Henry sat alone in the dark cell with a single candle as his only light, at a loss of what to do next. His persuasive abilities hadn't worked on Maria. She didn't open his cell door. God's love is stronger than the devil, she had said. He laughed weakly to himself for he knew the Devil had not done this to him nor was he the Devil's pawn. He had clutched Maria's rosary when she handed it to him to prove his soul was not evil and chanted his prayers in perfect Latin. She seemed half convinced, but left to pray for strength for her Lord.
Henry looked to the door, praying that Maria would walk in at any moment. She didn't, of course, and he laid his head back against the wall and closed his eyes.
He sensed someone coming and rushed to the cell door, clutching the bars. It wasn't Maria's scent. The door opened and Henry could see the outline of a slender young woman. Her eyes glinted with candlelight, and it was the only detail he could make out. The rest of her was still shrouded in darkness.
"Show yourself." His tone was unafraid and strong. She stepped forward and her features were illuminated. Her eyes were the darkest brown. Her hair was like smooth dark chocolate with the faintest sparks of gold and red, and it rested in thick curls on her lovely shoulders. She had crimson lips and faintly rosy cheeks. Her brows arched intelligently as she stared at him. She moved forward toward the cell but remained out of reaching distance.
"Hello, Henry." Her voice was like silk floating elegantly in the air.
"Where is Maria?" he asked hoarsely. The corner of her mouth curled slightly upward.
"Calm yourself. She's still praying." There was silence for a moment before she continued. "I know who you are, Henry…and what you are. I've come to help you." His eyes narrowed.
"I get enough 'help' from signor," he growled. "I don't need it from you. Leave." He retreated to a dark corner in his cell.
She rolled up the sleeve of her left arm, revealing her pale, porcelain skin. Henry approached her as she moved closer to his cell. He was now close enough to hear her pulse, to see her blue veins throb. He barely resisted the urge to reach out and bite. He looked into her dark eyes, with a little curiosity, but mostly hunger.
"Drink," she whispered simply as she held her wrist up to him. He motioned to grasp this gift, but she jerked it away. "But don't—." Fear flashed across her eyes.
"I won't." The hint of fear disappeared just as quickly as it had appeared as she handed him her wrist. He grasped it gently, yet eagerly, and brought it to his lips. Her pulse had quickened.
He bit down, quick and hard. She winced from the momentary pain. He sucked the sweet life from her and he could feel his strength returning. Her breathing became shallow and she leaned against the bars.
He pulled away just before he took too much. She was weak, but she would live. She reached for the keys and unlocked the cell. Henry emerged and caught the woman before she fell to the ground. She was unconscious. He began to worry that he took too much. He gathered her into his arms and took her into the darkness of the night, hoping signor would not soon follow.