1. Teila

Chapter 1 part 1

I watched the moonrise, as I do every night, and wished it was the sunrise instead. I leaned back against the tree I was perched in and sighed. The darkness was cool when you're a vampire because you can be sneaky and silent, and no one knows you're there, but what about beach parties where you race across the scorching sand, laughing as your feet ache?
"Teila! Why aren't you at home?" my friend, or rather my sister as she had become since my Turning, called to me.
"Beatrice, do I really have a home? No, I don't, and you know it. But why am I not at our current shelter? Do I look like a kid to be restrained?"
Her sigh matched mine as she climbed my tree and sat by me, perfectly balanced. Her skin was a creamy shade of brown, yet still had a faint 'paleness' we all have.
"We were about to leave to hunt when we realized you weren't there."
"Surprise, I'm right here." Sarcasm dripped off my voice like melted butter.
"I take it you're not going with us again?" Instead of sarcasm coating her voice, deep concern washed over her.
I did my best to smile at her. "Tell Saden I'm sorry." Saden was the leader of our coven of six, our family, as he put it.
"Okay, but you really should eat something. Your skin is starting to fade."
"I'll get a burger from McDonald's or something." It was our private joke between Bea and I. Vampires can eat normal food, but it doesn't nourish us. It still tastes good, though.
She giggled, a high musical sound. "Okey-dokey then. See you soon." She wrapped one slim arm around me and gave me a squeeze. I returned the hug with a smile.
Once the coven left, I hopped out of my tree and walked slowly to a little creek that had one side covered over with the forest's edge. It was slow enough I could see my myself in it. The myth about vamps not having a reflection in the mirror is true, but that doesn't stop water from showing me. My skin, in such contrast to Bea's, was sickly pale, and I didn't even have raven dark hair to make it beautiful.