I picked my way through the bustling crowded London streets. I had grown from a seven year old girl to a twenty-six year old woman. But hundreds, perhaps even thousands of years had passed since then.
I had seen many changes and the humans had provided a delectable menu that changed on a regular basis. I was wearing a large hat with a veil to keep the sun from blinding me too much. I was also carrying a parasol which was open and over my back.
No, the sun didn't kill us Vampires. It didn't burn or flake away our skin. But it was highly uncomfortable and it did make us extremely tired.
The dress I was wearing was relatively simple. It was a high collared dress with long sleeves and a small train. It was a dark blue to match the color of my eyes. As I said, it was a simple dress but no matter how simple it was, it was still drawing attention.
I went inside a building and closed my parasol. This building was my destination after all and I had eagerly been awaiting the arrival of my new parasol. The man noticed me and jumped slightly.
"Sapphira Delauny. My apologies, I didn't hear you come in," he said with a smile.
"It is alright Sebastian," I told him as I returned the smile. My fangs thankfully remained hidden. Though I could see the pulsing veins in his neck and smell the scent of his blood as well as hear his nervous heartbeat. He smiled slightly with relief.
"Your parasol. If you will give me just a moment to retrieve it," Sebastian said. He then turned around to retrieve my parasol. I had patiently waited as he searched for it. He grabbed a long thin package and handed it to me.
"My thanks Sebastian," I said as i took the package and handed him the proper amount. Well, a little extra to be honest. "Keep the change," I told him as I left the shop. He was stunned into silence as I closed the door behind me.
I began to walk back home when I noticed a small street entrance. It was only large enough for a small carriage, a single horse or three people. And the entrance was well hidden. Almost as if no one wanted it to be found.
I glanced around and then walked down the small street that was unnamed. It was when the sun was at its highest point in the sky did I realize just how far from the heart of London I was. The buildings had become scarce and the streets had become fields. I came across a gate and read the words on top of the gate.
"Saint Peter's Asylum," I said as I debated if I wanted to continue on to the building in the distance or if I wanted to turn back. Curiosity drove me forward and I soon came to the building.
"Now everyone, stay together. Where's Michael?" A female voice asked beside the steps when I reached the building. No one responded. They were all staring at me. I then realized just how out of place I was. The female became confused and turned around to face me.
"Oh hello there miss. May I help you with something?" She asked with a kind smile.
"No, I'm was just curious as to where this street led," I responded as I gave her a polite smile. "Perhaps I could assist you in your search for Michael though," I said. I then wondered why I had offered my assistance. I didn't even know them and they didn't know me. My offer only seemed to confuse the woman.
"Thank you, but I believe we can find Michael on our own," the woman replied with a smile.
"True, my apologies," I said, returning her smile. I kept my fangs hidden. "Come along now, let's find Michael," she said as she turned to the group. She then walked away with most of the group following her. All except one individual.
He was about sixteen years old with silver eyes and silver hair with pale skin. He was staring at me with suspicion and curiosity. "Greetings," I said, finding it difficult to resist sinking my fangs into the pulsing vein in his neck. He studied me and tilted his head to one side.
"Hello," he said, still studying me with suspicion. I felt my fangs grow sharper as the scent of his blood began to overwhelm me.
"Adrian?" The woman's voice called. Adrian looked in the direction of the woman's voice. I battled against the Thirst now burning in my throat.
I knew it was a pointless fight though. The only way to get rid of the Thirst, even temporarily was to have blood. He ran off before I could strike and drain him dry. I watched as he returned to the group. There was another individual with them who I assumed to be Michael.
I had to admit that I was curious about this place. But for now I had to feed. So before anyone noticed I ran back to the heart of London at full speed. I would have to go to the docks to satisfy my thirst.
Tricking a human would be easy. Hiding the body would be even easier. People went missing all the time. It took a while for me to reach the docks. The sun was hanging low in the sky when I stepped into a filthy alley. I knew that the thieves had been eyeing me ever since I had entered the docks. Along with the deck hands that hadn't had the company of a woman in months; perhaps even years. I would not lower myself to satisfy their desires and urges for the flesh though.
Satisfying my lust for blood on the other hand didn't bother me.
A thirty-six year old man approached me. He had shoulder length black hair with a beard and mustache, pale skin and brown eyes. He smiled and I saw his eyes flicker down to my chest and linger there before he looked back up at me. I returned the smile and my dark sapphire blue eyes flashed a bright blue as I drew his desire for me out even more. His eyes pooled with lust and his heartbeat quickened.
It was when I led him deeper into the alley that I realized that I didn't want him or his blood. Now that we were away from the crowd there was something off about him. And I didn't like it.
I smiled at him as he pinned me to the wall and leaned forward to kiss me. I went along with the act as I placed my hands to his head. He never even knew what happened. Before his lips could touch mine I broke his neck. It snapped like a wet twig with a sickening crunch. I let his body drop to the filthy ground and walked away. I knew whose blood I wanted now. The blood of my Priest. He always put up a fight.
I headed over to the church and reached it as the last individual left. I entered the building. Oh yes, the myth about us not being able to enter a church was just that; a myth, nothing more. And we could also enter any building, home or not without an invitation first.
Father William or Priest, was just leaving the confessional. Priest was twenty-eight years old with dark wavy brown hair. light brown skin and dark brown eyes. He also had a well trimmed mustache and a beard that he would probably shave soon. He saw me and his smile fell flat.
"Priest," I said with a smile. His eyes narrowed and he sighed with some unidentifiable emotion.
"Hello Sapphira," Priest reluctantly greeted. "How may I help you?" He inquired as he walked towards the pulpit.
"You know how you can help me," I replied as I followed him. He glanced at me over his shoulder.
"I am not your meal," he said with slight irritation.
"But you are," I countered with a small quiet chuckle. He reached the pulpit and studied me.
"I am not your meal," he repeated with annoyance. I sighed and walked over to him, a mysterious smile spreading across my face.
"No need to worry Priest, I haven't drained you dry and I have no intentions of doing so," I told him, speaking the truth. Oddly enough I had grown somewhat attached to Priest. Even if he was my Blood Puppet. One with a curious immunity to my ability to compel other humans. So getting him to willingly give his blood always proved to be a challenge. One that I was happy to accept.
"Is that supposed to comfort me? Every time you come here you want my blood. Need I point out that there have been a few times when you've almost killed me?" Priest stated as he narrowed his eyes.
"Last time was a reaction to the fact you attacked me," I told him in a voice.
"Ah, yes, remind me to wear a silver chain around my neck at all times," Priest said with a small smirk. I glared at him as he grabbed a small black book and left the pulpit.
"What makes you think I'll remind you of that?" I inquired as I followed him.
"Very well I'll have to remind myself," I heard Priest say. I smiled Priest say. I smiled slightly and seemingly appeared in front of him. He jumped and I heard his heartbeat quicken slightly with nervousness.
"No matter what you do, I have never once heard you tell me to leave," I pointed out with a smile. He was silent, studying me with a calm expression. "And I always seem to get blood from you," I added with a small purr to my voice. His eyes narrowed as he stepped around me.
"You are not getting blood from me this time," he said as he walked passed me. I gave a deep sigh.
"I suppose I will have to feed on some other individual then. No one will recognize their body when they surface in the docks," I said as I turned around to look at him. He stopped in his tracks and looked at me over his shoulder. "Are you really going to let someone die because you didn't let me feed on your blood?" I inquired as I walked over to him. He was glaring at me.
I walked around to face him. "Or are you going to spare someone's life?" I whispered in his ear.
"I wish you an eternity in Hell for what you do," Priest hissed angrily. But I heard the undercurrent of defeat in his voice.
"No need to worry Priest. I am already paying for what I do with eternity," I told him in a quiet voice as I removed the white collar from his throat. He made no move to stop me and I pulled him close, sinking my fangs into his vein.
He gave a cry of pain and surprise as his warm life gushed into my mouth. I moaned and opened my mouth wider, my fangs making the wounds I had created wider. Priest whimpered and I heard him take a breath between gritted teeth. I felt him slump slightly in my arms and reluctantly released him. He stumbled back a few steps and leaned up against the wall.
"You took more than usual," Priest said as he covered the injured side of his neck.
"Apologies Priest," I said as I began to lick his blood off of my teeth and lips. "It was not my intention to take as much as I did," I told him, speaking the truth. Priest looked at me with a disbelieving expression. I held back a sigh of exasperation.
"I want to ask a favor of you Priest," I said when my mouth was clean. He raised an eyebrow.
"My blood isn't enough?" He countered with a glare.
"I want to know about Saint Peter's Asylum," I said. He blinked with confusion.
"Why?" He asked with curiosity.
"Curiosity," I responded in a dismissive voice. "And people of the cloth usually get more information than a civilian. Whether or not the individual is a noble civilian or not," I added. Priest was silent, studying me with mild suspicion.
"What's in it for me?" Priest questioned as he stumbled as he stumbled over to a pew.
"No more visits from me," I answered with a small smile. None that you'll remember anyway, I mentally added.
"Do I have your word on that?" Priest inquired as he studied me.
"You have my word," I replied with a comforting smile. He was silent as he continued to study me.
"Alright," he finally said, breaking the silence. I smiled and then walked to the front door. He knew that I would visit for information but for now, I would let him heal and gather the information I wanted about Saint Peter's Asylum.