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Marcus had sat himself down, at a table, just in front of the stage. He viewed several dancers as they performed their acts for the gentleman in the audience of the gentleman's club. He tapped his fingers to the live music, as he studied each girl involved in their charming dance steps. Some fine young things wore feathers in their hair, or boas around there necks. Some danced as they took off bits of their clothing, while others teased. Like a red blooded man, Marcus use to be, he enjoyed these beauties greatly. But he grew ever more hungry and wanted to go home as soon as he could. That's when he spotted her. A nice plump dancer with dark curls tied around big blue feathers. She was very pretty, and quite sexy, in her midnight blue half dress. He could smell her sweet fragrance, and hear her blood raging in her veins, as she danced. He didn't detect liquor on her breath, or in her blood, but no matter. He wanted her... blood to feed upon. He loved them large because it ment he could feed only once that night. Tiny ones were pretty, but he had to kill at least four or five before he got full. ?This one will do nicely." He thought to himself. He's gaze grew fierce in her direction, just before her part was over, and it caught her by surprise. She stumbled off stage, as the other gentleman clapped, whistled, and cheered her on.
The poor things hot blood raced throughout her veins, as she halfway crawled to her dressing room. Her heart pounded, like a frightened rabbit, and her pulse deafened her ears. She couldn't hear any of her fellow dancers telling her, 'she did a great job her first night'. What they failed to realize, as they left her alone one by one, this was to be her last night as well. She was ever so frightened, but did not know why. Instead of dressing, she decided to put on her coat, pick up her bag, and go home. Marcus waited in the shadows for her to leave. He didn't much like having his victims in public, and well lit, places, like his brother. The poor lass raced out the back door, without getting her tips, and scooted herself down the ally. She dashed across the street, and through the park, hoping whatever made her anxious to leave her new job so fast, would go away. Marcus followed, close by, waiting for the right moment to take her. Her blood was boiling with the cause of her dancing, and the rush of her steps, as she raced home. "Oh, Chrissa, calm yourself. It's only first night nerves." She told herself. Suddenly, her tiny foot stepped hard into a hole, and Chrissa fell to the ground, screaming in pain. Her bag was thrown open, and her clothes spilled out of it. "Someone help me! PLEASE!" She cried.
Marcus slowly walked passed her, in the darkness, pretending not to notice her. "Please, Sir, help me," She pleaded, "I believe I have broken my ankle." She sobbed as she rubbed her leg, now bloody from the bone which pierced her flesh. Marcus slowly turned to her, and walked back. "Poor, poor lass. It will be all right." He whispered. "I shall help take away the pain." "You a doctor, Sir?" Chrissa asked him, as he wiped her tears from her sweet and scared face. "No, child. I am your grim reaper." Before she could scream, Marcus chomped down up on her throat, cutting her oxygen and crushing her voice box.
Anastasia tossed and turned in her bed, as she slept. Dreams of running in the woods, flooded her nightmare, as the storm raged outside the castle. Thunder clapped, and lighting brightened the sky. Ana could feel the branches and thickets scratching and grabbing at her body, as she ran for her life. She was soaked in rain, but the rain was not clear as water, but as red and as thick as blood. She could not wake herself, and did not know she was sleeping. She suddenly fell in to a pit of muddy rain, and tried to climb out. But the walls were so fragile that they only sunk as she clawed. She kicked and thrashed, trying to stay afloat in the black liquid pit. Something grabbed her by the foot, and pulled her deep into the pool. She fought, and kicked, and struggled out of its grip. A sudden crack of thunder shot out, greatly, out side the castle, causing it to shake. "AAAWWW!!!!" Anastasia screamed and rose up from her chamber bed. She feel back up on her pillows, and called out with fear beyond any fear felt to her before. "Marcus! My Lord! Make it stop! Make it stop!" She cried, furiously, "Please Lord Marcus, make the noise go away! Make it stop!" She screamed over and over again, pressing her pillows tightly against her ears. The storm raged out side, as if trying to make Anastasia crazy.
Marcus, still feeding his hunger, shot his head up. Blood dripped from his lips, and fell onto his victims coat. He was almost finished with her, as he heard Anastasia's cries. "I am coming, Ana." He spoke into the wind. He quickly checked the girl, to make sure her soul left her body, broke her neck, just in case, and headed to his castle. It was only a matter of moments until he was in the shadows of Anastasia's chamber. She sobbed in to her pillows, as he waved his hand in the air. The storm subsided immediately, and his angel peacefully went back to sleep. Marcus took his handkerchief from his pocket, and wiped the rest of the blood away from his face. He slowly walked over to the chamber bed, and sat on the edge of it. He gently stroked her soft and sweat soaked hair, as she slept. He pulled the covers to her chin, and laid down beside her. He nuzzled close to her ear, and whispered to her, "My dear, sweet, Ana. I shall never leave you so long again. That I will promise you." Marcus laid there the entire night, until the clocks in the manner struck 4:00 a. m.
The next morning, Anastasia awoke, dressed, and ate her breakfast, happily. She seemed not to have any recollection of the nightmare the night before. The sun beamed through the windows of her dwelling, as if calling her outside. But every door and every window was shut and locked, as if to keep her prisoner in this beautiful structure. In her frustration, Anastasia charged into the sitting room, and glared at Lord Marcus' portrait above the fireplace. "Sir, I know you maybe dead. You maybe a ghost in this house, a prisoner, but I am still alive. I have never been an outside person, but I do need fresh air! I feel stuffed in this place, as if it were a coffin fit for a vampire! I live! I crave! I need fresh air! I beg you, Lord Marcus, open me a window?!" With that, Anastasia felt a cooling breeze flowing into the room. The smell of the sea filled her lungs, as she followed the invisible stream. A tiny window, in the library, squeaked as it swung back and fourth. The drapes danced in the wind, and Ana could hear the birds calling, and waves of the sea smacking against the rocks below. Anastasia poked her head out of the window, soaking in the sun and breathing in the sea air, as the wind blew her curls around her face. She could feel her lungs opening, and breathing, no longer feeling as if she were held captive. She watched the gulls flying high in the sky, and dive down deep into the water, as they fished for food. She watched the blue water, and foaming waves crashing on the rocky cliffs below her. The rocks shined, as the sun sent rays of light on to their wet surfaces. Anastasia, then looked right ahead and squinted her eyes, as if looking for something. She could see a small bit of land in the haze of the horizon. But she soon grew cold, and shut the window. She smiled, happily, as she spoke, "Thank you, Lord Marcus." And somewhere, in the darkness of the castle, the dead man managed to stretch his corpse lips into a smile.
Anastasia searched the library, now, for something to read. She found another book of poetry, this time by a man named William Blake. She took the book from the shelf, and smiled. "Lord Marcus, shall I read to?" She asked, as she sat down in the sitting room. She soon felt the erg to read to the painting. Marcus waited for her voice to recite the poems with her sweet voice. He couldn't help keeping her locked up, though. He feared that she might run from him. He knew he would have to kill her, if she did. He didn't want that. "I think I shall start with this one." Ana smiled, "It's called, 'The Tyger'. Tyger! Tyger! burning bright..." Anastasia read, until she could no longer see the words. She had gone through almost the entire book, which had taken half the day. The clock struck twelve, and Ana headed to the dinning room. She fed up on pheasant, and a fresh garden salad, as she thought of what she should do after lunch. She knew she would take a nap, and hoped to dream of Lord Marcus. As much as she loved living in this lonely home, she felt lonely, in need for company.
Soon, she fell into a deep slumber, in her chamber bed, as the castle laid quiet itself. She dreamt that she was in the great garden, smelling and picking flowers. She placed each flower into her hand basket, and sang one of her made up tunes. "You sing beautifully, child." A deep voice whispered behind her. She turned to find Lord Marcus standing and smiling above her. "Thank you, Sir." She curtsied to him. Marcus gave a soft laugh, then took her hand, and lead her to a swing made for two. "How has your day been, my dear?" He asked, as he picked up a pink rose, and placed it in her hair. "Lovely, Lord Marcus. I am truly sorry for my sternness today. About the fresh air, I mean." "No need to apologize, Ana. I know how it feels to not be able to things you like. I keep the place locked, only to protect you. But if you wish, you may open the same window in the library, when ever you need fresh air." "Thank you, my Lord." "And thank you for reading to me, this morning. You read beautifully, as beautifully as you sing." Anastasia blushed at his words, and smoothed out her dress. "Thank you." "No, Anastasia, thank you for being here, and keeping me company." He caressed her light curls, and kissed her sweetly on her cheek. Marcus wanted to apologies for not being quick enough to soothe her from her frightened state, but felt that she did not remember her torture with in her mind. He dared not mention it now, for fear she might remember and become frightened again. "Ana, are you happy here?" "Yes, I am, my Lord, you have a lovely home. And you are so kind to me." She spoke softly, as she studied his coat collar. He lifted her head, so their eyes could meet, "Are you afraid of me, Ana?" "No, Sir." Anastasia soon became nervous with his questioning. She never had a man asking her things, or even wanting to know her. "You don't think I keep you locked up, do you?" "Sir, as you said before, you want to protect me. Why should I question your actions? You are my new master." "Oh, Ana, I don't want to be your master. I want to be your companion, friend..." he couldn't speak the word, lover, for it was to hard to bare for him to even think it. He wanted to keep her pure. She smiled, sweetly at him, as he smiled at her. "You must wake now, and go play." "Yes, Sir, but is there any place in the castle which I should not venture to?" "All in the castle is free for you to roam." He got up, and kissed her hands, "Now wake, child."
That night, Marcus awoke from his death slumber, and watched Anastasia closely. He studied how she ate her supper, how she walked across the floor and viewed his art work, and thumbed through his books. He stayed in the shadows, though, and soaked in her every essence. But, at one point, curiosity got the better of him. She had done some embroidery, and he had gotten a little to close to her. She rose quickly from her seat, and walked right through him. Both shuddered with the connection, as Ana turned around to see if she could see what she just had walked through. Nothing there, she told herself it was just a cold spot in the room. Marcus stood, frozen in his place until she left the room. When she turned the corner, he let out a puff of air, and became visible. "What a rush." He whispered to himself, then disappeared from the room. He reappeared, in the corner of her chamber, as she walked in. Anastasia quietly dressed for bed, took her white cotton blanket from the corner chair, and sat near the warm fire. She had chosen another book to read, but this one was a novel, not a book of poems. Marcus watched her, making sure she would be safe until he returned, then left to go feed. Oblivious to him, Anastasia happily read her book, and listened to the crackling of the fire in front of her.
Marcus chose to visit his brother, in Scotland, this evening. He was nervous to see him, for he knew his brother would mock him, for having a living morsel in his home, and not choose to take her. But none the less, he wanted to be with him. He soon appeared in his brother's castle, and could hear his younger sibling entertaining his girls. Marcus appeared in the harem, as his brother finished pleasuring one of the young slaves, "Kane? Having fun?" Marcus asked him, with an evil grin on his face. His brother stood very still, and peered into the shadows. His maiden still bent over, and connected to him. "Marcus, you ever hear of knocking?" He bellowed, as he pushes the girl from him. She giggled, as she fell onto some pillows. Another girl handed her master a silken robe, and grins a toothy devil's smile. Kane ties his robe shut, and smacks the girl on her backside. "Drink!" He tells her, and points to his older brother. The maiden calmly walks over to Marcus, her red hair flowing down her body. She pulls her hair back, and exposes her neck to him. Marcus grins at his brother, "Thank you, how did you know I wanted a red head tonight?" "Call it mind reading, Marc." Kane answered, as his sibling held the young lass, by the hair. Marcus' eyes glowed bright green, in search for the perfect vein. He then clipped the lass' skin, and drank hardily. "Easy, easy, brother. She's new, don't kill her." Kane laughed. He then called one of his older slaves, "Bibiana! Come!" A large young woman walked from the shadows, and stood in the light of the fireplace, and candles set around the room.
"Yes, my Lord?" She asked in a raspy and saddened voice. Though she looked to be in her twenties, Bibiana was almost as old as the brothers, and served both well. But she craved to leave this world, for she felt she was no longer considered the favorite. As she grew older, the other girls, grew younger and more beautiful then her. She loved her masters dearly, but neither had touched her in fifty years. She served to feed, clean, and dress her fellow slaves. "Bibi, I know you think we do not appreciate you, but we do. You have never betrayed us, and served us well. You served me well." Kane spoke to her with such love, and compassion. "I have felt, for a long time now, that you do not wish to be here. The thing is, we all know what is to be done about it. And I have never been able to set you free in this manner." He stood closer to her, now, and stroked her bark brown hair. "This is your choice, my love. Do you wish to be set free, in this manner? Think long and hard, for there is no coming back." Bibiana looked at him, then at his sibling, who had let the young red head go. "Yes, my Lord Kane, I wish to be set free." Kane pressed his hand on her forehead, and chanted several lost words. "Go in peace, Bibi." He told her, as he handed her hand to Marcus.
Marcus took, the older maiden, and lead her to a private room. Once there, he laid her onto a silken bed, and fed up on her blood, until she fell into her final slumber of death. "Rest in peace, Bibiana." Marcus whispered his last words to the kind and gentle soul. "May you be happy in your next life." Kane followed, after he felt her soul drifting to heaven.
Kane had ordered the other maidens to prepare Bibiana's corpse for burning, and had gotten dressed to join his brother in the sitting room of the castle. He walked in to see Marcus sitting in a chair with a far off look in his eyes. He sets in a chair, next to him, and took a deep breath. "Oh, Marcus, you smell like a live human!" Kane exclaimed, "You been walking with them, lately?" He took in a deeper breath, "A female? And she is still alive?" Marcus stared at his brother for a moment, trying to find the words. "Kane, she's the one I couldn't kill when she was little." "The one with the eyes?" "Yes, I believe she was supposed to be with me, with us." he sighed heavily. "What is her name?" Kane inquired. "Anastasia." "The resurrection has come?" "I'm not sure, but what else could it be?" "If she is the one brother, we shall be free from this curse!" Kane looked at his older brother with enthusiasm. "I must meet her brother." "Not yet, Kane. I still haven't shown her my true form yet." "What are you waiting for?" Kane frowned at him. "I don't know. I just want to gain her trust, before I have her." Kane smiled at Marcus' words, "Always the romantic." Marcus smiled back, "What do you think of me having a living human in my home?" "Well, brother," Kane put his hand on his sibling's shoulder, "To each his own, but if she is ment to help us, than I accept her." "Thank you, Kane. I must be going, now. I feel she needs me." "Good night, Marcus, I shall see you same time next week?" "Yes, like clock work, little brother."
Marcus appeared in Anastasia's chamber, as she slept on the floor. He smiled at her cuddling with her blanket, and picked her up. He laid her in her bed, and pulled the soft warm covers over her. He sat on the edge of the bed, same as last time, and kissed her forehead. He felt her dreaming of being in a peaceful place and dared not enter her mind. He laid down beside her, and held her in his arms, until it was time for him to leave. He watched her breathe, softly, and felt her strong heart breathing behind her tiny left breast. He curled some of her locks with his fingers, and nuzzled the side of her sweet, light pink face. He wanted to keep her safe, always.
Days past and Anastasia explored most of the castle, and seemed to manage from getting herself lost. She always had good sense of direction in large manners, and castles shouldn't be any different to her. But on this day, Ana found herself in a part that was different than the other parts of her home. It looked more like what a castle should be. She found this odd, but still ventured forth. The halls smelled dank, and cobwebs stretched from corner to corner. And the air seemed cold, as well as, heavy to her. Marcus was fearful the she might find him, but could not stop her. He had given her permission to go where ever she pleased, in the castle. He could not go back on his word. He loved her so.
Soon, Anastasia found herself walking down a flight of curving stairs. She carried a single white candle, and tried to watch where she was going. She felt her ears pop several times, and her heart began to pound heavily, within her chest. She had been sweating for a while now, and breathed dryly through her mouth. She clutched at the curving walls as she began to slip and stumble. Marcus desperately tried to get her to stop and rest, but with her thoughts of panic running through her mind she drowned him out. Suddenly, a large rat screeched, and ran across her path. Anastasia screamed with fright and drop the candle. Now she was in pitch blackness, as she tried to hunt for the candle, one the step, she lost her balance. She fell foreword, and rolled down the rest of the stone steps, screaming all the way, until the back of her head slammed on the rock hard flooring at the bottom of the castle stairway.
Night feel dark and quiet, now, no bird sang out side, no vermin scurried across the floors in side. An eerie, heavy presence roamed the halls in a invisible vapor, as if it were in search of death itself. The sun fell out of the castle's sight, and suddenly a freighting, curdling scream roared out, so loud that it seemed to shake the very foundation. Marcus, now able to move, appeared and kneeled at his loves head. Anastasia laid, in silence, bloodied and mangled limbs sprawled about the stone floor. Marcus screamed incoherent sounds, as he pawed, and stroked her tiny broken body. He touched her heart, and to his surprise, it still beat. But it was the faintest and most painful beat he ever felt in his unliving life. He gathered his senses and began healing her with all his strength, and power. He bathed her clean from her dark red life liquid, dressed her in a fresh gown, and laid her in his chamber bed, within his tiny tomb. He brought to her, food and drink, hoping she would waken with hunger. But Ana only laid still and slowly breathed, as she slept in her death-like slumber.
For days, Marcus staid with her. He lived on the blood of vermin, but only if the calling of his hunger would not subside. His clothes hung ragged on his thinning frame, and his god-like face became older and furred with a growing beard. But the sleeping Anastasia laid straight and frozen in her young beauty. Marcus tried several times to enter her mind, but all he could find was blackness. He called her name, over and over again, but she never appeared to him, and never stirred her body. "Ana? Ana, please wake up. Please." He pleaded to her, as he shook her gentle, weakening frame. "Ana, I fixed you. You do not have to die. Please, Ana, wake up. I love you, Anastasia. I will no longer hide from you. Please, Ana, if you wake, I promise to always be here for you." He sobbed, as he buried his face in her chest. "Oh, Anastasia, I am truly sorry. I will close these stairs forever, and keep you safe, if you wake. I will let no harm come to you, no bird, no rat, no insect sting you. Just wake, Ana. Please!" He held her tight in his arms, and rocked her small body with his. "Please don't make me take you, just to see you walk again. I want to keep you pure. I have to keep you pure. You were sent to me for a reason, Ana. Please, I'll tell you everything, if you just wake up!" Despite his pleas, Anastasia never opened an eye. She staid limp in his arms, and breathed fainter as each day passed.
"My brother has not been here for two weeks, my pets." Kane tells his maidens, as he finished dressing himself. "I must leave to find him, for I fear something terrible has happened." He strokes the one red head's hair and asked, "Can I trust you ladies to behave while I am gone?" "Yes, master, we will be fine. Go find your bother, and wish him well for us?" "I shall, my dear." And with a quick turn, Kane found himself in his older siblings chamber. "Marcus, you have not visited me." He scolded the man cradling a young lass in his arms. "Ahh, is this the beauty who will set us free? Has it been done, yet? And if so, why have you not told me? I thought I was supposed to be present at the time?" Kane walked closer to the bed, and studied his brother's thoughts, as Marcus laid still by his love. "Oh, Marcus." Kane whispered in shock. "Marcus, you need food! I shall return with a fine morsel soon. You need your strength." Kane disappeared as quickly as he appeared, before.
Standing at the corner of a cobblestone street, a young prostitute shivers, as she waits for a customer. "Oh, why do I do this?" She asked herself in a cockney accent. "John always sends me out when it's bloody freezing!" She huddled near a street lamp, and bounced herself, trying to keep warm. "Well, as soon as, I get one of these bloody wankers, I'm going home! John can stand here if he wants!" Kane walks up from the shadows of the night, and tipped his hat to the lady. "Good night to you, miss. Are you paid?" He asked soothingly. He was always able to get his victims with his natural charm. "If your paying, sir." She answered coldly as she looked up at him. As soon as she met his dark eyes, they were gone.
"Brother, I have your supper thawing in the sitting room for you. Please go feed. I shall stay with Anastasia." Kane gripped his brother's arm in assurance. "I promise to keep her safe, Marcus. You need your strength to help her. Please go feed." Marcus nodded his head, and disappeared from the room. Kane took off his coat and hat, and laid them in a chair, next to the bed. He then sat near Anastasia, on the bed, and placed his cold hand on her forehead. He closed his eyes, and tried to enter her darkened mind. "Anastasia?" He called out in her death dream. "Anastasia, my name is Kane! I am Marcus' younger brother!" He called out to her soul. "Please, Ana, my brother needs you. He loves you. I can feel it running through him. You have to fight this darkness, Ana." He walked through her mind, trying to find some spark of her soul. He could feel her, she was alive. But barely. "Please, Anastasia, wake from this. You need not fear me! I mean you no harm! Please do not force me to drag you. It is very painful, for you are human!" He stood in the quiet pit of her mind, and soon heard a faint crying. "Ana?" He asked, as he walked toward the sound.
"Anastasia? Please come to me, and don't be afraid." Soon he could see her faint image huddling down in the corner. He kindly walked closer to her, and knelt beside her. "Anastasia, as I said, I'm Marcus' brother Kane." Anastasia looked up at the massive man, "I don't want to be a ghost." She cried softly. "Then wake up." Kane smiled at her. "He will make me into a ghost in this house." She told him. "Now, why would Marcus do that?" "Because he is one." Kane laughed at her answer, "My dear, we are not ghosts, we are Vampires. There is a big difference." She looked at him, horrified, "I don't want to be a Vampire, either!" "Then you must wake up on your own. If you continue to stay in this state, Marcus might take you just to force you to wake. If he wanted you to be a vampire, then he would have turned you into one before now." He stood up and helped her to her feet, "He will tell you what you need to know, but you must wake." With that, Kane opened his eyes, and waited for some kind of event to happenp>