Disclaimer: I do not own CSI...

Vocab:

Vampire: A new species of human, not necessarily one with common myth. Feeding from humans is rare and often forbidden, they do not kill, garlic and crosses do no damage, and their only enemy is sunlight. Although sunlight is not fatal, it can be increasingly incapacitating to any vampire in its path. After exposure, a vampire usually needs to feed before being cast to sleep. The longer without blood, the more time it takes for the healing process to begin. Decapitation is the only sure way to kill a vampire. If properly taken care of a vampire can last centuries.

Half-breeds: A cross between a human and a vampire, often known as ‘light-walkers’ or ‘sun-striders’, often outcast from their individual clans when a true-blood mates with a human female or vice versa. Half-breeds are often rare since the union between humans and True-bloods are often discouraged and forbidden. Half-breeds usually have the tendency to crave human blood, when their hunger consumes them they often commit suicide.

Bled: Marriage in certain clans; to be bled means that the male and female of a clan have had their blood combined in a basin from slit right wrists and have drank the combined blood under a full moon.

True blood or pure blood: A vampire born into a clan with no human relatives, often regarded with the utmost reverence and respect since there are very few in existence.

Blood-lust: Where a vampire has waited too long to feed. More experienced vampires can hold off the hunger and live for extended periods of time without feeding. Although it is not advised.

Mate: The female or male of a bled couple.

The council: A group of vampires that are high in the hierarchy, usually the only true-bloods within the clan. Councils usually consist of five males and five females. They usually vote on clan laws and which members of their clan should be banished for their indiscretions. In certain clans males or females can be banished for not taking a mate, hungering for human blood, and murder is punished very severely.

Blood-packers: A group of humans that drain vampires of their blood and sell it to the highest bidder. True-bloods are highly hunted for their blood for its healing properties and aging benefits. A human can live for almost as long as a vampire by regular ingestion of a true-bloods life force.

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Prologue

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He hated the rain; how it made him feel. It was one of the reasons he felt empty. Centuries past and once his family no longer wanted him he decided it was time for him to move on. He looked in the mirror at himself, how much that his life had changed in the passing 50 years. It would be his 250th anniversary soon, a thought that he could no longer bare.

The ballroom was alive with activity. Bled couples dancing closely together to the orchestra in the background. He never liked these ceremonies, but he was forced to come. Each male was supposed to choose a female to be bled together and create young. He just didn’t share his brethren’s hunger.

“Rhodock my brother, are you not going to partake in the female company tonight?” A brightly decorated male came up to his side, a man by the name of Jonathan Rice. “I would, but I’ve already been bled. Marie is enough female for me inside and out.”

“I feel that there is something wrong with me, Johnny.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I’ve been in this society for over a hundred years, and yet I do not wish to mate with any of these females. I crave something I do not understand. Something I’m not allowed to have something that is forbidden amongst our group.”

“Roddy, how long has this been going on?” John asked with a frown.

“Too long, as long as I can remember. I bedded a female once, and it just didn’t satisfy me. Her taste was exquisite, but it did nothing to quench my thirst. I haven’t fed since then.” He held his head down in shame. “I’ve heard the council talk of banishing me. I feel it would be best, I would not be offended if it did happen.”

A crack of thunder split the sky followed by lightning. The illumination lighting the sky for that brief second as the rain fell and the sky again went dark. “Where will you go?”

“I do not know. All I really comprehend about myself is that there is something utterly wrong with me. I crave what is forbidden, I have no desire to take what is offered, and I can’t bring myself to be bled for a female of my species.” Sighing, he caught his reflection in the mirror. His blue eyes cloudy and torn, his hair graying at the temples, his skin smooth to the cleft of his chin, the cloak was pure straight black and his figure screamed sex…but for all he was weary. “I feel as if I should be leaving this place, John. Take care of yourself; I am going to retire for the evening.”

Two days later he was sent on his way, ten years later he migrated to the United States, it wouldn’t be until 150 years later he would meet her…