I ran as fast as I could, arriving late again was incredulous! 
        Lord Raziel won't be pleased. I cursed as I round a corner, sure that I... 
        ...nearly ran into Dejign. 
        "Dear chyld, why are you running around like a juggernaut?" 
        "My deepest apologies Sir Dejign," I said bowing. " I was asked to play the lead female role in the up-coming play. I was looking for the book in the library....and lost track of time." 
        "Did you find it?" he asked me. I shook my head no. 
        "Here, you can borrow mine." The elder vampire withdrew a small leather-bound book from his robes. 
        I accepted it gratefully."Oh thank you Sir." 
        "Hurry now young one, don't keep him waiting." 

        Luckily, Raziel was engrossed in a chess game with Satrina when I walked in. 
        I enjoyed spending time away form the court with my family. Ever since our rebirth, Lord Raziel had always found time to be with us. 
        Raziel moved his queen, Satrina countered by moving her knight. "Check-mate." 
        I looked up from my book, he lost? That was rare, I smiled, rare indeed. (He had let her win.) 
        The story was on of my favorites. I flipped through the book, I didn't notice Satrina looking over my shoulder, "Your really into romance are you?" I jumped,"Don't sneak up on me like that." 
        "What are you reading?" she asked, snatching the book away. I tried to get it back, but she held me away with one hand as she read from the book in a mocking tone."Oh Romeo, Romeo. Wherefore art thou Romeo?" 
        "S-Satrina!" I felt my face grow warm as Raziel looked up. I whispered to her."Give me that book back." I reached for it but she held it away, She read another page."Sweet, so would I; Yet I should kill parting is such sweet sorrow...." 
        Raziel plucked the book from her hand. "Sleep well upon thine eyes, peace in thy breast. Would I were sleep and peace, so sweet to rest..." He closed the book. "Both of you are dismissed for today."He said as he handed the book back to me. 
        As we left, I glared angrily at my sister."why did you do that?" 
        "Kali, can't you take a joke?" She smiled "You believe in that romantic stuff don't you?" 
        "Well, yes." 
        We walked, Satrina nudged me. "Guess who's also in the play.....the one who is headed our way." I glanced up, then quickly looked down. Gavian was approaching. 
        "Your blushing Kali." She teased. 
        "Shut up." I hissed. 
        "Lady Kaliliah, there you are. Rehearsals start tomorrow." said Gavian. 
        I smiled politely, "Thank you, I wasn't aware of that." 
        "Excuse me ." Satrina left us. 
        With her gone, Gavian seemed to ease. "I'm curious, what role will you be playing?" 
        "Juliet." 
        "That's great, this Romeo has found his Juliet." 

        In short, it took many weeks of rehearsals. Finaly the play could begin.  Life in the clan was not all tradtions. Offen, when the Vampire Lords were not warring among them selves. They threw tornaments and banquts to enteran the court.  The amphithearter, built (moslty out of bordom) with many tiers curved around an open air stage. 
From the top tier Satrina leaned forward in her seat wating for the play to begin. 

        Rebecca wasn't enjoying this, she looked up to where that girl-child sat with Raziel. That welp acts like she blongs there she thought.  This was too much, Rebecca left the amphitheater, scowling. 

        The Play was coming to an end, the Man worked quickly, he put an arrow in the cross-bow. At this avange point he could see his target clearly. Slowly, the assassin squeezed the trigger.... 

        The audience applauded, rasising to it's feet.  A scream of pain sounded from the topmost tier, Satrina held her hand with the arrow protruding from it As she doubled over in pain, Gavian called out the guards. 
The would-be assassin ran for his life. He truned a couner and almost collided with a woman. 

        We were escorted back to our rooms. The arrow had been removed, Satrina's injured hand bound.  The city was in an uproar, the Razielim court threw accustions and thories. There was even talk of the shape-shifting race of vampires known as the Gangrel.  As I heard all this, I woundered who would want to harm a fledgling like her...true she was Raziel's frist-born daughter, then again so was I. Opening the door to her room I found it empty. 
        "Satrina?" 

I reached out my mind to find her, vampires who are close to one other often can sence each other's pressence and state of mind.  With my mind I felt her confusion......then suddenly nothing.  She was gone.