Alec Montmorency could hardly wait to meet his beloved in their secret place in the forest, the very spot where he had first laid eyes on her. He could still picture her singing, leaning her back against the thick trunk of a very large willow tree; long vines surrounded her like a curtain. She wore a simple white gown that seemed to caress her voluptuous curves. Her raven hair spilled over her slim, pale shoulders, hanging to her waist and curling slightly at their ends. She was the very image of a Goddess. Her voice was soft and strong as she sung a sad ballad of lost love.

Morna.

The name warmed his heart as he rode hard and fast across the valley, the reins clenched in his large tanned hands.

Tilting his head back, he lifted his emerald eyes, a small frown settling upon his thin lips. The moon was full as it hung high in the night sky. It looked a bit bigger than usual. It was the Harvest moon. It was a little eerie and it was harder to see through the darkness of the night, but he didn’t care. Morna was all that mattered. He directed his gaze ahead of him once more, his long dark brown hair flowing behind him, the tresses wildly whipping about each other. Finally, he sighted the forest lining as he rode over the inclination. The sounds of the hooves of his horse pounding into the ground and kicking up dust were oblivious to him. He only wished he could go faster as his gaze bore in the forest. He had to have her in his arms. He needed her. His Morna.

When he reached the forest, he slowed the horse into a slow gait as he entered, pushing the branches aside with his clothed arms. His glanced around his surroundings and breathed in the scent of earth. He searched through the forest for what seemed eternity but really was only long minutes until he found the tree. There, leaning against the tree just like when he had first seen her, was Morna.

He jumped from his saddle and strode toward her. Catching sight of him, she uncrossed her arms from beneath her breasts and ran to him. He opened his arms and closed them around her as she pressed herself against him, squeezing him tightly as she sobbed. The smile he had worm when seeing her now faded as quickly as it appeared. The sounds of her crying pulled at the strings of his heart. He ran his fingers through her soft hair, gently cupping the back of her head against his chest.

"My love, what is it?" he asked gently. She sniffled, wiping her tears on his dark shirt, dampening it.

"Father has found me a husband. He said I shall marry on the morrow." She choked on the last word, sobbing all the more.

Placing his large hands on her shoulder, he pulled her away to look into her eyes. Her eyes always captured his soul. Such dark violets with silver specks near the irises. Truly unique, but yet, she was nothing but unique, and she was his. He would be damned if he would let her marry another.

"Come with me, Morna. Leave this place," he pleaded.

Upon hearing this, she looked as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders, a smile lighting her face.

"Yes! Oh yes, my love, I will!" she announced happily as she laughed, once again throwing her arms around his neck, pressing her body against him. Alec smiled hearing her laughter. He vowed he would do all he could to keep her happy. Then, her lips found his. His eyes widened in shock but soon all sense left, his eyes closed on their own accord and he found himself returning the kiss, his tongue running along her lower lip, begging for entrance to explore her sweetness. She granted his wish, opening up to him as his tongue entered her mouth.

It was the most exotic kiss she had ever experienced. They had never kissed before and she had never had anything more than a peck on the cheek. She had once watched her parents as they kissed, but it was nothing like this. Her hands wanted to explore his body, to know every detail but she found herself on her back against the ground, the dry leaves crumbling softly beneath her. She felt his weight as he half leaned on her, his lips leaving hers to spread kisses along her the side of her neck and to her exposed collar bone. Her fingers dug into his hair, her eyes remained closed, savoring the feel of his closeness, his touch. Then, she felt him kiss the upper part of her exposed bosom. She tensed slightly and opened her eyes.

Feeling the sudden change in mood, he looked up reassuringly, placing a gentle kiss on her soft, full lips. "Do not worry so, my dear Morna. I will do nothing without your consent."

Her thoughts began to run as a slow smile touched her lips. She loved this man with all her heart. She could deny him nothing. They would marry, she knew it would be so. She felt his hand gently brush back the stray hairs at her temple, smoothing it back in place. Raising her arms, she encircled his neck, staring deep into his emerald green eyes.

"You have my consent," she whispered into his ear.

He felt himself harden upon hearing the soft whisper. He knew he would have to take her gently, but he feared that he would lose control and hurt her. He pressed a kiss on her lips once more, holding her dearly.

"Well isn’t that just sweet."

Alec stiffened, lifting his head to look around. Sitting back on his heels, he rose to his feet, holding a hand out for Morna. He helped her rise as he continued to scan the trees around them. He could not find anyone. Morna too had heard the voice, her eyes wide with fear as her arms wrapped tightly around one of his own.

"Who’s there?" Alec commanded.

Stepping out of the shadows was a man cloaked in black, a dark cloak concealing his large stature. His blonde hair was tied back at the nape and his skin so pale it was nearly transparent, and for a second, Alec swore he caught a glimpse of his eyes flashed a bright red. They shifted to the woman at his side.

"What a pretty little thing."
Morna whimpered softly, tearing her gaze from the man. Alec scowled and pushed Morna behind him, guarding her with his body protectively. He placed his hand upon the hilt of his dagger at his waist.

"Stay back."

"Is that a threat?" the man taunted, his thin, almost blue lips pulling back revealing long, pointed teeth.

Alec felt the first shock of fear but kept all emotion hidden. "Yes, it is. Now leave here."

That seemed to anger him.

"Do not give me commands boy!" In a flash, he seemed to disappear right before Alec’s eyes. He heard Morna cry out and he spun around on his heel, only to find her in the arms of the man, long sharp nails dangerously close to her throat. He was again grinning as he glanced down at Morna, running the tip of his nail along her tender, pale flesh, drawing a thin line of blood and bringing another whimper from Morna. He lowered his head and licked it up the red liquid with the tip of his tongue.

"Mmm, such an exquisite taste," he commented flashing Alec a smirk.

Upon seeing this, Alec became more enraged than sickened at the scene before him. He dared touch his Morna? He charged at the man holding his beloved, drawing his dagger. In a flash, he felt a blow across his face, so powerful, he stumbled and fell to the ground, the impact knocking the air from his lungs. His jaw burned as he touched his tongue to the corner of his lip where he tasted the blood from his spilt lip.

"Such a pity I had to do that to such a handsome face, but you see, I came out for a snack, and a snack I shall have." The man laughed and held Morna securely, bringing his lips to her neck as he sunk his teeth into her delicate flesh. Her eyes widened with fear and pain as she gasped aloud, trying to struggle free but it was to no avail.

Alec heard the gasp and lifted his head, blinking quickly, trying to clear his blurred vision. When it finally returned, he cried out and jumped to his feet. "No! Damn you no!"

The man released her and disappeared.

It all seemed to go in slow motion as Alec watched his beloved’s limp body collapse. He ran to her, falling to his knees and scooped her up, holding her close. He turned her face toward his and traced her lips with his thumb then brushed his knuckles across her cheeks which were now hollow and cold.

"Morna love, wake up. You have to wake up."

His throat tightened with emotion. Gently, he shook her as if trying to wake her up from the deep slumber. "Oh God no. Morna, you can’t die!"

He hugged her tightly against him, his tears now flowing freely. She couldn’t be dead. She just couldn’t be. They were supposed to leave this place together, start a family. He ran his fingers through her soft hair, gently combing out the tangles and dried leaves that had embedded themselves into the dark tresses. Never again would he be able to do this, to look into her eyes, and to hear her voice.

His Morna, who was out of reach from him, to never again know her touch.

He heard tsking behind him and froze. Gently, he laid the lifeless woman on the ground, positioning her with her slender hands folded on her stomach. Rising to his feet, he turned around to face the sound, his eyes hard and his jaw set.

"You killed her," he growled.

"Well of course I did. And I must say she was quite tasty, " he chuckled darkly.

Alec ground his teeth as his eyes bore deep into the man as if they would burn a hole right through him. The man stepped closer, tapping the tip of his sharp nail to his chin as his dark eyes traveled up and down Alec’s form.

"You are not that bad looking, my dear boy," he said, his eyes locked on Alec’s. He smirked seeing the rage burning there. "Ah, I know what I shall do. You shall live eternity, to never again see the face of your darling woman in heaven, but to live in the darkness that I now live in, alone."

Alec felt himself being grabbed from behind, a hand encircling his neck. He stood locked in place, unable to move a muscle as if he were glued to the spot.

"I will give you eternal life," the voice whispered huskily into his right ear before moving to his left. "I will train you and you will be mine."

"I want nothing from you!" Alec raged, wanting away from this man, wanting to be no where but with his Morna.

The man chuckled, "It’s to late boy, she is already dead, and you will be the undead."

Before Alec could respond, the man pulled back his upper lip and bit down into Alec’s neck. He could feel his life being drained from his body, the pain intense. His eyes widened then closed tightly, wanting to block out the torment but had no choice but to endure. Soon, he found himself lying on the ground. He felt weak, drained. The man kneeled beside him, licking a drop of blood on his the corner of his lips. He grinned and lifted his wrist, running a nail across the thin flesh on the inside, then, holding it above Alec’s mouth, he watched a droplet of blood fall onto Alec’s slightly parted lips, then two, then three.

It tasted sweet. Alec licked at the blood and rose slightly, reaching for the arm. He brought the wrist to his lips and sucked deeply, savoring the taste that seemed to call to him, a hunger he felt he had to satisfy.

The man smiled at the feeling it gave him. It always pleasured him to have another drink from him, but then that pleasure turned to horrible pain. Those of his kind could never let one drink too much, it would kill him.

He jerked his arm away from Alec and shoved him aside. Alec fell back, not having the strength to hold his ground. Soon, his stomach cramped, tightening painfully. He curled up, grunting at the pain. All he heard was the mans laughter before his heart seemed to stop and darkness took over.