Vampire Short Stories

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"Rash youth," cried he in a severe tone, "how is it that thou hast dared to enter this place, where never mortal foot save mine has trod?"

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"I came not willingly," replied St Amand, trembling; "an evil destiny, and not vain curiosity brought me hither."

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"Thou wouldst not the less have expiated thy presumption with thy life, but for my aid,"

returned the old man, austerely. "I have saved thee from the vampires who guard it, and it depends upon me, whether thou shalt not still become their prey."

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"Oh! save me, then, I pray thee!"

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"And why should I save thee?" demanded the venerable magician. "What price art thou willing to give me for thy life?"

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"Alas! I have nothing worthy of thy acceptance," sighed St Amand.

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"But thou may'st have; and it is only through thee that I can obtain what I most desire."

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"How?"

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"The blood of a dove, for me, would be a treasure, but I may not kill one; she must be slain for me, by one whose life I have saved. Should I liberate thee, a dove will fly to thy bosom; swear that thou wilt instantly sacrifice her for me, and thou shalt be free."

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"I swear it!"

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Hardly had St Amand uttered the words, when he found himself in the chamber of Ninette, who, with a cry of joy, rushed into his arms. He pressed her with transport to his breast; but scarcely had he embraced her, when he saw the magician standing by his side.

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"Wretch!" cried he, "is it thus thou keepest thine oath? Pierce her heart--she is the dove that thou must instantly sacrifice, if thou wilt not become a feast for the vampires!"

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"Sacrifice her? Never! Never!"

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"Then, thou art my prey!" and the fiend assuming his own form, sprang towards his victim; but he stopped suddenly--he dared not seize him: for the maiden held him firmly clasped in her arms, and the little cross of gold, which night and day she wore upon her bosom, had been blest by the venerable priest, whose gift it was. Thus, nought unholy dared approach the maiden, and the baffled fiend fled with a tremendous yell, as the crowing of the cock, announced the approach of dawn.

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The cries of the maiden soon brought the neighbours to her chamber, and among them was the pastor, to whom St Amand related his adventure.

 

"Oh, my son!" said the good priest, "what have you done? See you not, that you have entered into a contract with the powers of darkness? Unable to wreak their vengeance on you, when you had guarded yourself with the blessed sign of our redemption, the fiend has had recourse to craft to draw you into his power. You have promised a sacrifice, to the enemy of God and man, but you have done it in ignorance. Abjure then, solemnly, the cursed contract, and dread no longer the vengeance of the fiend."

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The young soldier made the required abjuration, during which, the most dreadful noises were heard: it was the last effort of the demon's vengeance; for, from that time, he was never seen, nor heard of. St Amand married Ninette, who had given him such a courageous proof of her love; and the cross transmitted from her, to her descendants, was always considered by them as the most precious part of their inheritance. In process of time, the family became wealthy, and a great grandson of St Amand erected the monument we have described, to commemorate the miraculous escape of his ancestor.

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