The vampire sat in an overstuffed chair, his icy blue eyes glowing in sharp contrast to the warm flames that reflected across their surface. He did not feel the heat that danced within the confines of the hearth. In fact, he had felt little by way of warmth for a very long time. You see, the Inn he now rested inside was a place he frequented in his youth. It had been like a second home to him, a home to the odd assortment of friends he collected β the family they had eventually become.
No one seemed to be around now, nor had anyone come in all night. He was just about to give up and leave, thinking everyone else had parted ways and settled elsewhere when he felt the familiar presence of someone long forgotten. He stood, her scent tickling his nose and drawing him to his feet, and turned to look at her as she stopped near the door.
He could see her already in his mind; her flowing curls of the most vibrant red, the errant tendrils that framed her youthful features and caressed her shoulders. He could feel her intense emerald gaze on him, and felt the rekindling of a spark that once flickered in his heart. He smiled broadly, sharp teeth glinting in the firelight beneath the canopy of pale lips. But that smile was quickly lost as the sight he took in was not at all what he remembered and even further than what he could have ever expected.
The woman stared at him, dumbfounded, surprised, but he did not take any notice of her expression. His eyes slipped over the sickly thin frame that had once been supple and inviting. Her skin was like white porcelain, marbled with the powdery purplish-blue shadow of veins. And her eyesβ¦ her eyes were pale, holding on him with a creamy gaze β the eyes of an old and blinded woman.
The vampire felt his knees weaken at the sight of her and felt as though his legs would give out. He extended his hands to her and she came to him, taking them and stepping close. He held her arms out widely so that he could look over her, focusing on the swell of her breasts which were wrapped in a thin material so sheer that even in layers he could see the shadowy curves and the dark circles of her nipples. Her shoulders and torso were bare, and a skirt clung so helplessly to her slender hips that he thought the slightest movement might dislodge it from it's place.
He moved his hands to her face, caressing her cheeks with his thumbs and looked at her so sadly that she thought her heart would break. She looked so very old, he thought, and he said softly, "This is not right⦠What has happened to you, my old friend?"
She could only smile at him, knowing how surprising, if not frightening, her appearance might be. "I am your old friend," she said, in a voice smoother than silk. "Old being the key word in that statement."
Despite his immediate concern for her, he drew her into a gentle embrace and found himself equally as shocked at how cold her flesh was. She shivered into his warmth, and drew herself against the tautness of his chest. He had not changed at all. She pulled away reluctantly, but only because she needed to look upon his handsome face and reacquaint herself with his features. The same man, he was, still youthful and strong. She looked into his eyes, the coldness of them matched only by the coldness that had settled into her heart.
"Far too long it has been since I have gazed upon such a friendly face. Where have you been?" Her hands moved to his cheeks and drew slowly across them.
He pulled her with him as he reclaimed his seat and settled her on his lap. His hands drew along her arms, and he reveled in the smoothness of her skin, remembering the days when they had played so freely together. "I've been.. at church," he said, a wicked grin twitching his lips.
One thin brow arched in curiosity. "Church?"
His voice was deep, his chuckle gritty. "Ah, yes. Church. It would seem I involved myself with a girl who carried with her many troubles. And you know I am when it comes to trouble. I killed her, sadly, and her father did not like that too much. I found myself encased in stone atop the roof of a church and there I stayed for many years."
Her lips pursed in a knowing smile. She knew exactly how prone to trouble he was. They were much alike in that aspect and had gotten into a lot of messes together. "I'm sure she was delightful. And delighted. As any woman would be to be the center of your attention.. of your intention.. no matter how despicable. Poor girl. She probably enjoyed every minute of it."
"I'm sure she did. She certainly sounded like it, at first." His smile faded slightly as he looked over her again, his eyes trailing over her thin face. He wanted so greatly to enjoy reminiscing, but could not find any immediate joy strong enough to overcome his deep concern.
"What is it?" She asked.
His hands brushed over her face again, his voice falling into a whisper. "How things change." She was still quite striking, despite her transformation. He wanted to see her youthful again, healthy. He shifted slightly, moving his head to the side and tapped his hand lightly against the sweetest spot of his neck. "Drink of me, love. Pierce my flesh and drink of me. Revive yourself."