Prologue

866 Words
Emmaline had never been pretty. As a mortal, she had dull brown hair, dull brown eyes, and crooked teeth. She had been so unappealing that even after her Turning she was plain as a vampire. She even blamed her ugly appearance for her misfortune as a mortal. Em was born in the late 1800s though she can't remember exactly when. Her mother was a famous opera singer and known as a flawless beauty. Her father was a wealthy theater producer. As a child, it was obvious that Emmaline did not inherit her mother's beauty. Sent away to a girls school, Em was mercilessly bullied by her fellow schoolchildren.  While away at school her parents were killed in an accident leading to her alcoholic aunt becoming her guardian. Her aunt was young and unequipped to care for a child. The money Emmaline was to inherit was wasted away by her aunt on lavish parties. When the money ran out, Emmaline was abandoned. Literally left at a train station with only a small case of belongings.   Emmaline was lucky to find work as a maid. The work was difficult and her appearance meant her fellow workers and even her employer called her rude names. But she kept her head down and worked hard. When all the other maids came and went, Em stayed, become her employer's most trusted companion. The world changed after the Great War. The existence of the immortals became known. Witches, Werewolves, and vampires returned from the frontlines unscathed. Their powers were unable to be kept secret any longer. Mortals scrambled to join their ranks. Clans for the vampires, packs for the werewolves, covens for the witches.  Humans were required to pass difficult tests just to be considered for a place among the immortals. Emmaline had accepted that she would never be remarkable enough to become an immortal. But fate had something different in mind. When Em was twenty-one, her employer's house was attacked by a rogue vampire. Everyone in the house was killed, drained of blood. Emmaline was the last to be attacked. Years of manual labor had made her strong and she fought for her life. She killed the vampire but was mortally wounded and drained of blood. She remembered the rumors that vampire blood had healing properties and she drank it. What she didn't know was that vampire blood mixed with vampire saliva was what turned you. What she also didn't know was the harder you fought when you turned, the stronger you were as a vampire.  *** The Antebellum Clan had existed - as its name would suggest - before the Great War. Started by an elder vampire named Martin. Emmaline had stumbled upon it quite by accident when she met a member shortly after turning. Confused and unable to control her powers she was found on the streets by Mary, her best friend. Mary took her in and taught her how to control her strength, hone her new heightened senses.  It took little time for Mary to realize just how strong Emmaline really was. She took her to Martin who gave her a series of extreme tests to see if she was worthy of joining the clan or would remain a rogue.  First Emmaline was left in a pit in direct sunlight. Weak vampires will burn to death in the sunlight. Emmaline writhed in pain as her exposed flesh bubbled and burned. Her clothing gave some protection, but her arms and face felt as if they would melt from the bone. She screamed and hugged herself, trying futilely to protect herself from the sun's rays. After an hour she passed out from the pain. She woke when the sun had dipped low enough for her to be in shadow.  Then, without even given time to heal, a board with spikes was placed on her. She had to use her arms and legs to prop the board up to keep the spikes from impaling her. Then they began to stack rocks on the board. As more weight was added her muscles began to shake and she almost dropped the weight. But she held strong and after another few minutes, the weight was removed.  The final test was simple. Emmaline's burns and bruises were given time to heal. She was allowed to bathe and rest and even given a lovely dress to wear. Wearing her new dress she was led to a small parlor and told to sit down for tea with Martin. She was also told that he could tell whenever someone was lying so answer truthfully.  Martin was a very old man and Emmaline was surprised to see someone so old as an immortal. Most immortals were in their twenties, their aging halted in their prime. He had been turned when he was already on his deathbed.  He offered her a cup of tea and sat in silence for a while. Emmaline drank the bitter tea, not wanted to seem childish for adding sugar or cream. Then Martin asked her one question - 'Did you choose to become a vampire?' Emmaline said no. He smiled, stood, and left. Em passed the test, she was now a member of the clan.
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