The Night Speaks Softly.
The train grumbled its way to a halt, and I slipped awake without really realizing that I’d been asleep. It was foggy outside, and rather dark, I noticed, once I stepped off onto the platform, peering down the main street of the small town in which I’d been dropped. I moved forward, walking under the streetlights so I could see my way to the inn where I’d be staying for the night.
It was a quaint sort of place, the kind of thing you’d imagine in The Hobbit or something. It was built up of wood and stone, two stories, and there was no heat or air-conditioning, just fireplaces in every room. It fit Transylvania so well; all of it seemed to have this eerie sense of old things about it, like a musty smell hanging in a room.
The innkeeper’s wife asked in garbled English, as she served me dinner, why I was visiting. I smiled and explained to her that I was visiting a relative, a distant cousin whom I’d never met before. He lived in Castle Dracula.
Her face paled instantly. Really - it was like she died in response to that. She gave me the sign against the evil eye, and I blinked after her as she scurried away, hiding inside the kitchen from me. I didn’t see her again. I had no idea how I was supposed to pay. I ended up leaving my money on the table and trudging up to my room.
I listened to the wolves howling all night. I had no idea they could be so loud, ever. I lived in the middle of the suburbs back home in America. I’d never even heard wolves before, outside of movies. It was an eerie sound. I dozed in and out of sleep; part of me was terrified that they were going to get into my room and kill me, and I’m not sure why, since I was on the second floor and there were shutters on the windows.
I was exhausted by the time morning came. Sleeping in fear was less satisfying than not sleeping at all. I crept down the stairs as soon as the sun was up, my suitcase in hand. The innkeeper was awake, and he frowned at me from behind the desk. “You should not go up there.” His tone was dark, far too serious to be taken lightly. “It is dangerous. Those who go up that mountain are rarely heard from again.”
I smiled at him, plucking money from my wallet and laying it on the counter. “Well, maybe I’ll be one of the rare ones, and I’ll come down in one piece. He’s family, the one that lives up there. I’m sure he doesn’t plan to hurt me.”
He sighed like he’d expected me to say that and took my hand, pressing his crucifix into my palm. The silver felt cold against my palm. I shivered. “God keep you.” His face was grave.
I dipped my head, thanking him, and was off down the street as quickly as I could be.
I only found one person willing to drive me up to the castle, and it took me most of the day. Most of the others in the village shrank back simply at the name Dracula. Didn’t they know he hadn’t been alive for a hundred years? At this point, it was superstitious nonsense. They needed to get over it.
The driver worked for my cousin apparently. As soon as I opened the door, when the car came to pick me up in front of the inn, I was basically smitten. He was gorgeous - striking eyes (I couldn’t be sure of the color; the expression on his face and the lighting kept changing, and it seemed the color changed with it), looping curls of dark hair, freckles dotting across his nose. And, the smile he threw me - even the fact that his canine teeth were pointed and slightly disconcerting was attractive in a dangerous kind of way.
I slipped into the front seat instead of the back, just to be a little closer to him. His smell intrigued me; it was like soil and wood. I liked it, at the same time that it made my stomach turn. I held my hand out to him. “Hi. I’m Nick. We talked on the phone…”
He nodded, shaking my hand. His skin was cold, his fingernails sharp enough to scrape against the back of my hand. “Yeah.” His accent was adorable, especially since from what I’d heard of him speaking, he had a pretty good grasp on English. “I’m Kevin.”
My mouth dropped open. “You’re Kevin? Like, my cousin, Kevin?”
He smiled again, in that almost dangerous way, and he pushed the car into gear and started us up the road toward the castle. “Yes. It’s interesting to meet you. I didn’t expect to find you so… attractive.”
“Thank you. I blushed, smiling shyly at the compliment, and stared out the window, admiring the mountains. “So… this castle of yours - did it really belong to Count Dracula?”
Kevin nodded, peering up the hill toward the peak of the cliff, pointing at the castle I could just see. “It did. And, the ancestors of the villagers, as well as our ancestors, still believe that he really was a monster. Those who live in the village don’t associate with me very often. They are afraid of me, for being able to live in this place.”
I peered up at the castle as we pulled around in front of it. It was intimidating, to say the least. Not only was it massive, it was dark. There were no lights to be seen in any of the windows, and the very stonework looked like it had dirt and soot caking it, just with how black it appeared. I was almost waiting for a thunderstorm to suddenly start. The blue sky and bright sun didn’t seem to fit.
He led me inside, carrying my bag for me and everything. He was a gentleman; that was for sure. We chatted, or tried to chat, as he gave me a tour, but mostly, we were so unaware of each other’s cultures that we ended up not having much to say to each other. I kept getting lost in his eyes anyway, which was lame, especially since I kept blushing and forgetting what I was saying.
My room was gorgeous though, and I found something to say in being able to tell him that. It was the most luxurious of any guestroom or hotel room I’d ever had the pleasure of staying in, and while I was scared to touch most things in there, since they all seemed like ancient heirlooms, I was able to stand and admire it all.
His chuckle drew me from my awe, and I managed to close my dropped jaw so I could look at him when he spoke. “Dinner will be in a few hours, just after sundown. It will be in the dining room right across the hall.”
I thanked him a hundred times, because I’d never been out of the country before, and this was an amazing place to spend the summer. Once he left, my first order of business was to take a long nap, to make up for the sleep I didn’t get last night due to the wolves, and the jetlag I was still feeling from the long flight into Europe and the plane ride that followed. The bed was comfortable enough that I was out in a few minutes.
My first few days there were basically uneventful. I went into town a few times to eat or shop for souvenirs, but most of the villagers looked at me like I was a ghost, so mostly, I spent my time during the day perusing the books in the library connected to my room. There were thousands - in all different languages and editions, and when Kevin confirmed he had read all of them, I knew he was much older than I originally thought.
I didn’t see him much during the day, if at all. Usually, we ate dinner together, right after dark. Actually, I ate dinner, and he sat and talked with me. I liked that. Once I got over feeling silly about our different cultures, it was easy to find ways to connect with him. He liked hearing all about America, and I loved listening to the various folk stories he told me. And, he was incredibly attractive, so that was definitely a plus. I caught myself flirting with him several times.
I didn’t ever see anyone else in the castle. I was under the impression he lived alone, except that every once in a while, during the night, I’d hear him laughing. His room was only a few doors down from mine, and I doubted he was crazy and just laughing at his own thoughts, so I knew he must share a bed with someone, which broke my heart, though I’d never admit that to myself, at least not until I saw this mysterious person.
That moment came when I woke up late one night. The room was dark, except for a single candle was glowing on the desk across the room which I found odd, because I didn’t remember putting it there. I figured Kevin must have left it there at some point.
I stretched, my fingers sliding across the cool mahogany of the headboard, and I luxuriated in the feeling of the cool sheets slipping over my bare legs. I was wearing only boxers, and the linen on my skin was lovely, like cold water on a hot day.
Something in the corner caught my attention - the sound of clothing rustling, a silhouette moving against the shadows. I wanted to sit up on my elbows to investigate further, but suddenly, my limbs felt so heavy. Lethargy settled over me, and I breathed out a comfortable sigh, blinking slowly over at the figure.
My focus seemed to be an invitation, because he came forward into the soft light, and my gaze smoothed over his caramel skin. He was naked. His hair was curling softly around his ears, and his dark eyes bore into me, a hungry smile curling his red, red mouth. “Well, hello…” His voice rolled sensually off his lips, rich with his Romanian accent, and I watched his hand settle on the end of my bed, but as he crawled over toward me, I barely felt his weight.
“Hi.” I whispered back; my muscles weren’t working. All I could do was watch him near me. I didn’t even flinch when his long, tapered fingers trailed across my neck. “Are you a vampire?”
He chuckled. It sounded like warm water flowing over the lip of a mug. “You could say that.” He murmured, ghosting his mouth against my temple. My eyes fluttered shut. “Especially with how delicious I find you.”
I shivered at the words, and I found the strength to tip my head to the side. His teeth grazed my neck. “Oh, god…” My breath was quickening. I couldn’t believe how aroused I was. I wanted him to touch me, kiss me, bite me, and the thought made me moan. “Please…”
The doors blew open, and there was Kevin, and the anger in his expression didn’t fit his face; it seemed made for serenity. The other boy shrank back immediately. “Joseph…” Kevin growled, and I thought, Joseph… It fits him. “What are you doing? I told you he was mine.”
Joseph made an annoyed little sound in the back of his throat, and it would have made me laugh, really, if I wasn’t so sleepy and content. “But, we haven’t had one so pretty in ages.” His fingers walked up my chest. My eyes closed again. “Can’t we share him?”
The words made my blood run hotter, and my fingers twisted in the sheets. These boys were so beautiful, flawless, in my bed, wanting me. I wanted to be wanted by them. I wanted them to drink me up. My back arched off the bed.
Kevin chuckled, his hand pressing into my stomach, pushing me down onto the mattress. His skin was cool. “Alright, lovely,” his voice was different from Joseph’s, gentle and affectionate, like we’d been lovers for years. I found I liked both. He pressed a kiss to my forehead. I stared up at him. I’d lost my voice in his eyes. “Why don’t we let Joseph show you all the other beautiful things his mouth can do, hm?”
Joseph released a little moan at the words, and Kevin sat back on his heels, tangling his fingers in his hair and drawing him close over me. Joseph clutched onto his shoulders as their mouths met in a heated kiss, whining pitifully, like he didn’t get this kind of attention often. When Kevin pulled away, there was blood on their lips and chins. I couldn’t tell who it belonged to.
Kevin shed his clothes and slipped up close to me. Every movement he made was like flowing water, easy and fluid. His mouth hovered close to mine. His breath smelled metallic. “Do you want to taste him, Nicholas?” I melted at the sound of my name. This was the first time he’d said it. I nodded. He laughed softly, and suddenly, we were kissing. His tongue tasted like blood when it invaded my mouth. His hand closed around my neck.
My heartbeat quickened in fear, even as my hands curled against his smooth skin, drawing him closer against me. I had no idea if I was going to die at the end of this. If they truly were vampires, like they were telling me they were, it was certainly a strong possibility.
I jumped when I felt cold fingers pulling my boxers down my hips. Kevin smiled against my mouth. “Relax.” The smooth purr of his voice reminded me of a cat as his lips trailed over my jaw, down my neck. “I promise, you’ve never felt anything as wonderful as Joseph’s mouth.” His teeth grazed my skin. I swallowed hard in anticipation.
I felt Joseph’s hand on my length. I moaned pathetically, my fingers curling in Kevin’s hair and pressing him against my neck. He groaned at the same time I did, when Joseph’s tongue went to work, licking long stripes along my skin. He mewled the whole time, like a pleased kitten. “Oh, god…” Those whispered words were the first I’d managed in a long time. I felt Joseph’s grin as he tipped his head to the side and pressed an open-mouthed kiss to my erection, sucking softly, teasing, and I thought, If they didn’t have my life in their hands right now, I’d kill him.
I knew I was moaning; I couldn’t help it at this point. I was clutching onto Kevin, who was pressing sweet, almost-chaste kisses to my neck, my hands roaming frantically along his skin, trying to get him to do something, to stop (or maybe continue) this sweet torture. His mouth pressed suddenly against my ear, his breath warm. I felt his tongue trace the shell. “Can I taste you, lovely? You must be so sweet…”
I couldn’t have said no if I wanted to, not with Joseph’s mouth distracting me the way it was, not with how perfect Kevin’s fingers felt trailing along my side, twisting in my hair. I just held more tightly onto him, and he pulled me up and into his lap, tugging my head to the side. I felt his teeth against my skin again, and I closed my eyes, waiting for the pain. There was none. His teeth sunk into me, and it was like a slow warmth spreading. My eyes closed. I was dimly aware of Joseph shifting, moving, and then that same warmth centered in my wrist, and I realized he was tasting me, drinking me, the same way, with the same kind of delicate care, and it was enough to make me come. I gasped, arching off the bed, the liquid warmth coating my stomach and chest, as well as Kevin’s.
It was over much too soon. When they pulled away, I felt like a butterfly caught in a windstorm, too weak to do anything to help myself. Kevin made a soft sound, like he was cooing at me, and he pulled my head against his shoulder tenderly. I watched his fingers, blinking lethargically, and he dragged one of his nails across his chest, in a crescent along his collarbone. “Drink, lovely.” He purred at me, pushing me forward toward the incision. I did, my hand settling on his chest as well. He had no heartbeat. I wasn’t surprised. It didn’t stop me from lapping up the blood, my eyes slipping closed at the taste.
“You’re a sweetie.” Joseph said softly, pushing my curls off my forehead and pressing a kiss to my temple. “You chose well, Kevin.”
I lifted my head, peering up at Kevin. “You chose me? For what?”
Kevin smiled and curled me closer to him. I liked sitting in his lap like this, and I nuzzled my nose against his neck with a sigh. “We were looking for a new… pet.” He murmured into my hair. “As soon as I saw you, I wanted you.”
“Never expected you’d want to stay,” Joseph chuckled, and I felt his mouth against my neck, sucking softly at the blood still oozing from my skin. “But, you were so… compliant.”
I blushed, knowing I should be either flattered or bashful - or maybe both. “I don’t… um… I don’t get it. You wanted me for your pet?”
“Don’t worry; we’re not going to put a collar on you or anything.” Joseph laughed softly. I liked the sound. It made me want to be funny. Of course, I’m really not funny at all, but still. “It’s just… nice to have someone new around sometimes. Being with the same person for a century can sometimes get old.”
Kevin rolled his eyes and pushed at Joseph’s shoulder playfully, and he laughed, and that’s when it struck me. “Are you guys brothers?”
They both nodded, and we all shifted, and they laid me down on the bed, curling around me and holding me close, and I immediately felt like I belonged here. I curled against Kevin, felt Joe’s arms around my waist. Kevin kissed my hair. “Dracula… he was real. His wives were the ones who turned us. They wanted their own pets to play with. The difference was… we had no interest in living like this. We’re almost a hundred years old. Our family and friends are dead. All we’ve got is each other.”
“And, the villagers thinking we’re monsters doesn’t help.” Joseph commented softly, pressing a tender kiss to my shoulder. “We have to eat. We’ve tried to just starve ourselves, but we don’t die; we just get so thirsty, we lose our minds and go on a killing spree. We have to kill, but we try to do it as little as possible.”
“That doesn’t stop them from hating us though.” Kevin nodded, stroking his thumb along my jaw. “I’m sorry we dragged you into this, but you’re far too beautiful for us to feed on you and throw you away.”
“Is that what you wanted to do, originally?” My fingers slipped along his arm, my eyes following the movement lazily. There was only a moment or so when I felt real fear with them, even when I realized they could kill me in an instant. Now I knew there was no reason to be afraid. “I mean, when we got the letter from you, suggesting I spend the summer with you?”
He nodded, smiling softly. “As soon as I saw you, lovely,” he pressed a kiss to my forehead, “I was smitten.”
I sighed, letting my eyes close, despite the fact that I was far from tired. Joseph pulled a blanket up over us, and lying there in that bed, their naked bodies tangled with mine, I felt completely at home. “Well, you’d better stay smitten. You’re stuck with me forever now.”