Night had fallen over Paris, turning the sky violet and purple. But not all of the city had gone to sleep - the local aristocracy were all too accustomed to evening parties and social gatherings. So the cream of society had gathered at Lady Diana Leroux's mansion to celebrate... This society never needed a good reason to celebrate, but it seemed that this time she had said something about her dog's birthday.

The hall was brightly lit by numerous candelabras decorated with figurative gilding. The tables were overflowing with expensive hors d'oeuvres, guests in ridiculously pompous outfits were parading around the ballroom, and Theodore was already courting another young lady.

"Please, just one dance," his soft, deep baritone caressed his ears. Theo lifted the girl's neat hand to his lips and gently touched his bloodless lips to her knuckles. It was in his interest to make the silly girl believe that he was enchanted by her, but in reality she was just a tidbit in the vampire's eyes. And his plan was classic: glamour her, get her alone and taste her blood.

The main thing was not to overdo it and kill the girl - hiding corpses was too dirty a job for his gallant hands.