The Vampyre

John William Polidori's 1819 short story created the vampire as we know it—the aristocratic, seductive predator who moves through high society leaving death in his wake. Lord Ruthven is charming, mysterious, and utterly without conscience. When young Aubrey travels with him through Europe, he slowly discovers the terrible truth about his companion—but by then it may be too late. Written during the same legendary gathering at Villa Diodati that produced Frankenstein, The Vampyre established the template that Bram Stoker, Anne Rice, and countless others would follow. The first vampire story in English literature. A Raven's Gate Classics edition.