The Lure of a vampire

What is it about vampire’s that is so intriguing? Is it their power? Immortality? Strength? Whatever it is, vampires have drawn people in for centuries. Let’s have a look at what a vampire is and how it’s evolved into the most talked about fictional characters.

Vampires are most often dead. In past lore, vampires were created by one vampire drinking the blood of a human, killing them. The human would then be buried, assumed dead, and would rise some time later as a vampire.

 Another way a vampire is created is a vampire drinking the blood from their victim until their heartbeat slowed, then forcing the victim to drink the creators blood. The victim would then be a vampire.

Another belief is that a vampire could bite a person, but not kill them. The victim may carry on living as a human for years, but upon their death, would then become a vampire.

Where did the idea for vampires begin you might ask? Some say it began with Dracula. Vlad (the Impaler) 'Tepes' Dracula, who lived between 1430 and 1476. We’ve all heard the horror that Vlad inflicted on his victims, including impaling them, blinding, skinning, castrating, dismemberment and much more. It is said that Vlad never claimed to be immortal, which was evident when he was killed and his head presented as a trophy to the Sultan of Constantinople. So where did Dracula come from in regards to Vlad? The peasants of the time painted him in the supernatural light, bringing forth the rumor that he was of the undead, but it wasn't until Bram Stoker created his vampire Dracula that the blood sucking damned vampire was popularized.

The ancient vampires of Eastern Europe describe their vampires as half-rotted corpses crawling from their grave to which they must rest in each night. In modern lore, the image of a vampire is quite different. Gone is the shriveled, impish fiend worn by the ages as depicted as Nosferatu and in its place the vampire has become somewhat of a creature of great beauty with pale skin and fanged teeth.

Then we have Bela Lugosi who the mere mention of his name makes a person think of Dracula. Lugosi’s vampire was suave, wore a tuxedo and long black opera cape. His voice held a thick, rich Hungarian accent that was thought to be sexy. Bela Lugosi posed an image of the vampire that would be remembered and imitated even in such characters as The Count on Sesame Street or even the cereal Count Chocula.

However, there was one thing missing. Bela didn’t have fangs. Although Bram Stoker’s novel mentions peculiar sharp white teeth, it wasn't until late 1950’s when the fangs began their popularity. Today, however, fangs are the norm for vampires, as is drinking blood.

Buffy the vampire Slayer really drew people’s attention to vampires and why not. Angel was one sexy vamp, but instead of running around killing innocent victims, he chose to “Help the helpless” And what about Spike. He started out as a sniveling human, turned to a vampire and became a legendary vampire who loved to torture his victims. But it took Buffy to tame his soul and turn him into a kind-hearted vampire willing to sacrifice his life for the world.

Then we have Stephanie Meyers portrayal of vampires as “sparkling”.

So is it any wonder vampires have become revered over the centuries. They have gone from decayed, rotting grave dwellers to suave, sophisticated creatures with a conscience. And we can’t get enough of them. Each decade, it seems a new vampire is created with its own powers or flaws.

I am not immune to the lure of vampires. My Darkness series came about as a thought. What would happen if the sun was blotted out in a town with vampires? Mayhem of course, and so book one, Seducing the Darkness was created and seven books followed.  My vampires don’t all have powers, only the pure blooded original vampire’s posses the ability to transform, transport, and use mind control. The more diluted the vampire is, the fewer abilities they have. Sunlight does not make them go poof, but instead scorches their skin to produce boils, which are extremely painful. They can be killed by a stake to the heart, or decapitation. And they do not sleep in graves or in coffins.

Whatever the lure is, vampires have been around for centuries, and it doesn’t look like they’ll be going anywhere anytime soon.

Check out the Darkness Series at www.champagnebooks.com
Author website: www.shielastewartsbooks.com

Darkness Books:

Seducing the Darkness
Desiring the Darkness
Embracing the Darkness
Charming the Darkness
Tempting the Darkness
Coming soon:  Consuming the Darkness: Surviving the Darkness

Print coming soon.