" Who are you and why are you here? " Teaser from Legacy Forgotten by Nicole Hill

  She took fifteen more minutes to examine the body. By the time she was ready to leave she was sure that the victim died from a vampire bite just like the rest. She would never voice her opinion however; as everyone would think she'd gone off the deep end. She knew, all the same, that it was up to her to find out who was doing this so she could stop them. She pulled into her driveway at ten till four. It was dark outside but she could still hear the music coming from a mansion next door. These people here never stopped partying. Not that she didn't enjoy a good night of partying as much as the next twenty two year old, but every night? The problem with these people, is they have too much money and free time on their hands. Ailis had only been here for six months but she felt like it was six months too long.

  Her grandmother died last September and Ailis was blessed with the one hundred year old Victorian Home. The house was immaculate in an 1800's kind of way. Ailis was not content in this place. She felt out of place. The house was wonderful and when it was built it was probably in the middle of nowhere, which would have suited Ailis fine. But this place was always teeming with life. It wasn't as bad as it could be. Good Fortune Island was an exclusive living community for the wealthy movie stars and music artists. So, at least she had her privacy. Unless, some inventive paparazzi got past the guards that protect the bridge entrance. It was a literal island. Not just by name, so the only way in was a bridge which was gated and guarded. Of course, they could scuba dive in if they wanted to. In which case, Ailis felt that if they went through that much trouble, they deserve the picture. She was a no body, so they pretty much left her alone anyway.

  Her grandfather used to own the whole island when he and her grandmother came to Miami from Spain a long ass time ago. After the death of her grandfather, her grandmother sold all but the half-acre parcel that the house and the outdoor pool sat on. The daytime was quiet, as most of the Richie’s had come home to sleep the day away. Ailis told everyone that's why she preferred the night shift. That's when the most happens around here she would tell everyone when they would make a comment about her never wanting a day shift. The truth of it was, Ailis had always been a night person.

  She had always slept the best during the day. At night she was up and ready to go. She used to partake in the Miami nightlife a lot more but since she landed this case, if she wasn't working, she was trying to sleep off her mental and physical exhaustion. She missed dancing, she thought to herself longingly. The feel of the music vibrating through you. Inspiring your body to move almost of it’s own accord. Ailis loved music and she loved to dance. She also missed Maya. Maya was the head bartender at Kraze; one of the most popular night clubs on Ocean Drive. Ailis and Maya had made fast friends upon Ailis' arrival here in Miami. At first, Ailis was wary of the girl, not knowing if all Vampires where evil or not. The only one she'd ever met was definitely evil. Ailis knew other things besides humans existed. Her grandmother told her about some of them when she was really little but Ailis never really believed her. Her mother always told her that her grandmother had Alzheimer and that she confused reality with fairy tales. Ailis thought that made sense.

  Then she'd met Maya. It was nice to have a friend who was different as well. Ailis had never had that in all her life.

  She really needed to solve this case and go have a drink, she thought as she walked through her house. Ailis yawned as she made her way to her coffee pot. After turning it on she wandered up stairs to get her shower. She couldn't stop thinking about the attempted intrusion to her mind earlier. She had only felt that a few times before, but the other times the person had felt far away. Now they felt so much closer. She couldn't figure out why, but she knew it was the same person. Deliberately she searched for the path they had used and tried to reverse it. It was working until she slammed into a barrier of strength she had never experienced, even in communication with her grandmother.

  Ailis’ grandmother came from Madrid. She was not sure what village, as her grandmother would never tell her. “Some things are better left forgotten,” She would say. Grandmother Carmelita was always vague with her life story.

  Since she couldn't get through the barrier she decided to knock, so to speak. “Who are you?” she asked. No answer. She turned off the water and stepped from the shower. She kept trying even as she was toweling her hair. “Hello!” She shouted to the barrier. She put on her terry cloth robe and headed down to the kitchen to get her coffee. “I'm still trying to reach you.” she persisted while running back up stairs to get dressed. Finally, after twenty minutes and her second cup of coffee, she finally got an answer.

  “Why are you bothering me?” He asked her point blank. Bingo. She thought triumphantly. She knew he'd be a man. She was proud of herself for being right. His voice was smooth, like warm honey, it slid down her spine. She shook her head to clear the thought. Where had that come from?

  “Who are you?” She asked again.

  “Who are you?” He questioned back rudely.

  “I thought I was asking the questions.” she shot back at the rudeness. “You tried to intrude in on my thoughts, now who are you?”

  “Don't you mean what am I?” He asked slyly.

  “Don't be coy with me.” She cautioned. “I know what you are. Now I want to know who you are and why you are here.”