Falling…
Over and over, wind rushing past as he fell.
There was no sound, no vision, nothing but the sensation of falling. He had ceased screaming a long time ago. Any attempt to express his fear would have been pointless. He could not tell how long he had been under or where he was going but pain was his companion, torment his curse.
But in his ears, he could hear a pounding. A solid, rhythmic sound, continuous, perfect…primal. As he sensed the ground approaching, the sound became louder, more identifiable. It was warm, fluid. It pounded in his ears, demanding to be heard.
He was…hungry…
Light and sound danced in his eyes and ears. As he came to, they began to resolve themselves into recognisable things. He was aware of soft, linen sheets on his skin and the smell of burning incense as the rest of his senses reported in. Looking down, he could confirm that he was in a large bed covered in fresh linen, a small, obviously scented candle burning next to him. He was naked beneath the bedclothes and the only light in the room seemed to be coming from the candle. Even so, he found himself still able to see in the darkness, objects assuming an eerie, purple outline as he cast his gaze around the room.
Rising from his bed, pain shot through his body, forcing him to collapse back into its warm embrace. His entire body burned as if he had just spent the last 24 hours working out. Every muscle screamed out at him, each of them with their own tale of abuse to tell. He laid back in the bed, listening to the flicker of the candle. It was then that he became aware of another sound.
It was a tiny scuffle of feet, but soft, as if someone were walking barefoot. His curiosity aroused, he managed to pull himself upright, ignoring the protestations of his muscles. He glanced around the room again, taking in the stone floor, the red velvet curtains around his bed and the dark, brick walls. Later on, he would swear he smelt her first.
She was lying curled up in a ball at the foot of his bed. Her nut brown hair fell over her face, hiding her features from him, her head held low, close to her white dress. He could tell though, that she was young. She appeared to be sleeping. Unsure whether she knew anything about where he was or what he was doing here, he reached out to touch her.
The iron door to his cell swung open with a bang. He jumped to his feet, the sudden shriek of pain from his body causing him to sit down on the bed. Beside him, the young girl jerked her head up at the sound, a look of sudden panic on her face.
“Well now, aren’t we the heavy sleeper?” came a voice from the corridor. “Did we have a lot to leave behind up there?”
The speaker was another woman, but far removed from the girl on the floor. She was tall and dark haired and regarded him with affection. She was dressed in an exquisite blood red dress that barely contained her voluptuous figure. A wicked smile played on her lips as she took in the scene before her.
“You’re probably a little dazed from the journey I expect. How was it?”
“How was what?” he replied, his throat dry from lack of use.
“Dying,” she asked. “Hell of a rush, I found. I wish I could go back and do it again. I’m Alycia by the way.”
She crossed the room and started inspecting him, tilting his head to one side and checking around his neck and back.
“I died?” he uttered.
“Yep, I’m afraid so,” she said, “but Lilith likes you, so she decided to keep you as her pet for a while. You never know, if you get lucky, she may even turn you loose after a few decades.”
He sat there, trying to take in what was being told to him. At the mention of Lilith’s name, a sudden flash of memory sparked in his brain followed by a coldness that made him shiver.
“What are you looking for?” he asked. “And do you know who I am?” He almost laughed as the ridiculous question left his lips.
“I’m checking to see how your body is developing after the turning. Normally aches like a bitch for a while as you adjust. As for your name, Lilith never mentioned one. I’m sure she’ll give you one when the time is right.”
He paused for a second, digesting the information. As he was about to ask his next question, she suddenly grabbed his head and prized his mouth open.
“Ooh, nice set,” she muttered. “Have you…?”
Her question was silenced though as she noticed the girl on the floor.
“What’s this?” she asked. “You haven’t even touched your breakfast!”
He looked over to where she had pulled the girl off of the floor. Alycia had grasped the girl and was checking her neck. At the sight of the girl’s pale skin, he felt something twist in his stomach.
“You know, you’re a very lucky guy as well,” she said, “not many people get to drink from Lisa here. Lilith likes to keep her all to herself.”
