I kept my eyes on his, arching a brow to let him know I noticed the delay, and the order was not going to change no matter how much he stalled. He was brave for a human. If he had delayed this way with many of my kind, he would have been the next meal for sure. I appreciated his independent spirit, and the fact he wasn’t completely broken down by this life and had that spark inside of him still. I hoped he tasted good.
He held out his wrist, allowing me to grasp it and draw him closer to me, my ivory skin contrasting against his deep tan. “This won’t hurt,” I assured him, pulling his wrist to my mouth. I didn’t need to actively feed off of him after my meal, but I refused to consider him as a pet until I knew his blood was compatible with my system.
I kept my eyes locked on his angry ones, not looking away as my fangs dropped and I laved my tongue over the skin of his wrist, allowing my venom to numb his skin before I pierced it. He blinked in surprise as my fangs perforated his wrist right above the small veins, and I let the flavor of him fill me.
He was hot and salty-sweet, his blood richer than any I had tasted before. There was an edge to it, though, a bitterness that reminded me of the scent of the alcohol the witches enjoyed. Inexplicably, I found the taste appealing. I pulled away, laving my tongue across the wound to encourage healing and keep it numb while his flesh knit back together.
“There are bandages in with the linens,” I directed as I licked the salty liquid from my lips. Though the wound would heal quickly, he would be comforted by the process of wrapping the wound, I was sure, rather than watching the skin slowly mend in front of his eyes.
Sebastian moved to the cabinets, shock having replaced some of the anger in his gaze. “How did…” He trailed off, and I wondered if he worried about speaking out of turn.
“Blood drawing does not have to hurt. It can even feel pleasurable for the donor.” I shrugged, sliding on the rest of my clothing as he bandaged his wrist. “Most simply don’t prefer it that way.”
He opened his mouth for a moment before ducking his head, and I was positive he wanted to interject his own opinion, likely on what the prey would prefer, though I pretended I did not see. His blood had sealed my debate. It was as unique as he was, and I was intent on him not becoming a meal for the others.
I dug through the drawer of my bedside table, hunting for my seal. I pulled straps of leather from the drawer as well, selecting what I needed with care before turning back to Sebastian, who waited with his hand clasped over his wrist, protecting the bandage. “Come here,” I demanded, sitting on the bed and indicating the space in front of me.
I grasped his other wrist, lifting it to wrap the wide leather strap around it before clasping it with a thin leather band used as a tie. I picked up my seal next, sliding the medallion onto the thinner leather strap I had grabbed, securing it tightly around the leather cuff and threading the knot through the clasp. The angle was awkward and the knots intricate, making the band nearly impossible to remove by himself. The spells that were worked into the band would prevent him or anyone besides myself from slicing the leather away from his skin.
“You know what this means?” I addressed him, not expecting any questions in response. Humans brought into the castle were informed of their potential future as pets, and many hoped for this eventual outcome, believing it brought them one step closer to their goal of being turned.
“I am aware, mistress,” he responded, his voice stiff with unchecked fury. He had slipped easily into the title used by a claimed servant rather than a general servant, a promising reaction for his level of intelligence.
“Good.” I arched a brow, part of me hoping he would challenge me outright. “Then you don’t need me to recite the general rules.” I found it mildly relieving not to have to deal with the formal aspect, notifying him of his new rules and his higher standing amongst the current humans. “Then my personal rules are all you should concern yourself with.”
I indicated the chairs and table behind him, and he cocked his head, questioning my order. I smiled and he winced, apparently not used to seeing a vampire’s fangs bared in a smile rather than in feeding. “I am not unaware of the rumors that spread throughout the walls,” I offered as he took the seat I had indicated, his back stiff at the unusual change of circumstances before him. “I am odd for a vampire. Your experience will be different with me than as a pet for another vampire. Most of my time is spent in research, and I will require you to help me once I ensure that you read adequately and have enough common sense to recognize what is of importance. As my research partner, you will need to speak to me freely, so you may ignore the normal command of only replying to orders.”
“Research, mistress?” His voice was quiet, and I could tell he was uncomfortable with the idea of speaking to me outside of a direct order. Not that I was surprised, he would have been soundly punished for it in the past if he had made that mistake.
“My history. Human history.” I indicated the shelves of books and the precarious stacks that dotted the room. “I am not satisfied with the idea that how we live now is how we lived before the plagues took over, nor am I convinced that it is better. I believe there is always room to learn and grow.” I waved a hand as his eyes widened in shock, his mouth opening slightly as he gaped at me. “You will learn more about what I am researching in time. I will feed off of you.” I stared straight into his eyes, not allowing him to hide his expression at the declaration. “I will not make it painful, but I will require sustenance, and I prefer to receive it from you rather than at family meals.” Mutual expressions of distaste crossed our features at the thought.
“Yes, mistress.” His tone was calm and submissive, though his eyes were anything but. I knew my lip quirked up at the corner, amused at the dichotomy of this man.
“I will not punish you for speaking your mind, as long as you do so in the privacy of my rooms.” I knew he would be skeptical of this, although I meant it. I needed someone who would talk with me, help me to evaluate theories, and I was in need of someone to amuse me as well.
“I do not intend to take you as a sexual partner.” I studied him closely, expecting a response to that at least.
“Mistress?” The word was choked, a contrived response to my statement rather than a betrayal of his actual thoughts.
I smirked, leaning back onto my palms. “Do you object to that, Sebastian?” At his lack of a reply, I sighed. I saw so much spark in him, but he wasn’t yet willing to let go of the rules he had been trained in and play with me. I really hoped he would come around, as I would hate to have to turn him into a meal.
“No, mistress,” he replied, his chin lowering as he turned away, preventing me from reading the emotions in his eyes.
“I have too much work to consider taking on partners,” I explained. “Do not be fooled by anyone claiming to be a partner of mine and stating that they have a say in your ownership,” I warned. “Even my parents may not give you unusual orders, and their needs shall always be deferred for mine. Simply bow and show your wrist, there is no need to speak to them and risk them taking offense.”
“The witches, mistress?” His husky voice was quiet, though I was impressed that he had taken the initiative to ask.
I scoffed. “Witches will be witches, no matter whether you are a pet or not. They will comply with my medallion, or they will be grievously punished. You do not need to donate to them, and I order that you do not without my express permission. I highly doubt that will ever be granted, so you should not be concerned.” He nodded shortly, accepting my statement. “Your duties will be attending to me. However, as I said, most of that time will be spent on research. I will clear it so you will not be required to complete other chores.”