Chapter 5: She’s Back

*Percival*

Gods, she was both beautiful and intelligent.

I needed to get that thought out of my head as soon as possible, however. Relations with a human could never work. Besides, we just met. I could scent the lust pouring off of her, mixing with that delicious blood that ran through her veins. Damn it, I hadn’t had such a draw toward someone’s blood for centuries, yet here she was, making the hunger claw at my stomach.

I entered my room, placing a hand against my forehead and feeling my claws lengthen. Images of me pinning her against the wall and sinking my fangs into her neck, drawing in that sweet, sweet blood bombarded me, causing me to lick my lips slowly. I would need to feed from one of the willing donors today, that was for sure. My instincts would need to be sated if I was to be around her more.

Walking into the bathroom, I fixed my eyes upon my own reflection, noting how my eyes began to glow a pale silver. That was definitely an indication of the hunger, and I grumbled, clutching my stomach. I imagined the sensation to be like a human who hadn’t eaten in weeks being presented with a gourmet steak.

Back in the old days, I could just take her, rip her throat out, and be done with it, or keep her as a blood slave. Either notion made me wince. Times were changing for the better, and vampirekind was finally regarding humans as people. For the most part. The factions that mattered did, anyway. I was glad to get a break from Faction Midnight, for now, though I had a sinking feeling my break would be shorter than I desired.

That was something to tackle when it came up. A knock sounded on my door, causing me to sigh. “Come in,” I muttered.

Into the room stepped Reginald, who gave a mock bow. “You alright over there, boss? You’re acting like a gloomy vampire in a romance novel again,” he said. I growled at him, turning and narrowing my eyes. That probably wasn’t helping my case, as he began to give a laugh. My friend said, “Oh come on, it’s too easy to tease you. What’s up? I could sense your anxiety, much as you try to hide it.”

My shifter friend leaned against the wall, tilting his head with concern. I glanced at him, then away, then rubbed the back of my neck. “...The new woman,” I finally sighed, my gaze growing distant. “I have a pull to bite her. She is attracted to me, and–”

“What else is new? You’re a mysterious guy. Gothic heartthrobs are all the rage with women these days, you know that. You get people eyeing you on the regular! What’s different about this one, hm? Could she be your Luna?”

“That’s not a thing with vampires, and you know it,” I muttered, letting out a sigh. For once, I wished Reginald could be serious. “Reggie, you’re not funny. No, and do not bring up the concept of ‘soulmates’ or ‘rebirth’, it… the notion is ridiculous, there is no way she is Lady Gwen. I have not seen her again for centuries. It is probably nothing.”

“Uh-huh,” Reginald said, giving a low chuckle. My shifter friend morphed into a wolf suddenly, utilizing a spell that would help him keep his clothing when going back. He was a large wolf with brown fur, and wagged his tail as he leaped over to me, nuzzling my hand.

I grumbled and scratched him behind the ears, wishing he would stay on topic. “You really do not need to shift to try and help me feel better. I am fine. I will not bite her, I’m over a thousand years old for gods’ sake and can control myself. It will pass.” Reginald let out a whine and bounced around on his paws before returning to normal, as expected, fully clothed.

“Aw, look at you bragging about your age. You don’t look a day over 145,” the shifter said, smirking. “Still don’t know how you do it, boss. Live for so long and yet somehow keep your compassion. Some old farts like yourself have no concept of the value of life. Glad I ended up here with you instead,” Reginald mused. I opened my mouth to reply when I glanced over to my computer, which had lit up as we spoke.

Licking my lips, I glanced at Reginald, who’s expression faded into a frown. “No,” he muttered. “You only have that look when you’re frightened, which is rare. The last time I saw that look on your face, she was bothering you. Is she at it again?!”

I shrugged lightly, making my way to my computer. Reginald approached from behind, placing a hand on my shoulder and leaning down to see me go through the inevitable. I clenched my jaw, drawing in a deep breath and clicking on my notification. I only had those on for one thing, so knew what I was about to see.

‘Honey, I miss you. Please message back. I’m sorry for hurting you so much, let’s start over, okay? I know you’re there in Vernon. A little birdie told me. Can we plan to talk things out? -Elizabeth’

An icy feeling settled in me as I widened my eyes and spiraled into a memory.

She was sorry for hurting me?

I thought back to her fangs sinking into my arm, tearing out a chunk of flesh so that she could mock me and scream at me to attack back. Constantly being backhanded into the wall, making cracks from the force of it. Vampire fights tended to be brutal, but I did not want to retaliate. Anything I did, I knew, would be dealt back ten times worse. Not to mention, the constant insults. ‘You are too merciful to be a vampire’, she had said. ‘A weak, dull fool who should allow me to take over. Too much emotion.’ She often berated me, heavily, for being anything more than the cold, evil thing she wanted me so desperately to be. What would be fitting for a ‘vampire male’ or something.

“Hey, Percy. Are you okay, bud?” Reggie asked, shaking my shoulder slightly. I must have been entranced by the screen, for I slowly shook my head.

“Elizabeth,” I whispered. “She knows where I am. I thought I had left her behind and flew under the radar, but… she…” I reached up and held my head, shaking for a moment. Her obsession with me was horrible, the way she wanted to mold me into something only she could manipulate. It worked for a time, until I broke free. Now, she was back. It was beyond sending emails hoping I would respond with any sort of hint as to where I was.

She knew the location of my new home, and running wasn’t an option forever. I certainly wouldn’t try to leap into the shadows and hide from the world this time.

That meant facing my fears, but I sure as hell wasn’t about to do that now.

“I’m not okay,” I finished, standing up from my chair and intaking a deep breath. “But I will cross one bridge at a time. I need to feed, Reginald. Can you have one of the donors stop by my room?”

My shifter friend nodded and saluted, rushing off into the other room and leaving me to drown in my own thoughts for just a moment. Thankfully that didn’t last too long. A woman was presented before me, one of the humans fully aware of the paranormal world. She bowed and said, “My lord. I am ready to serve.”

I stood up and approached her, catching her under the chin and staring deeply into her eyes, practically hypnotizing her with my gaze but not bothering with any magic. That was just the effect I had sometimes. I whispered, “Thank you. You do not need to word it this way, however. Gone are the days of vampire lords demanding humans to bow. At least in Faction Midnight. You will be compensated handsomely for allowing me to feed, miss.”

She smiled kindly at me, a bit of tension in her body dissipating. I leaned down and caressed her neck with my lips, which caused her to gasp out. Wrapping my arms around her, I opened my mouth and extended my double fangs, drawing my tongue over her vein slowly at first. Then, I sank my teeth into her skin, puncturing it as her delicious blood flowed into my mouth.

I swallowed several strong gulps, closing my eyes and getting into the sensation of feeding. Off to my side, however, I heard a loud gasp. My eyes flew open, and I let go of the woman’s throat to lift my head.

Standing there at the entrance of my room, with her eyes wide open, was Mika, the new maid. The scent of her fear billowed off of her in waves. She dropped something… a book, evidently, that she’d been carrying.

My eyes glowed a bright silver as I ran my tongue over my lips and snarled, “Stay.”

That didn’t work.

Mika turned and bolted away from the door entrance.