Marc Rivers, Author

Eugen Radmaris never imagined it would come to this, but the truth of it was staring him in the face with those cold, lifeless eyes that were as sharp and keen as any forest predator’s. They pierced him to the core, eroding his will to resist what was being asked of him. How could I commit to such a terrible price?

His host spoke in that soft but faintly sinister voice of his. “What is wrong, Baron Radmaris?” Frideric was the host’s name, a good, noble Szegevran name in the finest tradition, yet this man bore a few peculiar traits that belied a different sort of heritage, one of some indeterminate origin.

What is wrong?! he marveled. Everything! This is not what was supposed to happen! He had come seeking discreet help for an issue of the utmost importance. “A matter of life and death” he had phrased it to Frideric, who had agreed verbally with something akin to hunger in his voice – a way that, in retrospect, was the first sign that Eugen had walked blindly into a trap. Tonight would indeed be about life and death, but in a much more real and urgent way than he could have imagined.

Eugen mustered all his strength to hide his growing unease. “See here, this is far too horrific a punishment for one simple mistake.”

“Dear Baron,” Frideric countered, “this is no punishment, and you made no mistake. What you made was a choice, albeit one whose consequences you did not fully consider. You are not the first to have acted so shortsightedly, nor will you be the last. But there is no need to despair, for what I offer you is beyond any mundane treasures or armies.”

Frideric’s words sounded like silk, but they carried with them an edge as keen as any blade. Eugen was trapped. They both knew it. To try to leave now would mean death. To accept… Well, Eugen was not prepared to think what that would mean. And yet, the possibilities were beginning to play out in his head. No! I can’t!

Frideric pressed his advantage. “Consider, if you will, your request. You have sought my help to avenge a wrong committed against your family, one you believe cannot be remedied by the laws of the land because of some undue influence on the part of your adversaries. Yet you also wish to see your family’s honor and prestige restored.”

“But what you ask of me… How can I do such a thing?”

“Because I know you, Baron.”

“You know nothing. You’ve only just met me!”

Frideric’s scoff was soft in tone, but surprisingly cutting. “My dear Baron, you should understand that I am no mere recluse. Did you truly think that I passively while away my hours reading books and painting sceneries? I have eyes and ears everywhere in this city. I know that you are in dire financial straits, that you borrow alarming sums of money against rapidly fading credit as the power of your family’s name dwindles by the day, far beyond your meager ability to restore it in the few decades left to you.”

Frideric’s eyes narrowed and there was an edge to his voice as he continued, “I know everything about you, Baron Radmaris. I know that you prize the restoration of your family’s prestige above all else … and I knew long before you ever walked through my door exactly what price you were willing to pay for it.”

Every word from Frideric’s lips felt like a knife cutting deep to his soul. This man knew far too much; his every breath was filled with taunts that were as painful as they were true.

“No!” Eugen protested. “This is too much to ask of any reasonable man.”

“You say that you are a man of reason, and so you would be well aware that you are far closer to the door than I, and that the short distance to your carriage driver waiting outside is all that separates you from my dwelling and the protection of the city … should you choose to run.”

“I thought running didn’t work against your kind.”

Frideric smiled slightly, triumph creeping into his voice as he answered, “Another correct deduction. I hope you are beginning to see the advantage to my offer.”

Eugen wanted to spit at his host’s feet, but the man’s words were continuing to break down his resolve, replacing it with a lurking, crippling fear. This must be part of his power, he reasoned. It filled him with horror to realize that such a power could exist, but there was also a strangely intoxicating recognition to go with it. If he speaks the truth, then I could have this power and influence, too…

He tried to shove the thought out of his mind as quickly as he could, but it was persistent. He fought to make it go away by gazing directly at Frideric, as if he could somehow win a contest of wills that would release him from this strange ensorcellment. He forced himself to look directly at his host’s pallid skin, his snow-white hair, the lean and hungry look in the man’s eyes, eyes that did not bear the warmth of life but did betray the keen glint of a feral animal.

He should have seen it right away. The signs were too many to ignore, but his reckless arrogance had blinded him to them. The dim lighting, the host’s pale but not emaciated face, the copious fragrant flowers … the lack of garlic anywhere. He had blundered into the lair of a vampire, a shadow-walker, one of the Seed of Olothniel himself! He had come seeking a wealthy benefactor and conspirator in a plot to bring down an archrival, but instead found himself a prey to that most dangerous of predators.

His hunter couched the situation in terms of a choice between two options, but Eugen knew there was really only one. He could no more walk – or run – out of there a free man than he could command the sun to reverse its course across the sky. He now knew too much.

At length, Frideric spoke again. “The time has come to choose, Baron. I stress again, I know you to be a man of reason…” With every word the vampire spoke, Eugen’s will cracked a little bit more. Whereas a few short minutes ago, he had been adamant in his refusal to accept this “gift,” he now came to feel more strongly that there might be some profit to be had in it after all. How much did he really have to lose? He had no wife, no children who would be heirs to an estate. He would not have to forsake any of his wealth. And this sway, this power, one could hold over another! Eugen had never imagined it before, but now that he was faced with it, there was a beguiling seduction that called to him.

Before he knew it, without seeing the man even move, Frideric’s hand was on his shoulder. It was not a crushing grip, but it was firm. There would be no wrenching free from this. Again, Eugen looked into the other man’s eyes – those hungry, predatory eyes – and in them, he no longer saw his will to resist reflecting back. That had fled. In its place was only terror mingled with sweet submission.

All Eugen could say was, “I accept,” though it sounded as though someone else had stolen his body to say it.

Frideric’s response was barely more than a whisper. “I knew you would.”

When Eugen saw the man’s teeth, he barely had time to think By the gods, those look sharp, before they pierced his flesh. That pain was nothing compared to what followed. Icy fangs gnawed away at his innards, hollowing him out while tendrils rose from the cold, black abyss and wrapped around his heart and lungs, choking the life out of him. He couldn’t breathe. All the warmth was being stolen from his body while a crushing, unseen weight bore down on him.

It must have only lasted a few moments, but when the pain subsided, it felt like it had been a lifetime ago. Perhaps it was. Eugen was a new man now, more than a man. Better, stronger, fiercer. And hungry. I’m so hungry. The pain was gone, but the cold and hunger remained. So very hungry…

“Can you stand?” Frideric asked. It took some effort, but Eugen did as he was bidden. “With this gift, you are born anew. From this night forth, you will be a predator most feared. You seek power over your enemies – not only will they be unable to withstand you, but they will shrink at the very sound of your name! But first you need strength. Come, you must be fed.” Yes, Eugen thought, this hunger…

At that moment, the front door of the mansion opened. In walked Eugen’s driver, an older, unassuming man named Samo, faithful and guileless. Eugen never knew just how … warm the man was. He could feel his warmth – no, smell it – from across the foyer. I can smell his heart beating! He’s so warm, and I’m so, so hungry.

“Milord,” Samo called. “There’s wolves gathering. I thought it might be best if we get back as soon as you please.”

“Samo, faithful Samo,” said Eugen, more feebly than he expected. “Come, Samo. My host here has shared something … most wonderful with me. Please, come closer.”

Without even a hint of protest, Samo obeyed. Dear Samo. Dear, sweet, poor Samo. It wasn’t until he was nearly within arm’s reach that Samo betrayed the first sign of caution. “This place gives me the shivers, milord, no offense to…” He stopped short at the sight of Frideric standing tall and imposing, with liberal amounts of Eugen’s blood still on his lips and chin.

Nearly panicking that his driver might get away, Eugen grabbed the man by his wrist. “It’s all right, Samo. We shan’t be staying here long.” The old driver made one futile attempt to break free, but Eugen pulled him closer with surprising ease. There was nothing more to say. His patience was spent. In one deft, unexpectedly natural motion, Eugen leaned in and sank his teeth deep into Samo’s neck.

The driver’s warmth filled him with a sweetness stronger than any wine. It flowed through him as the other man sagged in Eugen’s arms, his strength sapped, stolen through Frideric’s newly bestowed gift. The rush was exhilarating! He craved more and exulted to know that there would be near-endless opportunity back in the city. Such power! How did I ever live without it?

“Your strength will grow over time,” Frideric explained. “You would do well not to be incautious. I have given you the aid you requested of me. Do not let your own carelessness doom you at the hands of lesser beings.”

That was another worry for another night, Eugen thought. Tonight, he felt he had the power of the gods! He was not afraid of mere mortals now. Right now, all he could feel was the ecstasy from this marvelous gift – that, and the cold that not even Samo’s blood could dispel. Nor the hunger. That, he now realized, was never going away.

So very, very hungry.