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.”
11