Chapter One

“We don't have a choice. So far, she's shown she has zero talent in her blood.” A man's voice rang throughout the almost empty corridor. There sat a small girl, about ten by a closed door. Her emerald eyes widened in shock over the words she had just overheard. She silently leaned further forward, waiting for the denial of his claim from the woman in the room.
It never came.
A silence filled the room as the rustling of fabric could be heard. The girl let out a shocked gasp as the grating sound of the door sliding open filled her ears. Flailing uncontrollably to maintain her balance – and failing miserably – the child landed ungracefully on her rump.
Strong hands, so deceptively hidden on the woman's fragile frame clasped the collar of her shirt, lifting her up to meet a scowling face. Frightened emerald met with a hatred etched deeply into a reddish terra cotta. Harsh words – no matter how quietly they were spoken- seemed to echo deeply into her soul. “Shouldn't you be training instead of eavesdropping you ungrateful whelp.”
Considering this woman was the mother of this household, these words would've been shocking to hear. That is, not unless you lived in this building.
A man moved to stand beside his silently fuming wife. He was about an inch taller and sported a thick head of hair. His sneer did nothing to reassure the squirming child. Fangs shone in the dimly lit corridor.
“I think I know a faster way to see if she's going to continue on as the useless one of your batch.” There was a tone somewhere in the man's voice that sprung forth hope in the woman as well as the girl.
“Really now? You should've told me of this before.” A drawl came from the woman as she pursed her lips, seriously considering his method.
“Then I won't have to train anymore?!” This hopeful outburst brought realization of her airborne position by her mother. She landed on the stone floor with a soft 'oof'.
The pair returned to the room, conversing this time in another language.
Rising on shaky legs, the girl walked out the door and into the fresh air. A draft of wind brushed against her pale skin, rustling her pale green locks. She took a moment to enjoy the sensation before moving to sit under a tree.
Training could wait, she thought, the trees are more important.
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An arrow thudded into the tree behind the moss-haired youth. The girl sat up and shrieked at the object just a few seconds late to carve a hole into her head. A thin layer of sweat on her skin lets the odd colour shine. It's too pale to be called tan, yet too tan to be called pale.
Another object embedded itself in with a thwack. They were getting closer, that much was apparent. The girl pressed on, pushing herself. It wasn't enough. The projectile went into her shoulder with a schluck.
A cry of pain filled the air as a taller man came into the girl's line of sight. Her eyes widened in fear. The pale man sneered down at her as he came to a halt before her. She tried to crawl away but it was futile. In one swift movement he straddled her and grasped the arrow. Another cry was released as thin, delicate arms removed the projectile.
As quickly as it began the male was walking slowly, yet gracefully, towards the other arrows. They were given the same treatment as the last, perhaps a bit gentler. The slender figure opened his mouth to speak. The voice that came out was deep and commanding with a slight accent. “You need talent. Why bither with anything unteel you have that.”
“If I don't try...what would happen to me?” The girl was trembling as the man thought long and hard. A few moments later he frowned and looked her in the eye, something that had scared the youth since childhood.
An odd glint shone in the amber eyes. “She'd kill you.” It was a statement that she knew already the answer to. Nobody crossed mother, not even father.
A large hand offered itself to her. It would've been a nice gesture had his jaw not been locked and his eyes burning with hatred. If she took his hand, there was uncertainty in what would happen next. That was the kind of person he ended up becoming.
The girl struggled up, supporting her weight on her good arm but forgetting occasionally and falling back with a pained cry. Eventually the taller figure reached down and pulled her up by her injury. The cry she let out was inhuman.
“Shut it.” He pulled the figure up to look eye to eye. She immediately quieted and began trembling. “Beetter” His scowl was out of place on his handsome features. No matter how hard he dug his fingers into her cut, she didn't scream. It was better that she endure the pain silently then have him look at her like that again.
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“How was your training?” It came out cold, devoid of any emotion. The youth could tell this woman, her mother, couldn't care less about her injuries. That had probably been the whole point of this 'training'.
“Fine mother.” Her response was just as cold as the question. A glare from the taller man behind her showed her it was anything but fine.
“If it was theet, she'd heeve power!” He was clearly outraged, his shouting showed that quite clearly. The scowl he now wore twisted his handsome face to make him seem more monstrous.
“That's enough, Felcas!” It was rare for this woman to show any hint of favoring her children. To them, they were only bugs in her eyes. Squashed easily under her supreme rule. “I know she remains useless. The fault could be yours. It is you that is training her after all.”
Felcas bowed his head in a show of respect. His voice was apologetic as he spoke, “My deepest apologies, mother.”
An odd smirk worked its way onto the woman's face. It was frightening for anybody, no matter how many times you witnessed it. Both of her children shuddered. “There may be a way to fix this. It would require some...additional training.
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Blinding pain filled her senses as fangs sunk into the green-haired girl's shoulder blades. She began to scream at the new sensation. The girl was beginning to lament her position, her life and her birthright. Cruel laughter filled her ears.
Five claws raked across the abused flesh, scarring it. Her head raised slightly from its position to view her surroundings. She was lying face down on a stone slab, surrounded by her parents and a few older siblings. Her emerald eyes began to leak tears as she struggled against her family.
Her vision swam with white as Felcas slammed her head back down. His slender hand held still as he hissed poison into her ears. The youth just wished it would end sooner.
After she was sure all her blood had exited her body, the figures drew away. The sound of blood dripping to the floor slowed as no more wounds were being created. Shakily, the girl tried to stand. Her vision blacked out and her thin arms slipped in the blood.
Cruel laughter echoed in the room. Her emerald orbs focused on the shape of her mother, cackling for all she was worth. A soft whimper came from her as she was dragged into a standing position.
“That's a good girl. Now, drink up.” An open water skin was thrust into her face. Warm, metallic liquid slid into her open mouth. Pale hands reached up to grasp the sewn hide and gulp hungrily at its contents. So engrossed in her fevered hunger, she missed the expectant looks on the faces around her.
This was an improvement in her. After all, she hadn't desired blood before.

Author's Note

I didn't want to make a book for this but it says I have to...Next chapter will be finished as soon as I find what CD it ended up on