Moonlight Chasing the Sun

Chapter 1

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The blade of a small ornate knife hit lightly on a table top.

"Man has gone out to explore other worlds and other civilizations without having explored his own labyrinth of dark passages and secret chambers, and without finding what lies behind doorways that he himself has sealed." The flat of the blade was raised and came to reside just between a woman's teeth in which she began to grind on the metal.

"Carmilla! Carmilla! Oh there you are! The conference is about to start!"

Carmilla D'Ambrisio shut the book she'd been reading from and sheathed the knife and placed it into her compact purse. She then picked up her black veil and placed it over her head, covering her face while her hair blended in with the fabric's color. "Let's get this over with." She said, following her editor, Marco Abrahm, who was also the CEO of the publishing group responsible for her books. The fox spirit was a long time acquaintance, a casual and laidback person, that is when he wasn't held back by Carmilla's demanding behavior.

Down the hall was a larger event room. Reporters and other publisher personnel crowded the room full of questions. Carmilla entered with her usual bored expression and pompous attitude and with her editor at her side, she seated herself at the head, facing everyone.

"Remember folks, no picture taking per the agreement to attend this special session with world renowned children's book author, Carmilla D'ambrisio." Her editor spoke into the mic. "With that said, please begin asking questions. Limit to 2 per person."

A stream of hands went up and one by one the editor chose a person to pose their question. 

"Ms. D'ambrisio, what inspired you to write this children's book?"

"Life experience." Carmilla bluntly answered.

"Could you elaborate?"

"Next." She said, bored.

"Right, right." Her editor laughed nervously. "You there."

"Ms. D'ambrisio, what was your occupation before becoming a children's book author?"

In a monotone voice, Carmilla tried to answer, "I was an apothecar-"

Her acquaintance cleared his throat and urged to move on from the subject. "Next."

"Ms. D'ambrisio, you must have a fondness for children seeing your work ethics so passionately displayed in your books. Do you have plans to have your own children?"

The witch hung her head back and let out an annoyed sigh. "Hey fox, may I excuse myself? Nature's calling."

Her editor let out another nervous laugh. "Of course." He made an announcement that there would be a short break as Carmilla grabbed her purse and begin exiting.

Nosy people. She thought to herself as she entered the women's room. She stood before her reflection, the veil doing a great job of hiding her features. Carmilla only wore Elizabethan-inspired clothing, even her short-gloves were lace. She held up her hand, staring at the round opal ring. "You'd think the humans have gotten smarter over the years, eh, Cerde?" She put her hand down and collected her purse before leaving. She was done. She'd just call Marco and tell him she was leaving, after she was gone.

Click. Click. Click. Carmilla's heels clicked with authority as she made her way towards the front desk. Just as she passed the men's bathroom, a man came out from a door up ahead. She barely gave him a glance as he pushed past her. Annoyed, she said to herself, "Cerde."

She then passed the door just as a group of people entered the room and suddenly a scream escaped from the mouth of one within.

"Someone! Call 911!"