"I had become immortal.
"I remember that realization and how deeply it affected me, and I daresay, it is an effect that has ruled all that I have done since."
The tall figure stopped pacing and pointed a rigid finger down at his hapless fellow on the ground.
"He who would rule us as if he has any right to is a misguided fool. This idea that vampires should organize themselves in order to combat an imaginary war with other supernatural beings...purest folly. Our sole and true objective is to continue our existence, to stay alive...not these useless efforts that finish badly and all on the behalf of a madman.
"His supposed wisdom brushes away treasure such as you attempted to lay at his crooked feet and look where it has ended you. That is to say, you...at the end of you, if you follow me."
The vampire on the ground trembled, as if fighting one last time to free himself, although this time one might imagine it had less to do with the coming day and everything to do with his desire to flee Murilo's words.
"No, stop...do not tell me such things. Your arrogance and disdain for our leader are not things I want to hear."
The tall vampire looked down then took a half step backward as if he had narrowly avoided placing his foot somewhere disagreeable.
"Oh, but not to worry, my dear weepy friend. You fear that if I speak in such a manner, such an open and honest discourse, then that must mean I do not expect that you will ever repeat those same words to the idiot who has appointed himself in charge.
"Especially when one considers what a penchant you have for selling secrets, I have no doubt you would not hesitate a single second to sell me out.
"Except...."
The doomed creature sagged against his bonds, his last effort expended in futility.
"No, Murilo, I beg you. Don't speak this way."
The well dressed vampire shook his head in answer and continued.
"...except that you realize that if I say such things, it is because I truly have no intention of freeing you.
"I'm afraid you are not mistaken about that. But, I must say it is simply wonderful to not bandy words about. Frank, direct discourse is what I like and so rarely have the opportunity to engage in."
"Then why come at all? Why not just leave me to my misery and the flames to come?"
Murilo's response was not long in coming.
"Because I have a captive audience?" he smiled then his face grew serious as he went on.
"I admit I find all this..." and he gestured with a theatric sweep of his arms, "...rather dramatic and unseemly. But sometimes one must bend to the disagreeable in order to glean the gold from the dross. Sadly it seems that my time is wasted here if you refuse to tell me the names of the interlopers among us.
"And so I shall return to our employer and endure the terrible sound as he dines. Apparently, he intends that I shall surveil a human and save her at some point from the clutches of feeble men in blue. Alas, such is my lot. Ignominious tasks beneath my station as dictated by the broken toothed monster in charge.
"Antio kai kalenuchta," the vampire named Murilo said and made as if to walk away. Instead, he stopped and snickered.
"Of course with the hour in mind, perhaps I should have said goodbye and good morning."
He turned on his heel and strode off into a darkness that was rapidly brightening to grey, then his disembodied voice floated back to the blood drinker imprisoned in the courtyard.
"'And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into....'"
What was said next, if there had been anything else, was lost as Murilo turned a corner.
The vampire upon the ground moaned, then whispered, "Where?"
He gasped and his last tears of blood ran down his cheeks.
"Went up where?"
But there was no one to answer him as the dawning sun made its relentless approach.