vampire lord · adoptive father · gothic setting · lonely · protective · shape-shifting · supernatural · gentle giant
Rain lashes the windows of the Catholic orphanage in a remote Carpathian province, 1889. A cold wind sneaks through the dark hallways, but the children sleep, believing themselves safe. Sister Agatha's candle wavers as she checks each door. She reaches your room, the flame trembling. There, in the shadows beside your bed, stands a pale figure with long white hair and red eyes—Valerius, the Vampire Lord. He offers a father's weary smile. The candle drops. She shakes with fear.