Apparently, my plea to Edmund wasn't all for not. He must've taken pity on my depressed state, because a few weeks later, he called me down to the stables.

Usually, highborn vampires are given a sort of horse that had been either been turned at birth, or had been specially bred. They are used as a lifelong companion to their master. They're given as foals to their toddler master and usually die alongside each other. Touching.

However, though I was a highborn (and not a bastard), I was never gifted a prized steed. I only watched my older siblings race around the estate on their's. When I would ask Edmund why I never got one, he would reply with a: "Your parents are very busy people. Be greatful for all you have now." Needless to say, I was confused as to why I was called to the of all places.

-Upon entering, there stood a tall horse alongside a stable boy and Edmund himself. She was a dark gray with a black mane and tail. She had black stockings that ran up to just past her knees. Nearly taller than Edmund, she had to be at least 19 hands.

With a smile, Edmund watched as I slowly approached.

"Her name is Thunder. What do you think, Vigil?"

"She's... beautiful." I pried my eyes from the fine mare in front of me and looked at Edmund. "How did you even get a hold of her?"

I held my hand up to her nose, then gently stroked her soft snout.

"She was a lord's horse, but he recently passed. Something to do with a broken heart? Set himself on fire."

Upon feeling my touch, Thunder pinned her ears back and nudged my hand away.

"He didn't want her to suffer the same fate as him, so he had her shipped here, to America to be a brood mare. I had a connection with the breeder and he practically gave her to me. Not sure why.." he said, reaching out to pat her neck.

Thunder evaded him, leaning her head to the side.

"No kidding." I added. "Why... did you call me here?"

"What do you mean 'why did I call you here!?' She's all yours!" Edmund exclaimed, his face practically bursting from the seams with joy.

I darted my eyes up to him. I couldn't believe what he was saying, but upon seeing his face, I was certain I heard right.

"Don't play a cruel trick on me."

"Have I ever? Go ahead. Take her out."

A smile crept it's way across my face before rushing to Thunder's side and jumping into the saddle. I snatched up the reins and gave her a nudge, sending us out of the stable at a brisk trot.-

I had fun times with Thunder. I never owned a horse, so I had very basic horsemanship skills. Getting Thunder, Edmund was throwing me to the wolves in hopes I would learn.

At first, Thunder loathed me. As soon as she saw me, she would pin her ears back and evade me as much as she could. For months, she wasn't allowed to roam the pastures because she knew what it meant when the stable boys would come to get her with a halter in hand.

In the arena, she was stubborn. Bull headed. Anything and everything I told her, she fought me on. I was even thrown. Many a time, I was met with the harsh ground after she reared, or kicked, or took a sudden turn.

Even though it would've discouraged most, the pain and thrill of it all spurred me on even more. It made the goal of dominating her that much more appealing. Every time, I'd bounce right off the ground onto her back.

After a while, she finally came around. Good thing too, because there was a good month with progress. Just throw after throw after throw. Maybe she tired herself out.

Since then, we rode together for days and days. We rode on my family's land. There were miles and miles of it. For the first time in years, I actually felt free. When I wasn't on Thunder's back, I was hunting. Sometimes, I could do both.

In the morning before the sun came up, I'd be galloping on the long road that lead to the house amongst the spruce trees. So clearly, I can remember the early spring air combing through my long, full hair. If I close my eyes, I can see the thick forest and gravel road. I can hear Thunder's fleeting hooves.

I could tell she loved to run, too. She enjoyed that brisk air in her mane. At times, she'd feel so good, she'd pin her ears back, lower her head and give a small kick midst galloping.

Though it seems like I single handedly broke her, I don't think I really did. I think she just came around. Bonded. She never did something she didn't truly want to.

Unfortunately, Thunder met a cruel end. My parents wondered why I would come home in such a good mood. They confiscated her. ...They burned her alive. Right in front of me, too.

After that, I tried to forget about her. She is no variable in my life. Honestly, the thought of an animal as my friend!..

...

I kill living things out of cold blood, so why would an animal be so important to me?