Tears and smoke burn my eyes. Each breath is agony, as though I’m drowning in a sea of fire. The air is hot and dry and filled with sorrow. My village, my home, burns down around me, turning to ash and char faster than I thought was possible. Decades of memories, gone in mere minutes.

I try to stand, but my legs won’t comply. Even the rage burning inside of me isn’t enough to will my limbs to move. Instead, I look back up at the monster in front of me.

He looks down at me, his red eyes glowing like burning embers.

A vampyr.

He smiles, revealing his blood-soaked teeth, and he kneels down to meet my eyes. Pale and hairless, his skin is coarse, dry, and white like bone. And yet, he moves with purpose and grace, as if this monstrous, misshapen form conceals someone beautiful beneath.

He leans in. Then, he brings a lock of my hair to his lips and inhales deeply.

He murmurs, as if pleased. “I’ve finally found you…”