The Duke's Passion

Ever since then, I continued on to talk to my father's grave and speak about my day. The more I did this, the more I felt I wasn't talking to Father, but to someone else who was listening to me. It was strange to put it in words, but there was just this strange aura I always felt ever since that day.

Until one day…

"Lilou, why don't you stay for the night?" Old Olly asked, staring at me worriedly. I glanced at the sky and it would be soon nightfall. I shifted my gaze back to Old Olly when she added, "There had been recent attacks in the neighboring towns. So, it'll be safer for you if you stay here tonight." She offered kindly.

My lips curled up into a smile. "Thank you, Old Olly, but I'll be fine." I nodded reassuringly. 

The reason she had been worriedly asking me to stay was because of the horrifying attacks in the neighboring towns. I've lived for seventeen years, but those bloodthirsty vampires rarely attack Grimsbanne or rather, the very land where the Duke rest. Even if someone dared, Lord Rufus would deal with them immediately. Besides, I felt safer in my shack. 

"Lilou," Old Olly cajoled, attempting to convince me, but I shook my head.

I reached for her hand, squeezing it lightly as I smiled.  "I'll be fine," I said. "Don't worry too much. I will run away if I sense danger." Seeing that she wasn't convinced, I added in a light tone. "Even if I encounter a vampire, they will run away from my odor first before they think of drinking my blood."

"Lilou."

"I'm joking!" I chuckled to liven up the mood, but I knew it was a bad joke. "Old Olly, I will be fine, alright? I can take care of myself, hmm?"

Old Olly just let out a sigh as she realized it would only get late and I wouldn't change my mind, so she reluctantly let me go and I started my trek back to my shack.

Night fell when I was halfway home. The night always brought this sense of dread creeping up my spine, but I ignored it. I looked ahead, treading carefully until my eyes adjusted to the dying daylight. 

The crisp sound of grass under my foot sounded strangely loud in my ear as the air howling past me grew colder. Tonight felt especially eerie, maybe because of the recent incidents that had been the talk of the town, or it was just what the dark does to human minds.

I shook my head, gritting my teeth as I hastened my pace, but a chill wave suddenly ran down my spine. I paused, my knees trembling as I forced myself to continue walking. 'It's nothing,' I told myself, taking another forced step forward. 

'It's just the dark…' I convinced myself. "Yes, that's it," I murmured, nodding as I marched my way toward my home. The more I denied that someone in the dark was watching, observing me, the more this growing fear within me intensified.

'Someone is watching you,' my mind whispered in my head, and I'm already aware of that. Someone in the dark was watching me. I jumped when the stifling silence was abruptly broken by the sound of birds flying away.

"Good riddance." I patted my chest as I exhaled in relief. "Since when did I become a coward?" I asked myself, shaking my head as I resumed my steps. "This is the closest area of the duke's mansion. Vampires won't dare feed in here," I muttered, purposely aloud to reduce the growing fear creeping up to my heart and seeping deep into my bones.

When I didn't know what to say anymore, I hummed a lullaby in a low tone. Not long after, my humming volumed down as my steps slowly came to a halt upon seeing a figure ahead of me.

I held my breath, seeing his shadow stretched towards me as the moonlight shone brightly behind him. 'Run!' my mind cautioned, and I took a careful step back. Even though I couldn't see him properly, I knew he was staring at me, at his prey.

The sound of crickets filled the air along with the faint howl of the wind. That person… he came to hunt, and he had his eyes on me. From this distance, I saw his pair of deep crimson eyes glint brightly, almost making my heart stop pulsating.

'Run, Lilou. Run!' My mind yelled repeatedly, but I moved stealthily as I took three deep breaths. On the fourth exhale, I witnessed the glint of his fang as he grinned. The sound of a gong rang in my head as I turned around and ran as fast as I could. 

This couldn't be my end! I had to run and hide. I knew this area as if it was written on the back of my hand. I need to survive. I had to! I gritted my teeth as adrenaline rush came over me. 

There was nothing in my head but the thought of surviving. I knew I could never outrun a vampire, but that didn't matter right now. I ran and stumbled down a few times, but I got right back up, only wincing in pain as I continued.

Hope shrouded my heart when I was almost out of the steep slope, but that hope was instantly taken away when a sudden figure appeared in front of me.

Panting, I immediately stopped my feet as I hastily took several steps back. I gaze up at the towering figure before me, fear enveloping my heart as I knew I'm totally screwed. 

I'll die… no! I clenched my hand tightly as I looked at those pair of murderous red eyes. His fangs were glinting brightly.

'I won't die here,' I told myself as I turned around, planning to run once again. However, a hand suddenly grabbed my wrist and pulled me back. 

"Ahh!" I shrieked and froze when his ragged breath touched my nape. I stared mindlessly in the dark as my mind short-circuited.

"Blood… give me… blood…" was all I heard before I felt the sharp tip of his fang against my neck.