All the other women danced around on the club floor, lost to the rhythmic thumping of the intense dance music. So, when I felt the first tug of sorrow on my empty chest, I was a little taken aback. It was someone else's heart breaking. I had to correct myself. Their heart was already broken. I scanned the room, looking against the walls for a lone woman crying. It was not uncommon for a woman to come here with her lover and find her lover on the floor with another, often more seductive woman. This was not a club for the meek. Women came here with the single purpose of hooking up. And frankly, until I had noticed the pain felt by this woman, the club scene had bored me tonight. The only betrayal of my boredom was my fingers tapping to the entrancing rhythm on the tiny glass table.
The pairs and groups swayed, some lost already to the dance of love, which undoubtedly would lead to the tawdry romances in the bathrooms. My night was dedicated to finding someone who would come home with me and never be seen again. I had planned to do to this woman what I had done to all the other women: seduce them, perhaps even bring them to my apartment, have a night of unbridled lesbian sex and then, dump them in some ravine to be found by a horrified farm worker later in the month, after I had recovered from the heady effects their blood had in my veins.
Before you recoil in horror, take the fact lightly that I would not die if I starved myself. Hunger in a vampire grows and gnaws at the very core of our being. To resist the urge to feed can drive one to madness, killing many innocent, undeserving people in horrifying ways. I grew to view my choice as one life for a few months instead of twenty or more in a matter of weeks. In the end, only a few would loose their lives every year. Ah yes, even among the undead, we have our morals.
The high-pitched electronic beat grew more intense. Just the aroma of sweat made my need for feeding grow. My fangs dug into my lower lip in anticipation. A few brave women dared to flirt with me earlier, twisting their tongues in the lewdest manners. None would try buying me drinks though. I had seen to that fact sitting in front of three shots of whiskey. I did not want a brazen woman this night. I was looking for something very different, but what I did not really know.
Certainly, I had taken my share of lovers, but none were capable of sharing my burden, nor had they wished the pain of being apart from me. Though the act of my heart beating inside my chest had long been dormant, I am subject to the same aches and pains of love that every other being on this planet is doomed to.
Again, I felt her sorrow. No woman was against any of the walls. I tilted my head to listen better; it was if the crowd was blocking her from my sight. Finally, again, I felt her pain more directly and I saw her sitting at a table on the very edge of the dance floor. I carefully assessed the nearest tables, void of any thought beyond the goal of trying to comfort this woman who clearly called out to me.
I hesitated glancing this woman over. She was smaller than my usual type. She sighed wistfully; I felt her tears brim on her eyes. I could not hold back. The echo of her pain was too much for me to continue to ignore.
"Pardon me miss, but I can't help but notice that something is troubling you." She looked away, her lips parting and I feel the rejection coming I know the line all too well, 'Leave me in peace', but she stops herself, and then looks up locking her eyes to mine.
I smiled and I lead her to the dance floor as she took my hand, pulling her close to me, my hands on her waist, her head on my shoulder, her heart nearly thundering in my own chest. Her eyes were closed tightly as if the sight of other women watching us make our way onto the dance floor was too much.
I took the chance to reassure her with my arms wrapped around her tightly. She made a little murmur of comfort and I allowed my teeth to graze her milky skin on her neck. Steeling myself to avoid frightening her more, I brushed my lips against her neck softly and shuddered. Even her skin tasted of her pain.
She looked up to me filled with a million questions. "Is this all there is?" She asks me innocently, "I mean between two women? Just being close and knowing that it's not wrong?"
I allowed a finger to caress her cheek so very softly and whispered to her as we swayed to the music. I gently tipped her view to the other women gyrating with need against other women without a second thought. "Love is what all these women think they've found tonight. Love, what you should want and have, is like something very precious and dear to your body and soul. Yours feels like it was ripped out of your chest." My heart fell, as I thought to myself, 'Your blood, your life is too innocent for me to take from you.'
She shuddered in my arms. I knew she would start to cry and I held her against my shoulder.
"Let go of the pain Sweeting," I whispered, feeling her hot tears sear my skin through my black silk shirt. I glanced about the floor bathed in blue lights, looking for a way to take her out of this to let her cry to me without the unnecessary audience. Again, I felt another wave in my chest. I looked down at her in my arms and I knew taking her somewhere private was the last thing she wanted.
