He could feel himself slipping. 

His blood was boiling under his skin, and his mind was on fire. Something writhered  deep inside of him. There was an empty, bottomless hole where his stomach had been and his throat was bone dry. When he had raised the bowl of bitter wine the courtesan had brought him, it was as if his body had a mind of its own.

He had knocked it away, sending it spiraling out of her shocked grasp and clattering agains the expensive embroidered curtain canopy that concealed his bed. His body jerked and twisted as if he had been burned. 

The young courtesan looked at him with confusion and a bit of wariness. Somewhere, through the muffled ringing that was roaring in his ears, he heard her ask if he was alright. He was unable to respond. 

His head pounding against his skull, his heart slamming against his ribcage, desprate to break free. 

He lunged for the young woman, he was aware that his fingers were digging mercilessly into the soft flesh of her arms, but he was unable to stop himself. All he could focus on was her smell. 

The smell of her skin was divine. The warmth of her blood pulsing and pumping through her veins was almost intimate.

He couldn't stop himself as he drew her closer; kissing the soft skin of her throat. 

He pushed himself farther, his teeth digging into the junction of her throat. 

Her rich blood filled his mouth. It was like the sweetest wine he had ever tasted. He wanted more, craved more. 

Somewhere in the haze, the courtesan was screaming and crying, pushing and shoving at his shoulders to break free of his grip. But even that couldn't stop it, the noise irritated him, making him angry. Ripping away from her, he sunk his teeth into her lips in an attempt to cover up her screams of pain. 

It seemed to work at keeping her quiet but the moment was short-lived when two guards burst through the door followed quickly by the head butler. He couldn't be concerned with them. He had tasted the sweet nectar of life and he wanted more. 

The pit in his stomach opened-wide and in one slow tantalizing motion... he tore the young woman's lips from her face and into his mouth. 

Hands forced him away, grabbing him under his armpits and forcing him away from the weeping, bloodied woman. The butler and some of the older maids came rushing in to attend to the younger's aid, bundling her up and attempting to stop the bleeding. 

All the while, the young lord thrashed against the two men's grip. 

He was still hungry!

He wanted more!