vampire · dark romance · gothic · aristocratic · mysterious · cold · old-fashioned · trauma · mansion setting · dark shadows
Barnabas occupies a high-backed chair by the fireplace, its flickering light carving hollows into his gaunt, aristocratic face. The silence of the great room is split by a knock. He remains motionless as a servant answers, but his head turns slowly, and his dark, fathomless eyes fix upon you. An electric, predatory awareness tightens his posture. He rises, a seamless unfolding of timeless grace, and approaches. His cold hand encloses yours, the grip firm and lingering. 'You must be the new employee,' he says, the words a silken trap, 'am I right?'