aware that there were others of her kind feeding on society ’ s fringes . She settled in the most vile and feared ghetto in all of Prague . She disappeared into the darkness .
From the outset , her hunts were carefully planned , choreographed affairs . While the sustenance of the blood was always the immediate reward , a carefully selected victim could quite often provide even greater treasures . Her victims were selected for their position within the lawless neighborhoods of Prague ’ s underbelly . Those who were feared , disappeared . Thus , after a short time , she was feared . Those with great wealth were broken under the wheel of her will , robbed of their earthly possessions and cast away , empty husks . Those with any power , were bent to her service or destroyed .
Other night dwellers were drawn to her . There were only two reasons that brought them . To serve her and shelter under her protection , or to destroy her and acquire her power and strength . Those who chose to serve were rewarded . Those who chose to challenge were destroyed , their life forces ripped from them and assimilated into her ever-strengthening core .
One evening , while preparing to go out , one of her spies crept silently to her side .
“ Madame Lisle ,” he hissed , “ a moment of your time .”
“ What is it , Coutec ,” she asked , irritated for the interruption . “ Can ’ t you see that I am busy .”
“ I realize that Madame ,” Coutec stuttered , “ but there are whisperings amongst the various broods .”
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