Portrait Of A Vampire

Eternal Life

"Master. Master Saunders?" The maid asked as she dabbed a cool cloth on Henry's forehead. "Mmm." He muttered unable to move given his present state. He felt his body flinch as he opened his eyes and looked up to see Marion thier humble house maid at his side. "Marion?" He asked dryly. He needed water. She smiled and offered him some judging by the hoarse sound of his voice. "You've been asleep for hours sir. We're all worried about you." She said placing more cool water on his brow. Henry trembled as He felt the cool liquid caress his burning throat and skin. "What's happened?" He asked feeling completely out of his body. "Don't know sir. We awoke to the front door open in the cold daylight. A note stuck to door instructing us on how to care for you." She said pouring more ice water. "The young lady that was here...." She began. "The lady? Isabelle?" He asked. He felt his eyelids flutter close as He pictured her the day before. The painting. The fresh snow. The kiss. Blood. Henry gasped as he felt his heart race in his chest. "Please leave me." He asked trying to sit up on own. He realized just then that he was completely naked underneath the sheets. Quickly he pulled the blankets over, very unlike him to show the house keepers so much skin, he felt embarrassed. "Please Marion." He said almost begging. She quickly nodded and got up from her chair, her little pudgy legs walking as fast as she could out of the room and closing the door. Henry breathed hard, touching himself and then the bandages on his neck. "It wasn't a dream." He said closing his eyes and picturing her on him again. Her naked body, her gentle words. Her teeth. "She bit me." He said pulling the blankets back and feeling a cool breeze from the room hit his body. He was burning up. He walked to the vanity mirror, noticing that this wasn't his room. It was hers. It all came back to him now. He looked at himself, peeling away the bandages to reveal the puncture marks on his skin. Red and swollen. He looked pale, but still golden and thriving. He felt different, his body ached in more ways than he had ever imagined. Part of him wanted to sleep forever, the other wanted to feel her body against him again, wanted her teeth to bite him again. He breathed out and then in, running his hands over his chest and and through his hair. He couldn't help but feel dazed and tingly. He knew what she was, he'd read books on the immortals, the undead. He believed them to be true until his father had told him they were just grim fables and that he should focus on something more constructive things like writing or painting. He never truly gave it up. He enjoyed the tales, he enjoyed the thrill. It dawned on him that he had books stored away down in the estates cellar. Quickly Henry dressed unfashionably and not entirely fastened up as he walked in his unbuttoned trousers and bare feet down the stairs case and down into the kitchen. The maids all gasped and covered their eyes. "Sir? Sir? Are you alright?" They all asked as they watched him walk past and down into the cellar.