“Sanguine Connection”

Vampire, waiting in his lair languidly, patiently. For centuries she's felt him stalking her across oceans of time, waiting. Is this constant attention flattering, complimentary, or is it more like a haunting, disturbing, ethereal shadow from which she cannot escape? He finds her in her dreams, reaches out communicating with her through songs and literature, even in her own written words; there he is, relentless in his dedicated pursuit. She has become accustomed to his infernal whispers and clues. She can't remember why she took flight from him originally; perhaps if she could remember, that would make this easier to digest. Especially since his calling has become louder, clearer, and gotten bolder as he comes closer. It's evident now exactly who he is and what he wants. He's reckless, as he's no longer even trying to conceal his true identity. This attitude is dangerous; not only is he risking his exposure but also hers. It's as if he no longer cares. Perhaps, there's more going on here than meets the eye? Or perhaps with time and fiction blurring the lines and concepts of reality, desensitizing the topic and perception of the revelation of their kind walking among the human-type beings, he feels no imminent threat to the revelation of his secret existence? She can hear the relentlessly encroaching nocturne throbbing of the ancient beating heart, stalking her across thousands of miles and through time. The infernal rhythm is maddening yet soothing and familiar. It sounds like a dream, a home long forgotten. The sanguine connection is unbreakable, infinitely indestructible. She's going to miss the beauty and warmth of the sun on her face, all of the colors and beauty of daylight if she has to return to the realms of night and darkness. She loves to experience the night as she does now, as night has been since she escaped him. Knowing the night will end and the sun will rise is comforting and beautiful. Being cast into infernal darkness is something else entirely. As enticing and familiar as his charms are, to have to trade listening to the songs of all of the birds at dawn only to hear his eternal beating heart is a tough choice to make. He once resided in the light; at least, that's the image portrayed. What happened? Was it all a lie? Was everything a lie? Just an elaborate deception to recapture her into his empty tomb of inescapable darkness and night? She feels how near he's gotten recently. So close but, he remains unseen. Although he remotely casts his shadow upon her, she feels him watching her, feels his breath upon her smooth bare shoulder. She catches a glimpse of him moving just outside of her peripheral view, but there nonetheless. Creeping, encroaching with every tick of the clock and beat of his ancient heart, entombed in his loneliness. When did she remember his true identity? Is he her eternal protector, warrior of light? How does she decipher the truth of his known true self, the one that she once knew? Why has her trust been shaken? Trust is an imperative element in matters of love and survival. One may argue that it's all a coincidence, and the only reason she is as aware of his existence as she is, is because they are of the same nature? She recognizes one of her kind, and it's simply nothing more than that? Not likely. She knows him; she would know him anywhere. So much time has passed; it's been lifetimes. I think what's the most disturbing is that she's formed attachments and bonds among the human-type beings. Love is the most important thing, and it's the thing that almost feels as if it's killing her each time she loses one she has come to love. It never gets any easier with time. Each one of them is precious to her; despite her attempts not to connect to any of them, she loves them dearly. Without love, what else is there? This deep, ancient sanguine adoration is pulling and calling once again, though. Whether she is willing to admit it or not, that's exactly what's going on; the bloodthirst has awakened once again. It can't be silenced, ignored, refused, or denied any longer. She has been pushing it down with all of her strength, to no avail. His sanguine libations are beautifully enticing. His once gentle overtures have profoundly evolved with time, and his patience is running thin. Why the sudden sense of urgency to be heard, seen, and known to her once again? Why does he now blatantly ignore the danger of discovery? He's risking everything. What is stirring so powerful within the ancient heart of this reticent, surreptitious immortal being that he's coming forth as he is, subtlety be damned? It's very out of character. She infuriates him as she goes about her way as she has been with human beings. Moving across time with them, as if she were one of them. Not fully utilizing her abilities. So she does them no harm or reveals her true nature. Perhaps it's a sin against her kind to carry on as such? Has she forgotten what she is? Forgotten her place in the "Food Chain" for lack of a better description? Perhaps, she is and has been completely aware that she is different than those with whom she has been residing this whole time, and she still chooses not to harm them, except for defending herself. But it would seem as though she has even perfected how she does that. From my perspective, she's coming into her full power quite nicely. She doesn't have to resort to the old ways; she's developing her ways proven effective in all capacities. He is also observing her inconspicuous evolution with admiration and approval. It's all instinctual on her part, left this whole time on her own without any guidance. This independence has made her even more powerful. Simply because she's not following another's path but forging her own. Conducting her own self-contained, discreet, conspiratorial instinctual development. Still, they each are biding their time. It's become a game of "Cat and Mouse," and you can rest assured, she's no one's or nothing's "Mouse" She's prepared to meet him face on, and if need be, she's also resolved to battle unto death. Well, whatever "unto death" looks like in a battle between two beings of their nature. She hasn't conceded defeat thus far and has no intention of relinquishing her freedom yet. Oh, and did I forget to mention that she has been her own "protector, warrior, and light" for quite some time now. After all, what choice did she have?

All Rights Reserved - Lynne Taylor / AutumnWolfPublishing 2021.