Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I in no way am saying that I own the Saga of Darren Shan/Larten Crepsley. I am not that lucky. I am simply a fan.

The guards weren't going to let her in. Said that if there was another female in the clan that they'd know about it. They also asked her that if she really was a vampire, than who was her sire? She couldn't answer, as she herself didn't know.

"But," the other guard piped up, "how would she know to come barefoot and without a jacket. Surely, no human could survive that, as well." The other one scoffed at this, but Aradia suspected that his resistance was wavering. Finally, he held out his hand, and unknowingly, Aradia took it, not getting the gesture.

Making an annoyed noise with his tongue, the guard turned her hand over in his, examining the vertical scars her sire had given her when he blooded her. Aradia made a See? I'm not lying. gesture with her hands.

The adamant guard said, "Anyone can replicate these." He really doesn't want me to go inside, thinks Aradia, as he takes a knife from a sheath at his side, resting his spear against the wall of the cave. He motioned for her to follow, as he went a little deeper into the cave, she complied, hoping that his knife wouldn't be turned on her.

Again, he took her hand, cutting a thin line from her small finger to her thumb. "Heal it." He commanded. At her blank look, he muttered, "Idiot," before saying, "You've got to spit on it. Haven't you fed before?"

She shook her head, spitting on the small wound, and watching in wonderment as it healed, leaving only a minuscule scar to commemorate its passing. It was true though. She hadn't fed yet, at least, not how she thought he meant. All the blood she had consumed was that of animals, and it still made her queasy to.

After what seemed like a while, but must have only been half a minute, the guard said, "You are obviously not a human, and you're too innocent to be a Vampaneze, so I suppose you can go inside. Better see the Princes first, though."

Aradia had heard of them! The leaders of the vampires, her Vampaneze informer had told her. However, she had no idea where she might find them, or even if she would be allowed to see them. She asked, slightly embarrassed, "Um, I don't know where they are. Can you show me?"

Exasperated, the guard said, "Look, I can't leave my post, not until dawn. Just keep heading down this hallway, and eventually you'll find them. If you see anyone else on your way there, ask them for help." He spoke quickly.

"Yeah, okay." Aradia replied, still unsure. Slowly, she turned around, glancing back occasionally to see if the guard would give her further directions. When he resumed his watch, she forced herself to stop, instead walking swifter than she had been.

She didn't pass any vampires on her way to meet the Princes, except for one. He came from an adjoining hallway, wearing all black, matching his long black hair. The vampire was striding purposefully, as if he had somewhere to be.

Aradia called after him, shouting, "Excuse me!" He hadn't seemed to notice or care about the fact that she was female, and turned his head a fraction, just enough to see her. Seeing her, he stopped, and she rushed to catch up with him.

"Um, can you help me…find the Princes? I was told by the guard to see them, but I frankly have no idea where to go…" she trailed off, looking to the side awkwardly. This was so embarrassing.

The tall man looked into her light green eyes, frowning. Off-handedly, she wondered if he did that all the time, scowled like that. It would explain the frown lines. She smiled weakly, trying to get him to at least crack a smile, even if it was just for being polite.

Finally, he spoke. "You are looking at one of them. Come with me," he sighed, as if it was such a terrible thing to lead a newcomer somewhere, "I will take you to the Hall of Princes."