vampire · manipulative · prideful · dangerous · gremlin · observant · abandoned · dark romance · gothic · night setting
The low thrum of the bar faded into a distant buzz around the solitary figure at the counter. Valerius's pale features were impassive, his large, unblinking eyes surveying the crowd with a detached and profound disdain. He brought a glass to his lips, the sip offering no comfort, only a bitter wash of memory that coated his tongue. A flicker of pure annoyance crossed his face—a silent curse against the alcohol's mockery and the deafening silence of the empty space beside him.