Demonic Sleep

by L'Phantom

It is always the same. Black, swirling like a demented whirlpool. It is hauntingly beautiful to watch, even if it is behind closed eyelids. It haunts us, taunts us, scorns and intrigues us. It is as integral a part of our existence as the thick red life we must ingest to survive. And it captures us from the first ray of dawn to the first star of dusk.

And yet... until this beast, this hellish master, this demonic sleep once again enslaves me, I remain here, dear listeners. Here for you simply because I can be. Because the Nightcrawler knows that you need him.

LaCroix switched off the mike and put on a dark, seductive Celtic tune courtesy of Enya. He pulled the cork from the bottle next to him and poured the liquid into a crystal goblet. He took a lingering sip and sighed. Pure uncut human blood. Why was it that no other blood had such powers as this? In all the centuries, nothing had been its equal.

Then it hit him again. The pain came over him in waves. He doubled over from the first assault, nearly cracking the console with his head. His forgotten goblet spiraled to the ground, spraying blood and glass as it shattered. LaCroix rode out this latest attack and forced composure as the song ended. Composure enough to switch the CD to a somber piece by Wagner. He picked up the phone, dialed a series of numbers, and when the voice on the other end picked up, LaCroix said two words that he wasn't at all used to saying:

"Help me."

The minutes crawled by until, finally, the knock came at the back door. LaCroix stood, tentatively, just as another spasm sent him to his knees. He dragged his body to the door and pulled himself to his feet. He struggled to regain some semblance of control as he pulled the door open.

"Thank you for coming," he said in a raspy voice.

"The same thing again?"

"Yes."

"Let me find some way to help you, Lucien. These attacks are becoming more frequent."

"There's only one way you can help me."

A sigh of resignation. "Very well."

LaCroix took her then, his teeth falling neatly into the same two holes he had made only days earlier. And then the sweet-hot elixir flowed into him with each beat of her warm heart. The elder vampire held her there until the last convulsions left him.

When he released his guest, she pulled her scarf over her neck again to cover the fresh wounds. She stumbled from the lack of blood, falling against LaCroix, once again the picture of control and strength.

"Will you be all right now?" she asked him.

"Of course. And you?"

"I'll be fine after I sleep this off."

"Thank you again."

She merely nodded as she turned to go. Holding her hand to the wall for support, she shakily made her way back to her car.