Dark Red

Renee glanced down at her phone’s directions and made a quick right onto Dauphine St. The sounds of Bourbon St. bounced off of the balcony-lined buildings. She had been in New Orleans for a few months and had finally let her coworker set her up on a date. Her high heels stumbled on the old cobblestone, but she regained her balance quickly. Just nerves, she thought to herself. Her phone dinged, notifying her that she had arrived. She was only a few minutes late, but she took a deep breath before entering the restaurant.

The clinking of silverware on plates and the murmuring of patrons engulfed her. For a smaller, fairly unmarked restaurant, the place was packed. The inside was decadent but old, one would describe it as vintage. Renee was grateful she switched into heels last second, it dressed her outfit up significantly.

“Good evening,” a well dressed man greeted her.

“Hi! I am meeting some…” Before she could finish, the gentleman gestured her into the dining room.

“This way, Miss Marks” he said as she blushed, half unsure if she should be embarrassed or impressed that her date had arranged this.

The dining room seemed to quiet down as she followed the gentleman deeper into the restaurant. She could hear her heartbeat with each step she took. The gentleman turned the corner to a more private section. Renee let out a small sigh of relief knowing this blind date would not unfold in front of the prying eyes of others.

“Ah Miss Marks!” the man at the table stood to greet her. Before her was a tall but slender man, who filled out his perfectly tailored suit exceptionally. Her eyes widened as he stepped forward and placed a light kiss on her cheek. Her cheeks blushed in response.

“So nice to finally meet you! Christine did you no justice, you look exquisite.” His mouth pulled back into a smile and Renee felt her heart jump. She would surely have to thank her coworker for this.

“Thank you, please call me Renee,” she allowed him to pull her seat out for her. “I may have googled the restaurant beforehand to dress appropriately,” she blurted out. He laughed loudly at her confession, but never took his eyes off her as he took his seat. “Is it Matt or Matthew?” she unfolded the cloth napkin and laid it on her lap.

“Matthew.” Renee noticed a glass of deep red wine in front of him already. Maybe a sip or two missing. She hoped to herself that she hadn’t kept him waiting long. “I hope you don’t mind, I came here from work,” he gestured to the wine as if picking up her thoughts.

“Not at all! Sadly, I had to shower and change after work or I would have been here earlier!” Renee said.

“Ah yes! I assumed working at the Aquarium doesn’t always require a suit!” he winked.

“I mean, a scuba suit!” she winced at her corny line. Get a hold of yourself. Luckily, the server appeared.

“Would the lady care for something to drink?” His attention was on her.

“I haven’t had a chance to look, I’m so sorry.” She fumbled with the menu.

“So, you didn’t look at the menu when you googled this place?” Matthew teased, cutting the tension. She smiled.

“I will just have what he is having.” she said as she motioned towards the wine. The server’s head darted to Matthew. He waved him off.

“Of course, it’s the Merlot,” he said plainly. “But please open a fresh bottle for Miss Marks.” The server nodded. Matthew must have noticed her surprise. “A new case arrived just this week.” He sipped his again.

“Yes, Christine said you’re somewhat of a Sommelier?” She had had Christine dish on this blind date over hurricanes at Pat O’Brien’s earlier in the week.

He nodded. “In my early 20’s, it was more of a family hobby.”

The server returned with the fresh bottle of Merlot. He opened it swiftly in what seemed like one motion. He poured a taster for her. She did her best to remember her wine-sipping-etiquette. Swirl the wine. Smell. Sip. Savor the taste.

“Perfect, thank you!” She smiled and handed the glass back. He filled her glass and left the bottle at the table.

“So tell me about yourself, what brought you to New Orleans?” Matthew leaned in, engaged as she recalled her decision to move here, her deep love of the city and her desire to spread her wings. He listened intently and asked all the right questions. The conversation flowed so easily, she couldn’t tell if she was lightheaded from delight or the wine. The food came and went but he made her laugh and feel completely at ease. She found herself opening up to him without any awkward pauses or silences and he welcomed her warmly.

Matthew tipped the last few drops of the Merlot into her glass. She thanked him and took another sip, letting the wine warm her cheeks.

“Did you enjoy the wine?” He smirked, noticing the flush in her cheeks. She finished the glass and nodded. She could not take her eyes off his.

“I must confess, that last glass was a bit much, you were heavy handed in pouring.” she winked. He leaned forward taking her in.

“My apologies, I generally prefer something darker.” In one motion he stood. “Shall we go for a walk to clear your head?” He extended a hand. She glanced around slightly confused.

“But the check?’ she fumbled for her purse. There was no way this man would dine and dash. But maybe that was the catch behind this perfect exterior

“Please,” he waved his hand, “it’s my pleasure to treat you.” Her eyes narrowed with a small smile.

“Well, thank you,” she said as stood up, “But I atleast would have enjoyed the banter of pretending to offer to split it.” She took his hand. With a low laugh, he led her through the dining room. They were the only table left.

“Always good to see you Mr. Toussaint,” the server said as he dipped his head. At that moment, Renee noticed the name Toussaint on the menu, the front door and the intricately embroidered ‘T’s on all the linens.

“Do…” she glanced around, “do you own this place?” He shrugged as held the door open and politely ushered her onto the cobblestone streets.

The raucous noise of bourbon street seemed to fade as they began their walk.

“So fancy wines and fancy restaurants! What other fancy things do you…” she stumbled on the cobblestone. He caught her arm and steadied her, his grip strong. Her mind danced with possibilities, she leaned closer to him. “And I thought chivalry was dead,” she looked into his eyes coyly.

“I assure you it is dead, but I fear that stumble was due to my over pouring.” He pulled his lips back into a smile, his teeth catching the street lights. She felt her heart leap, and had to bite her lip to keep from gasping.

She hadn’t realized how quiet the street had become; in fact she wasn’t even sure what time it was. But more importantly, she didn’t care. How many bad dates had she suffered through, how many apps had she deleted and reinstalled. None of them would have ever found him. She breathed him in. His hand moved from her arm to the small of her back. She flushed, giving all the signals she could to say YES KISS ME.

He tipped her chin up and she was frozen in his gaze.

“Let’s do this again.” Not a request. A demand. Her body aligned with his perfectly. And for the first time all night, she felt a tinge of uneasiness.

“Yes and next time not as much wine for me,” she scrunched her nose and let out a small giggle. She would surely feel this in the morning.

“Like I said before….” he said as he pulled her closer, “I prefer something darker.” Before she could meet his lips, he jerked his head to the side and sank his teeth into her neck.

Renee jolted awake screaming, her covers half on the floor. What in the sweet hell. Her head was spinning in a hangover, she fumbled for her phone.

Five missed phone calls from Christine with an equal amount of texts asking how the date went. She couldn’t even think to answer. Her head was pounding and she was dying of thirst. Renee stumbled to the bathroom. She turned the faucet all the way to cold and slurped down as much water as she could. Her head was splitting. The lights were too bright. She winced and her eyes finally focused enough to look at herself in the mirror. Her hand shot to her neck. WHAT IS THAT. On her neck were two divots rimmed with dried blood. She yelped and darted back to her room. Her phone began to ring.

Unknown. She picked it up.

“Hello love,” Matthew’s voice sauntered through the phone. “How are you feeling?”

“What the hell happened last night?!” Anger gripped her.

“I am sorry for the hasty departure, but with dawn approaching I had to flee.” she could hear him smirking.

“You were over here??” She could barely breathe let alone remember. “Did you drug me?”

“No. Never.” He sounded offended. “To put it plainly, I fed from you.” The marks on her neck seared as if in response.

“FED?!” she screeched

“Yes love, keep up,” he retorted. “Then you fed from me,” he said plainly as if this were a normal occurrence. “And now you are in transition.”

“Transition?” her head spun faster. She gripped the edge of her bed to steady herself.

“Again keep up.” This time he had less patience in his voice. “You’re becoming a vampire.” Vampire. The word hit her so hard she crumpled onto her bed. “This is your last day as a human. Spend it wisely, because come sunset you will never be the same.” He paused.

“I will meet you at Jackson Square after sunset. I promise you may have been alive before now but you have yet to live.” He turned his charm on again, as if he was doing her a favor. “Any questions?” He asked. Her mind swirled. Every movie, book, tv series depicting a vampire ripped through her. Matthew waited on the other end.

“Great no questions? Can’t wait to see you later, love.” He purred on the other end.

“I am not your love,” she said flatly. Her mind finally focused. She finally found the words she needed. Pure rage rippled through her.

“Everything will be alright.” he almost said love again, she could feel it. “You have my word,” he softened.

“And you have my word, I will kill you for this.”

She hung up the phone.