Prologue

Smoke fills the young vampire's lungs as she hurries towards the teleportal. It was dark and she was having a hard time seeing. Being a young vampire like herself, her senses and immune system haven't fully developed yet. She ran through the forest as fast as her small legs could carry her. Green flames ignited behind her, driving her out of the forest, but the main objective was to kill her. Her pursuers needed her gone; she posed a threat. They had already taken care of the child's mother, and she was next.

The young vampire could just make out a bright blue circle that illuminated the trees and shrubbery around it. The portal, just a few more steps, and then she was safe. She smiled pumping her legs to a quicker speed as the fire continued to roar behind her. The vampire is nearly there, but an uprooted root catches her foot causing her to crash onto the ground. Her face meets the earth, and her head begins to throb fiercely. Gold blood leaks from a head wound. She winces in pain, attempting to stand. Once back on her feet she hurries to the circle, with a few minutes to spare. In the blue circle the young vampire rakes her brain to remember the spell her mother told her to remember when she got here.

The green flames came closer as she watched them lick at the earth and trees, but they didn't burn. That particular fire, 'The Green Flame', as her teachers called it was only meant to burn its victims. Only a few individuals are able to master such a flame. It took years to get it right. Many have died trying to control the flame. As the flames converge on her, the young vampire closed her eyes. Tears leak down her cheek, but she doesn't dare make a sound. An image of her mother plagues her mind. She could remember her warm smile, the way the sun shined against her brown skin. How they'd spend time together in the garden behind the palace, planting flowers and a few berry bushes. How her mother's golden eyes were always full of happiness.

Even though her mother ruled with an iron fist, she was still loved and adored by many of her subjects. Her people were treated with care, they were listened to, and she made a decision to help them. In her last moments with her mother, the young vampire remembered the panic in her mother's eyes. She told her how to get to the forest from the servant's hallway within the castle walls. And once there get to the teleportal in the middle of the forest.

As a result, the girl could not remember the spell.

"Please...." the diminutive vampire opens her eyes and pleads towards the sky. The sky was pitch black, but the green glow from the approaching flames cast eerie shadows making her shiver. She gets on her knees, tears still leaking from her eyes. The vampire's voice wavers as she bows to her head. " I need your help, my goddess....". "I need to know if my mother is safe. I pray to you Goddesses Nyx of the night children......to help me..."

Initially, nothing happens as the flames envelop the young vampire, allowing her to whimper as the flames converge on her. She could already feel the heat of the flames coming closer, taunting her with their nearness. Suddenly the wind began to blow, and the trees around her swayed to an unrhythmic beat. A warm tingle shoots through the young vamp's spine making her feel fuzzy inside. A black and gold glow highlights her body like second skin.

I hear you my child......For I have heard your cry. A feminine voice whispered in the young vamp's head. It seemed as if the green flames had accelerated and had been merely inches away from her when she heard the voice.

As the portal began dragging the little vamp, a few of the green flames caught her arm. Then like the wind she was swept away. The young vampire princess was safe. In a tree watching everything, a lone figure stood. They stared at the spot the young princess disappeared from, curiosity burning through them. As the flames began to disperse. They couldn't help but smile. Even though the mission was a bust, they had witnessed something that no one else would ever see in their lifetime. The young princess was kissed by the night goddess, Nyx. Thus, her death would be even more valuable.

The flames slither up the tree and back to its master, wrapping around them. The figure relished its warmth and disappeared back into the darkness like a shadow.