The Curse of The Vampire

New Orleans- 1743

New Orleans. The one place everyone flocked to. It was and still is the epicenter of magic. My father took me there when I was a girl and I returned there as a woman shortly after he passed away. I had just turn 19 and the city was alive. My Uncle and cousin were to accompany me to q ball that evening. To say I was excited would be an understatement. Sometimes I wish I hadn't gone to that ball because that night changed my entire life.

When we arrived the ball was already in full swing. The laughter, voices and music filled the air. I was instantly in love with the atmosphere around me. My Uncle instructed me to stay by his side at all times. I knew he cared for me, but he wasn't allowing me the freedom I craved. So when he was caught in a conversation with one of the many men here I wandered off. I wish I had stayed by his side as that was the last time I saw him.

I was so curious about the party and the people there. My eyes feel on a man who didn't seem to fit into the crowd of dancing, laughing aristocrats. He was tall, towering over the men around him, he had dark brown almost black hair, he obviously had muscles as you could see them outlined in his shirt. He looked directly at me, our eyes met and I gasped  his eyes were a deep green, like the leaves of the forest. He excused himself and made is way towards me.

I panicked and made my way into the closest room. Making sure the door was closed me I studied the room. It appeared to be a music room of some sort. There was a piano that had a thin layer of dust in the corner. I had to touch it, to feel the smooth wood and touch the beautiful keys.

I had learned to play when I was a young girl. My mother had taught me from the time I could read and in no time I was as good as her. When she passed I was only 11. It was devasting for my father and me we had lost a large piece of ourselves. So we bonded over the one thing mother loved, music. I'd play and daddy would sing along. I miss that time with my father.

"Do you play?" A deep smooth voiced asked. I spun around to find the man I was hiding from standing at the door.  Being in a room alone with him scared, yet excited me.

"I've played since in was a small girl. My mother taught me." I look back at the piano longing to hear the sounds of my childhood.

"Do you mind playing me a song? I haven't had anyone play for me in years." He moved closer, within arms reach of me. A blush colors my cheeks as I take a seat at the piano, staring at the keys.

"Any requests?" I question, looking up to find that he had moved to the side of the piano looking down at me. He shakes his head no. I close my eyes letting my fingers glide across the keys. The notes forming a peaceful melody that fills the room with beautiful music. As the song came to an end I blinked my eyes open to see the man leaning against the piano with his eyes closed.

"That was beautiful my dear. May I ask you a question?" His striking green eyes open and focus on me.

"Of course." I found it refreshing speaking with a strange man. The fear I had first felt had melted into comfort.

"Have you ever imagined living forever?" He moved with grace to the couch against the wall patiently waiting for me to answer him.

"Haven't we all? I mean to live forever watching the world grow and flourish. It would be beautiful, yet I imagine that it's also lonely. Not having a companion. Why do you ask?" I love to take a seat along with the man.

"It is extremely lonely spending year after year alone watching the world move on without you. I always thought that my immortality was a gift, but it turned out to be a curse more than anything." As he was speaking he moved closer to me studying my face. He brushed the piece of hair, that had fallen from my braid, out of my face. "Forever will look lovely on you."

"I'm afraid that I don't have forever, sir. I'm simply human." I smile and move to stand. His hand quickly moves to hold me in place. It was then that his eyes changed from the forest green to a bright golden color and fangs appeared. I was so terrified I couldn't scream. I just sat there in shock watching the man turn into a monster.

"Don't fear me my beautiful human. I promise this won't hurt for long." He grabbed me by my hair and sank his fangs into my neck. A scream escaped my mouth before black dots started to form in my vision. I felt something pressed to my lips. "Drink up dear. I don't want you to die." I started to drink the taste was sweet yet bitter like wine. I was greedily drinking the liquid. He pulled it away and I fell into unconsciousness.