CHAPTER 9

In reality, it was two weeks. Winter came early to Bavaria that year, and the first snow started to fall gently as Von Krolock was feeding. He dropped his victim to the ground and glanced sharply at the sky. The full moon illuminated the delicate snowflakes as they whirled in a gust of wind.

So it was here at last. The moment was at hand. Sarah would be his for all time. He spread his wings and flew home in triumph.

She would be ignorant of the snow in their windowless bedroom. He would let her discover it tomorrow on her daily outing. By this time tomorrow, she would walk into the darkness.

Von Krolock was extraordinarily tender with her on this, her last night as a mortal. He caressed the roses in her cheeks, knowing they would fade. Sarah, his dearest love...He was overcome as he fulfilled her, she was so easy to please and he gazed down at the last flush of blood spreading across her breasts and almost wept at her beauty.

At dinner, he seated himself at her side instead of their usual custom of facing each other. He could not stop touching her, even while she ate her last meal. He knew she knew. She was very quiet. They spoke of inconsequential things, delaying the inevitable.

When the dishes had been taken away, he led her over the drawbridge and into the night. They stood gazing at the moonlit patches of snow on the ground as he stood behind Sarah, enfolding her in his cape.

"My lord...I know my time has run out. I knew this morning when I went outside."

Von Krolock said nothing but he kissed the top of her head.

"Please tell me...when exactly is it to be?" She turned in his embrace to face him, her eyes dull.

"Tonight," he responded in a low, seductive voice. "We will bathe together and then to bed. After I transform you we will consummate our love as immortals and I will reward you with a night like no other. I won't feed tonight. Transforming you will be more than enough."

"And you say I will no longer feel cold?"

"No, my love. You will never again suffer these mortal discomforts."

Sarah wiggled out of his embrace and stepped over to a heap of snow by the drawbridge. She scooped it up in her gloveless hands and rubbed it on her face. She did this several times and he indulged her.

Finally, she returned to his arms. "I wanted to feel the cold one last time."

He was silent at first, too moved to speak.

"...I know."

Sarah preferred to bathe alone and Von Krolock let her. She was in there a long time, savoring her last truly hot bath. After tonight they would just feel lukewarm.

While she was thus occupied, Von Krolock busied himself lighting every single candle and even the torches in the sconces. He wanted to see clearly every detail of the night, to imprint it on his memory forever.

When she finally emerged from her bath in her nightdress, her dark hair flowing, he seized her passionately, kissing her in the brutal way she loved.

"Sarah..." He was hugely erect and his fangs were bared. His eyes smoldered a supernatural black. On this night, he looked every inch the vampire.

"My lord, wait. I have one more favor to ask you."

"What is it?" He was panting. His fangs were killing him, so near were they to their target.

"Will you give me leave to pray before you take me?"

Von Krolock had not expected this. It was a waste of time, but it was almost impossible for a mortal to understand this until after transformation. Yet, why not? They could laugh about it later.

He bowed and gestured to the bed. "By all means, my love."

Sarah moved past without looking at him and knelt by the bedside. She lowered her head and covered her eyes with her hands. Long moments passed. She did not pray aloud. Though her back was turned to him, Von Krolock watched her for a time, until he couldn't bear it anymore and turned away.

At length she whispered a small "Amen" and he turned to see her crossing herself. She rose unsteadily, grabbing onto the edge of the bed.

When Sarah turned to face him, she had never appeared more beautiful. She was now more woman than girl and her face reflected her deep love for him.

"I am yours, my lord. Lead me into darkness and I will obey."

With a growl, Von Krolock approached her, shoving her so that she fell on the bed. He wanted them naked for this and he ripped off her nightdress and threw off his robe, throwing them both on the floor. Then he lay upon her and writhed restlessly against her. He was wild with anticipation and desire.

His mouth neared her throat which she exposed by tilting her head. He could already almost taste her blood in his mouth.

"Sarah, my beloved...this is our moment..."

Von Krolock opened his mouth wide and swooped down. Sarah whimpered. It was a small, pathetic sound. He stopped himself just in time.

He stared down at her. Tears were forming in her eyes, which were tightly shut.

She doesn't want this. Not any part of it, you monster. She only agreed to it because she loves you so.

Von Krolock's fangs retracted. He would not do it.

He climbed off of her and lay beside her. He was breathing hard and couldn't speak for a time.

Sarah was now weeping openly. "Forgive me, my lord. Forgive me. I am sorry I wept. Please. Proceed. Ignore my tears."

She tried to grab his shoulders, to maneuver him on top of her again.

"NO, SARAH!" Von Krolock bellowed and pushed her away. He felt his fangs reappearing. He was afraid that if she insisted, instinct would take over and he would bite before he could stop himself.

She continued weeping. He rose and put out the torches and all save one candle.

"You have every right to be angry with me, my lord. I should have been more courageous. I should have trusted you."

He wanted badly to hold her and comfort her but he was too stunned. He was in discomfort too, his fangs still ached with disappointment.

A terrible feeling of foreboding was taking over his mind and body. He felt sick, even though vampires were supposedly beyond such things.

He tried to ignore what he was suffering. It was more important to reassure Sarah.

"Dearest child...it is not your fault. I was overhasty and demanding to ask this of you so soon. But now I see the error of my ways. Have no fear. We can delay your transformation. Let us not mention it any further for now. Please, don't weep so. I love you more than my own eternal life!"

And then he was weeping and they embraced each other tightly.

"We will find a way, Sarah. Leave it to me."