Ridien stepped out into the darkness just as the rain started falling. Paying no heed to the dismal weather, he turned and walked slowly down the street toward his favorite pub. This ritual had started years before, and tonight would be no different.
A working class but well off shopkeeper, Ridien was known by nearly everybody in the village and was liked by most. One liked him even more than the rest....her name was Machell. She was unknown in the village of Rhenquest by name, but well known as a demon who stalked the night, preying on the blood and souls of the innocent.
Ridien was born in this little village and had there spent his life, Machell had been watching him from an early age. She lived well beyond the village, deep in the mountains of Shamora. On this night she had plans to finally claim Ridien as her own.
The pub was filled with a smell of smoke and stale bourbon that Ridien had grown accustomed to from his earliest evenings there. The same lonely people sat in their usual places at the bar. Ridien moved forward to claim his own customary seat at the corner of the bar. Maxus, the barkeep, already had Ridien's whiskey on the bar when he sat down. Ridien smiled a hello and settled in to drink.
As Ridien sat in the pub quietly reflecting on his life, Machell was planning his afterlife. She had reached the outskirts of Rhenquest and already the excitement was building. All she had to do was catch Ridien walking home alone and convince him to join her at her mountainous lair. Not too difficult a task really, considering that her four hundredth birthday had long since come and gone. Her power seemed to be growing increasingly stronger with each passing day. This pleased her greatly. The art of hypnotism was second nature to her now, she would have no problems convincing him to join her, he would have no choice.
Ridien would be weak and helpless at first, but she could teach him and he would grow strong. It would just take time, the one commodity she had bested on the evening of her rebirth into the darkness. These thoughts entered and left her mind as she neared the pub.
Ridien finished the last of his nightly drinks and tossed 2 gold pieces on the bar to cover his bill. As he stood and turned to leave, Machell spoke to him. Deep in his mind he heard her voice for the first time, calling him, beckoning, reaching into his soul and drawing him toward her. For a moment he thought to resist, but was overwhelmed by the power of her summons.
Ridien walked out into the night in a daze, no longer in control of his body. Pulled by the force of Machell's spell, Ridien entered the alley where she, and his fate, were waiting to claim him.
Slowly, Machell stepped out of the shadows. Ridien stood unable to move and completely mesmerized by her. Machell lifted her hand to his cheek, caressing him gently. Inside her desire for him burned deeper. Ridien's heart raced as her touch terrified, yet calmed him. He tried to resist but could not break from gazing into her crystal blue eyes as they shimmered in the moonlight. His mind was overcome by her beauty and hypnotic powers. Gently Machell grasped his hand and at the speed of light, led him back to her darkened lair. Her hunger and desire for him burned deeper as she heard his heart racing, the smell of his blood tempting her.
As they stepped inside her Domain, Machell stood behind Ridien, With a soft voice, she spoke to his mind, "Come with me, I shall give you an eternity of love and power." Her voice echoed in his mind, her beauty captivated him. Ridien looked up at Machell and nodded slowly in acceptance of her offer.
Carefully Machell stepped closer, reaching a hand to his shoulder, she pulled the collar of his shirt back. Her other arm reached around him, pulling him into a firm embrace. Machell's mouth opened, her sharp fangs bared. Quickly, she lunged forward, sinking her teeth deep into Ridien's neck, piercing through his skin. Ridien cringed, feeling a blaze of heat, as he clung to her, wanting to scream out in pain yet unable to speak. The Beast inside her raged as his life-force flowed into her.
Ridien, feeling his life slipping away slowly, clung to Machell. He let out a soft moan of pain and pleasure. Suddenly he felt himself leaving his twisting and shaking body. Machell lifted him gently and lied him down onto the sofa. Enchanted by him she gazed at him momentarily and smiled in the anticipation of the happiness and companionship she had longed for over the centuries.
Machell pierced her wrist with her claw-like fingernail and held it to Ridien's lips. Softly she spoke verbally for the first time, "Drink of my blood, M'love, for eternity awaits us." Her sweet voice was music to his ears. The smell of the blood called out to Ridien, suddenly he lunged at her. His lips wrapped around her wrist and he greedily sucked at the wound. The hot red liquor past over his lips, feelings of ecstasy overcame him as the sweet thick vitae flowed down his throat. Machell let out a howl of passion as her love took a part her inside him, relishing in the pleasure as they became one.
As Machell pulled her wrist from his lips, slowly she glided her tongue over the wound, healing it swiftly. Ridien looked up to Machell, confused yet calm. Slowly he reached out for her, taking her hand in his and stood to his feet. Their eyes met again. Machell waited, examining Ridien closely. Finally, he spoke "Atlast m'love we can be together, I have longed for this moment all my life, always knowing in my heart that the one I was destined to be with would come for me." Machell smiled and pulled Ridien close to her. They embraced each other firmly and their lips met, falling into a passionate kiss.
Centuries passed and together they stalked the village of Rhenquest. Legends of Ridien's disappearance passed on throughout the years. Generation after generation were the tales of Ridien’s alleged appearance in the dark alley beside the now historic pub told. Occasionally Ridien and Machell would visit that spot in that darkened alley in memory of the beginning of their unlife together.
One evening, Machell awoke from her days sleep and found Ridien gone. Machell searched the village of Rhenquest looking for her love. In her despair she lurked in the shadows of the night, destroying every mortal she encountered. Learning that Ridien was no longer in that village or nearby vicinity, Machell moved on to the next town only to move on once again, as she slipped towards frenzy.
To this day Machell roams the earth seeking her love. It is rumored that late at night when the world is silent at the darkest hour, you can hear Machell's painful and lonely cry for Ridien, her one true love, to return to her.
**Written with Hunter. I Miss you Hunter, Much Love 4Ever**
