In The Vampire's Bedchamber

She stood across from him in nothing but her chemise.

"Come here my child", he beckoned, red eyes boring into hers. She didn’t remember moving, but suddenly found herself chest to chest with him. He leaned in towards her neck and sniffed.

"You smell delicious, decadent."

Every month a girl was given as tribute to keep the vampire at bay. Before his faceless servants took her, a village elder had slipped her a wooden stake. It was now lashed to her thigh.

He began kissing her neck. She moved slowly, carefully.

“My lord?”

He pulled back for a moment to look at her. That was when she struck, stabbing him square in the chest. His eyes widened in surprise before he collapsed and lay still.

Adrenaline pounding, she ran, trying to find her way through the maze of hallways. Hope soared in her chest when she recognized the ornate door she’d come in through. As she reached to open it, cold hands wrapped around her neck, dragging her back.

“Such spirit! A near hit, I was almost dust. Perhaps it is reckless to have one's food armed, but the thrill!. I love it when my prey almost escapes.”