_WAKE LUELLE! _

The voice dragged me from the depths of my sleep. I glanced outside to see the sun on the brim of rising. The husky voice again awoke me at this time. I shook my head and grabbed a blanket to drap over my cold body. Today I had to go to the neighboring village to buy seeds for Father, but I could tell a storm was brewing.

“If the storm is too violent, stay in Woodville,” Father said, giving me extra coins in case I had to stay in an inn.

I walked for about an hour, the songs of the birds dragging my dreamy feet to Woodville. I loved these walks; I could escape work for a day and enjoy the tranquil presence of nature. _LUELLE, DUCK! _ The voice caused me to suddenly bend down, the dirt covering my knees. Just as my head moved down, a razor sharp knife sliced the air where I once was. I screamed and then ran. My feet dodged fallen branches and rocks as I ran away from a large man with a growling voice. I could hear him yelling for me, telling me I was payment. I didn’t try to understand him, I only focused on escaping. _GO NEAR THE ROCKS AND THEN JUMP DOWN THE HOLE! _ The husky voice was louder now and had an urgency in its tone. It sounded like a man, and he was anxious. I found a stack of rocks and ran for them, my feet brisk and light. A hole was open near it, but it plummeted down to darkness. Do I dare trust this voice? “You’ll be tasty, that’s for sure!” The large man shouted, edging closer and closer. I glanced at him, he was non-human, a vampire for sure, hunting me down for his next meal. Without a second thought I jumped down the hole, following the voice. I land in soft arms. My eyes are still closed when the voice again speaks, though, this time I can feel the breath of him, speaking in my ear, “You’re safe Luelle, but I fear you’ve only made Draven’s hunt more intense.” I opened my eyes to see a tall, familiar man. His golden blonde hair and forest green eyes brought tears to my eyes. It was Evan. I hugged him, and he laid a small kiss on my forehead. He had come back for me. “I’ll never leave you again, my love,” he spoke, setting me in my feet. “I heard your voice,” I said, smiling. “Once I heard Draven, the vampire king, wished to find you, I was too far to keep you safe, so I had to amplify my voice.” “Draven?” I questioned. Why would the vampire king wish for me? “Yes,” Evan started, “he found out your a descendant of the Forest Queen. He heard how your Father could grow the most powerful crops on earth, and he knew you’d hold special blood.” I gulped down my fear. I had Evan with me, no one would dare hurt me.