The castle sits in the woods,
its walls filled with memories.
Sounds of laughter and music
float in the still air.
Whisps of smoke hover
between the trees.
A soft shadow in the wind
settles beside me.
A tap on my shoulder.
A sigh in my ear.
I know who it is.
Goodbye, my love.
We’ll be together again soon.
Walk with me through the moonlit forest.
Let our feet graze the tips of the grass,
held aloft by our love and passion.
Follow me through the endless night
to a land where no man walks,
and love has no bounds or shackles.
We will be free to display our passion,
without retribution from humanity.
Come with me, my ice princess.
Step away from the burning plains,
where the heat burns your soles,
And love is hampered by humanity.
He extends his hand,
his lips never uttering a sound,
but his meaning as clear as can be.
The other has followed us to the clearing.
His eyes burn red with passion.
Fire follows close on his footsteps.
He scorches a trail through the tall grass,
melting his enemy’s cold path.
They face each other.
Hot and cold from opposite poles,
dueling until the end of time,
Our games have just begun.
PREY FOR THE DEAD
WE HAVE TONIGHT
Dance with me tonight, my darling.
Ignore the evil grins surrounding us.
Let us sway with the music’s quick beat.
No one needs to see the fear I hide
as you twirl me around the dance floor.
A smile is plastered on my face.
My eyes glued to yours.
I know there will be a meeting tonight.
The evil players will be present.
The evil one will soon be revealed.
Don’t let it be you, my loved one.
THE DEAD GAME by Susanne Leist
Your heart is pounding.
Your pulse is racing.
The house is alive.
It’s breathing.
It’s moving.
Illusions stalk you.
How can you escape?
You can’t.
THE DEAD GAME by Susanne Leist
The house welcomes.
It creaks.
It sighs.
The front door drifts open.
We step inside.
Gargoyles stand sentinel
on the staircase.
Their eyes follow our path
past the flickering candles.
An icy wind brushes our skin
with unseen fingers.
Shadows move and sway
in the dark hallway.
The front door locks behind us.
The house has spoken.
THE DEAD GAME by Susanne Leist
Why do we love vampire books?
Is it the blood and gore or the hot romance?
I read them because no one is dead forever.
Even after vanquished, a vampire can return.
. 
PREY FOR THE DEAD
He lights my fire to take me higher.
The town’s on fire, set by the sire.
He comes tonight for the big fight.
He comes for me from the dark sea.
PREY FOR THE DEAD
