“Why, good morning My Lord,” she said. “What am I to do today?” She attempted not to sound over-enthusiastic, it being the antithesis of her true feelings.

        Raziel didn’t seem to pick up on the act, and if he did, he wasn’t letting on. He returned her smile and answered, “Today, I am to familiarize you with your surroundings, so regular tasks are not too hindering for you.” He already headed towards the door before stopping to look over his shoulder at her. “Step this way,” he added.
        Anna knew that she was a “servant” now, so this wasn’t really a request, but a command. Releasing a small breath that was too quiet to be a sigh, she grabbed her coat and walked out of the room after him.

        Needless to say, over the course of the first few weeks, Anna was hesitant to put any sort of trust in her “master”, although she was tempted to, at times. She often wondered if she should soften herself a bit, but her instincts knew otherwise. However, on one of her working days, that began to change...

        Anna was just finishing with her task of organizing the books in the library, when curiosity took over and she began to look through the book she was dusting. She became quite fascinated, despite herself. Leafing through the worn-down pages, she began to understand the history and position of the vampires of Nosgoth better than before. I wonder ... I wonder if Mother was wrong about vampires being ... evil, she thought to herself. Maybe they’re just misunderstood...

        “Interesting, is it not?”, came a voice from behind her.
        Anna nearly jumped in surprise. She turned to see Raziel leaning against the doorway.
        “Ahem. Y-Yes, quite,” she answered meekly. Finding her nerve again, she continued, “I never knew that vampires carried such a rich, diverse history.”
        Raziel smiled and walked up to her. Anna didn’t even realize she was smiling back at him until he began speaking.

        “Yes, indeed we do,” he replied calmly. “Though most of it is Lord Kain’s history and Vorador’s.”
        Anna nodded. “I see. Well ... Zurdoh has always been at war with the vampires. And my parents had always taught me to hate them, but I couldn’t agree with their views.” She didn’t know how what possessed her to bring that up, but she found herself continuing. “I guess you could say ... I make it a mission not to think badly of those you know little about.”

        The two were awkwardly silent for a moment, before Raziel spoke up.
        “Your mind is more open then that of most vampires,” he said. “It is a shame that there are not more humans like you.”
        Anna was beyond shocked when Raziel patted her hand somewhat affectionately before smiling at her and leaving the room.
        She almost found herself calling after him, but stopped. She had actually wanted him to stay? Reluctantly, she began to admit how much she enjoyed his company, lately. Almost laughing to herself, she put the book back in its place and went back to cleaning.

        Later that evening, when she had finished all of her duties around the Sanctuary, she had decided to go for a walk outside. Pulling her coat tight around her, she walked across the open courtyard, her mind constantly troubled. She was beginning to enjoy being here, but at the same time, she missed her family. Quite a lot, at times. But somehow, spending her time with Raziel made her stay more pleasant. She didn’t know what it was about him that was so ... comforting. She ventured to guess that it was probably his personality and charm, above all other things.

        Presently, she was joined by Raziel. She smiled, happy to see him again.
        “Hello, My Lord. How was your day?”
        Walking beside her, he nodded lightly. “Uneventful, but average, I suppose.” He looked over at her with a smile. “And you, my dear?”
        Anna was speechless that he would be interested about her. She was taken completely aback. “Well, busy, as usual, but I’d say it was a pretty good day, thank you.”

        They walked quietly for a moment, neither knowing what to say next. A few minutes later, the silence was broken by Anna.
        She turned to look at him, somewhat seriously, and asked, “Why is it that ... humans have always been so cold to your kind?”
        Raziel stopped walking and met her gaze. 
        Anna was beginning to feel a bit awkward, so she quickly added, “Besides, well...”
        “Feeding on them?,” he interjected.
        Anna nodded.
         He sighed heavily. “We often wonder about that, as well. It seems to us ... that it is the nature of humanity to fear what they do not understand.” He turned his bright eyes to the ground for a moment.

        Anna understood that she had touched upon a delicate subject, and planned out her next words carefully. Before she knew what she was doing, she found herself reaching for his clawed hand comfortingly, and sitting him down with her on a nearby stone. He looked up at her with great surprise.

        She hesitated a moment before saying, “And that is something I have never agreed with, and never will agree with, among my people. What you are is something you can’t help, and it’s wrong of them to judge you for that.” Anna sighed and looked down for the slightest of moments before turning her bright blue eyes back to Raziel, only to find him watching her intently. She was surprised to see him hanging upon her every word.  She smiled before continuing. “But that is not my way. And it never will be. I may not have ... ‘arrived’ here upon my own free will...,” she said softly. She hesitated for a moment before confessing, “...But I’ve begun to feel at home here. You’re not at all like the way my mother once depicted vampires.”

        Raziel was speechless for a long time before managing to say quietly. “Thank you.”
        Anna nodded briefly. “You are welcome, Your Majesty.”
        She began to stand up, but Raziel gripped her hand firmly in his talons, beckoning her to stay. She was quite confused and sat back down, watching him curiously.
        He smiled broadly and leaned forward to say in a low whisper, “Please ... call me by my name. It does not please me to think of you as just a ‘servant’.”
        Anna eyed him quizzically.
        “Especially when I think of you as my friend,” he added.
        Upon that statement, Anna returned his smile. “Then ... You are welcome, Raziel.”
Satisfied by this he loosened his grip upon her hand, but the two of them hesitated for an awkward moment before finally letting go. Anna cleared her throat nervously and with a meek grin got up and walked away.

        Raziel watched her go and sighed heavily. What is it about that girl that awakens such ... confusing emotions?, he wondered to himself. Could I ...? Impossible. The idea of it. Shaking his head doubtfully, he stood and retreated indoors.

        Needless to say, Anna and Raziel grew quite close over the next few months. About a year or so since her arrival to the vampire kingdom, they even became lovers, but secretly. None of the others knew about it, for if they did, they knew the price would be a heavy one...