Chapter 24: Fireside Chats

March 1999

The library was a splendid room, full of many lost books consisting of many volumes regarding religion, philosophy, and the paranormal and books that were out of print. The warmth and charm of the room was seductive, if not mystical.

She led me to a pair of high-backed Queen Anne chairs sitting in front of a fireplace and invited me to sit down in one. With vampire eyes, she looked over at the dark, unlit fireplace, and in an instant, a roaring fire burst out of the kindling that sat on the iron stand inside. The flames silhouetted her body as she stood in front of the fire.

“There is something about a fire that seems to relax a person. I suppose today that they really are not necessary, but I do remember a time, many times, when they were necessary for surviving. They provide warmth, light, a sense of security, albeit a false one. It entrances one, calms one’s anxiety, and takes away the cares of the day. That is what a fire is to most people today. I guess the sounds of the fire; the crackling of the logs and the hissing of the flames can be soothing also. Sometimes I come here to read, sometimes to think, and other times just to be alone.” She paused, gazing at the fire.

I looked at her with curious eyes. I wanted to know as much as she could tell me. I wanted to know partly because I was just naturally curious, partly as a paranormal investigator and journalist. What a story this could be! A real interview with a real vampire, not just something I made up. She could tell me things that really happened in history, not just the recorded version. I imagined that for an instant she could tell me intimate details of life long ago, of places that she had been.

“Alone! Alone!” she continued. “I have been alone for a long time.”

I started to think of how she had an adoring fan club that followed her around everywhere, ready to defend and die for her.

“They are not of my kind, the ones that you have met.”

I realized that she could read my thoughts. She had been reading my thoughts all along. That was embarrassing and it made me feel very vulnerable.

“Please, don’t be embarrassed. I have powers that you could not begin to understand. I know your questions before you ask. I know your thoughts before you speak,” she continued. “I prefer that you verbalize your questions, thoughts and feelings. It makes me feel more human that way. For me, to be conversing with a mortal, in this kind of relationship of respect, is like you having a rabbit come up to you, while on a hunting trip, and jump up in your lap for you to pet it.

You want to know what it is like being a vampire. You cannot take this journey. I cannot return from this journey. Being a vampire, is receiving the promise of renewal through transformation. That transformation is simply becoming the host for a more powerful identity to take over your body, transform it into a new creature, a more evolved person, with powers that its former self could never develop. We have jumped to the very top of the food chain. We truly are the most powerful creatures of the animal kingdom. I think we have covered that point very exhaustively. We are a larger than life race of beings that cast an allure via mystery, power, and sensuality.”

I would agree with that last part. I could see any red-blooded male falling all over their self just to get next to her, look at her, talk to her, and perhaps become intimate with her. What a surprise hickey she would give!

She continued to gaze at the crackling fire. “I like being a sensual creature. Sensual, sensuous, sexual, it is all the same to me. I enjoy my body. That is why I change my appearance whenever I want. I want to be as visually appealing to whomever I wish. I have three identities that I use. Now you have met all three. I do not like changing into bats or wolves. It is not my intention ever to have to change into a lower life form again. However, it does not mean I am not capable. It is just my choice. One of the few choices I get to make. Now, tell me Malcolm! Tell a woman how you think she looks! I can never tell, as I cannot see myself in any reflection. I crave attention and flattery.”

“It looks great on you, Tayla. To be honest, all the women you assume the identity of are beautiful. They all tempt me. I should dress my wife up to look just like you.” I figured I was safe if I reminded her, I was still a happily married man.

Mortis entered the library with a porcelain tea service, offered coffee and poured a stream of hot hazelnut into my cup. Mortis was a middle-aged man who was the typical stereotype of a butler. A pale and gaunt man he was, standing straight and tall, wearing a flawless, navy-blue suit, wire rim glasses and shined black shoes. His graying hair was neat, slicked back with a light amount of mousse. So quiet he was, with his hands folded together behind him. I supposed that if he folded his hands in front of him, he would look just like someone had pried him out of a coffin. He was very polite, kindly and devoted to her. He seemed happy when he was able to carry out any of her requests. He was probably the quintessential sycophant!

I shifted my position in my chair as Tayla took her place in the other chair beside mine. Mortis poured likewise for Tayla. I had always thought that vampires could not drink anything other than blood.

“A vampire can have natural body functions if they want to. We eat, drink, urinate, and defecate, if we wish to partake in the human habits. It does not hurt us. We can even have sex ... fabulous, wild and torrid sex or beautiful, soft, gentle and tender lovemaking. Which do you prefer?”

Was she coming on to me? What did she want from me? She laughed aloud. “You think me a temptress, don’t you? We have much more to discuss than our sex lives. You are wondering where you fit into this grand scheme of affairs of which I preside over? Well, to be honest with you, I need a special counselor. Your background makes you the perfect candidate for the job.”

I immediately thought I had no idea that this was about a job interview (job interview with a vampire?), nor did I intend to take this position. She turned her head to me and gazed at me with her blue eyes. They were not the eyes of a super predator, but the eyes of a lonely, beautiful woman. Her blond hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her expression was beckoning so powerfully to me. “A special counselor?” I asked inquisitively. “I am not sure what that means, or its job description, but I have a family and many friends who I have no doubt are combing my trail looking for clues to my whereabouts. I have a few questions regarding their safety and my release to them. Before I give you an answer, I need to know their status. Is there a place for them in your plans for me?

She paused, and then cocked her head to the side, and a furrow appeared between her brows. It seemed as if she thought I had asked a stupid question. “You should know, Malcolm, that a vampire, as with any creature, is primarily interested in its own survival. We will deal with any situation considered a threat, whether real or only perceived in the usual manner. I hope for everyone’s sake, that your trail will be difficult, perhaps impossible to pick up.”

I swallowed hard. That was a threat! The thought of harm to my family really made me angry. I was beginning to get a big lump in my throat. I felt as if I were about to get into a fight, only I knew that I did not have even half a chance. I would have to bide my time as I needed to consider my situation, my options, and their consequences. My family did not even know they were hostages. I felt so defeated, remembering Tayla could read my thoughts. I hung my head down, breathing out a long sigh.

“You are wrong to feel defeated. It was never my intention to conquer you, mentally or physically. I have never planned to bring you to the crossing over. You are more valuable as you are, where you are, and who you are.” She picked up her coffee cup and saucer and drank from it. She then placed it back on the small table between our chairs.

“I would like you to answer many questions for me,” I asked.

She replied, in her very whispery, smoky voice, “I will be honest with you if you will be with me. Our relationship will be one based on trust, and respect. I want your services not because you fear what I can do if you refuse, but because you understand my needs, and how you fit into the plan. If you can do that and have a little patience in the time that it will take to grow and understand me, then you will have no need to fear me. I know that you have principles, and beliefs. That is precisely why it is you, and no one else, who can fulfill that purpose. Purpose!” She let out a sigh, and a quiet chuckle to herself. “What’s so funny?” I asked.

“The purpose of a vampire is to kill human beings by ingesting their warm blood till they die. I suppose my human side is really coming through tonight. I’m reflecting and being moody all at the same time.”

I interrupted, “That’s what women do! You keep talking about your human side. I desire that you to tell me everything about being a vampire. I want to know how you became a vampire, how you and your kind have survived throughout the centuries. Tell me about your powers, strengths and weakness. Tell me about this other side, the vampire side, this vampire demon that inhabits you. What would happen if it should leave you? Oh! And that smell! I can’t get over it. It smells so good. What is it?”

She smiled again, and this time I could see her teeth. I was surprised, as I could not see any fangs. There were only beautiful, pearly white teeth. Her eyes were a bright blue, blue like the Mediterranean and her lips a brilliant red. As before, there were no flaws or blemishes on her face. Her face should hang on the wall with a frame around it, as it had become sheer art to me. I had never seen a woman this beautiful, this sensuous and yet so dangerous.

“So many questions, from an inquisitive mortal. Information like that has cost many a man his life!” She leaned forward toward me, her eyes staring directly at me. “However, for you, I will answer all these questions. Remember, my dear Malcolm, this knowledge comes with great responsibility. This knowledge will cause you to become armed and considered a threat to those whose sole purpose for existence is to rid the world of people just like you.”

I felt as if I was standing before the Tree of Knowledge. She possessed secrets of the kind that someone had to die to learn! I wanted to know so much about her, and her clan, her kind, her race of predators! I thought of them in that context, the side of them that I had seen so far.