Rachel

Prologue

Present Day, Los Angeles, California

"Good luck with all of your endeavors, Rachel. It has been a pleasure working with you these past few years." the balding, sixty-something Dean of Foreign Studies sincerely remarked.

"Likewise, Ron." Rachel smiled genuinely. She'd always liked the man, and had grown fond of him over the past ten years.

Rachel nodded to Ron as he excused himself to go and mingle with the small crowd of college professors who had gathered for the annual Christmas Party. The party also served as Rachel's resignation event as well, and many well wishers gave her hugs and shook her hand.

She sighed, holding a glass of champagne, dressed in a sparkling black, above the knee, evening dress, her light blond hair in an updo with wisps of hair lightly kissing the sides of her face. Diamond studded earrings adorned her small ears, and sheer hose with closed toed black pumps completed her ensemble.

The annual Christmas party was a formal event, so everyone was either in a suit or evening gown. Most had brought a date or their spouse, but Rachel had neither. It was wise for her kind, to not have romantic ties.

She inwardly shuddered when she thought of 'her kind'. Blood sucking monster was more like it. How she envied her peers, who led 'normal' lives. Most were married and had children. Rachel would never know such a life, and she resented it.

She tipped back her champange and drained it. A smiling server wearing a Santa hat was walking by with a decorative tray of drinks, and she placed her empty glass on the platter and then grabbed another.

Rachel had taught the German language at the college for the past ten years. She had enjoyed it, but as with all of her jobs, eventually, she had to move on. Too many questions would arise about her aging. She'd made that mistake once, many years ago, when she decided to teach her native language at a local high school.

"Hey, Rachel! What are you doing standing there all by your lonesome!" a slightly drunken man walked towards her, a Santa hat on his head. His black tied suit was rumpled, as if he'd fallen then forgotten to straighten his clothing. His large belly was barely contained in his shirt. The button holes were stretched and revealed his pale skin underneath. His cheeks were reddened from too much drink.

"Oh...just standing here, Gary." Rachel rolled her eyes. Gary was the American History Professor, also known as the biggest drunk at every event. If there was alchohol, Gary was there. His was in his early fifties, had been married once, but was now divorced. He'd been at the college for over twenty years.

He grinned at her, showing a full row of white teeth. "There's nothing wrong with standing, then." He shoulder bumped her and laughed.

"Maybe you should do it more often, Gary. I think that I've seen you more on the floor tonight." Rachel quipped, smirking.

Gary tipped his head back and laughed louder, which made everyone in the room look in their direction for a few seconds. Rachel couldn't stand being embarrassed, it was the one thing that she hated above all else.

She had to send him away, before she got angry. "Oh Gary..look at me a moment."

"Sure, Rachel." he looked over at her attentively, his laughter calmed down to a chuckle.

"You will leave me and forget you were over here. You will forget that I am even at this party. You will resume your partying after you leave my presence." she looked intensely into his eyes, speaking softly. "Do you understand?"

The expression of mirth disappeared from Gary's face and was replaced with a blank look. "Yes." he said in monotone.

"Now leave."

Gary turned away from her, and after walking a few feet away, returned to his annoying self. He laughed, he drank and he embarrassed his date, who blushed when he swatted her ass while she was chatting with a small group of women.

If there was only one thing that Rachel liked about being a vampire, was the ability to mesmerize. It had been a life saver in many instances. It had worked most effectively in obtaining identifications over the years, which also enabled her to obtain social security numbers too. Society had gotten more complicated as the years progressed. It wasn't as easy to hide anymore.

She checked the time, via a clock on the wall in the room. It was eleven p.m. She'd been here since six, and was ready to go. She said her goodbyes to everyone, smiling and thanking them for their well wishes, and quickly exited out to her car.

Though she had a good bit of money from investments and savings over the years, she drove a simple, economic vehicle. She was very private with her finances, as well as with her life.

She sped out of the parking garage and headed towards her apartment. She would be boarding a plane that would take her back home, to New York City, in the morning.