"Do you really have to go?" I frowned, walking her to the door. "We have extra rooms here."
"As tempting as that sounds, I have my own house." She gave me a wink. "Plus, it wouldn't be proper for me to stay. We're not even married."
We shared a laugh as I took her hands in mine. "Be safe, Sylvie." I brushed a gentle kiss against them both.
"Always." She gave a reassuring smile, then turned and left.
Almost instantly, the house felt a little emptier. I tried not to seem desperate, but it just wasn't the same without her. I walked into the living room as the fire died down. As miniscule a thing as this was, it added to my sadness.
I know. I feel the same way. I heard her soft laughter.
Go to bed, little miss. I smiled to myself.
Later, in the dark hours of the morning, I lay in bed with a book of poetry resting on my chest. I had lost interest in reading it a while ago but was in no hurry to move it out of the way. I closed my eyes and smiled, feeling Sylvia's calm breathing as she slept peacefully. It was soothing, knowing that I was still this close with her.
My happiness was unfortunately short-lived. In an instant, her breath quickened, and her heart rate was increasing.
Daniel. Her whimpering voice circled in my head as I shot up to my feet.
What is it, Sylvie? I did my best to hide my panic.
Need you. Please.
I was about to race from the house when a new sensation hit me in the pit of my stomach. It wasn't a feeling of panic, but more of arousal. She wasn't in danger, she was dreaming. About me. It must have been an amazing one; whatever I was doing to her was exciting her to now end.
My breath became a slightly labored as I felt the warmth of her fingertips on my chest. My eyes closed slowly, relishing in the sensation that slowly traveled lower and lower, until–
"No!" I bit out, doing my damnedest to disconnect from her. I steadied myself against my bedpost, taking deep breaths. She had no idea how difficult she was making it for me to behave myself.
I tried to keep myself calm, beginning to pace my room like a caged animal. Being inside wasn't helping. I needed to go somewhere, anywhere, but here. I felt the sudden twinge of hunger, on top of everything else. I took a moment to check on Edith, who was fast asleep, before I raced out of the house and into the world. I had plenty of time before the sun rose and there were still people out and about.
I was only a few blocks from home when I came to the famous line of bars in the city's historical district. There were patrons galore, drunkenly traipsing from door to door. I walked by one, the bass protruding proudly from the front entrance. I stopped, just as a woman came stumbling out. We locked eyes and she smiled seductively at me. I nodded toward a less crowded part of the street and she followed me without hesitation.
We stopped in a badly lit alleyway, next to a little shop as she wrapped her arms around my shoulders.
"Looking for a little fun, handsome?" The smell of alcohol came off her in waves.
"Something like that." I smirked, backing her against the cool brick of the building.
I pressed kiss after kiss against her neck, feeling her hips thrust against mine. With an eager moan, I sank my fangs into her throat. Her excited moans echoed through the alley as her nails found my back. I drank my fill, helping her gently slide to the ground. The alley was cleaned enough, and the shadows provided adequate cover, so I had no worry that she would be safe until she came to.
I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand and slunk away as quickly as possible. As I did, a new feeling hit me, like a punch to the stomach. I couldn't figure out why, but that entire ordeal made me feel dirty, like I had just been unfaithful to Sylvia somehow. She knew what I was and understood what that entailed; at least, I hoped she did. I did my best to shake off my new-found shame and made my way back home.
I shuffled into the house and up the stairs to my room, feeling fatigue starting to take hold. The grandfather clock loudly proclaimed that it was five in the morning. I saw the sun just beginning to peek over the horizon as I closed my shutters. I collapsed onto the bed, not even caring to change clothes or cover myself. My eyes fell closed as I reconnected with Sylvia and braced myself something akin to earlier. Much to my relief, her breathing and heartbeat had returned to normal.
'Daniel.' Her sleepy voice whispered to me. I could feel her smile warming me inside.
'I'm here, angel.' I smiled, even though that feeling was still gnawing at the back of my mind. Thankfully, sleep claimed me quickly.