Pietra

When a mortally-ill traveller arrives in Venice, he finds that a string of inexplicable deaths and disappearances have caused a wave of panic in the city. These events pale into insignificance, though, when he encounters a mysterious woman - Pietra - one night. He soon becomes aware, however, that a malign being has singled him out for attention - and that Pietra might not be all that she seems."I was living in a world of monsters, and the darkness brought death on its wings."When a mortally-ill traveller arrives in Venice, he finds the city in the grip of terror. A string of inexplicable deaths and disappearances have caused a wave of panic, and the authorities have no idea who – or what – is responsible. These events pale into insignificance, though, when he encounters a mysterious woman one night. Pietra is beautiful, intriguing and secretive, and he longs to know more about her.He soon becomes aware, however, that a malign being has singled him out for attention – and that Pietra might not be all that she seems.PIETRA is a vampire novelette of approximately 9,500 words.