PROLOGUE

Alem’s eyes gleamed in the darkness. No one noticed him though. That was how he wanted it. There were many things you could learn after a few centuries of existence about being unseen if you wished to be. A lone man hurried by, eyes darting around nervously.

It made him smile. Lucky for that man he’d already fed and fed well. He smelled quite appetizing. A breeze stirred his hair. It made him freeze. The absolutely delicious scent it carried made his stomach clench and throat burn. What-? Girlish laughter reached his ears. Footsteps, drawing closer…

He couldn’t resist getting a better look. There were two girls who appeared to be about ten years old, walking side by side. Their hair had been artfully arranged and their dresses and coats were nice. A woman, dressed just as well, walked a little behind them, an indulgent smile on her face as she watched them.

It was the taller of the two younger females that smelled so wonderful. She was listening to her friend chattering on blithely about The Nutcracker but she seemed a bit distracted. “I can’t believe you’ve never seen it!” she exclaimed. “Wasn’t it WONDERFUL?”

“Yes.” The one word response elicited a sigh from the other girl, who was fairly vibrating with enthusiasm. He didn’t spare her another thought. “I had a very good time. Thank you so much, Mrs. Hanley for taking me with you.” That seemed to satisfy her friend.

“We’re glad you could come, Lona dear,” Mrs. Hanley said. Lona… What an interesting name! And what an interesting girl. He wondered if she even realized. The moment the thought crossed his mind, he knew she did. It was in the way she carried herself, with a containment and awareness that was ill-suited to a girl her age.

Her step faltered for a moment, gaze suddenly focusing. Could she possibly be aware that something monstrous lurked in the shadows? Alem’s smile returned as he waited to see. The gir- no, Lona’s eyes shifted towards where he was standing. However, she forced her eyes to go back to the road. She subtly increased the pace. He suppressed a chuckle.

The conversation picked back up as they started discussing their favorite numbers and the music. Alem’s smile only deepened as the sound of their conversation (and Lona’s scent) faded. It had been a long time since anything had captured his interest like that girl. Wait… Nothing ever had.