Chapter One: During the Middle Ages…
In the middle of a hot afternoon a man dressed in fine servants clothing approached the crypt. The entrance smelled of musty death while the path down was swallowed by pitch black shadows. He lit a large candle then stepped inside navigating the tight space with familiar grace. Cautiously he traveled to the lowest level, searching. He found an open coffin with an impaled monster inside. Fear twisted the man's face as tears welled in his eyes.
"Master, I have returned," whispered the servant. "Apologies for my absence, your affairs took longer than expected but all was taken care of. Please forgive me Master."
The servant lit the surrounding torches bathing the room in soft flickering light. With a determined air, the servant climbed onto the coffin and planted his feet then gripped the handle of the sword that stuck out of his masters chest. The servant struggled for a long moment before the blade gave way. Grunting and sweating, the man slowly pulled the blade free immediately falling to the floor still clutching the weapon. He carefully set the sword aside then rolled up his right sleeve. He pulled his dagger from his belt then cut into his own flesh until blood dripped freely. The servant guided the drops to land directly on the dry wound of his master. The blood soaked in instantly. He let his lifeforce flow until his master finally stirred groaning and struggling to sit up.
"Augh!" The vampire bared his fangs in pain and anger until he was fully awake. Then screamed in rage as he leaped from the coffin, his wound healing quickly.
The servant scrambled to his feet then dropped down to his knees bowing deeply. He begged, "Master, please tell me what to do."
"Where is my son?" King Vladislas demanded.
"Gone Master."
"My wife?"
"I'm not sure."
King Vladislas growled with frustration. "Search all the levels. I want to know what happened here."
"Yes Master."
The servant scrambled off running for the stairs. King Vladislas removed his soiled clothing leaving himself nude and in search of something clean. He found a woman's quarters saturated with a familiar female scent, he discovered closets full of men and women's clothing. "How long did she have me staked down?" He wondered pulling out a wealthy mans garb.
In the quiet of the moment, a dozen conflicting thoughts went through his mind. Ever the practical one, Vladislas took stock of his situation and where he was at. Alone, left for dead. Again. Thoughts of his wives wandered through his mind, he shook his head with quiet disappointment and shame. Circe brought out the savage monster in him so much, so he changed his appearance to please her. She loved him more the less human he appeared and acted. While Helena was pure, human, and brought out the man in him or at least had been until he turned her. In the end, neither woman was the answer to his woes. Both women brought him nothing but strife and heartbreak. He thought of his sons and growled again. Radu was too much like his mother to ever be controlled but there was still a chance with Stephan.
"I need a new start," Vladislas declared. He set aside the clothing he chose then searched for a dagger. He took a moment to check its edge, satisfied it would cut well enough. He began on his left foot going up his leg, cutting, pulling until his thick skin came free. Methodically he removed his skin section by section until only the area around his head remained untouched.
The servant returned stumbling in shock as he came across his master seeping blood from exposed muscle. His being glistened red as he took a better grip of the knife in his hand then began removing the skin on his neck, head then face.
"Master? What are you doing?"
"Bring me six people. I must feed."
"Yes Master," the servant replied bolting back to the stairs.
Vladislas marveled at his body, wet, strong yet vulnerable. He ignored the pain while silently plotting his revenge. Sometime later his servant returned dragging six bound people, four men and two women. Vladislas did not hesitate, he grabbed the closest man and tore into his neck gulping the free-flowing blood. The servant stumbled back to get out of the way and watched as his master drank all six people dry in no time at all. With each new victim, Vladislas grew stronger and soon his skin began to regrow. Once the process initiated it gained speed until Vladislas appeared changed.
"Master? Is that really you?" the servant asked fearfully.
Vladislas touched his face to find soft smooth skin and long thick hair. He turned to the servant asking, "I have no reflection servant. Tell me, do I resemble monster or man?"
"Man, Master. You no longer look as you did but solely as man."
"Good. A fresh start needs a fresh face and I have not used this one in many years." Vladislas laughed then turned his attention back to the servant. "What did you find?"
"Bodies Master. Human and vampire, no one was left alive."
"Show me," Vladislas ordered as he dressed. The servant nodded then escorted him around the crypt showing him each body where he gave further instructions to either burn, bury, or cut up and scatter the pieces. Eventually he asked, "Is that all of them?"
"No Master there still one more. This way."
Eager to move on, Vladislas gestured for his servant to hurry. Then he caught a familiar scent, mixed feelings rose inside then grew into a storm when he was shown the body of his last wife. The body of Helena lay twisted on the ground unmoving, seemingly dead. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. "Radu…" he whispered. "Radu did this." Irritation at being robbed of his vengeance tickled the back of his mind as he knelt next to the body taking a closer look.
"Ah, my sweet you're not gone. There is still life in you yet," he muttered pleased.
"What do you want me to do with it?" asked the servant.
"Find me a craftsman that works in glass. I need a special box to hold these remains."
"It will be done Master."
The servant rushed off to do his masters bidding while Vladislas stared at his wife's twisted and broken body. He knelt next to her and reached down caressing her face.
"You will never escape me again."