Make yourself comfortable and have a drink, for this is a long story, which I am about to tell. It is of the first few months of my becoming, and also a little before. I hope you enjoy it.

‘Twas the eve of my 19^th birthday the year was 1594, after the party and listening to my father rave on about my not being married. I decided to take a walk on the wintry lakeside. It was a dark, cloudless and moonless night, the stars shun brightly. It was also a cold night, but at least the wind was not blowing strong. Just a slight breeze blowing through my long red flowing hair, and my cloak of green velvet. As I walked I felt as if I was being followed, but I heard nor saw anything. Alas, my follower became known to me, ‘twas a kind and gentle looking man. He saw distress in my eyes and offered his ear to listen. I had told him that I did not know him well enough to tell my problems to. He assured me a stranger was a perfect one to tell problems to, because they had no ties to it. Something about him, I trusted him almost with my life and I had not known him but a few minutes. I asked his name, telling him that it would feel awkward to burden him without a name. He told me his name was Marcus, and that is a name that I will never forget.

He built a fire to keep us warm in the cold night. As I told him of my father raving of my not being married and his concern as to me being an old maid. His eyes were sympathetic. Then I told him that I did not want to marry right now. I wanted to wait for the right moment in time, and this was not that moment. I finished and then we talked the better part of the night, about everything. We talked of dreams, hopes and what the future may hold. It was getting close to dawn and we parted our ways, mine to my house, his well I really did not know. Before I was out of his sight he turned and asked to meet him here tomorrow night and talk some more, I agreed, then we parted for the night. The next morning my father asked me where I had been all the last night, I told him that I had just walked around the lake, I dare not tell him of the stranger for he would not let me go out again. As the day progressed all I could do was think of him, his eyes of the palest of green that I had ever seen, his skin so smooth and white, whiter then I had ever laid eyes on, it almost seemed that of a porcelain doll. I was so enchanted by him and his presence that it seemed he had me in a spell.

Finally that eve came and again I told my father that I was going for a walk by the lakeside. As I walked, I pictured him in my mind. There was darkness, a mystery that I can not explain. I walked with little sound, making my way back to the place in which we met. The ground still charred from the night befores fire, and still a smokey smell about it. I sat on the very log I sat on the night before, listening to the creatures of the night. Then from nowhere he stood in front of me without a sound. I thought nothing if it, cause maybe I was to in tune with the lake and surrounding sounds. He took my hand and kissed it gently. His lips felt cold against my warm skin. He asked me of my day, I had told him it was boring and dull. As we talked he seemed to be looking at me, as if he could see through my very soul. Now that I think of it, he very well might have been. For it seems most of us can read minds, only if they are open to us. After about an hour or so he asked if I would like a more exciting and rich life. He said that I had a darkness in my heart. Taken back, I did say that it sounded wonderful if only it would hold true. He told me that he could make all my dreams come true. But, he also told me that I could not see my family of friends. I would have to move away. Confused by the reasoning I asked why. He simply said that I would become a child of the night. Still not fully understanding, I agreed, it all sounded intriguing. The rest of the night he told me of what I would become, it all was so fascinating, like that of a dream world. Before we parted he told me to say my good-bye’s in a way that they would know I would not return, although I knew in my mind that I would go visit anyway. I watched him walk off with such elegance and grace. I said goodnight, and he turned and smiled returning my suggestion with a wave of his hand. Something about his smile, different then anyone else’s I’d ever seen. Wondering and longing to be with him, I walked home.

The next morning when I awoke, I saw my father reading from his bible. I told him of the gentleman and I also added that there was a lady, as not to think he was taking advantage of me. I told him I was offered a place in a school to finish my schooling. Maybe to become something besides a merchant. Not that his job was not good, but my older brother would get the business. Besides not many females owned them then. He didn’t much like the idea of me moving off, but he knew it would be the best thing for me. And maybe there I would find a suitor. He granted my request and let me go, only if I promised to write and visit as often as I can. I told him that it would seem ungrateful of me not to, and I was very grateful to him. I packed a few things and then saddled up a horse to go into town, I had to tell what few friends I had of my leaving. Not one did I tell the truth, in fear it would get back to my father. I then went to the cemetery to say my good bye’s to my beloved mother, who died five years back due to pneumonia. I laid a single red rose atop her headstone and left. Nightfall came. Weepy eyed holding my small bag of things, I told my father and brother goodbye. A carriage approached and Marcus got out, greeting my father and brother with respect. He assured them no harm would ever come to me. Smiling my father shook his hand, and thanked him for the opportunity he was giving me. Nodding his head, he said we must take our leave, I kissed my father then my brother and walked to the carriage. Stepping in I took one last long look at them, and blew them both a kiss. I got in and the carriage left my old home, bound for my new one.

As we arrived I was amazed; I had never seen such an exquisite house. It was an old style Victorian home, with 3 large pillars, a two-story home with a balcony on the second and a porch that wrapped around the front on the bottom. As we entered he told me to make myself comfortable, as this was my home now too. I sat down on the couch admiring the beautiful paintings and tapestries that hung from the wall, and the other lush décor. He came and sat beside me, offering me a drink, which he had made. I took the goblet and sipped it slowly, hmmm it was something I had never tasted before, liking it I took a few more easy drinks. He gently took the goblet from my hands, setting it on the table in front of us. Gazing deep into my eyes, oohh what beautiful eyes he had. He gently leaned forward kissing me on the cheek, then slowly upon my lips. I can still feel the tenderness of that kiss, as I hoped it would never end. Whispering in my ear he asked if I was ready. With a slight twinkle in my eye, and a smile on my delicate face, I said that I was. He turned me and laid me down, touching my face with his cold hands brushing my hair back out of my face. He leaned down and kissed me again. I could feel my body tingle with every touch from him. I put my arms around his neck, kissing him back ever so deeply. The smell of him surrounded all my senses, enjoying it very much so, it also paralyzed me in every aspect imaginable. I felt him move towards my neck, then a sharp pleasurable pain, as his fangs pierced my neck. I shuddered then relaxed as he took my life from me. Becoming weak I heard him say, sounding as if he was miles away, "now drink". Holding his wrist out to me, I had not seen him cut it, but I took it gratefully. As I drank I could feel changes occurring in my body right down to my very soul. The changes inside me were those like I have never felt before, some painful and others pleasurable. Hhmm……I really don’t know exactly the right words for it, but if you are already of the vampire race then you would already have felt what I am trying to explain. So I shall not try to explain any further. For others you’ll just have to try to imagine it. But anyway on with the story. I had got, I guess you could say my fill, an let my death grip on his arm go. He took his arm back and I watched in utter amazement as it healed so quickly, asking if any cut I had got would do the same. He nodded his head in reassurance of that fact. In the final stages of my changing I could feel his hands, this time not as cold as I thought early, lightly touch my cheeks and again brush my hair from my face. I closed my eyes and felt him start to kiss me deeply again, his hands going down the length of my body stopping at my upper thigh. Leaning my body into his I knew what I wanted, I wanted him. I had never felt such a passion as this before, but it was like I knew what to do, as if I had done it a thousand times before. Reaching behind me he started to unbutton my shirt, slipping it over my head and off, my arousal grew. We made love right there on the couch, with out a care in the world, but each other. It was then that I knew I had made the right choice coming to him, for he is my sire and taught me a lot.

As dawn approached Marcus lead me down some stairs to the basement lit by a few torches mounted on the wall, where I saw two coffins, one of which he laid me down. He had said to me "come dusk I will let you out, now sleep my love." He then shut the heavy lid and I was in total darkness. That was the most restful sleep I had had in all my mortal life. The sleep was a dreamless and silent one. I was awaken by the soft creak of the hinges on my coffin, standing before me was Marcus, he said to me "now it is time to show you how to hunt". We dressed for the chilly evening, oohh you should have seen it, the most beautiful dress I had ever seen. Low cut, showing the shoulder and a bit of my ample breasts. Tightly fitting till my small waist, then flowing out to the floor. It was the color of emerald green, which I thought brought out my eye color, with a light bit of gold trim. I put my reddish hair up with some hanging down my back. I joined Marcus in the living room as soon as I was finished dressing. He looked at me and said that I looked just beautiful, I looked at him and thought he looked stunning in his white silk shirt with a black vest which complemented it nicely. He put on his coat and then a black cloak on me. He then motioned me with his hand to the door and out to the carriage.

On the short trip to town Marcus was telling me of different ways to approach people and lure them in. He said laughing, "but of course you are a female and they will come easier to you." We arrived in town, at the home of the town banker. Who was throwing a party in honor of his eldest daughter’s birthday. Marcus introduced me as his younger sister, to everyone. His story was that I had come to live with him, as to get better schooling. He had taken me aside and told me "this is a good opportunity to find the one." He had told me early the first kill was the most important and most memorable one so I should chose carefully. As I journeyed through the house, there were many characteristic people abound. One gentleman standing in the corner caught my fancy, something about his demeanor; I could not take my eyes off him. Still I looked around each time coming back to him. He had a familiar look about him that of, hmm; well I still can’t figure it out. As the party went on he finally stirred about, making his way around the room. I watched him for awhile, as he approached he looked at me as well. He came forward and asked Marcus if he could have the pleasure of a dance with me. Marcus, glancing at me, nodded his head in acceptance. He then looking at me again ask for a dance, I accepted with a smile. He held out his hand for me to take, then lead me to the main floor. As I danced with him a new sense came to me, one I had never felt before. I could hear and feel his blood run through his veins. My hunger grew, I thought to myself…This is something new, exciting and new. It was a slight pain, not the kind that doubles you over, but a pain none the less. My head swam with thoughts of taking his blood from his body to indulge my hunger. My trance like state was broke by his asking if I would like to take a walk outside. Agreeing, we walked towards the door, he placed my cloak around my shoulders and we headed out the door. Walking along the streets, we found a bench on which to sit. Sitting there talking, he leaned towards me for a kiss, I kissed him, and I could feel the hunger grow within. I leaned down slightly and started kissing his neck, then easily I sank my teeth into his neck. He flinched, then began to moan with enjoyment, unknowing of his fate. I could taste the sweet blood as it entered my mouth and traveled through my body, the warmth filled me. Color came back in my pale cheeks as his hot blood run its course, his body became limp. Careful not to take all of it, I laid him down on the bench, made a small prick in my finger in which to heal his wound with. Just as Marcus had told me, I felt pleased with myself thinking Marcus would be proud. At that moment he made his presents known. As I turned to look at him, he said, "You have done good my child, you learn fast." Smiling I thanked him, he continued to tell me that he watched from a distance, as not to disturb me. His approval made me feel all the better for my first hunt, KILL. He said that it had been a long evening and that we should head back home, taking his offered arm we went back to the carriage.

We sat the rest of the evening talking in the living room. I had asked him of his beginning. He told me he was turned in the year 1038 by an unknown vampire, who taught him nothing. He acquired what he knew on his own, he continued on with the fact that the one who made him did so then left. I knew after all those years there was more of his background to learn, but that could be for another night, the dawn was fast approaching and I needed sleep. During my sleep my thoughts wandered back to my first hunt. The feel of it was so pleasureful, I could not wait till the night came again. Finally a deep sleep over took me.

When I awoke, opening the lid of my coffin, I found Marcus gone. Wandering up the steps I found him talking with a gentleman, I recognized him from the party but did not know his name. Unseen be the visitor, but heard by my master, he was talking of the man in which I had danced with, "…He was found on the bench this morning, the one on Main Street, we believe it to be that he in a drunken state fell asleep and froze to death�? They continued to talk, I went upstairs to dress, unconcerned that they would ever know the truth.

~looking up taking a deep breath, then exhaling~

Ahh�?Those days�?the thrill of the hunt.

~looking back down, in your eyes~

Now don’t get me wrong I do still take pleasure from it, but it has become more of a habit then a thrill. I stayed with Marcus for a hundred years, at which time he decided to move to Europe and I did not. I did not want him to either, but he insisted and said that he would come back one day. Upon his leaving he left almost everything to me, he only took his clothes and some money. He had told me that if I wanted to go elsewhere get a caretaker for the place, because when he returned that’s where he would go.

As for me, I stayed for a while, then moved on to explore and embrace the country at hand. I have lived in most of the larger towns, as not to draw attention to myself. And you ask if I have ever ran into my own kind�?the answer is yes I have, and have no quarrel with any of them. Marcus came back home, I go see him now and then for a few days, then back to my own home. And finally of my father and brother�?I used to go see them, till it became obvious that I grew no older then the day which I left. After my last visit a few months later I sent word that I had parished in a fire. Sadden to have lied, it was something I had to do. They had no knowledge but I did keep a distant watch over them at times.

Well now you know the beginning and one day perhaps I will tell you the rest. Hmm�?by the way I go by the mortal name of Gail, but known by my kindred as ††CÐÐ_ÐÃRKØÚÉÉѤTÐÕ†�?/FONT>. But for now I must go, the nocturnal hunt awaits me.