10 Minute Tales, Part 2

Sep 3 - Erised, Pt. 2

He had waited for days. Weeks, even. He had felt centuries pass as though they were single days, but these weeks dragged on. Was this how mortals felt?

"Has there been any reply this evening?" he asked her, pacing around in his hall.

"No, my lord, there has not." she reported sadly. "Pardon my insistence, but is this evening your evening to feed?"

"Yes, I'm aware." he sighed with a reluctant nod. "I had hoped to avoid it in light of the letter."

"A very noble hope, my lord." she bowed in appreciation. "However, I must confess, I have been feeling the... hunger."

"You as well?" he sighed. "Come, then, let us see if there are any volunteers."

"As you wish, my lord." she curtsied. They left the grand hall together, descending the huge staircase to enter the main lobby. To his relief, there were two young girls, each smitten by his charms and handsome form. He smiled with a forlorn expression; these ladies had likely fled their former homes.

"Good evening, ladies." he greeted them. "What brings you to my manor tonight?"

"W-we have heard of your plight, my lord." the first greeted. "I... I have come to offer my services." she adjusted her frock nervously, glancing at the tiled floor.

"I just need a job." the other huffed, folding her arms. She kept glancing to him, though. "Thought a house this big would need somebody."

"What are your names?" he asked with a patient smile. His hunger was growing... for now, he retained control, but how long would that last?

"My name... my name is Elizabeth, my lord." the first greeted, curtsying politely.

"I'm Amber." the second greeted, relaxing her arms again. "Farmhand, and bored out of my mind with it."

"Charmed to meet you both." he bowed briefly.

"N-no more so than us, my lord." Elizabeth giggled quietly with the hint of a blush. Amber just tutted, but she couldn't help but blush a little too.

"Pardon my interruption." the maid stepped in. "Are you both aware of what servitude to my lord entails?"

"It means... we would have to leave our families, yes?"

"I am the only survivor of my bloodline." she went on to explain. "Once you have accepted the lord's bite - or, indeed, my own - you will spend the remainder of your unholy lives in his servitude. Your family, your people will despise you. They do not understand."

"Yeah, yeah, dark powers, everyone hates us, got it." Amber shrugged. Alexander chuckled slightly at this.

"At least you are optimistic about this. Are you both willing to undergo this change? Are you willing to spend the rest of my days in my servitude, with an appetite that cannot be sated by mortal means?"

"I am." Elizabeth nodded, her shyness replaced by a quiet determination.

"Yup." Amber nodded in agreement.

"Very well. Felicia, you may turn miss Amber."

"Yes, sir. If you would come this way, miss Amber?"

"Oh, come on, she gets the bite from you? Why don't I?"

"It is simply a matter of convenience." Felicia explained. "If I am to turn you, you would still acquire the power of my lord."

"Right." Amber grumbled, folding her arms as she followed Felicia into a sideroom. Elizabeth nervously approached Alexander, blushing and smiling - but unable to lift her head to meet his gaze. He smiled and rested a gentle hand on her chin, guiding her to his eyes.

"Are you ready, my dear?"

"As... as ready as I can be, my lord."

"Then look to the side." he licked his lips and opened his mouth. His fangs lengthened...