Fallen Snow

         Victor and Elaina walked out of the opera house hand in hand. He was tall, well over six feet, and slender, black hair falling to his shoulders and piercing black eyes. He wore a classic tuxedo, black with a black bow tie and cummerbund covered by a long, black wool trench coat. A white silk scarf hung across his shoulders.

         She was about 5’7”, long flowing, curly blonde hair cascading down to the middle of her back. She was dressed in a floor length, deep red gown that showed off all of her ample curves. Matching red open toed heels completed her outfit. She had a long fur coat on to keep her warm.

         “Victor, that was wonderful. The opera was beautiful. I’m so glad we came.”

         “You know I’d do anything for you Elaina, my dear. The performance was superb and made so much better with you being by my side.”

         It was cold and new snow was falling, adding to the three inches already on the ground. The diffuse light from the street lamps combined with the full moon was beautiful as the light reflected off of the falling snowflakes and the snow already on the ground making it much lighter than it ought to be.

         “Shall I get a cab for us?” Victor asked.

         “It’s so beautiful tonight. Would it be terrible to walk home? We’re only across the park.”

         “If that’s what you want my dear. Are you sure your feet won’t get to cold?”

         “I can manage a few steps through the snow,” she laughed.

         They set off across the street, and into the park. They lived in a penthouse suite just opposite of the opera house. They knew the route home well.

         They walked slowly through the snow, enjoying each other’s company and making general small talk.

         “Elaina, I’ve been trying to find the best time to talk to you, but I haven’t, and now I have to talk to you. There’s no easy way to say this. I have been summoned back to Moscow by our queen.”

         Elaina stared for a moment and then seemed to deflate as the weight of the news it home.

         “I see. When are you supposed to leave?”

         “In two weeks. I’ve no idea how long I will be gone, but I suspect that she has plans that require my attention. I could be many years.”

         “Oh Victor,” Elaina cried. “I don’t think I can go that long without you.”

         “I know, my love. I wish I could take you with me, but the queen will only allow our kind in her domain.”

         “I know Victor, I know. You warned me that this could happen. You told me what you are and what it means. I chose to love you through it all. I don’t know if I can stand to have you gone that long.”

         They walked in silence until they came to the gazebo that marked the middle of the park. Victor pulled Elaina over to it and up the steps. He sat on one of the bench seats along the edge and Elaina sat next to him and laid her head on his shoulder. She had tears running down her face and was sobbing softly into his jacket.

         “Shush now darling. We’ll figure something out. There are still two weeks. We always said we can do anything as long as we are together. I still believe that.”

         “I know, but it seems hopeless. You are being taken away from me, for no other reason than some woman’s whim.”

         “She is my queen. I am bound by duty and by blood to respond to her summons and do her bidding. If I don’t go, she will send a squad of her best assassins to make sure I don’t disobey her ever again. I have no choice.”

         “Then I will go with you.”

         “Elaina! I already told you she only allows our kind at her abode. She would have you killed, or worse on site.”

         “Then turn me. That solves the problem.”

         Victor gasped. “I thought you didn’t want to consider that option. You have said many times in the past that you didn’t want to give up your humanity. That you were not willing or able to do that.”

         “I know. The thought of being without you is unbearable. That is the only way I can go with you, right?”

         “Yes.”

         “Then I am ready. Can you do it now, quickly before I change my mind?”

         “I can, but darling, you must be sure of this. Once done, there is no going back. It would kill me for you to end up hating me because I did this and you had regrets.”

         “If it means I can stay with you, then I am sure. Besides, this way, I can be with you forever. I will not grow old and die before your eyes. You have always been so worried about that.”

         “That is true. But darling, are you absolutely positive about this?”

         “Yes.” She nearly yelled. She stood and dropped her coat, exposing the plunging neckline of her dress.

         “Now please do this before I freeze to death.” She smiled at him and he could see in her eyes that she’d made up her mind.

         “All right, dear. There will be some disorientation initially, but then things will begin to become clearer. I will be here for you, to help you through it.”

         Victor stood and engulfed her in his arms. He paused and when he opened his mouth, Elaina saw his long, sharp canines. He opened his eyes and they were dilated, with no white left showing. He slowly lowered his head to her neck. She let out a small gasp as the twin ivory needles pierced her skin.

         There was pain that quickly subsided and she was filled with a feeling of euphoria, and then her vision blurred, her eyes fluttered and closed.

         Victor continued to hold her while purple and green mist rose up around them, wrapping the pair in a slowly pulsing and rotating glow. Slowly the lights faded and the mist retreated into the ground.

         Elaina gasped, and slowly raised her head. “Victor, is it over?” she asked weakly.

         “Yes, love, it is done.”

         “I don’t think I can walk.”

         “It’s ok. I’ll carry you. It’s not that far to our home.”

         Victor wrapped her in her coat, picked her up and began striding across the snow, covering ground quickly. Elaina was coming around a little, already growing stronger.

         “It’s going to be ok. You are recovering quickly. We just need to get you home so you can rest.”

         Suddenly, Victor stopped mid stride. His eyes opened wide and he gasped a little. His arms went slack and Elaina fell to the snow. She looked up and saw the sharpened point of a wooden stake sticking out of the center of his chest. He was trying to talk, but no sound was coming out and blood was running from the corner of his mouth.

         A man came striding from the trees, an empty crossbow in his hand, and a sharpened wooden stake in his other hand. Elaina gave a small scream and tried to stand. She was able to get her feet under her and take a wobbling step towards Victor.

         Their assailant was close now and she could smell the stench of garlic and old leather on him. He walked past Victor who was still standing in shock and approached Elaina.

         “I’m sorry my lady. I was too late to save you. I’ll not let you suffer in this half-life. I’ll make it quick, I promise.” He said as he raised the stake.

         Elaina was just too weak, and fell to her knees, looking up at the strange man. She wondered what they had done to bring on this attack.

         He began his killing stroke and his eyes widened. He spasmed once and a pale hand exploded from his chest. His heart was still beating even as it was removed from his body. The hand disappeared back into his body, and he fell to the snow, lifeless eyes staring up at the pale moon.

         Victor was standing over him, arm bloody to the elbow. He took staggering steps towards Elaina, and fell to his knees in front of her. The wound in his chest was oozing a thick black smoke.

         “I’m afraid I don’t have much time left my love.” He choked.

         “Don’t leave me Victor. We have to leave for Moscow. We’re supposed to be together!” Elaina cried. Tears were running freely down her face.

         “The assassin was skilled enough. I’m just glad I have a chance to say good bye. Go to Moscow and find the queen. She will help you with the adjustment period. She will take good care of you.”

         “I don’t want her! I need you with me.” She was sobbing uncontrollably now.

         The smoke billowing from Victor’s chest was getting thicker, showing flashes of blue and red deep inside.

         “I will always be with you, Elaina. I will always love you.” He said.

         The smoke was so thick now that Elaina could barely make out his silhouette. He said “I love you” on last time and his voice echoed in the night. There was a flash of red and blue lights and then he was gone. There was nothing left where he had been kneeling.

         Elaina collapsed in the snow wailing and sobbing uncontrollably. She had never felt so alone. She had no idea how much time passed before she was able to pull herself together enough to stand and walk to the house. She could not believe how close they had been to the safety of the house.

         She closed and locked the door, climbed the stairs and went into the bedroom. She was so tired. She needed to sleep, and she knew the sun would be up soon. Tomorrow night she would plan her trip to Moscow. She would find the queen and become strong like Victor had been.

         Then, she swore, she would hunt down this group of assassins and exterminate all of them. In the name of her true love that they had taken from her.