Arriving at his bride's home, Ambrose smiled to himself; her scent lay heavy upon the air here. He inhaled deeply, breathing still felt so new to him; the air filled his lungs before he exhaled slowly. She wasn't here; he knew that, her scent, however, was fresh. He walked around the house, peering into the shiny windows; noting the shadowed space beyond them. A flower garden spread over the large backyard. A narrow bridge looped over a pond, he could hear fish winding their way through the water. The yard was lovely, he could imagine his bride, kneeling between the flowers, tending her garden. The image made him smile.

Perhaps he could wait here for her, he thought making his way towards the door. He froze before trying the handle. If she found him here his harsh bride would not be overjoyed to see him. She would likely kill him if she found him here, or she would try. Leech, She had called him. He sighed. "Oh, Cassandra..." Saying her name renewed his smile. He'd be back for her later.

He traced back to his home in Russia. The house suddenly felt so empty, he hadn't noticed how eerily lonely the spacious home was until now. Now that he knew what was missing. It was early morning, but all shutters were sealed tight over the windows. No sunlight would breech his home; hadn't for many many years. He made his way to his bed, laying down, he stared up at the ceiling. Soon enough his bride would join him in this bed, he promised himself, closing his eyes.

Cassandra tried unsuccessfully to sleep; she was far too alert, every creaking floor board and passing car had her listening intently for the vampire. With the rise of the sun, she allowed herself to relax into the cool sheets; letting sleep come easily.

In her dreams she was held loosely in the arms of a lover, she leaned in and kissed him, coming away, to her surprise, with blood on her lips. She looked up in horror to see Ambrose, his eyes a searing red and blood dripping down his chin. There in the corner lay her father crumbled on the floor, coated in blood, his throat shredded by fangs. She screamed, waking with a start.

She shivered at the nightmare that was also part of a memory. Wrapping the blankets around herself, she noted the sun blazing through the window, streaks of lights making their way across the rumpled sheets. Looking down at the shimmering watch on her wrist, she climbed out of bed. That leech wouldn't keep her from her home. Not during the day, at least.

She took a long shower and got ready to return home. Slinging her hand bag over a shoulder, she made her way to the lobby, checking out and heading to her car with none of the alertness she had last night. That damned vampire was not going to ruin her day. The dream, on the other hand, she shivered recalling he father's death.

The dream was a reminder she did not need; she would never forget that Ambrose was merely a blood-sucking monster. She cursed herself for even remembering his name. Damn him. She swore, pulling out of the lot and heading home.

The house was just as she'd left it, except for one thing. It smelled of that leech. His scent lingered around her yard. She growled uneasily at the thought of him inside of her home. One step in the house, however, relieved her slightly. He hadn't been inside. The lousy vampire could linger outside as much as he liked, but home was still home. For now.