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[h2][b]PROLOGUE[/b][/h2][h2][b]THE VIPER AND THE LION[/b][/h2]
[h2][b]*  *  *[/b][/h2]
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Casna Valentin sat alone in the small foyer of Valentin Manor, legs crossed and arms folded over her chest as she looked out the large glass window that sat above the front double doors outside. The sun was nearly gone, the fading reddish orange rays that stretched across the house marking the last breaths of the ending day. As far as Casna knew she was the only one in the estate that was awake minus the servants and guards, of course. This was nothing unusual per se, she was nearly always the first of her family to stir, taking the time to enjoy the silence and solitude of the manor in the early hours of the night. 

Casna reached for the small goblet that rested on the side table near her, the deep red liquid within reflecting against the faint candlelights of the crystal chandelier that hung above. The reflective glow danced within as the liquid swirled from the lifting motion. Casna brought her drink to her lips, savoring that first metallic tang as she turned back the goblet and let the fresh blood flow over her lips and tongue. 

Draining her cup dry she sat it on the table and left it for the next passing servant to take away. As the last rays of light faded and blackness began to envelope the outdoors Casna could hear the howling of wolves in the distant, the melodious keening bringing a smile to her face as she wiped a trace of blood from the corner of her mouth, suckling it from her thumb. 

Amid the scattered bustle of the servants through the house Casna could hear the unmistakable sound of doors opening and slamming above. [i]It seems everyone else wakes now.[/i] she thought. Keeping her seat Casna decided to wait for the others as they tended to their “morning affairs”, or rather evening affairs. She traced her fingers absently across the table at her side as she looked out the window, her mind churning with thoughts as they had been for several nights now. Thoughts best shared with only one person, whenever he decided to rouse himself and come see her.