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It was in the old abandoned observatory that Alfred heard again that enticing singing voice which - he already knew - belonged to Sarah. Leaving old Abronsius, who didn't even stop babbling some inspired nonsense about the rings of Saturn, the youth rushed off in the direction of the bathroom in a vaguely indecent hope to see the curvy glistening body of Chagal's elder daughter, covered in aromatic foam, just like before. As he approached the room, he heard the water running, and nervously clutched the little poetry book he fished out of a shelf in von Krolock's impressive library. He would confess his feelings for her, Alfred tried to reassure himself, and finally convince the girl that all these cute dresses and luxury weren't worth having if she was to become the main course on the horrid ball of these abominable living dead.
- Sarah? - he called out, voice trembling, as he saw some clothes lying on the embroidered cover of the intricately decorated four-poster bed. A tiny pang of alarm went through him, as he noticed that these belonged to a man, but he suppressed the feeling and nervously peeked into the neighbouring room, where the young man - to his dismay and confusion - saw the half-naked son of their demonic host, humming cheerily, while he filled the bathtub with steaming liquid. Alfred darted back, meaning to escape immediately, but froze in terror as the young blond vampire noticed him. The sweet-smelling and deliciously afraid mortal, whom Herbert desired from the very moment their unexpected guests entered the castle, was finally alone and at his disposal - an opportunity the vampire would not dare to miss. With a grace of a big wild cat he drew himself closer to the frightened human and playfully announced:
- Are you ill? How pale he is!
- I-I'm not pale, - retorted Alfred.
- Yes, you are! Yes, you are, I assure you! - Herbert insisted mockingly, fussing over the boy's cravat, - you are as white, as a sheet.
- No! - Alfred blurted out, feverishly trying to find a way to escape, but the scantily clad undead was now too close to even make a run for it.
- Yes, Alfred, - the vampire, well aware of his vis-à-vis' intentions, softly, but firmly, motioned the latter to the bed, - you must have a rest.
- Have a little rest, and you will feel much, much better, - the smooth velvety voice seemed to just imply something more by that, and Alfred gulped nervously as he obeyed, seeing no other option.
- How long they are, they look like golden threads, your lashes, - murmured the vampire, leaning over the hyperventilating youth, who just happened to discover that the only one reflected in the misty mirror on the wall was himself. Herbert pretended not to notice his companion's reaction:
- What is it you're clutching there like a little treasure? - he mused, niftily snatching the little tome, which Alfred realized he still held in his stiffening hands, away from him. "Is he going to kill me now, - the youth thought, paralyzed with terror, - or worse even… no, he couldn't possibly…".
- So that's the big secret, somebody is in love, - the youth could swear he heard a tinge of jealousy in the Herbert's voice, which made Alfred only more convinced that it was not only his blood that the vampire lusted for. That long moment he held the boy's hand as they were introduced, the mockingly caring tone and the diminutives he never stopped using - the vampire was trying to court him from the very beginning and that was truly terrifying. Alfred would never even bear a thought of intimacy with a man, let alone a vampire. But Herbert continued his little game, from which the youth didn't see an escape just yet, but surely… Alfred flinched, when he felt the marble-cold fingers rest on his shoulder, as Herbert acted out a ridiculous advice from the book.
… and let an angel pass, - Herbert cast a meaningful glance at Alfred, which the latter returned, half-trembling and even more assured of his previous guess, the only wish beating in his feverish brain was to be as far as possible from this country, this castle, from the vampire's dangerous proximity, but there was hardly anything to be done. Herbert curved his plump scarlet lips and continued to read:
- Bend the face towards the locks of the loved one and brush them with your lips, - slowly whispered Herbert right into Alfred's ear, sending waves of terror and wicked excitement through the latter's body. The youth almost wished the vampire would kiss him with that red mouth of his and froze in a dreadful tingling anticipation, as the cool velvety lips brushed over his cheek-bone, barely touching the skin. The basic instinct all living beings possess told Alfred to run from the imminent death that hovered over him, and he made a weak attempt to break away from the vampire's embrace - with no visible result. Herbert pinned him down easily, pressing his firm body covered only by a long light-blue shirt closer to Alfred.
- There is no use, love, - murmured the pale blond, as Abronsius' young assistant tried to struggle again, averting his eyes from the vampire's penetrating gaze, - why is he turning his pretty little face away. Now, Alfred, you belong to me.
- No, - gasped the youth fearfully.
-Yes, - drawled von Krolock junior. - Or are you still pining for that red-head birdie, Sarah?
- Sarah?
- So are you? - insisted Herbert, never releasing his grip over the trembling human.
- I… no… - Alfred was too nervous and couldn't string two words together in the vampire's overwhelming presence.
- Oh, - Herbert suddenly felt pleased and suspicious that Alfred didn't really mean it anyway, - even if you did, it's no use, my father claimed her for himself, and I am going to have you.
- You. What do you mean by that, - Alfred gasped helplessly, straining to free himself, - you can't possibly want to do some… horrible things. It is unnatural, - he mumbled, discouraged by Herbert's satisfied predatory smile.
- I meant exactly what you heard, dearest, - the vampire buried his face in Alfred's neck, taking in the sweet warm smell of his hair and just touching the irresistibly pulsing artery with the tips of his long fangs, which made Alfred shudder with fear and disgust. - it will hurt a bit in the beginning and then it will feel much, much better, - Herbert continued, fairly gloating, - I'll savour and pleasure you, love, whether you want it or not.
- That… is unthinkable, I would never do it with a man, - Alfred's voice trembled, as he tried to maintain the little dignity he had left, being spread on the bed like that, while Herbert started to undo the youth's bowtie and shirt, firmly holding the struggling human with his legs and the other hand.