Markus had never thought he would regret his choice to become an immortal vampire.

Almost three-hundred years after his transformation, he lies inert on the floor, weak and emaciated from lack of blood. He barely responds when his mistress comes for him, and pulls him to his knees.

Once he sees the pot of molten iron, he begins to silently weep. His piercing screams are muffled as she pours the burning liquid down his throat.

Hours later, Markus lies on the floor, unresponsive. With deadened eyes, he begins the arduous process of tearing open his chest cavity to extract the solid metal coating his insides.