His Mansion, which was literally a castle, was built on his own island some three hundred years ago. He designed some - then-novelty things inside - secret passages and cabinets, underground corridors and halls, all serving his kind, the sons of Cain. He was a pure blooded vampire, from the ancient, original bloodline, he was strong, noble and proud. He called his island Sacca Serenella, and his castle was called Castellamare. It could have been a fortress because of its hidden secrets, surrounded by the sea.

He was watching her. Although, most of her emotions were hidden under the mask, he could clearly read from her movements and eyes. She liked what she saw. He knew the Mansion impressed her, and this made him smile.

"Here you'll be safe. No one can bother you until you are under my protection."

There was something in his voice what made her look at him with a distant look. He sensed the momentary change in her and the quick rising and dropping of fear, which was nearly invisible… He liked the taste of her fear and wanted more of it, but not now. They had time. She'll stay here for a while...

His butler came out from the main hall, greeting them and helping Viola to get out of the gondola. David just nodded to the man in the boat and he left. She was alone with his handsome host. She looked at him now as a man for the first time. He must have been around forty or a bit more. The best age for men, she thought. They are mature by now but still have much vigor inside. David was a lean but strong man, not too tall and not so strongly built, but one just could feel the inner and outer strength in him.

She needed to look away, because she had left her gaze on him for too long. She was grateful for the mask that hid her blushing face. Okay, you must behave yourself, she thought and followed her host into the castle.

"Really impressive" she noted "Is it a family heritage?"

"Oh yes. But we can talk about it later. First follow me and let me give you the opportunity to refresh yourself. It must have been hard to walk around in this beautiful dress."

"Erm... ... but I don't know. I don't have any clothes here, so..."

"No problem, Damian'll show you a room, where you'll get everything you want."

"But it's really not necessary...

"It is, Viola. Please, don't hurt my feelings" he stopped and smiled at her "I'll wait for you in the great hall.”

Viola, still wearing her mask, and holding her dress up, preventing her to stumble in Damian's footsteps, followed him up on the stairs and along long corridors till he stopped in front of a small, but richly ornamented chamber. He showed her her way and they stepped in. In a minute, a young lad came with women's clothes and toaletteries. They all worn

It was one thing that the furniture was old too, like the castle itself, but she saw many dark, time weathered paintings and strange shaped, unknown objects everywhere. But she didn't say a word just finally took off the golden mask and started to undress next to the big bowl of fresh water. Somehow she managed to take off her corset and heavy dress, and she sighed with relief.

After she washed and dried herself she stepped to the bed and looked at the dresses. They were beautiful and expensive, she could bet on it. She could choose from half a dozen, but she reached out for a simple black one and put it on, then turned toward the mirror to comb her hair and get her natural make up redone, and she was ready to leave the room.

Another manservant led her to the huge dinning room, with a long, dark mahogany table and only two chairs at the two ends.

The dinner was served. In front of her there was a wide variety of gourmand courses. All fine and tasty. In front of him, there was only a glass with deep-dark, red wine in it. It looked almost black. Viola thought it must be a really old wine from one of his cellars underneath. She made a mental note to herself again how rich he is, and that he must be a real royalty, maybe even a prince.

She looked up at him a bit shyly just because of what she just realized.

"Dave..."

"Yes?" he looked into her eyes with the glass in his right. Till this moment he was examining her uncovered face, which mesmerized him.

"I'm not sure... I don't want to cause you problems. It'd be better for me to go now..."

“Please, stay! You would make a solitary, lonesome man, an outsider happy with your staying.”

“Outsider? What do you mean David?”

“You see, I am different from others in so many ways. Later, perhaps, I can tell you why. Now accept this that I am a kind of steppen wolf and living on my own. Except when I can have a precious guest as you are.”

"Well, I’m not as precious as you might think” she shrugged and he needed to follow the movement with his eyes as the light broke in a steep angle and lit the soft white flesh.

“Oh I’m sure you are… But please, take what you want from the table. You must be hungry by now” he waved towards the gorgeous feast.

“You are too kind to me…”

“Oh no” he chuckled “I’m just a good host” he winked and took a sip from his glass “Viola, dear, what are your plans? What are you going to do? Will you give me the pleasure and stay here for a couple of days keeping me company?”

“Are you sure Dave, I won't be a burden for you?”

“Oh no, no, on the contrary. I am so alone, I don't have friends or relatives. It is like magic to hear a young, female voice here. After you finished your meal would you be so kind to join me in the library for a drink?”

"Well... why not?" she gave him a shy but honest smile and started to eat her French cheese soup.

"I'm glad. I'd like to show you the castle tomorrow, if you want it."

"Of course. I love old buildings and castles. They are full of secrets... just like sometimes their owners" she winked at him and put the spoon down "Do you have secrets, Signore Cardonne?" she smiled at him again.

Dave watched her full lips curve into that playful smile and he needed to lick his lips before answering “Yes I have…”

---

The library was beautiful. And this was only the small one, his very private library with the old manuscripts and foliants and rare documents on white and black magic, vampirism, alchemy and stuff. Viola was a reader, she liked the books, so she touched their backbones with love and care.

David loved what he saw. He was more and more sure that this girl is special. Since a while he was thinking about having a "child" but no one was suitable so he rather lived alone. This was the first time he thought he found the one. Of course he had to ask permission first or he would draw the anger of the elders committee onto himself.

A dark smile spread slowly on his face while he sat on an old and comfortable sofa. He watched every movement she made. There was something innocent and clean in her, although she was purposeful and lax. One moment she was a real seducer from

He was wondering what she would say, should he ask her at all or just make her discover her new situation? He was without advice here, he decided placing this into the elders hands and introducing them his possible chosen child.

But he had enough time for this. First, he wanted her to get used to his presence. He wanted to do it nice and slowly. His first goal was to get into her thoughts - and now not literally -, he wanted to reach that point when she will not be able to clear her mind from him and wanted her to come back here. It wasn't the easiest way but he had time and always liked challenges.

"Do you like what you see?" he asked softly and watched her as she raised her head startled at the sound of his voice.

"Oh yes. I've read a few books I see here" she slid along her forefinger on a shelf "You know I saved some of my mother's books. She liked supernatural things. Except that miniature, those books are my only memories of her. Sometimes I wish I could have her tiny golden necklace with that strange Celtic cross. I remember it from my childhood. I always adored it and wanted to play with it, but I guess it got lost, too, like most of my past" she slowly walked around the room and checked everything - she was drinking in the sight. Then she sat on the other edge of the sofa where Dave was sitting elegantly.

---

Dawn came, and Dave told her he has some things to deal with and she can have a nice rest in her room, or enjoy herself in the whole mansion, the castle is at her proposal.

He left soon and Viola was alone with the staff in his place. However sleepy she was, she wanted to explore the place first, before she is going to have a rest. First of all, she decided to go upstairs to one of the beautiful balconies to watch the sun rising from the dark waves. The view took her breath away. As she looked down she saw the sea besieging the rocks and she sank into watching the white foams of the wild water.

Then after a while to shake her drowsiness off she wandered through old corridors and watched every painting, vase, armour and object that came into her way. She didn't see anyone around. Even the servants disappeared, or they just waited for her to call them. As she roamed in the castle, her mind turned to those doors which were locked. So, he really had some secrets. Or were those rooms only out of use? The situation was still a bit strange for her. She was here in a rich man's castle. Alone... But strangely she wasn't frightened, just exhausted, so she tried to enter of the closest room to her and when the door opened, she just laid down onto the broad bed and fell asleep in that moment.

She was awaking to a – she couldn't put it any other way – to a presence. She felt somebody or something in the room, it was already twilight. She sat up on the bed and looked around, but couldn't see anyone. She thought she heard a soft, muffled laughter, a deep voice, tinkling sensation on her lips as if someone giving her a bruising kiss. She felt a soft caress on her breasts and felt warmth, like someone'd hold a hand on her thighs. She felt a light breeze that scented moshus and cedar and she was alone again. She was rubbing her eyes, pinching her face to get to her senses. There was no one there, it must have been a dream, she decided it.

“God" she put an arm to her head "it was caused by the castle and last night's happenings" she said to herself and looked around. She was surprised to see new dresses on the armrest of a little sofa and a bouquet of red roses in a vase. She stood up and opened the little card. It was from Dave, who wished a "good morning" and told her to call out Damian's or Emanuel's name and they'll help her before dinner. She just slid her fingertips through the surface of the yellow paper and smiled absentmindedly.