CHAPTER I
It's really not that bad, he thought as the girl moaned and shuddered beneath him. She had stopped struggling an hour ago, and he had proceeded to drink her dry.
It wasn't about the sex, goodness no; Gabriel could find interest in a woman as much as the next man, but he was more
interested in the blood running through their veins. After all, that was the true nature and main priority of a Vampire. Of course, the younger one was, the more blood they required. Gabriel himself was still considered a fledgling in the world of Vampir, but he was much older than any human had ever lived to be, and much wiser.
Gabriel sat up and wiped his mouth with a black handkerchief he had retrieved from his breat pocket; the 24 years of his human life had taught him manners, if nothing else, and he had not forgotten it 200 years later. Beneath him, the girl let out more noises, weakly trying to push Gabriel off of her; it was no use, however. Gabriel, vampire or not, was still heavier and stronger than his victim - if he chose, she would have no chance. After a long moment, Gabriel decided to spare the girl's life; he stood, straightening his old-fashioned suit and stretching. He looked down at the dazed and nearly bloodless girl before him, smirking. "Run along, when you feel... up to it," Gabriel told her. The girl blinked, looking up at him with a mixture of confusion and uncertainty. When he looked back at her expectantly, she realised that she was to test her well-being; finally, she pushed herself to her feet, albeit a bit unsteadily. Gabriel did not offer assistance, which visibly annoyed his surviving victim. She brushed herself off as she glared at him, but he regarded her as a person would an art piece. Finally, the girl gave him her full attention, but not without a flair of attitude; her hands
were on her hips, her glare had intensified, and she was in a "Don't fuck with me" stance.
"For someone who is recovering from massive blood loss, you seem to be faring rather well," Gabriel commented lightly, as if
he was discussing the weather.
"Good to know," the girl sneered, and her tone was much more aggressive and sarcastic; she might as well have said, "Thanks
for telling me something I already know, asshole."
Gabriel's expression revealed nothing but great amusement, which was slightly unnerving to the already restless girl.
"How do you feel?" he asked, smiling expectantly.
"Oh, a few bumps, bruises... bite marks," The girl replied with irritation. "That'll be easy to hide."
Gabriel's eyebrows shot up.
"My apologies," he said. It seemed that even he was surprised by his manners. Then again, she was the first victime he had ever spared.
The girl eyed him suspiciously. "What are you?"
"Vampir." Gabriel bowed his head, as if he were acknowledging his existence.
The girl frowned, hesitating.
"You know," she said after a pause, "I really feel like I have no choice but to believe you."
The Vampire smirked. "It's easier to believe something when one is not entirely human themselves."
Gabriel's survivor shrugged. "That makes sense," she said. "I'm a demon."
"I'm not surprised. You were quite... delicious."
"Right... I'm just going to pretend that was just a compliment and not creepy at all."
Gabriel grinned, his fangs glistening in the moonlight.
"If you're a Demoness," he began, "then you should be familiar with my name, Gabriel, and my title-"
"Prince of Vampir Himmel" the girl finished. "Vampire Prince. I'm well aware of your status."
Reluctantly, she bowed her head and curtsied, sighing.
"My name is Nadina, of the Laira Kingdom," she said, sliding gracefully out of her curtsy.
Gabriel tilted his head curiously. "Laira, in Atlantis?"
Nadina nodded.
"Well then," the Vampire continued. "What is a water dweller like you doing on land?"
Nadina snorted. "We weren't always water dwellers, Gabriel. We were forced to hide after the threat of human revelation arose. Millions of our greatest Practitioners of Magick died to give us the ability to survive underwater."
"I see," Gabriel said with fascination. "So you're what humans call 'merpeople'?"
"Yes," Nadina replied, sounding almost gleeful. "You're catching on. But real Mers died out long ago, they went extinct with the Saurs."
"Dinosaurs and Mers?" Gabriel's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"Of course," the Demoness answered, her sapphire eyes wide. "Who do you think you descended from? I'm surprised... but I guess I shouldn't be, humans are ignorant of true evolution."
Gabriel looked Nadina over closely; her pale skin seemed to be devoid of any injuries now, and the bite marks were barely visible anymore, either. The Vampire decided that it would be safe to approach her. When he stepped forward, Nadina flinched, but did not look away.
"You have not answered my question," Gabriel said softly, advancing on the young Demon. "Why are you above water?"
Nadina blinked, letting out a 'humph'.
"Very well, Prince," she said. "The High Kingdom of Laira is aware of the coming war between humans and those of the übernatural."
Gabriel blinked. "War?"
"Yes" Nadina answered; now she was getting closer to Gabriel. "They have sent me to be your companion."
"...Why?" "I am the best Handmaiden to the Royal Family, and thanks to the required training to be a Handmaiden, I am also their greatest female warrior."
"How reassuring to know that a fledgling will protect me."
Gabriel's comment had gone too far. There was a flash of red as Nadina swiped at the Vampire's chest; Gabriel staggered back in shock, staring at the claws extending from Nadina's fingers.
"Make no assumptions, sweet Prince," The Demon Handmaiden growled, her flaming red hair whipping around her like fire. "I am plenty able to take care of your petty enemies, as well as my more powerful inferiors!"
Gabriel righted himself and tried to straighten his suit, wich was now torn and stained with his own blood; his wounds were inching closed, slowly sealing his skin back together again.
"Forgive me," he said smoothly. "I have offended you."
"Offended, my ass!" Nadina snarled. "I'm beyond pissed!"
"Not my intention, I assure you."
"You'd better hope so, your frickin' majesty."
Gabriel bowed his head.
"I speak only the truth," he said quietly. "I would be honoured to have a companion such as yourself."
Nadina rolled her eyes, but Gabriel could tell by her pleased expression that he had corrected himself.
"Right, sure, whatever," she said. Stepping forward, Nadina offered her hand to Gabriel. "Come on, we have much to prepare for."
Gabriel hesitated, but he took her hand (which was as cold as his); there was a flash of light, and when normalcy returned to the night, all that remained was a single drop of Vampire blood.


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