History of the Vampire (The Vanderlind Castle Series Book 4) by Gayla Twist Page A

food supply. Vampires could go for days without eating, as long as they were careful. I just had to keep myself away from mortals and ration the blood I had left. It would be necessary for me to not leave my cabin for the rest of the trip, day or night. That would keep me away from temptation and the rest of the ship’s passengers safe from me.
     
    At first things went smoothly, I had several good books to keep me occupied. When my sister and Mrs. Denkler came back from dinner, I explained that I definitely did not wish for either of them to communicate my troubles to anyone else in the family. Emily was upset by my decision, but Denkie said, “That’s probably for the best.”
    Things became more of a struggle once the two of them went to bed. My cabin began to feel claustrophobic, so I moved into our shared room, just for a change of scenery. Even with this transition, I felt almost an irresistible urge to go up on deck. But I knew people were still out and about, plus my hunger was increasing. The last time I had a sip from the open pint, I realized that half the contents was already gone. I knew I had to be more conservative when I fed or I would end up having to tell Mrs. Denkler to chain me in my trunk for the remainder of the voyage.
    As the hour drew close to midnight, I heard someone tapping at the door. Out of habit, my first impulse was to answer it. But then I remembered the state I was in and immediately withdrew into my cabin.
    Before I knew what was happening, the little French maid who had been such a charming nuisance the previous evening was letting herself into my room. “Hello?” she said, her cheeks aglow. “You called for more towels?”
    “No, I didn’t call for towels,” I told her in a tight voice. “And I think it advisable that you leave. Right now.”
    “Do you really want me to go?” she asked, tucking her chin and looking up at me with large blue eyes that had been rimmed in charcoal.
    “Yes,” I told her firmly. “That’s why I said it.”
    “But what about your towels?” she asked, stepping further into my cabin.
    “I never asked for any damn towels,” I insisted, inching past her and heading for the door. I could smell every fragrance of her body in such a confined space and it was making me drool.
    “But Monsieur,” she said, reluctantly following me as I led her into the main cabin. “I brought them especially for you.” She stepped very close to me and tilted her head back to look up into my eyes.
    I wanted to show her to the door, but I couldn’t. She was so young and beautiful, and she smelled so good. Her eyes were wide and innocent, but no one was that naive. She obviously wanted me to kiss her. But kissing wasn’t what I had in mind. At least not a mortal kiss. It would have been so easy just to bend her head to the side and expose the tender flesh of her neck. I felt my stomach give a painful growl at the mere thought of it.
    “Is there nothing else you want from me, Monsieur?” she asked, blinking her wide blue eyes very slowly. “Nothing at all that I can do for you?”
    “No,” I told her, and my voice came out like a creaking door. “I’m fine. I appreciate your…” I couldn’t even think of what to say. I cleared my throat. “I appreciate your concern for my comfort, but I think I would… I mean, I think you should just leave. Now. Please,” I gulped.
    “You do not like me?” she said with a hint of a pout.
    “No, that’s not it at all,” I assured her. “It’s just…” I was clinging to my humanity by the skin of my teeth.
    “Maybe you would like to get to know me a little bit better?” she suggested. Her voice turned sultry and her French accent faded away. “That is something that could be arranged.” She glanced down at her bosom and then looked back up at me.
    “No…” I began to say.
    And then the French maid did something to seal her fate. She reached forward and placed one of her hands on my chest. “Why