A fog lay over the sidewalks as I made my way down the street. I’d never had the chance to enjoy the nighttime like this was great even if it was in the city. It was almost as if the moonlight was energizing me.

“Hey, hot stuff, wanna bite?” A streetwalker lifted her skirt slightly calling me over.

“Uh, I’m alright.” 

“You sure, you look hungry.” She pulled at the collar of her shirt trying to entice me.

I just walked past, I guess it was pretty obvious what I was.

“Your loss!” She yelled after me.

I darted across the street into the park, hoping to enjoy its peacefulness. The sound of water bubbling in the park fountain put me at ease. The moon reflected and I let out a sigh as I tapped the water watching as it rippled distorting the reflection. Then I saw myself. It seemed fitting a fitting development now I could truly hate myself. I turned away from the water having let my bad mood ruin it for me. I heard footsteps as someone approached from the dark.

“Wondered when you’d get here…”

Amadeo smiling, stood in front of me. He grabbed my chin guiding my face to look up at him.

“I was so worried about you,” his thumb ran over my lips, “you should come back with me so I can protect you.”

I pulled away from his hand, “I wouldn’t need protecting if you didn’t do this to me.”

“My love, I’ve divorced quite a few vampire hunter’s heads from their bodies to know that’s not true.” 

True enough.

“Now that you’re a vampire I can cross one worry off my mind, I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if one of my vamplings drained you of your blood.”

“Seems like that was the only worry.”

“Well, now I have to worry about witches or any other seductresses draining you in other ways.”

“I-” blushing and aggravated I crossed my arms, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Hmm…well regardless I forgive you, since you did it because of me.” He wrapped his arms around me nuzzling into my hair.

I pushed him away and turned to face him pointing a finger in his face, “Listen!” 

Before I could continue he grabbed my hand, kissing the back of it sensually.

“I’m listening~”

My patience was wearing thin.

“Take this seriously, you have to explain all of this to me!” 

Amadeo seemed unphased, his sly grin still plastered on his face.

“This? You’ll have to be more specific.” He leaned in closer.

“Everything and stop pretending like you don’t understand, asshole.” Grabbing his shirt collar I glared, it took everything in me not to beat that stupid look off his face.

“So vulgar,” He backed off displeased, “it doesn’t suit such a beauty.”

“Tch-” I cut my teeth at him, “hurry and get to the explanation.”

He glowed in the moonlight, “Hmmm how bothersome…” Sitting on the edge of the fountain he rested his face in his hand looking at me.

“Your friends are here, cor meum.”

“Wha-?!” I turned, seeing three vampire hunters.

Great…

I put my hands out, “Hey guys, loo-”

“Shut up, fang-face!” 

Barely dodging a bolt in the shoulder, I realized there would be no way to talk my way out of this. As if my life wasn’t already awful enough. Another hunter approached swinging haphazardly in every direction with a silver sword.

“I don’t want to hurt you!” I pleaded.

“Bullshit!”

All at once they began to rush me, time seemed to slow and I panicked trying to find a solution to this. I closed my eyes and braced for impact, at least this way it would be over, my failure and embarrassment, everything. 

“Are you finished playing with your friends?” A low voice in my ear snapped me back into reality.

Amadeo stood behind me, chin on my shoulder, his hands on my waist. I could feel his intent, I’d been on the receiving end of this many times from vampires, of being hunted and up for slaughter. The feeling truly chills you to your core, he would kill them, because of me.

“Don’t! Please!” I couldn’t bear to watch.

He let out a heavy disappointed sigh before lifting me in his arms. My eyes were still shut tight, wind rushed past my face in an instant and when I opened my eyes we had left the hunters behind.

“You always were so gentle~”

All the aggravation from before washed away my amazement.

“You act like we’ve known each other forever.” I rolled my eyes pushing away from him.

“Hmm?~ That’s because we have.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Every time we meet you’re like this, it hurts my feelings,” He pulled me closer, “though I suppose you’re not really at fault are you?”

“You’re talking nonsense.” 

“You promised me that you were mine, forever,” his face relaxed becoming more solemn now, “I’ve been content to let you fade in and out of my life all these years but you’ve gone too far this time.” 

His grasp on my shoulders tightened. I couldn’t break away, why did I feel so guilty for something I don’t remember? What did I do to piss him off so bad?

“Uhhh, I’m so lost…”

“You are?”

“Yes…”

“Interesting…you don’t remember anything?”

“No…”

Amadeo’s eyes widened and he let me go, he paced in contemplation looking at me every so often. Suddenly he began again:

“Long ago before my affliction,” he gestured to himself, “I was the next in line to rule a great kingdom, however, I was killed for greed and jealousy.”

“I assume this was a long time ago?”

“Yes.” Holding my hands in his, he traced my knuckles with his thumbs.

“So? Do I have to point out the obvious?”

“I’ll explain further…” He resumed the dramatic prose. 

A warrior without a name approached claiming he could single-handedly reclaim my kingdom. I laughed at his boldness, but humored him asking what he desired in return for such a feat, he said his request would only be announced after he had upheld his promise. Intrigued I agreed and just as he promised he reclaimed the throne in my name. His request was for me to keep him beside me forever. Though I agreed, I failed to protect him as he protected me. His soul, your soul, is bound to me. You have found me every time and every time you slip through my fingers.

It took everything in me not to laugh.

What kind of fairytale bullshit is he on?

“And you think that’s me?”

“I know it.”

“Really?” I asked sarcastically.

Amadeo pointed to his eye, “I gave this to you, it’s how I can see you, how I can feel you, how I can dream with you.”

His hand reached out to my face, I started to feel overwhelmed this was way too much for me to handle.

“Look even if all this is true maybe it’s just not meant to be.” I swatted his hand away.

“I’m not inclined to believe that, given your body reacts so well to me.”

“That!” I clenched my fists, “that doesn’t mean anything!”

“Hmm~ I wonder…” A coy smile crept on his face, “Fine, if you won’t cooperate then how about a deal?”

I crossed my arms waiting to hear his proposal.

“Spend the night with me and decide after that.”

“That sounds only beneficial to you…” Unimpressed by the offer, I shrugged.

He leaned in whispering into my ear, “I can assure you will benefit in many ways, cor meum.”

Something about the offer was enticing, my heart pounded with excitement. I couldn’t help but feel like my body wasn’t my own whenever he spoke. As if he wasn’t talking to me but someone else entirely. What would happen if he awoke that person? Would I still be myself? These thoughts made me hesitant.

“I-I don’t know.” 

“I’ll give you time to think, I’m sure I’ll know your decision soon.” He pointed to his eye once again.

Had he been watching this whole time? My entire life? I was embarrassed at the thought. He vanished into the dark woods leaving me alone. The walk home gave me plenty of time to think. Ducking in and out of alleyways I tried to not look too conspicuous. Would I really accept his offer? 

Hey! You better not be listening, creep!

I couldn’t help but let out a sigh. 

“Haha…” A familiar laugh piqued the attention of my ears.

“Scarlett…” I couldn’t fight the smile spreading on my face.

Until I saw her, one of her many suitors getting handsy outside the bar with her. A sight I’ve seen many times and yet it breaks my heart just the same. Something about me isn’t good enough. I thought about what we did earlier: I’m just bothering her…

I’m sure she feels the same way about me as I do about Amadeo, an annoying mosquito. Laying in my bed that I hadn’t that long ago, I felt as though my body deflated into the comfort of my pillows and blankets. My eyes grew heavier and my breathing slowed, drifting slowly into someone else’s dreams.

Images of a castle flashed in my mind and the feeling of nostalgia washed over me. I didn’t recognize the location but I felt at ease.

“Cor meum…” someone called out to me, their face blurred.

I was unable to speak only able to mumble and groan. The person approached getting closer and closer.

“You must be very tired…” They laughed caressing my face. 

I leaned into their palm feeling something warm stream down my face. Embraced in an instant the figure spoke:

“My love, don’t cry.”