2013 EDITED: Chapters 1 and 2 combined and all of my old ANs are gone.

Lyrics property of Cherri Bomb, Shake The Ground.

You serve it up, like I want some
but I don't want your opinion
You load it up like a shotgun, pull the trigger
Don't you love when you take one out?

Take one out

I won't do what I'm told
I will break you down
Take you down
Shake the ground

"I see you brought your cowboy boots." my mentor observed with a note of annoyance in his drawly tone.

"Yeah Storm, I did. As I told you I would, at least 50 times." I snapped back with way more venom than usual for me.

"Well, just hope for your own sake the Princes like the Wild Wild West." only he pronounced it, 'Waald Waald Weeast.'

And that pissed me off. So I stomped the heel of my little cowboy boot right down on his baby toe.

But let's back up a bit here.

My name is Kayden, but everyone calls me Kade unless I'm in trouble. The idiot is my mentor, Storm Lex. If we're being totally honest, he's a bit of a sketchy dude. But he's kinda like a dad to me, albeit a drinking, womanizing irresponsible dad. So I guess he's really more of a brother. Please note that when I said womanizing, I wasn't talking about me - I'm sure more than half the reason we travel so much is so he can throw himself at every woman in the world, at least once. Oh, and he steals things. But he's not that bad, really. We're good friends, him and I. (And I think I'm the only woman on earth who he hasn't tried anything with.) We know each other well - we're family. He's taught me everything, except how to fight. I taught myself that. I had to. He's hopeless.

I'm not much like him. I don't steal unless it's urgent, he steals because he can. And I don't womanize, or man-ize, for that matter. I'm a little angel compared to him, but that's not saying much. I can fight like nobody's business. But I won't play dirty- unless you do first. I know all the dirty tricks, and I've never been afraid to use them. 90 percent of the time, I don't start fights. But I finish them every time. Oh, and I can out-drink Storm on my worst day. I'm a little bit proud of that. When I walk, the world gets out of my way, or so I like to think.

I used to live in Montana, in a tiny town with my family on our cattle farm, Stone Cross Ranch, right across the road from my very best friend Rochelle. We raised hell together every day, galloping our horses down main street just to make the local boys stare. We were inseperable. And I found love. His name was Samson, and he also lived on a cattle farm, the only one bigger than Stone Cross Ranch. He was perfect and he was mine. I loved my life. until he left me. Roch was always there for me, until the day Sam was there for her. And that was the day I stopped loving my life.

Roch and Sam married and moved to the obnoxious, dirty, disgusting city. I only visited her once, that was way more than enough for me.

My home town wasn't the same without her. I would have died of boredom, eventually. Not to mention all the local boys were idiots, not good enough for me. I don't mean to sound arrogant, but it's just the truth! So I saddled up my horse Cheyenne and I got the hell outta there.

Not much later, I met Storm and to make a long story short, I'm a Vampire now. An honest-to-goodness bloodsuckin', supernaturally strong Vampire.

We don't have fangs, by the way. But my perfect pearly whites can bite through almost anything, so watch out!

I've been a Vampire for about 6 years, but I don't look a day older than 18. Let's just say we age well.

And that's pretty much all you need to know about me.

Oh, one more thing. In a few minutes, I'm going to meet the Vampire Princes.

###

"That's Paris Skyle. I think he's the oldest Vampire currently in existence..." Storm scrunched up his face, a sign he was deep in thought. "Yup, he's the oldest. Probably seen more action than the rest of the world put together, except prehaps for me."

Cocky idiot. I thought. We were in the Hall of Princes now, waiting in line behind some Generals who delivering messages to the 3 Princes who all looked extremely expression-less. Maybe it was because they were sitting on really uncomfortable-looking thrones that were more like chairs.

"In the middle's Mika Ver Leth. Only been a Prince for 2 years, but don't let that fool ya. He's a tough sonnova-bitch." Storm continued with a relish. He sure did enjoy sounding like he knew everything.

Behind them was a weird glowing sphere which seemed to...pulse, almost. It happened to be my favourite shade of red. It was intriguing to watch, I felt my gaze drawn to it as though magnetized.

"That's the Stone of Blood. The heart of our clan. If the Vampaneze ever got a hold of that..." Storm shuddered, then continued his introduction of the Princes as if they were all personal friends of his.

"And on the left, there's ol' Arrow. He was off livin' with the humans a while back, had a wife and everything. 'Til the Vampaneze got her. It was a nasty affair, I heard. He came back to us all messed in the head, and he's been a cold-blooded killin' machine ever since then. I've only fought beside him once, what a battle it was. I'll never forget it."

"Oh." I said. What else was I supposed to say? And why was there a chill creeping down my spine. Well, the room was pretty cold...

Then, as if he'd heard me, Arrow lifted his intense stare off the gaggle of Vampires in front of him, and slowly sweeped the entire room. Maybe it was my imagination but his eyes seemed to linger on me slightly. I was eerily drawn to them like I'd been to the Stone of Blood. They were deep and pit-like, but I couldn't be sure of the colour from this distance. I could see they were glassy and haunted though, like he'd seen too much.

When he went back to looking at the Generals, I realized I'd been staring like a dumbass.

Great first impression, Kade. You genius.

"Storm." I elbowed him sharply. "Is it true the Princes are allowed to kill whoever they want?"

"Technically, yeah. But they don't do anything without a reason."

I really hope staring isn't a good enough reason to execute someone.

Then my stomach dropped about a million feet, because the Generals walked out of the Hall, and it was our turn.

I prayed my 2nd impression would be way less airheaded than my first, but knowing me, that would be getting majorly lucky.

We stepped forward, and stood about 10 feet from the 3 Princes. I had a much better view of them now, and I had to admit they were fascinating and so incredibly different from one another.

Paris Skyle had a flowing white beard and looked like a loving old grandfather, but I could clearly see a steely glint in his blue eyes, he was still a strong and fierce man. I noticed he was missing an ear- probably in some historic battle. Beside him, Mika Ver Leth was good-looking in a super-dark way. He was the smallest of the 3, but there was nothing petite about him. His body was compact and powerful, and his facial expression looked ready to fight - but in some lights his eyes almost had a mischevious edge. And then there was Arrow, the " cold-blooded killin' machine" as Storm so gracefully put it. He was tall, bald, tattooed with arrows (I wondered if he'd named himself after them, or gotten them in honour of his name. I wanted to find out.) and he positively exuded raw power, but not in a gross bulgy muscle-builder kind of way. He looked like nature had simply gifted him with the strength to snap a tree -or someone's neck- in half. And his eyes, I had to be careful not to stare again. They were an intriguing colour, between dark gray and deep reddish-brown. Like black smoke partially obscuring a wildfire. And when they turned on me again... well there was no mistaking it, he was staring right at me. Or right through me, I couldn't tell.

Wow.

I wasn't used to feeling nervous or uncomfortable. There wasn't much I was scared of, I'm absolutely ballsy to the point of being stupid at times. But as I stood there being stared down by one of the most feared and respected Vampires in history... I was shaking in my cowboy boots.

I couldn't figure out the look on his face, it was kind, curious, defensive, and fierce all at once. He looked utterly relaxed and docile right now, but for some reason I got the impression that that could change in no time at all.

But another voice broke through my scrambled thoughts and Arrow and I both looked to the right.

"Welcome to Vampire Mountain, both of you." Paris Skyle's voice sounded so much younger than the rest of him. "And thank you Storm, for making the trip to present her to us. I have to admit, I rolled my eyes when I heard you blooded a young female-"

Storm stiffened and tried to maintain a neutral expression. I tried not to chuckle at that. Clearly I wasn't the only one who knew he had a reputation.

"-but she has an honest aura about her, she looks like a fine young Vampiress."

Storm looked deeply relieved. I was just astounded Paris had detected my 'aura' within like 30 seconds. I guess you don't live that long without learning a few things.

"She was 18 when you blooded her, correct?" said Mika sharply but not unkindly.

"Yes sire." said Storm with more respect than I'd ever heard him adress anyone.

"I'd personally ask her, rather than him, if we want the honest answer. You know how he is." Arrow spoke for the first time. His tone was offhanded, but far from disinterested. His voice was deep and powerful...comforting. So why had my heart rate increased ever so slightly? I chalked that up to the fact that all the Princes were observing me as if I was a mildly interesting TV show.

Storm looked indignant, but remained silent. I had to admit I was proud of him for not saying something he'd regret. Same for myself, I'd picked up his habit of speaking impulsively a long time ago.

"Do you, Kayden Stone, certify that you were indeed over-age and you gave full consent when Storm Lex blooded you?" Paris Skyle adressed me.

"Yeah, why would Storm lie?" I shot out. "Sire." I quickly added.

To my relief, Paris smiled warmly. "It's just a precautionary, Miss Stone. And we frown upon Vampires who blood children. You were young when he blooded you, but if you were legally an adult then we have no official complaints."

"Yeah, and we know Storm too well." Mika Ver Leth chipped in. He and Arrow both guffawed. Storm turned bright red and glared. I found myself desperately holding back a giggle.

Mika resumed his sharp expression just as soon as he'd lost it.

"State your reasons for blooding Kayden Stone." he adressed Storm with a raised eyebrow.

Storm clearly understood the meaning behind that one.

"What are you implying? NO! Kade is like family to me! I would never, EVER-" he blustered awkwardly.

"It's true!" I finally defended my mentor. Sure he had his flaws, but he had a good heart. I mean, if it wasn't for him I'd probably be dying of boredom in a ghost town.

"Kade's the truest Vampire I've ever met." Storm plowed on. "Never complains, never backs down, saved my ass more times than I can count. I've never lost a fight with her on my side."

It was true, we were a formidable duo. But he'd never laid on the praise this thickly before. For a moment I felt suspicious, but I pushed it out of my mind - If I looked good, then so did he.

The Princes all nodded silently, scanning us both from head to toe.

"One final query, then you can both retire and prepare for the Festival of the Undead." Paris spoke slowly. "How did you meet, and why was Kayden blooded?"

Oh gods...

I don't know who was redder, me or Storm. We had this sort of unspoken rule never to talk about it...

"Well, I was staying at an inn, and I was in a bar..." Storm began bravely. "I'd been drinking slowly for hours, and of course I wasn't feeling a thing."

"And then I came in." I interjected. "I'd just put my horse in the stables, I'd been riding all day, and it was freezing. And the only spare seat in the bar was beside him."

"She ignored me at first, then we got into a conversation, and before I knew it, I was doing shots with a human." Storm reddened further. "One thing led to another, and she eventually followed me back to my room..."

I glared sharply. That wasn't entirely true, he'd pretty much begged me. But it didn't seem to matter, the Princes were gaping at Storm as if they didn't know whether to laugh or kill him.

"Then I saw the scars on his fingertips, and asked what they were..." I put in.

"And I told her." he concluded.

"YOU BLOODED HER DRUNK?" the Princes snapped in unison.

"No, gods no! Do you think I'm a complete fool?" Storm whined. " I told her about us. I expected her to run, but she said she wanted to become one of us. I told her I could make it happen-"

"But I told him I'd consider it when I was sober." I added truthfully. I had my moments, but I wasn't that stupid.

"So she fell asleep on the couch in my room - nothing happened, I swear." he muttered as the Princes stared down at him reproachfully.

"And if something had happened, we certainly would't want to know about it." said Mika smoothly.

"Yes, well... by the next morning, I'd forgotten she was there-"

"And I woke him up and told him I wanted to be a Vampire." I finished with a dry mouth. That was it, that was our story. It sounds ridiculous because it's totally true.

The Princes leaned back and exchanged looks.

"They are truthful." Paris affirmed his suspicious-looking brethren. "We have no business to press charges."

"So lucky for you." Mika sneered, adressing Storm. He glared, but held his tongue.

"Thank you very much for your time." said Paris with a wide smile. "I am sure we shall speak again before the Festival is done."

Storm shifted uncomfortably. "I look forwards to it, Sire."

I pushed my nerves aside and looked each Prince in the eye one more time before bowing and exiting the Hall with Storm.

I could have sworn I saw Arrow considering a smile.

###

They say sleeping in coffins is all scary and awkward and whatnot, but don't believe them. It's great. Personally, my first night in Vampire Mountain was the best sleep of my life. But then again, I had an extra-large coffin that was clearly constructed with some fatass in mind, so I had no shortage of room to stretch out. Not to mention I had a heap of blankets and the lid shut, so I was totally cozy even though my room -'cell' they call them here- felt like 50 below. But the shut lid was the reason I almost knocked myself back out the moment I got up, mainly because I forgot it was locked. Actually I forgot it was locked from the inside, so I panicked for a good minute before remembering there was a little latch in the top corner.

Hey, I never said I was a genius. Or well-coordinated.

My cell was nothing special, cold as Hell frozen over but we were only going to be staying for the Festival of the Undead so I didn't think much of it. It was medium-sized with some shelves carved into the wall, and that's pretty much all there is to tell. I immediately pulled on my boots and changed into some freshly washed (finally! I hate travelling) clothes, my favourite pants which were comfy and attractively fitted, and a simple white tank top. I ran my hand through slightly tangled reddish hair with natural blonde highlights and figured that was the best I could do since I didn't have an actual hair brush with me. I knew I forgot something.

Anyway, hello Vampire Mountain!

I walked across the hall to Storm's cell, and pounded on the door.

"Storm, get your lazy ass up and show me around!" I hollered, anxious to get going. The Vampire Stronghold looked fascinating and ripe for the exploring, I didn't want to wait around all day. Plus he seemed to know enough about it, for once I'd tolerate his know-it-all attitude.

After alternately pounding, yelling, and waiting, I did what I do best: lost my temper, and in this case smashed right through the door. I hadn't meant to break it, I guess I just bodyslammed it way harder than I meant? Blame Vampire Mountain for not investing in Vampire-proof doors! Really, they're pretty weak.

Oh, and I broke it for nothing because Storm wasn't in there. Neither was his travel bag but I didn't think anything of that till later...

I roughly remembered where the Hall of Khledon Lurt was, so I wandered down there figuring Storm would be pigging out on breakfast with some old buddies.

I scanned the room the second I got in, but the little bastard wasn't in there. My neck prickled with apprehension, but I didn't notice because I was so shocked to see another female Vampire sitting at one of the long benches!

She had long black hair, plenty of muscles, and when she turned I saw she had a really grumpy face. Not someone you wanted to mess with - but then again, neither was I.

She and I locked eyes. I waited for her to make a friendly gesture -us ladies have to stick together!- but she sort of smirk-glared instead, as if I was something she'd just decapitated on the battlefield. Then she turned back to face the men she was sitting with.

For a second I felt a flush of dissapointment for expecting a friendly reaction, but I pushed it back and almost laughed... she was clearly under the impression that she was a little Mountain Princess, but she'd just underestimated who she glared at. I was only in town for about a week, but I fully intended on showing her a thing or two about being a classy Vampire lady.

I found myself a bowl of gods-know-what, but it sure smelled good, so I ate it. It tasted incredible, but after months of travelling and eating raw animals I probably would have thought toenails tasted incredible too.

I sat down at the least crowded table, I wanted to look around at everyone before I started socializing, maybe eavesdrop on a few conversations. After being alone with Storm for months, anything would have been interesting to listen to. But a young Vampire about my age had other plans.

"Hello, you must be Kayden. Welcome!" he said warmly as he sat down across from me.

"That's my name, don't wear it out." I said peevishly. He was now blocking my view of two burly Vampires who were on the brink of a fistfight. Come on, I was watching that!

"I'm Gavner. Gavner Purl." he introduced himself, apparently deaf to my scathing tone.

"Nice to meet ya. I'd tell you my name but you creepily know it already." I gave up on watching the fight and observed the man in front of me. He was muscular enough, with pleasant brown hair and kind mischevious eyes. I couldn't help but tone down the attitude ever so slightly- it couldn't hurt to make a friend. He clearly thought the same because he smiled with the same persistent friendliness that irked me ever so slightly. Cheerful people have always pissed me off, maybe it was because my ex best friend Roch had been so insufferably chipper the day she told me she was marrying my first love Sam...

But lucky for this Gavner fellow, he wasn't that kind of cheery, so I smiled back. It was small but it was genuine.

"Sorry about that." he grimaced without entirely losing the smile. "But it's big news. We heard about it 6 years ago when you were blooded, and now that you're here, well it's all over the mountain."

I raised my eyebrows. "I'm that big a deal?"

Gavner shrugged. "Well, we hear about it every time a new Vampire gets blooded, right away when the mentor sends a message to someone else, especially a General or a Prince. Technically they're supposed to if they can. If not, word gets out eventually if you meet other Vampires. Plus Storm's a bit of legend -infamous, really- it sparked a lot of interest when we heard he blooded a girl."

"Ahh." I said, sipping a mug of fresh blood and deciding not to discuss any details there.

"Yeah, plus it's not every day a girl gets blooded anyway." he added with a chuckle. "We've only just gotten used to having Arra around."

"I'm gonna take a wild guess and assume that's Arra." I said, pointing at the darkhaired girl who'd looked at me funny.

"The one and only." Gavner replied lightly.

I raised my eyebrows even higher.

"Oh come on Kade-" (since when were we on first-syllable basis? I've known him for what, 3 minutes?) "Don't tell me you're already on her bad side." he sighed.

"Haven't met her." I answered shortly. "But she gave me quite the look when I stepped in the room."

Gavner laughed happily-did the guy ever stop radiating friendliness? Seriously.- and said,

"Don't worry, she always looks down at newcomers. Just because she gets a lot of respect here...I mean, she's really earned it, she used to be at the bottom of things here."

"Yeah well, I've been a lot of places, and the only thing that's ever looked at me like what was a Vampaneze, 5 minutes before I gutted him." I stated flatly. No way was I going to admit how much that little glare insulted me.

"I guess you're not used to being looked down upon." said Gavner, voicing exactly what I'd been thinking.

"Mmmm." I hummed non-commitally. "Anyway, do you know where Storm might be? He said he was gonna show me around, but I have no idea where he is."

Gavner looked thoughtful. "Well, he could be in the Hall of Princes, or the Hall of Stahrvos Glen, the Hall of Games, or possibly the Hall of Perta Vin-Grahl."

"Lots of halls." I noted, trying not to sound overwhelmed. I'm confident with directions, but still. This wasn't a place I wanted to get lost in.

"I could show you." Gavner offered with off-putting eagerness. I brushed it off with a cool smile.

"It's okay, I'll figure it out." I said, standing up. "See ya around, Gav."

He looked sligtly impressed that I'd reciprocated the first-syllable address. "Looking forwards to it!"

"Oh wait!" I turned around, there was something I'd intended to ask someone. "What is -er, was this stuff?" I held up my near-empty bowl of the tasty stuff I'd been eating.

"Oh, that's bat broth." Gavner replied with a big smile. "It's a Vampire Mountain favourite."

I laughed, loud and sharp. "No really, I'm kinda in a hurry. What is it?"

Gavner smiled even wider which caused me to cringe. "I'm dead serious, it's bat broth!"

"Oh...my...gods..." I gagged, narrowly escaping hurling it back up into the bowl.

I really hoped there weren't any more 'suprises' in this mountain. I was so wrong!

###

I checked the Hall of Stahrvos Glen, where I got whistled at by a pack of drunken Generals. Then I checked the Hall of Games where some huge guy catcalled while getting his ass kicked on the bars. And then down to the Hall of Perta Vin-Grahl, AKA the community showers. You can imagine what they said down there.

Storm was nowhere to be found, and I was getting edgy.

As I walked quickly down the corridor from The Hall of Khledon Lurt to Stahrvos Glen, I came to the realization that I should have brought a coat. It must be 50 below in here. And here I was running around in a tank top. I hugged myself and walked a bit faster, able to see my breath steaming out of my mouth.

Damn it Storm, where the hell are you?

About 30 feet up the hall I was in, there was a small room on the left side, and a red cloaked figure had just walked out.

"Hey!" I yelled. The red cloaked man didn't acknowledge me, so I repeated it, about 10 times as loud. I don't like being ignored...

The man turned. He was tall and slender with a warm wrinkley face and and the beginnings of a grey beard. He arched his thick eyebrows at me.

"'Hey' yourself." he greeted me.

"Do you know Storm Lex?" I immediately asked, plowing right over the possibility of an introduction. But like Gavner, this guy had other ideas.

"You must be Kayden Stone." he said slowly and politely. "Welcome to Vampire Mountain. My name is Seba Nile. I serve as Quartermaster here." Every word was spoken in a perfectly percise, measured tone, as if the man had spent hours practicing that sentence.

"Oh yeah, nice to meet you. Lovin' the decor in here, great job. Seen Storm today?" I blurted quickly, in as much of a hurry as he was patient.

He cocked his head ever so slightly and observed me as though trying to decide whether or not to lecture me on politeness.

"Yes I know Storm, how could I not? I never cease to be amazed when I hear stories of his escapades."

I rolled my eyes. I didn't see why he was so infamous, he was just a mouthy hardass with more attitude than values.

"Do you know where he is?" I pressed. I didn't have all day!

"I saw him earlier." Seba replied simply, in a tone that suggested he knew way more than he was letting on.

"Great, where?" I tried not to snap, I really did.

Then he assumed an extremely puzzled expression which I found...deeply unsettling.

"What?" that time I did snap.

"I thought he...surely...oh. It does not really concern me..." This time there was none of the exact percision in his words.

"What!" I howled furiously, half roar and half whine.

"I assumed he would have told you!" Seba continued, sounding slightly less baffled than me.

I automatically took a step towards him.

"If you don't tell me where the hell Storm is..." I hissed in the threatening tone I saved for dealing with enemies.

I already had my suspicions, but when he put both his hands on my shoulders and dead-eyed me, that's when I got chills.

"Storm left the Mountain hours ago, Kayden. I asked him about it, he told me you were aware and that he had never intended to stay for the Festival."

I didn't say anything. I couldn't have spoken even if I'd wanted to.

"I am so very sorry, Kayden. I know him, I know how he is, what he does. I should have known better than to take him seriously. " Seba stated somberly.

"No." I said, suprised at the icy calmness in my voice. "I should have known better than to trust him since the moment I met him. It's my own damn fault, actually."

And with that, I turned on my heel and strode away with cold, angry tears falling from my eyes. I walked and walked, a couple times I thought I heard someone calling my name, but part of me felt like I was just imagining it and the rest of me just didn't give a fuck.

I wasn't naive enough to think he was a perfect man, but he was my mentor. We'd exchanged blood, we were family... or maybe I'd just been lied to for the past 6 years. All I was to him was a drunken mistake and he'd finally gotten the opportunity to dump me like an unwaned dog.

So I walked through the tunnels, halls, and corridors in the inside of this big rock called Vampire Mountain. Until I hit a wall, literally. Then for the first time in a decade, I crumbled to the floor and cried.

You got the whole world choking
From all the bridges that you're burning

You're not the leader of an army
And yet the enemies still back down

I won't do what I'm told
I will break you down
Take you down
Shake the ground

Your dark sun leaves me cold

Reviews are love.

rxx