Muffled footsteps echoed down the corridor as Esmond and Violet walked the carpeted runway. Doors lined the left side and on the right were floor length windows that peered out to a lush green scenery. It was obvious Violet wasn't in London anymore.
"I'm sure you have many questions, and there will be plenty of time to answer them. But for now, let us get you the necessities: a bath, clean clothing, and food." Esmond's voice was deep and soothing, easing away the anxiety that had been rippling through Violet since their conversation in the kitchen. He was an enigma (and a bit cracked), but deep down Violet knew he wouldn't harm her. Shocking. Since she was someone who was overly cautious and tended to isolate herself.
Gazing forward she observed his tall form. He had broad shoulders but he didn't seem overly muscular or buff like the meatheads she knew at college. It was slender yet toned. Suddenly Violet felt like an ugly dwarf in the midst of Prince Charming.
"Inside you'll find everything you need. I'll be in the Library down the hall." Esmond had stopped moving and stood beside an open doorway watching Violet with his usual pensive gaze. Stepping in Violet found the interior to be as magnificent as the room she had woken in. The wardrobe doors were open and inside hung a variety of women's clothing. A room she imagined to be the bathroom, was open with the light on and she peered inside. Jaw dropped at the sight of a claw footed bathtub seated in a sea of glistening white tiles and below a radiant chandelier.
Violet turned around, curious about the new room and wardrobe full of clothing, but found that Esmond had already left. 'Quite the chatterbox.' She thought to herself as she fingered through the clothes hanging before her. They were absolutely beautiful. High quality cloth and a vibrant array of colors, none of which Violet personally liked wearing. Grey was by far her favorite color and she glanced down to observe her own clothes, remembering the grey top and jeans she had worn when going out. Embarrassment flushed through her cheeks.
Her mental state after waking had been so erratic, she never even realized how much her bra and skin had been showing through the ripped shirt. Burning in shame she dropped in a squatted position rubbing and pinching her brow with her hands. Violet was beginning to allow a sliver of respect form for Esmond. During the entirety of their conversations, not once did she feel him staring at anything other than her face. A soft embarrassed chuckle escaped her lips before she sighed. Her ankle began to throb causing her to rise and make her way towards the bathroom.
"Bath, clothing, and food, right?" Violet recalled while turning on the water. "I'll finish this quickly and go find him. What I wouldn't do for a burger and fries right about now!"
-
Violet's petite form appeared in the doorway of the Library. Esmond was sitting across the room in a leather armchair, his back to the window, the sun glistening in and framing his head like a halo. His eyes fluttered upward noticing Violet's arrival. Her skin was slightly flushed and hair washed, damply hanging around her shoulders. She had dressed herself in one of the more muted options he provided – a casual short sleeved dress that was gathered at the waste to flow down past her knees. The open v-neck revealed her pale skin, prominent collarbones, and few sporadically placed freckles. The pale sage complimented her auburn hair well.
Esmond motioned towards a low table a few feet away near a french country sofa, which was elegantly wrapped in a cream floral pattern. Violet followed his gesture and saw a plate with sandwiches. Succumbing to her hunger she sat swiftly upon the cushions and devoured them with gratitude.
Esmond didn't watch. His eyes had rediscovered the book in his hand, his long fingers elegantly flipping each page. While Violet nibbled away at the sandwich, she surveyed her surroundings to find walls overflowing with books. They were well worn with little dust, giving her a tiny glance into Esmond's lifestyle.
"May I?" Violet asked after finishing, feeling the need to make conversation and ease her way into discussing the more important topics. Esmond didn't glance upward, only nodded as if he knew exactly what she meant. But it was of no matter, Violet jumped at the chance to look through such a magnificent collection.
Books had always been her oasis as a child. She often submerged herself into the yellowed pages and inked text to escape from the real world. A world full of arguing parents, abusive fathers, and abandoning mothers. How many times had Violet read and reread "The Little Princess," as a child. Wishing her life too would do an one-eighty from misfortune.
A book title caught her eye and Violet chuckled to herself, pulling it gently from the shelf, so as not to create an avalanche, and making her way back to the antique sofa.
Time passed and both remained there in silence, submerged in an alternate reality. 'Maybe he too, wishes to escape into an oasis of books?' Violet wondered to herself.
"Feeling enlightened?" His deep baritone, thick with a British accent, broke the silence causing Violet to jump slightly. Snapping the book shut, she set it on the table. The cover read, Dracula.
Violet hardly felt 'enlightened.' She had a copious amount of questions but didn't know where to start, how much he would answer, or how long it would take before his placid expression changed into something darker. Silence continued to create a large rift between the two adults.
'If not now, then when?'
Mustering up the courage to broach the topic, Violet finally asked, "Why did you bring me here?" Esmond noticed how Violet began to wring her hands in her lap, and a faint tightness pulled in his chest. Was this guilt? Guilt for bringing her here unconscious and unable to refute him?
After what felt like an eternity in ear-wrenching silence, Esmond finally closed the book in his lap and met Violet's nervous gaze. The light streaming in the windows ignited his eyes. Making them appear to burn like the morning sun.
"This could turn into a long story." Esmond muttered, almost to himself, crossing his legs, ankle to knee, he folded his fingers and began.
"As you now know, and much to your disbelief, I'm a Vampire. Even I am unaware of how long our beings have been in existence. But my story began three centuries ago..."