Blood Moon: Dark Vampire Romance: Silver Moon, #1

PROLOGUE

The moon was shining in the midst of that darkness. I watched it with the window open, even though the cold air was creeping into my room.

It was a full moon, but it was tinted with a reddish color, as rarely happened. I took my phone out of my jeans pocket and tried to take a photo that did justice to what I was seeing. However, as often happens, photos fail to capture what we are seeing, let alone what it feels like in the face of what we want to capture.

I sent the photo to my sister, hoping that she would come up to my room to look. I strained my ears, hoping to hear the beep of her phone, but it didn't ring. I closed the window and left my room. The bathroom was unoccupied, so I descended the narrow wooden stairs to reach the dining room.

The walls were filled with family photos from when my parents were alive, and we were a happy, complete family. However, a hundred crucifixes also hung from the walls, wrapped in sprigs of verbena.

Is Aixa here? I asked as I reached the living room and confirmed that it was empty. Are you here?

The only response I got was silence. A silence that became increasingly unsettling. I entered the kitchen and scanned it with my eyes until my gaze stopped at something.

There was a piece of paper torn and written messily with a black pen on the fridge. I approached and took it down. It was undoubtedly written by her, and it said: April, for a few days, vampires have been chasing me. I've scared them away twice, but I don't know how much longer I'll succeed. I'll find a place to hide, and I'll let you know where I am. It's clear they're looking for me and know where I live. Please be careful, and never forget to carry Dad's verbena with you. I love you.

I swallowed hard as I thought quickly about what to do. I didn't know where she could have gone. Would she still be nearby? Maybe she had just left.

I rushed to the front door with my heart pounding in my chest. I grabbed the doorknob, but before leaving, I grabbed a handful of verbena sprigs and tucked them into my sock.

I opened the door wide and ran into the street, looking in all directions. It was a too quiet street, no cars, and very little light. I started moving towards the main street, where she had probably headed to avoid the vampires. I ran with all my strength, with my heart pounding in my ears, but when I was about to reach the main street, and I began to glimpse the lights of the avenue and the cars passing by at full speed, something suddenly blocked my way, appearing out of nowhere. I didn't have enough time to stop, and I collided forcefully with that something, or rather, someone.

I fell sitting on the ground, somewhat confused. The person, however, hadn't even stumbled. In the darkness, eyes between blue and violet looked at me coldly.

They extended a hand to help me up, but I ignored it and stood up on my own.

Are you April Fontaine, right? they asked with a confident and velvety voice.

Do I know you? I asked, while I looked at the palm of my hand, injured from the fall. I couldn't see well in that darkness, but I was sure that the person had lifted their face a bit and was openly sniffing the air.

Then I understood what they were... But it was too late.

Yes, you're definitely her, they said as they lifted me with their arms in a second. They jumped onto a roof with incredible ease and ran, taking me with them..  

CHAPTER 1

I kept my eyes tightly closed as everything moved around me at a speed I had never experienced before.

The vampire carried me slung over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. One arm was wrapped around my legs to keep me from falling, and I could feel him squeezing them tightly, though not enough to harm me. The air around me, already cold, felt icy on my skin, seemingly hitting me like an invisible whip.

I could feel every time we jumped from one roof to another, my hair moving, and my hands tightly gripping some part of his jacket due to the terror of falling from up there. I also felt each time he landed after a jump, the elegance with which he did it and his lightness.

My father had been a vampire hunter, and my sister, following in his footsteps, had also become one. They had always told me horrible situations involving them, described their expressions when they thirsted for blood, and warned me about how difficult it was to be near one without wanting to submit to their will. But they had also told me the kind of monsters they were and the ways they made the victim go to them.

Vampires were beautiful but monstrous creatures. Elegant but wild. Similar to humans, but never the same.

When the vampire stopped for more than a minute, I dared to open my eyes. I still hung from his shoulder like a ragdoll, but he no longer held me. Instead, I continued clutching his jacket, unaware.

Planning to get down? You're wrinkling my coat, I heard him say, with some skepticism.

Where am I? Why did you kidnap me? I said, moving away and clumsily standing up.

Get in, he ordered.

I turned in the same direction he was looking. We stood before the door of a mansion I had never seen before. A rectangular structure that must have been at least a hundred meters wide. The walls were bone-colored granite, rising many meters to end in pointed roofs, like an ancient church.

There were huge windows covered by heavy dark red curtains, so the interior of the place couldn't be seen. The entrance consisted of marble stairs leading to a heavy dark wood door.

No... I swallowed hard and clenched my fists at the sides of my legs. I refuse to go in!

I didn't ask, he said, furrowing his brow a bit, but I held his gaze, trying to seem less terrified than I was. Humans are so annoying, he sighed and slung me over his shoulder again without warning.

Put me down! Put me down right now! I exclaimed, and as a response, I heard the noise of the main gates opening and his footsteps on the gravel path leading to the mansion.

A few seconds later, we were inside. The vampire let me go without warning, and I fell onto a cold floor, also made of darker marble. I didn't dare to ask anything else and slowly stood up. It was such a large place that I couldn't even imagine what lay behind each of the doors.

In the middle, there was a wide staircase that branched off in two directions, which in turn connected with corridors. Above my head hung a huge chandelier with crystals reflecting light, forming spots on the walls.

Who is she? I heard a voice behind me.

I turned and saw a child a few centimeters from me, watching me with a gloomy face and a black cat in his arms.

I almost had a heart attack; I hadn't even seen where he came from. I stepped back and bumped into someone else.

She's bleeding... I turned again. Who is she?

Behind me was a terribly perfect girl. Her skin was pale and seemed extremely smooth. She had black, straight hair, cut just below the chin, and a straight fringe covering her forehead.

I felt my heart about to explode. It wasn't just the vampire who had brought me there; there were many more of them in that place, and I was there alone, with my heart pounding so loudly that everyone could probably hear it, and with scratched hands.

Gary, I told you to leave my cat alone, I heard the vampire who had dragged me to that place say.

Let me borrow him for a bit, the child, despite being around nine years old, was terrifying. It's funny to see him scared.

The cat, with its shiny fur and a golden bell hanging from its neck, seemed to be desperately looking for a way to get away from Gary, but the child had it firmly in his grasp and seemed to enjoy that little suffering.

Let him go, the vampire told him.

Sorry, Cedric, the child sighed and let go of the cat without further ado.

As for your question, Cedric continued, this girl is April Fontaine.

So, it's you! The girl stood in front of me, quick as lightning, and pushed me, throwing me against the stairs.

I fell backward, with the steps digging into my skin, and clenched my teeth, trying not to let anyone know how much it had hurt me.

Stay, Destiny, Cedric's voice suddenly became icy. The vampire walked slowly toward me, but before reaching me, someone positioned themselves on the top step where my head was and bent down to look at me with a lecherous smile.

How lucky... I was starting to get hungry, said the vampire who observed me from above.

I stood up as fast as I could. There were four vampires around me, and one of them had already tried to kill me.

Listen to how her heart beats, the vampire continued, who bore a striking resemblance to the girl who had just pushed me. She's scared, she laughed, like a rat in a trap.

Enough, Cedric's voice echoed through the mansion's walls as he stopped beside me and scrutinized everyone with a warning look. She's the sister of the girl we're looking for. It's not her, and none of us will touch her until we decide what to do.–

CHAPTER 2

––––––––

Godric, take the human to the basement and come back. I'll go call my father, Cedric ordered the last vampire who had appeared.

As a response, Godric released a growl, something that sounded quite like a complaint. Without even looking at me, he firmly took my arm and began walking to the right. One of the doors on that floor covered the entrance to stairs leading down to a completely dark basement.

Wait here, he told me with a tone so firm that even the most experienced vampire hunter would have obeyed. He let go of me, pulled a thin chain hanging from the ceiling, and a dim light flickered every five seconds. I turned to look at the vampire, hoping he would indicate for me to go down the stairs, but the door closed with force. He had already left.

I descended the steps slowly, brushing away cobwebs that had formed down there with the tips of my fingers. The place had a terrible smell of dampness, and it was very cold. The walls, which must have been white at some point, were now stained with a yellowish and old color, with peeling paint. There were some elegant pieces of furniture, covered in a layer of dust, and paintings with gold frames, intricately carved.

I approached one of them and observed. It seemed to be an oil painting, a portrait of a beautiful and wonderfully elegant woman. She wore a black dress with lace at the neckline and puffed sleeves. Her dark brown hair and her eyes... They looked terribly similar to the vampire who had kidnapped me. To tell the truth, everything about her resembled him.

Cedric had dark brown hair, carefully combed to one side. His eyes, a mix of blue and violet, like those of that woman, emitted a cold and stern gaze. He had pale skin, like all vampires, but the fine nose and thick eyebrows were just like hers.

I continued looking around for something that could serve as a defense. Obviously, there were no crucifixes, knives, or holy water. I opened the drawers of the abandoned furniture, but inside, there were only old papers.

Then I crouched down and took a sprig of verbena hidden in my sock. It wouldn't serve to defend myself against them or to prevent them from biting me. But if they tried to control my mind, at least I could prevent them from succeeding. I put it in my mouth and swallowed it with some effort. Despite the delicious scent, the taste was extremely bitter, like eating a strand of grass.

I looked around again. There was something else, covered by a thin white sheet, full of dust and dirt. I looked back, hoping no vampire was watching me while I rummaged through their things, but tiny eyes were fixed on me. The black cat that had been in the child's hands was watching me from the last step. Despite having a bell hanging from its neck, it had been so stealthy that I hadn't heard it.

What are you doing here? I asked as if it could answer me.

As a response, the cat meowed once and started climbing the stairs again. If it had come down there after me, maybe it meant the door wasn't locked. I followed it, trying to make as little noise as possible in case the vampires were nearby. Indeed, the door was slightly open. The cat calmly went into the living room, and I, imitating it, first peeked my head to make sure no one was there, and once I saw there was no one, I slipped out of the basement.

An unsettling silence prevailed, not even the slightest murmur could be heard. Only my steps, which despite going on tiptoes seemed to want to attract everyone's attention. The cat headed to the front door. Could it be possible? Was it telling me to escape?

There was a distance of ten meters from my position to the exit. I started moving very slowly in its direction, while the cat waited for me at the door. Still, nothing could be heard. I held my breath to be even quieter. I didn't know how far they could hear me, but I hoped it wouldn't give away how loudly my heart was beating. Eight meters, six meters... The door getting closer every time, my heart beating faster and faster... Four meters... Two meters. I reached the door and quickly grabbed the doorknob. I pulled it, but it didn't open. I struggled for a few seconds in a desperate attempt to get it to open. The cat watched me expectantly.

Forget it, it's sealed, I heard a voice behind me, and my entire skin bristled. Cedric was looking at me with a sly smile, as if something had failed inside my head. Let me out! I exclaimed, frowning.

Why would we do that? he asked, raising his eyebrows.

Are you going to kill me?

Not yet, he said, squinting his eyes, as if giving me even a minimal explanation was already annoying.

So, I serve some purpose to you... I concluded, crossing my arms over my chest.

Instead of speculating further, come with me, he told me, turning his back and starting to walk.

I'm not going anywhere, I declared. Let me out!

Before I even realized it, I had backed up until my back was against the wall, and his two arms were on either side of my body.

Let's clarify something, he said, locking his eyes with mine. That I don't kill you doesn't mean you're immune. You won't obey because I hypnotize you; you'll do it because I, being a vampire, and you, being a human, that's all.

You are monsters, I said, almost spitting out the words and looking at him with hatred.

And you are food, he stepped away from me and began walking again towards the stairs.

I bit my lip hard, and with all the anger I could feel in my body, I followed him. The answers I was looking for were where he was taking me, whether I liked it or not.

CHAPTER 3

––––––––

We climbed the main staircase, hearing only the sound of our steps on the marble. As soon as we reached the top of the stairs, we turned left, and as I imagined, there was a corridor illuminated only by dim lights and a hundred doors.

How many vampires live here? I asked Cedric, swallowing my pride.

For now, we are only five, but we usually have guests, he replied, continuing to lead me down the narrow hallway.

Finally, we stopped in front of an elegant dark wooden door. Cedric opened it and entered, leaving me behind.

How uncourteous, I heard a deep voice say with a hint of coldness. That's not how I taught you to behave.

She's just a human, Cedric sighed, dropping onto a red velvet sofa.

I looked around. This room looked like an office. It was spacious, with a shiny wooden floor. There was a library that covered the entire left wall, filled with books that seemed extremely old. In the center of the room was a wooden desk, also shiny, and behind it sat a young man who looked about twenty years old.

He had brown hair, styled back with gel, a sharp face, a slightly aquiline nose, and a pair of blue eyes, so deep that, looking into them, it seemed like you were diving into them. The vampire wore an elegant black suit and observed me with a malicious smile from his seat.

Next to Cedric, on the other hand, were the other vampires I had already seen. They were also watching me, but without even pretending to smile.

Excuse my son. He still has much to learn about manners, the vampire said, getting up and circling his desk to approach me. My name is Cornelius Leblanc, and I am the head of the family.

Is... Is he your father? I asked, unable to believe it. I knew that vampires, born with that condition, stopped growing at the age of twenty, but it was very strange to see a father and a son who seemed to be the same age.

Don't let appearances fool you, he preempted me. I am exactly two hundred years old.

May I ask now? I said, trying to appear as polite as possible, not to change the fact that they were starting to talk to me.

No, Cornelius denied. Better sit and listen.

I clenched my teeth, a little irritated, and settled on the edge of the couch, as far away as possible from the other vampires.

We are looking for your sister, Cornelius began. So, since it seems she likes to play hide and seek, we decided to keep you as a hostage until she shows up. And this goes for all of you, he said, looking at each of the vampires surrounding me. No one is going to touch her; you all have your own donors. We don't want more problems with the Council, so you will do things very well. Understood?

Of course, Cedric replied.

I haven't heard the others, Cornelius repeated. Understood?

Understood, the others said in unison, with an irritated tone.

Miss Fontaine will be treated as a guest; the only thing she won't be able to do is leave this place, he said, looking at me as a warning. And I hope you don't make us regret our hospitality because, in that case, I won't have any problem draining you to the last drop of blood. Do you understand?

Yes, I nodded, holding his gaze, despite how challenging that could be.

Destiny, please, accompany April to her new room, Cornelius instructed.

Destiny narrowed her eyes but didn't object. She stood up and gestured with her head for me to follow her. We walked in silence until we reached the right hallway, and once there, she opened any door, and we entered.

You can stay here, she said without looking at me, shrugging. Don't even try to escape; we are faster, stronger, and we hate you. There's no way you'll come out on top.

Why are you looking for my sister? I said, crossing my arms.

That's none of your business.

Of course, it is, I retorted. She's my sister, and you have me here as a hostage. I should know why.

I'm sorry, she said with a cold smile. Unfortunately, I can't decide what to do or what to tell. So, don't ask me these things.

Fine, I said, sitting on the double bed in the middle of the room. How long will I be here?

That depends on your sister, Destiny walked towards the door, her black dress waving with each step. Try not to get too comfortable, she warned, turning towards me, and then left.. 

CHAPTER 4

––––––––

My room wasn't a very welcoming place, and I didn't feel like a guest at all. I lay on a bed that wasn't mine, feeling cold, and there was no trace of warmth anywhere in that place.

Next to the bed, there was a small bedside table with a bedside lamp emitting a faint orange light. And then, all there was, was a heavy blood-red curtain covering an immense window.

My stomach growled; I had no sheets, no spare clothes other than the tight jeans and dark blue sweater I was wearing, and no way to get any of those.

I heard a couple of knocks on the door, and someone peeked into my room. Cedric cleared his throat and entered.

Do you need anything? he asked me, and my mouth was about to open wide in surprise.

What are you doing here? I said, frowning.

Asking if you need anything, he said, forcing a strained smile.

Am I not just food anymore? I said, crossing my arms.

You still are, he replied, raising his eyebrows, but it seems my father has other plans for you, and he intends for me to be someone educated, even with humans.

Well... I don't need anything, I said, looking at him harshly, but my stomach betrayed me, growling and reminding me that I hadn't eaten anything since lunch.

I guess you're hungry, he said, reopening the door behind him, come with me.

Cedric led me through that mansion that seemed like a labyrinth until we reached the most incredible kitchen I had ever seen in my life.

It was a spacious area, filled with cabinets, spacious countertops, and ebony furniture. There was also a silver refrigerator that looked new. In the center was a quite large island and some stools matching the furniture.

Why do you have all this? I asked, unable to stop looking at everything around me.

We eat too, he replied, sitting on one of the stools.

There, sitting in the middle of a kitchen, dressed in a fine black shirt and a pair of jeans, he didn't look like a vampire at all, just someone extremely beautiful but human.

Can I see? I said, pointing to the refrigerator, somewhat uncomfortable.

I would say no, he sighed, but I suppose my father wouldn't agree. Go ahead.

My stomach growled again, and I opened the refrigerator, jumping back in fright.

The refrigerator was full of blood bags, like those used in hospitals for donations. I turned to him, and I noticed he was watching me with an amused smile.

If you move the blood aside a bit, there's also food.

It doesn't matter, I said, closing the refrigerator without even looking again.

In the pantry, there's something, he said, pointing to one of the cabinets.

I looked at him with a displeased face, prepared to find more blood bags, but when I opened it, I saw he wasn't lying. There were some packages of noodles and instant sauces. I took them and searched through the cabinets until I found some pots because apparently, Cedric wasn't willing to help me at all.

So... You not only drink blood? I asked while stirring the noodles to prevent them from sticking.

We like to eat human food. It's delicious, but it doesn't fill us. It's like entertainment, he explained, now... Ask what you really want to know.

Yes, well... What do you want with my sister?

Kill her, that's obvious, he said as he got off the stool and walked to one of the countertops, where there were many bottles of alcohol.

He poured himself a glass of whiskey and looked back at me