1 Part One: Burning Bridges

It is said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but there are things and people in the world that look otherworldly. Thereassa Blackwood is one of these mystifying creatures. She is neither human nor extraterrestrial. She is simply the product of many long-forgotten breeds. A princess among the supernatural. Her raven black hair that flawlessly flows to her knees, Golden eyes that rival any piece of jewelry, and lips that could outdo any rose. All beautifully placed upon her light caramel-colored skin. On this night, in mid-September, she sits comfortably in her candlelit room waiting for her beloved to return to her. Her delicate features were more profound with each stroke of her extended stomach. Her unborn child only a month from being due.

"Oh love, you must calm down! I am just as excited to meet you, but I prefer my ribs to stay intact. Besides, your father should be on his way." Thereassa says softly to her unborn child trying to stay positive. It's been seven months since she last saw her beloved, but she sent him word of her pregnancy as soon as she found out.

It was getting later and later as she stared out the window. Finally, she decided that she should get some sleep. She crossed the room and slid down into her silk sheets. She quickly blew out her candle before closing her eyes. Sleep quickly found her.

"Miss! Lady Tessa, Please wake up! Its an emergency!" called out a small girl with brown hair and green, panic-filled, eyes. She shook her mistress gently until her eyes fluttered open.

"What is it Sarah?" asked Tessa before noticing the smoke filling the room quickly. She sat up as quickly as her body would allow and scanned the room.

"Milady, we need to get you out of here! A fire was set at the other end of the castle. He seems to be looking for you!" Sarah said. Tessa moved her legs off the side of the bed and tried to stand. Her head flooded with waves of dizziness and began to fall. Her surprisingly strong housekeeper, Sarah, caught her and helped her stand.

'A man? Who could it be? Very few humans know of my homes whereabouts, and those that do work for me' thought Tessa. Her golden eyes flew open as she realized 'It has to be him'. Tessa frowned and then moved with Sarah's help to a large wardrobe in the corner of the room. She opened it and pulled out a bag almost as long as her that was so overstuffed things were poking out of the top. She grabbed a dress and cloak before releasing Sarah from her grasp.

"Mistress?" Sarah said as she tilted her head at the overstuffed bag.

"Don't worry, I, unfortunately, have been expecting something like this to happen for a while. Ever since I sent that letter to James, and never heard back. I suppose this is his answer, and he is siding with his family. Anyways, the bag is just supplied such as food, water, clothes, and baby supplies." Tessa explains.

"Oh, I am sorry to hear that and to rush you. It's just your home is burning down, and you have more than one life to think about." Sarah says while taking Tessa's hand and pulling her to the door.

"You know, I can follow you of my own accord. I did plan to take the kitchens secret exit, and journey home. You are more than welcome to join me if you wish." Tessa said as the blushing housekeeper retracts her hand and keeps walking.

"While you are the best friend, boss, and vampire a girl could know, I can't. My mother and younger siblings count on me. I do hope that you understand, milady." she replies and starts following her mistress to the kitchen.

"I do, and I wouldn't dream of breaking up such a family. If you ever need me then you know how to get in touch. Oh, and here. Tie this around your nose and mouth to block some of the smoke." Tessa responds, handing over black cloth, not bothering to hide her slight sadness. She picked up the pace but stopped short of cutting through the dining room.

"TEREASSA BLACKWOOD! I know that you are here! I am here on behalf of King James! He has put out a hit on the little bastard growing inside of you. He wanted to wait until the child was born, but then there is no way to know if you switched them before we got to it. So, I decided to come ahead of schedule. In fact, I was told if I kill you both, I will receive double the gold promised for just the bastard!" A man snarled from what sounded to be the dining hall. Not that either of the women bothered to check before quietly taking the longer route to the kitchen. Sarah watched the door for anyone who doesn't work there while Tessa worked on getting the secret door open. She found it quickly, but her pregnant belly making it impossible to open it. She waved Sarah over to help her and together managed to open it before they heard a grunt from behind them.

"AHA! Tessa, how have you been? Its been a while since you turned me down for that date. You still have time to change your mind?" The man suggested. His brown hair matted to his sweaty head. His grey, sunken eyes stripping the girls before them. A scar covering half his face. Protruding jowls with fringe coming down in front of his oversized ears.

"And here I thought you at least had brains. That scar on your face was one hell of a rejection! You are one ungrateful boar, Micheal." Tessa scoffs and glares at him. He instantly lunges at the women. Sarah jumps in front of her mistress and looks away from the man shouting for Tessa to run. Micheal lands on Sarah, but Tessa shoves him off of her and pulls the girl close to her.

"Lady Tessa, you should save yourself. I promise I can find a way out of this." Sarah says as she holds her arms out in front of her. Tessa can't make herself leave her. Seeing how much the girl cares for her she decides to tell her.

"I have a way that will save us both, but if I use this method...you will be bound to me. You won't be able to leave my side for a time." Tessa says as she moves her housekeeper's brown hair off her neck revealing the soft ivory skin they lay beneath. Sarah freezes as she understands what Tessa must do. Tessa knew it was unfair to the housekeeper, but it was the only way she could think of where they both live. She watched Sarah think it over before nodding in agreement to the plan.

"Alright, That's enough chit chat for one knight girls. Nobody is going to save either of you now." Micheal says as he charged at them.

"I'm sorry this might hurt a bit," Tessa says warned before sinking her fangs into her housekeeper's neck. Sarah gasped, but instantly melted into her arms. Micheal instantly froze at the attractive sight before him. He watched in curiosity as he adjusted his pants. Her eyes changed from their usual gold to a dangerous black. Confused he pulled out a dagger and readied his attack. She removed her fangs from the housekeeper's neck. Which neither seemed pleased about. Micheal lunged at Sarah, who was gathering the bag and clothes that they intended to take, but to his displeasure, Tessa punched him with such force he stumbled/ flew back a couple of feet. By the time he recovers Sarah stood just in front of her mistress. She was pulled into Tessa's embrace and held tightly. Tessa began to shout at the sky, and only thunder could be heard as a response.

"Almighty underworld of shadows hear my plea. Grant me your power and transport me." Teressa shouted to the sky. The two women disappeared right in front of Micheals's eyes. He looked around the room before releasing his anger. His eyes flashing red before shouting in pure fury.

"Ahhhhhhhh…" He shouted as a pulse of power expands around him destroying all it touches.