Her eyes light up with a fire as she unlocks her shop. She inhales deeply, taking in the scent of the pages of her fancy.

I smile, leaning against the door. "I told you I would deliver you back to your shop didn't I?"

She gazes back at me. Her dress is a deep green, square cut and off her shoulders, giving a peek at her ample bosom.

Lace trims it, drawing my eyes. I resist.

Her dark eyes dart away. "You said you planned to leave. Next century perhaps?"

My lips turn up. I think she grow old gracefully. I'd love to see it. I imagine shell remain a beauty until...hm.

Alas...that's simply not possible.

"Ah...I'd love nothing more than to feed on your beautiful neck for the next century. But...I fear I must leave quite a bit sooner."

She opened a book on the desk, fingers delicately touching the page gently.

Her brows are raised, her mouth open as she focuses on the book. Her shoulder raises as she poses another question.

"How soon is sooner?" she asks evenly.

"A week,"

She pauses, looking back at me. "...heh. A week? This week?"

My Eleanor seems upset. Her fingers leave the page. "You've told me nothing of this until I just inquired. Did you not plan to tell me?"

"I didn't imagine you'd mind," I muse, taking a book off the shelf.

Shakespeare. King Lear. I leaf through it, ignoring her eyes.

"Not particularly," I swallow. "You've not been very fond of me, lately. I assumed it was joyous news."

I glance up at her. She's looking at me now, full on, no pretense, no pretending to read.

"You planned to abandon me?"

I set King Lear down, coming up to her, putting my hand around her waist.

"I promised I'd take care of you and I will. I will leave you a considerable sum, and I will send you support when it runs out. For the rest of your life."

She inhaled shakily. Her mouth opens to form words, such full perfect lips, but no sound emerges. I can hear her heart beat. It's so distinct. Lovely. A wonderful drum.

I hold her in my arms, and she lets me, fingers curling against the lapels of my suit. Her curls frame her face, falling. She presses her forehead to my chest.

"I asked if you would abandon me. Why are you talking about money?" she croaked.

I smile. Darling Eleanor. Such a beauty.

"This is the only way I have given to you, my dear. Everything else, I have taken from you."

Her fists ball tighter. I can't help but soften at the sight of her clinging to me so. She's too endearing.

"My dearesr Eleanor," I brush her cheek, lifting her face. "I can provide nothing else of substance, save monetary aide."

She swallowed. "So...you used me and now you discard me and you're on to your next destination? To your next bookkeeper?" her voice trembles, but she forces a smile pushing away from me.

"I must go, Eleanor," I look down at my now empty hands. "And I am afraid there's nothing more than I can give you."

She hugs herself, her back to me. My Eleanor. I should've left her alone.

I turn away. "Goodbye, Eleanor."

I'm at the door, the bell jingling to note my exit.

"Isn't there?" she whispers.

I pause. "Pardon?"

She turns around, her eyes turned down, lashes fluttering.

"There is one more thing you could afford me, Sir. After you ruined my life, stole my innocence, kidnapped me, bound me, hunted me. There is...something you can give me."

She meets my eyes. "Isnt there?"

"I don't know of what you speak." I murmur.

And banish the thought—nay, perish it if it's what I think.

She stalks toward me, her fingers gracing the desk as she does. "I've heard tales. And the books speak. You can pass on your...condition, can't you?"

I'd do almost anything for my Eleanor. The sight of her makes this cursed existence somehow worth bearing and that will always remain so.

I loathe to leave her I do, but I further still would hate to corrupt her more than I already have. And perhaps God and I are no longer on speaking terms but I could not commit such blasphemy against such supple flesh.

A creature of darkness I may be, but to stoop to ruining Gods creation this way—her. Defiling her this way is inconceivable. The thought chills me and I've not felt the sun's warmth properly in 200 years.

She knows not, my Eleanor—she knows not what she asks.

"Speak of this no more, Eleanor."

"Haven't I given enough," she whimpers.

I wince at the pain in her voice.

"What are requesting is not a gift, my love. It is a curse and I cannot impart it to you."

"I asked you..." she trembles. "Haven't I given enough?"

"You have given me everything!"

I clench my jaw. I have love. Joy. Kindness. Life feels worth living just for having known her. Yes. Yes she has given more than enough.

But I...

"But you won't do this for me?" she concludes softly.

She asks...if she has given enough. I ask the same of God. Haven't I given enough? I have paid for my mistakes with blood. Just a child, forced into the spurned situation unable to make a home.

Unable to love freely and unselfishly. I am no longer human. I am but a creature. I can not hold on to anything.

I don't want to hurt her but it's the one thing...I don't want to give up.

But if she hates me can I really go on? Can I get on a ship and go away knowing she will curse me with her dying breath?

Haven't I...

I haven't I lost everything I could possibly lose. Anything I could hope to gain. Just for trusting the wrong person?!

Is it truly my fault? Is this the weight of my sins? Isn't it a bit much? Isn't it?

"Alastair?"

I shake my head. "I..."

And what can I do? Say...she wanted it. She knows not what she speaks. This existence. This curse. I said...I spoke that I wanted it too.

But he knew. He knew that I didn't. Not what it is.

I don't want to be him. I don't want to create another tortured creature, and pray to a God who spurned me that won't despise me knowing they will.

"Alastair," she lifts her eyes. "Turn me."

I open the door. The moon is bright. Moonlight burns too.

"I will not. Live your life unburdened by eternity, Eleanor. Life only matters when there is an end to it."

I let the door close behind me. Pausing. I want to turn back. Simply to give her the one thing she's asked of me in earnest.

But I pull my lapels up, and put my head down, and I leave my dear Eleanor.

• • •

Fun fact: Moon light burns Alastair as well because the moon actually does not emit light. It's the sun shining behind the moon. So essentially, even at night, he must avoid light from the sun even indirectly!