Hans' Coming-Of-Age Drink

The castle was built hundreds of years ago and had been the seat of Baron Winston's family for at least twenty generations. It was way before the family became one of the earliest vampire families.

According to the story, the Winston family was one of the human families that sided with the ancient vampires of the past during the Great War between the vampires and the werewolves. As a reward, they were granted eternal life and everlasting youth by being reborn as vampires.

The client who bought Aiden's blood was Baron Winston, but he bought it for his grandson who was recently turned into a vampire. A coming-of-age present, so to say.

Vampires did not procreate.

The so-called children and grandchildren were human beings who managed to curry favor with them, in one way or another. In most cases, these were human children who were raised in vampire families before they were officially adopted on the day they were turned.

The butler poured some brandy into a snifter and pushed it toward Aiden.

"Please have some drink," he offered with a smile.

Aiden was too nervous to drink. He shook his head and politely pushed the drink away. The butler was about to take the drink away, but Nick grabbed it instead.

"Drink, Aiden," Nick said, pushing the snifter back in front of Aiden. "You can use some. It will calm your nerves for the first time. If you want, I can put some sedatives inside."

"No," Aiden said. "I will take the drink, but no sedatives."

He was scared, but he had to maintain his consciousness to make sure that he was in control of the situation at all times. Nick and Serena could not offer any kind of help if Aiden was unable to ask for it.

The room was lit by around a hundred tall candles. The heat filled the air, making the room feel sticky and suffocating.

It was almost unbearable.

There was not enough oxygen in the room. Aiden was starting to get dizzy.

"Excuse me," he turned to the butler. "Can we... I mean, is it possible to open the window?"

The butler gave him an understanding smile.

"Of course."

The butler opened the window slightly before he left the room. Aiden was thankful for that kind gesture. Vampires did not need to breathe. The better ventilation gave Aiden not only oxygen but also more comfort.

The young man felt even better after downing the brandy. Warmth spread from his lips down to his stomach and slowly spread to his fingertips.

Aiden very rarely touched alcoholic drinks. He remembered drinking some wine on his eighteenth birthday, and then some other during prom night. That was it. The alcoholic drinks that Harrow Lane liquor shops offered had very low alcohol content.

In big cities like Dominion, those drinks were mostly described as "cheap, third-rate drinks from the suburbs."

Granted, the brandy in Baron Winston's house was even higher in grade than most brandy in the market. Aiden quickly became tipsy.

"Aiden, are you okay?"

The young man wanted to say yes, but then he slumped forward and leaned his upper body against the table.

Serena started to laugh.

"Oh my. Sweet, sweet boy. One drink is all that it takes to make his knees weak."

The door opened with a squeak and an authoritative voice was heard coming from the room entrance.

"Is everything alright, ladies?"

"Oh, Baron Winston. Yes, everything is wonderful. Aiden here is just a little drunk."

Nick leaned Aiden against the recliner. Aiden turned his head slightly to the side and saw two tall figures at the door. Baron Winston looked like a forty-year-old man at most with his slicked-back hairstyle. His left hand was draped around the shoulder of a younger man who was just about Aiden's age.

"Oh, how innocent," Baron Winston said with a light tone. "And such a handsome young lad, too. Don't you think so, Hans?"

Hans answered with a growl instead. Aiden sobered up a little when he heard the blood-curdling sound. His eyes moved from Baron Winston to his hand on Hans' shoulder.

Hans' whole body was trembling violently while the elder vampire's hand was steady. The Baron had been holding his grandson back with a single hand.

"Calm down, now. Don't scare our little friend, alright? Let's move slowly."

Hans' eyes were glowing red. He had his hungry eyes locked on Aiden. The closer he came to Aiden, the heavier his breathing became.