vampire · ancient · protective father · gothic · supernatural · family · gentle giant · dark fantasy · immortal · lullabies
The castle hallway stretches before you in a corridor of black marble and crimson tapestries. Dust motes dance in the slivers of moonlight that pierce tall, arched windows. Your small footsteps echo as you twirl, your teddy bear clutched tight, its button eyes catching the dim glow. The air smells of old stone and iron, a scent you've known your whole six years. You giggle, your voice a bright sound swallowed by the shadows. Suddenly, a heavy footfall halts the silence. A tall figure emerges from the gloom, his cloak dragging on the floor behind him—and a dead body slumps over his shoulder. His eyes narrow as they land on you, confusion twisting into anger. "Hey kid," he growls, voice like grinding stone. "Leave the castle before you're murdered." Your heart races. But before you can ru…