Again

He watches her as he has many nights before
Standing in the shadows, bewitched by her graceful beauty.
He longs to taste her lips and feel the heat of her skin.
And he knows that he will have her soon.

She sees the pale stranger in the shadows, watching her.
She pretends not to notice, for she knows his eyes never leave her.
She feels his gaze.
She steals a look, and sees his blood red lips form a word,
Though she knows not what he says.

He whispers to himself, chastising himself for his feelings.
He loves her, and that angers him.
For he had long ago given up on love, and his cold heart had died.
He pulls his cloak around him,
And a cold tear sneaks through his dark eyes, for he knows
He will do his evil deed tonight.

She looks again, and sees his eyes bright with tears.
This touches her heart, for she knows how she effects men.
She hurts inside, knowing he hurts like this.
She decides to go to him, to touch his pale cheek.

He sees her turn and look directly at him.
He prepares to fade away, but decides to wait on her move.
He puts on an acceptable face and prepares for confrontation.
If his heart still beat, it would be racing now.

She presses closely to him, inviting him to follow with one glance.
She walks out the door, her heart racing nervously.
A girlish giggle escapes her lips as she turns to him and smiles.
She runs out to the magnolia tree, and awaits his arrival.

He appears before her, and smiles at her surprised gasp.
Without a word he takes her into his arms.
At first she resists, but he calms her with his gentle touch.
He gently kisses her, savoring the heat of her lips.

She allows him to embrace her, pretending to resist.
She gazes into his dark eyes that seem to glow in the moonlight.
She allows him to kiss her, and inhales sharply at the shock of pain.
She tastes her own blood upon her tongue.

He feels strengthened by her virginal blood
And the love he felt for her gives up its resistance.
He looks into her eyes, and she tilts her head back, allowing access.
He sees her pulse pounding in her neck, and he bends to taste.

She knows she should be afraid, but she is not.
She loves him, and offers herself as sacrifice to the love.
She smiles as he first kisses her pulse.
She gasps as he opens the vein.

He opens a vein with his teeth, and drinks deeply.
He feels her clutch his shoulders as he devours her life.
He feels her body grow weak as she passes out.
Seconds later he drops her lifeless body.

He steps back, realizing what he has done.
His unearthly scream echoes through the night.
Again he has destroyed beauty.
Again he has mocked and destroyed love.
Again he has destroyed his heart.