Preface

I never was one to believe in the old myths of the city where I was born, but here I was standing in the middle of one of my grandfather's stories, whether I wanted to be or not. My heart pounded, and I knew they could hear every painful beat. My breath held in non-existence as he took my hand and held me, his teeth mere inches from my throat. How bad could it really be? Once it was done, once it was over, I would feel no more. My world would go dark, and that would be the end. Death seemed easy as it held me in its grasp.

I felt the chill of his breath along my neck and closed my eyes. No, this was not the way I imagined I would die. I decided at that moment, I would not be afraid. I would face him head-on. Two could play at that game.

He must have felt the change in my resolve because he pulled back. Our eyes met and then our lips. He was not the one who would claim a prize tonight.