Chapter one

“Are you even listening to me Colbie?”

The world was whizzing by in a blur of colour. The dazzling effect of the seasonal changes occurring outside the vehicle was dampened by the tinted windows of the limo. Not that any of the passengers were paying the slightest bit of attention to the landscape outside. The vehicle continued cut a steady path through the Sunday afternoon traffic despite all of the tension lingering between its occupants.

Colbie sighed and pulled her eyes away from the glass.

“Yes mother, I heard you. Don’t talk to strangers. Don’t drink anything that I haven’t bought myself. Don’t tell anyone about who my family truly is – or who I truly am. And don’t forget to brush my teeth before bed.” The young woman folded her arms across her chest as she met her mother’s startling green eyes. “Oh and make sure I eat all of my vegetables. I’m twenty years old now - not four. I’m much older than any of the others we know that are starting university so please just let me do this.”

If she had been standing up, Colbie was sure she would have been stamping her foot. She had had the same talk over and over again with her parents but neither was willing to accept that she was a young responsible woman. Well, Colbie added as an afterthought, mostly responsible.

Eleanor Carrington sniffled delicately as she snuggled into her husband’s side. The picture of elegance and poise, the matriarch of the Carrington family was rarely seen without her calm composure. As the family got closer and closer to their destination however, the façade of the Carrington Matriarch was cracking. Eleanor’s hair, which was normally pulled into an elegant chignon, was hanging limply over her shoulders in drooped raven coloured waves. Even her outfit was less put together than her usual standard.

Colbie tilted her head to the side and considered her mother. She had a line free face and to most mortals she appeared barely thirty five. Many would have been shocked to learn that the Carrington’s were not what they seemed and even the Lady Carrington herself was far older than the forty years her falsified birth certificate displayed. There were no grey hairs in sight nor an unsightly wrinkle or skin imperfection anywhere on her person. It was only the eyes that truly told the age of the soul that existed within the body.

“You forgot one thing sweetheart. You must never forget how much your father and I love you.”

Colbie laughed as her own eyes grew misty. Stretching out her fingers, Colbie took her mother’s warm dry hand in her own and squeezed it tightly.

“How could I forget? You’ve told me every day of my life.” Colbie paused and swept a lock of dark hair out of her eyes. “But just so you know. I love you too - both of you.”

The family shared a moment where they all smiled and felt a little warmer on the inside before reality seeped in once more. Glancing out of the window, Colbie’s heart leapt as the first road sign for their destination flashed past.

Canterbury was a city that hosted much history. Remnants of the old days still stood with sections of the old city walls becoming an integral part of the construction of the modern city.  Most of that history was related to the Carrington family lineage. Most significantly, it was also one of just three cities in the UK which held universities funded by the pockets of the Carrington bloodline. Everyone knew that this little titbit ensured that there was a free entry card to any of offspring of the Carrington line.

To Colbie, more so than anyone else of her race, it was a chance to escape the pressures of being the daughter of an important political figure. William Carrington, who resembled a well-kept forty year old man with his dark hair and face that was beginning to obtain lines, was not only the holder of a seat in the British House of Lords but he also happened to be a King. A king of a race which according to humankind belonged in books and films – he was the king of Vampires.

It was almost too much to believe. But it was real. Colbie was sure of it. Otherwise her entire existence was a lie and her parents were really just a bit delusional.

It was just as well that humans had that insane urge to rationalise everything even if the evidence was staring them right in the face, the youngest Carrington thought as the car began to slow. Her family had had enough trouble as it was without the entire human race becoming aware of the many things that went bump in the night - things which threatened not only humans but vampires too. It was why the brunette’s escape into mortal society had been delayed for over two years.

“What was it like?” She asked absently, twirling a lock of brown hair around her finger.

William, who had been lost in his own thought, raised his weary eyes from his hands.

The man coughed and spluttered for a few moments into his hand before his raspy voice answered back.

“What was what like Bee?”

Inquisitiveness was momentarily replaced by concern as the young woman peered over at her father. Once a large strong and powerful looking man, the past five years had seen the hulk of a man shrink in stature. There was no doubt that the man still radiated power but no longer did his appearance strike fear into the hearts of his enemies.

“Wha-?”

William smiled sadly and shook his head.

“Please do not look at me like that Bee. I am nearly two thousand years old and I am your father. It is my place to worry about you. If my time is drawing near, it is because I have lived my life to the fullest and there is nothing more for me to do.” His eye’s twinkled as he leant forwards and caught the tear that had travelled down his daughter’s cheek before it could drip onto her clothes. “The only thing I need to see now is my only daughter wed to a good strong man who can protect you from the evils of the night and stand by your side through the trials that will come after my passing. But I have it on good authority that there are a few years left in me yet. Now what did you want to know?”

Eleanor sniffled while her daughter smiled sadly.

“I just wanted to know what it was like for you. You know, during your ‘outing’.”

William stroked his stubble covered chin and let his eyes become unfocused as he wandered down memory lane.

“It was different, very different. Back then technology was not as advanced, human mortality rates were high.  Death was a constant companion.” Running a hand through his hair, he tried to smile at her in reassurance but it came out as a grimace. “The appeals of mortal life were slim. Besides, I was raised in the court of King Vladimir. I knew what the risks were and what my duties were.”

Eleanor caught sight of the expression that flitted on her daughter’s features for just a second and quickly dug her elbow into her husband’s side – hard.

“It’s different now sweetheart. You can choose a different life just a Sebastian did. Just as cousin Moira did. You have choices – choices that many of us did not have. Just live this year to the fullest and when the time comes, you can choose your future knowing that your family will support you no matter what happens.”

Colbie had crossed to the other side of the limo within seconds and wrapped her arms around her parents.

“Thank you.”

Nothing more could be said on the matter as the limo slowed to a stop. Pulling away from one another, the family glanced outside. Each let out a breath of relief.

“No cameras. Our decoy obviously worked.” Muttering under his breath, William shuffled towards the door and stepped out into the grey afternoon.

The chauffeur, a grey haired man of just sixty mortal years, held the door open as the rest of the family elegantly disembarked the vehicle.

Fortunately their late arrival meant that there were less people were around to notice their arrival.

But it was still noticed.

After all – it was hard not to see the large black limo parked up in the middle of the student village. The fanciest vehicle in car park was a 2003 Vauxhall Corsa with a bumper that had been duct taped back onto the car after an unfortunate scrape.

The youngest Carrington hid her face in her hands and groaned.

“I will never live this down. I told you we should have taken the BMW. Although it’s flashy, it is at least a normal car that normal everyday people drive.”  Even as she said it, Colbie knew she wouldn’t have taken the BMW even if it was offered. The lack of tinted windows on the vehicle and the lack of UV protection the special glass provided – her parents would not have been able to see her off onto one of the most important journeys of her life.

“I’m sorry that we can’t give you normality dearest.” William dragged his hand over his face and then sighed. He looked tired. “If I could give it to you I would but my position in the world means that your life will never be completely normal – no matter what you choose. “

There it was, Colbie thought even as guilt welled in her heart – the choice. It was a burden that sat on the shoulders of every child born of a vampire.  They could choose to a long life of shadows and darkness where danger would lurk around every corner - where they would be hunted by mortals and monsters alike. Or they could choose a brief life – a short life in the warmth of the sun.

And now it was Colbie’s turn. In less than twelve months, the brunette would turn twenty one and she could either choose the path her mother and father had chosen before her – a life as an ‘immortal’. Or she could stray far away from everything she has ever known and live a life free from constant bloodshed.

“Thanks daddy.” She murmured, ducking her head as she slid her slim form towards the doors.

The opening lyrics of ‘I predict a riot’ by Kaiser Chiefs cut through the air. Fumbling in his jacket pocket, the eldest Carrington withdrew his phone and grimaced. As he lifted it to his ear, he offered his daughter a glance before sliding away from his wife. Even at the other end of the car, the tension surrounding him was a tangible force that hung in the air so thickly that it was almost suffocating.

Eleanor did not spare a glance at her husband. She just titled her head slightly to the side. Within seconds a frown was forming between her brows, her pallor paling as the seconds passed.  Colbie felt her heart thud in her chest. She knew, from all of the phone calls she had seen her father take before, that nothing good was happening. If his black phone rang and her mother frowned, it meant trouble was brewing.

“Does this mean we need to go home again?” Colbie asked, glancing longingly out at the students milling about, getting to know one another and having fun.

 It was so mundane a thing to want – to long for - and yet it was something that her status had never allowed her to have.

“No, you go sweetheart. Make friends, enjoy yourself. I will make sure you are protected and safe.”

The tone brought a wave of unease to the young woman but she pushed the negative thought away. She was getting her time and it was not going to be wasted. If she let her father have his way, he would wrap her up in cotton wool and keep her safely in their country estate away from the horrors of the real world.

“Now give me a kiss. Jerry will stay and help you get settled. Your father and I need to return to capital before sun down.”

Nodding her head, Colbie pressed her lips to her mother’s warm cheek and felt her heart in her throat. She shared a long look with the woman who had raised her and felt something between grief and elation pass through her veins. This was it.

“I will miss you mummy,” she murmured before stepping out into the dull sunlight as Reggie, the portly family chauffer, held the door open for her.

Before she could say anything further, the car had pulled away in all its shiny perfection.  Colbie stood in the middle of the car park all too aware of Jerry – a loyal and all too good looking employee of her family – standing just a few feet behind her with an array of boxes and suitcases at his feet.

 Spreading her arms wide and tilting her head back, she drew in a deep breath.

“So this is what freedom feels like,” she whispered her lips twisting up into a smile. “Come on Jerry. Let’s get checked in before my parents change their minds.”