Interview with a Vampire

  By Rebecca Tran

I had the opportunity to sit down with Anya Drake, the so-called villain in Alexandria Diego’s tell-all memoir For Their Sins. Anya swears she is misunderstood and asked for a chance to share her side with the world.

“Can you tell the audience a little about yourself?” I asked Anya urging her to open up.

Anya smiled and stared at me a moment considering what she would say, “My real name in Anica Golescu I was born in 1398. I died 16 years later. My maker was the first Mordere, what you would call a vampire although, he was so much more. I turned my lover, Vlad the Impaler, into a Mordere. Then we killed my maker for his infinite cruelty. It was then that I changed my name to Anya Drake to remove any reminders of the past.

Vlad and I longed for a world where Mordere no longer lived in fear of the Venandi. They are God’s chosen warrior’s, who hunt us for sport. To that end, we were building our numbers when they stormed our castle. Vlad was killed, and I swore vengeance. Now one Venandi stands in my way at every turn. Alexandria Diego must die.” Anya was near shouting and tried to get out of her chair. Her eyes were glassy as she looked at me.

I swallowed hard worried for a moment. I put a hand on Anya’s arm to calm her, and it was ice cold. Anya looked down at it and smiled as she sank back into her chair. I tried a different type of question hoping she wouldn’t get upset again. “What is your idea of perfect happiness?”

Anya licked her lips before answering, “Finding a perfectly innocent human, wrapping them in my arms and biting into their neck. Their blood washes over my tongue like the nectar of the gods. It’s sweet metallic and fragrant, better than an orgasm at times.” She gave a little shiver and stared at me. I felt like lunch.

I quickly fired off another question hoping to distract her, “On what occasion do you lie?”

Anya laughed slightly making her deep brown curls bounce “Do I need an occasion? Lying is part of life. It comes as naturally as breathing.”

“What do you most dislike about your appearance?” I asked hoping to find some redeeming quality in her.

Anya snorted her displeasure, “Is there something I should dislike? I’m more attractive than any human that’s for damn sure. As a matter of fact, I think I’m rather perfect. Any flaws I had were fixed when I fed from my maker.”

I was beginning to wonder if I was sane when I took this interview. “If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?”

“I already did that stupid,” Anya was annoyed “vampire remember?”

“Right, sorry.” It was hard to believe she really was what she claimed she looked so normal. “When and where were you happiest?” I asked trying to get something real out of her.

“August 20, 1414, in a small inn in my hometown on my wedding night.” She smiled wistfully before looking away.

“Who was he? What happened to him?” I wondered if she’d tell me.

“Radu, my first love. I drank him dry not knowing what I was.” I saw the pain in her eyes even if she wouldn’t admit it. “I could have changed him, but he wouldn’t have been Radu, and I would have had to share him with my maker. He was best off dead.” Her voice went cold as she stared at me.

I got goosebumps and decided to let that matter rest. I pressed on hoping to end the interview and get out of there while I could. “Alright, Anya one more question, please. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?”

“I wouldn’t have accepted my maker’s offer. I wouldn’t be a Mordere.” She looked truly repentant. Her eyes were wet like she was going to cry. I got out of my chair and took a step towards her then another. She lunged at me and grabbed me by the waist. “Ah, who am I kidding, I love what I am.”

As a side note, I woke up in the hospital a day later. Anya was nowhere to be found, and her number was disconnected.

Title: For Their Sins

Author: Rebecca Tran

Genre: Paranormal Fantasy/ Action&Adventure

Publisher, if applicable: Hoffmann & Hoffmann

Excerpt:

Anya was waiting for me when I entered the room, lounging on a velvet sofa with silk pillows, looking rather pale. Her deep brown curls were only half pinned up the rest spilled over her breasts that were bound in a tightly laced black corset. She wore black well cut pants and low heeled boots. A gleaming sword lay within easy reach, but her feet were up on a stool, and she showed no sign of getting up as I approached. “Alexandria,” she said in greeting as if we were old friends.

“Anya,” I replied with contempt.

“You look a little out of breath perhaps you’d like a seat.”

“I thought that was the point of five ill-trained goons, to wear me out. Why offer a seat now?”

“A show of hospitality.” She shrugged.

“Where is he, Anya?” I nearly growled.

She gave a cruel smile “The Venandi you knew no longer exists.”

“I know you’ve tainted him I don’t care.”

“He’s under my control. It’s my blood he craves and my bed he wants.”

“Give him back you cold-hearted bitch.”

“Tsk tsk, Alexandria. We are matriarchs of our peoples to fight over one male seems pointless.” Anya said as if bored.

“You did this to draw me out. Now I’m here, so let’s get this over with.” I demanded.

She was on her feet with sword drawn every bit as fast as a Venandi. “As you wish.”

We fought endlessly back and forth neither of us gaining or losing ground. The sound of metal clashing became a metallic hum in the air that sang to me, focusing my thoughts. In the midst of it all, I found him, my love, my match. I called out to him with my thoughts and felt him approach although, the reason felt wrong and it worried me. What if it were true? What if he was lost to me? Then he came into the room, and I knew the truth. Anya moved into my guard, and her sword cut my side. My sword fell. She grabbed me.

As Anya’s teeth sunk into my throat, I heard him call my name “Alexandria, NO!” My eyes slid closed as a tear slid down my cheek.

This was the turning point for my people and me. But, you must know what I am and what I have lived through to understand what I did, why I would risk everything, including myself for one male. I am Alexandria Diego, and this is my story.

Book Blurb:

“You must know what I am and what I have lived through to understand what I did, why I would risk everything, including myself for one male.”

Alexandria Diego never wanted to be special. She was content to lay in bed with her lover forever. One decision will change everything. Suddenly, Alexandria is launched into a life of infamy, which carries a heavy burden that only she can bear. When a vicious war between her people, the Venandis, and their rivals, the Morderes, breaks out it forces Alexandria to change her tactics and be more cautious. But, when her love is captured by the enemy, Alexandria risks everything to get him back.

Bio: Rebecca Tran is a hybrid author and blogger with three award-winning novels. She started writing when she was sixteen as self-prescribed therapy after her father passed away and hasn’t stopped since. Rebecca is also a pharmacist, wife, and mother to two rambunctious girls and a Boston Terrier. If she ever has free time she likes combing resale shops to add to her teapot collection or quilting. Currently, she lives in her home state of Missouri. 

www.hoffmannpublisher.com