"I was 25 when it happened, married with a child on the way, a successful businessman in rural France. I suppose the 1587 definition of businessman differs slightly from the 1999 definition, but that's exactly what I was. I would go into Paris, it was roughly a days ride away, and manage the local stores and shops. It didn't happen overnight but by that time I owned almost every supply store in the grand city. My home was a spacious ranch of sorts with quite a bit of land around it. My plan had been to turn it into a farm after I had raised enough money through management to do so-- and with a child on the way I was close to realizing the dream. My wife was very beautiful and quite funny; if I close my eyes and concentrate I can still hear her laugh and see her smile. We'd met as children and I'd loved her ever since I knew what love meant. Her parents disapproved; they claimed I'd never amount to anything… fortunately they both lived to see my success and their daughter's happiness. My life was, well, perfect… and then it happened.
"We were walking through the Paris streets one evening when she was roughly 4 months pregnant. We had been shopping for baby clothes at the finest Parisian markets that day and were preparing to ride back home the next morning. Strolling peacefully through the streets, we were confronted by a band of men. Rapidly, they demanded our money and our jewels… my wife protested and …" Julian trailed off and began to cry. "They killed her. She died in my arms, sobbing hysterically as the blood poured from the stab wounds in her stomach. The baby could not be saved and in an instant I was alone.
"I wandered the streets of Paris in a rage. I would have killed anyone and anything in my way. I entered a bar full of fury and pain. My plan was to slowly drink myself to death so that I might join my wife and child. What was the point of life without them?
"I met a woman in the bar. She was strangely seductive and refused my attempts to ignore her. At first I assumed she was a prostitute… but something about that description didn't add up. And to be perfectly honest, through all my grief and rage, the more I looked at her the more attracted to her I became.
"Overcome with guilt at the thought of having this woman on the same night as the death of my beloved wife, I stalked out of the bar. The woman followed me. Angered by her audacity, I walked a little faster and continued to ignore her presence.
"I don't much need to tell you what happened next, do I? She attacked me as she would a victim-in fact I believe I was intended to be a victim until she was able to glimpse my thoughts and see my pain. And with that knowledge she made me a vampire. I wasn't asked or invited… there was no grandeur in it. She made me and left me to my own learning…
"Sounds like an Anne Rice novel, doesn't it, Claudia?" I nodded with a laugh. He grinned at me and plunged forward. "I never saw her again after that night. I don't even know her name; after my studies with the Darkest Ones I have come to the conclusion that she was a simple, feeble-minded vampire, probably young and perhaps idiotic. I honestly do not think she had her whole mind with her-- you see, many vampires begin to deteriorate mentally after their 'birth into darkness' to use Ms. Rice's phrase.
"I vowed not to let my own mind waste away as hers had and therefore commenced years and years of travel and study. I could tell of all the things I learned and the people I met, but I think that you'd get extremely bored after the first five minutes. As it becomes necessary, you'll know every vampire of importance. For now, you simply need to learn you way and your purpose, don't you think?"
Smiling at him I nodded my head. "Whatever you feel is best, Julian, for you know more than I." I took his hand and squeezed it gently. "Thank you for telling me your story, darling." He reached out and caressed my cheek.
"Now… are you hungry my pet?"
