The dizziness already gone, she could concentrate on her surroundings. She noted that she was in a rather large prisoner’s chamber.  It was quite dark, only lit by several lanterns hanging from the rafters above her and two fixed torches mounted on either side of the doorway.  Aside from that, dark shadows were everywhere.  This place is probably crawling with rats, she thought bitterly.  This was not what frightened Anna.  She also noted that her sister was not with her...

        Her eyes widened at this realization and she scrambled to her feet, almost stumbling with the effort, searching the room frantically for her sister.

        “Marie?!”, she cried meekly.

        She nearly jumped at the sound of a heavy lock being undone on the door, and it creaked open noisily. Two new vampires she had not seen before entered.

        The first, a male with a hefty scar across one eye, walked up to her.  “So the effects of the wolfbane we administered has worn off.  Good...”

        Anna bit her tongue to keep herself from lunging at him.  Wolfbane, she thought. That’s why I felt so ill. In large doses, it proves fatal...  She almost shuddered at the thought that she could have been poisoned.

        Regaining her nerve, she spoke slowly and ominously, “Where ... is ... my ... sister...?”

        The second vampire, a tall, thin and lanky male with an odd symbol tattooed on his chest, emerged behind the other.  “She is perfectly all right.  The drug has worn off her, as well,” he stated flatly.

        Losing her patience, Anna narrowed her eyes, speaking a little more forcefully this time through clenched teeth.  “I said, where ... is she...?”

        Both the vampire guards exchanged evil snickers and the scarred vampire turned back to Anna.  As he bared his fangs in a sinister grin, she noticed that one of his fangs was capped in gold.

        “You can ask more questions later,” he said patronizingly.  With a low chuckle, he and his accomplice headed to the thick wooden door. 

        The thinner vampire halted before following the other out of the chamber.  “Just don’t expect to get many answers from His Majesty when he arrives...”

        Anna stared at the speaking vampire quizzically.

        He seemed to be amused by this and laughed as he exited the room and began to close the door.

        Anna gasped, and hurried to the door, her only hope of escaping.  Just as she reached it, the door slammed shut heavily.  Anna pounded helplessly upon the door, but soon gave up.  With a despairing sigh, Anna retreated to her previous location and sank to the ground miserably.  As she closed her eyes, tears brimmed and fell from her eyes.

        “Oh, Marie,” she whispered sadly. “I’m so sorry...”

        Anna soon lost track of time.  She wondered how long she had been here.  Hours seemed to fly by at twice their normal speed.  As she looked out the barred window to her chamber, she saw that night was swiftly approaching, and the stars took their place in the sky.  Anna was already beginning to miss her beloved family and knew that they must fear the worst.

        But is this really the worst? she thought to herself.  Is death really the worst of my possible fates?  Unlife must be far worse than any death.  Knowing that to be true, she sighed.

        She suddenly came on the alert as she heard the lock coming undone once more.

        “Not again...” she moaned to herself.

        The door opened and a lone vampire entered.  Anna was completely taken aback by this newcomer.  All the vampires she had “met” thus far were quite repulsive, to say the least.  But this vampire, she forced herself to admit, was quite handsome.  His skin was as pale as ivory, with raven black hair.  His eyes were a piercingly bright golden green, and watched Anna calmly.  He was wearing a heavy dark cloak, but she could see some sort of high official’s uniform underneath.  Was this the individual the other guards had been talking about?

        Anna spoke carefully, to prevent her voice from shaking nervously. “Who are you...?”

        His voice seemed to take on a certain air as he said, “I, mortal, am Lord Raziel. Firstborn of Kain’s lieutenants.”

        Anna could hardly suppress a shocked gasp as her eyes widened ever so slightly. A clan leader?!

        Raziel continued. “I was informed of your little ‘riot’ and we are far from amused...”

        Anna was a little uneasy by his harsh tone, but built up her confidence, nonetheless. Stepping a little closer, she worked up the courage to ask another question. “Why am I being held here?”

        The other frowned visibly. “This is not an interrogation session. I shall supply information when I see fit,” he said sternly.

        Anna was beginning to lose patience again, but kept her tongue and temper in check. “Then what can you tell me?”

        “I am inclined to make you aware of your current situation, by offering you the following choices...”

        Choices.  Just wonderful, Anna thought ruefully. Probably none includes being released.

        “First,” he began. “You can remain in this...” He trailed off for a moment to gaze around the cell in aloof distaste before continuing. “...Rat pit ... to eventually become a member of my standing army,” he said, his face barely changing at all.

        Anna did not like this option at all.  As she wondered what her second option could be, she sighed heavily.

        Raziel appeared to be amused by Anna’s bland expression as his dark lips curled into a grin.  His tone lightened ever so slightly as he gave Anna her second possible fate. “Or ... you may be released from here...”

        Anna’s heart nearly leapt into her throat with excitement.  She was going home! Or so she thought...

        “...And  become my personal servant, to do as I ask without question.”

        Anna’s high hopes fell through the floor as quickly as they had risen.  She struggled to hide her severe disappointment as she contemplated her options.  Had she been given the opportunity to go home, she would have seized it.  But since that liberty was not presented to her, she would make do with her current situation in the meantime. She turned her gaze away from Raziel for a moment to ponder the “agreement” carefully.

        Anna remembered her poor little sister, Marie, alone in a dark rat-infested cell, and her mind raced to conjure up a way to save her.  Suddenly the perfect solution hit her—she would use these given options to her advantage.

        Crossing her arms in front of her, Anna looked up at Raziel again.  She smirked slyly as she felt her confidence reach its usual high.  “The terms sound fair enough. However, I have my own term to present.”

        Raziel raised an eyebrow curiously. “Oh?”

        “I will give you my unconditional services ... in exchange for my sister’s freedom,” she stated calmly.

        The vampire lord’s expression hardened distrustfully.  “Why should I trust you to keep your word?  Humans have been known to be deceitful.”

        Insulted, Anna narrowed her eyes slightly and said harshly, “From my experience in the woods, and all that I’ve heard of your kind, you are just as capable of the same!”

        Raziel’s eyes widened for a moment.  He stared at her wordlessly for a moment, a little more than surprised by her boldness, and even a little impressed.  This lass has quite a lot of nerve for a mortal, he thought to himself.

        He couldn’t help but soften a little after some time, while Anna never took her stern gaze off him.  “Your courage is admirable.  Although I still have my doubts, I shall give you what you ask - the girl - in exchange for you.” Raziel allowed himself to smile charmingly.  “Agreed?”

        Anna forced herself to hesitate, in order to hide her eagerness, for a brief moment before nodding slowly. “Agreed.”

        With a single nod, Raziel was about to turn around to leave, when he turned back around to look at her.  Studying her curiously for a moment, his voice was visibly gentler than before.  “What do they call you, my dear?”

        Anna smiled proudly.  Lifting her head high with all the dignity she could muster, she answered,  “I, Lord Raziel, am Anna Methuselah, first born daughter of Sir Ian Methuselah.”

        Although he didn’t let it show, Raziel was inwardly impressed that this girl was of warrior lineage. That must account for her willingness to face my soldiers in the forest, he noted silently.  I must remember not to underestimate her...

        Raziel nodded, satisfied by her answer.  “Then step this way, Anna. I shall allow you to bid farewell to your sibling.”

        Anna was astonished by his generosity and smiled.  “Thank you.”

        He simply smiled back and wordlessly beckoned her to follow.

        Anna was more than happy to oblige.

        Anna was led to the locked door of a smaller holding cell, knowing that Marie was inside.  Her heart ached at the thought of her beloved sister, caged up like an animal, but was highly relieved to know she would be free soon enough.  Raziel left her side for a moment to address the two guards who had entered her prison chamber when she had first awakened.

        His voice took on a commanding, leaderly tone as he said,  “Drakkon, Aklar—release this prisoner. She is of little use to us.”

        The two vampires were shocked by their Lord’s words, but obeyed without question.  Drakkon, the scarred guard, took out a keychain with several rusty keys hanging from it from his black, leather belt and fitted a key in the lock. With a loud clunk, the lock released, and the door was opened.  Soon, Marie was ushered out and she immediately ran to Anna.

        Anna was more than happy to embrace her warmly, stroking her dark black hair as her sister wept on her shoulder from the fright.  Anna stole a quick glance at Raziel in silent gratitude.  When Marie finally recomposed herself, her teal-tinted gray eyes met her sister’s icy gaze questioningly.

        “Anna,” she said meekly. “Why am I being released? Are we free?”  Anna bit her lip.  Little Marie’s face looked so hopeful.  It broke her heart to give her grim response.

        “Well,” she said quietly, her voice slightly shaky with emotion.  “You’re going home.”  Anna lowered her head sadly, unable to bear the look on her sister’s face that would follow her next words.  “I must remain.  I’ve sworn my services to them, so that you may be freed from here.”

        Marie’s stormy eyes widened in sorrow and horror.  “What?!  No!  You have to come with me!  You just have to!” she cried over a strangled sob.

        Anna tried to remain solemn throughout all this, though it was tearing her up inside to be separated from her dear little sibling.  “You,” she began, “have to promise me that you’ll look after Mother and Father, understood?  And tell them I’m all right.” Anna hoped that last part was going to be true.

        Marie sighed shakily and nodded once. “Yes,” she said in a voice barely above a whisper.  Though she prayed with all her might that Anna would be okay, in her heart she couldn’t truly believe that.  Especially where vampires were concerned...

        Aklar was looking impatient with all this, tapping a claw against his pike handle.

        Finally willing herself to bid Marie good-bye, Anna embraced her sister one last time and ushered her to the waiting guards that would escort her to freedom.  Aklar grabbed Marie somewhat roughly by the arm and led her away.

        Anna stayed kneeling on the floor where she was for a moment as she watched Marie disappear down the spiraling stone steps.  She could only pray that Marie would make it safely back home.  Anna blinked back tears, already missing her parents.  With a light sigh, she finally stood up and looked over at Raziel, who was eyeing her levelly. Was there some minimal concern in his eyes?  She could have sworn she had seen it.

        Though, she didn’t think it would make much difference—and was probably half musing to herself, anyway—she managed to keep her voice from shaking as she said as light-heartedly as she could,  “Well ... she’ll be all right.”

        Aklar pulled Marie along as far as to the outside of the dungeon doors and gave her a mild shove as he released her.  He pointed to the forest, leading to Zurdoh and said gruffly, “Get going, you little wench. You no longer have any purpose here.”

        As Marie dusted off her tattered sleeves, she narrowed her eyes hatefully at the vampire.  Up till now, she had been afraid of these creatures.  Knowing that she was free and there was nothing they could do about it instilled a new bravery within her.  With a newfound voice, she clenched her small fists and snapped, “Yeah, well, you’re going to regret this! You won’t get away with making a slave out of my sister!  My people will make a huge army, invade your stupid empire, and kill all of you!  Down to the very last blood-sucking beast!”

        Aklar was about to draw his pike when she dashed into the forest and disappeared.  The tall, thin vampire tightened his grip on his weapon with a low growl. “An army, you say?” he said quietly.  “Well ... we shall see about that, little girl.” With an evil chuckle, he sauntered off to the soldier’s barracks.

        After Marie’s release, Anna was led to the private quarters, where she would be staying.  She tried her hardest to not appear withdrawn as her thoughts battled to make sense of themselves.

        Why has he shown such mercy towards me, when he could have easily left me to rot in that prison cell? she wondered.  What difference could one prisoner make to a vampire?  Anna was suddenly hit with the chilling thought that this was just for his temporary amusement, before she was converted into a vampire.  God, she hoped not! She would rather be a vampire lord’s servant than an actual vampire, herself.

        When Anna finally pried herself away from these thoughts, Raziel was already about to leave.

        “These,” he said, “are to be your own personal quarters, where you are to rest each night. You may go wherever you wish within the Empire’s grounds, but not beyond. Do you understand?”  His tone was gentle, but forceful.

        Anna nodded politely.  “Yes ... My Lord.”  She hoped she could get used to saying that, knowing she would be saying it quite a lot.

        Lord Raziel seemed to be satisfied by her show of respect and smiled at her before leaving.

        Now by herself, Anna sighed heavily and flopped down on one of the chairs. She ran her fingers through her dark brown hair as she thought about her predicament. She began to wonder just how long her “services” would last.  All her life?  Would she never see her family again?  A tear coursed its way down her cheek at the thought of that.  She loved her family more than anything—didn’t it show, when she sacrificed her freedom to grant Marie hers?

        She decided to temporarily dismiss her family from her mind, concluding that a good night’s rest would probably make things brighter in the morning.  As she drifted off, her mind involuntarily returned to her family, and her heart ached.  With tears in her eyes, she finally fell asleep.