Twisted

Chapter One: Gareth

"Gareth"....

His black eyes snapped open, from a long, deep sleep.    In the darkness sharp teeth glinted as he smiled..........At last, at last his little one was finally ready....

Gareth rose from his unceremonious bed of soft earth and leaves where he'd lain this long year. He had waited, waited from that terrible night when she'd forsaken him, when she'd driven him from her life. He would have her, of this he knew. He'd waited patiently, ignoring the burn for sustenance, lying well hidden where she'd never possibly find him.

No more would she be stronger; the newborn vigor long since passed from her supple limbs. Each day of his self-imposed seclusion he'd passed in thoughts of nothing but her. The way her long limbs arched gracefully from a slim body, the way her eyes sparked as a newly born Vampire, testing her powers. He took a deep breath, her voice still crystal clear to him. She'd called him, as clearly as if she was right here.

That single word. his name on her lips, regenerated the bond he'd created by sinking his fangs into her mortal body and imparting his dark Gift. He emerged into the night from the mouth of the Brazilian Cave he'd sequestered himself in. Stepping out into a fresh rain he relished the cold spray upon his ancient skin. He'd not seen a sunlit day in well over two hundred years, but missed it not in favor of the seductive music in the night. The night was his playground, where he was most at home and he couldn't wait to share it with his beloved dark angel....

Gareth smiled once more, feeling the stirrings of his desire for Brianna. His anticipation of their reunion would have to wait however, for there was much to do, and as he scented a village nearby he was reminded of his hunger put off for so long.

Raising his head to the wind he smelled the aroma of his next meal. Yes, he thought, once all was in place again he would find her or, rather let her find him. Striding into the woods with demonic purpose he drifted off into the night, a mist unseen.....

The villagers never saw him coming. He lanced through them, ignoring completely the shrieks of terror, the prayers for saving grace. Through each woman, man, and child he went, draining them completely and leaving a lifeless ghost town behind him. For the first time in his centuries' long existence he cared not for hiding, but for making as much of a mess as possible.

Sated, he turned from the wreckage and with the lithe spring of the jungle cat disappeared into the night. Surely the news of this massacre would reach her, he mused, wondering how long it would be until he would see her blazing eyes again, surrounded by the crowning glory of her pale golden hair.....