Dracula's Groom

CHAPTER SIX: Hungry for Blood

*Dracul*

Those first few droplets of blood lingered on the edge of my bottom lip before finally trickling down my tongue and into my throat. And once that blood entered my system, my undead heart started beating again as it slowly rekindled with vitality. My organs that had sunken from centuries without blood became whole again as I felt the fire burning through my veins. The fire grew intense as the blood of certain mortal painted a clear picture in my mind.

Naaaaaaathan. He finally made his way back to me after all this time. What I wouldn't give to lay eyes on him for the first time in decades. It took a while for my eyes to finally open but when they did, and I saw the pale moon in all her magnificent beauty, I knew that I was alive once again. Placing my hands on either side of my tomb, I carefully lifted myself out as I groaned softly. My bones cracked loudly into place as I sensed that Nathan's blood had run its course.

Grateful though that it was his blood that awakened me after my centuries long sleep, I still wasn't back to feeling like my old self again. I still needed more blood, and lots of it. At this rate I could drain an entire village and still be hungry. I licked my dried, chapped lips in hopes that even a sliver of blood remained but there was none. Sliding off the edge of the coffin, I fell and hit the ground hard as the room around me started to spin.

Great! How is it that my legs are always the last to get into working order? My sword remained behind in the coffin as the only weapon I would need this night were my fangs. Long and sharp though were indeed, the edges of my gums throbbed as the thirst for blood returned with vengeance. I slowly stumbled my way out of my prison cell as I collapsed through the opening and landed on top of a staircase.

Ah! My old home. The centuries have not been kind to you old friend. Soon I shall restore you to your former glory. A scent filtered through my nose as I caught the trail making its way throughout the castle from one room to another. It was Nathan's. He was here recently. I got to my feet as I descended the grand staircase and yanked one of the old red tattered curtains from its gold and ivory metal rod.

I wrapped myself in the fabric to carefully conceal my skeletal-like appearance before opening the doors and stepping out into the night. The darkness consumed me as I made my way across the gravel road and into the surrounding forest. I could sense the tiny creatures that lived in these woods, hear their wings flapping as they flew high above the night sky. It sure felt good to be alive again.

A boulder provided me with the perfect perch as I sat atop my heels and surveyed the entire land. Transylvania sure had a changed a lot throughout the centuries. Yet all of this, was suddenly new to me. Almost like I was a newborn vampire again. The sound of male laughter caught my attention as my eyes zeroed in on a man and woman enjoying a nice evening stroll through the town center.

I could see the blood flowing through their veins as I licked my fangs in anticipation of that first strike in over two hundred years. My human victims stood at a railing, holding each other in their arms as they slowly began to embrace. Ah. And what a kiss they shared. Pity that it would be their last. I stepped off the boulder and plunged down the side of the mountain, landing softly on the soles of my bare feet to the cobblestone street below.

I stuck to the shadows as I slowly came up behind my prey and like a snake, I struck without even thinking. I took the woman first as I held onto the man's neck, his feet dangling in the air. The instant my fangs pierced her soft, creamy skin, my body exploded with immense power as I drank eagerly. Her heart surged in her chest as her young body fought to survive. It took less than a minute. And as she took her final breath, her heart stopped and all the life that was once in her had finally been extinguished.

Her body fell over the side of the railing as it sank beneath the darkened stream. Then I turned to face the young man. I stared into his eyes and I saw the horror that resided within him. He was scared to death. As he should be. His hands grabbed my wrist as he tried to wrestle himself free, but I wouldn't let him. I was still too hungry to let him go. I lowered him down gently so we could see eye to eye as I brushed back the curtain that concealed my face.

"Doamne Dumnezeu! Ce esti tu?!"

"Dracula."

I ran my long bony hand along the front of his shirt, pressing deep into the fabric, and breaking the skin as I wrapped my fingers around his beating heart. His eyes widened as I felt his heart pound against the palm of my hand and with a pull, I yanked it from his chest as I sent him falling after his lover. Parting my lips, I brought the dead man's heart to my fangs and sucked it. Sucked the heart like fruit as very vessel and chamber quickly withered up like sour grapes. Then I tossed it over my shoulder as I felt the blood course through my veins, revitalizing my skin in the process.

I felt more powerful than I ever did before. My eye sight was sharper. My hearing more acute. I flexed my fingers as I stretched out my arms and was amazed at how quickly my body reacted to itself. I looked up at the night sky once more and could see the moon as if it were floating right in front of me. Then I draped the curtain across my shoulders and headed into town as I passed by a crowded establishment

Myacute sense of smell overwhelmed me as I smelled Nathan coming from thebuilding next to me. I had to see him again, just this once. It had been toolong since we last spoke. Last time we did he was but a boy, a toddler at most.I opened the door and made my way through the drunken crowd as I sat down at a littlecorner booth. Now I waited. For however, long it took until I saw him.

Author's Note: Chapter six is finally here! Woohoo! Hoped you guys enjoyed Dracula's POV. More to come soon. :D