Kysenia

7

When he finished his meal Daniel pushed his plate way, Kysenia got up from her seat and moved to sit next to him on the settee. He smiled at her as she sat down and curled her legs up underneath herself and faced him.

“This looks serious…” Daniel said with a slight laugh as he swigged some beer back then placed the bottle down. He turned sideways to face her, his knee touching hers. Their eyes met and again Kysenia was blown away by Daniel’s pale golden eyes. She smirked as she saw them darken, his pupils dilating with desire the longer they looked at each other.

“I have to make a confession, which I hope you don’t freak out at…it will impact your decision.”

“I don’t know whether to be intrigued or scared.” Daniel said honestly, his heart was pounding out of his chest.

“Maybe a little of both…but just know I will never hurt you.”

“Ooookaayy!” Daniel shifted uneasily in his seat, causing his knee to bump hers again.

“I’m not a twenty one year old girl that is the head of some rich mafia family.” Kysenia said with a slight twist to her lips.

“Okay…” Daniel stared at her.

“I’m a one hundred year old vampire that is the head of the Skadus bloodline, House of Shadows and also Head of the Vampire Alliance.” Kysenia said it all smoothly and concisely, not rushing, her eyes intense and serious.

Daniel stared at her a moment then cracked up laughing. “Oh, that’s a good one!” He stopped laughing and choked as he sprang backwards from her, scrambling up from the couch as he suddenly saw her elongated fangs and her eyes go completely black.

“Holy s**t!” Daniel exclaimed as he danced around on his feet not knowing what to do and gauging the distance to the patio doors.

As Kysenia returned her facial features to normal she breathed out a sad sigh. “I won’t hurt you, Daniel, please don’t run.” She really didn’t want to have to stop him.

Daniel was pacing back and forth, raking his hands through his hair repeating ‘oh my god’ over and over.

“Please calm down.” Kysenia said as she reached for her glass of wine and took a calm sip as she watched him intently over the glass.

Daniel froze as he glanced at her drinking, realisation hitting like a grenade going off in his brain. “Blood…that was blood…in that glass…wasn’t it?” He breathed, almost too scared to get the words out.

“Yes.” Kysenia answered immediately.

“Whose blood?” Daniel had gone deathly pale.

“Its synthetic blood made from our blood factory, don’t panic.” Kysenia said with a sardonic smile.

Daniel visibly relaxed. “So you don’t feed on people?”

“Not really…not in these days of modern medicine.”

“But you have?”

“Yes, of course.” She wasn’t going to hide anything from him at this point.

“s**t…” Daniel looked at the door again as if planning his escape.

“Daniel…I need you to understand something…” Kysenia said in that serious tone, making him look at her, his eyes were wild and confused. “If you decide to leave here tonight, your memories will be erased.”

“My memo…all of them?” Daniel’s eyes went wide with shock.

“No, just the ones of me.” Kysenia couldn’t disguise the sadness in her voice at that prospect. “You won’t remember ever talking to me or hugging me…none of it, they will be replaced.”

“s**t…” Daniel looked away, rubbing the back of his neck.

Kysenia watched him as his mind ticked over at double time, she let him go through his thought processes in silence. His head came up and he shoved his hands into the pocket at the front of his hoodie.

“How come you can walk in the daylight?”

Kysenia laughed. “We aren’t like the movies, we are people, similar to humans, just on a different step on the evolutionary ladder…so to speak.”

“So none of it is true?”

“No…although we don’t particularly like the sunlight and if exposure is too long and too intense it can have adverse effects, especially if one is unfed, but the more pure and ancient the bloodline, the longer one can endure. Everything else…the silver…the religious artifacts…garlic…it’s all complete rubbish. Although…there is one thing…but that is of no concern at this point of our discussion.”

“Stake through the heart?” Daniel asked with sarcasm.

Kysenia smiled sardonically. “That would kill you too, wouldn’t it?”

Daniel’s brows knitted together in thought as he stared at the floor. “Huh, yeah…and you’ve lived for a hundred years?” Daniel asked wide eyed, lifting his gaze to her again.

“Yes, 106 to be exact, but I am considered young...especially to be the head of my bloodline and head of the alliance, it is only because of my untainted bloodline.”

“Okay…so that’s why the danger?”

“In part…yes.” Kysenia smiled as Daniel started asking questions out of curious fascination rather than fear.

“So everyone around you?”

“Yes, everyone in this estate are vampires or familiars…this is called a nest.”

“f*****g hell!” Daniel’s eyes looked panicked again.

“That is why you must stay by my side…I will protect you.” Kysenia looked at him intensely, her eyebrows furrowed.

Daniel’s eyes went wide again and he glanced at the contract on the table.

“Read it now, if you wish.” Kysenia said as she stood up and walked over to a cabinet and opened a drawer taking something out and walking back. She placed it on the table. Daniel saw it was a dark blue velvet box like a box that held expensive jewellery. She sat down again, picking up the contract and holding it out to him. “Read it.”

Daniel took it gingerly and looked at the first page. He looked up at her with wide eyes and stared at her incredulously. “I don’t know what to say…” He breathed in shock.

“Read the whole thing before you decide…” Kysenia’s voice almost sounded pleading.

“You’re asking me to be a Pet? A vampire’s companion? What the hell…?” Daniel frowned and turned away, his hands clasped behind his head, the contract still in his hand, scrunched up. “Would anyone seriously ever sign that?”

“Yes, people do…I’ve never asked anyone to before, but other vampires have, certainly, it has its reasons and can be preferable to making someone a familiar which is non-reversible...”

“I can’t believe anyone could…”

Kysenia looked away from him. “It’s the only way to be with me safely…as a human.”

Daniel turned and looked at her. Did he want to be with a vampire…this changed everything…but as he looked at her he still found himself desiring her. He lowered his arms and looked at the contract, he sighed a deep breath and sat down in an armchair to read.

Kysenia wrapped her arms around her bent up legs and rested her chin on her knees as she watched him, her eyes wide and intent. She had never done this before, had never let anyone in…vampire or human…but she needed Daniel to want to be with her, she needed him.

.

The main points Daniel got from the contract were; he was signing his agreement to becoming Kysenia’s Pet. In exchange for spending time with Kysenia as her companion and being able to hug her anytime he wanted to, it was requested of him to move into the estate and stay with Kysenia in her wing of the mansion. He was to always be by her side except when he had classes, training or any activity that had been scheduled and approved, that was already part of his normal life. He was to agree to have a minder with him at all times he was not with Kysenia and use her driver not public transport. He was to complete a full schedule of his week, every week, with Kysenia’s personal assistant. He was to wear a collar as a visual symbol of his status in the Estate, allowing him to have free access.

Daniel raised his head and stared at Kysenia, then glanced at the blue velvet box on the table. He frowned deeply seeing Kysenia watching him intently, her head resting on her knees, her eyes wide and expectant. She didn’t look like a vampire, she looked like a lonely little girl sitting alone on a playground watching the other kids play. It was that inner sadness he had been drawn to, and that he wanted to eliminate from her.

He clenched his jaw and looked back at the contract, turning the page.

Kysenia was to supply him with everything he needed, housing, food, clothing…including financially.

He raised his eyebrows at that.

On top of all his expenses being paid for he was to be paid a retainer of five hundred dollars per week for personal use. s**t!

The contract was for the term of one year to be reviewed at the end of the agreement by both parties.

.

He threw the contract down on the table and rubbed his face with his hands as he collapsed back in the chair. He breathed in deeply and let it out as he dropped his hands and looked back at Kysenia. She hadn’t moved, but was chewing on her bottom lip anxiously.

He looked back at the velvet box. “And that is?” He asked calmly.

Kysenia dropped her feet to the floor and leaned over the table, she pushed the velvet box across the table towards him, then resumed her position, cradling her knees.

He smiled faintly at her. “You look as nervous as I feel.”

She smiled at him but he noticed it didn’t reach her eyes. He reached out and opened the box, leaving it on the table as he stared at it and swallowed hard, his eyes darkening into a scowl.

“Jesus Christ…” He breathed as he stared at the solid gold mesh collar. It was only half an inch thick and attached with a rivet pin at the back so once it was on it wasn’t coming off, it looked a little like an expensive metal watch strap the way it was linked. In the center of the front was a square of onyx and engraved on that and inlayed with gold was the same symbol of the lotus flower and dragon as on Kysenia’s robes and on the uniforms of the other vampires.

“Why a collar?”

“It must be something that is visual at all times and not easily removed. It is usually a temporary arrangement, once the person decides they wish to stay and renew the contract, they get it replaced with a permanent tattoo at the back or side of the neck or opt to become a familiar.”

“What exactly is a familiar?”

“Someone who is ‘turned’ with a drop of vampire blood…they become more than human but not a vampire and are completely devoted to and under the control of their sire.”

“f*****g hell…” Daniel choked, his hand involuntarily going to his neck.

Daniel looked over at the drinks cabinet and got up, walking over to it, he grabbed a decanter of golden liquid and poured some into a thick crystal glass, then drank it down in one gulp. He gasped as the fiery liquid ran down his throat, but poured another one and walked back to the seat with it. He sat down and regarded Kysenia with a frown, his golden eyes fierce.

“So that’s what I am to you? A possession? A pet…something to look after that gives you warm fuzzies?” His voice was a little harsh but he was a little pissed off.

Kysenia raised her head and blinked at him. “No, but…this has to be established to make you safe…it doesn’t define what we are or may develop between us, but for now it’s the quickest and simplest option…”

“And the collar…I mean…that’s f****d up!”

“It is your protection…any human caught walking these grounds without a collar…” Kysenia paused and looked at him strangely before continuing. “…or a vampire’s tattoo…is free game.”

Daniel baulked again at tattoo. “Is your word not enough to protect me?”

“No.” Kysenia said simply.

“Jesus f**k!” Daniel exclaimed, rubbing his face in exasperation. “So some parts of vampire stories are true then…” He muttered darkly.

“Perhaps…” Kysenia said with a half-smile.

“I don’t know if I can sign it, Kysenia…seriously!”

Kysenia stood up and walked over to in front of his chair and knelt down on the floor. His eyes widened as he wondered what she was about to do, he gripped the arms of the chair, tensing up. Kysenia put her hands on his knees, resting her chin in the cusp. He watched her with avid eyes as he licked his lips trying to moisten his sudden dry mouth…

“Please think about it over night?”

“Why me?” Daniel asked as he stared at the top of her head, trying to avoid her large pleading eyes.

“You are special…I could tell the very first time I saw you in that carpark.”

“That’s why you spoke to me?”

“Yes.” She breathed and closed her eyes, rubbing her cheek against the fabric of his jeans.

Daniel swallowed hard at the movement, staring down at her tensely trying not to be turned on at seeing her in that position. He never thought of himself as dominant, but seeing her submissive like that stirred his loins. He gritted his teeth.

“Do you even like me?”

Kysenia raised her head in surprise. “I feel great affection for you…that’s why I’m doing this…”

“So if I sign this…” He saw her eyes light up and he frowned. “Not saying I will…but if I did…is there a chance of us…you know…becoming more?” He licked his lips again, sucking his bottom lip into his mouth.

“If you wish for more…the contract does not purposefully give any guide or restrictions.” Kysenia was avidly watching his mouth.

“Only that I can hug you whenever I want to…” He said with a frown.

“Correct.” Kysenia gave him a wondrous smile full of meaning.

“So if I wanted to kiss you?” Daniel asked as he stared intently at her.

Her eyes widened as she seemed to search his face, then she downcast her eyes almost bashfully.

He frowned deeper, so she wasn’t as bossy and aggressive as he first thought, maybe just in having to be because of her position. He sat up, leaning forward coming over her and grabbed her chin, lifting her face, making her bring her eyes back to his. He felt powerful in this position and it made his c**k twitch.

“Kysenia?” He said it harsher than he meant too, but her reaction was sublime as she bit her lip and seemed to shudder, her eyes unfocusing for a moment. He suddenly realised that the dynamic had shifted. He had worried that he was being emasculated by being made to wear a collar, but right now looking at her at his feet, staring up at him with wide eyes, biting her lip, he felt completely in control.

He kissed her softly on the lips, lingering a moment before pulling away.

He saw her eyes had darkened and they looked suddenly fierce and hungry. He dropped his hand and sat back suddenly remembering she was a vampire.

“Sorry…I…” Daniel stumbled, raking a hand through his hair, nervously. Damn! Why am I apologising!? I was going so well!

“Don’t be…” Kysenia said quietly. “…it was nice.”

Daniel breathed in relief, but Kysenia got up and walked back to the couch and sat down, creating much needed distance between them.

“Please sleep on it?” She asked quietly.

“Okay…I can at least give you that, but…”

“Stay here.” Kysenia said before he could say he thought it best to leave.

“How much danger am I in, really?” He asked apprehensively.

“There are several people who would like nothing more than to find some sort of leverage over me to force me to step down as the alliance head and as head of this family…”

“s**t! You mean like kidnapping?”

“Yes.” Kysenia flinched.

“But, what am I to you, we don’t even know each other…”

“You are already very important to me, Daniel…I could never let anything happen to you.”

Daniel stared at her in disbelief. “Okay, I get it now, things make sense…is this why you don’t make friends at college?” She really does wear her heart of her sleeve…

Kysenia shrugged and looked at her hands. “It is why I do not associate with anyone, I fear reprisal to even friendships would be too much to bear.”

“Jesus…you really are lonely, aren’t you?” His heart ached for her.

He saw her head dip lower and he heard her sigh. He got up and joined her on the couch, pulling her into his arms and holding her firmly. He felt her rest her head on his chest and relax into him.

“So this is all you really want at the end of the day, huh?” He breathed gently, feeling a relaxed contentment wash over himself.

“Hmm.” Kysenia muttered against him as she felt the same contentment. He felt her arms come around him gently as he stroked down her hair.

“And you think I’m the guy for the job?” He said amused.

“Yes, most definitely.” Came the almost inaudible reply.

Is she falling asleep? Do vampires sleep? I’m hugging a vampire…

“Jesus…” He muttered as he rested his head on top of hers, tightening his arms around her. How could he say no to that, it tore at his heart. He closed his eyes and inhaled the gentle sweet aroma of her hair.

.