Janette:  I had stalked him from a distance on the streets of Paris one night, intending to make him my next meal. Casually, I bumped into him as he was about to enter a tavern. He started to beg my forgiveness for the mishap, but was suddenly struck speechless when our eyes met. As he granted me an engaging smile, I felt my heart flutter, and I knew in an instant that I wanted him for more than just one night. The moment of revelation was interrupted as a large, boisterous man bellowed out his name from the doorway of the tavern. As he looked away to acknowledge the fellow, I quickly fled. I had to go find LaCroix. There was a very special favor I had to ask of him.

Nick:  "How badly do you want me?" Eight centuries later, those words still reverberate through my mind. At the time, I didn't think to wonder how I was able to hear her whispering to me across the noisy tavern. I had met her outside earlier and had been immediately entranced by her beauty, but when I looked away for just a moment, she was gone. As mysteriously as she disappeared, she was back again an hour or so later. She called to me from across the room in a seductive voice I was sure only I could hear. I went to her, thinking only of the wonderful delights in store for me.

Janette: He was a knight with the Crusades, a man of honor but with a slightly dark streak. He was devilishly handsome and a passionate but gentle lover. He was so willing, so eager to give himself to me. It took all the willpower I possessed not to tear into his throat and drink from his fountain. I had asked LaCroix to meet us in my chambers so that he could bring this young knight across for me. I knew I could not trust myself to do the job properly. It was the first time I had ever asked this of my master, so he knew that the young man in question had to be someone quite special.

Nick: She was strangely intoxicating. I could not get enough of her kisses, the cool silkiness of her skin. Perhaps it was simply because I had been too long without female companionship. My lust took over my thinking and when she asked me questions about giving in to my dark side, my only thought was to agree to whatever she said, whatever it was she wanted of me. I was hers. When she introduced me to her companion, a man who bore golden eyes and sharp fangs, I should have run away screaming. I knew instinctively what he was. I had heard of such creatures but thought them to be only myths. But because of her, I stayed. How badly did I want her? Enough to condemn my soul to eternal damnation, to leave behind my family, friends and duties without a second thought and to say good-bye to the light forever. Oh yes, I most certainly wanted her.

Janette:  As a mortal, I had been used and abused by men most of my life, but LaCroix came along and rescued me. Until LaCroix, no man had ever shown me an ounce of respect. Until Nicolas, no man had shown me such unwavering love and devotion. Though I still cared deeply for him, I had begun to feel smothered by his love, his constant attentiveness, his demands upon my time, his petty jealousy and possessiveness. For my own sanity, and to keep from ripping his pretty little head from his body, I felt I needed to put some time and space between us. I had to leave him.

Nick: I thought that we would be together forever. We were happy. At least I thought we were, so naturally it came as quite a shock when she told me that she was leaving. I couldn't understand how she could simply walk away from our perfect relationship. I wanted to kill her, to plunge a stake through her callous heart for such unthinkable treachery. How could she not possibly care that she was tearing my world apart?

Janette:  As I had expected, Nicolas pleaded with me to stay even though I was brutally blunt in my reason for leaving. Boredom. I wanted him to hate me, at least a little. It would make getting on with his life easier. We fought briefly over a portrait of me that had been painted by Leonardo da Vinci. I was afraid that if I left it behind, Nicolas might destroy it out of malice. But after seeing the hurt and pain in his eyes that I had put there, I relinquished my claim to the painting. It was the least I could do after trampling his heart.

Nick: Before leaving, Janette indicated that we would find each other again someday, that after a time, she would be willing to return to me. I asked her what made her think that I would take her back. All she had to do was touch her lips to mine and I knew that whatever passage of time between us, my heart would remain hers forever. Still, I wanted so badly to chase after her, but LaCroix advised me against doing so. With his help, I was able to restrain myself. I was able to go on with my life... a life without my Janette.

Janette:  It would be a lie if I said I didn't miss him, but I never regretted leaving. I needed my freedom, the opportunity to meet new people and discover new things without a constant shadow at my side. I had my pick of society's most rich and handsome suitors, mortal and vampire alike. But inevitably, I would find myself comparing them all to the lover I'd left behind. I knew, however that it was too soon to go back. There had to be someone out there in the world who could make me forget that curly, blonde hair, those beautiful blue eyes and that devilish smile, and I was determined to find him.

Nick: Until I met Alyssa, I thought I'd never know love and happiness again. She was a vision of beauty, a goddess of light and pure innocence. I decided to wait until after we were wed to tell her about my true nature and offer her the gift of immortality. I had never brought anyone across before, but LaCroix had told me some time ago how it was done. Unfortunately, it's one of those subtle arts where practice makes perfect. I accidentally took too much of her sweet blood and was unable to bring her back to life. My newly found happiness died along with my beloved bride on our wedding night. After Alyssa's death, I vowed never to fall in love again with a mortal woman. Their lives are much too fragile and I did not want to cope with the pain of loss again.

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