Chapter 7: Routine

The beeping of the alarm, three decades old at least, woke Casey up. She curled further into her blankets, ignoring the incessant sound.

It was five in the afternoon. Thank god there were no windows. She could pretend she still woke up at a normal time that way.

She groaned and clicked the clock to shut it up. She rolled on her back, staring into the darkness that encompassed her. It had been a week. Or had it been longer? No, a week made sense.

She knew most of her duties, though she hadn’t mastered them yet. She reasoned she would eventually.

The pang of sorrow that accompanied the thought was almost unbearable. She had deftly avoided her feelings for so long, but they surfaced every now and then.

Lavinia owned her. At least, she owned Casey’s debt, but would that hold up in court? Lavinia seemed to have enough money that the law would look the other way if she wanted, and that was without even factoring in that she was some sort of vampire queen or something.

Who knew how deep her influence went.

Casey couldn’t run. At least, not yet. She was sure there would be a time but where would she go?

Her parents were out of the question, they had all but disowned her four years prior and were across the country. She had some friends and a few exes but could she really put them in danger? Would Lavinia hunt her if she ran?

She didn’t want to find out.

Lavinia. Lavinia. Lavinia. Casey’s world revolved around her now. Every bump in the night was her coming to exact her blood price. Every chill on the back of Casey’s neck was her breath. She occupied the little place in Casey’s mind where all terror lived.

At one point, Casey was excited to know her, excited to date her. She was beautiful, a porcelain doll, gliding about, towering over Casey. She was quiet and had eyes deep as oceans, that studied Casey the way a cat watched a mouse. She was mysterious and gentle.

She was also a monster who had lied to Casey, stalked her, and now owned her. Casey lived in her basement and cooked her dinner. Casey felt her eyes burn.

She feared Lavinia.

Casey wiped her eyes and turned on her light. She began dressing for her day. She only owned clothes much too big for her, “donated” by Lavinia, and the black robe that she was sold in. She chose the robe.

She loathed Lavinia.

She brushed her hair using a brush and hand mirror Lavinia had given her.

She was furious with Lavinia.

She opened the door which had no lock and strode down the hall and up the stairs to serve her mistress. A mistress that had pulled away when Casey showed discomfort, had not touched her since that moment, and had not mentioned Casey’s duty to provide blood once since Casey arrived at her home.

A mistress that had looked scared.

Casey didn’t hate Lavinia. She wanted to very, very much. But she didn’t.

She sighed as she strode through the halls of the manor. Normally, her first item, which Lavinia had not taught her but seemed practical, was to find her mistress.

Knowing where her master was ensured that Casey was available if she needed anything. It also meant that Casey could worry about other house work and check in every now and again.

She found her mistress in her study. She was slumped in her chair, asleep. Saliva dripped from the corner of her mouth as she snored softly.

Casey was not allowed inside the study, that was the rule. Unless, of course, if Lavinia was in the room with her. Casey would take that risk. She left briefly to retrieve a blanket from the closet in the hallway before venturing into unknown territory.

There were many strange things in here, Casey saw, as she crossed the room. There were books, of course, Lavinia had mountains of those. But there was also a sewing machine that looked ancient that sat in the corner.

It seemed recently used as a piece of clothing sat half finished on it. There were what looked like manila folders full of yellowing, delicate documents. There were also a lot of pictures, paintings, and other wall hangings on the walls, which Casey did not expect.

Crossing to her mistress, Casey gently draped the blanket over her. She brushed against Lavinia’s arm while tucking her in.

It was cold as ice. A little saliva escaped her mouth and dropped onto Casey’s hand. Wiping it away, Casey took the sleeve of her robe and gently wiped Lavinia’s mouth.

This was the closest Casey had been to her mistress’ mouth and she finally got a very clear look at her fangs.

They were mesmerizing. They were terrifying. They were incredibly sharp.

She wondered how she didn’t cut her mouth constantly.

Her gaze slid along Lavinia’s pale, delicate features, ending on her eyes the color of a lagoon. Which happened to be staring directly at her, incredulously.

“You’re not supposed to be in here,” Lavinia croaked.

Casey flushed, standing straight once more. “Did you go to bed at all, mistress?” It almost came out as scolding. She had been finding Lavinia in many places, none of them her room.

Lavinia’s gaze bore into Casey. She was silent before looking away. “I did not.”

Casey wasn’t sure what exactly Lavinia did, but she had heard it did something with historical consultation…or was it museum curation? She knew it had to do with history, which made sense given the fact that Lavinia was immortal.

Casey hummed. “We are out of coffee.” She wasn’t sure if vampires benefitted from things like caffeine but Lavinia had coffees and teas in her house. “I’ll bring you tea.”

Lavinia’s face shifted slightly, to something of disbelief, as Casey walked from the room.

***

Lavinia sighed through her nose once Casey was gone.

Had she been looking at her teeth when she woke up?

She pulled the blanket further around her. Casey was becoming much too good at this. Most of the things she did, especially starting four days ago, were very new. Lavinia had not had a servant who learned so quickly in almost a century and a half.

She had checked on Lavinia every evening and was already beginning to anticipate her needs. She also realized two days ago how much power a servant has.

Casey was less meek and far less afraid already. That was especially evident in the way she talked to Lavinia now. It was…refreshing. And Lavinia was beginning to feel strangely good. She apparently had missed the company Matthew provided.

A half hour later, Casey bustled into the study carrying a small tray. She placed a saucer and cup of tea down alongside a biscuit on a plate that seemed to have jam on it.

“Eat the biscuit before you drink this.” She placed the animal cup beside the tea. It had the blood and coconut mixture. “It has aspirins in it. I wasn’t sure how much you needed but what will it do if I gave you too much, kill you?”

Lavinia chuckled. “That’s very funny, Casey.” She smiled and took a bite of the biscuit. “As long as it doesn’t have holy water, silver, apples, or a few other things I should be fine.”

Casey furrowed her brow. “Why apples?”

Lavinia blew on the tea and tested a sip. It was a green tea and was very nicely brewed. She was pleasantly surprised that Casey was a good cook.

“I just don’t like them. Never have. Even when I was a child.” She nodded, reminiscing. “Except green ones,” she amended. “I like those.”

Casey nodded gravely. “Ok. Noted. No apples.” She shifted from foot to foot. “Will there be anything else, mistress?”

Lavinia desperately wanted some company but she shook her head.

Casey gave a small half bow, half curtsy. “Lunch will be at midnight.” She took the tray. “I’ll come find you later, ma’am.” She turned and began to leave.

“Casey.”

Lavinia kept catching her as she left rooms. Casey turned back and looked at her with the neutral expression of restrained feeling. Lavinia was aware of her disdain. “Thank you.” She smiled at her. “You’ve done a wonderful job so far.”

Casey’s face shifted and she smiled softly. “Thank you, mistress.” She nodded before leaving, and closing the door behind her.