1I woke up some time later. I looked around the room. I was not at the hotel anymore that was obvious. It appeared to be a ballroom. There was a table a couple of feet from me. It had candles and cups. No plate, no food. I could hear soft music playing from somewhere. That is when I realize that I was naked earlier. But when I looked to see if I was still, I had on a dark red dress. It seemed like it was new; however, the style was old.

"She's awake, master."

"Good. Tell her I'll be with her in just one moment." Vittorio at the moment enter a small room. A young girl sits crying in the corner. "Shhh, dear, this will only take a second."

I was walking around the table, admiring the silverware when Larry walked in. "Oh, my God, Larry! How did you get here? Where are we? What is going on?"

"Marie, master will be here shortly."

"Master! What are you talking about? Larry, we have to get out of here fast."

"No one leaves master. I'm so happy that you will be with us," Michael said very slowly.

"Michael, what is going on? Please tell me. What's wrong with you? What's wrong with the both of you?" I screamed.

"Ah, my beautiful Marie. They are my servants. They have been ever since…was it 1867?" said Vittorio with such ease and relaxation.

"Ser…vants?…18…67?" I wanted to cry. Things just seemed to get stranger by the minute.

"Sweetie, don't look like that. After tonight everything will be glorious." Vittorio said.

"What's going to happen tonight? Who are you? What are you?"

Larry began to speak as he entered the room, "What do you think, Mija?" He was carrying something big. He carried it with such ease, it seemed to be weightless.

"I don't know what to think." What was happening to me?

"Sit down before you fall down!" exclaimed Vittorio. I obeyed him. What else could I have done? I have no idea where I am or who I am with. Larry and Michael aren't the same people I knew. This thing named Vittorio was not the man I thought he was. I was disgusted with myself. I had a huge crush on this MAN. God, was I really this stupid.

"God has nothing to do with this."

"What?"

"God has nothing to do with this, and you are not stupid. Just naive." His voice is very intoxicating.

"How did you know what I was thinking?"

"You ask too many questions. Just relax. As you can see Larry is setting up dinner."

"Dinner? OK."

I saw Larry place the lump he had in his arms on the table. Vittorio walked over to the mass. It was cover with a black cloth that Vittorio was lifting up. I couldn't breathe. The poor thing, she probably did not know what was coming.

"Why?"

"Why? Because you need to eat."

"Eat? Eat that…I mean her."

"She won't feel a thing, Marie."

I cried out, "What are you?"

"Me? I am Vittorio Contiello, and I, my darling, am a man of the night."

"What do you mean? Are you saying you are a vampire?" I laughed. This was ridiculous. There was no such thing as a vampire. They are in storybooks, and Hollywood movies. I was laughing so hard I didn't see what happened next.

"HOW DARE YOU LAUGH AT ME!" he raced towards me. All I could feel was him behind me with his hand around my neck. I began to sob. His hand was incredible strong. I knew with just one slight squeeze, I would be dead. Michael begged him to release me.

"Master, no! Please don't. She is just a little delirious right now. We need her, master. Don't you still want her? She will be good, master. Please don't kill her." He was in tears now. Larry was next to him trying to comfort him. Vittorio must have thought about what Michael said because he loosened his death grip on my throat. He swung around me without letting go.

"Is he right, Marie? Will you be good?"

"Yes." I said it so softly. Why did I say it softly?

"Say it louder, bitch!" He slapped me, and I fell to the floor.

I grabbed my face and yelled, "Yes, I'll be good. I promise. I'll be good."

"That's better." He said smiling.

"Why are you doing this?"

"Didn't I say you ask too many questions?"

I nodded.

"Now, Mija, come sit at the table."

I cautiously moved off the floor and sat in the chair Vittorio pointed out.

"Well, this is no good. Larry told me you are feisty."

"She is, master. She's perfect. I think she's just a little nervous. She'll come around."

"Oh, she will, will she? We'll see." Although my eyes were closed, I could sense them setting up 'dinner.'

"Since this is your first night, I will not make you drink. Instead Michael has prepared a suitable meal for you." I looked up just in time to see Michael placing a tray in front of me. Unfortunately, I also saw Larry cut the lump...body...no the girl's wrist. Her blood flowed into the antique wine glass set before Vittorio. He saw the disgusted look on my face. He laughed. It wasn't an evil laugh more of a amusement almost caring laugh. Then he said something so surprising.

"I'm sorry, honey, but this is the only form of food for me. It might appear mean, even despicable, but you'll get use to it," he noticed I haven't touched my food, " Eat, sweetie, you need your energy."

"Yes, sir."

"Please don't call me that. Call me Vittorio."

"Yes, Vittorio," I laughed. I couldn't help it. He wasn't the same person as before. After his first sip of well blood, he became more friendly. Even loving. I giggled at the thought as I ate.

"What's so funny?"

"I thought you could read minds," I said flirtatiously.

He laughed again. It was husky, bold, hearty, and very sexy. "My dear, I can only read your mind when your emotions are strong."

"Oh."

"Michael, Larry, that will be all. You are dismissed."

With that Larry and Michael immediately left the room. Pouring himself another glass, he started to ask me some questions.

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"What do you think of me?"

"Truthfully, I don't know what to think of you."

"How old do you think I am?"

"Considering you mentioned 1867, you will have to be over 100 years old."

"You are right, but to be exact, I am 593 years old."

"Oh...my."

He laughed.

"Well, you don't look a day over 300," I joked.

He laughed again. "Thank you, darling."

"You are very welcome."

"How do you like the place?"

"It's very beautiful."

"I thought you might like it."

"I do."

"Would you like a tour?"

"Um...yes, I would."

He got up and presented his hand to me. I took it. I wrapped my arm around his as we walked out the ballroom and into a long hallway. It felt as if we were gliding. He showed me the lounge, billiards room, reception area, living spaces, the library, the conservatory, and the kitchen. Then we proceeded up the stairway to the sleeping quarters. These bedrooms were huge. Big dressers and vanity sets alined the walls. Each room had benches just below the glorious windows. And the beds! The beds were just as scenic as the rest of the rooms. He showed me one of the better bedrooms I think. It was designed on pink lace and white linen. One could tell it was made for a woman. I started to become jealous. Was this his girlfriend's room? Was she his wife? I didn't want to know. I was getting sick thinking about him with another woman.

"Is everything alright, Mija? He was concerned.

"Yes, I'm fine," I lied.

Not believing me, "O.K. Before you retire there is one more room I would like to show you."

"Lead the way."

We continued to walk down the hallway; however, as we reached the end of the passage, there was a door in front of us. He opened it. This room was so incredible. Right in the middle was this enormous bed with a canopy. The room had floor to ceiling length french doors that led onto a balcony. The color scheme was dark red and black. There wasn't much light, but I could tell everything was big and dark like Vittorio.

" Let me guess. This is your room."

"Yes, it is, my beautiful Marie," he was standing very close to me. His breathe was in my ear. I could feel his heartbeat on my back.

"Please," I begged.

"Please, what?" His lips were on my ear. He slowly more down to my neck. All the while he gently pushed me into his room. So many thoughts were going through my head. Thoughts of him and me. Then thoughts of teeth appeared. The feeling of teeth were on my neck. I panicked.

"NO," was all I was able to say. I pushed myself out of his arms. I ran over to the bed. "No."

"Sweetie, what is wrong?

"No, I don't want to be like you." I touched my throat. It was sticky. When I pulled my hand away, I saw blood. "You didn't?"

"No, I didn't," he locked his teeth. He was able to taste my blood. "I didn't, but you taste wonderful." Vittorio was leaning against the door. "Look I'm sorry. I did not mean to...I just...I'm just sorry." He looked hurt. Opening the door, "You should leave. The pink room is yours."

All I could do was look at him.

"Please, leave now."

"Vittorio, I didn't mean to...I'm..." He stared at me. This told me I should leave. I walked towards the door, but I stopped in front him. Looking him straight in the eyes, " Vittorio, I'm sorry, Minus the kidnaping and the slap across my face, you have been nice to me. I mean you could have killed or raped me by now, and you didn't. (He began to smile sweetly) Well..(stepping upon my tiptoes and kissing the side of his mouth) thank you."

Growling he grabbed me and gave me a real kiss. He and I started to moan. Then he pulled me off of him. "No! Go to bed, Marie. Go now!"