Vampire - Chapter Six, and A Visit to the Dentist ARGHH

Hi and welcome,

Yet another weeks passed, and it's not been a great one for me. Mostly due to the fact that I've had toothache all week and I had my tooth extracted on Thursday. Now I don't think I'm a wimp as a rule, but when it comes down to a visit to the dentist, well, lets just say I don't like it - not at all. So the truth is that I've spent half of the week worrying about going to the dental clinic and suffering from terrible pain due to the toothache; and the other half of the week recovering from the visit to the said dentist. All of this resulted in me not being able to write very much, which if you're a writer, you'll know that there is nothing that is more frustrating than wanting to write and not being able to. Especially as I am currently writing three books (a bit excessive I know). Oh well, I'm sure next week will be a lot more productive (I'm hoping). I'll let you know how I get on next week :-) and I'll leave you with this thought.

Do not put off till tomorrow that which you can do today, (this is the part I have added). Especially when it comes to the dentist, because if  you wasn't such a wimp and had booked an appointment weeks ago, you would have saved yourself so much time and pain - needless to say - you are a fool.

Okay, well here is the sixth chapter of Vampire - In the Beginning.

Until next time,

Charmain x

Chapter Six

I watch the group of vampires from where I stand by the fireside. On the surface, the vampires look to be like any other gathering of people, but it is only if you watch them intently, as I do, that you start to notice the differences.

They laugh and joke, but their poise suggests they are alert to every noise and movement, they remind me of predators ready to pounce. Every one of them, including the women, exudes arrogance, I assume because they know that they are so powerful, and this unleashed power crackles in the air. They all move with elegance, none being overweight or fat and each of them glows with health and vitality. I am sure that if one searched the length and breadth of England, one would not encounter, anywhere, such a beautiful group of people. 

Of course, the fact that they are all so young seems strange, but then they are all immortal, and this is the reason why their youth is so apparent. Suddenly I feel sick at the thought; these animals are able to keep their youth at the decadent expense of human life. My disgust manifests into vomit rising up into my throat, and I fall back into a fireside chair, which enables me to swallow down the proof of my disgust without alerting the room full of vampires of my true feelings.

"Are you feeling unwell, my dear?" I turn, shocked, towards a familiar voice.

"James!" I gasp, "You startled me," and then so that I do not alert him to the way I am feeling, I say in a disinterested voice, "I'm very well, thank you."

His laughter echoes around the hall and several pairs of eyes turn to look in our direction. "Well you're looking very white, my dear, would it be something to be with the smell of the wine that we so lovingly drink?" James lowers the tankard from which he is drinking to just below my chin, and swirls the contents around.

The metallic smell of blood attacks me, instantly reminding me of the smell from inside of the barn the night before, and the image of Tom hanging, dripping blood from the rafters, comes unbidden and blurs my vision. I had thought they were drinking wine from the tankards but they were in fact drinking blood! 

My cheeks become moist with tears I cannot stop from falling, and I stumble up onto my feet and say, "I need to lie down...excuse me...but..." I hear James laugh once again, but I do not turn around or respond in any way. 

I stumble through the crowd of vampires. Their laughter, their faces, and the smell of blood seem to mingle; disgust overwhelms me, making me feel faint and disorientated. Finally, I find Robert and Matilda. Ignoring Matilda's angry glare, I run to Robert and gasp, "Please, please, I need to retire, I need...I need…." And then I faint in his arms.

I don’t know how long I was unconscious, but I awake to find myself on a red velvet-covered bed surrounded by heavy red velvet drapes. Lifting myself up onto one elbow, I immediately notice that my clothes are gone, and I have been re-dressed in a white cotton nightgown. I look around the room, it is large and richly decorated in the same red colours as the bed hangings, and several pieces of dark and gleaming furniture grace the room.

Once again, I find myself overwhelmed by the luxury surrounding me, and I wonder if there will ever come a time when I feel comfortable and at ease with all the grandeur that surround the vampires.

"I'm pleased to see that you are awake, are you feeling better?" Robert's soft voice whispers from behind the drapes.

"Yes...Sorry...I...I felt."

"I know how you felt, and I have punished James for the way he treated you." His voice vibrates with repressed anger.

I shudder at the thought of what type of punishment could possibly hurt a vampire, and decide it is something I really did not want to imagine.

"You will become accustomed to our ways, Gwen, and one day you may wish to join us...but not yet...not until my son is born."

"I don’t understand?” I say “Why not yet?"

 Robert sighs, and materializes from his hiding place behind the curtain, sitting down on the bed.

"Vampires are unable to reproduce. If you were to be made a vampire before the child was born then he would die or be born a vampire, in that case he would never grow any older than the day he was born...meaning he would remain a newborn for all time."

I look up into his eyes and see sadness burning deep in their depths.

"So you will never father a child...not ever?" I ask.

"No, not actually father a son, but he can share mine and Matilda's blood."

The way in which he says those last few words causes my heart to flutter in panic, what does he mean by 'he can share mine and Matilda's blood'?

"But how is that possible?" I whisper.

"Please don’t look at me like that, Gwen....I have no wish to frighten or harm you...and as I have told you many times you have no need to fear anyone under my roof."

"Matilda would like to harm me." I declare. Once again Robert chuckles, and he says, "You're very observant and you will become a very strong vampire.....Matilda is jealous because she cannot provide me with children, and she detests anything that draws my attention from her.....but she will not harm you, she knows that my anger would be substantial...she wouldn’t wish that."

I contemplate his words for a moment and then say, "So how does my son share your blood?"

"You will be required to drink a thimbleful each of mine and Matilda's blood every day." I start to protest, but Robert holds up his hand, and continues, "Our son will then share our blood with you. Our blood will also keep you healthy and you will not suffer normal childbearing maladies, like um, well like fainting." He pauses, amusement at his joke playing softly around his mouth.

 

"But that's disgusting!" I bark, "I'm not a vampire and cannot be expected to drink blood!"

"You will, Gwen!" Robert shouts in instant terrifying anger, "It is part of the deal.....My blood heals, it will keep my son and you safe, and at the same time our blood will flow into our son’s veins.....there's no choice, this will happen. My son will be fed on our blood every day until he is of age...and he will grow strong and true...this is how it is...you will accept this fact."

I open my mouth to protest once again, but the sound of Matilda's clipped and sarcastic voice as she enters the room stops me.

"Is she ready for the blood?" she says, making her way quickly to my bedside.  Without so much as a glance in my direction, she picks up a tankard from the small table beside my bed, bites into her wrist, and holds her wrist over the tankard, letting her blood flow freely into the container. Robert walks to her side and does the same. When he is satisfied that there is enough blood in the tankard, he says, "I will leave you to deal with this, Matilda." He then turns away from us, and walks from the room without once looking in my direction.

I am still staring towards the door as Matilda grabs the back of my head, places the tankard to my lips, and whispers in my ear, "Drink my sweet Gwendolyn....drink, otherwise I will take the greatest delight in killing you myself." Of course, with no other option open to me - I drink. 

Vampire - In the Beginning - Chapter 5

Hi and welcome,

Well it's Sunday again, and I cannot believe this is my fifth week of posting the chapters of Vampire - In the Beginning. I've noticed that time seems to move so quickly, and for me, even more so since I turned 40. It seems as if a simple click of the fingers as passed and suddenly now I'm 43. However, it also makes me realise that life comes and goes so quickly. And just maybe we should not wait until tomorrow to do all of the things we want to do. So, the old saying, 'Don't put off till tomorrow, what you can do today', comes to mind, and this is my thought, and dare I say it, my advice for this week. Love, laugh, have fun, follow your dreams and live your life to the fullest. You only have one life - so make sure you live it :-)

Till next week ta ra,

Charmain x

Chapter Five

We set out early the next morning, and again I climbed up behind Robert, immediately setting off at a breakneck speed towards London.

In the cold light of day, Robert looked even more intimidating and handsome than ever, he was like a man mountain, being so tall and broad, and there was not an ounce of spare fat on his huge frame. His eyes shone like polished black coal, ringed by very long black lashes, and his skin was swarthy, shining with perfect health. His perfect features look like they have been sculpted by an artist, and above all else he exuded enormous power.  I contemplate his looks and manner as I cling to his broad back. I know that in other circumstances I would have been very attracted to him, and suddenly the realization of what I am thinking hits me and I feel self-loathing and self-disgust! I am ashamed that I could even think about finding this man attractive, how was it possible, after I had witnessed the destruction he and James had wrought on Tom and his family in the farmhouse? 

Suddenly Tom's sweet face drifts into my mind and I feel the evil pain of loss rise up and sting my eyes with bitter tears. Toms face suddenly changes, instead of his soft loving smile, I see his tongue protruding from his mouth, his throat dripping globules of thick blood, and his innards lying discarded at his feet. Guilt causes my whole body to shiver, for am I not clinging to the man who discarded Tom’s life - just as a child discards a toy! How could I? Maybe I should have consented to die, for not only did I betray my sweet Tom by not dying at his side, but I also betray him by promising his son to the very man that killed him.  What type of woman was I?

I was so intent on my thoughts that I had failed to notice that Robert had slowed the horse, or that we now traveled at a slow leisurely walk.

"You must push it from your mind, Gwen." I jumped at the sound of his voice.

"How do you know what I’m thinking...how?" I ask in bewilderment.

"Oh, Gwen, I may not be human, but I understand what it is to love. I feel you cling onto me in pain, and I hear your sobs close to my ear. It does not take a genius to work out why you cry, and I can tell you that guilt will destroy you, if you allow it to!”  Although I could not see his face, I heard the compassion in his voice, and was once again confused by the emotions this man seemed to awake in me.

“If you need someone to blame... Then you must blame me! For I am the one that took his life...you simply made a choice, a choice that most would have made...you have nothing to feel guilty about! Ask yourself if Tom would have made the same decision...and I think you'll find that your heart will tell you that he would have decided to survive." My tears began to subside, and I would be lying if I denied that Robert’s words were a comfort to me, because deep down I knew that he was right. Tom would have made a similar choice, but knowing this still did not eradicate the guilt or the image of him hanging from the rafters with his guts spilling out.

"Sometimes we make choices that we subsequently find difficult to live with, you will live with your decision, Gwen, but it will not be easy."

Anger rose up inside my body like an inferno of flames. "HOW WOULD YOU KNOW?" I scream at him. The stallion plunged forwards in fear and shock, almost unseating me, but again I shout, "YOU, WHO NEVER FELT PAIN OR GUILT... TELL ME HOW WOULD YOU KNOW?"

"Oh I know of the deepest betrayal.” He paused, and then continued, “and I suffer the guilt of it every day, and will do so forever." His words hissed in an anguished whisper.

I wanted to ask why he would say such a thing. However, the bunching of his back muscles and the tone of his voice made it quite clear that it was a question which would anger him greatly, and so I remained silent, and instead looked down over the countryside.

  I notice the spire of St Paul's standing proud in the distance, indicating that we are at last nearing the bustle of London. Closer to us I notice a sprawling stone manor house, majestic and visible through the trees, and it’s to this house that Robert points and says, "We near my home, hold on tight." He then kicks the stallion into a gallop, and by doing so, he ends our conversation.

It is about noon when we finally ride into the stable courtyard of the stone house, and now that we have drawn up to the house, it looks to be more of a castle than a manor house. The house was known locally as Vanike Hall, but at this time I did not know of its name, and so thought of it as 'The Castle'. Robert abruptly jumped from the stallion and pulled me down beside him; throwing the reins to a groom, he grabs my hand, and marches me into the house.

The great hall was huge and majestic, adorned by ancient tapestries and ornate warfare objects; it was magnificent. I was, I guess, completely overawed by such wealth, but then again the farmhouse was the largest and grandest house I knew of up until this time in my life.

"Where's Matilda?" Robert bellowed to a passing serving girl.

"She’s on her way, Master," the girl stuttered back. I noticed as she turned away that her neck had two small puncture marks just above the collarbone; and I shuddered in revulsion at the realization that her blood was obviously a meal for one of the vampires living in the castle!

I hear the sound of footsteps behind me and I turn towards the staircase that leads up from the great hall. Several well-dressed men and women, including James, are descending the heavy oak staircase, but none of them speaks, and they all seem to have their eyes fixed firmly on me - suddenly I am very afraid. I am in a room full of violent murderers, all of them quite willing to drain my body of my life’s blood, and I am very scared. What if they suddenly decide that my son isn’t good enough? I start to think in panic! Was I to be their next meal?

"Calm down," Robert says as he reaches my side, "They can hear your heart racing, and it will alert them to your fear of them." I smile a very weak smile, but I am still shaking. I am petrified, but I try not to show it, and thrusting my head and shoulders back, brace myself to meet my fears.

I turn back towards the staircase and my eyes are instantly drawn to a woman far more beautiful and graceful then any of the others walking down the stairs towards us. She is quite simply the most exquisite being I have ever seen. She is tall for a woman - I guess not much shorter then Robert, but it's quite obvious from the way the rich fabric of her perfect gown clings to her body that her figure is not hindered by her height, and she is elegantly slim but curvaceous. Her hair, which is a dark coppery red, falls in soft rippling curls around her face and reaches down to the middle of her back, and her eyes are a dark flashing green, shining with a luminosity of such intensity, that even from across the distance between us, they are mesmerizing. Her skin shines like the palest ivory, and her features are perfectly moulded beauty. I am, I think, considered by many to be fair and pretty, but I cannot compete with this woman, and I feel a stab of envy.

I wait, open-mouthed, as she glides to my side. She stares at me intensely for a few moments and then turns to Robert and says, "So this is our new brood mare, is it?" I recognize scorn, sarcasm and jealousy in her words, and I know with absolute certainty that, contrary to Robert’s assurances, I will not be safe amongst the vampires. I was going to need to be constantly on guard against this woman - this woman who will take my place - this woman who will be the mother to my son!

Here we are again!

Hi and welcome,

Oh my word, I am so tired. Actually I'm tired, cold, I've got toothache, and I'm feeling a little bit miserable, (lol I guess it's just a normal day then). So why am I miserable? Well, of course, the aforementioned toothache isn't helping, but it's just not that - it's more about the fact that we are going to have snow at some point this week. I hate snow with a passion, I'm one of those people that think people who pay to go skiing are completely bonkers, because for me skiing would be my idea of hell on earth. Yes, I know I'm boring (it's been said once or twice), but then I guess that is why I'm a writer :-)

Anyway, enough of my super sunny personality. Here is the fourth chapter of Vampire - In the Beginning.

Hope you enjoy it :-)

Charmain x

Chapter Four

Robert and James join me in the small courtyard a few moments later, and although I hear their approach, I don’t turn around and acknowledge their arrival. Instead, I look towards the dark outline of the farmhouse. The house that sits before me should have been my home forever, but now, because of the two men behind me, I will never set foot on this land again. With this realization comes the sad thought that likewise, I will never lay eyes on my mother, father, or brothers, and in time, although I did not know it then, they will for me become just a vague memory. My life, I think I knew, was to change beyond anything I could ever imagine; but I didn’t cry. I knew that crying would have been a pointless exercise because there was nothing I could do to change my predicament, and so I turn to Robert and James and simply say, “I’m ready.”

A shrill whistle rents the air, and from nowhere a pair of prancing black horses appears. I am somewhat startled by their appearance, and I guess the shock shows on my face, because Robert says, "Contrary to common belief we cannot change our appearance into different types of animals...we travel like humans on horseback...although we do hold power over all animals, including humans.. We are their master."

I can think of nothing to say in response to his words and simply bow my head in acceptance of his bold and commanding statement, a statement I do not doubt is true. Both men jump onto the backs of the prancing animals and Robert holds out his hand to me. "Come, Gwen," he says, "we must leave," then grabbing my outstretched hand he pulls me up behind him and we are instantly on our way.

I had never up until this time traveled on horses such as these, having only ever ridden the small ponies on the farm, these animal in comparison seemed to almost fly through the air, and such was their speed that I clung to Robert in order to remain seated. My eyes watered from the icy winds and so I pushed my head into Robert’s back, my hands grew numb from the cold and I clenched them painfully so that I did not lose grip and fall.

On and on we rode, I clung on in fear for my life, afraid to loosen my grip, growing tired, and very weary. Vampires, I was to discover later, are extremely strong, with their stamina knowing no bounds. I, however, was at this time only human, pregnant, and fast becoming exhausted by the attacking speed of the journey. Robert, whom unbeknown to me was able to sense every beat of my heart and any weakness in my body, realised the journey, combined with the bloody scene I had witnessed at the farm, was fast getting the better of my body and mind, and motioned James to stop at the next inn.

When we finally found an inn, Robert pulled my exhausted body into his arms and carried me inside, his shouts of 'Innkeeper...where are you, man?" echoing angrily as we entered the small but comfortable warm rooms of the establishment.

The innkeeper, a short, fat man of about fifty years old, scurried to our side. He obviously recognized that Robert was of noble birth and his humble attitude attributed to this fact.

"Yes, sir," he said bowing low, "I am at your service, sir."

"Is that so, man?" Robert bellowed, "Well in that case we would like your best room, and my wife will have a tankard of your finest mead, and some food sent up to the room."

The man glanced in my direction in a somewhat startled manner. I, unlike Robert, was not dressed in fine clothes, but instead dressed in the clothes of a poor maiden.

"Do you understand that order, man?" Robert asked the innkeeper in a slightly threatening but sarcastic voice.

"Yes, yes of course, sir...Follow me, sir."

The innkeeper led us to a small but comfortable room, and stayed just inside the door whilst Robert placed me on the bed. He then turned back towards the innkeeper and said, "I take it you don’t understand the order, then?" His stance was aggressive and irritated.

"Yes, sir of course, sir," the innkeeper stuttered.

"Well set to it then, man, before you feel the weight of my hand!"

"Will you be sleeping here?" I ask as I watch the petrified innkeeper scurrying away. I hear a quiver in my voice, and I know that my voice betrays my fear. Robert must have heard it too, because he says softly, "I have told you there is no need to fear me, Gwen, you are quite safe."

"That may be so...but I do not wish for you to sleep here!" I say in a frightened whisper.

"I cannot trust you yet...you have had an eventful day...and I cannot be sure that you’ll not run...I am sorry but I must stay here with you tonight."

I digest his answer, and then ask, "When we reach your home will you remain at my side?" I notice a slight smile touch his lips and he says, "No, Gwen...you will not be able to escape, so there will be no need."

 "And where will James sleep tonight?"

"He will continue on and inform my wife Matilda of our plans."

I waited for him to add to this information, but he remained silent, and so I fell back on the bed and gloried in the comfort. I normally slept on the floor, and the bed felt warm and luxurious in comparison.

The innkeeper returned shortly afterwards, and although I'd thought earlier that I wouldn't be unable to touch the food that he brought, I found that I was ravenous, and ate the cold roast beef and hard bread quickly. When I was full, I fell back onto the comfort of the bed, and said, "Will you be sleeping on the bed?"

"Yes of course, but like I have already said, you will be safe."

I had already reached the conclusion that I was safe, and so ignoring his words, said instead, "How long have you been a vampire?"

"For a very long time, enough questions now...it’s time for you to rest."

I turn onto my side and stare at the dark wall of the room. A few moments later Robert climbs into the bed beside me and I am somewhat shocked to discover that I am neither afraid nor feel uncomfortable about the fact that I am sleeping next to him. For some reason I cannot connect the man lying next to me with the man who had committed the disgusting murders at the farmhouse, for all I can see in him is kindness.

I surprise myself by saying, "Why did you kill them? You had no need to kill them!"

Robert doesn’t answer for a quite a while, and although I cannot see his face due to the darkness, I imagine his face is serious, contemplating his answer. I believe he found it difficult to explain to me why he had stolen the lives of my loved ones, for after a long drawn-out sigh he simply says, "You will understand one day,” and then, “You must sleep now, we have a long ride in the morning.”

I must have fallen to sleep after this, for all I remember from that moment on is the darkness that comes from a deep and peaceful sleep.

I Love Announcing A New Release :-)

Hi and welcome,

Thought I'd just let you all know that my new novella series, The Diary of Emily Jenkins, is now out on kindle.

It will be free from January 20th - 25th 2016 on kindle, follow the links for your free copy :-)

UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01ANXHWGS

US: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ANXHWGS

Hope you enjoy it :-) Oh and not forgetting I'll be back on Sunday with my normal blog post and the next chapter in, Vampire - In the Beginning.

Charmain x

Vampire - In the Beginning - Chapter 3

Hi and welcome,

Well we've come to that day of the week when I write my blog and share with you the next chapter in, Vampire - In the Beginning. I've also started a serial of Vampire on youtube and I'd love it if you some of you would check it out, and maybe let me know what you think and if you could share it - well, I would be so thankful :-)

So, I've been very busy this week making the youtube video, and I have also started writing a new fortnightly serial I will be releasing next week. This serial is a little bit different, in that it doesn't have any supernatural elements, but instead focuses on murder and the life of a profiler who helps capture murderers. I'll also be starting the next Mary Howard, book soon, so it looks like I'm going to be a busy bee for a little while. Albeit, that is the way I like it, although if the rain would just stop, life might well be perfect (who am I kidding, I never won the 57 million lotto).

Okay, well here is the youtube link for the first audio version of chapter one of,Vampire - In the Beginning, and below is the third chapter from the same book. Thanks for dropping by - chat soon.

Charmain x


Youtube link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcR3XnP56f0

Chapter Three

I awake to find myself in the barn. Sitting up, I look blankly around the cold, black space, but I don’t need to wait for my eyes to adjust to the dark to know that more death and destruction grimly awaits me. The strong metallic smell of blood already assaults my senses, and knowing that my worst fears are going to be realised, I lift my head and search for Tom, hoping against all hope that he still survives.

It doesn’t really surprise me when after my eyes grow accustomed to the dark, I see Tom and Joe’s lifeless bodies hanging from the rafters. Their abdomens gaping wide open, their entrails lay sprawled in a bloodied tangled mess at their feet, and their throats had been sliced open, causing the dripping congealing blood to cling in thick globules to their torsos.

Bile rises up from my already empty stomach to scald and burn my throat. I fall onto my side on the dirt floor of the barn, and curl into the fetal position in order to wait for the torture that I now know will be my final fate.

“Oh dear, I’m sure there’s no need to make such a fuss?” The clear clipped tones of an aristocratic man vibrate through the barn, and I instantly recognise it as belonging to one of the men from the kitchen. Scrabbling in a panicked rush up onto my feet, I shout in anger, “WHO ARE YOU?  WHY DID YOU DO THIS?”

The man steps forward and for the first time I can see him clearly. He is of broad but slim stature, and his movements flow with elegance. The second man is larger and remains behind the first man, I cannot see his face, but I can see from his outline that his head is to one side, in a way that suggests that he was deeply contemplating a thought.

“My name is James Middleton, my lady,” the first man says with mocking amusement, “and in answer to your question, my lady, why should I not do this?” He indicated behind him to where Tom and Joe hung, an evil smile twisting his arrogant, handsome face.

“HOW COULD YOU SAY SUCH A THING?” I scream at him like a banshee.

The man chuckles again. Vulgarity and arrogance radiate from him as he steps closer towards me.

“Well, I’ll say this for you, my pretty, you show more fight than the snivelling fools over there.” He then moves even closer, and says with cruel amusement, “I can say such a thing…because of this, my sweet.”

His face changes beyond all recognition, resembling a face which I can only describe as devil-like. His eyes turn opaque, his teeth grow to resemble those of a vicious snarling dog, and his face turns into that of an evil rabid monster! Before me, I suddenly realise, are men who feed off human blood and suffering, and although I had heard tell of such monsters, I had never before, up until this moment, given these tales much thought, believing them to be the imaginings of poor confused minds.

“You don’t tremble at the sight of me, girl?” he asks me in a questioning and slightly confused tone.

“Why should I tremble, sir?” I reply in a sarcastic tone, and raise my head higher.

“If I cower or not…There is no doubt that you are going to kill me. What is the point of me crying over what will be anyway? Do what you must, but you’ll not see me tremble, for I feel that it would please you, sir, and it is not my intention or wish to please you!”

He throws his head back and laughs heartily, “Well then, I guess it will pain you to know that you do please me, girl, I just love the hunt…and I think you’ll be a good catch!”

For all of my brave talk, I am very afraid. Especially when he grabs me, and I see that his mouth is opening up wide, and his strong white teeth are growing in preparation for the bite into my flesh.

“STOP!” The man in the shadows shouts, stepping forward.

“Robert? What ails you?” the one who introduced himself as James says, his face instantly returning to its human form.

“Step away from her, James, NOW!”

James releases me from his grasp, and it is in that instant that I realise that the larger man, whose name I now know is Robert, is the leader, and I can see that James is very afraid to anger him. Robert steps towards me and for the first time I see his face. It has the look of an eagle, predatory and commanding, his eyes are dark and brooding, his body well-muscled and strong, and his overall appearance brooked no doubt he was a man to be obeyed.

“Come here, girl,” he said in a soft but commanding voice. I remember trying to fight his command and wanting to run in the opposite direction. I was therefore amazed that, instead of running, I found myself walking towards him.

“Don’t be afraid of me, girl, I’ll not harm you,” he said staring down into my eyes with a hypnotic gaze. I should have been petrified; after all, I had seen the murderous scenes inside the farmhouse and barn - but I’m not afraid, and instead I feel calm and at peace. Robert places his hand gently on my stomach and closes his eyes. When he opens them again his stare is intense, and a fiery red line outlines his pupils, but his stance becomes softer.

“You’re expecting a child?” he asks me softly.

“Yes I am,” I state in a matter of fact tone. “I don’t know for how long, though. I fear that the shock of this day will cause my body to miscarry.”

His eyes probe deeply into mine, once again predatory, the effect causing me to drop my head in fear.

“What’s your name?” he asks softly. Placing his hand under my chin, he tips my head back, so that once again I am looking up into his eyes.

“My name is Gwendolyn…..but people call me Gwen.” A smile touches his lips, and he says, “You’ll not lose the child, Gwen. You’re carrying a strong and healthy boy, and he will have your spirit and strength of mind and his father’s strength of body. This boy will be a prince among men and will achieve all his heart desires.” Robert pauses, his eyes glow with something akin to sadness.

When he continues, his voice is low and I strain to hear his words. “I will make a deal with you, Gwen, I want a child of my own…a son…but…circumstances beyond my control dictate that I will never produce one.” Anger momentarily flares up in his eyes and I fleetingly see the fierceness of his true personality. He drops his head, and I notice that he is visibly trying to regain the control of his emotions. When he lifts his head, his face is once more a mask.

“I will allow you and your child to live. You’ll live in luxury, and will want for nothing, but your son will be my son, and my wife will be his mother.” He pauses to allow what he has said to me to sink in. He then continues, “I’ll give you the gift of everlasting life, and my son, when he is a man, will be my heir and a prince among vampires…If you decide that you cannot do this, then I’ll kill and feed from you today, Gwen…It is your choice.”

Dread crept like a disease through my body. I could live like a monster and condemn my son to a life of depravity, or I could allow us both to die and my son would never know the light of day or the sweet intoxicating beauty of life.

“When will my son become a vampire?” I ask him, and then continue, “When will I become a vampire?”

“It will be your choice when or if you do, but I give you my word that you’ll not die at my or any other vampire hand. My son, if he is to be my son, will become a vampire on the eve of his eighteenth birthday.”

Did I have a choice? How did anyone stare death in the eye and calmly say ‘take me’, how could I do that? Worse still, was the fact that I would also need to stare my son’s death in the eye. I would die knowing that I consented to and condoned the end of his life!

A thought suddenly occurred to me and looking Robert straight in the eye, I voiced it. “What will happen if my son chooses not to embrace the life of a vampire? What would happen if he chose to remain human?”

“You are intelligent, I like that,” he said, and then continued, “If he chooses not to embrace his destined life it will be his choice.” I open my mouth ready to speak, but he interrupts me by holding his hand up, he then continues. “He will not be harmed if he decides to make the decision to remain human, but I warn you, Gwen, I sense that it is his destiny. I feel his strength and I think he will make the decision to become a vampire.”

I did not need to hear anymore, my son will live for eighteen years as a human, he will be able to remain this way if he so chooses, and I will do everything in my power to ensure that he doesn’t become a vampire. I know which of the choices I will make; I know I have no other choice!

“I accept your deal, Robert,” I simply state. I then turn and walk in the opposite direction, away from him, the barn, Tom’s hanging body, and away from the life I have always lived and would never know again.