you circled my lair
through three seasons change
as I peeked out at you
sometimes flashing some light
from the inside
giving you glimpses
not knowing what you
were looking for here
through my beaded curtain
I could see you stalking
illuminated by the silver sparkles
of the moon
as I trembled at the sound
of every primal howl
that you unleashed
drawn to you
for reasons unknown
lurking in subconsciousness.

A night arrived
when the moon was cloaked
in thick clouds
you were shrouded by shadows
softly whimpering and whispering
I hesitantly stepped out of my safety
one aching step at a time
with each step looking
both forward and back
until I found your body
laying wounded and starving
and shivering in the cold night air
kneeling down beside you
peering at you with
inquisitive, fretful eyes
I could hear you breathing shallowly
your skin moist and icy to the touch
wrapping my arms around you
I lifted you and led you
into my secret space.

you stumbled as I laid you down
in my bed of velvet blankets
I sat beside you
worried that you were
beyond my help
watching the candles light
dance across your face
softly you stirred
and reached for me
I smoothed your hair
caressed your cheek
gazing at you
keeping my distance

suddenly you grabbed my arm
and bit fiercely,
with your last dying strength
into the pale white flesh of my wrist
I felt my blood rush into you
with all of my vitality
draining into your dry reserve
I glimpsed a flicker of madness in your eye
as you sucked out my life
with a grip that I could not escape
until I swooned
and fell into the bed with you
and the candles went black

In the midnight hour I awoke
to feel your mouth on my skin
your eyes meeting mine
with an infinite gratitude
we kissed passionately
as you removed my dress
and I bared your chest
you held a silver cup
ornate with knotwork
holding my intact wrist above it
taking your claw
making a clean slice
as my blood poured
out over my skin
down my fingertips
and into the cup
held in your strong hand
waiting, watching myself
bleed for you
a smile flashed across my lips
as you leaned into me
passion exuding between our bodies
your life restored
as we became one
writhing together
melting, bleeding,
feeding into one another
the hourglass sands sifted away
as our bodies and souls drifted away

waking once again
a chill coming into the room
and my voice whispering chants
so softly I could not hear the words
one candle blazed
softly in the corner
creating long shadows
as my blurry vision
made out forms and shapes
I could see you sitting on the floor
with a woman in your arms
you cradled her
and as I looked closely
you were holding the silver cup
to her pale lips
and she was sipping weakly
the sacrifice I had shed for you.