Resistance (Dark Realm Series) by Patricia Mason

Prologue

 
    "All warfare is based on
deception."
    Sun
Tzu, The Art
of War

 
    London,
Dark Realm British Empire - 8 years ago.

 
    Hands covered my eyes from behind and my
breath stopped.
    "Daddy." I jumped and twisted
easily out of their slight pressure as I squealed with laughter.
    "Happy Birthday, lambkin." My
father leaned down to press a gentle kiss against my forehead and then pulled
away with a smile, the tips of his fangs just barely showing beneath the curve
of his upper lip. My father might be a vampire but I loved him. I'd never known
anything else. Besides, he'd always been so good to me despite my being human.
My mother, on the other hand, expressed her dislike for me on a daily basis.
But I knew that was just her jealousy. She couldn't seem to stand Daddy's love
for me."
    I'd been adopted as an infant as part of
Prince Leopold's Operation Re-parentage. The project required all human orphans
be placed in aristocratic homes, giving them new hope for a future life. Before
Operation Re-parentage, human orphans often died of neglect or found themselves
scrounging for food on the streets. I'd been lucky to never have a day of
hunger. Other humans had endured discrimination despite the passage of the
Equal Protection Act of 1923 decades ago. Not me. The importance of my parents
in society made me immune to ill treatment.
    Yes. I was very lucky.
    "You look so grown up, Amy."
Daddy stepped back and considered me from head to foot.
    My new party dress was white silk and
organza. It had a fitted bodice and was cinched at my waist by a scarlet belt
tied in a bow. The billowing skirt flared out over a crinoline petticoat. My
long, dark hair had been fashioned into my first updo, a French twist.
    He motioned for me to twirl and as I
obeyed, the skirt billowed around my legs.
    "Is this your twenty-first
birthday?" Daddy arched one black brow and a slight curve to his lips.
    "No, silly," I said, giggling.
"I'm only turning thirteen."
    "Ah, yes." His smile widened
into a grin fully revealing the sharp incisors. "How could I have been so
mistaken?"
    In his tailor made tuxedo, with dark hair
slicked back, my father was the handsomest of the vampire aristocracy. Of
course, this was just my opinion and I might have been just a bit biased.
    My mother, Vera, stepped into the room
dressed in a skin-tight evening gown— black to match her hair and eyes.
"Alex, stop playing with... her and come along downstairs. Our guests have
arrived. We are already late."
    "Fashionably so, my love."
Daddy crossed the room and leaned toward her. Vera stretched up to him to meet
his lips but his own grazed her cheek instead.
      "Besides, we have the guest of honor right here."
He inclined his head toward me. "They will await our arrival for the party
to truly begin."
    Daddy winked at me and held out a hand. I
dissolved in giggles again. This brought a new scowl of disapproval from Vera
as she stomped out. Skipping forward, I took his hand and the two of us
followed Vera to the head of the grand staircase. At least thirty members of
the aristocracy awaited us on the next floor down. I'd met a few of my parent's
friends individually, but the occasion had been rare, and I'd never been with
them in a group.
    As I stood there my knees began to shake.
For the first time that night I was nervous. This would be my introduction to
society and I wanted to make my parents—well, my father —proud.
    Music played and the gathered throng
chatted. Long moments passed before we were spotted.   The music stopped, as did the murmuring. Almost as one, they
turned to stare up at us, eyes gleaming. They were all so beautiful, dressed in
finery and jewels. All for me, and my birthday.
    Daddy put took my hand and put it around
his arm before leading me down slowly. "Do not fret, my pet. They will all
love you."
    "Really?"
    "Yes. Particularly someone very
special."
    "Who?"
    "You shall see. Be patient."
    As we descended, the beautiful crowd
began to applaud. When we