Twilight Rose

The obscured hallways collected only a hint of light from the flickering candles hanging in chandeliers above the blood red carpets. There were no windows located down the corridor, but that didn’t stop the howling from the brisk winter’s wind from entering. Candice could still hear it even as she approached the grand staircase, her heart thumping violently against her chest. She had been awoken from her slumber, yet again, but the haunting memories of her past. Another sleepless night, troubled by the screams of her mother and the face of her family’s murderer- Vladimir Drake.

Her bare feet slipped up each of the stairs, windows now being located as she made her way to the next floor, the rain beating against the glass vehemently. There appeared to be less candlelight as she ascended, making the walls shadowed and indistinctive. Taking a single glimpse out of the window, Candice sighed heavily, running her fingers through her short reddish brown hair, before finally turning and heading down the next hallway. As she vanished into the next corridor, a flash of lightning lit up the stairwell, revealing a portrait which hung adjacent to the window- a portrait of the notorious Vladimir Drake.

As she slipped down the passageway, Candice noticed a doorway parted slightly. Blinking meekly, she stepped inside, allowing her eyes to adjust to the darkness. She had never seen this room before in all her time residing at Felix’s dwelling. It appeared to be set up in a much older fashion than the other rooms were- no candlelight in this one like the others, either. Her eyes skimmed the environs, suddenly meeting a long stand with trinkets scattered across it. Gradually making her way over to the table, she allowed her hands to gently stroke some of the objects. They were ancient! However, her interest was suddenly drawn away when she noticed a silver platter with a crest engraved into the surface. Amber eyes widening, Candice reached down and allowed her fingertips to trace the crest, heart feeling as though it stopped momentarily.

“…this is impossible,” she choked, voice trembling as she raised the platter up. “This is the crest of the Drake family. But…if that is so…then… Felix…”

Candice spun around swiftly to escape the room she was in, only to be surprised bumping into a figure before her. His icy blue eyes gazed down upon her as she shuddered, dropping the silver platter and backing away gradually.

“You!”

“Candice, I can explain,” Felix raised his hands to her gradually, only to feel them be slapped away sharply as Candice quavered.

“You stay away from me!” she wailed, closing her eyes tightly as his fingertips wound around her arms. “I know who you are! I know what you’ve been hiding!”

“I only did it to protect you,” he whispered, leaning in and kissing the side of her face tenderly. “I didn’t want to hurt you letting you know… I love you, Candice.”

Candice didn’t speak. Her only response was the quick pulling away of her face, only to feel it become lead back by Felix’s hand. His once icy blue eyes began to glitter in an amethyst lust, causing her to stare into them absently. Felix’s fingertips traced down her neckline as he leaned in, pulling her close against him, she still enthralled in his glinting eyes.

“You’re my rose, Candice,” he smiled, baring his gleaming white fangs to her, causing her to tremble uneasily, “and I wouldn’t have anyone else…”

Pulling her against him sharply, Felix sank his fangs into her neck, causing her to bleat out. Her eyes widened, mouth agape as the pain rushed through her. Blood began to rise to the surface of her skin, drenching her neck as Felix drank eagerly. Candice could feel her body growing weaker, a faintness drifting over her. No longer could she take the pain- the lightheadedness being too much for her. Wincing as she closed her eyes, Candice collapsed against Felix, giving in to his hunger.

Finally pulling away after a few more moments, Felix dropped her to the ground, wiping her fresh line of blood from his lips as he smirked. Kneeling down alongside of her, he ran his fingers through her hair tenderly, glancing up at the portrait of Vladimir Drake slightly. Leaning down to Candice once more, he kissed her cheek as he had before, smiling slightly as he whispered into her ear.

“You’ll always be my rose…”