BloodLust: The Royal Court

Prologue

152 years ago

Mama gave me a gift today. A beautiful white thornless rose. My favourite! She said it was linked to us and that all of our life forces were reflected in that rose which is why it was my favourite of them all. She said as long as I had that rose I would be with them even if they are not with me. I'm unsure as to why she told me this.

I am Xanthe Venus Aléria of 4 summers. My mother says I cannot tell anyone of my heritage though not that she is a witch and Papa a vampire. She says bad people will come and take them away. I don't like bad people. Papa told me to go to the forest to play. I like the forest, there is so much life here and life makes my magic strong. This makes papa worried. He believes that if my magic becomes too strong people will notice I am not just a vampire. Mama tells me he's silly but I can see she's worried. In the woods I hear a scream. Mama's scream. I will myself to her to help her because you only scream when your sad and mama is always with me if I'm sad.

I appear in the village square and see my parents in chains. I am confused. Papa is very strong yet he is bloodied and bruised, I am scared. But where is Mama. I look around and see her. Vampires and witches stand around starring at what is happening to her. She is screaming and screaming. I am sad. I want to help her but I can't move. Slowly blood leaks out of her eyes the her mouth and soon out of her skin. I feel her dying. I scream. Mama and Papa look towards me. They are scared.

'Xanthe, you need to run' it was mama talking in my head

'No mama! I can help!' I cried begging for her to stay with me, not to die.

'Xanthe, please it isn't safe they can't find you listen to me please' this time Papa was compelling me to leave. He can do that make people do as he says. He very strong, I love my Papa.

I looked toward Papa and screamed. Fire danced up his legs I could feel him burning, I could smell him burning. Fear streaked over his face but not for himself but for me. Mama caught my attention whispering one of her strong spells and suddenly I felt her warmth surround me. My scream which attracted attention towards me had made many mean people look at where I was standing. But they looked through me, they couldn't see me. My mamas so strong. I love mama.

Running towards my father I could feel him dying.

'Don't die papa, don't leave me.' I wailed begging him to stay. He looked into my eyes. He could see me.

'I love you my little princess, never forget that. I love you Xanthe, always.'

I felt him die before I saw his body slump against the post he was chained to. Mama screamed. One more painful than any I had ever heard. She screamed for her mate.

I ran to mama hugging her leg pleading her to be ok. More and more blood poured from her body. She was weak now too. But she couldn't die. I loved them and bad things don't happen to those you love. Right? As I felt her life force drain away I could hear her once again.

'My beautiful baby girl. I am so sorry for what you have seen. I am so sorry that we are leaving you in this world. But remember, we are always with you in heart and essence. Xanthe can I ask you to do something?'

'Yes mama, anything, I'll listen.'

Never give up promise me, never lose faith promise me, never reveal yourself promise me. Not until you are untouchable not until you unlock your potential. Do you promise?'

'Yes mama I do! Don't leave me! Mama!

'I love you baby girl never forget that. Always and forever.'

Before mama died she transferred her energy into me it felt strange but reassuring. As she did this I felt her life force deplete like fathers had. I felt her slip away, I felt her leave me.

Hours past and people left it was just me in the square hugging mama tightly begging her to come back. I went to where father was but he was no longer there. All that was left was some grey dust. However it smelt like father and had his life force so I put some in a vial. I went to mama and huddled closely to her again begging this would all be a nightmare. Whenever I had nightmares mama or papa would come to me and hold me tight.

Why weren't they holding me tight?

I took the rose from my satchel but it looked different. It was red and thick red goo was leaking out of the petals. It smelt like blood but felt like magic. I was confused. Also six of its nine petals had become black. Part of it had died. Lastly I noticed that thorns had grown on its stem. Roses have thorns to defend themselves I thought.

I looked at mama and realised that this nightmare was real. Mama and papa weren't going to hold me tight and wake me up because I was on my own. For the first time at four summers old, I was on my own. On my own with the blood red rose.