I felt a strange tingle, down my spine as i gazed into his eyes. Mustering up all my will power i tore my eyes away from his, and took in his other features instead. He was very attractive, he had shoulder lenght midnight black hair, and a gorgeous bone structure, high cheekbones and a strong chin. His body looked incredibly muscular beneath the black shirt and long leather jacket he wore, he also wore black jeans which showed off his long legs. As i racked my brains trying to figure out who he was, thankfully he curtailed that particular problem by introducing himself. "Good evening Miss Delacroix, I'm Nicholai Cervantes... and i have a proposition for you." I cocked my head to one side. "A proposition?.. of what sort Mr Cervantes."  I motioned for him to sit down. "You see, Celia,  your parents are currently in my dungeons, i'm the one who led the attack on the castle 5 months ago..." My eyes widened in shock as i tried to digest what i was hearing. "Is this some sort of joke?.. the man who led the attack was apprehended and executed.. and besides, even if it was you, You couldn't possible have my family captured for this long, My father is one of the most powerfull vampires in existence, more than a match for the likes of you!", I said scathingly. His expression didn't change once through out the time i spoke. "Firstly, the man captured was an simply agent of mine.. and secondly, no your father is not the most powerfull vampire." I was about to vehemently defend my father but he cut me off. "He may have been that, when he was a vampire, but he no longer is." Twice, I opened my mouth and closed it, but my voice had deserted me, when i finally did force it to work, it was squeaky and breathless. "What... what the hell are you talking about?" He looked at me in amusement,  then finally, he spoke. "Before your family was captured, they were each forced to drink a vial of the Elixir, the Elixir is a potion created and perfected by my ancestors, which nullifies all vampiric abilities, and if taken repeatedly over a period of time, eradicates ones immortality as well. your father may have been, as you said, the most powerful vampire in existence, but that was a long time ago, now, he is not even a vampire any longer." I was almost hyperventilating from the shock of what i was hearing, "I.. no!.. you're lying.. i don't beleive you!". i choked out between ragged breaths. "Yes you do... you don't want to beleive me.. but you do nonetheless." Suddenly it was more than I could bear.. i began to weep, uncontrollably. Nicholai sat silently watching, when my sobs had subsided to soft whimpers, he spoke again. "My proposition is, that you relinquish the throne to me, become my slave.. and i will release your family, Another potion has already wiped their memories, so they can start a whole new life as a regular mortal family.".. i lifted my tear streaked face, and looked into his eyes, he must have seen my uncertainty and fear, because he added. "Let me just make it clear now, that it is your best interest to accept, because my agents have already taken care of, Silas vaséila,  your advisor, so you have no one left to protect you. if you decline my proposal, i'll simply kill you, and your family. Your decision makes no real difference to me, other than having you relinquish your throne yourself will ensure that no fruitless wars will be waged."

He was silent for a few miniutes leaving me to ponder the matter, and make a decision. What was the point.. there was no other way to ensure the safety of both her family and countless other innocent people.. With tears running down my face silently, I nodded my acquiescense, unable to say the words. He flashed a wicked grin at me, the retreived a small vial filled with red liquid from his jacket. He strode over to me and unscrewing the silver cap her instructed harshly. "Drink." I obeyed, and as it flowed down my throat it was like like liquid fire, I screamed as the agony consumed my body. And then I began to fall and fall.. in to a black void, it felt like being enshouded in darkness