Mara checked her appearance in the mirror one last time. Her black leather pants hugged her legs and hips like a second skin. The crimson silk shirt over the velvet black tank top was tied in the front and her long blonde hair hung down her back, the left part pulled back by a daggar shaped clip. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she pulled on her black combat boots, her blood red nails catching the light as she laced them up. Mara ran down the stairs of her house, grabbed her leather jacket off the back of the couch, picked up her purse (containing holy water and a stake in case she met any vamps that weren't the Big Bad) and continued out the door, heading for the Bronze. After hanging out with her best friends: Nokia (not the phone!) Snow, and Angie, Mara decided that 3:00AM was late enough and said goodnight to the girls. She got her coat and left, taking the shortcut to her house through the park. She felt like something was wrong, but shrugged it off thinking it was from watching too many Stephen King movies. A hand clamped down on her shoulder and she spun around to stare directly into the golden eyes of a vampire. For some reason, a song was stuck in her head and instead of screaming, she whispered, "Say your prayers, little one," and closed her eyes as the vampire sank his fangs in her pale throat. Her last thought before her body shut down was that she'd never get to tell her friends goodbye. Hunger clawed at her stomach, the pain was unbearable and she whimpered softly. "You're awake." A soft woman's voice said from the corner. Mara raised her head and squinted into the shadows. "I'll go tell the Master. Wait here." As the lady left the room, Mara decided that was the most unnecessary line she'd heard in awhile. A few moments later, the tension she'd been feeling slackened considerably when the woman and someone else entered. "See, Master, she's awake." "I see, leave us, Kerri." A British voice spoke. Mara frowned. <Could it be?> "Yes Sir." The door closed and she felt a hand on her arm. She had to know, taking an unneeded breath, she spoke, "Spike?" "That's me. I hope I'm right, you're called Emerald right?" "Yes." He let out an unconscious breath. "Good, I was right. Damn wanker of a fledgling drained you almost dry. I was walking back from feeding and saw you. You looked familiar, like you were from somewhere I knew and liked, so I turned you." "I'm a Spike Girl!" She said proudly, before clutching her stomach and moaning. "I know you are, and a beautiful one too." Mara smiled shyly. "Your soul isn't completely gone, I think you retained a part of it. Oh well, the fledgling that drained you is dead now," He reached out and ran his hand through her hair. "You'll be taken care of here. When you get stronger, I'll introduce you to the boys." "Y..you're my Sire, right?" Spike smiled. "Yes." Mara couldn't help the delighted giggle that spilled from her mouth. "Wait until the others hear about this!" Spike laughed. "They already know ducks, I emailed the Girls while you were asleep. No more talking, you need to feed, I'm surprised you lasted this long." "What do you mean?" "When Childer wake up, the hunger pains are unbearable, they usually have to feed within 10 minutes or they start to go insane. You've been awake for almost an hour and barely whimpered." He morphed into game face and tore his wrist with his fangs, holding it out to her. Mara tentatively licked at his wrist and at the first taste, her demonic features slid into place and she latched onto his wrist. After long moments of feeding, he gently drew his wrist away. "Better, luv?" He asked, the vampiric face reverting to his human mask. "Much. Thank you." She concentrated and her face returned to normal. She laughed at Spike's almost pouting expression. "You could have left your demon face on for longer." "I will next time." He cocked his head to the side, studying her. "It's sunset. Let's go out." "Out?" "Yeah, nothing wrong with your clothes, you already dressed great, you'll fit in with the Undead. Except you need a new shirt, that silk one is bloody." Spike took off his red silk shirt and handed it to her. "Wear this one." His tight black t-shirt looked painted on him and she was glad her heart didn't beat, because it would have been pounding. Mara slid off her shirt, exposing the black velvet top. "Is that real velvet, pet?" "Huh? Oh, yeah. I've got lots of tops like this." "You're pretty well off for a teenager." "My family died last year, they left everything to me. I'm the last one in the family, except for my twin sister. Everyone else was killed in a plane crash, they were all going on the annual family retreat. Lana and I had exams, so we didn't go. She didn't want anything really. Alana was unique, our family didn't care much for her. She was the scapegoat. After they all died, she took a few thousand and moved to Killarney." "Luv, you're Irish!" "Damn." She cursed under her nonexistant breath. She sighed and resigned herself to a night full of questions. |
| His New Childe |