Aeliana

Prologue

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On a hot summer's evening, a small group of teenagers embarked on a short hiking trip up Hollywood Hills, heading in the direction of Century City. Equipped with flashlights and backpacks, they followed a narrow trail up the mountain until they reached a spacious rocky cliff that offered a stunning view of the city.

After unpacking their belongings, the group scouted the area, gathering dry wood for a campfire. As the flames grew, they decided to celebrate the weekend and the start of summer with a gathering.

"How about a friendly drinking contest?" suggested one of the boys in the group.

Cassie, dressed in grey shorts and a pink vest with a brown beaded necklace, volunteered to be the first contestant. Her legs were crossed in a meditation pose, covering most of her grey low-top sneakers. With her blond hair styled up, she exuded a vibrant energy.

Lisa, sporting a black punk rock t-shirt and blue shorts, joined as her rival. Her black sneakers, multiple piercings, and tattoos revealed her unique style. Her short curly hair cascaded down.

Laughter and cheers erupted as the two girls hurriedly downed their beers from tin cans.

Cassie finished her beer first, triumphantly exclaiming, "Whoohoo! Take that, you bitches!" She wiped her face with the back of her hand and defiantly raised a middle finger. The front of her vest was damp from the spilled beer.

"Who's up next?" she challenged, excitement in her voice.

Others joined in, turning the gathering into a lively game. Meanwhile, Aeliana sat on the edge of the cliff, gazing up at the countless white spots scattered across the dark blue, cloudless sky. The sun was nearly set behind the mountains on the opposite side, and the sky shimmered with a bright, active glow. A sense of awe washed over Aeliana as she admired the millions of stars twinkling above and the city lights shimmering below.

Dressed in a black sleeveless dress with a matching belt and black buckle high-top shoes, Aeliana's honey-chocolate skin complemented her silver-gray hair and eyes. She rested her head on her hands, observing the movements of the bustling city below. Even from hundreds of feet above, she could discern the skyscrapers, the buzzing lights of cars on intertwining roads, and the general hustle and bustle. She could even catch snippets of conversations and the scents of various activities wafting through the air.

A soft female voice interrupted her thoughts. "The city looks lovely from up here, doesn't it?"

Aeliana responded with a whisper, "Indeed. Every time we come up here, it feels so fresh and new."

"Why do you surround yourself with those humans? They're merely food for us. Carrying that odorous bottle as a distraction seems foolish," the voice remarked.

"I choose to be with them. Now please, be quiet before someone hears us," Aeliana replied, opening a tiny brown bottle and inhaling its scent.

"It's time to feed, and I know you're hungry. I understand you so well," the voice persisted.

"I know. But there is food here, and I'll find something to eat. Don't worry; I'll be fine," Aeliana reassured.

"Why are you so stubborn?" the voice questioned.

Aeliana remained silent.

"Very well then, starve if you wish," the voice huffed.

Aeliana smiled to herself, feeling relieved by the absence of the persistent voice in her head.

Her rumbling stomach reminded her of her hunger. She rose from her spot, carefully navigating the empty cans and moving people, and ignored the ongoing festivities. Making her way to her backpack, she searched for some extra clothes and discovered sandwiches. As she prepared to eat, she was interrupted by Nicholas, a classmate she shared English and Chemistry with.

"Um, Aeliana," Nicholas called out.

She turned her head, feeling a slight annoyance. "What is it?"

"Why don't we talk for a bit?" Nicholas asked, his head slightly lowered. "I brought you a beer," he continued, holding out two cans.

A gust of cool night wind brushed past, ruffling Nicholas's shoulder-length, curly black hair just as Aeliana was about to open her scent bottle. She caught a whiff of his natural fragrance. She gave him a forced smile, the aroma of his blood tantalizingly tempting.

"Yes, let's talk," Aeliana said quickly.

"I love that scent. It's driving me crazy. Can I manipulate him now?" the voice asked.

"Yes, and he won't remember a thing," Aeliana replied silently in her mind.

Putting the sandwiches back in her bag, she stood up and motioned for Nicholas to follow her.

"Let's go somewhere more secluded," she suggested, her neon-blue eyes glowing.

Nicholas nodded, trailing behind her in silence.

They ventured deeper into the dense bushes, away from the view of the group.

Aeliana's eyes continued to emit a soft glow as she instructed Nicholas to remove his shirt, exposing his golden skin.

"Will you satisfy my cravings?" she asked him.

He nodded.

"Remember, no screaming," she cautioned.

With lightning speed, Aeliana pounced on Nicholas, her fangs elongated and sharp. As he closed his eyes and kept his mouth shut, she sank her teeth into his flesh, savoring the taste of his blood.

Hey guys! I'm really into  writing this book. I hope you enjoy the introduction, you will see more on Aeliana life in the chapters after.

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