This is a reading sample for one main main character (Ciara Kane)(so most of the time its written from her perspective) with cutted Text passages from my novel 'Murder's Truth'. Enjoy it and I hope for Feedback. First novel Ive ever written.

A glance in the mirror told her she needed to brush her hair again. Her shoulder-length black hair had as many knots as there were hairs on the dirty shower floor.

-some scenes later...-

Afterward, she put on her old black baggy pants that had seen better days, not to mention her gray shirt tucked into them.

-some scenes later...-

Upon reaching the bar, positive feelings welled up in her. She loved working there, meeting interesting people and having engaging conversations.

-some scenes later...-

As Ciara weaved through the crowded bar, she kept an eye out for empty glasses or faces in need of service. Today, she was highly motivated to earn tips, so she moved energetically and with a smile, on the verge of treating herself to a bicycle for more independence.

-some scenes later...-

Confidently, she walked through the "Employees Only" door and was immediately greeted by Kate, Sven's wife, with a firm hug.

-some scenes later...-

Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she spoke in a British dialect, adding a touch of linguistic theatrics. She turned her head slightly to gauge Kate's reaction, and an amused grin spread across her face, unable to suppress a soft laugh. Head shaking, Kate walked through the open door, turned her head, and asked with a hint of mischief in her voice.

-some scenes later...-

A tingling sensation ran down her back as she directed her gaze in that direction without knowing the reason why. It was as if invisible eyes were intensely fixated on her, and a sense of discomfort washed over her. The lights in that area seemed oddly dimmed, casting eerie shadows on the wall. Ciara couldn't help but be captivated by the mysterious allure of this invisible presence. She felt her hair stand on end, and her heart raced faster. A feeling of unease spread within her, and she had a compelling urge to get to the bottom of this mysterious phenomenon. Apparently sensing her discomfort, Sven looked at her first, then followed her gaze. As soon as he spotted the dark corner, his eyes became windows to his inner concern.

-some scenes later...-

Halfway there, she stopped at her favorite place to study: a sturdy wooden bench by the local Grevenser Lake, somewhat isolated, but for studying, she didn't need social interaction. At least that's what she always told herself. Maybe she should try to make friends? Slightly out of breath, she sat down, took her phone, and checked the class group chat while her eyes scanned the messages. Man, I need to get my life together! After finding out what was in the exam, her mood worsened even more: Toxicology.

-some scenes later...-

Following Sven's advice, she made her way toward the "Employees Only" door, ignoring him. Surprisingly, this time, Kate didn't greet her enthusiastically. She pressed her arms back to her sides, which had been prepared for a hug, as it became apparent that she wasn't facing Kate.

-some scenes later...-

In the short corridor connecting the bar and the dressing room, Sven was being threatened by a tall, athletic figure.

-some scenes later...-

Ciara couldn't stand this guy, not just because he was arrogant, but for a reason she couldn't quite grasp.

-some scenes later...-

As the blade came closer to Sven's throat, anger surged within her like a volcano, but she couldn't erupt.

-some scenes later...-

Ciara felt an overwhelming and uncontrollable rage, urging her to rip the pointed-eared bastard's throat open and satisfy herself with his blood. Surprisingly, she felt no fear and no desire for strategic planning or negotiation with her unnatural opponent.

-some scenes later...-

With fantastic speed, she sprinted toward the threat. Within a fraction of a second, she reached her opponent, just in time to see him raise his sword. She bent her body backward, narrowly escaping a gruesome death by a few millimeters and slid through his widely spaced legs. Now behind him, she stood up, seemingly too slow, as she heard the blade whistle past her right ear, despite her supernatural speed. Following her instincts, she leaped over two meters into the air, touching the ceiling and expecting to fall back down. Astonishingly, her hands stuck to the ceiling, and she only needed to tuck in her legs to avoid the hissing death below.

However, her new sneakers' soles were partly sliced off. Fortunately, his flowing robes gave her an advantage: anticipating her presence in front of him, his sword completed its 360° rotation. The unnecessary momentum caused him to stumble, and his robes placed awkwardly beneath his feet led to his fall.

Ciara wasn't foolish enough to ignore the advantage. She crawled on all fours along the ceiling toward the elf. After 2.5 meters of free fall, she landed on the elf's back. Without thinking, she sunk her predatory teeth into his neck. Her eyes rolled back with delight as she relished the lifeblood, waves of ecstasy washing over her. The world around her faded into the background. There was only her and the magical blood. Thus, she barely noticed that shortly after sinking her teeth into the soft flesh, the slender body went limp. Overwhelmed by emotions, she fell into unconsciousness, happier than ever before.

-some scenes later...-

"Because you are a vampire who doesn't hide her magic. The Council can track you. It doesn't matter how they do it or who the Council is. You and everyone around you are in danger." Ciara's heart beat even faster than before. Grandpa. "Then why the hell am I still here?" she shouted, "I'm being hunted by something I don't even know!"

-some scenes later...-

But now, the lamp lay shattered and also covered in blood on the red floor. She turned around, a glance at the small kitchen and her bed made her scream like she had never done before. Tears rolled down her cheeks, mixing with the blood. Clyn. He lay in the corner like a frightened child running from his nightmares. Not quite him. Her heart skipped a beat again. Headless. He lay there, while his insides protruded from the cleanly severed neck. She wanted to look away from the horror that didn't belong in any horror movie, but she couldn't.

It was HER grandpa.

Whimpering, she fell to the ground, not caring if she bathed in blood. The weight of the burden seemed to crush her. The ground had been pulled out from under her feet. The last rock in the storm on which she had clung to her entire life and trusted was gone. Every breath of her being was too much, it hurt. Uncontrollably, she screamed toward the ceiling: "Why? Why, you damn God! I hate you!" followed by some vulgar insults. Despite her closed eyes, thousands of tears poured out, never enough for this loss. Whom did she have anyway?

No parents, no grandparents, no siblings. No family. No friends. I am a NOBODY. I have NO ONE. She wondered why it was him. He had been her family... Wait. Something was dripping on her head. It ran along the right side of her forehead, sticking to her eyebrow. Another drop caused her to open her eyes. Though she could only see blurry due to the tears, she recognized what was above her.

Clyn's entrails dangled like the blood-stained dream catcher next to her. Above her hung her grandfather's head.

-some scenes later...-

Two guards entered the room.

Ciara's sleepiness proved to be surmountable as she was roughly grabbed by one guard, just like Lia. In the next moment, as the troll-like guard grunted, Ciara fiercely slapped him, and the sound echoed deliciously against the walls.

The guard had made the mistake of underestimating Ciara due to her tired appearance.

In the next moment, as the troll-like guard grunted, Ciara fiercely kicked his shin.

-some scenes later...-

"What the fuck is going on?" Ciara whispered to Lia.


© Max von der Heydt. All rights Reserved.