25 October 2012
I waited, alone and silent in the clearing. The grass was patched with autumn leaves; the few that still clung to the trees swayed the evening breeze, filling the air with their rustling, rising and falling in a crescendo that matched the soft whistle of the wind through the branches. The moon was already up, only a sliver though, casting silver-white moonlight that barely lifted the enclosing dark. I shivered, more from anticipation than cold, and lit a cigarette to calm my nerves. Meeting outside the group was forbidden, but I couldn't resist. My need was growing ever more desperate and the days between the gathering of our small circle seemed to stretch like an eternity. I was struggling to maintain a semblance of normality in my life; the rush and thrill of it and the pervading calm that followed invaded all my waking thoughts. I felt my heart beat faster at the memory and I nervously checked my watch. He wasn't late, yet, as it was still before ten, but I ached at the thought that he might not come at all.
I tossed the still-glowing ember of my cig into the undergrowth, watching it roll away, dying and fading, until I could see it no longer. Then I saw him approach through the trees, silent, his arrival heralded only by his red eyes glowing in the darkness. My stomach tightened. He was ethereally beautiful, pale-skinned and slim, a mane of dark hair brushing his shoulders and billowing in the breeze.
"Vincent," I said, my voice seemed small and was almost lost among the sounds of the wood.
"Alice," he smiled, white fangs catching the moonlight, "I wondered if you had received my note." He took both my hands in his, gently but with intent. He didn't let go.
"I can't resist you," I said, letting my head fall on his graceful shoulder.
"No less than I can resist you," he replied, his arms around me. He kissed my cheek softly, then my lips and jawbone, and finally my neck. He paused, pulling back to look me in the eyes. "Are you sure...?"
"Yes," I replied without hesitation. I needed it; to say no was incomprehensible to me. He nodded and fell upon my neck, his fangs sliding in to an artery. I felt no pain, just the familiar rush as my blood flowed, and I sighed with relief. We stayed that way, his arms holding me, his teeth at my throat, for a few minutes before Vincent pulled away.
"Enough," he said, "I will not risk taking too much." I was light headed and sleepy, a foolish grin on my face. Vincent kissed me, the copper taste of my blood on his lips, and ran his deft fingers through my tousled copper hair.
"I love you," I mumbled through a wooly mouth and numb cheeks.
Vincent smiled, "that's just the intoxication talking. You won't even remember saying it in the morning," he sighed, his eyes suddenly glassy with held-back tears. "But for what it's worth, your blood sings to mine, my body cries out for you. I have come to love you too, over the months we have been meeting. You are a bright star in my world of darkness." He kissed my lips again.
I was shocked; I was a thrall, a junkie for all intensive purposes, and one of many. For him to share my affection...I had not dared to hope. I stared at him, wide-eyed and suddenly alert.
"Do you...mean it?" I pressed, but he wouldn't look at me.
"It matters not if I do," Vincent sighed, his eyes downcast, "it is...we cannot be together. You know it is forbidden. We take a risk just meeting here. But to see you drawn and afflicted by your addiction pains me. I would have you set free, if I could, but it is not my decision. So I do this for you, to make the days more bearable. It brings me no pleasure to feast on your blood."
"There is a way," I replied, my heart racing, "that we could be together, always. But it would mean us both being cast out from the circle. Change me."
"I...cannot," Vincent stepped away from me, shaking his head. "It is too dangerous, there is no guarantee you would survive the process. And I will not sentence you to an unending life of shadow. I still have hope for your freedom and happiness."
"There would be no happiness," I said, tears beginning to wet my cheeks, "without you. Please Vin, take my life."
Vincent was still and silent, his sanguine eyes darted left and right in thought. After a long pause he took my face between his palms and kissed me again, with passion and love.
"Alright," he whispered, his hands as cold as the night air against my skin, "but not here. Take me to your home."
...to be continued...?
Dark Star • Opuss № I