I wait, just outside the barrier. The night is shrill with crickets; they sense the end of time and sing, calling to each other. The air wraps us round with caressing warmth, so that early-evening sip suffices to keep me anchored here. Maddening, to serve time on Terence and his foolishness. Did I make this bargain, step across the threshold between worlds, so that I could hover here like a ghost between walls? The library calls to me, yet I know that I must persist here, must see what foolishness Terence will commit—
Though of course I do not know if I can intervene in time.
And what he does, what he tells—
I do not want to think about that. I have a few plans of my own, should it all go awry; I have sanctuaries elsewhere, libraries I have haunted in my day. But I like this place, I have come to be settled here; there’s an ample supply of books and journals that no one else troubles to read.
***
Excerpt from my contribution to the Vampire Variations challenge. No longer a work-in-progress, it’s now with its beta readers. Look for updates in coming weeks.
Weekend Writing Warriors offers eight-sentence excerpts from a variety of writers; see the other excerpts here.
E. P. Beaumont 
The end of time? Does that mean the end of vampires, too?
Terrific scene building and details, and the language and pacing is evocative. Nicely done!
I like the description of the crickets singing. Libraries are an oasis from the world.
You can actually feel the age rolling off your character. He actually feels like what vampires used to be…you know, back before they sparkled. Lovely snippet.
This is such an amazing story, can’t wait to read more. Terrific snippet!
Wow! I wonder what he’s afraid tht Terence will do. And what is his obsession with libraries? (Just two of the many questions this raised.