Ennui plagues the crestfallen devil,
who decides to find liberation
in seducing the angel.

b l o o d w i n e, i
he wants dinner and he wants her now

With reluctance, she lifted her hand and knocked softly on the door, hoping that it was quiet enough so the inhabitants of the house wouldn't hear it. She wanted so much to go home. When no one answered, she let out a sigh of relief. Perhaps she had the chance of going home.

However, before she could turn her heel, the wide doors open. She cursed her good – almost good – luck and tried to catch a glimpse of the man, or butler, who had opened the door. Not gaining anything from it, she stepped inside carefully and swallowed down the lump in her throat. Suddenly, the doors closed with a loud slam and she squealed. She waited for her heartbeats to slow down before she continued down the lightly dimmed foyer and hallway.

A strong light glowed from the farthest room with the massive Victorian-plated doors, and she assumed it was the dining room. To her remarkable surprise, it was.

There a shadowy figure sat on the farthest end of the table. She didn't miss the smirk and the twinkle in his smoldering eyes. Even from afar, parts of his facial features were obvious through parts of the darkness. It was her end of the table that was strongly lit.

Nervously, she clasped her hands together. It was a habit she had picked up and she wasn't sure where, but it was enough to ease her from her anxiety.

"Excuse me?"

The figure remained silent.

"Is … Is this the dinner ceremony? There are no guests and I thought-

Her sentence was interrupted as she watched the figure stand up.

"The guests will arrive …"

"Oh."

"Eventually." He finished.

He approached her and she could see a man through darkness, complete with broad shoulders and an able physique. But even so, it was unusual to an extent that he was moving towards her painfully slow.

"Is Lord Valentine around?" She asked carefully.

"You'd be surprised."

He was at the edge where darkness and light merged and in rapidity, he stopped.

"Please. Sit." A hand motioned her to sit down in the chair beside her.

Not wanting to disappoint her host, she sat down. However, she glued her eyes to the table, bedecked with exotic foods, some she had never seen before. With swiftness, he was behind her, hands on her shoulders, his thumbs stroking the base of her neck. She let out a sharp gasp before shivering and finally stiffening to the violating touch.

"Eat now." He whispered before retreating to his end of the table.

Her eyebrows knotted together as she nibbled her bottom lip. He wasn't waiting for the others to arrive.

Maybe he's not familiar with the polite customs around here …

Going with that, she ate the food resting on her plate slowly. She noticed that each spoonful she took, he imitated her. She found it peculiar if not insane.

But she continued eating her food and, as soon as she was done, she thanked him.

"Thank you. It was delicious." She complimented.

"Glad you enjoyed it."

He was certainly a man of a few words.

From his end, even the strongest man alive could not have ripped the smile on his face out. However, it wasn't a gentle smile one could assume but a knowing, conniving smirk that planned corruption.

He had watched her eat all through dinner, following her actions one by one, gazing at the brown locks that had fallen from its holding. Watching lips envelop tasteful foods and her nimble movements. Her eyes were hypnotic – if not truly like his – and curious and almost like his.

Almost.

Finally …

"Would you like a tour of the mansion?"

"Sure."

With two claps, unusual classical music filled the entire household. Possibly not classical music but just … eerie.

He walked ahead of her and she followed with quiet obedience. They reached the next room over and she found it completely filled with antique paintings. Above the center mantelpiece, a portrait was hung of an elegant man. Handsome couldn't describe him, but she felt it better if she kept that opinion to herself.

"I suppose that's Lord Valentine?"

"Yes."

She looked at the picture for a moment before turning to her host who, apparently, lost himself in the shadows yet again. She was certainly piqued with curiosity. Why did he always seem to hide from her? Hell, the fact that he could be the lord himself wouldn't faze her in the least. She just wanted to see him.

"Interesting how you'd like to see me. Is that what you want?" He asked, unperturbed.

She gasped and widened her eyes.

"You … you just … you read my-

"When I want to." He answered and shrugged. "And if you are curious as to my identification, yes, I am Lord Valentine."

"Then why don't you just come out?" Her voice was shaky. She needed to slowly adjust to the fact he had a telepathic ability.

"I prefer darkness if you haven't noticed."

This whole house is dark …

"This isn't dark."

A resounding clap.

Darkness consumed the room and she was suddenly afraid to move. She couldn't see her hand as she lifted it up.

What felt like a nail grazed her bare arm, and she shuddered discreetly. Her breath had quickened and she looked left and right for the lord but was unsuccessful. A warm breath invaded her space and she turned around, surprised and on guard but, as she leaned forward to reach out there was only air. She spun around yet again, terrified almost by his mind-playing games.

Unexpectedly, rough and icy hands clamped down on her shoulders, holding her in place.

"This is dark." A deep and sensual whisper it was.

If it wasn't for logic and morality, she would have abandoned herself to his voice and lingering touch that sparked an unknown reaction from her petite form.

She pulled away from his grasp, however, and stayed her distance.

"I think I should go now …" She said softly and backed away, not sure of where she was going.

She could feel him behind her again.

"But the fun hasn't started."

An ivory smirk graced his features and an evil glint sparkled in the crimson depths.

"I'll give you a minute's head start out of pity." He said with a sadistic chuckle. "If you can find your way out."

A frightened whimper escaped her lips as she turned in endless circles but no indication of light proved her way out. It was a complete black hole with no exits. She was trapped inside a dark room with a madman.

"I will have you." He declared with a promise.

The smirk was still on his lips. He could see her clearly and almost felt sorry for the innocent confusion and utmost fear evident in her red-glazed brown eyes. His smile drifted away and his lips fell into a grim line. He wanted them pure. The purest of red. Blood. Love. Lust. He felt it all. He needed them. He wanted a taste of her sweetness, wanted to use and feel used. He wanted everything.

Everything was her …

… and he was determined to get her.

Without hesitation, he bared his fangs and began his prowl for the helpless victim.

There was no more waiting.

He wanted her now.