Chap 1

Anna is rarely happy, today is her birthday. Actually, she was expecting congratulations, but when he deliberately walked past her brother, he didn't even notice her.

Dad too, he never remembered her birthday, so she wasn't very disappointed.

Anna again put her hopes on Edna, her mother. Beside the window, a woman was sitting sewing on a chair, her face is gentle and peaceful.

Anne liked her mother's face very much, it made her feel relaxed every time she looked at it. Anna passed by, leaning on Edna's knee, the woman stroked her hair: "Anything fun today?"

Anna replied, "Oh, there is nothing funny ." After saying that, she looked forward to seeing her face, trying to reveal calm. "Mom, Anna wanted to ask, did you forget something?"

Mother covered her mouth with a charming smile, her white skin stood out in the light. Edna pretended to elbows on her chin: "Anna, you asked so suddenly, I don't know the answer."

"Do you need Anna to suggest it to you?" Anna's heart slowed, and she couldn't keep smiling. But the person in front of her was someone she loved so much, Anna said with no anticipation.

Edna watches her daughter, Anna has grown into a beautiful young woman. The little girl Edna knew had grown, Anna she knew had grown, Edna told herself that time had passed so quickly.

Edna stood up, pulled a necklace in front of Anna. Anna didn't understand what was going on, she waited patiently for her mother to speak.

"Anna, guess what is this?"

Now, Anna's whole world came to life again, she trembled and smiled shyly.

“Mom….”

Both of them looked at each other happily. The gift drove Anna crazy for happiness.

  "Anna, hurry up and change, everyone is waiting for you."

 At this moment, a male voice sounded, both of them looked at the door at the same time, Anna's father– – Chris Asher was standing there, he was stern-looking in a suit.

Anna asked again, "What's the matter, father?"

Asher did not speak, he seriously looked at Anna, repeated the reminder once more, then turned to leave.

Anna looked at her mother again, she expected her to explain for her.

"Anna, hurry up, you'll know by then."

But Edna pushed Anna to her room, put the necklace in her hand again, and said: "Happy birthday, Anna."

"Thanks mom, I’m so happy!" Anna blinked happily. She remembered what her father told her to go to the changing room. Thinking of Asher, Anna decided to choose a slightly dignified outfit,  she chose a blue dress, lace sleeves and skirt, studded with small pearls, combined with white lining, and added boots of the same color.

Anna entered the hall, today her aunt's family also came. Chris Liln brought a glass of wine, her husband Frank was enjoying a picture hanging on the wall. Their children did not come today, after Anna watched quickly, she went up to greet them.

"Anna has grown like this? Quick turn around and I'll see." Aunt Liln happily gave her a hug, warmly welcomed Anna's arrival. Anna obeyed and turned around. Liln showed great love for the beauty of the young girl, Liln remembered what was to come, cheering in her eyes as she looked at Anna.

"Anna, don't be afraid, we are always here with you."

Why did she say that?

Anna tilted her head, blinked his innocent eyes, Liln looked awkwardly at her husband, and Frank just shook his head again.

"Wow John, I rarely see you!" Frank opened his mouth teasingly.

John stopped in front of them. Hearing his footsteps, Anna curiously looked at John. John wears an elegant fishtail suit, his hair is combed with glue, and his attitude is superficial and lazy. Just like Frank said, John had no interest in social gatherings, other than himself, nobody didn't know what John was doing at other times.

John nodded slightly in greeting, he glanced at the dress that Anna was wearing. Anna was a little nervous, she was watching John, but Anna also noticed John was looking at her, she had to smile reluctantly.

John snorted, Liln also gave John a similar hug before. But Anna discovered that John was staring at the scene outside the door. 

Anna also looks in the same direction, just looking at Adne is also there, anne happily wants to go with Adne, john prevents her: "Where are you going?"

"Today's main role is you."

Anna stepped back, she was not natural when John started talking to her, "The dress looks so beautiful."

Anna politely said: "Thank you, brother."

"Is there anything you want to ask?" John went to a barn and brought Anna a glass of orange juice, which anna took in surprise, she dared not drink it. Anna just  listened to John and was silent for a moment.

John: "Why didn't you say anything?"

Anna looked at John again, she was afraid John wasn't taking this seriously. Never before, Anna has always felt that this brother is very strange, they are not like other pairs of brothers. Anna once had a time when she almost forgot she had a brother. But today John suddenly cares about her, Anna finds this very unusual.

Anna is a bit quiet compared to her peers, she seems to have more thoughts. She considered what to ask John.

"So what's going on?"

"Because you're 16 years old." John answered, looking complicatedly at Anna, Anna swallowed a mouthful of saliva, then John did not add anything else. Anna was forced to consider what these words meant.

"it's time to start!" A dignified sound rang out, and everyone looked over at the person who was talking, and so did Anna and John.

John quickly took Anna's hand and went into a room. Waiting for people to be full, the room door is also closed. As soon as she stepped inside, Anna was stunned. The room is red as the main color, it has an old European style, golden spoons are placed on the shelves. Not only that, There are pictures of many people hanging on the wall, they were all wearing black clothes, in addition, there were other rare and strange things not to mention.

The room is quite large, inside it can fit 50 people. John let go of Anna's hand, Anna casually walked around the room.

Anna feels like this room is revived, red as blood drops are moving, Anna doesn't know why lately she's started to like red, everyday objects have turned red. At this moment, as if someone was calling her from afar, Anna turned her head, she looked at the people around, they all didn't seem to have just talked.

Anna was shocked, she thought it was just an illusion.

 Edna suddenly approached her, patting Anna's back. "Don't stress, Anna."

"Mom..." Anna's heart softened, she called Edna affectionately, but now she didn't understand why she was still a little insecure.

Adne led Anna to her father Asher, who was busy directing the servants to prepare. Asher rested for a while, Anna noticed that it seemed that Ashe had not shaved this morning, because the beard on his chin had not been cleaned.

Unbelievable! Ashe has always been very neat and tidy, he has never forgotten about shaving, is he too busy?

But what happens on her birthday?

A flash of lightning flashed through Anna's mind, she happily thought to herself, could they be secretly celebrating her birthday?

 This speculation just appeared, Anna could not stop, part of the reason was because of the desire in her heart.

Anna has dreamed of such a day for a long time. She wants to be like when she was very young, she used to wear a pointed witch hat, on the table there were lights and cakes, everyone sang songs together. Now the image in her head is clearly replaying, she can even hear the music of the past.

If so, why does everyone look so weird?

Are they just to surprise you?

Anna intends to ask Edna because she thinks her mother won't cheat on her. But when she saw Edna talking to her father, Anna had to obediently stand beside her. She was like a beautiful doll displayed in a glass. From the outside looking at them, they created a wonderful family picture.

At this time, a person suddenly stepped forward, he was dressed as if he was participating in a carnival, his eyes had strange lights. His shadow covered Anna's body, making her feel so small.

Anna looked over, suddenly he was also looking at her. Anna shivered, Asher just-in time to help her out of the embarrassing situation, he approached the strange man, who then took a respectful stance towards him.

"Dear patriarch..."

"Is this your daughter?"

The man was still staring at Anna. Anna heard Asher calling him patriarch, a title she had never heard of before, but he must have been a very respectable man. Anna hid her feelings, she politely smiled to greet.

"Yes, her name is Chris Anna. Patriarch, when can we start?

Hearing her name, Anna reflexively glanced at Asher, her eyes blinking cutely.

The man glanced at Asher, opened his lips, and then said in a low voice: "Don't rush…" He turned, Anna breathed a sigh of relief, and then he said: "Come here..."

No one here knew who he was talking about, but Anna had a feeling he was referring to her, so she stepped forward, her father not stopping her, but her mother looking at her encouragingly.

Anna followed her to the center of the room, a long table was placed, a beautiful rose pattern was sculpted on the table. Anna looked at these patterns a little fascinated, the man brought the glass over, then handed it to Anna, the inside of the glass filled with thick red liquid. Anna took it, he pointed to the glass and asked: "Look closely, tell me. What do you see in it?"

Anna obeyed, tried to get close to the glass, the surface of the water could show her reflection inside the glass, but couldn't see anything else, so Anna had to shake her head.

The man was not disappointed, he continued to ask her: 'What do you think this is?”

Anna glanced at the people around, they were also looking at the glass, Anna couldn't find any hint from them, she had to think for herself. She focused on the glass, it was reflecting the same figure as her, the red color was very attractive.

"Wine?"

Anna couldn't smell alcohol, but there was no better answer than wine. What else, could it be blood?

If it's blood, why is it in a glass?

When she thought of the blood, her face turned white, she panicked and looked at the man, who was calmly looking at her as if he had seen through her thoughts. Anna did not dare to look at the glass a second time, she assumed it was true.

Actually, Anna is not afraid of blood, but recently her mental state is not good. In her dreams Anna often sees her bleeding or other people are bleeding, then she will make the wound even more fierce. . When she woke up, Anna thought the scene was an omen of bad luck, and spent several days feeling anxious and wary.

The man didn't seem to see her panic, he returned to the glass, focused on the liquid inside, and suddenly he said: "It's time."

People here began to get nervous, the feeling of being noticed by many people made Anna a little nervous.

"Drink it."

Anna "ah?" She didn't know what he was saying, and pretended not to understand.

"Don't wait, drink this glass."

Anna panicked, holding the glass, the hand holding the glass began to sweat, the cold temperature of the glass transferred to Anna's skin. The vivid patterns on the glass seem to be reviving. Anna touched it, felt the touch. She knew it was useless to refuse.

Holding her breath, drinking it down, Anna hoped she wouldn't taste it.

Seeing that Anna was drinking very neatly, the man looked at her in surprise, then nodded and applauded. "Very good!"

Anna finished drinking without saying anything, she was like a standing statue. Edna nervously lifted her legs, Asher took his wife into his arms, he did not want her to interfere.

John took his eyes off the curtain, looking at the lonely figure of the young girl sitting in the center, her dress flowing like a princess, she stood out so much in this room.

Today is her birthday, if she has to deal with all of this, will she have some fun left?

Regardless of what John was thinking, the man was just waiting for the results.

Moments later, he saw Anna open her eyes, but her eyes were just a normal black color, nothing special here. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, and the frustrated man frowned.

He originally thought there would be a different outcome, of course this was just an ordinary girl, unfortunately she could not awaken the bloodline of her ancestors.

As soon as he turned away, Anna's eyes were suddenly dyed with blood red like blood, like a lunar eclipse, it was both beautiful and dangerous.

Anna covered her eyes with one hand, she felt that her eyes were being stimulated, and the blood flow in her body was several times faster. Her instincts were called out, she was engulfed in a strange feeling.

That glass of water...

Anna guessed the cause, she was lucky because she didn't taste the blood, maybe it wasn't blood, it was poison?

Given her reactions, she was certain that the medication was working.

Poisonous? On her birthday? Are they going to kill her?

This happens to anyone who finds the word both amusing and pitiful.

 This is a completely possible possibility, with a family with a long tradition, it is normal to have extreme rituals, unfortunately she did not have the opportunity to come into contact with this secret. If they took her birthday as the starting point, what about John?

 He's 20 years old, has he been through this?

Anna suddenly remembered John's attitude, perhaps John knew about this, but Anna couldn't see the fear in his eyes, moreover, it was just more complicated emotions.

Does the fact that John is still alive now prove that she still has a chance?

Unbelievable!

But how come this has never been mentioned before? Is everyone trying to hide this?

Anna smiled sadly, the peaceful days when she didn't need to care about anything, repeating the boring daily life of eating and going to school made her feel useless. If something happened to her, she wouldn't have the power to fight back.

 Anna did not know what results they were waiting for, she tried to raise her head, now her senses were extremely sharp. She suddenly saw the disappointed expression on the patriarch's face, even though it passed quickly.

Anna didn't hesitate, she reached out and grabbed his coat.

"I…ah..patriarch, please explain to me...please."

The patriarch looked down at where her hand was holding his cloak, he didn't like this. He didn't want to waste time with anyone, Anna didn't deserve it.

Even though he saw the expectation in Anna's eyes, the patriarch deliberately ignored it: "Ask your father."

"But why can't you tell me?"

The patriarch stopped talking again, an anger rose in Anna's heart, however she quickly calmed down. She felt that she was too hasty, this could be explained by her father, and now she could not force the patriarch to do anything.

She let go of the patriarch's clothes, bowed her head and remained silent, the red color of the room making her feel at ease.

"The ritual is over, Chris Anna is completely human."

Ahser stepped forward, bowing respectfully: "Thank you."

"Nothing." The man didn't notice, so he left first. Next was John, who stood closest to the door, perhaps he didn't want to participate in the ceremony at first. The man walked past John, he didn't even look at John for a moment.

John paused for a few seconds, he also left without greeting anyone.

Anna didn't feel sad, she should probably be glad that nothing tragic happened to her.

At this time, both Liln and Edna approached her, of course Anna immediately chose Edna, she hugged Edna tightly, and Edna patted Anna's hair.

Liln sat next to her, wanting to cheer for the little girl: "Anna, you did a great job."

Anna closed her eyes, she didn't want to listen to the sounds of the outside world, hoping to hide from reality for a moment.

 "It's so thrilling, fortunately it's over."

Liln said while smiling, Edna also smiled. Asher looked at his wife and daughter, waited a moment, then said: "Anna is fine. Everyone worked hard today, wait a few days to rest, everything will be back to normal."

"Yes. Edna should rest, let me take her to her room."

Edna also agrees with Liln, so she gently pulls away from the hug.

"Let's go, please take her to her room, thank you sister-in-law."

"My pleasure. Besides, I have something to tell Anna"

Liln looked down at Anna, curiously studying her childish face. Maybe Liln had just had a hallucination, she could see Anna's pupils glowing. Anna suddenly covered her eyes with her hand, Liln showed concern: "What's wrong?"

Anna shook her head: "...my eyes are a little itchy."

"If it hurts, remember to tell me, it's probably the reaction left after the ritual…We'll be fine, Anna" Anna nodded, Liln taking Anna's hand. After leaving the room, having just gone outside, Liln became much more relaxed.

The door closes, it closes the red world inside. Anna turned her head and looked back. When the last person out of the room is locking the door, restore it to its original state. However, what just happened in the room made a deep impression on her, it was one of the few fluctuations in her 16-year memory.

The sound of footsteps gradually lessened, and there were two people left in the hallway. Liln casually took Anna's hand and walked through the long aisle leading to the living room.

 It was already evening outside, the sunset light shining in through the glass, highlighting the precious stones inlaid on it.

Their figures were silhouetted at their feet, Anna took a step, the shadow behind did the same, passing through the shadows of the vast building architecture.

Liln looked at Anna who was deep in thought. The young woman looked down at the ground quietly, her figure was tall and long, her neck was elongated like a swan, and her face was cold and strange.

 Liln rubbed her palms, speaking to break the silence: "You seem to have changed a lot."

Anna was startled to hear that, and Liln added: "She's also getting more and more beautiful." Liln gave a sincere compliment.

Anna was still looking at Liln, her beautiful eyes blinking, and suddenly waved her hand: "Anna..Anna is actually just normal."

Liln enjoyed watching Anna's reaction, it made her so much more alive. That was exactly the Anna she knew, a vivacious childhood version that people liked. But now Liln feels that Anna is far from the past, so Liln is not used to it.

"You seem to have a lot of questions, don't you?"

Anna nodded, expecting Liln to answer her quickly. These speculations need to be tested now.

Liln: "Ask me, I'll do the best I can."

Anna waited for a while, then began to say: "What's going on today…how's it going?"

Liln seemed to anticipate this question, she asked seriously: "Do you know our origin?"

Anna shook her head, she never cared about this, do they have a special origin?

"Our ancestors were vampires." As Liln said, Anna was shocked, this is a little hard to believe for her. If an ordinary person heard this, it would also be struck deep into consciousness.

Because vampires are just a fictional theory in story books, Anna remembers it correctly as a race that is both immortal and evil.

 Is it true?

Anna felt the blood run faster in her body, her heart subconsciously jumped.

Liln didn't let Anna have time to think, she said: "We used to be called blood demons, over the years the blood demons married humans, procreating descendants, leading to the bloodline decreasing in strength. We are now descendants of non-pure vampires, assimilated by human blood…”

Anna was surprised, she temporarily lost her thinking ability, because there was huge information invading her worldview, Anna even thought that Liln was joking. But Liln looked very serious, and there was no reason to make fun of her.

"Surprise, isn't it?" Liln suddenly smiled, holding her right cheek with her hand, tilting her head funny. Liln's short hair let loose in the wind. Liln's red lipstick stands out, and that red makes Anna's heart flutter.

"Are we…all vampires?"

"Of course not. The primordial blood demons are on the verge of extinction, but now we're almost no different from ordinary people."

"Anna doesn't understand…why didn't Anna find out there are vampires outside?" Anna said. No sign, no news,  was it because Anna lived a limited life in those years, or did everyone not know this?

"Haven't Anna ever heard of demon blood?"

Anna nodded honestly. Liln was taken aback, but after thinking it over, Liln also felt it was possible, she couldn't expect a little lady to know more. It seemed that today she needed to impart the most basic knowledge to her.

Liln looked at Anna affectionately, her fingers circling in the air as if she were writing something, Anna following Liln's movements.

 "Actually... the blood demons have gone through a very long process. I heard from my father, who is also Anna's grandfather, he once said that the 19th century was once the glorious period of the blood demons, they dominated the human race, forced them into slavery. Then a revolution happened, blood demons and humans fought fiercely. Until one day, we all asked for a contract. After they successfully negotiated, Both sides decided to build a peaceful future. And now, vampires are still living with humans because of that."

Anna couldn't believe it, she wondered if blood demons could live peacefully with humans, although she was biased towards human abilities, her mind thought that vampires were very dangerous.

"Is that okay?"

"No problem. Blood demons are a species that adapt very quickly, just limit their instincts, plus, we have modern technology to help us, so vampires can live like normal people, they also can go to school and work."

"Really?”

Both of them were already close to the living room, Anna slowed her steps, she wanted to continue chatting with Liln longer, because she felt that Aunt Liln's answer was extremely helpful to her. Until now Anna just let her guard down, she asked her next question: "So why don't I see any vampires?"

Liln smiled: "I don't know about other places, but there are two vampires in our family."

"Who is that?"

"Your uncle, Loid. And, a married cousin. They have awakened vampire blood."

"Loid?" Anna was very surprised, she began to remember Loid's image in her memory. He was a handsome young man, elegant and gentle. Loid used to visit her when she was a child, every time he came, he would bring small gifts, Anna found Loid to be a good person.

Although Loid was a vampire, Anna found nothing special about him. Perhaps like Liln said, vampires also 'assimilated' with humans, especially in appearance.

Liln stroked her chin, suddenly remembering something, then looked Anna straight in the eye: "But… vampires aren't welcome these days. Anna, don't tell anyone at school, you know?"

Anna nodded in response, when talking about this topic she suddenly became extremely interested, it was attracting Anna's curiosity.

"Why is that, Liln?"

Liln looked at Anna's sparkling eyes, and she felt a headache. Liln is glad that Anna can be receptive so quickly, but she is also very afraid that Anna understands too much. But as Anna was starting to grow up, maybe it was helpful to protect herself knowing about this.

So Liln didn't hesitate, she replied "Because of a disease. Vampires can't get sick, but they're not immortal. When this disease appeared, vampires became frantic and scary. Vampires and humans are afraid of this situation. Until now the human government has guarded us… No vampire has the courage to reveal their identity, it means trouble, you understand? "

Anna: "I knew."

"Okay, I'll take you here. Let's go back to your room." Liln saw that the scene had changed, she looked around, it was a pity she didn't know how to get to the bedroom. But she couldn't tell Anna that she had forgotten, so she had to hide her embarrassment.

Anna acted casual, she looked at the familiar path in front of her, it meant they had to separate now, but she was deeply regretful because she couldn't continue to talk to Liln.

Anna let go of Liln's hand, Anna tiptoed, carried her skirt in a very aristocratic salute: "Thank you for everything, hope you have a good day."

Liln laughed: "Don't mention it. Fighting, Anna!" When she saw Anna in that pose, it was so beautiful, and it also made Liln look at her with fascination and admiration. Suddenly, Liln patted her forehead, she stopped Anna, pulled out a brocade bag from her waist, and took from inside a carefully packed gift box.

Under the lighted path, Liln took it and gave it to Anna. Anna's eyes widened, in her eyes as if absorbing light from outside, it melted Liln's heart.

"Anna..."

"Yes…" Anna quickly replied, holding her hand tightly.

"Happy birthday, Anna. Let's take it from our hearts, I mean, Loid and I…Loid always mentions you, it's just a pity he can't be here today." Then Liln emphasized each word, Anna was surprised to receive the gift carefully, she had a feeling of familiarity, finally in the forgotten birthday days, she found the feeling of familiarity again.

Anna's heart fluttered, the heavy gift box filled her heart. She happily looked at Liln: "Anna loves it! Anna loves Liln too!"

"I like Anna too." Liln smiled brightly, the sweet voice of the little girl captivated her. She leaned down and gave Anna a kiss. Anna willingly accepted, then the little girl blushed shyly.

"Let's go, Anna, let's get some rest."

Anna lifted her skirt, each pearl on it glittering in the light. Liln looked at the slender figure of the girl who was leaving. The girl suddenly turned her head and waved shyly. Liln laughed and waved her hand too, she found Anna very cute.

As soon as Anna returned to her room, a shock hit her, Anna gasped and leaned her body against the wall. She didn't understand what was going on, she felt her throat was dry as if she hadn't drank water for a long time.

Anna opened the door to her room, locking the latch. She went to the bedside table for water, then quickly drank a lot of water, finally satisfied and sighed.

Anna immediately fell on the bed, she relaxed her body, feeling the softness of the bed.

“Vampires?”

Anna whispered, she stared blankly at the ceiling, until she fell asleep. When she woke up feeling extremely hungry, Anna opened her eyes tiredly. It was late, the window that hadn't been closed was blowing away the curtain like birds flying in the wind. In the dark, the bright moonlight provided the only source of light, it was shining outside.

“Is it this late? Fortunately, I don't have to go to school today."

Anna got out of bed, her whole body was light, Anna quickly went down to the room like the wind. In the dark hallway, she wondered if the maid had rested or not, if so, she had to make her own food.

Anna has watched a lot of horror genres, there will be a lot of scary existences lurking in the dark, they will wait to grab their prey, the darkness has been Anna's fear because of her imagination. her excessive image.

Anna laughed, she calmly walked down the stairs, her footsteps penetrated into the dark space, all sounds were magnified several times because of the quiet space.

By memory, Anna found the kitchen, suddenly she felt someone behind, Anna startled and asked: "Who is it?"

At the same time, there was a loud scream, the sound shook Anna's eardrums, she quickly grabbed a big spoon, her heart beating faster.

“Milady? Is it milady?"

"Helen?"

“Phew! It's milady."

"Turn on the lights." Anna put down the big spoon, she thought Helen was too shy, making her think there was danger. Although there have been no thieves in the house in 16 years, maybe today they succeeded in getting inside? Who can predict the future?

The boiling water is now cooked, smoke is coming out, just now Anna was trying to make instant noodles. Luckily, she grabbed the big spoon. If she had just gotten the kettle of hot water just now, Anna had already thought of her consequences, so she was sweating coldly behind her back.

“I have never seen such a stimulating late-night meal.” Anna said a funny comment.

Helen said in surprise, "Milady, are you hungry?"

"I haven't eaten in a day."

Helen rushed forward, she was extremely panicked, she didn't want Anna to make the food herself because that was part of her job. Helen is a shy girl, but she works very hard, which makes Anna feel satisfied. She didn't stop Helen from wanting to help, she stood by Helen's side. "Just adding fried eggs is enough."

“Yes, please wait a moment.”

In her spare time, Anna observed Helen, suddenly she noticed a strange mark appeared on the back of Helen's neck. Anna stepped forward to take a closer look, she saw two small black dots that didn't look like moles lying there. It lined up from top to bottom, maybe someone did it on purpose.

"Helen, what's wrong with the back of your neck?"

Helen raised her head, she was called while concentrating on frying eggs, so she didn't understand what was going on. Helen stared blankly at Anna for a few seconds, then she startled and quickly said, "Nothing." Helen pulled her neck higher, hiding the mark of her nape.

“Is it really okay? Do you need to see a doctor…”

Helen angrily interrupted her: “Milady…it's just a mosquito bite.”