I’m an evil, soulless vampire. One of the worst in the recorded history that those “wankers” pore over, trying to figure out who we are. How we make that transition from human, to monster. Yes, we have our literal demons. But then, so do they. They study us from within the protection of their libraries, polishing their glasses to read their texts into the early hours of the morning, trying to gain more power from behind their side of the line that they’ve drawn separating “good” from “evil.”

And I hate them. Hate them with a passion that sometimes scares me. They’ve stolen so much from me, that I’ve devoted my life to their destruction. Because of the fear that they presented to my mate and I we were never able to watch our daughter; our very own flesh and blood; grow up. We had looked forward to her wedding for years, planned every last detail. We were determined that it would be the best day of all of our lives.

Because of the presence of the Slayer who followed us, we weren’t able to see her marry her husband. I wasn’t able to walk my own daughter down the aisle. The daughter that I never should have been able to conceive after my death, let alone love.

And then, they stole her. They murdered her in cold blood, never even registering that she was a human. They killed one of the purest souls to ever walk the earth.

I’ve devoted my unlife to making them pay, and they will. We’ll never have to worry about the ‘Council of Wankers’ once we’re through with them. Just wait and see; things will be different. They’ll be better.

They have to be.

* * * * * * * * * * *

1875, 17 years old

*One week before the wedding*

It was three o’clock in the morning when William ran to the park, gasping for breath. A messenger had just been sent to him by his fiancé, urging him to meet her here.

At the park.

At three in the morning.

He groaned as he sped up his pace, eyes landing on her as she sat there on the bench, waiting patiently for him. He was angry at her for risking her life like this. It was unseemly for a woman to be out at this time of the night, unchaperoned. He didn't know what he would do if something happened to her while she waited for him. Alone. In the park.

And he was having a hard time breathing as he pushed his tiring body harder. At--he checked his pocketwatch--three twenty. In the morning.

“Lizzie!”

“William, I have been waiting for you for the past fifteen minutes, darling. Please, sit.” She smiled at him, acting as though they were meeting for afternoon tea.

“Luv, why are we here in the park? You never know who could be out here, pet. It’s late. We are lucky that we are only a week from the wedding, and that we are set on being wed, this could have forced our hand. You do still want to marry me, right?” he looked to her, worried about her reaction. Would he look a fool if he gave in to his body and bent over his knees?

He decided it was best not to risk it.

“William! Of course I want to marry you. I can’t wait, it’s so exciting. You and I, husband and wife! It’s all I’ve ever wanted, and it’s finally happening! You have nothing to fear of me, I promise. Your only fear should be that I die from happiness. But I have something important to discuss with you, and I thought that this is the best place to do so.”

“Here? In the park, at three-” he glanced to his pocket watch, “-thirty in the morning? Luv, have you gone insane? You are not safe here, and it truly isn’t wise for us to be seen together this late at night, or well. . . ” He took in another hopefully non-wheezing sounding breath.

“Don’t you mean this early in the morning?” a short man appeared, a fedora clutched tightly in his hands. He was standing to the other man’s left.

“—Yes, quite, this early in the morning. Bloody hell, who are you? And how did you—”

“Calm down, Romeo. I’m not here to hurt you, or Elizabeth. I’m an old friend of the family,” he studiously ignored the woman in question’s indelicate snort at his mention of being a “friend of the family.”

“Yes, quite. But what is your name? And how did you appear out of thin air?” He looked to his bride, worried about her lack of response. “Lizzie? I would like an explanation if you could give one. Just who is this . . . man . . . and what is his relation to you?” The hackles were rising at the back of his neck because of her lack of a response. Suddenly the lack of air in his lungs didn't matter compared to the odd vibes the strange little man was giving off.

“His name is Whistler. He separated me from my family when I was a little girl.” She glared at the little toad of a man.

William turned to him, glaring at the man he deemed responsible for her pain.

“Woah, buddy! It was to PROTECT her!” he flinched at the growl that escaped the man’s throat. “Jesus Christ, I thought they said you were harmless still!”

“What in the bloody hell are you talking about? Explain. Now!” he roared, blue chips of ice where his loving eyes normally resided.

“William, darling, as much as I appreciate it, you must calm down and let me explain. PLEASE. Just calm down, Will.” She stood up from her seat on the bench, stalking up to him to run soothing circles on his back, and nuzzling his cheek, trying to stop the angry ticking of his jaw. “I promise to explain once you have gotten your anger under control. Alright?” She looked up into his eyes, breathing a sigh of relief when she noticed the ticking begin to subside.

“I’m alright, luv. Please, explain.” He grabbed a hold of her hand, retreating back to the bench and dragging a shocked Lizzie onto his lap.

“It’s a long story, Will. One I thought that you should know before marrying me. I’ve asked him here to help me explain, as he seems to know more than either my parents or myself.” She leveled a glare at the little man that sent him squirming. “I need you calm, and please, don’t interrupt. It is hard to explain, and I do not wish to start only to have to start again. You may ask your questions at the end. But please, just let me explain it all to you before passing judgment.”

“Alright, pet. Explain it all to me. I’ll do my best to keep mum till the end.” He sent another icy look in Whistler’s direction.

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

AN: Hey, guys, sorry for the LONG wait between updates. Things have been crazy between work, school, and getting engaged. My mind hasn’t been on this, I’ve written several ways for this story to go, and finally went with this one. I hope you enjoyed it, and I promise not to leave you all for so long again. By the way, the next chap is already in the works! ;)