The Camarilla

Prologue

It was a quiet evening in winter of 1784, though many were inside to stay off the cold, and those who were out were in horse-drawn carriages, hurrying along to whatever business they had to do that night or go home to their families. I for one didn't have a destination on my walk. This is because the cold doesn't bother me, though I still had my beaver fur coat on for I love the feeling of fur on my body. It was just another evening stroll for me, despite the deadly weather.

Walking on that lonely road, only to see the lanterns of houses go out as midnight slowly approaches, a power and urge welled up inside me. It welled up in my stomach like a gas, threatening to burst me into pieces. I ignore it, but the longer I walk, the darker the shadow of the power becomes. The urge slowly grew. Again, I wave off such animalistic tendencies and refuse to give in to them.

Continuing on my way, I find myself in a small settlement. The only house awake at the hour was a coffee shop a short distance away. Checking my pockets and finding that I still had the money given to me long ago, I walked up to the entrance and knocked on the door. A gentleman answered and waved me in, granting me entrance. Once inside, I smelled the warm air of the coffee being ground and poured into people's cups. The chattering room was welcoming and some eyes were on me in particular, followed by warm smiles.

The gentleman who greeted me, whom I recognized as Mister Edward Ashwood, smiled and shook my hand. "Ah, Sir Harley, it's great to see you again. Thought you must have disappeared."

I laughed at this and made my way to the table where cards were being played, "Who? Me? None sense. The Red Coats wished to see me and my brilliance." The room roared with laughter, for I had always had a flare for drama and theater. I was dealt a hand and joined the game, hoping to gain some extra cash to stay at an inn.

"You know Harley," Another gentleman took his cigar out, "you should know the weather out there is quite frightful. I would not mind taking you home in my carriage."

"No sense, my honorable sir. I am more than capable of walking myself home, my good sir."

"I never saw you travel anywhere but walk. Are you sure you don't need a horse?"

"Please, spare me the grief. The beasts scare me."

"You know that's not the only beast out there." Another takes out a cigar and lights it. "There's talk among the wives of a monster that is killing the children. Something that robs them of all the color in their face."

"A bloodsucker?" another man asks.

"Probably just a wolf or coyote." I take a sip of the coffee I was served. "You lot are just superstitious."

"Perhaps, but if there's a monster out there, we will get rid of it."

"We shall see." I smile and watch as the men shift and adjust their cards, resuming the game. Never noticing the sharpened blades I wear on my face.