By the time the two of them made it out of the manor the sun had set. As Verishka felt herself grow weaker she had to wonder, what exactly was he planning on having her eat? The thought of any food at the moment made her sick.
Dracula entered the village of Vaseria. He felt himself also grow weak but he knew that with Verishka in her condition, it would be up to him to find food. Once they entered the town square, Dracula noticed with every passing person, he could hear their hearts pounding in his head, and the blood rushing through their veins.
"I hear it too," Verishka said softly. He smiled at her, proud that she was adapting to reading thoughts so well.
"Darling wait here," Dracula said, placing her against a building. Filled with a combination of hunger and a need to provide for his wife, he began walking up to a man. He looked about twenty six, and was fairly good looking. As Dracula drew closer to him he could feel the blood pulsing through the man's veins, and he was filled with a ravenous hunger. He tapped the man on the shoulder and spoke, "Excuse me sir?"
"Can I help you?" the man asked.
"Yes, you can come over here with me please," Dracula asked.
At first the young man was inclined to get away from the man. But he noticed the mans eyes turn an unholy blue, and he felt himself unable to stop himself from following him. They walked over to where Verishka sat, and into the alley.
"Verishka I have found us a meal," Dracula said, motioning to the man who was now shaking in fear, but could not run.
"What are you talking about?" Verishka asked, confused.
"Watch and learn dearest," Verishka watched first in shock, then in horror as she saw Vladislaus's eyes turn an electric blue and two large fangs go down in his mouth. He then sunk his fangs into the man's neck and began to drink greedily . As he looked up at her he saw a mixture of fear and confusion.
"The devil gave us life my love, but not without consequences. This is how we sustain ourselves," he said, walking towards and holding up the man's neck, "here, drink." She gave a slight look of disgust, not wanting to drink the blood of another, nor wanting her eyes to turn blue and grow monstrous fangs.
"Then here, taste," Dracula said, coming ever closer to her, with his blood covered lips. She kissed him and began to taste the blood. It was sweet, and gave her an incredible sensation and a hunger for more. Once she had taken the last bit of blood from his lips, she went to the unbitten side of the man's neck. Not sure how Dracula did it, she focussed on the blood. The smell was intoxicating. Feeling the fangs in the front of her mouth she drove them deep into his flesh. The red metallic liquid in her mouth gave her such a warm pleasure, any guilt she had for taking the man's life was washed away. He became no more than a nameless object, there to feed her. Once she looked up, she saw Dracula's smile; an evil grin from ear to ear.
"This pleases you?" Verishka asked.
"It's your eyes. There as red as the blood in your mouth," he said, looking at her lustfully.
"I melt in the unholy blue that has become your eyes," she said, allowing herself to be pulled in for another passionate kiss.
"Yes well, come darling, the night is young, and we have many new powers to explore," Dracula said.
"Yesss," she purred, "anything you say." She then took his arm as they walked off into the night.
Verishka made a decision on that night. One that most other women would not agree with. She had been given another life, an eternity with the man she loved. If that required blood to sustain, she was willing to do that. At the moment, killing innocent lives didn't bother her. They were no one she knew. Her ability to look at that the way that Dracula did, would be the key to her survival.
As the early morning came over Translyvania, Dracula and Verishka suggested that Verishka go to their chambers and wait for him. He was going to attempt to reason with his father one last time. She agreed, and sat by the window as the first glimpse of the sun came up over the Carpathians. It felt hotter on her skin than ever before.
After about ten minutes, Verishka didn't need to turn around to know that Dracula was coming. Since she had been risen she noticed all of her senses had been magnified. Hearing, seeing, smelling, all were easier now.
"Saying a final farewell to the sun light?" Dracula asked.
"Why final?" she asked.
"Yet another part of the bargain dear. The sun scorches us now. We dwell in only night now, but do not worry. We may still be out in daylight, just we require the cover of clouds. You have taken so well to all other aspects of this, I know you will do fine," he said, placing a hand on her shoulder. Not turning around she took his hand in hers and spoke, "How did things go with your father?"
"They could have gone better. I thought I was rational, but he seems not to care," Vladislaus said.
"What are we Vladislaus?" Verishka asked quietly.
"What do you mean? You are still you, and I am still me," he questioned.
"We just drained the blood of a man, we have no heart beats, no reflection in a mirror. Don't tell me we are the same," she said, turning around to reveal frustrated eyes.
"Nos Feratu, the walking dead, or vampires if you will, my love. We are simply not among the living," he said.
"Only you could make a deal with the devil like this Vladislaus," she sighed.
"Yes, but for us. I did it for us. Now we will be together forever. Making others like us at our own will," he said. She sat there for a moment, not entirely sure what to believe.
"Come to bed darling, the sun rises," he said. She stood up and took his extended hand. He then led her to the bed, in which they both drifted off into the deep and dark sleep of the dead, not to awake until the setting of the sun.