s if I had just stepped into a mountain cave. All the windows were closed. T

around th

om led to a separate hall. I could see massive bookshelves fr

Then I thought I heard a sound as I waited for some

ar, revealing a canopied bed. There were sheer hangin

the sight of this elegant place lured me in. My feet d

hair and hurled me like a rag do

ice spoke. I gasped and tried to get up, but

reathe, let

e flowing black silk. She had bright golden eyes that burned hot like two miniature suns. Th

n a face like this. She was also heavier than she looked. I felt as if I was pressed by a hundre

d off, but it was pointless. She was a vampire,

woman let go of my throat yet still locked m

cold breath fanning my cheeks. She smelled like sweet-scented wildflowers in the deep dark fore

no words came out. Then

coaxed at me. "You k

kill me, " I

laug

ing to kill you now. I'm going

ite fangs drew out of her gum like a cat's claws. They were as sharp as butcher knives. A frightened gasp escaped my lips. My

one, " she said.

to that. But she nodded as

not going to b

reamed in sheer pain. It was agonizing how her razor-sharp teeth s

n released my

ps in satisfaction. "Too bad, I'm not hungry enough

e got off me and s

the door. "But from now on, you're

he sight of my own blood. It stained like red roses on the white shee

twenties, but I could never be sure what a vampire's real age was. Even so, she was the most be

slipped through the door then

*

her pair of beautiful golden eyes staring at me. I gasped, stumbling away in fright. But an arm wrappe

young blo

ke with a hint of a Russian accent to me

ar. The woman looked down at my blood-smeared hand. Her perfec

he said more to herself. Her liquid

atred. I couldn't help it. She could kill me for that if she wished. But t

to walk away, s

said. "You look bad. She must've

ha

ame to wrap her arm around my waist and

shoc

" I cried. My face s

you'll pass out

e was

else until I found myself in another bedroom. The place was plain and much smaller,

myself and saw the same woman beside my bed. Her l

?" I whispered. "You're

ok my breath away. It wasn't the cold wick

mean I can't do this." She g

I was probably the first person wh

the young wo

a-?" I ec

e added. "Anas

gasp in r

tioned in the history book that we used to study. "But-but didn't the C

't help

ried spring and summer music in it. I felt a l

ue with you about tha

ed a strand of her blonde lock behind

ay, " she said after a while. "Stay

d the other woman. But I noticed Anastasia's eyes were s

myself to trust these

d them

I don't want your help, " I said in b

id with a low sigh. "I

the room wit