Breakfast

I'm perplexed. The servants have completely changed, almost into new people. My family though, still full of spite. What power exactly does Vlad have over others? I played with my hands, finally noticing something just as odd. My cut from the rock was healed, not even a scar.

While adding healing as a possible power to the list. I heard father scream, I looked up to see a content smile on Vlad's face. My family in terror, as blood drips from father's shoulders.

Before I could say something, Alex speaks out.

"Please sister! Spare me, I love you! I was just surprised at how your attire suits you!" He gives a nervous smile, hoping I wouldn't notice.

I flinch at 'I love you'. I had never heard those words directed at me. Vlad frowned, a dangerous expression on his face. One I had not seen before, an emotion I didn't recognize. He moved over behind my brother, ready to dig in.

"Wait." I sputter at him.

"Yes?" He tilts his head my way, growling for the first time in my direction. I flinch, he corrects himself. "I'm sorry." He smooths out his tone, a worried puppy look at me.

"They learned what punishment awaits them, I doubt they will do it again."

Vlad sighs, disappointed. He quickly licks off the remaining blood from his fingers. I gulp, he licked slowly, while looking at me.

"As you wish." He regains his grin, and walks behind me. His all now too familiar scent wafting at me. It was getting dangerous again. I dug my nails into my other hand. The pain keeping me lucid.

My family kept their heads in our direction, wary, fearful.

I sighed. This was not the happy family breakfast I wanted.

"Vlad, can you heal father'a wounds?" I question, tempted to ask a thousand more, if I wasn't in front of the others.

I couldn't see his face from this angle, but I could see everyone else. They flinched, in unison. It stayed silent for too long.

"Vlad?" I try again.

He lets out a sigh. "Very well, but remember how they've treated you. They don't deserve such kindness, mage."

I distract myself from bad memories. Focusing on current necessity. I direct my questions to father first, trying to relax the atmosphere.

"Father, why has no one told me about mages?" My attempt failed miserably.

As Vlad healed his wounds with a mere touch, he flinched at my question. My mother gave a look of disgust at my father. Brother looked more curious than anything.

"Mages are rare, the few that are born join the knights." He glances at mother, clearly uncomfortable. "Your mother was a mage." The room is silent again.

My mother, this was the only fact I had heard about her in my eighteen years of life. I breathed in, scooting closer to the table.

I could see the daggers forming in the viscountess's eyes at father. She chimed in as he was silent.

"She was a which, a devil's bride. She cursed my husband into her bed, and dared drop…!" She stopped before finishing. "I mean gave you up to us. Told us if we didn't take you in, she'd curse us all!"

It sank in all too quickly. The words ripped out of me. "Is she alive?!"

Vlad seemed invested in this as well, eyes glued to my mother, another expression I couldn't place.

"Of course not. She was caught and burned like all witches. That's what she gets for threatening my family." She scoffed.

My heart sank. My last hope at a loving family dying by the minute. In response to my expression, a snarl and a thunk reached out. Gasps from father and brother heard.

Vlad proceeded to force mother's head into the table. His claws reaching out to her mouth, aiming for her tongue.

"Stop!" I yelled.

He froze, then Released my mother. His bloodlust would become a problem at this point. I offered a compromise.

"Vlad if they upset you, don't hurt them, but disrespect them, shame them." I puff up, confidence growing again with him on my side. "To a noble there is nothing worse than embarrassment."

Disappointed but agreeable, he returns to my side.

"You are way to forgiving little mage." He smirks at me. "I'll listen for now." He narrows his eyes at my family towards the end. They got the message. They shiver.

Finally, the servants deliver breakfast. It is placed gently in front of me. The drink poured in a slow, steady pace. No spills. I smile. My plate decorated with proper garnish and substance fit for a lady. I savor every bite.

Vlad watches intently as I eat. I wiggle in my seat, face heating up.

"Stop that." I snap.

"Stop whaaat?" He grins, wiggling his eyebrows.

This little shit. I don't recall ever cursing before, this cat was a bad influence. I narrow my eyes at him, while taking another bite.

"Stare like that I might do something cutie." He purrs out again.

I choke on my food coughing. He laughs at me. I find my family in shock, staring at us. I blush deeper, clearing my throat. Trying to change the subject.

"How's breakfast?" I not so casually speak out.

Mother tilts her head away, disgusted again. Father gives out a tired huff. My brother tries his luck to win me over again, I suspect.

"It's wonderful sister. Although.." he smiles softly. "You might want to keep your flirting in private."

I drop my drink on the table, Vlad catches it before it can spill.

"We are not flirting!" I say not so convincingly.

A chuckle is heard beside me. My brother gives an apologetic smile. I dug my own grave it seems. I quickly finish off my breakfast. My family not wanting to remain, does the same.

Before they leave, Vlad calls out to them.

"Go about your day as usual, keep in mind you are not allowed to betray your master." A warning in his tone. They flee the scene quickly.

I'm left alone with the ever more tempting cat beside me. I play with my hands again, trying to figure out where to start. My life is completely new with a freedom I have never had. I am full of questions for my savior, and wary of the price in store.

"So, what to do with you, little mage?" He sits down on the chair near mine, a knowing smirk on his face. His eyes emitting a terrifying new danger, I was not ready to face. I answer with the first thing that pops into my head.

"What do you want from me?"

A predatory grin makes my heart run crazed.