[ IP ] Hunter 's Dream .

`` What the hell...?'' 
 
 Ashley stopped dead at the edge of the clearing, staring uncomprehendingly at the mansion. She clutched the wood of her bow tightly in her hands, unsure of what to do. She'd never been this way before, but she knew where she was. There was only place she could be. 
 
 It was imposingly tall, and impossibly old, made of weathered stone shaped to form a classic gothic facade. A cobblestone road led from where she was standing towards a set of stairs that ended at the front porch of the mansion, where lit lanterns just barely illuminated a pair of oak doors. Nearby, a short stone wall surrounded a nearly full graveyard where most of the tombstones were too old and faded to read. Her face paled when she managed to make out a name on one. 
 
 *Daemon Fletcher. * 
 
 Her father had gone missing over twelve years ago now, having gone out on a nighttime walk. When he had n't returned by morning, they'd searched. And searched. 
 
 His tracks had only led part of the way to his usual hunting grounds. 
 
 And now she finally knew why. 
 
 Her entire village knew the story of the Nightwalker Mansion. Hell, every village in the forest knew it was a bad omen to even *see* the house, much less approach it. She'd never had any reason to associate the place with her father's death. Why would she? Everyone had always assumed ( as any reasonable person would ) that the Mansion was a myth. 
 
 And yet, here she was. Standing in front of the path to a mansion that every rational bone in her body screamed should not exist. 
 
 The stories about the place were endless; bodies, found in the woods with all the blood drained from their bodies; hunters who disappeared, only to return weeks, years, or ( most unsettlingly ) centuries later, raving about vampires; innocent men and women that had been turned into psychopathic maniacs just by the sight of it. 
 
 Ashley was not one for omens or stories, but as she approached the Mansion's front step, she felt a shudder run through her. Hanging her bow about her shoulders, she unsheathed her long hunting knife, clutching it tightly as she reached for the door. 
 
 `` I would n't, if I were you,'' said a calm, quiet voice from behind her. Ashley whirled around, ready for a fight. 
 
 Standing at the bottom of the steps was an unnaturally beautiful young woman with long red hair. She was clothed in a black dress with white lace trim, contrasting sharply with her exceedingly pale skin. Her odd red eyes seemed to glow in the darkness as she approached Ashley. 
 
 `` After all,'' the woman began, placing a hand on Ashley's cheek and burying her face in the crook of Ashley's neck, inhaling deeply. Ashley went rigid. `` You smell delicious enough as it is. If you enter my home, I'll have no reason not to... *devour* you.'' 
 
 The hand on Ashley's cheek trailed down to rest on top of her bosom. `` But...'' The woman drew back, smiling devilishly. `` Perhaps you'd enjoy that...?'' 
 
 Ashley was by no means attracted to women, but as the woman lifted her chin with a finger - forcing her to stare directly into those absurdly captivating red eyes - she felt every nerve in her body come alight with desire, even as her mind screamed at her to do something, *anything. * 
 
 She bit her lip as hard as she could. Fortunately, this brought her back to her senses. 
 
 Unfortunately, this also caused her lip to start bleeding, and at the sight, the vampire stiffened, then buried her face in Ashley's chest and hugged her so tightly, Ashley felt like she was being crushed. 
 
 `` If you do not wish to share my curse, o-or to die,'' the woman panted, a heavy blush evident on her pale features. `` You will run away from this place as fast as you can. Q-quickly! I can not contain myself for much longer!'' 
 
 Ashley stared down at the back of the woman's head. She remembered the knife in her hand, and also that this surely was the creature that was responsible for her father's death. She raised her arm, poising herself for a downwards stab. 
 
 *She's weak right now... I can... * 
 
 `` I'm sorry.'' 
 
 Ashley froze as the woman looked up. 
 
 `` Your father,'' the woman whispered, tears in her eyes. `` Your father was Daemon Fletcher, yes?'' 
 
 Ashley nodded hesitantly. 
 
 `` I'm sorry,'' the woman said, crying. `` I worked so hard to save him... I swear, I did everything I could.'' 
 
 `` S... save him?'' Ashley repeated uncomprehendingly. `` You... did n't kill him?'' 
 
 The woman drew back, closing her eyes and taking a few deep breaths. Gradually, the flush receded from her cheeks. Without opening her eyes, she said, `` Please wipe off your lip.'' 
 
 Obediently, Ashley did so. `` Okay.'' 
 
 Opening her eyes, the vampire opened the front door of the mansion and took a few steps inside, then looked back at her expectantly. Ashley hesitated. 
 
 `` I...'' 
 
 `` You have my word that I will not drink from you if you do not wish it,'' the woman said softly, knowing her thoughts. `` Please, Ashley.'' 
 
 Ashley started. `` How... do you know my name?'' 
 
 The woman smiled sadly. `` You were all that he ever talked about. Your scent is too similar to his for you to not be his daughter. Come. There is something that he wished to give you, should you ever pass this way.'' 
 
 Ashley was led through a lavishly furnished mansion, full of expensive furniture, century-old antiques, and portraits of familiar-looking people. 
 
 `` My family,'' the woman returned, when Ashley asked. `` My line has inhabited this house since the beginning of mortal history. Ah, here we are.'' 
 
 She turned a corner into an exceedingly cluttered study. Full bookshelves took up three of the four walls, with a section of the one in the far wall carved out to accommodate a fireplace. In an alcove next to the door was a desk, covered with stacks of yellowed paper. The woman lifted a letter off of the nearest stack, handing it to Ashley, whose heart skipped a beat. 
 
 It was addressed to her. 
 
 Her heart in her throat, Ashley carefully broke the seal and opened the letter. 
 
 *My Dearest Ashley, * 
 
 *I hope that this letter finds you well. If you are reading this, you have found Elena's house, and she has convinced you to come inside. Please, know that my passing is not her fault. In fact, she has done everything possible to help me. * 
 
 *You see, it has been five years since I left the village that night. As I was walking, I was set upon by some of the other vampires that live in this forest. They drank from me and left me for dead. It was Elena who found me and tried to save me, attempting to preserve my humanity. Unfortunately, she could not. I turned within the night, and I have spent my time ever since then living with her in this mansion. However, I fear that I may soon lose my sanity. * 
 
 *Do you know why vampires must drink blood, Ashley? It is not only to preserve their immortality, but to preserve their sanity as well. To them, it is the most pleasurable and addictive thing imaginable. After mere weeks of going without it, they start to go mad. Having never drank myself ( I absolutely refuse to do so ), this process has been considerably slowed, but I fear that I am at my limit. Should I lose myself, I have made Elena promise to end my suffering. * 
 
 *I think of you and your mother every day, Ashley. I miss you both so very much. I long to see how you've grown, and my heart aches knowing that I likely never will. Still, I am not bitter. I know that you will grow to be a fine woman, one who will do great things. * 
 
 *Know that I do, and always will, love you and your mother, Ashley. I know that one day, we will be reunited, and that thought brings me peace. * 
 
 *Your loving father, * 
 
 *Daemon Fletcher* 
 
 Ashley shakily set the letter on the desk, staring blankly ahead. 
 
 `` I'm sorry,'' the woman, who Ashley now knew must be the'Elena' mentioned in her father's letter, mumbled. `` I tried my best to help him, but he became incoherent shortly after writing that letter.'' 
 
 Barely thinking, Ashley pulled the collar of her coat down, exposing her neck. 
 
 `` Drink.'' 
 
 Elena's eyes widened in shock. `` I... But... Are you sure?'' 
 
 Ashley took a deep breath, then nodded. `` I owe you anyway. My mother died two years ago, and the rest of my village thinks my family is cursed, so they hate me. I've no reason to go back there. Besides,'' Ashley gave a faint smile. `` I seem to recall you saying that I smell'delicious.''' 
 
 `` Well, that's...'' Elena blushed, then approached Ashley, tilting her chin up, like she had earlier. `` I mean, if you're absolutely sure...'' 
 
 Ashley started in shock as she felt a pair of lips press themselves to hers, but that shock was soon lost to an overwhelming feeling of pleasure that flooded her body. 
 
 When Elena backed away, Ashley looked at her in confusion ( and a tiny bit of disappointment. ) `` Are n't you going to drink from me?'' 
 
 `` I just did,'' Elena said with a wink, tapping her bottom lip with a finger, and Ashley realized that the vampire had simply reopened the small gash on her lip that she herself had made earlier. 
 
 `` I do n't feel any different,'' Ashley said in confusion. 
 
 `` Of course not. I'd have to cause the wound in order to turn you,'' Elena said, then made a shooing motion. `` Now, go home. Your debt to me is repaid.'' 
 
 `` But...'' Ashley began to protest, then sighed in defeat. `` Will I ever see you again?'' 
 
 `` Only if you want to,'' Elena said with a smile. 
 
 `` I do,'' Ashley said instantly. Elena's smile widened. 
 
 `` Well then, there you go. Feel free to visit anytime.'' Suddenly, the vampire's expression became stern. `` Now, seriously, go home. It's getting very late.'' 
 
 `` *Fine... *'' Ashley sighed dramatically, then turned, exiting the study and making her way out of the mansion. 
 
 On her way back to her village, however, she realized that her *very* expensive hunting knife was now missing. 
 
 She smiled. *Yeah, I'll be seeing her again soon. And I have a feeling that's exactly what she wants... * 
 
 *** 
 
 Wow, this turned into a huge wall of text. Sorry. 
 
 Also, yuri. And vampires. Because apparently those are the first two things my mind jumps to after seeing pictures like that.
