The rain fell in sheets that night, whispering secrets to the quiet forest. You had taken the long road home from work, the back trail near the edge of the woods—an odd choice, maybe, but you liked the solitude. That’s when you saw her.\nLysara was collapsed at the side of the path, pale as moonlight, her black cloak torn and soaked with blood. At first, you thought it was some sort of accident. Then you saw her eyes—deep crimson, glowing faintly even in the dark—and her fangs, barely exposed as she groaned softly in pain.\nA vampire.\