Your Guardian Angel

Chapter One

"My, my, my. You look good enough to eat," Amelia Kingsly said daringly, smirking. She had her pale hands resting atop the darker girls bare shoulders, staring at her through the mirror. The barely visible blush rose up the girls cheeks at the comment. "Thank you, Amelia."

Amethyst eyes, bright in the face of a tanned beauty, stared back into Amelia's always defined aqua eyes. "Are you sure it's alright for you to have invited me? Your cousin really wont mind?" she asked, looking uneasy. She looked so cute to Amelia. With her olive skin color, exotic cat-like purple eyes and lips in a semi-pout. Her hair was pinned on the sides, the rest out in it's usual abundant waves of chocolate. The gold strapless dress would never, in all the years that came and will come, look so perfect on anyone else. It took all of Amelia's strength not to bend down and taste those lips.

"Certainly. He especially wont mind when he sees how beautiful my guest is."

The unnamed girl smiled and stood from the chair. The dress flared out a little after it got past her hips, the ends barely skimming the carpet. On her feet, though, were fashionable gold flats. She had this thing about always being her exact height. Taking a deep breath, the girl sent Amelia a dazzling smile.

Returning the smile, Amelia asked, "shall we go, then?"

The room was enormous, leaving her mouth open. The walls were gold and cream, vases of small trees in a few select corners of the room. Though, it was full of people. All dressed in formal attire. The men in the usual black tux, a few that decided to be different and the women in dresses and gowns of all sorts of colors. Some colors she had never seen, and she was an artist. She felt a small, gentle hand on the small of her back and turned to look down into those amazing eyes that were Amelia's. "You'll be fine, Ria," she soothed her anxiety. Nodding slightly, 'Ria' closed her eyes, breathed, and then opened them again. She was ready. Amelia obviously understood this for she stirred her through the crowd of guests, smiling and nodding to people that greeted her. She wasn't offended noticing that most eyes were on the woman beside her. In fact, she was flattered! Everyone was checking out her date. Certainly 'Ria' had been joking when she called this that but Amelia wasn't. She had meant it to be just that. Finally her target came into view but before they made it within three feet someone stopped them.

"I apologize if I am being too forward but would you honor me with a dance, miss?"

Amelia and 'Ria' turned and looked up to meet eyes that were like pure gold. Black to brown hair, straight, framed his pale, baby cute face. He smiled, glancing politely at Amelia and then back at 'Ria'. Amelia scowled. Damn it. Why did they have to start flocking now? Her amethyst eyes glanced down at Amelia, unsure. Amelia could see the longing that was in them and because she didn't want to make her unhappy, she smiled and nodded. Reassuring her that she would be right there, waiting for her.

And like that, she was gone. Swept away in the hands of tall dark and adorable.

Chuckling behind her sent another scowl twisting her delicate pink lips. Turning, red hair swishing softly, she glared up at the man. "It isn't funny."

"On the contrary, my dear. You bring such a delectable young woman, knowing full well that she would get everyone's attention, and are angry when a young man snatches her away from you." the man said. He had wavy, chin length dirty blonde hair that always appeared as if he had just gotten out the shower. His eyes, a golden amber, were lit with laughter. "I brought her so you could put her under your protection. Trust me, you'll want no one biting her once you meet her." the small red head replied.

They were following the flowing bodies of the two dancers that, much to Amelia's displeasure, looked great together.

At last, it was over and the mystery guy guided her back to her. "Have fun?" Amelia grinned, lacing her fingers with 'Ria's' and pulling her a little closer to her and further from him. The two men noticed, Amelia's smile turned into a smirk when gold met with aqua. 'Ria' was out of the loop, smiling happily and looking as beautiful as ever.

The man that had stood with Amelia stepped into the fray with a charming smile and a hand held out. "Is it safe for me to assume that you are Miss Imperial Stone?" Nodding, she placed her slender hand into his and gave a startled sound when he pressed his lips to the back of her hand. "Yes. It's safe," she giggled. He felt the glare from the other man and his smile widened. "You're name suits you well, Imperial."

"I tell her that all the time Henry. Right, Ria?" Amelia cut in, running her thumb along Imperial's wrist. Her pulse, really. She was blushing at their compliments. "You do."

The unnamed man cleared his throat, signaling that he hadn't left yet. Imperial turned to look at him, apology written all over her face. "I'm so sorry Collin! I completely forgot you were there!" she told him, sad and horrified. He smiled sweetly at her, taking her free hand and caressing it. "You are not a horrible person for it, Imperial. You are overwhelmed right now." he told her. His voice was very understanding. She found herself smiling so hard that she felt her face might break. "thanks."

Amelia, though, was fuming inside. She knew that later on when she was alone in the parlor with Henry she'd be mimicking the scene with disgust.

Too bad it'd have to be another night for just at that moment, the room filled with screams.

"HUNTERS!"

Henry, Collin, and Amelia growled, leaving Imperial bewildered.

Near the entrance and the back they could see explosive showers of ash following screams of rage and agony. "We have to get out of here now!" Henry hissed. Amelia and Collin nodded.

"W-what's going on? What the hell is happening?!" Imperial asked half-hysterical. Ignoring her questions, Henry picked her up bridal style and the three, Imperial not counting since she isn't on foot, headed towards the side doors. Too bad they were spotted before they reached them.

A spear dug into the stone ground inches away from Amelia, who shrieked with surprise. "Take her and go. Both of you." Henry handed Imperial, who was wide-eyed, to Collin. He reached and wrapped his long fingers around the staff of the spear and recoiled back in pain. The flesh of his hand was sizzling. "Holy water, nightwalker."

They all turned to see a dark clad man with dark hair and blue eyes staring at them in disgust. His eyes lingered on Amelia and Imperial, despite thinking they were both Vampires. "Nightwalker?" Imperial echoed, confused. "That's what you are, isn't it?!" he questioned harshly. Her face remained puzzled. "... you're human?" At that she nodded. He looked at the other three hatefully. "Put her down!" From the infamous leather jacket that all Hunters wore, he pulled out two short swords. Collin's grip only tightened around her and a growl rumbled in their throats.

Henry stepped into a stance, his nails lengthening to a lethal length. "I'll handle him." Amelia looked torn between staying with Henry and helping him and making sure that Imperial was unharmed and safe. Giving an exasperated sigh she kissed his cheek and left with Collin.

Amelia paced back and forth across the parlor of Henry's great mansion on the East side of town. Imperial watched her, admiring the way the fire danced on her red tresses and milky skin. She had always thought Amelia was beautiful, but not only was she a minor, she herself was very shy.

"Wont you come sit down, Amelia?" Imperial's voice floated across the room from the elegant sofa that Collin had so gracefully placed her upon. Amelia stopped, her back facing her slightly and peered at her over her shoulder. Imperial looked like a Queen the way she was half laying on the sofa, her upper body propped up on the arm. Her aqua eyes softened and she smiled. "I am so sorry, Imperial. I am just so worried about Henry. He should have been back by now."

The all glanced up at the miniature clock tower atop the fireplace. They had gotten there at nine and it was now going on one in the morning. Imperial sighed and sent her a sad look. Amelia felt like her heart was squeezed. In less than a second, Imperial half jumping, Amelia was sitting in the small space left between her half bent legs and the arm of the sofa. Stroking the side of her face gently, Amelia smiled reassuringly. "Don't be sad, Ria. He'll be fine. He always comes out of these things unscathed." Just as her words left her mouth, Henry came stumbling through the doorway. All of them looked up, horrified. Well at least Imperial's was the most horrified. Amelia gave a half scowl and commented in a low voice, "well how's that for emphasis."

Henry sent her a dry look, recieving one of her beautiful smiles in return. Unexpected by the two men, Imperial stood and hurried over to Henry. Worry coloring her eyes. "Christ! What happened? Are you alright!?" she exclaimed, doing an impressive job of keeping him from collapsing. Henry's eyes sparkled with shock. This girl had only just met him less than twenty-four hours ago and her she was, tense with worry about him. He'd never met such a caring person.

Grunting, he gave her a half smile. "It'll heal."

As if the word was what started it, the wound on his body began to heal up completely and he began to stand straighter until he was towering over her by eight inches. "Perfectly fine, darling." he smiled at her casually. Amethyst eyes wide, Imperial's mouth hung open. And at that moment she was remembering what that 'Hunter' had said. Nightwalker. Flipping through the many memories of books and novels that Amelia would read and tell her about, she linked that term with Vampire and found that it linked. By the look on her face, the other three realized what had happened. Amelia bit her lip, Collin braced himself, and Henry merely watched.

"Ooooh." The sound came out of lips formed into the perfect O.

Glancing at all of them, she took a step back from Henry and pointed an accusing finger at them. "You're Vampires!"