Dracula's Groom

PROLOGUE

The smell of lavender and rosemary floated down the hall as I heard the soft, delicate humming of my great-great aunt Agnus walking toward my room. Hair that was once raven black was now starting to turn gray. Skin that felt smooth to the touch thanks to her endless facial products and hand creams was now starting to show signs of aging. Poor aunt Agnus. No matter how hard she tried to fight it, to keep herself eternally youthful, life just kept on spinning.

I turned my head and saw her standing in the doorway. She was famous for wearing antique dresses from the earliest nineteenth century. I guess that's one of the many things I loved about her. She was unique. She smiled as she entered the room, lifting me into her arms as she sat down in the rocking chair. The lamp from the nearby table illuminated her flawless, timeless features while her hands felt as smooth as paper against my skin.

"Did you have a good time today, Nathan?" She asked.

"Yes, aunt Agnus! Momma and daddy took me sight-seeing today."

She chuckled. "Oh, that's very good. Then you must be tired after such a long day."

"Not really. I got loads of energy!"

"Yes, I can see that. Come on, let's get you into bed."

I frowned. "But I don't want to go to sleep. I want to stay up and talk to my friend."

"What friend, Nathan?"

I pointed to the corner opposite the bedroom door. "He's right there! But you can't see him aunt Agnus." Then I whispered. "He's invisible."

Aunt Agnus looked confused. "Really? What's his name?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. He's never told me it before. I've only just met him before you came in the room."

Aunt Agnus sat me down on the floor next to my toys as she got up and walked toward the door. "Excuse me dear, I suddenly forgot that I left something on upstairs. I'll have your mom tuck you into bed shortly."

I began to play with my spelling blocks. "Okay."

As her footsteps retreated down the hallway, I heard the sound of a man's voice coming from the corner as I looked up and saw him standing there with a grin on his face. His brilliant blue eyes stared into mine as he stepped forward and sat down on the floor across from me.

"You are an amazing creature. You fascinate me."

"You're funny."

He smiled as his hand reached out to slowly touch my cheek as I noticed for the first time just how cold he really was. His touch felt like ice as it chilled me to the bone. But as I stared at him, his face suddenly changed, like a blank slate his eyes held mine until I could no longer look away.

"I know our meeting was short. But this is where it must end. Nathan, there won't be a day that goes by that I won't be thinking about you. And though you will not remember me after this night, I will always keep you very close to my heart."

"Why? Why can't you stay?"

"Because my powers are weakened. I only have enough strength to see you this one time."

"Where will you go?"

"I don't know. But what I can tell you is that it won't be good because you won't be there."

Suddenly I felt so alone. My new friend was leaving me and would never see me again. As I heard my mother's voice calling out to me, my new friend smiled once more before leaning over and softly kissed my forehead. Then disappearing like a ghostly vapor he was gone. My mother came into the room shortly after that as she picked me up and put me to bed. When she finished with my bedtime story and turned off the light, she shut the door but left it open just a crack as the light from the hallway lingered on my spelling blocks.

I turned my head to look at them as something magnificent happened. Moving as if they had a mind of their own. They spelled out the words. I LOVE YOU.