Für Sarah

Seduction

"Where are we going?"

Alfred was not afraid of the beautiful man who held his hand tightly, guiding him through dark corridors. Mirrors with frames of dusty golden leaves and roses covered the walls. Some where broken and the further they got away from that odious chamber the more the mirrors looked to be untouched for hundreds of years.

"I am taking you to my chamber," replied his seducer in a sing-song voice. It floated above the room and echoed throughout the dark floorboards. Black lace curtains hung thick over what Alfred's guessed to be a window or a balcony.

   "Why?" He asked after a moment. Their fingers were still intertwined and Herbert's hand was ice against his own.

  Herbert didn't answer at first. "Because you are handsome, Alfred. And I want to get to know you."

  "You mean you wish to drink my blood."

  Herbert pivoted sharply, "What do you know about us?"

  Alfred swallowed, but the fear did not come. "You are a vampire. Will you drink my blood?"

  Herbert smiled, his perfectly soft lips curling to the side as his pink tongue- a contrast to his snow white skin- traced his bottom lip. "Will you let me?"

  "Will it hurt?" Still he was unafraid! It was if the emotion itself was stripped from Alfred and he knew not now the sensation.

  "Yes. Does that frighten you?" Herbert just have seen the look on his face, for the beautiful creature's smile spread. "Wonderful. I cannot have you afraid of me. I will make this delightful for you as well, my pet."

  "Delightful?" Alfred asked, as they resumed their walking pace once more. His mind was whipping wildly. He was holding the hand of a... Vampire! Herbert was going to bite his flesh and drink his blood. What could be more horrid and vulgar and terrifying-

Yet he was almost excited.

"Yes..." The Vampire purred. "Delightful."

And Alfred nearly ran into the ebony set of double doors which loomed above him. Carvings of knights and princesses and kings were etched in each one, and Herbert turned the sliver Handle, guiding Alfred inside.

The chamber was extraordinary.

A blazing fire crackled inside of the grandest fireplace he had ever seen. It was white stone with similar carvings to that on the doors. Another set of matching doors were on the right side of the fireplace, leading to an unknown room. The floor boards were ink and the heavy lace curtains were ebony. His blue eyes trailed up to see a large Victorian bed. The sheets were black, too. Lace and satin. Silks.

   "Are you frightened now?" Herbert whispered in his ear.

  "I want to be," Alfred answered, licking his dried lips. "But I am not."

  Herbert shut the door behind them before guiding Alfred further into the room, in front of the fire.

  His electrifying green eyes traced the length of Alfred's small body and suddenly he was ashamed. Ashamed he was not beautiful like Herbert.

  Herbert was beautiful.

  His platinum blonde hair was wild around his face, but elegant all the same. Sharp features, tall, and graceful as a Prima Ballerina.

Herbert's head cocked to the side. "Let me undress you."

Alfred's cheeks burned as he gasped. "What?!"

Herbert laughed, melodious and gentle. "Not all the way, my love."

"Oh—" Alfred wasn't sure if that was at all reassuring.