Vampire. Vampyre. Nosferatu. So many names and yet so misunderstood. There are the classic blood suckers. Yet there are psychic vampires. There are those that are sexual vampires. They take the energy from the suspense that leads up to the intercourse. There are as many varieties as there are people that claim to be one.

But when you are brought up in the life of being thought a vampire, you cannot just put on a Hawaiian shirt, sandals and a white hat and proclaim yourself a normal person. It doesn’t work that way.

Ia zi. Supravieþui în noaptea.

Romanian for “Take the day. Survive the night.” A family saying that seems to prove that you cannot change what you are no matter how you wish it. Yet that doesn’t stop one in particular from trying. At least in private.

Vlad. Vlad Vola. An old name from the old country thrust upon a young man in a new world. Had his grandparents really had a clue when they came to the free world? Had they even a clue as to what a mere name would do to someone’s future? Of how typecast he would always be? Apparently they were like all old worlders. They worried about the now because the future was not a surety.

Sitting in his private chambers, the walls clean and white, the furniture so common that to describe it would bore you, the domed ceiling with its ornate windows opaque so that no light got in, or would the sight of eyes trying to see in. This was his private chambers after all.

Across from sat a woman, her sharp features in stunning contrast to her flowing hair and soft eyes. This was Alina. His one true love. She never questioned his ways or his thoughts. She was in everyway, his perfect woman. Even her name when translated meant to soothe. If only she could talk to him. She hadn’t been able to do so for a few years. She had died in an accident. He was so taken with grief that he had her preserved in a glass case so that she would never ever age. He just liked to look at her, for that was enough to give him comfort.

We all have our oddities. This was his. To always have the one he loved in his life without all the things that go with it. The perfect woman, quiet and looking beautiful.

He sat with fingers pressed together in a teepee shape with his chin resting upon it. His mind wandering here and there, never really settling on one thing. So this was no real shock when he was interrupted with a buzz on the intercom. He never allowed anyone to come further than the small alcove which bordered his private sanctum from the rest of the sprawling place he called home. The rest looking like something from an old movie. Even down to the cobwebs.

Vlad: Yes Aniela?

Aniela was to him what a normal assistant would be to anyone else. She maintained the every day things that he didn’t want to bother with. Still he always watched, trust no one and never be surprised by what they do.

Aniela: Sorry to bother you Master Vlad, but there are a few people here to see you. About a contract you signed without letting me know. Should I tell them you are going to be a while longer?

Vlad: Tell them I shall be right there. And Aniela, I have told you repeatedly that you do not have to call me Master. That is so old world.

Aniela: Yes M…Yes Vlad as you wish. I shall tell the gentlemen you will be with them shortly.

He turned off the intercom and stood up. He sighed slightly as he started taking off the simple tan shirt and then the jeans he had been wearing. His body smooth and worthy of any woman’s attentions, he flexed briefly in the mirror. His large frame belying the tenderness it could show. But it also warned of the power he could bring to bear on someone as well. His legs slid into the leather pants that would fasten to the leather cross pieces that would criss cross his chest. Taking his hair down from the tight ponytail, he shook his head to make it drape around his face for the quintessential look of what was expected of him. Time to return to the real world and out of his wish world.

Walking down the hallway, the wisps of cobwebs reminiscent of old house left to decay or of the equally mundane reference to the Addams family house, he ran his tongue over the elongated canines he has always had. Some are born with them, he was one of them. So he naturally looked menacing when he smiled. He would smile to make sure this meeting would go his way. Intimidation of those easily intimidated was always satisfying.

Two men sat in front of the desk that seemed to melt into the bookshelves that lined the wall in the library. He moved quickly so that the slight whip of the hem of his leather coat curled behind him to give him just the right appearance.

Ignoring the startled look at the two men, he sat and leaned back in his chair, his fingers automatically teepeeing in front of his chin. Appearance complete.

Vlad: Gentlemen. My assistant has informed me that you have some documents for me to sign in regards to my recent inquiries?

Both men gave nervous smiles as one remained silent and looked equally as nervous as the one that began to speak.

I am Don Taylor. I represent the company known as EWA. We were asked to bring the final contract to your … um… house for your signature.

Taking the papers that were offered, he looked them over with a skilled eye. He had always been the one to take care of the family businesses. So a standard contract was nothing new. All the I’s had been dotted and the t’s crossed. Leaning forward with a smoothness that belied its speed of movement, he withdrew the actual quill pen and signed the contract with red ink.

Vlad: There we go gentlemen. Everything is in order and it is officially signed.

Taylor: All the particulars are included in the packet I laid on your desk. So with the contract signed we shall be on our way. We wish you a good day.

Vlad stood and held out his hand and smiled broadly, his canines having the desired effect as the two men looked like they were about to pass out with need to flee. As they left he heard the silent one ask if he really signed that in blood, while the one named Taylor merely said, “who cares, lets get out of this place.”

The two practically ran out the door with Vlad’s laughter ringing in their ears.

Taking the packet, he looked over the contents and keeping the list of those on the show, he smiled softly to himself as he did indeed see his name across from someone named Alexander Slate.

several hours later, as a party is in full swing

The part goers were dressed in various garb ranging from suits of mail armor to court jesters. The ladies in gowns down to nothing but bikini bottoms. With a few wearing nothing at all. These parties were always a rush to those that attended and yes even at times to the host.

Vlad walked to the front of the room and stood before the huge chair that served as his throne. Its ornate beauty hidden this eve by the dim light and few party trappings that always seemed to spring up like gremlins were in the room.

Raising his hands for quiet, he waited till the music and cheering died down before he begin to speak.

Vlad: My people. Tonight you are witness to the beginning of what may become a frequent occurrence. I am going to speak on something that I truly enjoy outside of your being here in my home.

Those that could hear clearly clapped and listened intently as he smiled to them all.

Vlad: I have taken it upon myself to go out into the world of fighting and begin my journey to own it as I do the night. I have trained in many styles of fighting both armed and unarmed. So with that in mind, I have joined this place known as EWA to become one of their stars.

The crowd listened intently with some murmuring going through the crowd.

Vlad: Do not worry my children of the night. I shall not be harmed at all. And should that by some unknown curse, then I shall heal here with you all as my attendants. This brings me to what I will have to do in abundance for the near future. I shall address one that I face with direct comment. And you all know what happens when I direct comments to someone.

The crowd hooted and laughed as he said that. Of course they knew that the one he addressed personally was in for something bad about to happen to them.

Vlad: Alexander Slate. Someone that obviously is unhappy. Then he shall continue that streak of unhappiness knowing he will fall at my feet. I am not going to promise to defeat this person in hand to hand combat. I am going to state it as fact. I do not care if he is a worthy opponent or not. I will not concern myself with his skills or lack of them. What I will do is warn this jackanape that he is on borrowed time. I am of the night eternal. While he is of the day. He will learn that night is always lingering even when he does not see it. I am the thing the dark that you hear but never see. I am the one that makes the night scream in terror. I am the last thing you see before you pass out in fright. I am the end of his time in my spotlight. Slate, while I do not know you, nor care to, I do not wish you ill harm. Show up and attempt to defeat me in combat and all that will befall you is harm. Is that what you really wish? To fall victim to pain and agony when you could stay healthy and happy in your own version of this miserable world? Take my words at value for they are not to be wasted on deaf ears.

Falling silent, he sits and looks upon those that have chosen to spend their night in his presence. The music drowning out the screams that come from the rooms that like the hall. Life is good when you own the night.