Rare and Radiant Maiden, Nevermore.

A small town in Germany circa 720 AD.1

Queen Lenore was tiring of her King. He had more interest in other gens (vampire family) members than herself. She needed a new play toy. They rode by the village the other night and now stayed close, as it would prove a good feeding ground for a short time. In addition, they knew the sicarius (vampire hunter) was not too far off. She would come if she heard of their attacks on the people. 2

Lenore liked that game. Luring in any sicarius to become prey was always fun. It was more so with this one. This female sicarius, Renate, was famous among the gens as many believed she would fulfill the prophecy. Lenore had no belief in the prophecy and so thought of her only as competition. She liked competition.3

A human would provide competition for her King. He wouldn't like her playing with anyone else and would bring his attention back on her. She giggled as she looked for the perfect innocent. Someone who could keep up with her, but also be her pawn. It was a delicate balance.4

It didn't take long for her to find one. It wasn't a small village, still her mind touched each quickly until she found what she was looking for. His name was Heremon. He'd risen from poverty not necessarily through skill but by cunning. Other minds attested to that. He was liked but not overly so. Best of all he appeared to be a simpering coward when it came to physical confrontations. She'd be able to manipulate him well.5

She knew he would be the perfect man. Tall and lanky, she found him handsome. She fought herself to take him now as there were too many people here. She saw in his mind too that he had a wife and child. Hmmm… Yes, competition. She would have to do away with that competition.6

She imagined the scene. What he would do finding her surrounded by his dead loved ones. He would probably scream in fright. No, while she usually enjoyed that, it wasn't the reaction she wanted from him. She would find a way for him to run into her arms. It didn't take much effort to know what she should do. 7

The stone house was dark. She watched the candle flicker in the upstairs room then slowly descend and finally go out downstairs. He was not home, it was all so perfect and she was starving. The child would be first easy prey and she could handle the mother's mind until she was done.8

It was quite simple, a jump to the second story window pulling the shutters aside and sliding in to the room. She could see well enough in the dark and placing a hand over the child's mouth bit her neck. The little girl was very tasty, new blood was always the best, hardly tainted by food, drugs or others. Her cries and screams pushed energy through Lenore's veins. She took her time trying to elicit as much fear in the girl as she could. She dragged her off the bed and held her helpless as she watched the door for the mother. She hadn't finished with the girl by the time the mother arrived. Which was fine, she'd leave her for Hengist who recently went through subortus (being made into a vampire) and just now joined her in the room. 9

The girl had passed out. Lenore handed the girl to him with instructions not to drink yet as she knew he would kill her too quickly. For she wished to feed off the mother's fear as well. The mother had run up the stairs calling her daughter's name and pushed the door open quickly. Lenore didn't give her a chance as she grabbed the mother from behind and positioned her to watch her daughter. "See your girl. He will break her neck on Our command."10

"No," she gasped.11

"Don't fight and We won't hurt her." Lenore played with her neck, lusting over the blood that ran through the vein. She did want her to fight and signaled Hengist to bite but not kill the girl. She wanted the girl's soul for herself. The woman screamed and that's when Lenore bit her.12

The woman was easy, and drained fast, though her blood had hardly any taste at all. Lenore scarcely even noticed when her soul passed into her.13

Heremon would be home soon. She felt him coming, and would find his family dead. She would be there to comfort him. To make sure she was not the one blamed for this she brought Hengist. He watched anxiously. He was hungry and to not drink more from the girl was torture for him. Yet, he must do what his Queen told him. Lenore loved the power she had over him and fed off that as much as anything else.14

Hengist flinched now when he saw that look in Lenore's eyes as she came up for air. The hunger, the greed, and the blood lust. Lenore was the epitome of vampires. She knew he looked up to her like a little puppy dog, the weak-minded fool. 15

There was another reason Hengist was flinching, she could see his mouth moving but he had a hard time telling her. She wanted to yell at him to spit it out, but silence was best here and she took the information from his mind. 16

As she was in bloodlust the sicarius had arrived in town and the King demanded she go to his side.17

"Stay here," she ordered Hengist, "Attack the man but do not kill him. You understand? You take his life, and I will take yours."18

He frantically nodded his head and looked to the little girl he held like a rag doll in his arms. "If there is time afterwards, you may have her." He licked his lips. Lenore knew there wouldn't be time afterwards. Renate, the sicarius, was fast approaching. She'd find Hengist here and kill him. Lenore already saw to it, to make things clear that there was an attack at this house. The only part of her plan that had failed is getting to this man, Heremon, in time. It had been bad luck that he was slow in getting home and the sicarius fast in coming to town. 19

There he is at the door now. How simple it would be to meet him there. How it galled her that she could not even look upon his features and see those steely eyes. To taste his flesh is what she wanted most of all. Alas, the King pulled at her mind and the sicarius would see her. She couldn't have that, not yet. She'd waited this long for her toy, so she could wait a little longer.20

***21

Something else didn't go according to plan. Heremon lived which was good, but so had his daughter. Worse, Renate, the sicarius, not only lived but fell in love with her toy. She could not get anywhere near him because of that sicarius and this made her want him more. 22

For years she watched from afar. They married and had children, that sicarius and he. She became obsessed with the very idea of having him simply because he was the only one she could not have. The gens moved on, but not too far. She could come back and watch. Night after night she watched the house entered his mind and tried to separate him from that woman. She made him instigate fights but it never worked. She could not manipulate the mind of the sicarius and that frustrated her to no end. 23

The King didn't like her getting near the prophesied one, but she was careful. She integrated herself into the high society of the town. She saved the Lord's life from a vampire with garlic and a cross. Her lackey ran in mock fear. Since then, she'd been invited to every ball and was welcome at anytime within the court. Of course she only came at night. The Lord took that as her intention to get him alone. She didn't mind, he provided a nice distraction and his royal blood was full of flavor from the high protein diet. In the morning, he remembered nothing and they'd play this dance the next night and the next.24

Until, the rumor passed through the court that the Lord had called the sicarius in for a meeting and was sending her on a quest to find where the vampires were coming from. All part of Lenore's plan. Now Heremon would be unprotected and she went to him the very night his wife left.25

It had been planned perfectly. Heremon stood with the Lord as Renate rode out the gates and Lenore was there at the Lord's side. She'd dressed in her finest, wore Heremon's favorite color and stone. She knew she would be noticed. She'd been studying him from afar this entire time. Watching him, waiting. Her exotic accent is what drew him to her after Renate was gone. She'd laughed aristocratically at one of the Lord's jokes and said in their language; "You are full of wit and wisdom milord." She patted the lord on his thick forearm, but was watching Heremon and he was watching back.26

While the Lord was attending to another she glided towards Heremon. "It must be difficult to see your wife leaving for such a long trip and not knowing if she will return."27

"She is strong. She will return."28

"I hear there are many vampires there. The chances of her defeating so many at once…"29

This seemed to hit the right spot, yet he was proud and would not back down. "She will be victorious."30

"I am happy to hear it. One so handsome as you is deserving of a good strong wife." This hit the right chord as he didn't think of himself as handsome. 31

All he could manage was "Thank you." He moved off before he could embarrass himself. It was a start, a very good start.32

She made herself available to him whenever she could. She couldn't go to his home while he was alone and leave her reputation intact so she had to be tactful in how she could get him alone. Luck was on her side, as he was the one who sought to have her alone. 33

One night the Lord had a small dinner and invited those closest and knowing Heremon was without wife for now, invited him. His daughter stayed with his brother for the night and so he was free. He'd been watching her across the table just as she'd been placing dark thoughts in his mind. By the time the food was done both were ready to be together. It was he who asked the Lord if there were some place he could freshen up and made a very small gesture to her as he left the table. 34

He'd already disrobed by the time she knocked softly on the door. He wasn't going to take "no" for an answer. She wasn't going to say no. Their first kiss was hard and messy, two large rocks colliding in the sea. As he entered her, she pierced him, and he enjoyed it. He let out a loud moan as if he were releasing everything within him. His blood flowed with luscious warmth filling her every need. He was delicious and she had to be careful not to drain him on the first bite. She would enjoy him in every way. He was now hers after all.35

He was exciting, he was dangerous, he was just as manipulative as she, and he lusted after her as much as she did he. She erased his memory of their first time alone, but after that she didn't feel the need to. He'd come to her the next night, found a way to be alone with her and made her feel like the Queen she was. He kept coming back and one night he asked for her to bite him. She obliged.36

She began waiting for him in the darkness outside his home until all the lights went off, then she would climb through his window and into his bed before he even reached the room. He liked finding her there. The problem arose when he asked one night after kissing her deeply, "Will you stay until morning?"37

"I can not."38

"Why not?" he wondered, but he knew the answer, deep down.39

She looked at him with pity in his eyes. 40

"Your wife will be back in three days." She got up to dress.41

"How do you know?"42

"She failed to kill the vampires. She could not even find them."43

"Will you leave after she comes back?"44

"I can not let her see me." Lenore avoided the question.45

"You can't leave me. I love you." Ah, now that was what she wanted to hear and what she'd been waiting for. Again though she found it had an unexpected effect, for she found herself wishing to reply that she loved him too. She fought those words.46

"Then come with me."47

"I-I can't."48

She kissed him hard. She put into it all the desire she felt, all the anger from his refusal, and all the absolute need into it. She pulled him to her and felt the bulge in his pants. He would have to do what she wanted. She kissed his cheek, sucked on his ear, and licked his neck. He grabbed hard at her dress nearly ripping it. Her teeth teased his vein.49

"Do it!" he breathed through his teeth.50

She pulled away only slightly. "Come with me."51

"No," he said softly. She was about to throw him across the room when she felt his mind at work and began to see what he had planned. "I have a better idea." His smirk was so lovely she had to kiss him again.52

"I love you." She whispered in his ear right before she bit him. The scary thing was; she thought she really meant it.53

***54

Lenore waited impatiently. She knew what Renate was doing and what Heremon was planning. He wanted to kill her himself. She couldn't allow that. Renate would rip the poor man to shreds. He wasn't vampire yet, and couldn't handle her. Lenore wasn't even sure she could handle the sicarius, but she wasn't going to try, at least physically. She also made sure she had help. She wasn't stupid after all.55

She contacted the King's mind almost immediately when Heremon told her his plan. She asked for three things. The first he granted readily and sent Keir to her. The second also he granted sending a team of vampires after Renate. The third he was more hesitant about. 56

When he didn't answer right away she yelled at him in his head, "You must give me this human. You are never there for me. I need more than you can give me."57

"To grant suboriri to one so weak is suicidal to this gens, especially one so close to the prophecy."58

"I will be responsible."59

"Yes, you will be. However, I have foreseen interaction between these two in the future, so it has already been decided."60

"Thank you," Lenore touched his mind humbly. She wished to find some of the old love there, but it was gone.61

"Be certain that you remain in control," with that the King broke their connection.62

***63

Heremon went to help his wife, or at least pretend to and Lenore watched through his eyes. He had taken Renate food and equipment in the middle of her dangerous quests before. So Renate didn't seem to see anything wrong when he rode up with a cart full of weapons. In fact she rejoiced that she might have a proper meal. Lenore warned him to keep his mind clear as she suspected Renate had some ability to read people's thoughts, and it made it easier for Lenore to see what happened. Originally Lenore's plan was for her vampires to give the sicarius a trail to follow but remain out of sight. Now she ordered them to attack while Heremon and his wife took respite in an old church. 64

"Do not kill the male," she ordered them.65

They wouldn't nor could they kill the sicarius. Heremon hid while she ripped through the vampires and could hardly hear screams from the vampires let alone see what happened. Once the screams died down Lenore pushed him to see what was happening. She could only watch stunned. No one expected Renate to survive the attack of six vampires at once. Blood was everywhere. Renate, still in a fury from the attack was chopping up the vampires in a mad fit. Finally Lenore pushed Heremon to react and stop her.66

"Renate?" Blood splashed across the hole filled, wooden walls. "Renate?" Then it dripped down some stone stairs. "Renate!" Heremon grabbed her arms as the sword was about to come down on the dead vampire again.67

Heremon's voice broke her out of her stupor and he slowly removed the sword from her hand. "They're dead. You don't need to hack them to bits." 68

Heremon put an arm around her shoulder trying to soothe her though he felt a bit repulsed by her. Covered in blood she mindlessly killed these vampires, who were just as human as Lenore. She fell into his arms. It was obvious to him that she felt safe there and was growing sleepy. 69

"We should burn this place," she said.70

"I'll do it. Then let's get you home." He spoke kindly. He didn't want to give her any impression that something was amiss. 71

"Burn her," Lenore's voice said in his head.72

He helped her into the cart and grabbed the torch. It would be so easy just to lite the building and the cart at the same time. She couldn't resist now. He'd be rid of her for good very quickly. Yet as he lowered the torch to light her on fire he looked at her face and remembered the years they'd spent together. He saw their children in her face. He couldn't do it. He may not love her anymore, but he couldn't kill her either.73

"Stab her then!" Lenore's voice nearly shattered his ear drums. He looked at all the weapons in the cart thought about picking one up. Instead he turned around and lit the church on fire then got on the cart and started to drive it home. 74

He had a lot to think about. He couldn't do any thinking with her in his head though. So he started whistling, his wife had told him that one time; if you keep a song going they usually can't control you. Lenore laughed silently at his futile attempt.75

She listened in silently to see what decision he made, either Renate or Lenore. He loved Lenore and she promised him eternal life. He did love Renate at some point, but she offered only more pain and more attacks upon him and his children. His children! That was the real problem. He loved them, and couldn't let anything happen to them. His eldest, the one that was not Renate's would be able to raise the other's, wouldn't she?76

Did Renate really have to die though? He thought about it and realized she did. Even if he wouldn't become a vampire she'd chase Lenore to the ends of the earth just for making him love a vampire. This was the only way. He made up his mind as they approached their house, yet he didn't anticipate his wife gaining her energy back. Something had set her off and she was standing in the cart at the ready. 77

Then he heard a scream. He hardly heard it but somehow he knew it was one of their children. Renate didn't wait for the cart to come to a complete stop. She jumped out and looked like she landed badly bending her ankle. She half ran and half limped the rest of the way into the house. He was slower than she and was only to the house before he heard her calling their children's names. Lenore let him know where to find them and he resignedly headed to the library.78

***79

While she had been listening to Heremon's thoughts, Lenore and Keir had been busy at work. Keir was one of the strongest and most trusted of their gens. Best of all he was the strongest supporter of killing off the prophesied bloodline. He would have killed each of these children if Lenore didn't want them alive to torture Renate further.80

The sicarius came carefully through the door. She was not stupid, nor was Lenore. Lenore left the candles unlit and Keir behind the door. She and Keir could see in the dark far better than this human. When the sicarius stepped through, her eyes first went to her children and Lenore saw the relief cross her face. Renate stupidly took a step forward before checking the room. Keir grabbed her from behind making her drop the small dagger she was holding.81

He tossed her like a sack of potatoes to Lenore's feet. The children screamed and Lenore laughed at the pure energy. She loved scaring children. 82

"So, this is Renate? The great sicarius? We are unimpressed." Lenore always spoke in majestic plural when faced with an inferior human.83

The sicarius attempted to push up onto her knees when Keir stepped on her. "Have respect for our Queen!" 84

Lenore bent down so that the pitiful woman could see her sideways. She certainly didn't believe this woman could ever fulfill the prophecy. "We'll see how great you are, after I kill your children!" she hissed.85

That's when the door blew open. Lenore didn't have to look up to know Heremon found them and he was horrified at seeing his children in such fear.86

"What are you doing?" he asked.87

"Everything will be fine Heremon. Wait by the door," Lenore said softly to him. 88

Renate looked at her in a new light; she caught the subtlety in Lenore's voice. It wouldn't be long before Renate put it together. With difficulty she bent her head towards Heremon. Lenore felt his horror as he realized she figured it out. He started to stammer something but Lenore stopped it in his head before it could form a cohesive thought.89

She had Keir release the sicarius then dragged the woman up herself.90

"Isn't this ironic? The hunted kills the sicarius, and the man whom you saved from them has betrayed you to them?" Lenore asked just before her teeth pierced Renate's neck. She was careful not to drink too much. Her King ordered no one to take her soul and while she didn't like it, even she had to do as she was told by him.91

Lenore licked her lips clean of the hunter's blood. "No, we shall not kill you so easily. You will watch your children die first."92

Keir pulled the eldest daughter by the hair towards the queen. Lenore remembered this one fondly; the sweet, sweet pure blood. She smelled her now and the girl whimpered, a deep forgotten memory had been triggered and Lenore loved the fear it caused. 93

Lenore remembered how she was interrupted the last time while drinking. She would not be this time and made sure Keir held Heremon and the sicarius in control. She savored the blood as it slid down her throat, the children yelled, and this one struggled. She sucked down every last drop and when the girl's soul came she was in near ecstacy. Such an angelic little girl and now she was all hers.94

Heremon hadn't moved. He'd been too much in shock watching what the woman he loved was doing. Finally as his daughter fell to the ground and Lenore looked at him he stuttered, "You-you killed my-"95

"Shhhhh...." Lenore placed a finger over Heremon's mouth and gently worked her way through his mind. "I'll make you forget this tragic event. You'll never again feel pain from it." She couldn't bear to see him in pain. "I'll let the others go, ok?"96

Heremon still recovering managed to nod a little. Lenore waved her hand at Keir and he let go of the two little ones. They stood there shaking.97

"Dadda?" the littlest one squeaked. 98

"Go to the Lord's house, Anna. He will care for you."99

"We're not leaving you, daddy." The older one crossed her arms. Keir bent over them and growled. His sharp teeth dripped with saliva and the girls screamed as they ran from the room.100

"Monsters!" Renate's horse voice managed to get out. Lenore forgot she was still alive. 101

"No, we are not. We will show you mercy." She touched Keir's mind and he bent down taking Renate's head in his hands. He would prefer to drain her but the King's order forbade it. Instead with a quick movement he broke her neck. 102

Heremon winced at the sound and nearly cried to see another woman in his life murdered, but his mind was calmed quickly enough by Lenore. "I am a merciful Queen." She kissed him, and it was all forgotten.103

"For you, I did it all for you," she said. He kissed her back. His kiss was like drinking the finest wine. It refreshed her and fed her with all the emotion flowing between them.104

She held his face in her hands. She was afraid to ask him what she was about to. What if he said no? She'd never been afraid of a man's rejection. They always said yes and if they didn't she'd make them. Not him, she couldn't do that to him. He'd done so much for her today. He deserved the best.105

Yes, she would give him the best. The best life she could, forever. 106

"My dear, will you come with me now?" She knew his answer before he did and he didn't even hesitate.107

"Yes."108

"This will be slightly painful, but it will pass quickly." 109

He gulped loudly steeling himself. "I can take it." 110

She bit him and as before she felt his blood flow into her. It gave her quite a euphoric feeling. It felt like a thousand fairies were dancing on her body. His blood was exactly what she needed and she didn't want to stop. She did though while he was still conscious. Keir handed her the dagger he'd taken from Renate. She slit her wrist and the lightheaded Heremon took a moment to focus on it before he positioned himself to take the dripping blood. 111

She loved feeling others go through suborior and he was her favorite so far. It didn't take much vampire blood to begin the change. He made sure he took more than enough. Every inch of his body felt as if it were being pinched. He fell to the ground and she knelt down beside him. She had to fight to separate her own feelings from his. Some parts felt like they tingled, others were cold as ice and the more sensitive areas itched. Lenore stopped her urge to scratch. "It will be over soon." She whispered in his ear. The ice and tingles turned to warmth almost like he was near a fire. Lenore took him up in her arms. "I will protect you." She kissed him and he was grateful for her affection.112

"Is it done?" He asked somewhat disappointed at his weakness.113

"Yes. You are a vampire now, and no doubt hungry."114

"Only for you." He said with a smile and she kissed him. She believed him to be more beautiful in this vulnerable position and had more of an urge to rock him, then to make love to him. She resisted as Keir still watched over them.115

Heremon, however, seemed to be thinking and worrying a bit. "You'll be with me and love me always won't you?"116

"Forever." She said. Though even she knew nothing lasted forever. She looked over to the two dead humans and wondered just how long their forever would last before the prophecy was fulfilled.