My Vampires

Chapter 19

Vlad
"Oh, that? It's a portrait of someone I've been searching for, for a very long time now..."

Wait...

Flashback
Vlad
"There's someone I've been searching for for a very long time...practically forever now."  "You remind me of her for some reason, so I supposed that's why I was kind to you."

Flashback Ends

Kira
"Is it the person you told me about that day at the fountain?"

He looked at me and then began speaking in a very even, calm voice, as if he were telling me a fairy tale before bed.

Vlad
"A long, long time ago I was feeling so hopeless I wanted everything to end, even my life."  "And then she saved me."  "But she disappeared. I searched all over for her, but I could never find her."  "I held onto a wish deep in my heart. A wish to see her again someday. That was all that kept me going." "But no matter where I went, I couldn't find her. It felt like time was passing right before my eyes." "I didn't want to forget when I met her. So I found a painter in town."  "I asked him to paint someone from my memory. He drew her face, her hair, and--" "When it got time to draw her face, I realized...I'd already forgotten it." "No matter how hard I tried to remember it, her face was gone from my memories." "Almost like it had gotten swept away in a sandstorm."

The painter asked Vlad if he was sure he wanted the unfinished portrait, and Vlad told him yes.  He kept it by his side and continued gazing at it so he wouldn't forget anymore of her.

Vlad
"So that's why I can still vividly remember the strength and warmth of her arms as she embraced me." "And the promise we made each other."

Kira
"The promise?"

Vlad stared into my eyes and smiled. "I think I'II keep that part to myself."

He murmured as he looked back at the portrait on the wall, his gaze so tender it was like he was looking at a treasure. That look in his eyes made my heart race.  Carlos said Vlad would stare at the girl in the portrait as if he were in love with her.  He's right. That look in Vlad's eyes– Even though I knew the answer might hurt me, my lips moved on their own accord.

Kira
"Vlad?"

Vlad
"Hm?"

Kira
"...Do you love that girl?"

Vlad
"......"

His eyes widened and then his lips formed a tender smile.

Vlad
"Yes. I've loved her for a very long time. She's incredibly special to me."

His words stabbed through my heart even more painfully than I thought they would. I didn't know what to say in response. I kept thinking I should say something, or at least smile, but I couldn't do either. Suddenly, Vlad pulled me towards him. I was so startled that I reflexively reached out to touch his chest. I glanced up at him and his hand slid to my cheek. 

Vlad
"But...right now I have you."

Kira
"Vlad..."

He looked at me with the same loving eyes with which he had looked at the portrait, and then– He pressed his lips against mine and I forgot to breathe. There was a faint wet noise as he pulled away, and I was finally able to speak.

Kira
"Why..?"

Why would he kiss me after talking about his long-lost love? I felt hot tears stinging in my eyes as I stared at him. But then he smiled, as if inviting me into a sweet dream.

Vlad
"I would be crazy not to touch you when you're so close to me." "...Can I do it again?"

Before I could answer, his dark shadow fell upon my face. The more I learn about you, and the closer I get to you--the less I understand you. I can't stop the way I feel about you. My emotions were out of control; there was no stopping the way I felt. All I could think about was him. I  greedily wanted him all to myself. I wanted to be special to him.  I knew what these feelings that swept through my heart were called. But...I'd never felt it this strongly before.