A full moon hung, a silver disk in ebony skies, lighting the small town brightly as mid-day. Fallen leaves of crimson and burnished gold drifted along the streets, their colors muted by the night.

Safe in her step, she walked. Dark hair trailed down her back in a crimson tinted waterfall. Dark eyes sprinkled with starlight cast wary glances over the shadows.

From the rooftop, he watched her.

The breeze that blew so gently down upon her, tossed his black hair back from his pale face. Dark eyes glowing softly with hunger traced her every step, watching the gentle sway of her hips.

Closer she came, and the breeze bore him her scent. The faintest trace of roses, but, stronger still, her blood. His hunger rose within him, and he watched her pass.

He dropped soundlessly to the street, standing motionless for a long moment, merely watching her from behind before he followed.

Just two steps away, she turned. Her dark eyes widened a moment, staring up at him. The top of her head reached his chin, and the hands the suddenly gripped her were large and gentle in their grip. "You've nothing to fear," he said softly, gently pulling her close.

His resonant voice filled her ears and her mind, and she swayed toward him, tilting her head slightly to one side.

His eyes fell on the vein in her neck. He watched her pulsebeat quicken, heard her indrawn breath. The scent of her blood was strong, rushing over him with like a touch. The hunger within him swelled; his fangs lengthened.

He bent his head, slowly ran his tongue over the vein, moaning softly as her pulse raced faster. His hands slid down her chest, grazing nipples that puckered and stood at attention. She moaned softly, arching into his touch.

"Forgive me, sweet," he murmured softly, then slowly bit into the pale, tender flesh of her neck. His groan answered hers as her blood flowed over his tongue. Hot and thick, it filled him. He drank of her; her thoughts and memories flowed as richly as her blood, coursing through him.

Her hands grew slack on his shoulders, and still he feasted, drinking deep, taking all she had to give until her body sagged in his arms.

Aware suddenly of the shallowness of her pulse, he drew back. He stared at the broken doll in his arms, head lolling to one side with small drops of blood beading where he'd kissed her. Gently, reverently, his lips met hers. One drop of his own blood sealed the wounds he'd made. He held her close for a long moment, listening as she sighed her last breath.

One last kiss to pale pink lips, and he set her gently against the wall. Moonlight kissed her newly pale features, and he bent for one more soft kiss before losing himself in the shadows once more.

The End