The First Chronicles Book I

Introduction

The light faded with the sun falling behind the western sky. The winds were transferring the cool air across the desolate land, moving leaves along the rugged terrain that shaped the grounds on which it lay. Tucked away in a nook on the side of the Southern Carpathian, also known as the Transylvanian Alps, was a castle built with dark stone. It was placed there as if someone had carved the mountain halfway down with an ice cream scoop to place this oversized gloomy residence. The castle’s walls were made from a dark stone, a shade lighter than obsidian. Darkness came earlier in this blackened atmosphere than it did in the world surrounding this shadow-filled abyss. The evening wind rustled the leaves with its mellow gusts, moving them along the ground and giving the earth’s floor motion.

The black-haired prince of darkness hardly took notice of the mellow air stream as he stood erect on his second-story balcony. His shoulder-length locks lashed his sculptured face with feather-like force. He drew in a deep breath to slow release. “How could I do this?” He thought to himself. Dracula was going over his course of actions he took last night. He stood, still uncertain if he made the right choice. He drew in another exaggerated breath, turned, and walked through the double doors leading to the master suite.

The room had a warm glow to it, surprising considering the black-colored stone walls that surrounded the occupied space. The room was immense, furnished with mahogany dressers, chairs, nightstands, armoire, and tables. Each handmade piece of furniture surrounded a king-size four-post bed. Bold colors were rich, making them a contrast reflecting off each other, creating a strong and daring visual effect. The white candles that lined the stone walls offset the wood furniture, flickering a soft glow bouncing through tiny bits of light. Each white wax stick in contrast with the room and themselves cradled with silver fixtures. There was a shelf built beside the dresser lined with small crystal bottles filled with oils and fragrant flower scents. The wash basin was clean crisp white porcelain. There were a few standing pieces of art carved from ivory and stone. The room was pure, a far cry from the curse that had just been bestowed upon the Count, his wife, and his children. His bargain with the Devil had given him eternity on this earth with the horrifying constant thirst for blood.

Dracula walked over to the bed, gently pulling back the oversized comforter. Underneath, a small framed girl lay with hair the colour of onyx, and skin the color of a porcelain doll. The girl looked up at the dark prince and smiled. The Count sat in bed beside the frail girl. “Good morning, my love. Ready to begin your journey in your new life?” The Count’s wife smiled, and looked up at him, “What do you mean, my love?” The Count drew his wife close to him, whispering in her ear, “Linda, my love, please forgive me."

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The moments passed each second more frightening than the last. My mind racing realizing this was not my familiar pillow of comforts. As I was sitting there lost in my sea of unimaginable thoughts when I felt the hand touched the small of my back. My body stiffened uncertain of how to react to the foreign feel of an unfamiliar touch. With caution, I looked to my right, surprised at how my eyes had adjusted to the dark. My eyes met with the seductive eyes I had met earlier that evening. James took his other arm and placed it around my waist pulling me to lie beneath him. It was unbelievable how fluid and strong his motions were no matter what the action was that took place. I laid back down and nestled in the bed while I looked up at him, “James,” I began. “This is a mistake.” He cut me off by cornering my mouth with his and hypnotizing me with his rhythmic motions. Next thing I know I woke up feeling this incredible dryness in my throat. James came somewhere out of the corner of the room holding a wine glass in hand with red wine already poured. I glanced up and watched his graceful stride in awe as he closed the distance between us. Once he was beside me, he handed the crystal glass and I took a drink, well a gulp as I looked at his lean flawless body. His torso was the perfect shade of tan showing off the muscle definition in his stomach, chest, and back. I was uncertain if he had anything else on but jeans.

He walked back towards my direction with the grace of a talented dancer and I thought, “what the hell. I reached a hand down to the unbuttoned jeans and then pulled his body towards me. It astonished me at my strength as his body came with motion easier than I would have expected. He placed both arms on the bed, one on each side of me and looked at me. His kiss sealed my fate and our intimacy went on for hours, he blurted out. “I was completely at a loss for words at this moment. My voice finally came back, and I whispered the next words I spoke. I should get going back home.” The instant intensity in the air increased and James rolled over positioning his body to lie on top of my own. I felt helpless under the weight of his body. Well, I was helpless around him period. Discipline and control seem to always abandon me in the presence of this man. “No Ariyanna,” he said in a serious tone of voice. “You will stay here. Your dog and cat are already here.” Only seconds passed before I interrupted, a voice filled with shock and confusion. “How did you know about my cat and dog” Wait, wait, never mind. Right now, that is a moot point, the other is I have to work tonight.” James took his hands and straightened both of my arms above my head, all the while shaking his head no., I have called your boss and told him you no longer work there, and he is to send your last paychecks here.” My body stiffened, and I squirmed trying to move his off the top of me. At that moment, I froze with terror as he growled and tightened his grip on my wrists. “I said no!” He snapped. I shook my head because I knew my eyes had deceived me. But what I saw was not a hallucination. I was looking into a pair of blue eyes with flecks of red. The eyes brought out the color of his perfect teeth that had two unnaturally long canines. “What the?” I whispered. I moved to where my body thrashed but could not make any progress. “Stop!” he yelled, voice commanding. I ceased all movement and looked into a stranger’s eyes that had deceived me beyond words. The first night we met he had seduced me, taken into his bed, where he would change my life by taking it.

I was reborn….