CHAPTER 2

A vampire such as Von Krolock possesses supreme confidence in his abilities. Never once did he doubt that Sarah would acquiesce. Centuries of flexing his supernatural powers had taught him that in matters of seduction, he would win without fail.

And yet, despite knowing the outcome from the onset, Von Krolock had a few tricks up his sleeve, of a thoroughly human nature, that he would utilize when he saw fit.

Chief among these was his voice. It had changed early in adolescence, and he had sung to his wife in bed, to his babies in the form of lullabies. The last time he sang as a human was when his wife was dying from giving birth to another stillborn child. He had sung quietly into her ear, to make her passage to Heaven easier.

It was shortly after his wife's death that he was seized outside the castle grounds in the dead of night. He had been restless and grieving and couldn't bear another moment in his bedchamber. An easy target, she bit him savagely from behind as he was bent over in tears. He was much stronger than her, but he felt his force ebbing away as she continued to latch onto him. The sharp pain gave way to a sort of daze before he managed to murmur weakly:

"Please...please don't drain me..." Something in his beautiful, low voice compelled her to obey. Von Krolock's transformation was almost immediate, giving him a surge of superhuman energy, and he fell upon her, pushing her onto the ground and forcing himself inside of her. He scratched her plump arms with his newly discovered fangs and roared with delight when he exploded inside of her.

Since then he had used his voice in matters of seduction countless times. It worked a charm on all women. And now he would use it to beckon Sarah, and she would be unable to resist.

Slowly he approached her window and began to sing a mournful melody from the late 16th century. This particular music had died in every human heart with the passage of time, but Von Krolock had memorized it and sang it often. The words were deeply romantic, as by that time not all music was written for the Church. He would hum it sometimes against a woman's neck, his mouth vibrating deliciously against her skin before the savage bite.

He sang it for Sarah now. He had sung it to her while she was asleep since she was a baby. Her unconscious mind had absorbed the melody over the years. And tonight he would awaken her with it.

His rich baritone was merely a whisper at first, but as the melody took shape, it throbbed with a power that was almost supernatural. And indeed it was, for Von Krolock possessed the ability to silence his voice for all but her this night. He sang with his back turned to the window, his tall caped figure imposing. When it was over, he paused, feeling the wind rushing past him. It felt prophetic. He turned and to his great joy, saw Sarah at the window, a candle in her hand and astonishment on her face.

In an instant, he was moving right through the wall like a ghost and then he was in her bedroom. She dropped the candle and it went out. She gasped and seemed frozen. He bent down and retrieved the candle, relighting it and placing it on the table.

"Do not be afraid, my beloved. I have been watching over you for years. I am the angel who loves you."

She backed away until she bumped into her bed and fell upon it.

"You are...Von Krolock...!"

"Only your lord and master. I will not harm you, I promise."

"Are you taking me away?"

His huge form loomed over her. "Wouldn't you like me to take you?"

She drew back from him. He was exactly as her mother had described, and she feared him. Yet she could not look away from his smoldering gaze.

Without awaiting a response Von Krolock sank down onto her narrow bed and stretched out on top of her. The bed was too short for him and his legs hung almost comically over the edge, his boots dragging on the floor.

Despite the awkwardness, he kissed her hard. She smelled and tasted so fresh. His erection was swelling to a fever pitch. He had already decided long ago that he would claim her virginity first before transforming her so what was stopping him now?

The bed, for one. Even vampires could suffer from soreness in the morning after an uncomfortable night. No, it had to be his bed, his specially made bed with the lush coverlet and bed curtains. He had pictured the deflowering of Sarah so many times in that bed, that there could be no other alternative.

And Von Krolock couldn't be sure he would be able to keep quiet. Yes, he could silence his voice again for all but she, but sometimes when the supreme moment was upon him, his powers failed. It would be just like Sarah's father to have a stake at the ready to plunge through his heart if his roar of pleasure was overheard.

But he could still touch her and awaken her to love if she could keep quiet herself. He deepened his kiss, keeping his fangs safely retracted. Sarah moaned and he released her so she could breathe. He allowed her only a moment to gasp before plunging his mouth over hers again. Long minutes passed and it seemed he would never tire of kissing her. Sarah wound her arms around his neck and he groaned into her mouth.

At last, he let go, staring down at her. She was terrified, that much was clear but he could read the wonder and excitement in her eyes. He was used to that by now.

"It will never be enough for you to endure this dull existence. Do you think it will be enough? Do you want to marry a farmer and grow old with him? Let me make a woman out of you and adore you." He moved his erection against her. "You shall want for nothing. I have such plans for you, beloved."

"The song you sang to me...I know it."

"I have sung it to you through the years as you slept."

"It was you then that I have dreamed of...always that voice. When I heard it in my dreams I knew I was safe."

"You are safe, Sarah. Safer with me than with your own parents."

"How can that be? My mother warned me against you. She said you would take my virginity and my soul."

"And wouldn't you rather discover the pleasures of love in my bed? Or with some clumsy youth with no skill and no regard for your fulfillment?"

She didn't answer. He lifted her nightdress and bent down to kiss her between her legs. His long, hard kisses had done their job and she was as wet as he could ever wish and he tasted her, pausing to give special attention where it was due.

She nearly flew off the bed in shock and rapture. He grabbed both her hips to steady her as he kissed and licked relentlessly. He hummed the melody again and the sensation of his deep voice between her legs sent her over the edge. She gasped and he reached up to cover her mouth. She screamed into his arm.

His beloved, his Sarah was experiencing a little death for the first time and it brought tears to his eyes. Such sweetness, such joy. Heaven was denied him, but was this not close? He gazed up lovingly into her face as the last waves of pleasure subsided and she collapsed onto her pillow, her breath escaping in little gasps.

"My lord..." she panted. "I willingly go with you. Take me and do with me as you will."

His dead soul thrilled at her words. To think that eternity was before them! Once transformed she would belong to him forever. At the mere thought of this, he grew light-headed and his fangs appeared. It had been so long since he fed. Why not transform her now, this very moment? He slid up from between her legs to cradle her in his arms. She did nothing to resist. Such a willing victim! He bared his fangs and lowered his head until his mouth brushed against her smooth neck.

She stiffened and recoiled as if she had guessed what was in his mind. Her eyes flew open and the fear in them decided him. It was too soon, too soon. He chided himself. Hadn't he vowed that he would take his time with Sarah? Already she was mesmerized and under his spell but still, he would wait. It would be better for her. And what was best for her was best for him.

He put his lips to her forehead and with that kiss she fell into a supernatural and deep sleep. Almost a week had passed and he had not fed, so determined was he to keep his nightly vigil over her. He knew he was on the verge of starvation and his energy was waning, but he used all his remaining strength to wrap her securely in his cape and fly away through the window, gripping her tightly in his arms.

Dawn was almost breaking when the drawbridge was lowered, and he burst inside, still holding Sarah. Pure love gave him the vigor to carry her sleeping form up the stairs and into his bedchamber, for he had no strength left. After gently lowering her onto his bed, he crossed frantically to a cabinet and retrieved a wine bottle filled with blood. Although it wasn't fresh he had learned to keep reserves in times of famine. It would be enough to stave off serious hunger but would do very little to truly satisfy him. Nevertheless, he uncorked the bottle and greedily gulped down its contents, not once coming up for air until he had consumed the dregs. Some blood escaped down the sides of his mouth, and he knew he looked a fiend from Hell. If Sarah were awake, she would have screamed in horror at the sight of him. Rightfully so. When he tried to imagine how he would appear through her eyes, his brows drawn together in a perpetual scowl, his pallor grey, blood seeping from the corners of his mouth, fangs bared, he was filled with revulsion with what he had become.

He took a lace handkerchief and methodically wiped the blood from his mouth before turning his attention back to Sarah, in his bed at last. The ever-present scowl softened as he approached her sleeping form. His spell upon her would ensure she remained unconscious until just after sunset. It was necessary for her to habituate herself to his nocturnal schedule. He undressed, blew out the candles, and climbed into bed, his arm encircling her waist, his lips seeking her neck. He forced his fangs to retract but allowed his teeth to graze her flesh, ever so lightly. He was torn now and of two minds: years ago he had firmly resolved to take her maidenhead and her soul in that order. But now...he knew she might be more pliant and less frightened of him once she had been transformed. She would fall easily into his arms knowing they had eternity. He was gradually warming to this reversed order of events.

But when to transform her? Upon her awakening this evening? Tomorrow night? No, not so soon. She must be not only fully aware of her impending transformation, but she must also embrace the idea. He must constantly remind himself that he needed to exercise restraint. He closed his eyes, exhaustion overtaking him. When he had slept a full day and had fed again properly, he would know how to proceed. It was essential that he feed tomorrow night, completely draining his victim. One may not even be sufficient. He would need to leave Sarah alone to do this. Maria could look after her well enough. She was a dependable matron from the village who tended to any woman brought to the castle. She would prepare Sarah's bath in addition to anything else she required.

His last coherent thought that morning was that he would happily starve to death if Sarah wished it so.