly. She was momentarily distracted by the grace of her own movements as she took a step towards Samuel. She was jolted back to her senses when he continued. "Some of us are given… gifts in our new life. You may be able to sense when you are being lied to." He lowered his hands slightly, and smiled gently at her. "If you will trust me and not attack me, I'll show you."

"Why would I attack you?" Carter's voice crept up an octave, in surprise.

"Newborn vampires are usually not able to control their instincts very well," he said soothingly, his voice calm and measured "To show you the truth I would have to touch you, and most newborns react very badly to being touched." His golden eyes held her gaze while he spoke; she could literally see the truth burning in them.

"I wouldn't hurt you," Carter said slowly. "You saved me. And I want to know the truth…" Her face crumpled in confusion. "Although I still don't understand how I know you're not lying." She looked up at him, eyes wide and worried.

He took a slow step toward her and held out his hand to her, still a good five feet away. "I can show you all the answers, I promise. It is my gift to show the truth, like I told you that it might be your gift to see truth." He smiled again and stepped closer. "Let me show you."

She nodded and moved to take his hand. Right before they touched she hesitated. "This won't hurt will it?"

He laughed, his voice glorious and beautiful. His golden eyes twinkled happily at her. "No, it won't hurt, I promise."

"Ok." Carter took a deep breath and firmly grabbed his hand. "Show me."

Samuel smiled widely and wound his fingers through hers. "Your wish is my command, milady." And as he spoke, the world around them shifted and began to change. Carter gasped as an entirely different world appeared before them.

"Watch," Samuel commanded, his voice soft, "and I will do my best to explain everything."