Kysenia

8

A brief knock sounded on the door and Aiden entered. His eyes darkened to see Daniel’s arms around Kysenia and her half lying relaxed on his chest. Daniel couldn’t help but grin at him. Aiden’s top lip twitched in a sneer.

“Master…the room is ready and you have a meeting scheduled for ten minutes time with your uncle.”

Daniel felt Kysenia stiffen as she sighed and then sat up. “Yes, Aiden, I haven’t forgotten.”

“A meeting? Now?” Daniel said surprised.

“With college I must do most of my business in the evenings, but don’t worry, we hardly ever sleep.”

“Ah…I see…” So that answers that question…Daniel flicked a nervous glance at Aiden.

Aiden was staring intently at Daniel, his eyes sparkling. Kysenia smirked. “Yes, he knows.”

Aiden’s eyes went wide and he bowed his head. “Well, very good…”

Daniel stared at him as Aiden flashed a toothy grin showing his fangs off as he lifted his top lip on one side.

“Christ!” Daniel felt a wave of fear flash through him.

Kysenia felt it and looked at Aiden. “Aiden!” She barked, her voice full of authority.

Daniel saw Aiden flinch and downcast his eyes to the floor as Kysenia stood up and walked over to him. He wouldn’t look up as Kysenia stared him down. “Do not ever raise your lip at Daniel again, do you understand me?” Her voice was hard and full of menace.

“Yes. Master. I’m sorry, Master.” Aiden, Daniel saw, literally cowered like a whipped dog.

“Give me a moment to change…wait outside.”

“Yes, Master.” Aiden bowed his head, turned and fled.

“You’re scary.” Daniel grinned causing Kysenia to smile back a little embarrassed.

“Sorry about that.”

“Nah, it was kinda hot…” Daniel said then instantly regretted it and blushed, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. Oh god, now I sound like Matt!

Kysenia chuckled. “Oh Daniel…you are divine…”

Daniel felt that flush at the overt compliment and grimaced as she laughed and walked off to her bedroom.

He watched her go then turned and reached out to the velvet box that was still open on the table, he turned it around to look at it. His jaw clenching and unclenching. Was he seriously thinking about this? He knew he wasn’t going to get a wink of sleep tonight.

.

Daniel stood up when Kysenia came back. She had changed into a long ceremonial looking set of robes similar to the light one she wore at college, but these were heavier, ankle length and more formal looking, belted with a large sash around her waist that had her insignia in the center. They were of black and gold and with her hair up again, in a half up half down style, she looked like a samurai warrior to Daniel, all she needed was the sword.

“You look fierce.” He said stunned.

Kysenia groaned. “It’s ridiculous to have to wear these every time we have a formal meeting.”

“How come it looks oriental….you’re not?”

“It’s something to do with our history…long ago our people came from another realm, the entrance to that hidden realm is in Japan.”

“Hidden realm?” Daniel’s eyes went wide with shock.

Kysenia closed her mouth like she shouldn’t have said anything. “Forget it…I’ll walk you to your room…you do realise I’m going to have to lock the door?”

“What? Why?” Daniel demanded.

“There are many in this house that don’t know about you yet…I need to protect you…they will know a human is amongst them.”

“Christ…can’t I just go home?”

“I would prefer you didn’t.” Kysenia said flatly, that authority coming into her voice.

Daniel shoved his hands into the front of his hoodie and returned her gaze with as much dominant alpha male as he could muster. He was surprised when she actually blushed and looked away. He smiled.

“You blush lovely too.” He teased causing her to look back at him startled, then she smiled beguiling.

“It does seem that the chemistry is strong between us.” She turned before he could comment and walked to the door. “Take the contract with you.”

Daniel frowned and picked up the contract, he looked at the collar and reached out and clapped the lid shut and picked it up too, shoving it into the pocket of his hoodie. He scowled at Kysenia when he saw her beautifully smiling at him.

“Let’s just get on with locking me in for the night, shall we?” Daniel said bitterly.

Kysenia frowned. “Daniel…”

“Just don’t.” He looked away annoyed.

Kysenia sighed and opened the door to find Aiden and Talon standing outside along with another vampire in a black uniform.

“Talon, why are you here?” Kysenia asked as she reached back and took Daniel’s hand. Talon scowled at the motion.

“Rake is busy with some special task.”

“Is that so?” Kysenia frowned. “So you’re doing a double shift?”

Talon folded his arms over his chest, flexing his muscles. “It seems like it.”

“Was there no one else?”

“No, I would rather do it, master.”

Daniel realised Talon had deep feelings for Kysenia in that moment. Of course he did, it was so obvious. He wondered if Kysenia had taken his hand because of what he had said earlier about Talon.

Kysenia smiled. “Well, I appreciate it, Talon. Thank you.”

Talon bowed his head as Kysenia walked past with Daniel. Daniel saw Talon flick a glance at his neck and grin widely when he saw it.

Daniel frowned. Is he happy to not see me wearing the collar?

 As they walked up the hall behind Aiden, the two minders fell into step behind. They stopped at the first door about twenty feet from the entrance to Kysenia’s wing. Aiden opened the door and bowed his head as Kysenia walked in with Daniel and let go of his hand.

Daniel looked around the room, with a king sized bed, arm chair, desk, TV…it looked like an expensive hotel room. He noticed his gym bag on the floor beside the door leading to the attached bathroom.

Kysenia closed the door, shutting the other vampires out and leaned her back against it.

“Are you sure you want to stay in here and not in my rooms?” Her voice was soft and quiet.

“Are you worried? It’s like the very next room, right next to yours.” Daniel said as he looked around. “And I’m assuming that other guy will be guarding my door all night?” He looked at her with an eyebrow raised.

Kysenia bit her lip and nodded. “Yes, but…”

“I’ll be fine.” Daniel said abruptly and folded his arms giving her a stern look for a long moment. “Seriously, I don’t think after all this…” He took the contract and box out of his pocket and threw them on the bed. “That I should be staying with you…I need space to think.”

Kysenia stood up and opened the door, surprising him with her sudden cold reaction. “Very well, once I lock the door you cannot leave until morning.”

He stared at her feeling a bit annoyed at her dismissive tone. “So that’s it?”

Kysenia turned a baleful look at him her eyes practically glowing. “You dismissed me…good night, Daniel.”

She stepped out and closed the door leaving him speechless. He gritted his teeth and sank down on the bed, his hands raking into his hair. “f**k!”

.                    

.

“What is with this human you’ve taken a sudden fancy to?” Lord Vladimir asked suddenly as Kysenia was about to finish their meeting.

She scowled deeply and sat back in her chair, surveying the room.

Her uncle was looking at her expectantly as the other two family elders, cousins of her uncle so second cousins of hers, both looked on surprised.

“Thanks Uncle…I don’t know who told you, but I was trying to keep it under wraps.”

“Hmm, why the secrecy?”

“Because he hasn’t agreed to anything yet so I didn’t want him public knowledge for no reason.”

Vladimir laughed with a smug smirk. “Surely if you wish him as your pet he doesn’t need to agree…just coerce him into it…”

Kysenia placed an elbow on the arm of her chair and rested her cheek on her fist as she regarded her uncle coolly. “I do not wish to resort to that if I don’t need to…” Besides, it won’t work on him…

“What’s suddenly made you want a human pet, master? It is very unlike you to want any company, let alone a constant companion…I mean, let’s face it…there are vampires of prestigious families lining up for your hand…” One of the elders asked.

“What business is it of yours, Mal?” Kysenia sneered.

“Everything you do reflects on the family as a whole, you know that. As Head you can’t be seen to be doing anything to put the family into disrepute.”

“And how is having a pet disrepute?” Kysenia asked amused, knowing that Mal kept two.

“Depends on the pet and the reason for one?” Vladimir answered disdainfully. “Especially when Luca and Dimitri are both clamoring for your attention…”

Kysenia gave them all a sardonic smile as she looked at them, tilting her head further into her fist. “They clamor for my seat not for me…and don’t worry, my pet will not disappoint.”

“He’s not your pet yet…” Vladimir muttered as he grinned, flashing his fangs.

“He will be.” Kysenia said firmly, standing up suddenly and looking at Aiden who had been standing on her left. “This meeting is over, goodbye uncle…elders.”

She swept from the room. Talon stepping in beside Aiden as they followed her down the corridor. She stopped once they were out of sight and grabbed Aiden by the throat, slamming him into the wall, showing her formidable power.

“Did you say something to my uncle about Daniel?” Her voice was guttural.

Aiden’s eyes were wide with fright as Kysenia’s fangs were out and her eyes were pitch black.

“No, master…I would never…”

She let him go and turned on Talon. “What about you? You don’t like him…”

Talon stepped back with his hands up, bowing his head. “No, master.”

“Then how did Vlad find out about him? The servants wouldn’t have said anything, they wouldn’t dare, so who else knows besides Marc, Brock and Nolan?”

“Not sure, Rake wasn’t even told yet…” Talon said thinking.

“So what is this special task he’s doing?” Kysenia asked sourly.

“He’s escorting someone from the airport, that’s all he said?”

“For my uncle?” Who else would ask him to do a task for them?

Talon shrugged.

“Why him? Uncle Vlad has his own people…I want to speak to him the moment he gets back!”

“Yes, master.” Talon bowed.

Kysenia took in a deep breath and calmed herself. “Well damage is done now, damn it! Let’s just get back…”

She stalked off through the massive mansion heading back to her private wing. Aiden and Talon looked at each other then hurried to catch up. They both noticed her slow down as she approached the room that Daniel was in, Nolan standing outside watching her with a smile. He bowed his head as she passed.

Talon stepped in front of her and opened the doors to her suite, allowing her to enter, Aiden followed her in, Talon went to close the door.

“Talon, come in.” Kysenia said.

Talon stepped in and closed the doors behind him. Both Aiden and Talon watched as Kysenia walked through to her bedroom and disappeared, leaving the door open. Talon went and got himself a drink.

“You want one?” He asked Aiden. “Could be a long night?”

“No.” Aiden’s expression clouded.

“Suit yourself…” Talon poured two and took one and sat down in an armchair and put his feet up on the coffee table. Aiden scowled at him but said nothing.

Finally Kysenia returned, she had removed her robes and was wearing a pair of track pants and a large t-shirt with a cat on the front. She walked over to them.

“I poured you a whisky.” Talon said indicating the glass on the side cabinet.

“Thank you…I need it.” Kysenia said as she went and grabbed it then sat down in the other armchair. “Get your boots off my table, Talon.”

He quickly dropped his boots to the floor as Aiden smirked.

“Do I have a mole, Aiden?”

Aiden frowned and scratched his jaw. “I wouldn’t think so, master…it could simply be a case of house gossip being overheard, Daniel is a bit of an enigma being here…”

“Hmm.” Kysenia pondered. “I hope that’s all it is.”

“He didn’t take the contract well?” Talon asked.

“What makes you say that?” Kysenia asked dangerously causing Talon to look at her apprehensively.

“He wasn’t wearing the collar…”

“I have given him until the morning to think it over.” Kysenia looked away as she sipped her drink.

“Do you think he will agree?” Aiden asked.

Kysenia looked at him wistfully. “I hope so.”

Talon frowned. “And if he doesn’t?”

Kysenia grimaced. “That isn’t an option.”

“What is so important about this human, master, really?” Aiden asked.

Kysenia appraised him. “He’s special…he’s not just an ordinary human, but until I have him in my possession I cannot divulge anything more.”

Aiden and Talon looked at each other curious.

“Right then…Talon I want you to make sure Rake, Nolan, Marc and Brock are all still loyal and Aiden…I want you to check the servants all out, discreetly.”

They both stood up. “Yes, master.” They bowed their heads and left the room.

Kysenia sipped her drink and sank back in her chair sideways, pulling her legs up over the arm as she grabbed a cushion and hugged it. She sighed and closed her eyes, it smelt like him.

Had she rushed things with Daniel? Perhaps she should have seduced him into signing…no she didn’t want to have Daniel feel coerced in any way, it had to be his decision and his alone…but what if he refused…she couldn’t have that…

.