I met her in a pub, much like the Dancing Dragon. We were in a small town in Italy, the name escapes me now. I was twenty years old, a virgin, and very shy around women. It had always been expected that my parents would choose a mate for me, so I never had to interact with women, on any level.
She bewitched me from the first night I saw her, dark and mysterious. She turned every head in the pub, and exuded an aura of complete mystery. Not until much later would I learn why she set her sights on me.
One by one, the men in my traveling band, began to disappear. The captain was sure they were deserting, so he ordered that we would set sail for Ireland, by the end if the week. That was all the time she, Isabella was her name, needed to finish what she had set out to do.
One foggy night, after too much drink, she seduced me. I was awkward and not sure of myself, but one look into her eyes, and I would have followed her to the ends of the Earth. I took her that night, and many nights after.
Little did I know that she had been using me, using the entire crew, to feed her bloodlust, for you see, she too was a vampire, a wicked evil bitch of darkness, who intended to take not only our bodies, but our souls.
Our last night together, as we lay in each other arms, after our frenzied coupling, I begged her to come with me. I loved her, and I could not imagine life without her. Though I was a mere boy, I was quite well to do. I knew I could make her happy.
She laughed wickedly at me, and kissed me furiously, kissing my neck. Even when I felt the pinch of her teeth bite into my neck, I did not realize what was happening. She drained me of nearly all my blood, and then tossed me aside like some toy she no longer wanted. I was near death, and heart broken.
�How could I love a little boy such as yourself? I have killed more men than you will ever see! Do you not realize what I am? Your pathetic crew did nothing but feed me and give me the souls I need for my master! Now give me your soul little boy and I promise you I will make your death quick,� she hissed at me.
I ran away crying. Though my legs collapsed out from under me numerous times, I ran as fast as I could. She followed me, clawing me and licking the blood that spilled from the incisions her talons made.
I always carried a small dagger in my boot. With the last of my strength, I pulled it and whirled on her, stabbing her in the heart. I will never forget the look in her eyes as she died. It was a look of total disbelief.
�How could you have defeated me?� she whispered before she disintegrated to dust.
That was the last thing I remembered. I woke up in the cottage of a kindly old couple, who nursed me back to health. Their son had found me on his way to the market. Though I had lost all desire to live, they fought to save me, and soon I was healthy. Little did I know, that I did not live because of their attentive, medicinal care, but because I had become one of the damned.
My bloodlust started soon after. I fled the home of the elderly couple before I could do them harm, but I left them a purse full of gold coins as a token of my gratitude and a note of thanks. I never saw them again.
For many years I hated what I was. I fed off the sick and dying. I killed many, but only as acts of mercy. I could not bear to see suffering of any kind, and killed anyone who asked me to. In this time, I drink only the blood of animals. I cannot bear the thought of aiding another human to their death.
So now you know what I am. You say that nothing can change your love for me, but can you possibly love a creature such as I?�
Farayne sobbed pitifully.
�I am so sorry Garrison. I ache for you and all the hurt you have endured. I love you even more intensely now than I ever thought I could. You are kind, caring, selfless, and humble. I could not find such traits in any mortal man, even if I searched the world over. I do love you and will always love you.�
Garrison took the sobbing girl in his powerful arms. His kiss was slow and tender. He wanted her, and he knew she wanted him, but he was fearful of hurting her.
He laid her tenderly on his bed, and slowly undressed her, then himself.
�Be gentle Garrison.�
�I would never hurt you my love. In all my searching, I have never found anything more pure than you. You are all I could ever ask for. I will love you eternally.�