Chapter 1:

I gaze at my reflection in the mirror, marveling at the intensity of the colour of my eyes. Blood red and alive. My ultra-pale skin seems to glimmer as it reflects the burning light coming in through my window. I smile as the sound of tortured screams reaches my ears. My fine black hair seemingly shifts around my shoulders, the blistering heat making the whole dimension shimmer. I look down at my hands, at my long, black fingernails and my perfect, pallid skin. I would mistake myself for a proper angel - all good and pure - if I didn't already know I was a dark angel; a Black Rose.
My father walks into the room without knocking, which really irritates me, however I don't let it show. Being the Leader of Hell, with the exception of his High Majesty - the Devil, basically - my father could do some pretty horrible things to me if I displeased him. He certainly hasn't hesitated to do so in the past. I don't look much like my father, other than the vivid colour of my eyes and the tone of my hair. I don't possess his strong stance, his powerful image or his intimidating voice. I've never met my mother, but I'd imagine that it's from her that I inherited my sharp, narrow face, dainty, tall body and - annoyingly to my father - her good will. That doesn't mean I don't enjoy seeing and hearing people hurting, but I refuse to be the one to cause them pain. Something about karma, I try to convince myself, despite the fact I am in no way religious.
My father regards me closely. 'Mara, my daughter, I think you'll enjoy this.'
I turn to my father fully, and speak to him in that sweet, childish way he seems to love for some reason. 'What is it, daddy?' I cringe internally. Someone my age shouldn't have to call their father "daddy."
'I have a task for you. As you know the Black Roses are preparing to gather for your official initiation, but before you are allowed their you are to undergo the Task. Which, I might add, takes place in Athorius.'
I frown. 'I need to go to the human dimension? Why?'
'It is there that every Black Rose takes part in their Task. It is a tradition going back a millennia.' My father stops in front of me, his eyes burning bright like mine. 'You are required to claim the soul of an immortal, but only after you have gained his complete trust. You will know when that time is, because your Black Rose amulet will appear before you.'
'What sort of immortal are we talking about here? Vampire? Demon? Phantom? Warlock?' I ask, staring seriously into my father's eyes.
He regarded my curiosity with a wry smile. 'You are so much like your mother in that way, Mara. She was always so questioning, too. I do not know what immortal you will... deal with, for it changes every time, and I have yet to be given your full instructions.' Did he seriously just mention my mother? He NEVER does that. Whenever I ask about her, he'll tell me to stop asking and just be grateful I'm even alive at all. I continued probing him once; an action I regret to this day. My father made me stay in the torture chamber for two weeks as his cronies slowly cut into my cold skin.
'Okay, daddy. Thanks for telling me. When am I going?' I ask, flashing him my best daughtery smile.
'You're going when you're told to go. Whenever that may be. You're not allowed to know in advance.' My father snaps, glaring at me. I look down, embarrassed. I'm being stupid, I know this already. 'Anyway, I have people to torture. Got to go.' My father wanders off, an unreadable expression on his menacing face. As much as I love my father - which, admittedly, isn't all that much - he still scares the Hell out of me. And that's really saying something, since I live in Hell.

I wake up, fully energised and ready for a new day, and find myself in an unfamiliar landscape, bathed in sunlight. I sit up, scowling at the muddy, leafy tangle of hair around my shoulders, and look around. Well, I think, I'm in a forest. But that's all I can determine. No signs of animal or human or immortal life anywhere; not that you can really call an immortal alive. I stand and brush the leaves off my clothes, my black dress replaced by a pair of blue skinny jeans, a pair of black, heeled leather boots and a plain red t-shirt. There is a tiny black tattoo on my right arm, in the shape of a trident. The sign of the Devil. Clearly I have his High Majesty's blessing, whatever that may be. I've only met the Devil himself once, and it wasn't a casual visit either. I don't like him much. He's too... evil and sinister. Even my father found him a little overwhelming in that category, though he'd never say the words aloud. I start to wander around, not entirely sure where I'm meant to be going. The world seems to fall silent as I pass, before whispering again as soon as I'm about ten metres away. Must be something to do with what I am. As I leave the edge of the trees, I come upon a large lake. On the other side of the lake is a house. A very large house. More like a mansion really. I guess this is where I'm supposed to head. As I pass the still water, I catch a glimpse of my reflection. My red eyes aren't red anymore; they're a very rich, deep blue. I stare at my reflection for several minutes, gawking at this new appearance. I've been told that the Children of Ethinius and Heathernius can adapt their appearance to work with the dimension they are in. Red eyes like the sky in Ethinius - Hell, - blue eyes like the sky in Arthorius - Earth, - green eyes like the sky in Naturius - Heaven's green equivalent - and purple eyes like the sky in Heathernius - actual Heaven. I've heard it, but never experienced it before. It's all a little disorientating.