He sat silently in the dark. His blonde hair fell lightly above his shoulders and his entrancing blue eyes appeared as if they were sparkled with purple glitter. This youthful gentleman sipped his drink unaffected by the smoke that made the air heavier than it had originally been.
He observed the groups of laughing people from his corner, as well as those who sat solemnly alone at the far end of the counter consuming their usual third or fourth drink of the night. He could hear people outside laughing in complete hysteria when someone lost their balance and stumbled over their very own legs. His watch face read 10:47 p.m., and when he had passed the door on his way in, he noticed the sign read in bold white letters that on Thursday evenings Anthony’s Bar was closed by eleven.
Just a little while longer and then I can have her. She will be mine. Joshua’s eyes inspected the blonde hair girl with blue eyes and knew that he had to have her. The laughter and clinking of the glasses was background music to the lovely words of which she spoke.
“Taylor, you are ridiculous. We must be going, I have work tomorrow and it’s obvious that you are far too impaired to be consuming anything else.” Before the boy with the chestnut brown hair and blue eyes could propose an argument, a handsome boy came to her rescue. “T.J. man, she’s right. We have to go, and in ten minutes this place is going to close anyway. Let’s go.”
With great resistance, Taylor gathered his belongings.

He watched from afar, but his sharp hearing enlightened him of what was happening at the moment. He studied the girl as she put on her fluffy blue jacket and white scarf. In a single movement, he stood up six feet from the ground. No one seemed to notice that he was close by, and with a degree of grace he exited the premises without a person knowing he was ever there.

“Do you have a problem?” His face was the colour of bright red flames, and his eyes were wild with fury. The gentleman shook his head “no” and a small grin appeared on his face. As this happened a mob of people circled the dispute, and Taylor put out his cigarette with his left foot and tried to engage the mysterious person once more.
“Do you have something to say before I wreck you?” The blonde man laughed at those words in a cynical manner and smoothly stated, “No, but....” He was interrupted by a gun shot that went high into the air and the shrieks of the shocked rang loudly in Joshua’s ears.
“Is there a problem here?” authoritatively asked a man who was wearing pants that couldn’t completely go around his large abdominal, therefore the pants took a dive beneath his belly accenting the owners poor physique. His hair was slicked back, and his flannel shirt was intoxicating due to all of the smoke and alcohol he was frequently surrounded by.
Joshua was the first to speak. “There is nothing going on around here.” Taylor agreed, and the circle was broken by demands that everyone return to their homes. Just as Taylor was able to regain control over himself and his gaze, Joshua slyly stated, “It’s Joshua, and don’t you forget the sound of my name.”
Before Taylor could say anymore, the mystery man was out of his vision within a second of time. “Come Taylor, we must go. Hop in.” Taylor obliged to her request and sat in the seat behind Aaron.

The first mortal he saw alone was a girl wearing a beanie hat from the popular store, QuikSilver and the rest of the common winter apparel. She appeared to be deep in her green jacket and her face was barely visible. Very few strands of hair escaped her hat, and her black hair fell perfectly. Except for her rosy cheeks which he considered to be winters kisses, the only other visible feature were her ice blue eyes.
He smiled at the thought of luring her into his trap. As he approached her, he appeared to have been very disoriented. A few feet away from the girl, he collapsed. The girl who was full of empathy and kindness ran to his assistance.
She did not notice his seemingly creeping hand as she hovered above him with thoughts of his well being; even of his beauty. His chest moved in small huffs to give the effect of a human breathing just enough air to keep alive. I have her he thought, I have her in so many ways. Ahh yes darling, come closer to me. Give me eternity.
Almost simultaneously with that thought she asked aloud, “Are you okay, sir? Why are you out so late, nevertheless in this weather without a jacket or something that at least gives the illusion of warmth?” Immediately he liked this girl, but replied in a weak voice, “I was running, you see. Far away from them, they’re coming to get me.”
The astonished girl, swept by the mystery asked quickly, “Whom?” A tiny sneer appeared on his face, and with the same helpless voice he had before replied, “Come closer to me and I’ll tell...you’re too far from me, I can just about see your dear eyes.” Not expecting anything, she did as was asked.
His hand easily removed her scarf and yet she seemed not to notice his quick movements, nor the loss of her scarf. His neck arched forward and missed her ear and encountered her neck. The violent yet pure white blades pierced in this nameless girl’s neck. Her body became tense, yet the tension left when he began to draw her blood. He did this slowly, holding her body in his arms.
The blood ran warm on his tongue and down his throat. As he drank her blood ever so carefully, not missing a drop, his face became warm and appeared to be human. He had colour once again, yet still remained a pale air to him. This was his first in two weeks.
Her body became limp, not ever releasing a cry for help. She enjoyed the complete ecstasy far too much to complain or resist. She surrendered herself to him, without ever truly knowing the results. He sat up and felt something wet fall onto his face from the sky. Another followed and suddenly the skies became white.
I must hide this body and rid it of any evidence that I, a vampire, murdered her. He took his finger nail and dragged it across his left wrist. Blood came rushing out of his vein and he pressed his wrist on the wounds which were on her neck. Within an instant, they were magically gone; only an autopsy could now detect that her blood had been fully drained from her.
He walked cradling her body in her arms as if she was a baby. Shortly, he arrived in a valley where he found the classic place to hide a body: a giant green box that flies tended to swarmed near. Deciding that this was all he had time for, he pitched her body in there as if it were nothing. Nothing.
With great ease he continued his strides and picked up such a great pace, it was possible that the normal human eye would only find him to be a breeze. The more intoned human, would catch a glimpse but seeing as such things were thought to be impossible, no one thought too much of it.

He walked down the hallway like he was on a mission. His shoes became dusty much like the furniture he passed. Joshua was very capable of seeing his way down the long hallway despite the poor lighting of the candles. Fairuza and Mecredi found them to be romantic and soothing, so he let it be that way. Such things become a waste of time to concern one’s self over during eternity.
“Welcome back, darling. I trust you had a fine evening.” A tall, red hair girl with curls spoke to Joshua. His eyes immediately recognized Fairuza with her sea green eyes and her talk. She always spoke with a certain degree of delicacy in her voice which is why he has found her to be so comforting.
“I did Ru. I did.” His hand touched her face that was always warm. She smiled, and took his hand and guided him into a large room with couches and incense. On a red couch was Mecredi. She was attractive with her short black hair and blue eyes. She, like the other two, was transformed at a young age.
“We should get started with our problems now that you’ve returned Joshua. It’s now near one.” Mecredi always had a knack for being direct and not wasting anytime enjoying her companies presence. That is why she always wore loose black dresses that fell beneath her knees.
“What are we going to do with him? He’s a renegade and will disclose our kind to the public, and people will believe his exquisite face and detailed stories.” Joshua looked at his companion Fairuza and agreed with her completely, “Yes, we must destroy him. He’s an utter nuisance and certainly the rest of the underworld knows it, too. He cannot be allowed to break away like this.”
“Tell me Joshua, are these words that you speak based upon your opinions and feelings you have towards him, or are they the only option we have? We don’t know for sure if he is going to do anything like that because if he did, he surely knows what would happen to himself and I tell you now, this boy is not stupid. Perhaps we should let him go -- after all, it is his life.” Mecredi challenged Joshua out of love for Marc. Marc has saved her life as well as bought meaning and moreover compassion to her existence.
Fairuza automatically noticing Mecredi’s devotion assaulted her verbally, “Why do you care for him so, Mecredi? He kills. Is it not obvious that is the reason why he took flight? Your love is nothing, look at what he did...he deserves to die and if you side with him, maybe we can assume that you assisted him with his duties and get rid of you, too. We have enough to deal with, you know - with people and all, it is not just to worry if a fellow companion will bring harm to us, as well.” Mecredi knew that Ru’s argument was valid, but I still don’t understand why he’d do it. Something is not right. He doesn’t run.
Joshua sat there attempting to scan Mecredi’s mind, yet he couldn’t quite break into her thoughts. He became annoyed and began to dream about the girl he had murdered earlier before, drifting away from the words that the two bickering women were exchanging.
This is why I don’t take life often anymore. The dreams I receive become intense, although every other vampire gets them...it’s part of taking life and knowing who you raped. What a penance I must pay every time I have hunger.

“It’s time now, time to rest -- time to dream of our lives long ago,” reminded Joshua and that was when Fairuza and Mecredi decided tomorrow they would resume their dispute.

“Tell Mom that I will be home by four, I have some things to take care of today.” He smiled at his loving brother who never disobeyed any sweet favour that left his lips. All of the girls were madly in lust with this boy who had curls that fell near his broad shoulders and was unusually tall for his time.
“Joshua? Where might you be going? I need those horses today, I have errands to run. And tell me, why do you frequently use your younger brother to do all of your dirty work?” The barrage of questions from his mother caught him off guard.
He grinned at her charmingly and replied, “It’s because I’m wonderful mother, and I am going into town. Had I known you needed these fine horses I surely would not have taken them. I suppose Mary can wait until tomorrow.”
His mother looked at him with her dry blue eyes. Her hair was always pulled away from her round little face by a piece of fabric, and her white apron had lost its true colour. She insisted that he disembark from the horses at that moment and assist his brothers out in the field. Reluctantly, Joshua did what he was told.
“Hiya there. I guess you didn’t go, ‘eh?” A young boy at the age of twelve who had bright red hair and freckles questioned his older brother. “Evidently.” In the blazing sun, they worked with their hoes and spoke few words because their objective was to complete the task as soon as possible in order to sneak some time away in the woods and swim.
“I ‘membered that ‘morrow you turn twenty-two. I think it’s strange you don’t got a wife and a house yet.” Joshua smiled at Jonathan’s remark and then thought of Mary. Mary was not the prettiest girl in town, but simply the most outgoing and comical person he had ever known. She made Joshua feel good about himself and he felt that he had a life’s duty to keep her safe from harm.
“Don’t worry Jonathan, as soon as I have enough money I am going to buy her a ring and shortly thereafter we are to be wed. She told me it doesn’t matter how long it takes for us to get married; she’ll be happy when we do and that’s enough for her. Now, let us cease our chatter and continue our work.”
The two boys worked in the intense heat. The bugs that flew around Jonathan’s head annoyed him and caused his work to be performed at a slower rate. Meanwhile, Joshua’s shirt worn, white shirt was saturated with beads of sweat and his pants were covered in dirt. Both of them knew that today’s work surely would take far too long and they would not be able to sneak away to the pond.

“This corn surely does smells delicious mother. But tell me, when will we get any money? I need some.” Joshua always had thoughts of his beloved lady who had brown hair and was named Mary. His mother sighed but the booming voice of his father announced, “Joshua, if you’ve found true love with Mary, she can wait a while. The family needs are first in this house, how many times must I inform you upon this?” Joshua didn’t argue back, because he knew that his father spoke the truth. His feelings of love were meager to those of the family; he just had to remain patient.

Weeks passed and Joshua grew anxious over his love. He decided that the only way they could spend their time together was if they eloped. His belongings were packed and his mind was set. Outside he heard no chatter of any kind but only the hoots of the owls and the crickets communicating with each other.
Joshua carefully slipped out from beneath his sheets and quietly poked around his room for anything that he had forgotten about. He held a candle in his right hand as he opened the door with his left. He peered cautiously out into the dark hallway, and then made his way to the bathroom where a window was to be found.
Like many times before, he slipped out of the window but the only difference this time was the remaining factor that he was not ever going to return. The window fell back into place, and he scurried across the field to the shed.
Having left the candle hidden by leaves near the window, he groped around until he was certain that he had all that was necessary. He got onto his young, strong, brown horse and began his mission. Joshua traveled through the deep dark woods because no one would be able to report seeing him. The breaking of the sticks and occasional leaf brushing his face did not bring any fear to him. He was concerned about how his family would react when they did not find him residing in his bed that morning.
I should have left them a note, they deserve at least that. Joshua was immediately interrupted and the ground met him. Not fully understanding what was happening to him at the moment, he remained where he had fallen to. He saw figures in dark robes all about, who were taking an interest to his belongings.

One of them was giving orders to the rest. Unable to hear what was being said, Joshua just observed who appeared to be the leader. He had long arms and legs yet he didn’t appear to be too tall. Joshua went to speak but something in his mind told him to keep silent and let them do what they were doing. All five figures finished walking around and confiscating his items. Two of them approached Joshua and without much effort they raised his body. Within a moments time he felt as if he was flying high in the skies and the wind caused his coat to flap in the brisk air.

The floor beneath him was cold and dusty. The air was heavy like his spirits and he only heard the distant whispers of England if he listened very hard. The only light he had leaked to him through the window which was ten feet high. Darkness surrounded him and there was no escape seeing that he was behind bars. Joshua was in a dungeon, a place he feared the most.
Softly breathing, he wondered why he was captured, for what reason? The solitary was doing murder to this poor boy of the age of twenty-two. The silence began to drive him wild. Tears he thought that he never would cry began to flood his face and a deep sorrow rolled over him and that was when a candle lit the hall.
The light moved closer to his cell until finally the individual had stopped their movement. The key slid into the lock and a soothing voice beckoned him to stand on his feet and move out of the cell. Joshua did exactly what he was told to do. Joshua’s hand was met by the others cool yet firm grasp. He was directed down the hall to another room that had great wooden doors.
There Joshua saw others in black robes with hoods that concealed their faces. In their crystal glasses a deep red liquid resided. Oddly enough they had no food on the mahogany wood table; just those beautiful glasses filled with a mysterious red liquid. There was a tall figure at the head of the table who stood up and addressed Joshua, “I sense a great deal of fear within you. Have no fear of us; we don’t intend on harming you tonight. Sit.”
Joshua stood frozen, in shock. He simply couldn’t accept the fact that his life would be torn from him by this mysterious being eventually. As Joshua’s mind pondered the prospects of what would happen to him he was suddenly interrupted by the beings powerful voice. “I said...sit down!” Immediately Joshua obeyed. Joshua was not looking to die that night.
“What do you want of me?” Joshua quickly asked before any words could be spoken by anyone. The hooded figure let out a sigh which was followed by his pale yet strikingly smooth hand lifting up his glass. When he took a sip of the drink, Joshua caught a glimpse of his abductor’s eyes. To describe them is beyond any words other than more beautiful than beautiful. The shades of blue which made up the eye colour made the midnight skies seem boring and dull. The figure then replied simply, “My name is Zach and we want your life and this is why...”



Joshua’s indigo coloured eyes were wide open and his attention was not diverted to anywhere else but towards Zach. Zach soon revealed his image to Joshua by the slow action of removing his hood. Black curly hair fell slightly above his shoulders and his midnight eyes were all the more mesmerizing having being able to see them clearly. The sharp, threatening and sincere words that left Zach’s mouth would surely be a shock to anyone because one would never conceive these ideas belonged to a man with such an exquisite face.
“We have been following you for a while now, studying and learning about your affairs with that girl you love greatly. She is beautiful yes, but we found you to be more intriguing which is why you are here with us.
“Needless to say, we want you to know a few things about us before you come to the decision that we will force you to make in one nights time. First and foremost we are sure and will make it so that you will never see the light of day again; it is now a distant memory that you may come to hold dear in time. I want you to understand Joshua that eternity does not come free for you will be a servant to me for seventy-five years. In these years I intend on teaching you the ways of the Ancients and all that you need to know in order to survive.
“Also...wait, before I address anything else maybe I should reveal to you what we truly are. I know that you have heard people mention my kind when they speak of inexplicable deaths. We are Vampires and yes we do steal lives from the innocent and no, we don’t cringe at the sight of garlic. In fact we have only one fatal weakness [other than sunlight] which is Holy Water. Holy water is simply too pure, too good to touch us. We live with the stars as our guides and the daylight as our foe.
“If you choose to come with us, we can show you the world; show you everything you’ve ever wanted to know. Life can be yours if you’re willing to accept this offer.”

Zach ended his speech dramatically and he picked up his crystal glass and drank the blood which was in it. He smiled deviously allowing the blood to show on his teeth. It was a frightening sight, seeing a true supernatural being who was capable of so much destruction want to make you their snack or transform you into one of his own. Oh how I regret having left my home that night, Joshua thought.
“Wh-wha-what happens to me? I mean, what changes occur to my body...?” As Joshua asked this question with a tinge of hesitation in his voice, his leg shook as to keep his mind off topic. Quickly following his question, Joshua casted his eyes away from Zach’s and looked at the wood table admiring its beauty. His thoughts were broken at the sound of Marc placing his drink back onto the table.
“It has been so long since I was human however I am much stronger than I ever was as a human and more beautiful. My eyes were not originally these shades of blue -- they were more or less just midnight however the dark gift has enhanced my features to such an extreme that I am more ravishing than God could ever make me. I also have the ability to read minds which allows me to manipulate my prey ultimately knowing their darkest secrets and fancies.
“There is something that does drive certain members of our kind wild which is the fact that there are times when you shut your eyes for the day and you dream of your transformation. It haunts some to the point that they destroy themselves. There’s no way in measuring what your reaction will be in the long run but that’s the price you pay for living a life of no existence.
“The dark gift will change you forever, I will have you know. You also must sever ties with each mortal you have ever encountered, which is why you are to be with me for seventy-five years. You will never age unlike your mortal friends. If you reject this opportunity, Joshua -- I will personally drain you of every bit of hope and ounce of blood from you. There is nothing else that I aloud to reveal before you make your choice. Be wise: this is the last night you will ever breathe alive, either way.”
The truth in Zach’s tone of voice caused shivers to creep up Joshua’s spine. Joshua looked at the eleven other figures who were moving now. One removed their hood but before he could make out any features Joshua fell to the floor where he saw and heard nothing.

Joshua found himself back in the familiar cell where he spent his previous night. He sat up upright and immediately began to wipe the dust from his shirt. As he let out a deep sigh he noticed a piece of paper on the ground which he did not leave when he first was escorted to converse with Zach.
He approached the letter cautiously due to the lack of light which impaired his vision. His eyes were wide open as to make sure that he was not going to place himself in a situation that he would not be able to get himself out of. He bent over to pick up the piece of paper that was worn. On it in perfect calligraphy read, “Joshua”. He opened the letter, breaking the seal.
Good evening Joshua,
We don’t know why you fainted however, you did. Regardless your decision must be made by the time the clock strikes twelve. If you are willing to accept the dark gift please realize that you are my sole companion for seventy-five years. We cannot let you live if you reject this offer and believe me some have, therefore your decision will be fatal.
Sincerely,
Zach

Not before long he hard footsteps; he had to make his decision quickly. Joshua thought to himself, considering the consequences of his actions. He was full of sorrow and regret. Oh how I wish I didn’t leave my family that night because I wouldn’t have to face death now, at this hour. What do I do? Do I live without my lover, my companion in order to save myself? I love Mary, do I leave this world true to her or do I save myself? Living forever is a wonderful proposition however is it worth losing her over? It might be. Not long after he began to reason with himself, his thoughts were broken.
A dark figure with a quiet voice spoke to Joshua, “I trust you’re well now. Come, it’s time to die.” Joshua had made his decision and his head hung low as he walked slowly behind the vampire who had retrieved him. He walked down the same dark hallway to the great wooden doors and he was in the presence of just one.
Joshua recognized Zach but his fear of him was much less. He removed his eyes from Zach and looked at all of the beautiful tapestries hanging on the walls made of stone, and al the golden candlesticks on the mantle of the fireplace. The candlesticks were gorgeous. Joshua walked around in the room and his hands ran along the soft, satin cushions of the dining room chairs.
Joshua’s peace was broken. “I trust that you have come to your decision by now. If you like these items you can acquire them over the time. You can have anything your heart desires as long as it is not a mortal being. Mortals are not to be meddled with for if vampires are known to mankind it spells certain doom for us all.”
Zach’s hand reached out for Joshua. Joshua took hold of it and he was guided to a door in the back. From there he was lead to a dark room where anything was barely visible. There were no windows, it was a true hole.
“Please, sit.” Joshua sat down on the rock floor. It reminded him of where he had been spending his previous nights. “Now, stretch out your arms.” Cautiously Joshua did as he was told to do. Zach’s icy touch gave Joshua the goosebumps but being handcuffed frightened him more.
“What is this?” Joshua was outraged by this. Never in his life was he handcuffed to a wall of any sort. He was far too dignified for such a state of being however he was not able to challenge Zach’s actions.
“Joshua, this is going to be the most important decision of your life. Do you accept the gift or reject it? There’s no turning back from here.” A long pause was broken by the guilty voice of Joshua, “Y-yes. I want it...”
“And to answer your question from before Joshua, you will see in good time what these restraints will do for you. In fact this just might save you.”
Before Joshua had a chance to contest, Zach was gone however he left the cell door open as a sign that he would be back. Joshua let out a sigh and was in deep thought when Zach returned from his venture.
Zach approached Joshua slowly, causing Joshua to become unnerved. Zach’s breath warmed Joshua’s neck. This caused Joshua to relax and not realize the harm that was coming his way. Suddenly a sharp pain shot through Joshua’s body. His heart pumped rapidly, creating more blood in order to replace the massive amount that seemed to be leaving his body at the moment. Joshua’s body was tense however Zach saw all that his victim was leaving behind: his family, friends and most important of all he was losing Mary. Furthermore, Zach saw Joshua’s life pass him by.
During this moment no words were spoken by Joshua, just a final scream. A scream of ecstasy which lasted all but three seconds.

“Do you think that he will make it Zach?” This question haunted Joshua since the moment he heard it. He was weak and the amount of pain he was experiencing caused tears to fall profusely from his eyes. The tears were not clear like the beautiful oceans, but red. In an hours time he had gained strength, he could feel it. “Let me free!” He flung his arms about wildly not recognizing his amazing new strength.
Zach, having noticed Joshua’s power answered the question if Joshua would survive with, “Yes, he most definitely will.”

For twenty years Joshua was immortal. He gave up his love Mary forever although each waking moment he thought of her. He remembered her tragic death. Her home was caught on fire and she went inside to save her daughter but she never escaped the flames, however her daughter did. Joshua was unable to bear the pain, so he disappeared for five years and spent his existence in the ground hearing the laughter of the mortals as well as the tears. Life was meaningless until he heard the sweetest, loneliest voice. This caused him to reenter the world...
Joshua rose from beneath the rich soil of Paris, France. Zach was destroyed during Joshua’s absence so he was free to roam as he pleased. He was free to watch Mecredi through the dark.

Her bright blue eyes flashed through the crowds. She stood out from the rest of the world because life did not have her by the age of twenty-two. Few noticed her abnormally pale skin because her smile entranced everyone, she was a beauty in her time and fluent in French since she was born in France.
Each time she reflects back to her mortal days she remembers how everyone desired her so in return she fulfilled their deepest cravings. She can clearly remember socializing down at the local bar with her friends who were beautiful but did not compare to her. Jealousy passed between them like the black plague did to those during the Medieval Ages.

“So how about it? Do you want to leave with me?” A twinkle appeared in his eyes and she would not wait any longer. She took his hand and they made their way upstairs. People in the room knew what was to happen next, whoever goes up the stairs usually has one thing in mind...
Every time when she would return downstairs satisfied people would look at her and she’d keep moving towards the door. No one was bothered by it rather they found it to be amazing that her family didn’t protest her actions.

One winter evening she was walking home from the theatre humming to herself. The snow fell on her face but that didn’t bother her, she had a wonderful time with her friends. Her parents strongly advised her not to walk home alone because of the danger however she didn’t care about what they felt. She didn’t have a carriage so walking was her sole mode of transportation.
She heard footsteps behind her but too afraid to see who it was she picked up her pace. Even when she did this she still knew that someone was lurking behind her. Fear flooded her mind but before she could let out a cry for help she was interrupted.
“Pardonnez-moi, Mademoiselle I believe you dropped this.” A tall brown haired boy stood behind her holding out a wallet. Bashfully she looked away from his electric blue eyes and to the snow that was building up on the roof tops. She was embarrassed by the fact that she was trying to avoid such a lovely and honourable person like himself and politely replied with, “Thank you, Monsieur...” Her voice trailed off as if she was giving him a chance to tell her his name.
“Monsieur Jacques de Florette.” A smile appeared on her face at the sound of his name. “Alors, Mademoiselle, I have a coach that can bring you to your home. I am walking to it. It’s right over there, I surely wouldn’t mind giving a young lady a ride to her home.” Jacque’s hand pointed towards a building that sold cloths. The store wasn’t lit up due to the hour however Mecredi knew that it would be wise if she took him up on his offer.
“I live on la rue des rêves. I hope that’s not out of your way.” Jacques told her that it would not be a problem since he didn’t live too far away. When he took her hand she noticed that his skin was soft and smooth. He was rich and she had the looks suitable enough to appeal to the King’s likes.

Time flew by. Mecredi was in love with Jacques and Jacques loved Mecredi. They spent their nights together at the theatre that Mecredi loved dearly or they could be found reading a book of love and life in front of a fireplace. Mecredi’s parents did not have any complaints with Jacques courting their daughter simply because of the fact that if she married Jacques, Mecredi’s family would be part of the most wealthy people in the French province of Normandy.

“Mecredi! Leve-toi! I need to speak with you about something that is very important to your family and yourself! Hurry darling, get down here.” Mecredi opened her eyes and the daylight peaked through the white blinds. “Alors, why must I speak with them now,” Mecredi mumbled to herself however she obeyed her mothers request.
She slipped out of her bed and quickly fixed her short black hair followed by putting on her navy blue bathrobe. Mecredi appeared before her family within two minutes. They were gathered around the dining room table. Her sister Madeline sat to the left of her father and her brother Pierre sat beside Mecredi’s mother. She quickly took a seat anxiously waiting to hear what the pressing news was regarding.
Her father took a sip of his drink and then informed her that she was going to be married to Jacques de Florette in the month of June. It was April at the time she found out this news. “Really? You mean the Florette’s are willing to accept such a small dowry?”
Mecredi’s father nodded, “Yes. They said that Jacques was insistent that he be wed to you or no one else. For heaven’s sake Mecredi, that boy loves you more than the Earth itself.” She could not hide her excitement. Her eyes opened wide and her smile lit the room. She jumped around happily and her sister joined her. She embraced her sister and then declared that, “I must go see him! This is fantastic news!!!”
Nothing in the world would be able to slow her down. She put on her finest pink dress and a quick layer of makeup. On her way to his house she skipped merrily through the fields. The sun shone brightly on her visage her arms were outstretched out of sheer happiness. She was freer than anyone in the world at this moment. The birds chirped merrily high in the clear skies and the children’s laughter was carried through the gentle breeze. The day was perfect.
“Is Jacques home?” The maid looked at Mecredi quizzically. Due to the fact that she was frolicking in the fields her hair was messy and her face was flushed. “Je m’appelle Mecredi. Jacques et moi are to be married...alors, I would like to speak with him at this moment, s’il vous plait.” The maid remembered that Mecredi was infact going to marry Jacques so Mecredi was allowed inside the great house.
The windows were massive in size and the candleholders were exquisite. Knowing that she was going to be able to have belongings very similar to these made her glad however the fact that Jacques was going to be her husband elated her.
Mecredi moved from the foyer to the living room where the coffee table was made of wood and glass. The design of the table was well done. This was her favourite room in Jacques’ home because of all of the books. Like most families, she didn’t own many books however he did and frequently allowed her to borrow them.
As she looked at the couple shelves of books she heard someone enter the room. A sudden wave of joy passed over her. As she turned around she was disappointed then she saw that the expression of the man’s face was destroyed and full of grief.

She sat down. The news was too much to bear. How could this happen to me? Why would this happen to me?! I never did anything to deserve such a thing! Oh Lord! why do you rip me of such happiness and the like? I want back my Jacques...please. The man sat her down to interrogate her. He claimed that he hunted witches, spirits and Vampires. She thought that he was foolish for believing in vampires and she now understood why the people ignored him and all of those who worked for him at Seekers. He had a reputation of being delusional and that his crew were just as insane as he was.
“Mecredi you must be honest with me here and even the smallest detail could mean saving your fiancee. Tell me now, will you cooperate?”
“Yes. I don’t have many options now do I?”
Monsieur Laminique smiled a little at her sarcastic remark. He pulled out a packet of papers from his bag and placed them on his lap. He got out an ink and feather as well and before he looked at Mecredi he took off his glasses and wiped the lenses.
Mecredi watched this overweight man fumble with his papers. She wasn’t able to understand how he could possibly hunt and kill such malicious creatures like vampires. This man is living proof that Vampires simply are fable. Not long was she able to think about this forty year old man and his faults because he started to ask her the questions to begin his investigation.
“When was the last time you saw Jacques in person?”
“Two nights ago.”
“Two nights ago? I hear from gossip that you’re always together? Why the day apart, did he not meet you some place like he was supposed to?”
“We didn’t make plans for that evening, sometimes a girl needs a night to herself, you know how that is.”
Monsieur Laminique nodded as if he understood where she was coming from and scribbled something down on his papers.
“Okay, has anyone ever followed you to your knowledge. Think very hard...have there been reoccurring faces where ever you are?”
“No, we haven’t been followed.”
“Right. Good. Tell me did you kiss Jacques Thursday evening?”
After a pause of silence Mecredi answered his question, “Yes we did but before I answer anymore questions about our dates, I want everyone but you, Monsieur Laminique, to leave.” Jacques’ and Mecredi’s stood up and left the room with a bit of hesitation however they wouldn’t challenge her.
Once the room was empty, Mecredi had to answer more questions. “Did you notice anything strange about him? Was he excessively pale? Was there anything different about his teeth or any marks on his neck?”
Mecredi sat pensively recalling her last date with Jacques. They saw a play together and went to a cafe afterwards. They sat talking about the future and how wonderful their lives would be spent as a family. Jacques promised her a great home and she promised him a son and a daughter. They laughed at the thought of aging or their love dwindling to nothing.
“I am going to see the world with you,” Jacques told her, “and together we will live in it, unaffected by others perceptions of our love.” Mecredi’s reverie was interrupted when Monsieur Laminique touched her shoulder.
She turned to him and found that he was breathing heavily and she was too. “Did you notice anything different about him?” She leaned forward to kiss Monsieur Laminique and replied, “No I didn’t notice anything different about him. He was the Jacques I knew.” After those words were exchanged her lips met Monsieur Laminiques’.
Mademoiselle, can you remember the last time you were in daylight with him?”
“Yes we were together in daylight on Wednesday.”
“Interesting. Did you eat with him between the Wednesday to the last time you saw him?”
“Now that you bring that up, Monsieur Laminique he didn’t eat anything Thursday which I did ask him about. He simply told me that he had a big dinner and he had no thirst or hunger.”
“Now that’s strange.” Monsieur Laminique looked at Mecredi’s face.
“Mecredi, I need to take you somewhere now. Tell your parents that you’ll be back soon.” She agreed and told her parents that Monsieur Laminique needed her to answer questions in a different place.

As they walked through the night it was apparent that Monsieur Lamanique was trying to seduce Mercredi. She became very upset with him over the fact that he did not respect her love for Jacques.
“What is this, Monsieur? I don’t want you at all, I love Jacques and that’s why you are supposed to find him! I am not here to give you pleasure!”
“Oh yes? If you want me to locate Jacques and save him you better do what I tell you to do.”
“No. I love Jacques.”
“Oubilie-Jacques!”
“Never. I am going now and if you don’t find Jacques I will bring this to the King.”



The entire city was in an uproar. There were rewards for people who could provide Les Florettes with information on the whereabouts of their son Jacques was or what may have happened with him. Weeks passed. A month did as well.
Mecredi was heartbroken. She refused to have any visitors or to go out. She sat in her room writing and reading books; books that were favourites between Jacques and her. Her days consisted of reminiscing of the days that they shared and the sweet promises that they made. Mecredi’s world was upside down but somehow she knew that Jacques was near her. She knew that he was around guarding her in some form of another. She wrote passages like this in her journal about hope and love:
‘...Please Jacques come back to me, I miss your touch and your sweet breath on my face. I miss the passion we shared and the laughs. I know that you live, I know that you care. I just need you here with me to take me into your life forever. Please come home to me and shower me with your sweet kisses and your promises. Spoil me like you once did with your infinite kindness and beauty. I love you Jacques, je t’aimes.’
She wrote poetry by candlelight and cried herself to sleep. Her life that was once full of joy was shattered into millions of pieces with the loss of her love. Monsieur Lamanique did do good and honest work after she threatened to go to the King but he wasn’t able to gather any information that would lead to the whereabouts of him. His suspicions of Jacques being a supernatural creature grew however no one wanted to listen to him.

One evening the night was a little too clear and the stars shone too brightly. All went to bed early in order to prepare for another day and some began to accept the fact that Jacques may never return. Mecredi kept to herself but opened the window to allow some fresh air in. The breeze blew her papers around but she didn’t care anymore. She believed that all of her feelings were futile and nothing good was ever going to happen again. It was also believed by Mecredi that the reason why Jacques was gone was due to her own sins. God didn’t want her to live happily with someone so good and pure so he ripped Jacques from her. Mecredi, the girl who was as bright as a star was now becoming jaded.
As she was gathering the papers she thought that she may have heard something outside. She turned her long neck towards the window but noticed nothing askew. She was somewhat cold so she approached the window to close it. Before she had a chance to get to the window a gust of wind blew through her window and a couple of her candles were blown out.
“Mon dieu,” she muttered to herself. She shut the window which made a loud screeching sound throughout the still night but she didn’t care what the others thought of her anymore. She just wanted Jacques back.
As she stood in front of her window staring at the sky she felt as if she was being watched. She shrugged off her paranoia, she thought that it was nothing until she heard footsteps. Too afraid to look behind her she just asked full of fear, “Who are you?”
“L’amour de ton vie.” Quickly Mecredi turned and saw her lover infront of her. She ran towards him and he received her well, passionately kissing and embracing her. She took his hand and sat him down on her bed while she sat next to him, happy yet somewhat scared of Jacques.
“Jacques, mon amour, where were you!? We have been trying very hard to locate you but we can’t. Your parents went to the outskirts of the town to that Seekers place and hired their lead detective to locate you. His name is Monsieur Lamanique and he is quite hooked on the fact that you’re some supernatural being, like a vampire or something. I don’t believe it, Jacques, I don’t believe in vampires, goblins, witches...none of it! Oh Jacques, I missed you so much!!!”
Jacques eyes were the brighter than one can imagine. They were clear and his face was more perfect. He smiled and replied, “There’s no need for me to tell you where I was right now. Let’s just reunite ourselves and enjoy each other’s company like we did so many times before.”
“Bien. Ooh! Wait, I have to relight the candles that were blown out by the wind and then I’ll go get...”
“No don’t worry about relighting the candles, it’s perfectly fine in here. I actually find it more romantic and let’s not overwhelm everyone by telling them that I am around. Let this just be our secret until we are both ready. Okay?”
Mecredi thought about what Jacques just said and wanted to know what he was hiding from her, but she didn’t care right then. She agreed to keep his return a secret.

All night they sat together on the bed, laughing and talking about what they had missed. Mecredi opened up a book and began to read it but she wanted Jacques to read it for her. “Please? I haven’t heard your voice in ages and I missed it so. Do read it to me Jacques.”
“Gladly.” Mecredi leaned onto Jacques and her head rested on his shoulder. His arm was wrapped around her body. Mecredi found Jacques to be cool to the touch however she figured that it might be because he was cold.
“...and then the boy ran through the fields to his mother. His mother took him in close to her and demanded of him to never run like that again. It was insane. The boy apologized and the skies kept their blue colour. Happiness finally had been returned to the family and the mother was finally able to sleep in peace.
“Little did she know of his secret, he had experienced something far from her imagination. He concealed it well partially because she would not accept the fact that something was all around different and that he was not the same son who she once knew...”
Jacques’ voice trailed off because of Mecredi was asleep. He brushed back her hair and moved out from beneath her. He took a blanket from her bed and placed it on her to keep her warm. He kissed Mecredi and said, “Farewell my love. In time you will know what I truly am...for now, just be happy again. Lose your pain for time we will have soon once more.”

Like clockwork Jacques would appear in Mecredi’s life. His reason for only showing up during the evening was that no one would notice him then which is what he wanted. She was indifferent to this because she was simply glad that he was there with her. Her passion, love and life returned to her and Monsieur Lamanique suspected something even if she denied it a million times. During the day she would go to the market and purchase roses from everyone although she did not have the money to be squandering on flowers.

“Mecredi, what has swept over you and raised your spirits so?” Her mother was somewhat amazed how sudden Mecredi’s grieving ended. “I am willing to accept the fact that he’s never going to return and even though I wish things weren’t this way, they are.” Her mother smiled then kindly asked her to sit down. “I’m afraid we have some news for you that I don’t know if you’re going to like.”
Mecredi became uneasy but did as she was told. “Well, what is it that you have to say?”
“We are not able to keep you here any longer. You are twenty and not married which is very rare in this society not to mention that your father and I are not able to keep you here any longer. We don’t want to put you on the streets because you’re more than just a pauper. We were asking around and we got this offer from a certain individual that is quite amazing.
“We’ll gain a great deal of land, money and cattle. No offer has ever been made for someone to marry a woman, usually we -- the family -- has to sell you off, however your case is different. He is a stea-steady individual...”
“Tell me maman, whom am I to wed?”
“It’s Monsieur Lamanique.”
“HIM?!?! Mother he is twice my age and disgusting to put it gently. Why him? And mother no! I refuse, you’re going to make me an outcast. I will not marry him.”
“But Mecredi, we thought that you liked this man. In fact we heard in town that you two once...you know, exchanged love, so we figured that you wouldn’t be upset by this. And secondly your reputation will not be sabotaged and you’ll end up saving his. We signed the papers, Mecredi, you are to marry him this Saturday.”
Mecredi sat in complete awe and disgust. She knew that her bad habits would one day come back to her and eventually destroy her life. “Mother, cancel it. Tell him that you learnt of something and I can’t possibly marry him.”
A low voice entered the conversation. “I am afraid that cannot be arranged.” Mecredi looked and saw the balding man with glasses.
“You...you snake!”
“Mecredi, did your mother mention that by doing this you’re also relieving both the Florette’s and your family of the dues that are owed to me for the search of Jacques?”
Mecredi delivered Monsieur Lamanqiue a look of hatred and ran to her room.
“Why did you tell her that? You were not supposed to ever tell her that.”
“She needed to know that all ties with Jacques are over.” Monsieur Lamanique laughed inside because he had finally won his prize and reputation back at the expense of his fiancée’s heart.
“Jacques take me away with you before it’s too late. They mean to have me marry Lamanique because they think that you are dead and even if it was discovered that you aren’t, he will not allow anyone to annul the marriage.”
Jacques looked at Mecredi with soft eyes. He knew that his secret could not be kept any longer from her.
“Mecredi, I’m dead.”
“Dead? No Jacques, you’re here with me. You breathe and speak with me. You love me. Don’t you dare say such a phrase.”
“I am dead, I am not mistaken.”
“What? No -- I don’t understand.”
“Do you not realize it, Mecredi?” Mecredi loved the way Jacques said her name. It always slipped out so smoothly from his mouth and his voice was so entrancing. “I’m cold, come hither and touch me. Yes, yes do you feel it now? My body temperature is that of a dead man’s, and my colour. I never was this pale, although it makes me hauntingly gorgeous this is not my complexion.”
Mecredi stood in disbelief, how could she not have noticed all of these changes? She loved him, did she not?
“And look! Look at these!” Jacques pointed to his teeth which were sharp and piercing.
Mecredi screamed out of terror. “You are dead? You’re a vampire!?!” Several pairs of footsteps ran down to the hall into her room. Her parents were in shock as well as Monsieur Lamanique. Mecredi’s parents saw Jacques standing there and were surprised but Monsieur Lamanique nearly recognized that he was a vampire right away.
“He’s part of the undead! He’s here to kill us all! Get her away from him!!!”
A sudden sadness filled Jacques’ eyes and he beckoned that Mecredi go to him. “Come with me now, Mecredi for if you don’t this is the last time you’ll ever see me. Please come with me.”
By this point Mecredi’s parents both fainted and did not notice that there was something terribly askew with Jacques. They fell to the floor out of despair for if they knew that Jacques was alive they would not have sold her away to Monsieur Lamanique.
“Mecredi. Come here NOW!” Monsieur Lamanique demanded of Mecredi.
Without any thought she ran to Jacques who picked her up and jumped out of the window into the midnight skies.
To Mecredi, it felt as if she was flying away from all of her worries. The cries of regret and anger from Monsieur Lamanique were becoming distant but a place that she never been to was becoming her new point of destination.



The summer season came and went and there was no sign of Mecredi either. Monsieur Lamanique was accused of scaring them away and was ultimately banished from the village. Despite his claims that Jacques was a vampire no one cared to believe him because they felt that it was a way for him to take away the good name that the Florettes had. Monsieur Lamanique’s business the Seekers began to lose what credit they did had as well as some of his fellow detectives. In complete and utter distress, Monsieur Lamanique spent his eternity trying to locate the whereabouts of Jacques and Mecredi. He meant to slay them both.
Mecredi and Jacques lived happily in bliss. Mecredi had been a vampire for several months and her strength was building, although she did not crave human life as frequently as other vampires did. They resided in a distant area that had sparse villages which they fed off of.

One evening two members of the lower Bourgeois appeared at a building with shabby shingles and it wasn’t very well lit. The windows were dusty but through the dirt one could manage to see an man hovering over pieces of papers. Their breath stank of alcohol but that didn’t stop them from having the knowledge of what they had. They knocked on the door, laughing due to their intoxication.
“Who is it? This better be good.”
The long haired man responded with a bit of trouble, “This is worth your time if you have the money to pay us for what we know.”
Monsieur Lamanique took one look at the two strangers and nearly dismissed him but he was intrigued by the statement, “We know where they are.”
“Vraiment? Where might they be, Monsieur....?”
“I am Monsieur Baron,” the man with the long hair informed Lamanique and he introduced the young man, “and he is Monsieur Septique.”
“Come, come sit down. We have some things to discuss.”
The two strangers entered and noticed all of the papers on Monsieur Lamanique’s desk and commented upon it.
“So, you really have been working hard on the Jacques de Florette case haven’t you?”
“Well it’s not so much Jacques as it is Mecredi. We were supposed to be wed, you know...but she ran off with Jacques and I fear that he has taken her into that colt of his and made her a vampire.”
“Well, you are certainly right about that Jacques is a vampire but we haven’t seen Mecredi. We would definitely be able to spot her, she’s said to be the most attractive woman in ages.”
“How do you know that he’s a vampire?”
“Let’s just say he stole a life of a very dear friend of ours. We saw him go into an alley with him and then he left it. We ran to our friend who was dead. I think that’s ample evidence, especially since he’s never seen during the daylight.”
Monsieur Lamanique smiled. “Would you tell the public about your discoveries?”
Monsieur Baron and Septique quickly replied, “Non. No one would take the time to listen to us and if they did and heard us speaking about their names in a poor fashion, we’d be exiled like you. We don’t want that to happen to ourselves, we just want money.”
“Money? That’s it?” Monsieur Lamanique was in disbelief that the information on the whereabouts of Jacques de Florette was only worth a simple Franc.
“Oui.”
“Alors, how much would it cost?”
“Well...with traveling expenses and the like it’s going to get pricey. Say, Monsieur Septique what do you feel is satisfactory?” Monsieur Baron looked at Monsieur Septique coldly.
“I think that one hundred thousand Francs would be sufficient, don’t you Monsieur Baron?” Monsieur Septique smiled because he knew that Lamanique would pay that much to get revenge on Jacques and prove the village wrong.
Monsieur Lamanique let out a sigh and replied, “It is a great number you speak of however I feel that it is not unfair. One hundred thousand it is.”
“We knew that you’d be a reasonable gentleman.” Monsieur Baron was pleased with the fact that Septique’s offer had been accepted.
Monsieur Lamanique excited that he didn’t have to do anymore research invited Monsieur Baron and Septique into his office where they sat on a worn couch. He offered them something to drink as he thought quietly to himself.
“So tell me, where are they exactly?”
“We don’t want to say where because we fear that there might be people around who can overhear us and get to them first. Are you aware that there are people out there who are looking for them other than yourself? We can simply bring you to the location, is that fair enough?”
“Oh yes, it is...and I’ll pay you the money once I kill Jacques.”
“No. We want the money now or the deal is off. We mean it.” Monsieur Baron had such sincerity in his eyes no man would ever be able to buy him off cheap nor would he sway to what suited others needs.
“FINE.” Monsieur Lamanique was not pleased with the fact that he had to pay such a great deal of money so soon for information that he didn’t even know if it was accurate. Despite the great chances that the two drunks were mistaken, he paid them the money that he agreed to pay them.

“How much longer until we arrive at that blasted village?” Monsieur Lamanique was annoyed that the trip was not over as soon as it began and plus he was out of shape which caused him to be more cranky.
“Haha Baron, he complains after only two days. I suppose it’s a good thing that we will reach the village this evening, don’t you agree?” Monsieur Septique laughed at Lamanique’s frustration however he continued on his path towards Jacques.

By the that time they arrived at the village the night had finally crept up on them. Monsieur Lamanique was anxious to see his ‘lost love’ and the man who took her away from him.
“Here, let’s go to the bar over there.” Monsieur Baron was familiar with this area because he had grown up here. In this village, the was not too many people however it was just enough to keep one from becoming bored with life.
“Fine. Yeah, we can wait in that bar.”
The three made their way down into the dusty roads and walked past the commoners. They entered the bar which had a clouded atmosphere to it. The smoke caused Monsieur Lamanique to gag unlike the other two who were tolerant of such a poor lifestyle.
They sat down quietly and no one cared to notice the out of towners because it was obvious that they were not anything special.
“Tell me, Monsieur Septique, do they come to this bar often or are we here simply out of chance?”
“You need not be so skeptical of us. We have our money and you can have your revenge. I suppose that I must reassure you that...”
Monsieur Septique’s voice trailed off because someone had caught his eye. A tall and handsome man had entered the bar. He carried himself proudly but something about him was all too familiar and dangerous. It was then he knew who had entered the bar, it was his foe Jacques in all of his glory.
“Look...there.” Monsieur Lamanique spat out his words in utter hatred of Jacques. He stood up and made his way out the door. The two men who accompanied Monsieur Lamanique remained in their seats for they knew better than to meddle with forces that were not of this earth.

It seemed like forever. Monsieur Lamanique had retrieved his weapons from the carriage and was ready to attack. He sat on the ground, cold but knowing that he was going to destroy someone who stole someone he cared a great deal for. As he breathed he was able to see his breath and he felt the cool midnight breeze on his face.
A woman and Jacques left the bar. Monsieur Lamanique’s eyes followed the pair down into a dark alley. Lamanique got upon his feet and approached the mysterious alley where a loud thump was to be heard followed by a sigh. Monsieur Lamanique was able to distinguish the figure who stood.
“Why do you stand there?” Jacques asked. “I’ve come to slay you.” Monsieur Lamanique replied spitefully which was laced with hatred and envy. Jacques was shocked to hear those words leave Lamanique’s lips with such promise and he immediately knew that if he had any chance to live, he had better act now.
Something in the alley caught his attention. Jacques turned his head to see what was lurking behind the garbage and that was when he felt an instantaneous sharp pain in his heart and heard a laughter rise out into the thin air. Jacques fell to the ground quickly in shock and caught a glimpse of what had distracted him.
He was able to recognize the bright blue eyes filled with horror. She was pale like him. Before he was able to cry out her name with a promise of loving her forever, his body began to disintegrate and turn to dust. The horror of finally meeting his end struck him at the last moment of his life.
Mecredi couldn’t believe her eyes. The sight of her love turning into dust had made her scream aloud in pain. Monsieur Lamanique knew that it was Mecredi who was crying out of despair and he began to advance to where she was. A sudden rage overcame Mecredi and she knew then that she had to destroy Lamanique for all it was worth.
She jumped behind him which he did not notice and not wasting anytime, she covered his eyes with her hand and held his body firmly. She cocked his head to the left and then bit hard into his neck draining every last drop of blood from him. This killing was not like any other that she was guilty of. This was a crime of passion and something that she felt he deserved. His life passed before her with he drop she took from him. She saw how he planned for this very day and that he was going to kill her as well. Today she nearly lost her life.
His large body hit the ground. She felt nothing but relief that her problems were over. This was the first time that she had ever chosen to kill someone because whenever she robbed someone of their life it was due to the fact that she needed it or else she would end up dying. Tonight she had finally acted like a vampire...taking life as she so pleased, even if it was out of revenge.

She managed to return to her safe-haven soon as well as avoiding contact with any being. It is there where she cried tears of loss, tears of regret and wondered why the love of her life was gone. It would take years for Mecredi to find someone who was compassionate and beautiful. She would meet him in Paris alone, and without guidance.
She would notice Joshua one evening peering through the darkness watching her. She would go and approach him and become good friends for their lives because of the fact that through immortality they both lost someone that they truly loved.
They would travel the world together and Joshua would become friends with an Irish immortal named Fairuza.

Her mother watched her daughter run gaily through the fields with her neighbour and best friend, Clayton. Her full, red and curly hair flew wildly around carelessly as her laughter filled the cool air. “Ru! RU! Come in darling, dinner is ready.”
“Just five more minutes mother. Please?!”
. “All right honey, but hurry in. Your potatoes are going to get cold.”
“Okay!!!”
Fairuza and Clayton resumed their game of tag without a care in the world. They were happy together and having known each other since birth, which was merely ten years ago, a friendship evolved. Their parents knew each other well, over a span of seventeen years. All was happy in this town of Ireland.
“Fairuza! Come in now!” Fairuza sighed and bade Clayton farewell, she didn’t wish to upset her mother who was growing weak due to a sudden illness that fell upon her.

Days, months and years passed like this. Clayton and Fairuza would become the best platonic friends, causing trouble, laughing and crying together and even spending nights together. The people who knew Fairuza well enough figured that this age of rebellion she was going through was her response to the untimely death of her mother and the fact that her father was never to be found at her home. She was able to spend her time doing whatever she pleased at the expense of the world.

Despite the fact that her father played a very minor role in her life, the loss of him devastated her. She was unmarried at the age of twenty without a mother and now without a father. Whenever her father was around, he did not approve of all of the chaos she was creating throughout the town, he believed that it would lead to her doom one day.
“Fairuza, you’ve got to stop spinning in these circles. You’ve got to pull yourself together. You have to get married, my dear girl.” Fairuza never listened to her father because she didn’t want to end the fun that she was having with Clayton.

After the burial of her father she sold his estate and moved into a small apartment. She did not wish to care for the fields and figured that she’d make her living in a factory or serving alcohol at the local pub. Clayton moved out of his home in with her and they split the rent. All was well in their world until one night when something happened that caught both of them off guard.
It was nighttime and they were returning from their respectable jobs back to their home for a nice relaxing evening. The cool air didn’t bother Fairuza much, nor did the rain that fell from the skies. Couples rushed by Clayton and Fairuza quickly, escaping the rain.
As they finally made their way up the stairwell and onto the second floor, there was a heavy feeling in the air. Clayton fumbled through his trousers, searching for the key however Fairuza noticed that the door was unlocked and a key was unnecessary.
“Clayton, did you lock the door when we left this morning?”
“Of course I did. I remember doing so, why do you ask?”
“The door’s open. It’s unlocked.” Fairuza stated with fear forgetting how cold she felt due to the rain.
Clayton pushed the door open slightly and saw that some of his papers were flying about as well as the curtains which seemed to be flying in the air. He walked to close the windows as Fairuza placed her few belongings on the ground and then went to their bedroom and found that none of their valuables had been taken out of their home. All of her jewelry remained in the purple velvet box and their clothing remained untouched. She also noticed that none of the drawers were not ransacked.

“Clayton, nothing is missing. Nothing of any value.”
“I was noticing that Fairuza,” he replied as he began to walk towards the telephone which resided in his working area. There he noticed that there was someone sitting in his chair although he was unable to see anything other than their black hair. Slowly the chair spun around and Clayton gasped at the sight of the beautiful woman who sat before him. He was mesmerized by her long eyelashes and her light green eyes. Her green eyes reminded him of the green of flowers stems. As he stared into her eyes he thought that he began to see a turquoise tint to them but he thought that he was insane. He then remembered that she did not belong in this house and he yelled for Fairuza who had been arrived at his side before as he was staring into her eyes just before.
“Fairuza! Come quickly!!!” Clayton yelled loudly.
“I am already here Clayton,” Fairuza replied. She was upset with him because it was obvious that he was in lust with this creature, this murderer for all they knew. As Fairuza looked at this woman she noticed that in all of this strangers beauty there was something altogether ugly and strange about her very appearance. Her skin colour was that of a pearls and she felt immediately threatened and doubted that this woman was infact one hundred percent real.
Fairuza just stood pensively until her very thoughts seemed not her own. A voice told her quietly but authoritatively, Come, sit down now. Fairuza knew very well that those thoughts were forced upon her by the stranger and she dared not challenge her request.
“What do you want if not our goods?” Clayton asked curiously.
“I want both of you. You both intrigue me.” The woman’s voice was very relaxed and as she spoke it seemed as if she was singing a song rather words that struck fear into both of the mortals that sat before her.
“Who are you then? I don’t understand, we’ve never seen you before. Furthermore why do you want us?” Fairuza’s mind was flooded with questions and she wanted an answer to each of them.
“I am an entity which is all you need to know at this moment. I set out to find a few people to recruit for the Blue Court which you will become a member of or die. I am a lady of the night, and a lady I was a while over five hundred years ago,” as the mysterious woman spoke her age she smiled as if she had made a joke. When she smiled, Clayton noticed that her smile was not human but he figured that no creature would have two sharp teeth like that. He arrived at the reason that he must had been seeing an illusion. She continued with, “I am from France; from the province of Normandy.
“I will not confide in you anything else about the Blue Court for it is something that you should not know about unless you are to live in it forever, like I am. You will die soon, both of you, but whether or not you’re going to return to this land is up to the decision of my maker, the one who is in charge of the Court.
“We will travel across these great lands and if you breathe a word of where you are going to, I will kill you. You can count on that.”
Fairuza and Clayton both sat in silence. The room seemed to grow small for the reality which Clayton and Fairuza had grown adjusted to was suddenly being shattered. Timidly Clayton pressed, “What are you? What is your name?”
“I am Jacqueline. Lady Jacqueline. What I am is of no importance to you, and what I need to be what I am is what you mortals have. I do not enjoy the daylight therefore we will be traveling to the Blue Court by nightfall. No clothing nor supplies will be necessary for at the Court you will be provided with everything and more.”
It was in this moment that Fairuza came to realize that her identity, everything that she has ever worked so faithfully for was suddenly useless. Her being was as good as dead; buried beneath the reality of the world.

Time passed quickly, each morning Jacqueline would make sure that she found Clayton and Fairuza a nice and expensive place to reside for the day while she told them that she would be in another resting place. She claimed that if Fairuza and Clayton were to be happy, she should not have always been around them although she did warn them that if they dared to try to escape during the day she would find them and kill them like she had promised the night of their rendezvous.
Clayton was in extreme bliss, with fine wines, fine foods and a warm place to reside each day. Despite Clayton’s happiness, Fairuza was miserable. She felt that there was something askew with the reality that was presented to them on this entire journey. One day she even confided in Clayton the following worries after the sun had been risen for an hour or two.
“Clayton, the devil is someone that appears to be wonderful in every way at the beginning however the devil is not to be trusted. This entire....reality is wicked. This Jacqueline, she is leading us to our doom. We never see her in the day, and the day is good. The day is pure for the light brings to attention all of the lies that are left over from the night. The night on the other hand conceals the truths better than any well thought out conspiracy. If she was an angel, as you see her why do we not see her during the day? She is not human and I am beginning to doubt that she was joking when she told us that she was five hundr....”
“Fairuza, come on -- how could anything be five hundred years old? Listen to yourself, you’re insane.” Clayton interrupted.
“That’s beside the point. She is a predator not a fellow man. Clayton listen to me, in my heart I know that we are going to suffer for this. We are going to suffer and will pay for all of these luxuries that she has seemingly given us, just like the devil will charge you. We should leave, we should escape that wicked witch during these hours. We have but yet nine or ten hours to free ourselves from her. Please Clayton, don’t let her win you over with these goods.”
Clayton looked at Fairuza with soft eyes and she was able to see that he was thinking. After a few silent moments, a smile appeared on his lips and the words that followed only upset her more. “We will not leave. She has promised to kill us, and she had us abandon all of our values...we will not have to pay for any of this. This is a dream, accept it. We can see the world for nothing. I am tired now, let’s go to sleep.”
Fairuza stood in disbelief at the fact that Clayton had been won over by all of these goods that Jacqueline had given him. She muttered to herself, “We will pay. We will pay with our souls.”

Every time that three of them were near a city, town or village Jacqueline would stop and take them to what Fairuza and Clayton called “pubs.” There Jacqueline would order them some bread and drink. When the waiter would bring them their first round of drinks, she would leave them telling them not to leave the premises.
Jacqueline would return soon after looking human and sometimes she would touch one of their hands and she felt warm. Clayton found her to be all the more beautiful with her skin being dark instead of how pale she usually looked. Shortly after her arrival she would say, “Come now, we have ways yet to travel.” So they would all leave, no one ever noticing that they had ever passed through.
Fairuza and Clayton had abandoned all hope on trying to find out any information about Jacqueline. The more they tried the more they found how pointless it was because she frequently reassured them that it was information that would not benefit them in anyway, so they should just accept the fact that she wasn’t about to talk about herself or anything that has happened to her.
Thus they traveled in silence unless Jacqueline wanted something, Clayton would immediately jumped to his feet and tried to fetch whatever she wanted or to do whatever she wanted to have done. Fairuza was shocked over how servile Clayton had become.

During their travels together they had not seen any form of human life for four days. Jacqueline had some food to give the hungry mortals who followed her to a shabby looking house. The house was in poor condition with the shudders that appeared to be hanging on by a shred of string and the windows were broken. As they moved towards the house, the porch seemed weak and the door, when Jacqueline pushed it open, creaked.
The inside of the house did seem rather worn down, with broken chairs and in the sink there was to be found broken China. The entire building had a melancholy feel to it, with the thick air. As Fairuza put her hand softly down on the table, as to prevent herself from breaking it she noticed that there was hardly any dust on it at all. She found this to be peculiar because the house had seemed to be abandoned.
Her thoughts were once more interrupted by Jacqueline’s soft voice, Stand away from me. Move behind that table. At the same time Fairuza began to move, so did Clayton. She then became skeptical of what else Jacqueline could have possibly told Clayton without her knowledge. Perhaps that’s why Clayton was so quiet, Fairuza thought, maybe she’s been entertaining his fancies since the beginning of this all. Clayton was able to see by the moonlight the faint movements that Jacqueline made. She was bending over and then suddenly she lifted up some of the boards to the wooden floor. She tossed them aside and then she lifted a door that seemed to be rather thick without much effort at all.
Come over here now. You must go down these stairs. “But we won’t be able to see, Lady Jacqueline,” informed Clayton. Her eyes that glowed in the darkness seemed to fill up with more light, as if she had remembered that these two mortals were blind unlike she. So she took up a torch and then with a movement of her hand it was lit.
“There you are now. Go down there now.” For the first time since she had ever spoken to Clayton and Fairuza, she sounded aggressive. This caused Clayton to suddenly fill up with fear that he had when he realized that someone had allowed themselves into his home back in Ireland.
“Fairuza, you were right. I should have listened to you when you told me that there was something wrong with this entire situation. If we die, I want you to know that I have never loved anyone as much as I love you.” He paused as to let his words seep into her mind then he continued, “What do you think that this Blue Court is?”
“They must decide our fate for she hinted at that when we first met her, if you remember. We are about to enter somewhere unholy and I fear that we will never see light again. I fear that we will become whatever she is, a creature that cannot endure the sunlight. A creature that cannot endure purity or goodness. We are either going to die or endure an existence of lies, deception and morbidity.”
The finality of Fairuza’s voice did not comfort Clayton any, rather it only made him more frightened of what was to become of him. Together they made their way down the long stairway. It was made of stone and occasionally there were a few bones about but they were relatively clear of anything that would cause them danger. When they arrived at the bottom they could not go straight any further. There was a gigantic door that seemed like it was made of gold and as Clayton tried to push against it, it didn’t even budge. So he waited for directions from their guide, from their abductor, Jacqueline.
Jacqueline pushed the door made of solid gold open with just one hand, without any effort. Fairuza and Clayton stood in awe over her strength and then at the room that was before them. The walls were painted a blue which was the colour of the ocean. To their left there was a dais, which two thrones resided. They were mad out of dark mahogany wood and then there was a navy blue velvet cushions on them. To the sides of them there were four chairs on each side, which were also made of mahogany wood. Infront of the dais there was a marble alter and three chairs that sat infront of it. The room was lit by a series of candles which were on the walls. There were tapestries which decorated the walls and they told the well known tales of William the Conqueror and Joan D’Arc. Also there were paintings from the beautiful Italian painter, Botticelli.
Jacqueline’s’ cold hands grabbed the arms of Clayton and Fairuza and rushed them through the palace, which it indeed was -- just underground, to a place where she told them that they would remain until it was their turn.
“Our turn for what?” They asked together as if it had been rehearsed.
She gave them both a dead stare and then sealed the door. The last sound they heard was the loud bang of the large golden door slamming against the stone wall.
There was little light but then suddenly something grabbed at Fairuza’s ankle and she screamed until they both heard a nose in the dark...

The noise grew into a whisper which grew into a voice. A voice of an old man, and Fairuza was able to discern that he was old from the raspiness of his voice as well as the meek grasp he had on her ankle.
He wasted no time with introductions, rather he questioned the two new people. “Who are you, are you human?”
The question caught Fairuza and Clayton off guard, but Clayton answered the question as he and Fairuza sat down on the dirt floor. He did not care anymore about his favourite pants, for they were dirty due to the lengthy trip. “We are human, yes. We are not like Jacqueline, who only appears in the night. We live in the light of the sun as well. My name is Clayton and my good friend here is Fairuza.”
“Ahh....” The man continued to speak as if he did not care to know their names but rather he addressed other issues he felt that were more important. “You say Jacqueline took you here? Beautiful Jacqueline who has the most entrancing eyes?”
“Yes that’s her. Jacqueline. Why, does that mean anything?” Clayton asked.
“She is very important to Nicolae, her maker, the leader of the Blue Court. Rumour has it that this place is of his mind, of his creation. Nicolae is also old and we have no conception of his age. That woman, that Jacqueline, is said to be at least five hundred years old. She is a powerful one with the blood of Nicolae running through her veins.”
Fairuza and Clayton sat together thinking, then Fairuza pressed, “What exactly is this Blue Court?”
Another voice broke the silence and enlightened Fairuza and Clayton. “We do not know exactly what the Blue Court is but we have only myth and legend. Some of us had been here for years and others a much shorter while. Since Jacqueline is the one who found you, you shall expect to find out what the Blue Court is exactly. They will bring you before them soon.”
“Tell us thEn, the legends of the Blue Court.” Clayton asked uneasily.
The same voice as before let out a deep sigh and he then began, “The Blue Court is full of unnatural beings, beings who I believe you Irish have called them Bhean Sidhe’s in the past. Around here we call them Vampires. They live off the blood of mortals. They are the undead, they have died yet they remain alive.
“The Blue Court ultimately tries to make their curse, their evil existence seem Holy, seem righteous. You go before them all, where Nicolae and his female companion search your souls. They then ask you of your names, ask you whatever he feels. If he thinks that you are not being honest, he will certainly take your life. If you pass his test, he will put the question of whether to turn you into one of them or to take your life.
“They are ruthless and have no respect for mortal love. They will kill one of the two of you. They do not guarantee life for both of you or death for both of you. They have lived far too long to have any human qualities or respect you. If they decide to kill you, Nicolae will slit open one of your veins and you will bleed into a goblet and he will take a sip and then he’ll give your blood to a random vampire to drink. We are their game. We are their life. We will die at the hands of them in one way or another, but the question is -- who will they grant a second life to?”
The night carried on with more talk of the life outside beyond the underground stone walls which they were captives to. Those in the cell with Fairuza and Clayton were eager to here news of the outside world. They enlightened their fellow prisoners of how Prussia was warring with France and other European Empires, like the Ottoman Empire over the Balkan Sea. The war was still in effect when they arrived at the Blue Court.

The following night the great door opened and their appeared to robed figures with glowing eyes. It was clear to Fairuza and Clayton that they too were immortal and that last night was the last night they would spend truly alive. The two figures moved quickly towards Fairuza and Clayton. It appeared as if the two vampires who did not say a word floated.
Once they shut the door with as much ease as Jacqueline, they gave Fairuza and Clayton each their own candle and created fire out of thin air with their hand like Jacqueline had done the previous evening. There are no words to describe the fear that filled the Irish duo’s hearts. They walked knowing that their lives were in jeopardy and there was no possible escape. Fairuza prayed while Clayton scolded himself for not heeding to Fairuza’s warning of danger. There was not much time for regret for they had arrived at the end of the stone wall, where there was a well lit room.
“Change out of that clothing into the one’s that are provided for you in that room there. Do not idle much, for we will not be pleased if you make us wait too long.” The voice came from the figure on the left. Fairuza was not able to see anything about these creatures other than the fact that the one who had spoken aloud had broad shoulders and his eyes were glowing a soft violet colour, while the other robed figure had eyes which seemed to be gold. Both of them are beautiful thought Fairuza as she made her way into the room where she was to change.
Hanging, Fairuza found a midnight blue velvet dress. As she dressed herself in it, she found that it was her perfect size. It cut her waist perfectly and she never realized how truly beautiful she was with her red curls falling to her shoulders. Her sea green eyes, which was the classic Irish physical attribute, found Clayton who was wearing a suit of the same navy blue colour. He wore a white undershirt but before she could compliment him, the two vampires came in and insisted that they leave at the moment. Fairuza and Clayton picked up their candles and walked behind the two figures silently wishing that they were back in the fields which they played so often in as children. They silently dreamed of the time they shared their first kiss beneath Clayton’s porch at the age of fifteen. Their lives flashed before their eyes and they seemed to ignore all of the wonders that were about them that certain moment.
Clayton and Fairuza arrived at a very familiar place with ocean blue walls and a dais with two thrones. The room was different than it had been when they first set foot in there. The lighting was not different, for all of the candles were lit and there was no new addition of art on the walls. Rather there was a midnight blue carpet that lead to the thrones where two beings sat. Infact there were pale creatures everywhere -- monsters! The only two mortal beings felt as if they were the unnatural species, they felt as if they were the one’s who should not have been in existence. Fairuza saw many sets of eyes, all with their different shades and each face her eyes fell upon was as beautiful as the rest.
Come forward, come to us. Take your seat next to him. The vampire who sat on the throne spoke to Clayton and Fairuza. As Clayton looked at this vampire he was shocked to see that he was alive. The porcelain figure had eyes that looked red, and there was no trace whatsoever of any human characteristics. His face was flawless and void of lines. He was like a statue just like the woman who sat on the throne beside him. She had straight light brown hair and her dark eyes told a story of a life that he knew nothing of. Fairuza and Clayton moved towards the chairs which they assumed Lord Nicolae wanted them to take.
There was another person there. It was very apparent that he was fear-struck. His unkempt brown hair gave Clayton the impression that he was a child of sorts. However his face told a different story. As soon as Fairuza and Clayton took their seats, Nicolae stood up and took the hand of his Queen. The room was quieter than the sound of death, until Nicolae’s eyes found his three possible mortal victims.
His stare was cold and deadly however no one dared to turn away as he spoke words that at first Fairuza or Clayton couldn’t translate, “Fallaces sunt rerum species.” Then suddenly Fairuza, Clayton and the other mortal knew what the phrase had meant. The appearances of things are deceptive. Nicolae had told them that and how true it seemed, how true it felt to Clayton.
A chorus of song suddenly filled the room in a language Clayton himself had never spoken, but Fairuza knew that it was Latin. Her lost Latin. The vampires sang twelve times the same stanza as if it was their creed, their law, words that the mortals only understood since Nicolae allowed them to. Clayton watched Jacqueline sing, “Animula vagula blandula, hospes comesque corporis, quae nunc abibis in loca, pallidula rigida nudula, net ut soles dabis iocos?”

Fairuza and Clayton watched in horror as Jacqueline took the boy’s body into her arms and pierced his neck. They watched how the boy did not refuse it, how he just surrendered his very soul to her. How he just agreed to end her hunger. Jacqueline’s face gained some colour however she still looked like a doll, with her face lacking very little human qualities. Jacqueline held her victim so gently as if she was afraid that she would harm the body if she was too forceful with it. No blood flowed from the boy’s neck like the tales had said was very unlikely. When Jacqueline was finished taking his life, she just let his body fall from her gentle grasp and onto the floor. She then turned around unaffected by her actions and walked back to her position on the Blue Court. She was one of the eight who sat beside the King and Queen.
It was Clayton’s turn. Nicolae summoned Clayton to him and repeated the same procedure that he had used with the other boy.
“What is your name?” Nicolae asked.
“Clayton. My name is Clayton.” Clayton’s voice rang of apprehension.
“Ahh yes it is. Now lie down upon that marble alter and relax. Breathe steadily and don’t fight me for you will only make it more difficult on yourself.” A small smile appeared on Nicolae’s lips. In his heart it was obvious that he would love for someone to try to elude him.
Once Clayton lied down on the marble alter he closed his eyes and tried to cloak his trepidation Nicolae advanced towards him. He took up his arm, as he did to the previous victim, and he began to drink his blood out of his veins. Once he finished taking blood from Clayton he demanded that Clayton open his brown eyes and sat up anxiously awaiting to know what was to become of his fate.
“You will become one of us. You have passed the test. Return to your seat.” Nicolae’s voice was void of emotion, it seemed as if all he was meant to do was to give orders.
Finally it was Fairuza’s turn. She walked towards Nicolae slowly, hoping that she would be pardoned and allowed to leave this nightmare, this palace house of blues. She stood before Nicolae who asked her the same questions that he had asked the previous two people.
“What is your name?”
“My name is Fairuza,” she responded quietly.
“Fairuza? You are Irish. That name is not Irish.”
“My parents named me after their favourite colour, which was turquoise and fairuza is the name of the colour in a Mideastern tongue.”
“Interesting. Now lie down upon that marble alter and relax. Breathe steadily and don’t fight me for you will only make it more difficult on yourself.” The same joy that seemed to have appeared on his face when he told Clayton that surfaced upon his visage once more.
As Fairuza lied her body down on the marble alter, she did not allow herself to be overcome with uneasiness like Clayton had been, rather she relaxed ready to accept the worst of what could come her way. Nicolae’s touch caused a shiver to crawl up her spine and she finally believed in the theory that these creatures were undead. She had been skeptical of this before. His teeth broke through her mortal coil and she gasped at the sensation, she gasped at how surprisingly sweet it felt to surrender herself to this creature. She then understood why the first person did not try to run -- it felt too good, too soothing.
“You will become one of us. You have passed the test. Return to your seat.” Nicolae’s told her gently, which caught her off guard because before he had been so torpid. She returned to her seat half relieved half upset at the fact that she was now going to become soulless, now she was going to become just as unnatural as those vampires who had robbed her from her home.
Alas after Nicolae had returned back to his seat, which he got to very quickly, the room was filled with the same song from before. Fairuza listened to this song with less worries for she now knew that her fate was decided and she could not have a say in what was to happen. Fear and responsibility seemed to have been taken away from her which she felt would be rather wonderful.
The vampires all made their way out of the room quickly and the only being left was Nicolae who spoken in a soft manner, “This way, follow me to eternity.” And that they did, Clayton and Fairuza died their mortal death, in the year of 1873.

The next evening that Fairuza and Clayton awoke they had a hunger that was foreign to them however they knew that it had to be satisfied. It was nothing like the pain that they had experienced when they died their mortal death, the mortal death was violent and caused them to cry their blood tears. Once Fairuza and Clayton risen out of their coffins they found two bound mortals, fearful but all the same Fairuza and Clayton knew that they had to feast. They drank the blood of them, slowly as Nicolae had told them to. He also advised them to leave some blood in the victim for the last drops were poison. The poison was the only defense mechanism that mortals have against Vampires. “The last drops of their blood is too pure for such a wicked creature,” Nicoale explained, “for the heart pumps and pumps as we take and the blood has not been through the veins, thus it’s pure. Do not drink it. You will die the most painful death, and dying but the sun is a much more respectable way to go. Imagine how humiliating it must be to die by quenching your hunger...” Nicoale had bequeated all of the information that he could possibly give them last night.
When Clayton and Fairuza finally took a moment to realize the changes which they had undergone, they noticed that their vision was wonderful in the dark, although they craved light. They also saw how quickly they could cover ground. Neither did Fairuza or Clayton have the power to make fire out of air but they were not bothered by it. They started a fire [conveniently everything that they needed to begin a fire was not far] which allowed them to see themselves clearly in the mirror. Fairuza was in awe over how beautiful she appeared to be. Her red curls had new life and the colour of her red was all the more richer and her sea green eyes were softer and of a colour that she had seen imitated in art. Clayton was equally astonishing. His brown hair was the colour of the wet sand on the shore of a beach and his brown eyes seemed copper. Eventually they made their way away from the mirrors and to the hall where immediately they encountered two other vampires.
The woman commanded respect in the way that she walked. Instantly Fairuza and Clayton knew that she was older than they were, just like the man at her side. The woman had short curly hair which was very dark. Her smile was entrancing as well as her bright blue eyes. The man to the right of her was also very old however Clayton sensed that he was younger than she. He was beautiful in his own right and his features contrasted hers. He had blonde hair with blue eyes that seemed to hint at being purple. Clayton and Fairuza just looked at them, stunned at how beautiful they were.
“Hello. Welcome to the Blue Court,” the man spoke to the two new vampires.
“Thank you,” replied Fairuza and Clayton. Clayton then further asked, “What are your names?”
The woman replied in a voice that sounded almost heavenly, “Mecredi.”
“I am Joshua. Walk with us to the library, I trust that you have many questions about us and this place that you would like to be answered.” Clayton and Fairuza did exactly that, accompanied these two vampires to the library and found out about the history of the Blue Court. In total they understood that Lord Nicolae was the King of this Court and why he made this Court was never known for sure, however many suspected that he made this Court out of lonliness. His age was also another mystery but he did give a range, which was between one thousand years through one thousand, five hundred years old.
Also Fairuza and Clayton learned about how Mecredi and Joshua came to arrive at this underground palace.

“I saw Joshua one day, peering through the darkness at me. I had sensed his presence before but never addressed it for I found it fun to entertain his lust. Anyway, one night I approached him and he spoke to me of his lost love, Mary. I told him of the murder of my love, Jacques. I told him of the Seekers and how this horrible man, Monsieur Lamanique was in charge of it. He knew of the undead, he and a few of his co-workers who abandoned him. I drained Monsieur Lamanique of his blood, of his life, but the fact that there are mortals who know of us is a threat. Regardless we have been companions.
“We traveled the world for years together, happily until what Joshua loves to call the disturbance. Joshua had made a fledging, a vampire ten years before we ended up here. I am 175 years old and Joshua is 140 years old. We have seen a great deal but nothing in comparison to what others have seen. Regardless... Amadeo. Amadeo,” a warm look covered Mecredi’s face as if the memory of him was a light in all of this darkness, “my dear Amadeo.”
“He is perhaps the most exquisite looking, most beautiful looking vampire I have ever seen in my long life. He is rather tall, with his dark eyes that hold a secret that he’ll never confide and his strangely short dark hair is a feature that will keep with me through the ages. I loved Amadeo and Joshua knew it. Joshua gave me Amadeo about ten or twenty years ago as a gift of sorts. Amadeo was brilliant and I have no idea as to where he is now.”
At the mention of how wonderful Amadeo was, Joshua chimed in, “He is not as wonderful as she preaches. Yes he is beautiful, but there is something about him that is secretive, something about him that promises danger to us all. Amadeo is a menace and I regret having ever made him!” It was obvious that Joshua was green with envy but Fairuza was able to relate on a degree as to what Joshua was feeling. She felt the same jealousy when her beloved Clayton was smitten by Jacqueline. Fairuza was drawn to Joshua and Joshua was drawn to Fairuza. It was evident that Joshua was very aggressive and that Mecredi was driven by him.
Mecredi simply sighed and continued as if Joshua’s interuption held no merit. “Anyway, Amadeo, Joshua and I traveled the world together until one evening Amadeo left us. We were heading towards a great library and he promised to meet us there in a few hours after he had fed and done whatever he wished. He closed his mind to us, which as you should know how to do.
“If you close your mind, no one can penetrate your thoughts which is rather important in this day and age. Anyway he did not return. He left and Joshua and I searched for him, all across the globe and came to the realization that he had either destroyed himself or that he wanted nothing more to do with us.
“Regardless, not too long after we were approached by a vampire, who you know as Jacqueline. She wanted us to come to this Court as she called it. A Court of blood, of ritual. She was very cunning and promising. Joshua and I insantaneously agreed to become a member of this Court. We were intrigued by the history of our kind that it provided us with. When we spoke with Nicolae, we told him of this man I had met at the end of mortal life. Monsieur Lamanique. He was the leader, the founder of this organization called The Seekers. He knew of the supernatural and was bent on hunting and destroying Vampires and anything else that was not natural. By the end of my mortal life, he had lost all of his employees for they found their obsession with my now deceased lover, Jacques, to be insane. However over time some of this employees took up the Seekers again after the mysterious and draining death of Monsieur Lamanique.” As Mecredi spoke those words, she smiled naughtily alluding to the fact that it was she who ended his pathetic life.

The night passed on, Fairuza and Clayton had the answers to their questions finally. Until the fall of Nicolae and the Blue Court, Fairuza, Clayton, Joshua and Mecredi spent their nights when there weren’t any rituals talking of the past. Fairuza began to change, her personality became more domniative and more cross. Her love for Joshua grew more and more as well as her love for blood. Clayton and Mecredi were left alone to get to know each other better, but life was rapidly changing for everyone -- which is something that seemed to happen in eternity.