AN: Sorry about the very long delay, guys. I’ve had stuff going on between summer classes, preparing for the fall term, being dragged to jewelry stores by my boyfriend of 4 ½ years, and work. . . it’s been hectic, and added to that. . . I couldn’t quite put this next chap together right, I know where I’m going with this, the only issue being how I get us there. So, I’m going to sit down at a blank screen and figure it out, I’ve written this a million different ways, hopefully it works out. Tell me if it worked, or if it fell flat! And sorry about the massive time warp, I couldn’t come up with anything earlier in her life. This should make some of you guys happy!

Chapter 7

1872, 14 years old

He stared at the beautiful creature in front of him, her long, dark hair spilling about the deep red of her satin-clad shoulders as she laughed at a comment made by one of her friends. So beautiful, his goddess, his muse. She was perfection personified, she was. . .

“William? William, are you in there?” the little sprite at his side teased. “You really must stop staring at the girl, she’s an absolute troll. An outcast. Surely, you must know that! What would the others think? And she’s nothing but a silly child, with nothing to recommend her, and. . .”

Unfortunately, his best friend disagreed. He gave a weary sigh, turning away from the picture of life the young girl presented to listen to the harsh criticism of his mother’s best friend’s daughter, Cecily Addams. Oh, but why wouldn’t she leave him alone? He briefly thought about asking her what rhymed with effulgent. He quickly disregarded the idea, knowing his luck with the silly girl, she would believe his verses were for her own benefit. Besides, if he couldn’t think of a suitable term to recommend himself to the beauty in front of him, he doubted Miss Cecily would be able to coax one from the depths of her own. . .mind.

Her friend nudged her side with a sharp elbow, laughing at something she could not see. She looked to Ellen, confused. Was there something hanging from her nose? Good lord, she hoped not!

Ellen looked to something right above her shoulder, tossing her head like a prized mare. What in the world could she be motioning about? Oh! He was looking at her? Her friend nodded, reading the question in her eyes. So she did what any young woman in her particular situation, besotted with an older gentleman would do. She laughed, and positioned herself so her young curves were to their best advantage. Maybe he’ll notice?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“Sire?”

“Yes, Dru?”

“It’s been over five years since we’ve seen her, is it. . . perhaps time that we returned home? It’s been such an awfully long time, and I do so wish to see her, and hold her, and what if that wretched Travers isn’t caring for her properly? And she just attended her first function all on her own, I should have been there for that! To help with her face, and her hair. What if they made her wear something hideous? Oh, I do so wish she wore the dress we sent! Such a beautiful color, such a deep, dark red. Do you remember it? I am sure it looked much better on her than the girl we ate. We tried to be so careful, though we still stained the dress. The old grandmother was so kind, creating a replica dress for us. And the black lace instead of the white was so beautiful. Do you. . .”

He stared at her as she continued to ramble, spinning about the room, staring at the ceiling. Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore, grabbing her and kissing her forcefully to stop the endless stream of her words.

“Yes, Dru, I remember the dress. I decided on it when we were searching for a gift to send her, and located the old woman who made the copy, and decided on the black lace. And it has been too long since we’ve seen our child. We’ll leave for London in the morning.”

“Really, Daddy? Do you promise?”

“I promise, mate. We’ll see our daughter in two weeks.” He lifted her up, carryng her upstairs to their bedroom on the second floor, ignoring the bodies and ash that littered the foyer of their temporary home. Disgust was only reserved for the fledge who was so crazed with bloodlust that he licked the blood from the floor.

AN: Hey guys, I know this is insanely short. I’m going to try to post later tonight, hopefully. I just needed to really cement this part of the story. It just never quite came out right. Oh, and she’s about 14-15 years old. The gentleman is about 21.