“Are you gonna buy the bras or not?” I asked as I swiped a pair of purple jeans across the scanner. The blonde girl shot me a vicious glare before continuing to compare the two bras in one hand to the wad of cash in the other.
 

She looked like she was in her late teens and had the attitude to match. I hated it when people brought their items to check-out and then realize that they don‘t have enough money to pay for everything. It was only my second week of work, and so far I was doing a pretty good job, except when people like this annoyed the hell out of me.
 

The girl chomped on her gum and looked at me with puppy-dog eyes.” I love them both! Can you pick for me?”
 

 I examined the bras quickly and replied, “Pink leopard against blue zebra. Pink leopard wins.” She shouldn’t have asked me. I was bias for pink from the start.
 

After she left I took a good long stretch, strode to the backroom door, and peeked inside. “I’m leaving for the night.” I announced. A woman sitting in a chair with a newspaper concealing her head grunted in reply. I left the door open a bit and exited the store.

I was met by a cold breeze as I stepped outside onto the sidewalk. Fall was always my favorite season. Summer’s too hot, winter’s too cold, and spring has too many bugs for my comfort. I love taking pictures of the leaves changing colors, especially the richer shades of red. Living about half an hour away from New York City, I was very content with my quaint little apartment. The “complex” part of the apartment was not always to my liking, but I could afford it and it was surrounded by a wide stretch of woods and farmland.

It was that time of day between the afternoon and night. What was it called? Dusk? I looked ahead at the horizon, a feathery haze of pink and orange. It reminded me of a salmon and a peach. God, I could go for a teriyaki salmon and diced peaches right about now. Nature can be so cruel.

I grabbed my smartphone from my purse and snapped a few photographs of the delicate sky. It took a couple of tries until I captured some decent pictures as my hand was shaking. Putting clothes on racks, folding them, and scanning them often took a toll on my hands. They’d be OK in about ten minutes.

I clopped behind the store and unlocked my grandpa of a Pontiac. I hated wearing high heels. They were so hot and cool looking but damn did they hurt my feet! I’d begun wearing them more recently so I could master the art of walking in heels, but so far my ordeal had yielded no promising results.

The car started as if taking a wheezy breath and I pulled out of the parking lot. My friend, Dana, had promised to meet me at the Mad Moon Bar so we could exchange how shitty our days were and spend our spare quarters on drinks. Oh, the perks of being 23 and single-you sure could mess around a lot.

The only spot available was one between two cars, which meant I had to parallel park. I pride myself in being a good driver, but the last time I parallel parked was during my driver’s test. I bit my lower lip and turned my head, spun the wheel, slowly, slowly…almost there…go forward a little. Park! I will always remember this prominent day in history.

I took off my name-tag and brushed my hair a little. It wasn’t extremely curly, but it has a tendency to become sloppy when I do a million things at once. My make-up was still unscathed from the morning. I slipped my light pink jacket on before exiting the car and going into the bar.

A red-head in a green sweater-dress waved from her perch at the counter and I walked over to her. “Lily! You were supposed to be here thirty minutes ago!”

“Huh? Really? I scanned around for a clock and found one. “Oh! I’m so sorry, Dana! I completely lost track of the time.”

“You do this every time.” She pouted with a flip of her hair.

“I’m sorry! I get so engrossed with stuff sometimes I become oblivious to everything else going on. Now scooch over, your big butt is in the way.”

She laughed and smacked my ass. “OK, but you’re buying my next drink for being late.”

I took my seat and ordered two glasses. I started to feel chilly, so I buttoned my jacket up to my throat. When our drinks were set in front of us I immediately grabbed mine and gulped it down.

Dana raised an eyebrow. “Lily, slow down. You act like you’ve been in the Sahara Desert all day.”

I replied, “I might as well have been! The manager always cranks the heat up in that place and bitches if anyone lays a fingernail on it.” I raised my voice to the bartender, “Another glass over here.”

“Your place is the exact opposite of mine. The office area is freezing!”

“I’d rather be cold than hot.”

She took a long sip. “Well, I’d rather be hot than cold.”

About five drinks later I still maintained my “normal” state of mind but Dana was giggling at every little thing and speaking her mind truthfully. I was about to ask the bartender for another glass when he came my way and placed a glass of red wine before me.

“I was told to give this to you from the guy over there.” He said, nodding his head to the left of the bar. There was no one there.

“I swear he was there a second ago.”

Hm… a free gift from a stranger. Was I daring tonight? I don’t know if it was the alcohol or my stupidity, but I accepted the wine without any doubt and took a sip. It was surprisingly sweet, but had a bitter bite near the end. It was smooth and had a peculiar taste to it. I took another sip and it felt like my throat had instantly warmed. It was a nice feel in the cold building.

I spun around in my seat to check if the kind stranger was there again and found myself staring right into the eyes of a man. I had to tilt my head back a little, he was fairly tall, and drank in his astounding features. His hair was really wavy, a deep, chocolate brown that spilled low on his back. The other striking feature was his eyes, which were brilliant golden amber that I’d only ever seen on wolves and cats. He wore a classy cream long-sleeved dress shirt, complete with beige tie and black jeans. The polished tips of his boots just showed from under the jeans.

I opened my mouth to speak but he started before me, “It seems you like the wine. I was hoping you would, since this is one of my favorite kinds.”

I fumbled for the right reply. “Yes, I really like it! It has a nice taste. So you’re the kind stranger who gave me this wine? You are…?”

“Darius.” He answered, the faint trace of a grin curving his lips.

“I’m Lily.” I countered. In that moment Dana swiveled in her chair and noticed Darius and I.

“Lily!” she whispered painfully loud. “He obviously wants to know you more! Get up and go talk where it’s less noisy!” she pushed me off my seat and gave me a thumbs-up. I felt my whole body cringe from embarrassment. She always got so mouthy when she had too many beers. I decided to compose myself and flicked a loose hair from my eyes.

“Are you sure you’ll be alright?” I asked.

“Austin is coming over to get a drink and take me home later, so don’t worry! Enjoy yourself!”

I turned to Darius for confirmation and he smiled. “Let’s go somewhere where it’s quieter.” ­­

I stood up and nearly twisted my ankle but quickly regained my composure. I felt the heat rush to my face. “High heels can be a pain.”

Darius laughed, and unlike Dana’s fun, whimsical laughter, his was light and collected and frothy.  He ran a hand through his thick hair and extended a hand. “Follow me, Lily.” 

I was already mesmerized by the sound of his voice. It was like a cool and beautiful melody that was as relaxing as it was dangerous. I offered him my hand and shivered when I felt his icy palm. Why did they have to make it so cold in here? I bet it lost customers because of that.

I was lead to a door in the back of the bar. Darius took a key from his pants-pocket and causally unlocked it. I followed him through and had to go down a few steps before we arrived at another door, this one ajar that had light spreading onto the small cement space from within. Darius entered while I abruptly stopped.

My heart began to beat fast and my mind screamed not to follow him into the room beyond the door. Something wasn’t right. Something definitely wasn’t right and I was caught square in the middle of it. I started to back away when Darius sat onto a red velvet couch and called my name.

“Lily.” He breathed. “Come.”

My body began to move in the opposite direction I wanted to and I came into the oddly placed room. I felt as though my limbs were being controlled by some invisible force, some powerful force that washed over and engulfed me entirely. My body wouldn’t listen to me as I gently closed the door and turned the lock.

What was happening? What was happening? Was I drunk? Had he put something in my drink? Was I passed out and dreaming?

I didn’t know. My head was a jumbled mass of confusion and fear and I screamed at myself inwardly to break free from whatever was constraining me and run like hell to the police. Tears began to form in my eyes from the unknown terror that was about to be enacted. I was like a helpless marionette being manipulated by the puppet master- a dark and horrifying performance rolling out in my mind.

I quickly took in my surroundings. The room was a good size, laden with a maroon carpet laced with flowers, the red couch, a matching chair, and a short black loveseat in the corner. The walls were decorated with wallpaper that had gold and red roses intertwining endlessly. There were two tables next to the couch with antique lamps, and there was a larger light hanging from the ceiling. My short-lived intake of the gorgeous room was broken when Darius patted the spot on the couch beside him.

“Come next to me.” He commanded, voice barely a whisper.

I took a seat beside him on his right and shuddered as his cold fingertips caressed my forehead. I tried to speak but the words died in my throat.

Darius simply chuckled and gazed into my eyes with an intense pain and longing.

“You are confused and frightened.” He uttered. “I don’t blame you. You must be thinking that I put a drug in your drink or something of the matter. Rest assured, I have not done such a cowardly thing.” He brushed his fingers against my cheek, the barest of touches, but it felt like a fire had blazed across my face. “You are more courageous than I expected. Don’t worry; I will not execute some insidious act upon you. I am only going to make you mine, as I should have done long ago.”

I took in shallow breaths as he continued to study my face and trace the curve of my jaw with his thumb. It took all my willpower, all my concentration to force the words from my lips. “Wha-what a-a-are you do-doing? Who a-a-are yo-you?”

“I already told you who I am, my dear. Darius.” He cradled my head with his one hand and continued, “You’re so beautiful. Like a rare and delicate flower.”

I trembled beneath his touch, his eyes, his words. He, Darius, seemed to flow and permeate inside me, cloud my mind, and reverberate within my very core. I’d never felt something so strong and sinister, so overwhelming that it shrouded my conscience. His want dripped from his words like poison and I was the one injected.

“Lily.” he whispered, dragging out my name as if it were a delicious candy, rolled it on his tongue with great pleasure.

He smoothed the hair from my face and hugged me tight to his chest. “Relax. This will be the only time I will do this. Never again. No to anyone else, only you…never again will I choose the path of a fool.” He inhaled deeply. “You smell so sweet, so enticing. You’re like an exotic entre made especially for me to devour.”

He lowered his mouth to my neck and tightened his grip on my back. I tried to move and squirm, to get out of his menacing embrace, but I was limp and almost lifeless as a doll. He opened his mouth and revealed two gleaming white fangs and then struck me like a viper to its prey. The initial pain of his teeth piercing into my flesh was immense but short-lived. I balled my hands into fists as I felt him sucking at my neck, at my blood, and wondered what in the world was going on? The pain came roaring back like a tidal wave and seized my very being, rocked me from the inside out. He kept drinking and drinking, swallowing and swallowing my life into him. My neck throbbed and burned like a wild inferno. It blossomed through my whole body and tore through my lips as a muted series of screams. I was dizzy and exhausted and I felt so heavy and tired. He finally stopped, and when he wrenched his curved carnassial teeth from my neck I felt the agony of a thousand stinging needles and the blood dribble onto the floor. He licked his lips and I noticed that his eyes weren’t that golden amber anymore but a deep and luminous crimson. He set my head on his lap and sighed.

A throbbing rush of pain ripped through me, and I felt as if my insides were melting, the hot, hot heat that overcame my senses. I was on fire, and the flames scorched through my veins. In that moment I was being ripped apart and burned alive, thrown into the deepest pit of hell. The tears streamed down my face, hot, and raked against my cheeks. Darius lifted my head with one hand and set me gingerly on my back onto the couch. Then he pierced his wrist with his fangs and used his other hand to slightly part my lips. I swallowed hard and attempted to close my mouth but I was frozen still. His blood dropped onto my lips and into my mouth and I unwillingly swallowed. My vision was now blurry and beginning to fade into darkness. The last thing I saw was Darius coming close to me and planting a tender kiss on my forehead. My breath slowed and slowed, until I finally took my last breath.

And died.

I awoke as if I had just taken my first gasp or air after drowning. My eyes tore open and were met by darkness. A sudden rush of pain swathed my entire body and I cried out. I felt as if an enormous pressure was crushing in on me, ripping me apart, and igniting a strong maelstrom within. I became so hot and was in so much pain that I could feel the tears sliding down my cheeks, and I bit my tongue to silence the screams that erupted in my throat.

As soon as the sensation had come, it had gone.

I felt nothing now. A chill settled on me and I shivered. My neck throbbed fiercely and I coughed, then reached my arms up to stretch and was blocked by something solid. Where was I? I felt around and seemed to be inside a small space that was just narrow and wide enough for my laying body.

I breathed, clenched my hands into fists.

No. I can’t be in a coffin! Shit! Had I died? Had I died and been buried alive? If I was dead then why I was alive now? Wait…How did I die?  Was I really in a coffin? Shit. I’m so confused! So confused… Scared. I’m scared. I’m so scared!

I clawed at the ceiling of whatever I was, banged it, punched it. I then started trembling and sobbing uncontrollably. Please! Is there anyone out there? I’m so scared! Please! I sucked in a long breath and screamed at the top of my lungs. Just screamed, just let all the noise escape, didn’t form any words.

As I was screaming the lid was moved and a bright light pierced my eyes. I instantly ceased shrieking my vocal cords mute and sat up. My vision was hazy and wriggled- if wriggled is the right word- and everything bled together in an optical mess. Then I noticed someone laughing and heard people talking.

“I didn’t know you put her in the coffin!” Scolded the voice of a woman.

A male replied, “I never told you about it. I thought it would be funny-which it was- but I didn’t mean for her to be so shocked about it.”

“Who cares if you thought it was funny! The poor thing, look at her! She was just turned and this is how you welcome her?”

The male paused. “I also did it to protect her from the sun and keep her warm and safe. Dari told me to keep her here until he figured things out over there. And there’s less of a chance of her being found if she’s here with us.”

I rubbed my eyes and took in a shaky breath. “Um… hi?”

They whipped their heads to the side to look at me. The woman was quite tan and could’ve only been in her late twenties at the most. Her auburn hair was rather frizzy and settled on her shoulders, but it accentuated her hazel eyes nicely. She wasn’t skinny but not overweight- very curvy, actually- and she was dressed in a rose-print blouse with quarter inch sleeves and a red pleated skirt that ended just below her knees. She also seemed to have applied a little too much vibrant cherry lipstick, black eyeliner, and mascara. But who was I to judge?

The man wasn’t very tall. He was actually shorter than the woman by a few inches, so he was less than 6 feet. He had a pale complexion and straight ebony hair that grew past his chin. He was skinny but I could see his six-pack poking through the tight black t-shirt he had on. He also had on skinny jeans and a black choker with a skull charm on the front. The most striking feature about him, though, was his eyes. They were a stunning bright crimson, and he had very long eyelashes. Was he wearing contacts? I’d have to ask.

They were both in their socks and seemed both glad but perplexed at my greeting.

It was the male that spoke first, “‘Sup, sleeping beauty. How do ya feel?” he flashed a smile.

I wanted to either punch him or yell at the top of my lungs. Instead I calmly answered, “Where the fuck am I? Oh, and I would’ve felt better if I hadn’t woken up in a goddamn coffin!”

He chuckled. “You’re in my apartment and ya gotta admit, it was funny putting you in a coffin since you’re a vampire now.”

I stammered, “Wha-what do you mean? Your apartment? Why am I in your apartment? Putting me in a coffin wasn’t funny! What are you talking about? Vampires? What the hell? Who are you?”

He knelt down beside me and stared at my face and then looked to the woman. “Looks like we got a feisty one. Pretty, though. I don’t know why Dari chose her. He said he would never change anyone, and he’s never changed anyone. Weird.”

“I’m just as clueless as you are.” The woman mumbled.

He turned to me again and grinned so I could see that his two canines were what we would call fangs on a dog or a cat. “See, I’m a vampire. You’re one too, now.”

I was at a loss for words. This was too unreal. Was he going to tell me that Bigfoot and unicorns were real, too?

“I’m Sang.” He pointed to himself and then to the woman. “That’s Lune.”

“Lily.” I muttered, rolling my eyes. “Do you have contacts in, Sang?”

He rubbed the side of his head. “No, these are genuine. Lily, huh? That’s a cute name. Like the flower.”

I grumbled “Thanks” and steadied my hands on the sides of the coffin to lift myself up but I became lightheaded and weak and was about to flop back down when Sang wrapped his arms around me and hauled me up against him.

“Hey, are you OK? You just slept for five days straight, you shouldn’t push yourself.”

Five days straight? I realized how tired I was and instead of protesting to let me go, I let myself relax in his embrace and as stupid and embarrassed as I felt, closed my eyes.

“Lily, I’m gonna put you on my bed.” Sang said softly into my ear and I was lifted bridal-style gingerly and set on my back onto a pillowed surface.

The bed creaked and dipped and I craned my neck to see Sang crawling next to me.

“What are you doing?”

“Trying to make you comfortable. Now just relax and calm down.”

I had so many questions bubbling in my mind, but I felt so weak and decided on asking them later. I squinted my eyes and surveyed myself from the neck down. I wasn’t in my clothes. I was dressed in a white filmy gown with belled sleeves and laced hems. It was pretty and fit me quite well, and I could only imagine how expensive it was.

“Where are my clothes?” I huffed, annoyed at the thought that these people had stripped me while I was unconscious and dressed me like a Barbie.

Lune came beside me and brushed the hair from my face. My forehead was damp with sweat. “They were covered in blood so I went out and bought you this. They’re clean now but I didn’t want to disturb your sleep. Sorry.”

“Oh, thanks.”

 Suddenly, I was gripped by a searing pain in my head and clutched at the sheets until my knuckled flushed white. My whole body was like a heavy block of lead and my throat began to burn again, as if I’d eaten a hundred jalapeno peppers and then swallowed fire.

I thrashed out and my jaw ached, and literally felt as if my entire being was on fire, that I was being torn apart from the inside and my head was being crushed by an enormous invisible pressure. Sang clambered on top of me and I could see the panic on his face. I groaned and lashed at him to get off, but he let my nails rake across his cheek and beckoned for Lune to do something. She bent over my head and pinned my wrists to the bed while Sang straddled my legs with his and his face hovered inches from mine, his deep black hair tumbling down around my head like a curtain.

My thoughts were incoherent and jumbled up and I growled like some starving beast as a riveting hunger strangled my mind, my body, and I bucked against their hold.

Sang uttered kindly, “Lily, listen to me. You’re being overtaken by the hunger. This is a sign of your finished transformation into a vampire. I know it hurts, and I know it’s uncomfortable, but please, bear with it. Look… I want you to drink my blood. Right here.” He patted the side of his neck. “I know it sounds revolting and disgusting, but from now on you need the blood of humans, of former humans, of human-like creatures to survive. I know it’s not great sounding, but this is how you’ll live from now on.” He stopped. “And I’ll be here for you, just like I was for Lune right over there. Trust me. Now, extend your fangs and bite into my neck and drink.”

He nodded to Lune and she released my hands. I blindly pulled Sang closer to me, dug my fingers into his back, let my fangs extend, and clamped onto his neck with all the force I could muster. He shuddered and moaned, but kept completely still as I sucked at his throat, swallowed gulp after gulp of the tangy, coppery liquid that was thick and smooth against my tongue and eased the burning inside myself. I didn’t know how he could be so calm and collected in this peculiar moment. Was it painful? Did he feel nothing?

I didn’t want to stop and kept strongly drawing at his blood as if I were a staving kitten, like I would die if I didn’t have more. I noticed his eyelashes flutter in ecstasy out of the corner of my eyes and buried deeper into him when he grabbed my shoulders and pushed away.

“No more.” He held up an index finger. “Now I’m gonna have to find an extra meal tonight to make up for all the extra-helpings you took.”

I felt guilty and shameful and just fucking weird as fuck. I just bit into some guy’s neck and drank his blood. What the hell?

Sang didn’t seem fazed at all and he wiped my mouth with the back of his hand and licked it. “When you taste yourself it’s not nearly as good as others, like when you hear yourself speak on a recorder. Not what you expected.” He laughed.

I bowed my head in disgust and grumbled, “Are you- are you alright?”

“Oh, yeah, I’m fine! That was the best I’ve had in a long time, actually. You know that vampire bites are meant to be pleasurable? God, yours is fuckin-a-mazing! I almost lost myself there for a minute. It must be because you’re Darius’s. Not bad for your first time. You did get a little carried away at the end, but that’s OK. I’ll have to show you mine tomorrow.” He winked.

Lune was shaking her head and frowning. “Sang, what should we do now? They probably already found out somehow. What’ll we do…”   she was interrupted as a series of knocks sounded on the door.

Sang’s eyes widened and he earnestly whispered to me, “Shit, Lily! Get in the coffin! Quick!”

I hopped off the bed and laid down into the coffin. Lune slid the cover in place and I heard footsteps go toward the door. It swung open and Sang welcomed the guest in a giddy voice, “Hey, Caen. What brings you here this lovely afternoon?”

Another man’s voice rumbled, “Sang, I’m here on the Court’s orders. There’s a human who was, not long ago, turned against her will. Do you know anything about it?”

I heard a shuffle of feet and Sang’s voice. “A new vamp? Nah, I have no idea. I’ve been imprisoning myself in my apartment for four days now trying to get a novel started.”

Someone inhaled deeply, as if disappointed. “What is that deli-overwhelming scent, then?” the new man asked.

Sang answered, “Oh, that smell. Lune brought me back some really fresh blood an hour ago from a beautiful woman, and boy, is her blood sweet as sugar.”

The floor creaked and it was slowly creaking its way toward the coffin. I closed my eyes and kept very, very still. Don’t screw this up, Lily! You don’t wanna die again.

“Sang, it seems that the scent is coming from your coffin,” spoke the unfamiliar voice dryly.

“Oh, yeah! I put it in there to drink and lay down to relax in the morning.”

The other man hissed, “Well, Sang, Lune, you both better start taking care of this place. And Sang, the blood can become bad if you let it sit out of a freezer for a while.”

Sang sounded appreciative of the suggestion, a faked emotion to get this creep out of here. “Thanks so much for the advice.”

“I’ll be leaving now. If any of you hear of an unwilling changed vampire, please contact me. Sang, you have my number?”

“Yeah! You have a wonderful day, Caen.”

The stranger’s voice was uplifting now, happy. “Thank you. I’ll try.” The door moaned open and slammed back into place.

I waited about five minutes before I tried to ask loudly but not yell, “Hey,guys! Can you open this thing?”

“Shit!” Lune grumbled and quickly removed the top of the coffin. “That was close.”

“I was so fucking scared. I don’t know if I can keep going on like this.”

Sang laughed, “Oh, man, was that close or what! Lily, I could never have been as still as you were! I could smell your fear it was so stuffy!”

I grumbled, “Haha. So funny.”

Lune bounced onto a faded blue couch and kicked her boots off. “Hey, Sang, would you please take Lily out shopping? Maybe in 20 minutes?”

“Sure” he winked familiarly at her.

He suddenly came over and wrapped his arms around me so tight I coughed. “Lily, although we’ve only known each for an hour, and to me a few days while you were asleep, I’m so happy that you’re here! This is gonna be so much fun!”

His cold breath seeped into the air between us and I noticed how close he actually was. He was hugging me and his face was very close to my neck-too close. I wriggled uncomfortable and he turned his head in respect, as if he knew what I meant.

I faintly smiled. He was cute. Sang was cute, yes. I was grateful for him and Lune to be the ones who were here for my odd… situation. But to me, they were still strangers, and I have to know about someone before completely trusting them. I’d done that twice already and I was NOT going to do it again! No way.

He brushed his nimble fingers through my hair and I couldn’t help but picture him as a cat. A black cat. His fingertips scarcely swept along my ear as his hand retreated and I quivered at the brief sensation of his cold skin. Yes, he was cold, as that monster was cold. Darius. That was that bastard’s name. I’ll get him good the next time I see him.

Sang flopped onto a long couch parallel to the one Lune was on and he gestured for me to sit there. I came over and sat on the cushion next to him. Somehow I craved company and I felt more secure with him than Lune, which was odd because he was a guy and I was usually more at home with my own gender.

“So, Lily,” he began, “How old are you? What do you do? What do you like? What’s your full name? Do you like sweets? Do you like cars? Do you like cherry or vanilla more? Am I good looking?”

I gave him “the” irritated glare, which meant that the lips were frowned and my eyes were squinted. “You’re going too fast.”

“Sorry.”

“I’m twenty-six.”

He grinned. “I totally guessed right! Ha, Lune! I win!”

The vampire woman scowled. “I’ll give you your twenty dollars later.” She muttered.

I interjected, “Wait a minute! Lune, how old did you wager I was?”

She froze as if she were a a dog caught making on the carpet. “I thought you were….” She swallowed hard and moved her gaze upon the floor. “fifteen.”

Wasn’t that a compliment? It did sting, though, to be thought of as a kid. I mentally penciled a fake smile on my lips. “Oh, it’s not that bad. It’s OK.” Yeah, right. Fifteen? What made her think that?

“So, Sang,” I said, “How old are you?”

He was slow to reply. “I’m…uh… thr-three…” he counted his fingers. “Three-hundred fifty two!’ He sounded so triumphant, like a kid when they complete their first coloring page.

I sighed, “So, Sang, did Darius turn you too or what’s your relation to the lunatic?”

His smile became faint. “I wasn’t turned by Darius. I was turned by a sadistic witch named Annabelle. I swore my undead life to Darius after he helped me survive death.”

I nodded. “Sorry I brought up the subject.”

“No, it’s ok,” he said hurriedly, “I’d almost forgotten her twisted face. Oh how I want to-“

Lune interfered, “The same with me, except Sang saved me from dying.”

That made Sang smirk, “Lune, please do the laundry.”

“Alright, but you two better go shopping for clothes for Lily soon.”

“Five mins and we’ll go.” He crossed his arms behind his head and turned my way.

“What?” I asked sharply.

“I can’t stop admiring you. Now I see why Darius chose you.”

“OK, who is Darius? I know that he’s a pretty boy, and a crazy guy, what’s so special about him?”

His eyes were unblinking, as if he were in a daze. As if on que, he shook his head and sucked on his lower lip. “Oh, Darius. I call him Dari. Lily, you do know that you have no pulse now and you’re really cold and blood makes you warm and if you don’t drink it every day you’ll die?”

I rubbed my throat, felt the two small holes on the side. They throbbed as I stroked my fingers around them. “No, but thanks for telling me” Drink blood everyday? How is that possible? Jump a pedestrian on their way to work after visiting their morning Joe?

Sang said, “Oh, and vampires can drink the blood of other vampires. And yours smells unbelievably, undeniably sweet as sugar on a homemade apple cake!”

“Wow, thanks for the compliment. I have tasty blood, yay.” My voice was completely monotone.

He jerked, “Oh, Dari! You wanna know about him. Well, he’s very rich. He owns a line of wineries and clothes companies. He loves his wine and champagne and alcohol. He also enjoys painting and reading and relaxing and his house is huge!”

“But why did he choose me?”

“That I really don’t know. I mean, you’re good-looking and not too young and feisty. You know, Darius is over 2,000 years old and he’s never turned anyone. No one knows why, not even me.”

I shrugged, “How lovely.”

“Well, let’s go to the mall!” Sang stood up. “Oh, you might wanna get changed first. I have some clothes that Lune left for you.”

“Thank you.” As I started to stand, my knees buckled and I collapsed. My chest erupted with pain and my throat felt like it was burning inside.

Sang rushed and knelt beside me. “Lily! Lily, what’s wrong?”

My head felt like it was going to burst. “I-I don’t know. It feels like I’m cocooned in heat and pain.” I put my palm to my mouth and muffled a scream.

Sang hugged me and tilted his head. “Bite my neck.” He ordered.

“What?”

He lifted me up and sprawled me on the couch then crawled on top of me. “Bite my neck. Now!”

I reached up and pulled him closer to me. I wiped a strand of smooth black hair away and felt my fangs release. I felt feverish, and so hot, and my eyes became fixated on his porcelain throat and I bit into him rough and deep.

He moaned as if in ecstasy and his eyes fluttered like he was experiencing some great pleasure. Sang’s hands pinned mine atop my head and fisted tightly as I drank more and more. I couldn’t get enough. This luscious crimson blood was so extremely delicious, so decadent I wanted the coppery, thick sustenance to coat the walls of my mouth, my tongue, my teeth and flow down my burning throat. It was cool and smooth and I couldn’t stop myself.

Sang looked me in the eyes and his face was flustered with desire, with pure elation. “Mmm, Lily, your eyes are glowing a wonderful red. I think it’s time to stop.”

I licked my lips and was ready to plunge into him again when he sat up and pulled my head onto his lap. I felt like I was intoxicated, the room swirled and blurred, and I felt an unknown surge of energy and bliss course throughout my body. Sang caressed my hair gingerly before slowly standing up.

“There, your eyes are back to blue. Now you get ready in these clothes,” he snatched a long white sweater and leggings and set them on top of me. “Now I have to go change too. You got blood smears on my shirt.”

As I walked out of the apartment and into the mid-day air, I realized just how cold I was. It was fall and it was getting cold, but I was freezing my ass off. Lune had given me a baby pink sweater dress with a hood to wear with my heels I’d worn to the pub a few days before. My outfit also came with a rabbit-fur hot pink scarf and warm, thick fuchsia leggings.

Sang had put on a black t-shirt with a checkered hoodie, skinny black jeans, and matching hi-top sneakers. He also wore sunglasses, even though the sun was hidden by thick autumn clouds and colorful foliage.

“Aren’t you cold?” I examined him. He was slender, but a nice slender.

And a sweet ass.

“Huh? Oh, no, I’m fine. You’ll get used to being cold soon. Vampires are naturally cold because we don’t have a pulse, so you’ll feel fine in shorts and a tank-top in winter.”

“Oh.” I followed him like a puppy to the garage and asked, “So, what kinda ride you got?”

He grinned from ear to ear. “It’s a secret.” Sang clicked the button on his keys to slide the garage door up and we heard the sound of a vehicle beeping twice and I saw the headlights flash. As I walked to the car, I couldn’t help but be majorly jealous of Sang. I had a fifteen year old silver Civic that I sometimes had to pray to turn on and he had a brand-new red Corvette Stringray.

“Well, I have four other cars but they’re at Darius’s place.” He rested his arm on the sleek hood. It was sharp and molded in all the right places. “Oh, by the way, her name is Alice.” He hugged the front of the car and whispered as if he were speaking to a baby, “Isn’t that right, my little Alice poo-poo? Daddy’s here to take you out and treat you well!”

I’m not that good with cars, but I imagined that there had something special about this one.

“OK, let’s go.” I announced loudly, getting annoyed as he coddled the damn car. I opened the door and sat on the ebony seat. The whole interior was real leather and you could smell it. The stereo system was like a tower in the middle and it had a cappuccino machine! What did this guy do for a living?

I had to know, “Hey, um, what’s your job, if you have a job?”

I could see his crimson eyes flash in the corner of his shades. “I’m a writer. I also get money from Darius, too.”

“Oh.” Spoiled! I toyed with a strand of hair. In the bright light, it was like honey, and it had a nice sheen I hadn’t noticed before.

“Where do you live, Lily?” he sounded concerned.                            

“I share a leased house with my one friend, Tonia. Do you live with Lune by the way?”

He paused. “Yeah, mostly because I’m her sire.”

“Can I ask you about how that happened some other time?”

“Sure.”

“So…” I fingered the cherry wood dashboard. “Why’d you ask me where I live? I don’t want any of you vampires to know.”

“Lily,” he chuckled, patting me on the back, “you make it sound like you’re human. And I’ll tell you later about the home situation.”

Realization hit me hard like a baseball bat to the head. He was right. How could I be so stupid? I wasn’t human anymore. I wasn’t me anymore. I was something else. Someone else.

I was a vampire.

Dammit, how could this happen? It was his fault, yes, all his fault.

And he would pay, the snarky bastard.

I pulled my hood over my eyes and tied the pom-pom ties tight.

And sulked silently.

“We’re here!” Sang proclaimed. “The mall.”

I groaned in response.

******************************************************************************

I hated, I mean, really hated enclosed spaces. The shops in the mall were horrendously small, and those god-awful fluorescent lights made it all seem as if it were all a cube closing in on me.

I turned to Sang, who was carrying all the bags, as we strode through the middle of the mall and asked what I was wondering all day, “Hey, Sang, why don’t you-we-burn up in the sun?”

He put his hand to his chin and peered at me through dark tinted sunglasses. “Um… well, we just don’t? I have a pretty fair complexion, though. Darius does, too. I don’t know. Some vamps have really, really pale skin and others are black as night. Comes with the line, really.”

“The bloodline?”

“Yeah.”

“Sang,” I continued, “Where’s my purse and wallet? Who’s paying for this?”

He stammered, “U-um, well, u-um I think Darius has it all and he’s paying for this.”

I burst in his ear, “I don’t even know the guy!”

“Well, he knows you… somehow,” he buried his face behind a white paper bag.

I muttered, irritated, “I kinda knew that already, but I don’t know how!”

“I don’t know either.” He replied shyly.

“Stop hiding behind the bags, sheesh!” I slapped him on the back and grabbed three of the bags from his hands.

Sang’s expression softened, “Thank you.”

I ran a hand through my hair and rubbed my forehead. I was beginning to get extremely cold for some reason. My teeth started clattering and I crossed my arms over my chest.

“Lily! Is something wrong?” he asked, all innocent looking.

“No, nothing’s wrong,” I lied through gritted teeth.

“OK then, let’s get outta here.”

In the sunlight cascading from the windowed roof of the mall, Sang’s dark hair had a tint of red in it. It was so gorgeous. I wondered if mine was shining on top like his. Cold gripped me tightly, and I sneezed really loud.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” he asked again.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I hefted the bags over my shoulders and proceeded to march out of the mall.

“Hey! Wait for me!” the male vampire protested.

Just as I passed through the glass doors and reached the outside, I felt as if I were frozen in a block of ice, cold, so cold. Before I knew it, I had fallen to my side and lay asleep on the concrete steps like some drunken idiot.

I jerked awake and my very bones felt frozen. My vision was hazy and misted over, blurry, as if I had tears in my eyes and static at the same time. As a woman swept past me I gripped her ankle and jutted my fangs out. She shrieked and shook me off, bloody scratch marks left on her fragile skin. I groaned and shivered uncontrollably, felt my body become stiff and numb.

I heard Sang’s voice calling, “Lily! Lily! Dammit, come here. I didn’t know this would happen so soon. Let’s get you out of here. This is no place for you at this moment. I bet everyone looks like a snack, don’t they?” he laughed half-heartedly and I almost formed my lips into a smile.

He scooped me up bridal-style and sat me in the corvette while throwing the bags in the back. I trembled from the chill that coursed throughout me. My skin felt like it was frosted over. I screamed and kicked and writhed to being some kind of heat, but it was no use. I was cold, so, so cold and even though Sang yanked his hoodie onto me, I was still chilled everywhere. Inside my body was like a snowy torrent.

I blinked my eyes but couldn’t keep them open. They were heavy and too much trouble to keep open. Sang sped from the mall and I fell asleep huddled in a ball.

                                                                        *************************************************************

I was cold, so cold, and my body was smothered in sweat. I felt the kind of sick when you just want to lie in bed under a mountain of covers and stay there until you feel normal again. I quivered and stared at the ceiling. I was on my back in the softest bed I’d ever been in, with warm, fuzzy blankets tucked around my sides. The coldness tightened its grasp and I screamed. I was numb all over I couldn’t move. It was like I had terrible frostbite.

It was then I noticed candle flame shadows wavering on the wall and that it was night outside through an arched window.

Where was I?

I managed to choke, “S-Sang…” he came and sat beside me on the bed, the sudden weight making my arms slide a bit.

“C-cold.” I uttered hoarsely, teeth chattering. He silently hugged me as if I would die if he let go.

I fought to keep my eyes open and he stood, stepped away, and piled more blankets on top of me. I heard a sipping sound and saw his legs as he walked back to me and paused.

“It’ll be alright,” he whispered while brushing my hair from my eyes. His voice was distorted and low, and his hand looked like a chaotic jumble of motion. I closed my eyes under his touch, which was surprisingly warm compared to myself, and nuzzled my chin into his palm.

I turned my head and watched him with hazy vision. I couldn’t see over his hips, but I heard him pour a liquid again and light another candle. He walked to me, rested beside me again, and sat me up gently, slowly, and I clung to his heat, his presence. It radiated like a sun in a black ice tomb.

I felt steam hit my face and recognized that he was offering me tea. He titled the small cup and I drank. My face flushed hot. The warmness trickled down my throat and it felt so good. I did it again and my whole body felt tingly and rushed with heat.

He cradled my head in his hands and stroked my bangs caringly, touched my forehead with his. Did his hair get longer? I’d never felt his hair, but it felt wavy and luscious and… long.  He breathed onto my cheek and I felt s so snug, as if this moment were bound to happen.

“S-S-Sang?” I asked weakly.

He touched the tip of his index finger to my lips. “SShhh,” he said. “It’s almost time.”

Almost time? Almost time for what?

Just as the thought left my mind, my body pulsated with an extreme heat, a fiery engulfment. I hugged him and dug my nails into him and screamed as I was overwhelmed with an aching, throbbing pain and an immense pressure pressing down on me.

My eyes were still blurry and I asked, “Sang? Sang, what’s happening?”

He shook his head and my vision came into focus, my hearing cleared, but the pain swelled everywhere inside me. I noticed then that it wasn’t Sang this whole time with me—it was Darius.

Fear engulfed me like a heavy shroud and an immeasurable anger started to boil inside my heart.

Him? Why was he taking care of me? He’s the whole reason I’m “sick”.

I moaned and he held me tighter, his soft spill of wavy chocolate hair pressing against me, tickling my neck. I wanted to shove him away and let my rage overtake him, but somehow the more these thoughts occurred, the more I felt at peace and relaxed, but then the pain abruptly came back and rushed throughout me in a wave.

Darius sat up and started slipping off his lavender tie, dress jacket, and long-sleeved shirt. As he unbuttoned his shirt I was amazed at how he could be so muscled yet also be so elegant and hold just a tint of femininity. I remembered his skin being a pale ivory, but today it was nice and tanned. His full and beautiful hair cascaded beyond his hips and lay on the bed.

“How are you warm and tanned now so soon?” I asked.

He replied casually, “I drank the blood of a human not long ago.”

I was about to ask something else when another round of pain purged through me and I screamed. In one quick motion, Darius had his one arm supporting my back and the other gingerly hovering above my lips.

“Lily,” he was serious, “I am your master and you are my servant. Do you understand?”

I downcast my eyes and whispered, “No, and I’m not your servant.”

He chuckled, striking amber eyes lighting with laughter within. “You have only been awake for a day, my dear. I’m assuming that my Sang and Lune didn’t mention some parts to you.”

I wanted so badly to kick and bite him but I was so wrought with pain that I could barely move.

Darius said in his sweet melodious voice, “My dear, I shall explain everything at a later time. At this moment, it’s very important you drink from your sire.”

“Sire?” I snickered. “What are you, a horse?”

“Lily,” his face was stern, “if you do not drink now, you will die.”

“No! I’m drinking from you of all peop-vampires!”

He used his free hand and pressed my face against the expanse of his neck.

“I’d rather drink Sang’s blood that yours,” I hissed.

“Drink. Now,” he commanded. I forgot that I was subject to his will and my eyes began to burn. Everything was washed red. My canines extended into fangs and I bit into him as if he were a ripe peach and sucked pleasantly at his blood. He didn’t cringe or budge even an inch when I punctured his neck. He sat perfectly still, as if he were a doll, as I drew more and more of his divine nectar. Warmness spread within me and power flooded my being.

I savored the thick coppery fluid. Darius moaned in what I could only imagine as pleasure.

"Yes, my dear, it is pleasurable to be bitten on our line."

"Did you just speak in my head?"

"Yes. Now, a vampire’s bite can either be painful, pleasurable, mimic the effects of a narcotic, or orgasmic. Each vampire can only acquire one of these four. Our line has them all, and we can interchange as we please. Yours right now is very, very pleasurable, I’d even go so far to say orgasmic."

"You just spoke talked to me in my mind."

"All vampires can reach this capability, as the older we become, the more able we are to such things."

"Oh."

I blushed and felt the room spin. Darius gently took me from his neck and settled my head on a mound of pillows. “You drank well,” he spoke aloud. I had to actually try to not orgasm when you bit me, it was so magnificent.”

I was embarrassed and disgusted that I had drunk this awful perso-vampire’s blood. But, it was the sweetest, most decadent I had had, and it beat Sang’s by a long shot.

As the pain had drained away, I could finally see if I was still in the same clothes from the mall.

No.

I was dressed in a white silk nightgown bordered with lacey designs that fit me alright.

“You,” I began, “you undressed and dressed me like some toy?”

Darius weaved a hand in mine and touched his chest, which was gradually becoming colder and colder. “You can pick my wear tomorrow, my cute flower,” he winked.

I skimmed my hand down and felt his naked stomach an abs. They were hard and cool but were still like a human’s. Oh, how I wanted to devour him all right then and there.

Devour him? What the hell was I thinking?

He stifled a laugh and flung less blankets on me, hand gliding from mine to my chin. “You have such a stunning face,” he uttered. “Tomorrow we will be going out to a “party”, so I will prepare some clothing for you.”

I took the chance and asked, “Why am I here? Why me? Darius, who are you?”

His amber eyes softened and he replied curtly, “I shall tell you soon enough.” He made no sound or messing of the sheets when he got out of the bed and opened the door. The candles stopped burning when he glanced their way, and he said to me before shutting the door and leaving, “May you have beautiful dreams, my flower. Sleep well, my love.”

I lay, puzzled. My love? More like, my doll.