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The darkness fell gradually, slowly, silently over the nearby woods while enveloping the almost secluded land. The great towering trees seemed to come alive at night, swaying slightly as the cold, icy breeze caressed their browning leaves, casting tall shadows across the interfusion of black and red roses which were planted messily below. The only light for miles came from the dim, flickering lanterns spread throughout Rosa 'Raven's' antique castle, which sent shadows dancing against the red and black high walls in perfect time with the slight breeze that pondered the long, cold halls. The rose fragranced air seemed to illuminate her deadly pale skin which over time had acquired a very slight silky blue shimmer. As she stood motionless inches from the great dark ebony window frame casting her tranquil eyes over the never ending landscape far below, she was met with the sight that had always welcomed her. Taking in a deep breath she filled her lungs with the fresh, icy countryside air, just as she had done as a child, just as she had done many times before. As she looked out onto the silent night sky, concentrating on one lonely distant star as the moonlight emphasised her beauty, her high cheekbones, her plump bloodstained lips, her almost luminescent eyes, she reflected on her life.

Rosa had been turned at the delicate age of sixteen by her Sire. Her long wavy, red hair fell to just below her breasts, the contrast between her emerald gown and flowing locks only made the pigmentation of her tresses look more vibrant. Elegant. Mysterious. She could enthrall anyone that crossed her path, male or female. She looked of the highest regal standard. But no one knew her secret, her anguish. She was lonely without those she loved so dearly, and her companions of the same conformation had deserted her. She was truly living in the darkness. If living is what you could call it.

She had been walking for what seemed like an eternity given that every ounce of her strength was diminishing fast, having not satisfied her craving for fresh blood during the last two nightfalls. Exhausted and dishevelled, finally nearing the town she caught sight of the nearing street lights which appeared to be flaunting misty 'halos' caused by the damp, dismal night. As she strode positively yet wearily towards the unsuspecting town her flowing dress swept the dewy grass like a midnight tide lapping against a moonlit shore. Only a road remained between her and her innocent victim. Darkness came over her, hit her. She lay drowsily and hurting on the grassy verge at the other side of the road speckled with mud and tiny blades of dirty grass, her mind raced in confusion as to how she came to be there, unaware that she had been left for dead. Left for dead by one she loved.

Slowly sinking her razor sharp, pearly white fangs into the warm, pulsating flesh of her young victim bringing their now meaningless life into herself she grimaced at her actions. This moment seemed to last forever. 'Raven' could feel the golden brown particles of soft skin parting as she forced her needle point like teeth deeper. Deeper, more forcefully, deeper until the now fragmented skin gave way to steamy, tough flesh. A warmth rose from the pit of her stomach, a feeling that to someone so immortal is equivalent to all of the possible human highs rolled into one. Rosa felt more human than ever as the hot, crimson liquid seeped into her mouth in a slow steady stream bringing with it her victims memories, fears, intelligence'everything. At this moment she could hear her victim's violent heart, which just minutes ago, was thrashing against his chest, slowing and fading in pitch. The near lifeless body slipped from this beautiful adolescent's grasp and hit the ground with a faint, haunting thud in the space of seconds. A cloud of light brown earth floated off of the ground with the gust of air that was produced, creating a very eerie and sinister sight.