Chapter Two
Alexei von Krolock stood, unmoving, like the corpse he nearly was. He was facing the window, and the fast approaching dawn, but he could have been staring straight into the face of a vampire slayer for all he cared.
Sarah was gone. Dragged from his grasp, half-turned, alone in the hostile outside world of harsh sunlight and garlic. He would have been gentle, he would have looked after her if she'd stayed. She didn't even resist when they seized her wrist - why the bloody hell not? Because he hadn't been careful, that's why, he thought bitterly.
He had meant to open a wound, make it impressive for the party, and save the serious drinking for later. That way they could have danced. But no, 300 years experience and he couldn't limit himself.
He thought he could overcome the thirst - he had when she had first arrived, still panting from the run, colour flushing her cheeks and her pulse thumping visibly along the veins - it was hard, but he had done it. Left her hair where it was, not even touched the neck. And to think she hadn't even noticed!
But at the ball, with the music in his ears, dancing to the beat of her heart, he couldn't help it. 'Are you ready?' he'd whispered. Her bright eyes and slight nod told him all he wanted and needed to know. She let him clear the skin, relaxed her throat - and then he was too nervous about deflowering such a beautiful creature to do it right. His teeth landed in her shoulder and ripped the wrong vessel, the artery instead of the vein, spraying blood directly into his mouth - and once he'd tasted it, he couldn't stop. He swallowed huge mouthfuls, pretending to himself that he was doing the right thing by not wasting it. When the flow lessened, he had somehow managed to let go and, with some shock, registered the fact that she had passed out in his arms. He wanted to make sure she was all right, that she wasn't dead yet, but he had to prove to the guests that he'd done what he set out to do.
They did look impressed, leaning forwards greedily, trying to grab a piece for themselves. Once he'd made a full circle, he thought she'd have got her strength back - and, when he placed her on her feet, she stood steadily enough. Until he removed his arm, and realised just how much she'd been depending on him to keep her upright. He fought the urge to catch her as she collapsed to the floor, trying his hardest to look like he didn't really care.
A congregation of vampires might be friends against a common enemy, but the rest of the time they were rivals and he couldn't afford to let them see any weaknesses.
*Why do I indulge in these memories?* He asked himself sharply. *Is it because I don't have anything else?*
His jaw tightened, the corners of his mouth starting to tug insistently down. *No. I don't have anything else.*
His face was stony, set in grim determination not to let any emotion escape him. Especially not grief. Grief was weak, feeble. It made you helpless.
He slowly lifted one hand, detached, as if it wasn't a part of his body, to hide his face. From who, he didn't know. With the other he gripped the stone windowsill.
If his knuckles hadn't been white to start with, they would have been by now. He clenched the muscles in his face spasmically, forcing his mouth into a straight line, keeping his eyes open.
The windowsill started to crumble.
* * * * * * *
'The sun's coming up...'
'But what a beautiful specimen! Alfred, look at this!' The professor had whipped out his travelling magnifying glass, and was bent over a small snow-thriving fern. 'The formation of the fronds is quite amazing...'
'I do not BELIEVE you!' Sarah practically screamed, kicking him with her more intact boot. 'We're about to die and you're staring at a fucking PLANT?'
He backed off, wary of another one of her tantrums.
Koukol got out of the way. He'd seen almost-vampires like this before, and it didn't help to get in their way.
'Hmm, perhaps you're right, dear girl...'
'STOP CALLING ME DEAR!!!'
'I think we should get back to the castle, the sky is getting rather light....'
Sarah stalked off moodily up the hill, the professor in pursuit. A few yards behind them, Alfred staggered along with the coffin. The professor had insisted that they bring it, in case they couldn't reach the castle before dawn and needed something to protect the two vampires from the sun.
The thought of sharing such a small, confined space with Alfred was enough to make Sarah forget about her limp and practically run.
**********
Alexei gripped the handful of grey dust in his hand even tighter, digging his nails into the remaining stone. No matter how hard he tried, his face still twitched unstoppably and tears threatened. Just as one was about to tip over his lower lid, the door crashed open.
He whirled round angrily, thankful of the distraction, to see Koukol - in rather bad shape (even worse than normal, that is), the Professor, Alfred and Sarah emerging from the fading darkness.
'Sara -' he choked, steppng towards her, his arms open. As she ran towards him the entire sole of the other boot decided it was time to join the heel of the first. She tripped, landing squarely in his arms - and once she was there, he didn't want let her go.
'Sara.. oh my darling...'
'Excellency...' she whispered back.
'Alexei.' He replied, 'To you, I'm Alexei.' before kissing her.
They spent the next few minutes totally involved in each other, whilst Alfred stared on horrified, open mouthed.
'I expect -' the Count said to him, slightly muffled, 'That you'll be wanting to know where my son is.' He looked up, a slightly dirty smile on his lips.
'He had Koukol prepare a bedroom. Koukol, would you?'
Koukol nodded and eagerly made his way over to Alfred, who was still far too surprised, shocked and confused to argue and easily let Von Krolock's servant drag him out of the hall, down a long corridor.
Sarah looked up at Alexei lovingly, and he smiled down at her. They were still in each other's arms, unwilling to let go. The count looked over to Abronsius, who was on the other side of the hall, unaware of their presence.
'We can just leave him here.' Alexei told Sarah. 'He'll find his way to the library, which is where he'll go, no doubt.' She nodded, a dreamy look on her face.
Alexei grinned 'You don't even care do you?' he asked, caressing her hair, which was slightly wet with melting snow.
'No.' she replied and kissed him boldly. Alexei sighed and closed his eyes for a second, relishing the moment. How he'd dreamt of this! Still kissing, he swept her up in his arms. She squealed a bit in surprise and broke their kiss, but quickly relaxed and gladly let Von Krolock carry her.
'We'll retire now, Professor!' He told Abronsius, but the professor didn't seem to hear them. Alexei shook his head, then left, carefully carrying Sarah through the castle.
The heavy doors to the counts quarters opened by themselves and candles lit as soon as the vampires entered, bathing the room in a warm, golden light, still pleasantly dark. Walking as if he were in a dream, Von Krolock carried Sarah to the huge bed, the doors closing behind them. He looked down at her lovingly.. and hungrily. She looked somewhat drunk, her eyes half closed. She watched as Alexei slid out of his boots and unfastened his cape, letting it flow to the ground.
Then, with a fast and elegant movement, he slid on top of her, gliding his hands gently along her body, caressing her through the thin fabric of the dress she was wearing. He started at her waist, up to her breasts, along her throat. He was shaking, restraining himself from simply ramming his teeth into her neck violently and draining her. There was still a lot of blood in her body, and Alexei felt it. He could smell, almost hear it, and the taste of it still lingered in his mouth. He sighed. 'I don't want to hurt you.'
Sarah let her hand glide through his silky hair, pressing him slightly closer. 'You won't.' With that she closed her eyes and arched up, offering her throat and blood to him. 'Drink.' she whispered. 'Finish what you started.'
Surprised, but unable to hold back the urge any longer, Alexei opened his mouth, his razor sharp fangs rapidly growing out of his normal teeth. And within less than a second, he had opened the wound that had slowly begun to heal, and blood was spilling into his mouth.
Sarah stiffened and moaned, feeling all blood and live being sucked out of her. She was dying, and it felt so wonderful. The last thing she knew was that she was pressing close to Alexei, encouraging him to drink. Then she stiffened, her eyes fell shut and she lay limply in his arms.