December 7th, 1950

Demetria had relayed a message to Evelyn and I that Annabelle wanted to speak to us both when she opened her doors the next morning, actually allowing us into her mysterious suite of a bedroom. Due to the dark and my circumstances, I didn't get much a glimpse of it last night so this time would truly be my first. By dawn my sister and I walked out of our individual bedrooms into the hallway. As we arrived together to Annabelle's room, her door was still closed as we heard her speaking soberly in her foreign tongue to whom was revealed to be the eldest maid herself.

"Ich erwarte, dass Sie Gale in einer Reihe halten, oder ich werde mich selbst darum kümmern. Ihre Tochter wird meine junge Frau mit dem höchsten Respekt behandeln, denn es wird Konsequenzen geben, wenn sie sich erneut verhält. Sind wir uns einig?"

(I expect you to keep Gale in line or I will handle this matter myself. Your daughter will treat my young one with the highest respect, for there will indeed be consequences if she acts out again. Are we clear?)

"Wir sind, Miss Annabelle."

(We are, Miss Annabelle.)

"Ich möchte auch klarstellen, dass Sie am besten nicht mehr auf das Blut des jüngeren Mädchens setzen. Ihre Schwester vertraut darauf, dass ich sie beschütze, und ich habe vor, es so zu halten."

(I also want to make clear that you best not set your mind upon the younger girl's blood again. Her sister is trusting me to keep her safe, and I intend to keep it that way.)

"Ja, Miss Annabelle. Ich entschuldige mich. Ich war nicht in der Reihe."

(Yes Miss Annabelle. I give my apologies. I was out of line)

"Das warst du. Ich wünsche mir nicht diese Spannung zwischen uns Demetria. Aber sie ist die Eine, und ich werde nichts davon im Weg stehen lassen. Ich hoffe, wir verstehen uns."

(That you were. I do not wish for this tension between us Demetria. But she is the one, and I will not let anything stand in the way of that. I hope we understand each other.)

"Verstanden."

(Understood)

"Gut. Jetzt geh. Sie sind direkt vor der Tür und meine Sonderzustellung sollte jeden Moment kommen. Habe alles vorbereitet und fertig, wenn es Zeit ist."

(Good. Now go. They are right outside the door, and my special delivery should be coming any moment. Have everything set and ready for when it is time.)

"You may come in girls!" Annabelle now called out to us in English.

We entered into Annabelle's bedroom. It was a massive room, one of a simple yet dark elegance. It had black walls and a vanity to the left with a huge red satin bed next to it on the right, Annabelle sitting at it's edge. With us standing right in front of her she didn't waste much time.

"I know you two must have many questions. I don't want you to be afraid in knowing what I am. So I will answer to your curiosities. So...Ask me anything." My stomach churned at these words, me and Evelyn eyeing each other. My younger sister was much more the curious one and willing to ask questions. And yes while I wanted answers, I was too scared to ask for them. Annabelle had gotten up and was now leaning against the window sill to the right of the bed, never taking her eyes off of us.

"Are the rumors true then?" Evelyn got right to the point. Annabelle raised her eyebrows with a smirk at my sister's question.

"Depends, what did you hear?"

"Well, you know...your diet, your powers, your weaknesses. Are you ancient? Can you turn into a bat?" Annabelle just smiled to herself, appearing amused at the obvious curiosity of the girl. I on the other hand looked to both of them worried. For one thing you should never ask a person of older age, particularly an immortal vampire, how old they are. I'm also afraid too much will be revealed, maybe even too much of a demonstration. Annabelle after involuntarily revealing herself meant she could no longer keep silent about what she was from us. She surely knew Evelyn wasn't nervous much at all, but rather intrigued by the creature.

"Well to the first you don't have to ask. I need human blood to survive. A vampire could sustain on animal blood for a day or two, then it becomes vile. Nothing compares to a living human source. Nothing else will satisfy the hunger, can't go around it." With this I looked away disgusted.

"This must all be just a dream. This can't be real. Vampires."

"As for powers, you have already witnessed some of my power." Annabelle smirked again to Evelyn, now with mischievous intent.

"What?..." I heard my sister gasp in disbelief. With her words, I quickly set my eyes upon Annabelle's place in the window, only for her nowhere to be seen. I then saw a figure whisp by us with a light gust, now looking around freaked out.

"Up here." I heard a chuckle, looking up to see Annabelle hanging upside down from the ceiling. Evelyn's mouth dropped, I myself not even knowing whether to be astounded or terrified. The vampire suddenly detached and landed gracefully onto the floor in front of us.

"Wow...That was amazing." Evelyn barely got out in an amazed breath.

Annabelle face showed no readable emotion, only for her to slowly walk around us. This gave me the goosebumps as she began to talk in rather close proximity to Evelyn and I. "Speed, strength, enhanced reflexes, all survival mechanisms for my kind, among other things..."

What kind of things?" Evelyn asked curiously. Annabelle stopped back to face us, her eyes flickering red for a moment only to change back to her original captivating brown.

"Nothing that concerns you at this time my love." Annabelle stated as she went to pat Evelyn's head before walking to her mirror, staring at her own features. "Vampires are known for standing out, stunningly beautiful by design. We survive by any means necessary, said to get what we want when we want it. That's why we are predicted to be dangerous, but I'm not saying the rumors are false." Annabelle's words sent a wave of concern through my body. At that moment the vampire directly eyed me in her vanity mirror before looking away in thought as she continued.

"As for my age...well...let's just say I've seen much occur in my lifetime. And weaknesses...the sun cannot kill me, not easily anyway. I and my servants have rings we wear to protect ourselves during the day." Annabelle now held up her right hand, showing us more closely her white gold ring she wore on her pinky finger. Nothing about it stood out, yet somehow it had enough power to protect Annabelle, Demetria and Gale from the sun. I wondered if all vampires had these rings, all wandering about the earth without anyone even batting an eye. I come out of my questioning thoughts as Annabelle spoke again.

"Sunlight and silver are the only things that can truly harm me. I have a reflection. Garlic, though I cannot eat human food I bet it tastes delicious. Holy water and crosses don't affect me but if there is a God I'm sure He loathes my rather...sinful existence. Any other questions?" Annabelle now faced us, waiting as we took in all of this information. But Evelyn had to get her most important question in...

"The bat?" Annabelle now bursted into laughter, Evelyn looking a bit offended.

"Not trying to laugh at you dear. But no, I've never been able to change into a bat." Annabelle left her place in front of her mirror with inhuman speed, now standing behind us as her tall frame bent down to speak closely above Evelyn . "But I'm one hell of a flyer." Annabelle's smile grew wide at the increasing excitement of the girl, Evelyn's mouth dropping again in awe. I however watched the pair anxious what the younger girl was going to say next.

"YOU HAVE TO TAKE ME!" Evelyn said cheerfully as she went to sit on Annabelle's bed. Annabelle warmly grinned back as she took a seat again by the window.

"Maybe sometime, when I know you're ready." With this Evelyn appeared so thrilled she was about to literally fly off Annabelle's bed. I rolled my eyes at her enthusiasm, yet couldn't help but to smile slightly. I loved her youthfulness, watching her be happy. Ever since that fatal day days past, happiness seemed to have left the both of us, especially me. Seeing a smile on Evelyn's face however was all I needed to find some joy myself. Yet even in the midst of the astonishment and the single laugh, I had still had many questions swimming through my head about Annabelle. And I knew she could sense this.

"I know you have questions Liza. I can feel your heartbeat through your chest." With Annabelle's words Evelyn's excitement faded immediately, both looking to me in waiting. After a few moments I finally pushed through my fear of the unknown.

"Why did you take Evelyn and I in? You are a vampire are you not? As you said your kind is dangerous, preying on living people to survive. So why are you so interested in humans like us? Why should we even trust you?" Annabelle's face turned into a slight frown.

"I know it's hard to believe. But I have lived for over two hundred years, as I said before seeing many things, including you losing your family. I took you girls in hoping I could be that for you."

"And Demetria and Gale?" I ask another, changing the topic quickly to avoid talking about my deceased parents. It was more so to avoid the fact Annabelle wanted to be a so said parental figure to me and my sister. We haven't been in the house for more than a week and she already is offering to take on the role of mother dearest.

"What is this woman playing at? She must be tricking us...reeling us into her web of lies..."

"As you may have already figured yes, Gale and Demetria are immortal. We have a history, one that goes back over a hundred years. I turned Demetria and her daughter as a favor in exchange for their...services."

"A favor...they wanted to be turned?"

l would never understand how anyone could want this life. Yet Annabelle and this mother daughter duo had a history, whatever this meant. I wondered what services Annabelle was speaking of. The way Gale looked at me the first time we met signaled she saw Annabelle as much more than just her master. What Annabelle saw them as was truly a mystery.

Were they her blood slaves before she turned them, using them to fulfill her hunger and even for pleasure? Did they like it? Was that her plan for me and my sister?

I snapped out of it as Annabelle's next words made me somewhat relieved.

"They are first and foremost my servants, expected to take care of their own feeding needs. Under no circumstance are they allowed to take blood from you. If either disobey my orders I will know right away and handle it with the utmost severity." Even as she spoke her words of security, I know there still is more to Annabelle than she has led us to believe so far. With that in mind, I was unable to avoid asking what I did next.

"Are you planning to turn me and Evelyn?" With my final question the room once again went to complete silence. Annabelle now got up from her place to come towards where I stood, only to embrace me. She calmly spoke just above my ear as she held me close.

"I will give you that choice when the time is right. You need to learn there is a life much better waiting for you than the one you will leave behind." With this Annabelle left my side to go sit back by the window, leaving me with chills all over my body.

"She doesn't really think I want to become a vampire like her...the scariest thing is I know Evelyn is already enticed by the idea. I can't let Annabelle have that kind of power over her, no matter what she has done for us. I won't let this cold blooded woman win, no matter what it takes."

"Have you been tempted to drink Evelyn's blood?" My most taxing question finally came out later on in the day to Annabelle. Moments before Evelyn had left the dinner table to bathe and I needed this to be answered without my sister's presence. I needed to know and be assured that at the least the younger girl would be safe. Annabelle got up from her place at the table. She walked close to where I sat, kneeling in front of me. She then tucked a piece of my hair behind my shoulder to reveal my neck. She touched down with long fingers, eying the veins darkly as she traced the skin.

"All human blood is tempting, I have lived for so long, never fully understanding the power it has over my kind. I embrace it. For centuries I have never known anything else." She stopped for a moment, only for me to watch her fangs slowly emerge from her gums as she breathed in deeply with closed eyes. When she reopened them they had changed to their glowing crimson red. I couldn't move...I could only watch. I wanted to run, but something almost supernatural was keeping me there. Annabelle continued, her voice becoming heavy.

"When I first sensed you and your sister, I smelt so much of it. That's what brought me there. Curiosity and hunger. Hunger is what drives a vampire. When we crave blood we will go any lengths to quench our inner need, our true unavoidable nature. I saw two girls, too young to experience death, from vampiric or human hand. I watched those disgusting excuses for life kill without remorse, so I had to return them the favor. Humans to me are just as cruel as my own, so why not treat them to the same vile fate?" Suddenly another question comes into mind.

"Why were you..." I then went silent, dreading the answer I now already knew.

"What Liza?" Annabelle pulled her hand back from my neck, her facial features back to normal as she looked to me intently. Yet I still refused to say a word.

"I did not tell a lie when I said you you could ask me anything. Nothing surprises me anymore. Try me." I took a deep breath before finally letting it out.

"So you were, hunting?...Hence the lack of clothes.." As I predicted Annabelle though humored responded without hesitation.

"More or less yes dear. As I told you vampires indeed have many methods in getting what we want, some more tempting than others..." I looked away coldly in reaction to Annabelle's answer, her returning the same expression of disapproval.

"Oh don't give me that face young one. Just because I take their blood doesn't mean I can't satisfy them and myself at the same time. It's a give and take with many benefits, trust me." The vampire flashed a wicked smirk as I swallowed hard to her response. Annabelle tried to ease off the subject no matter how much enjoyment was currently showing upon her face. "But to answer your previous question. I cannot say to you that I haven't pondered feeding from Evelyn. However, my wish is to become bonded to you and your sister."

"Bonded?" I asked her softly.

"It is somewhat an inner contract between a vampire and a human. They're not just a source of sustenance to you. A deep relationship is formed once bitten, a very risky one. A vampire doesn't just bite a human for this to occur. Both sides must carry similar feelings for another for it to form, whether it be out of love or lust." Annabelle inched closer to me, moving towards where her fingers once lingered.

"A vampire having bonds with humans is dangerous, because you're putting them at a higher risk. You become a threat to the their very existence, for their blood becomes your most dangerous temptation. Your blood, for example, most definitely tempts me, truth to be told more than Evelyn's."

I started to move up from my chair cautiously at Annabelle's words only for the woman to straddle my hips, her eyes crimson again. I began to breathe harshly as my body went numb to her touch, yet Annabelle ignored it as she leaned in closer. She finally reached my neck, her mouth tracing along my collarbone. I closed my eyes, truly afraid now. Annabelle's voice is deeper now, unnatural.

"With your blood, I sense everything about you. I sense your fear, your grief, even your moments of happiness. It makes me want to have that connection with you." Annabelle kissed my skin gently, then with more pressure as my breathing became more uneven. She then spoke again, her voice laced deeply with lust. "When you take blood from a human and you become bonded with them, your connection to that person becomes inseparable. You also feel deeply their human emotions, especially when it comes to pleasure." She inched even closer now, feeling her extending teeth graze my neck. I felt myself grower weaker under her spell, bracing myself for the bite. Whatever hold she had on me and Evelyn, it was working. Suddenly Annabelle came up to look at me with her piercing red eyes, gripping my face with both hands. She leaned over to kiss my forehead then pulled away the slightest to speak.

"But as I've told you, I would never take it without your permission young one, even when l try to be persuasive. I'm a patient woman when I want to be." Finally Annabelle had pulled away completely. Her were features back to their normal again, standing up and I quickly did the same. The woman just laughed innocently as she watched my startled reaction. She reached over, brushing my cheek to soothe my nerves.

"Oh my, I guess I got a little carried away." Not a second later Annabelle's figure was rapid, feeling her behind me as she put one of her hands over my eyes. She now spoke as her mouth was hovered over my ear. "Though I think I have something that will make it up to you." My stomach churned in fear, only to hear Annabelle sigh. My sight was returned as the woman was now facing me. She then held my hands, reassuring me with a soft yet firm sincerity.

"You have my word Liza, no harm will come to you or your sister. But right now, I need you to trust me." I don't respond right away, asking myself whether or not I should take a leap of faith with Annabelle. Yet there was something, something inside me convinced to trust her in this moment. I finally nodded. I watched as Annabelle grinned lightly, only to feel her return behind me. She spoke again as she stood closely to my body, her cold hands grasping my shoulders. "This however means you have to trust me enough to get you to the main hall without ruining your surprise. Do you think you can do that?" With a deep exhale to her touch I nodded again, only for my sight to return to black.