The Vampire's Court

Prologue

Twenty-two years earlier...

The stormy night cast a dark shadow over the city of Bellehaven, the wind howling like a chorus of restless spirits. Amidst the turmoil, a fae young woman named Calanthir fled through the streets, her bare feet pounding the wet cobblestones, after opting to run barefoot to better hide her hurried steps.

Her fiery red hair streamed behind her like a banner, as she clutched her infant daughter, Seraphine, tightly to her chest. Silently pleading for the child to stay quiet.

She ran through the chill, wet England streets, an eerie silence befalling the city.

The crashing of trash cans and pounding footsteps were becoming more prominent, evidence of her attackers drawing in closer.

"Find her and find her now!" An icy voice rang from further behind, sending a chill down her spine.

Calanthir's eyes scanned for possible escapes, none seeming wise enough to use as viable options. Her eyes scanned a hole in the wall in an alleyway, large, but easily hidden behind an alleyway trashcan.

There!

She hid herself in the hole and ever so quietly pulled the trashcan in front of it. Just in time it would seem, as footsteps approached and abruptly stopped.

She heard them sniffing the air. There were 4 of them. "She's still here, I can smell her," one says, "she must be in the Inn or under it."

"We'll check the inn, you two check down below." The man pauses, "we'll be sure to bring back some snacks." He said with a cruel laugh, as the rest joined.

Seraphines heart was beating so hard she's surprised they did not hear it, she was almost certain they would discover her.

Before they departed, the man says one more thing to the other three mysterious men, "remember, don't eat the half breed. It'll fetch me a good price, but do with the fae whore what you please. Just leave me a little of her blood before her heart stops beating."

Tears streamed down her face in a flowing river, fear striking her very core.

Calanthir waited a few minutes after it was completely silent, bolting only after she heard their first victim within the Inn scream.

She ran with all her might, lungs screaming for rest, but she refused.

Calanthir's emerald eyes shone with desperation as she reached the entrance of Wellshire Manor, the grand estate of her lover, Morgan Emmons. She pounded on the door with her fists, pleading for sanctuary.

"Morgan! Morgan, please! Open the door!" She begged as she beat on the mighty wood door.

Her voice was hoarse from screaming, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She glanced over her shoulder, fearing her pursuers would emerge from the darkness at any moment.

The door creaked open, and a surprised servant peered out. Calanthir pushed past him, slamming the door shut behind her.

"Morgan Emmons! I need to see him, now!"

The servant, taken aback by her urgency, hastened to comply. "Yes, milady. This way."

Calanthir followed him, her heart racing with fear and her arms tightening around Seraphine. She had to reach Morgan, she had to warn him.

She burst through his study doors, Morgan, now well into his title, stands abruptly from his desk, but then stares in disbelief.

He hadn't seen her in a year, after her father demanded her return.