The town of Eastmoor

“Why … Why are you so kind to me, Andrei? Viktor is the only other brother of yours that treats me even remotely right. But you … You’re different,”

He could see the pain in her eyes and hear in in her voice, yet Andrei could impossibly fully comprehend what she was thinking. He simply didn't understand how Avalon could be so upset about such a trivial matter as her sisters disappearance- as he knew Ethella would be brought home sooner or later. Andrei also knew there was more bothering Avalon than Ethella, but he just didn't know what it was. Quite frankly, the young vampire was more than confused. He was entirely lost in this whole situation, although he tried not to act the way.

"Why am I kind?" he asked thoughtfully, arching an eyebrow and tilting his head. "I do not have an answer to that question, Avalon... I have no idea why I am kind. It is not like treat anyone else badly... it just seems you make me a little more alive than anyone else, so I get the strength to care about you... Do you understand what I mean? Although... if this has to do with your blood or you... I cannot answer. I don't know, Avalon..." he replied softly, quietly, in hopes to somehow make sense to her... since he didn't make sense to himself. If she understood, however... they was a chance she could make him understand his own thoughts and feelings too. At least, so Andrei hoped.

“Could it really be that the gentleness I have seen in your eyes over the years wasn’t my imagination? Is it possible that you truly feel for me in the same manner that I feel for you? Because it seems that way."

Andrei listened silently to her silently, letting out a soft sigh as he felt her hand on his chest. Gazing into her eyes, he kept a solemn expression on his face, trying to avoid showing how confused he really was feeling in any way. However, Andrei had the feeling she would somehow know that anyway... he didn't know how, it was just a feeling she got. As she addressed his feelings, he frowned, a thoughtful look flitting across his features.

"I... don't know..." he repeated softly, shaking his head. Andrei knew exactly that he loved her, but he didn't know if he was allowed to admit it or not. Besides, he was afraid that if he actually admitted it, things would be expected of him... like marriage and honesty about a relationship- which both were totally impossible in the blood vampire world so far. He would be frowned upon, disgraced at worst... besides that, how would he be able to defend her against his brothers? He didn't know, but since her features was so uncertain, and so was his... he didn't want to allow himself to love her. Although, of course, he thought... it could actually be quite nice loving someone and devoting yourself too. As long as it doesn't mean I have to do cooking, cleaning or anything much at all... what's the point anyway? Memories are fleeting, the past... you cannot relieve them so why bother with anything at all? Where is the point?

"Andrei … I can’t pretend to understand what you are thinking, and most of the time, it’s difficult to even guess. But I can try to guess. I imagine that you aren’t sure of your feelings for me, or that you are battling with our different races. Am I correct?”

Biting his lip, Andrei replied meekly. "Both... it would just be so complicated..." he said softly, quietly, "we don't live in a fairytale where everything just works out if we give it some time... if I were to become your partner, it would give both of us trouble, Avalon. Please see reason... although I am not the one who should talk, I suppose... it is just... we would both be shunned and frowned upon... punished, if father so wills it... and besides what the rest of society things about human/vampire relationships- none of us will ever have children. I do not want any either way, so for me it wouldn't matter but you...? You would make a wonderful mother, I'm sure... and it would be sad to see that taken away from you. Even if you are a servant... I could always set you free. You could have a life, if you wanted one... and you could find someone of your own kind to love and marry and have children and raise a family with... you could actually... get some normality into all of the chaos you've had to live with all these years..." he trailed off with a sigh and shook his head, gently placing his hand on her cheek and stroking it carefully. "A-although... I do think... I love you..."

He let his hand drop back down to the mattress and then smiled weakly as he felt her linking their hands together, pressing her palm against his and lifting it into the air.

“Are we really so different, Andrei, that you can’t allow yourself to feel how you do for me? Because from the looks of it, there isn’t much variation between us … Your skin is pale, just as mine is … And soft, also … You have five fingers on each hand, a nose, a mouth, two eyes, two ears … And we both have hearts, which beat in our chests, that would not survive without oxygen. So really … Is there so much different between you and me? Because I can’t see any obvious features that battle each other. You merely drink blood for nourishment. So tell me this, Andrei … Why would it be so wrong for you to just give in like you did when we were in bed together, only with how you feel? Why can’t you allow yourself to love me?”

Andrei laughed softly, quietly as she asked if he thought they were were that difference and she used their 'hearts' as example. Shaking his head, he took her hand and placed it against his chest, remaining silent for a moment. "You're naive, Avalon..." he teased softly, smiling at her gently, "we are different, whether you like it or not. Physically we may look alike, but truly... we are very different. I am a monster, you are a mortal. I am a vampire you are a human... you have a heart that beats and you need oxygen to stay alive... but I do not have a literate heart. Do you feel it? My chest? There is no heart beating inside of me... there is just a black hole. That is what makes me, and every other blood vampire, a monster. Even spirit vampires own hearts... not hearts like humans- as they do not have the same functionality... but they are nonetheless hearts," he said softly, sadly, as he watched her carefully. "We... on the other hand, are blood thirsty beasts... monsters."

“I … I know that I love you. And I can’t live without my love for you. Your kind, gentle, and strong … You treat me well, and you take care of me when I need you to. You are sweet, funny, and devilishly handsome … To sum it all together, you are quite the catch … So is it really so wrong? Is it so wrong for me to love you, Andrei?”

Grimacing at her words, Andrei let go of her hand and shook her head, shutting his eyes for a moment.

"Every human who knows what is best for the run when they see a beast in the forest... every human who cares about their life would never approach anything which could kill them. It is not wrong of you to love me, but perhaps foolish... after all, would you really love a wolf who could turn on you any day? You will never know if I one day loose control and accidentally kill you. You will never be safe... and beautiful but foolish stories like the beauty and the beast aren't reality. They're nothing more but wishes which will never come true... ideas with no place in reality," he trailed off and then looked even unhappier.

"This is horrible, you know. We sound we're part of some kind of terrible love story. But we're not in twilight where Bella's life sucks but she gets to be happy in the end anyway although I really hoped both she and that Edward and that Jacob guy would just die... because truly, they were all very annoying," he sighed and then shook his head, wanting to get back on track.

"What I mean is... I am not a prince charming or your Edward. To be quite honest... and you know this truth; I just want to make it clear for you... I am lazy as hell, and no person in the world- not even my greatest love could make me change my way when it comes to that. Added to it, I'm really nothing better than a moody and bratty teen who doesn't give a damn about the world. I'm not brave and in bad situations, I probably wouldn't be able to save you. I mean, although I probably would be able to scare my brothers into obedience by putting them into place once and for all, I am still afraid of a lot of things... such as fire. Remember a year ago, when I was in the kitchen and almost freaked out because of the stove? I'm scared of loving too... I guess... and... a lot of other things. Really, I'm just a pathetic monster, not worthy of your love and devotion, Avalon... you should give it to someone who deserves it." Andrei whispered softly, quietly as he gently grasped hold of her hand again and have it a gentle squeeze.

"Love someone... who may love you back properly and can give you what you need and deserve... I-I... don't think I am that one, and I don't think I will ever be... I'll always just be Andrei- a disappointment to the family and the one no one ever expects anything of. I'm terrible at being anything else... really. I-I love you but..." he opened his eyes again and gazed at her; for a moment they seemed to flash in the bright blue tone they had once been when he was a child. "I'm not worthy of you..." he finished softly.

"Yuri, are you ... Are you crying?"

Yuri blinked as Ethella woke up and first scrambled away from him, looking horrified at the thought of Teddy falling into the snow. A small sigh of relief escaped his lips as she caught him, and Yuri glanced up at her as she spoke. Wiping his tears with his uninjured arm, Yuri shook his head, although his lips were still quivering with emotion. "N-no..." he stuttered out weakly as she lowered herself to his level.

"I-I'm so sorry, Yu-Yu. I didn't mean to scare you. I ... I just ... I wanted to explore the world and see it for myself ... I couldn't stand living there anymore."

He cried out weakly in pain as she threw herself at him, hugging him. His stabbed shoulder didn't take her weight very kindly and waves of pain radiated from the open wound. Blood darker than human blood should be, edging towards black, smeared onto her coat as she she threw her arms around him, but luckily Yuri managed to wriggle Teddy out of the way before he got stained. "You're really selfish, you know..." he muttered unhappily, tears still rolling down his cheeks as he carefully hugged her back with one arm, "Running away from me like that- even if it was to see the world. It was foolish and selfish..." there was something edging towards a dark undertone in his voice and for a moment, a look insanity flashed through his eyes. However, it was replaced by sadness just as quickly as it had appeared. And this look of sadness lingered.

"I'm so, so sorry, Yuri ... I'll never leave you again ... I can't survive outside of the mansion ... My place is beside you."

"Indeed, so do not run away again, will you? It makes the world horrible..." he mumbled bitterly as he watched her carefully. Why was she crying? Yuri didn't understand why. She had no right to be crying- he was the one who'd been wronged by her running away, after all. Or at least so he decided that it was.

"I can't exist outside of this world ... I can't exist in the human world ... And I can't exist without my best friend."

Yuri began to smile weakly at her words, carefully running his fingers through her hair and sighing softly, shutting his eyes for just a moment. However, his eyes snapped open as she pressed her lips against his and a look of shock crossed his features. Then he relaxed, enjoying it throughly. It was so different from when he kissed Avalon. Very, very different.

Then suddenly, without warming, he pushed her onto her back in the snow, leaning her over and straddling her between her legs, gently, but holding her in place nonetheless. Entangling his long, pale fingers in her hair, he leaned down and kissed her gently, very differently from when he'd kissed Avalon. After a while, though, he pulled back and gazed into her beautiful green eyes for a moment, before speaking- ignoring the coldness, snow and the pain in his shoulder.

"G-good... then please understand why I acted why I did. I-I'm hungry, Ethella... I haven't had blood in two days; I'm starving... and here you are, in fact, a human... with wonderful blood I would just so much love to drink. Not drain you or much or anything... but I would love to taste it. Just your presence teases me... especially when I am like this..." he trailed off and leaned down closer to her again, so that his cheek was pressed against hers and his lips were by her ear. "So please forgive me, Ethella... see it as a punishment for your disobedience, if you like," Yuri murmured softly, moving his head down slightly.

Ge gently licked her neck, tickling it with his tongue, an even hungrier look than before glowing brightly in his purple eyes. "I love you too..." he whispered, meaning every word his spoke. Then he parted his lips and sank his teeth into her skin, holding her in place with his weight. As far as Yuri knew, it would hurt slightly for a brief moment but then become very, very pleasurable. At least that was how a human servant has explained it to him once... and he hoped Ethella wouldn't hate him for this and see it as a good thing instead. After all, it was supposed to be nice... no?

Yuuki wiped the sweat off his forehead with his sleeve as he looked around to make sure the room was clean. He looked at the time as he got to his feet and then dusted his pants off. He had a few things left to do, wipe the staircase and attend to Raphael's room, a place where he always saw fit to do last, only because Raphael likes to break things throughout the day from time to time when he is upset.

It had become a long morning for Yuuki, it was the time of week where he cleaned the house from ceiling to floor, every week he did this for the whole day and still found time to let himself eat just a little.

Yuuki, pulled out a rag and swiftly started to clean the staircase on piece of word at a time. He shivered once he reached to top, only to stare at the old paintings, that he could never get use to. To him old paintings always had weird vibes from them, it wasn't the are that creeped him out, it was what came with the art. Normally spirits or demons and these ones,..ones of vampires always seemed to have the darkest of souls. Pictures worth a thousand words, sure, but for him pictures are worth a thousand souls.

He tucked the rag away after cleaning it and getting a new one. He rubbed his hands together to warm himself as he took his time walking to Raphael's room. In each room he would always knock before entering, that was one of Yuuki's rules that he never broke. And with what type his masters are, it was only appropriate to knock first.

"Master Raphael?" Yuuki tapped his knuckles softly at the door, his voice was low but loud enough for a vampire to hear him. Though he knew that Raphael probably heard his footsteps heading towards his room. "May I interrupt you?" Never once did Yuuki ever go in without an okay to do so, he respected everyone in the house even if it meant he couldn't do his chores.

Raphael was sitting on his bed, humming softly to himself as he carefully wiped the blood of Yuri off the silver blade of his sword, focusing on getting it totally clean. The sword was beautiful and had traveled in the family for generations- Raphael had been the one lucky enough to inherit the rapier, just like his brothers had inherited other heirlooms. Once he was done wiping the blood off the blade, he stood up and sheeted it carefully before putting it away in a more appropriate place- or at least he thought it was more appropriate. He placed the sword in his closet.

Just as he was about to shut the heavy, dark, wooden door of the closet he heard a knock on the door, narrowing his eyes. He was still annoyed because of the encounter with the humans before and his eyes, usually a softer shade of crimson, were glowing brightly now as another look of annoyance crossed his features. Slamming the door shut, he heard a voice quickly following the knock.

"Master Raphael? May I interrupt you?"

Hesitantly, he took a step away from the closet, sitting back down on his king sized bed before replying in his usual, unfriendly tone. "Very well, you may..." he said rather flatly, shifting his gaze away from the door and to hid window. With a deep sigh, he laid down on the bed and shut his eyes, patiently waiting for the butler to enter. He was still slightly annoyed, curling and uncurling his fist against the crimson velvet covers, but at least he didn't feel much like destroying anything right then, or yelling, for that matter. Then again, while he was slowly calming down... this could quickly change to the worse again. After all, it was not unusual that Raphael had random anger outburst, usually caused by something trivial.

---

Evangelina's eyes spread wide open as she felt the vampires fangs sink into her tender, pale skin and she suppressed a scream of agony as an overwhelming, immense pain vibrated through her. Even if she wanted to scream, though, she wouldn't have been able to, since his hand was clamped over her mouth. Being a spirit vampire and as they by nature were physically far more vulnerable than even humans, Evangelina started to feel dizzy rather quickly. She could hear the daemon hiss in rage and charge at him, claws and fangs exposed, but she couldn't see him clearly. To her, he looked like nothing more than a shadow, just like Grey was starting to do.

Added to her slowly dizzying state was the unspeakable agony the bite was causing her. Although it is possible for a blood vampire to drink of a spirit vampire, their blood doesn't taste very good and the pain the bite causes the spirit vampire is far worse than if a blood vampire would bite a human. The drug like substance vampire fangs released into the human they were drinking from, causing the human to feel pleasure... did not have any effect on spirit vampires.

In a feeble attempt to push him away and stood him from hurting her, Eve placed her hand against his shoulder, soft sobs escaping her lips. However, instead of pushing him away she somehow managed to entangle her hand in his shirt instead, clinging to him. That was the last thing she felt... before she fainted.

"Very well, you may..." With his tone, Yuuki knew that Raphael was in an off mood. So he was careful.

"Master." He bowed his head as he opened the door quietly and shutting. "Do you need any assistance anything?" Yuuki's face was calm, he never looked anyone in the eyes or hardly at their face. But his eyes had changed in that instant he smelt the blood. It was in the air and he knew Raphael had done yet another bloodshed.

He walked up to the window and placed his fingers on the glass, he stared at the out doors. Waiting for Raphael to take his time answering, Yuuki was in no rush when it came to him.

Even though Raphael was a raging beast from hell mostly, Yuuki didn't mind it one bit, come times he would either find it amusing or kind of boring. Only boring when he sees Raphael retreat and not finish. Yet still it amused him. He looked away from the window, yet kept his hand in place, staring down at him laying in the bed with his gray brown eyes, that always seem like soft chocolate.

His brown wild hair fit his pale skin every so perfectly. Even for a human and a butler, Yuuki actually had natural looks that he didn't need magic or eternal life to make happen. But he could care less of his own looks he was more fascinated with Raphaels, his white hair always reminded him of snow or frost along the icy waters. His red eyes always reminded him of fire burning love that can corrupt any soul.

"Maybe ready for sleep, My Lord?" He asked softly in a hushed tone. He narrowed his eyes to the floor so he wasn't caught staring for to long, pushing his thoughts away, quickly.

Raphael watched him wearily for a moment, running his hand through his white hair before sitting up on the bed, narrowing his eyes and shaking his head. "No, I do not think there..." he trailed off and started to smile slightly as a white cat slipped into the room- an albino Siamese, to be exact. The cat was small, slender and elegant, crimson eyes matching his masters. Giving a soft meow, the familiar jumped onto the bed and stroke his back against Raphael's chest, leering at the butler with an... eerie, malicious look flashing through his cat eyes. Raphael smiled, distracted by his cat and gently stroking her back gently, a certain softness rarely shown settling across the vampires features.

"Maybe ready for sleep, My Lord?"

Raphael's head snapped up so he was facing the butler, eyes narrowed and a displeased grimace crossing his features. Within seconds he was standing in front of the butler, slapping him once quickly across the cheek, snorting in anger. "I do hope for your sake you did not honestly mean that..." he hissed in a dangerous voice, "what do you take me for, kid?! A little child? It is far from time to go to bed. Do not be ridicules and come with such awful ideas!" the vampire finished and let his hand drop back to his side again, folding his arms over his chest and turning away from Yuuki for a few moments.

"There is indeed something you could do for me..." the vampire finally said, still keeping turned away from the butler. A slight smirk started spreading across his lips, a mischievous, dark look flashing through his eyes. "Yuuki, go and fetch a wine glass and knife for me... bring it to the parlor, you will find me there..." with that said, Raphael strode out of the room, the cat following suit. He exchanged glances with his master, an equally mischievous look in his feline eyes.

"Oh Ophelia, what a genius you are..." he murmured fondly to the cat as she followed him. She almost seemed to smile as she replied in his mind, her voice soft and beautiful.

I know... she mused, as she took the lead and slipped into the parlor, the warm light of the expensive crystal crown hanging from the ceiling illuminating her snowy fur, making it almost glow in a golden way. The light did the same to Raphael's hair and skin, giving him a slightly... ethereal look. If only his eyes hadn't been bright red..

Yuuki closed his eyes in time of the smack across the face. Following a snort and hissing words. "I do hope for your sake you did not honestly mean that..." The slap felt a bit weak and his displeased him. Though his cheek had become red in shape of Raphael's fingers spade perfectly on his pale skin. "what do you take me for, kid?! A little child? It is far from time to go to bed. Do not be ridicules and come with such awful ideas!" Yuuki opened his eyes and narrowed them, his gray chocolate eyes had become blank and displeased. His master missed why he was saying if he wanted to sleep completely. It upset him a bit. He saw the back of his masters legs and realized he had gotten a back turned on him.

"There is indeed something you could do for me...Yuuki, go and fetch a wine glass and knife for me... bring it to the parlor, you will find me there..." The sound of his name being spoken made him flinch a bit. Not that it wasn't said said in a weird way, just to him the sound of his name always gave him unwelcomed chills.

"Yes my lord." He bowed his head as he master left the room with the cat walking right next to his side. Once his master was out of sight, Yuuki reached up to the slap mark on his face, glancing out the window, his eyes frowned his soft gray chocolate eyes had become as cold as the glass on the window.

The mark didn't hurt, he was actually happy he was able to get a reaction out of his master and a touch at that, but the slap was off and unpleasing. With a sigh and a drop of the hand he walked out of the room after remaking the bed. Headed to the kitchen, looking through the cupboard he grabbed a wine glass that was made of ice crystal, looking as if frost had been brushed over it and a knife along with it.

He then pulled away shutting the doors, with a leave from the kitchen and the items in his hands. Finally after a short while he knocked on the doors of the parlor room softly. "Master Raphael. I have what you asked of me to bring you." He called from behind the doors, waiting in silence.

(OOC: ...Tagged Yuri..sorry!..)

"Why am I kind? … I do not have an answer to that question, Avalon... I have no idea why I am kind. It is not like treat anyone else badly... it just seems you make me a little more alive than anyone else, so I get the strength to care about you... Do you understand what I mean? Although... if this has to do with your blood or you... I cannot answer. I don't know, Avalon..."

His words were so minor to others, but for her, they meant much, much more. Even if he was unsure of how he felt for her, she knew that he cared in some way, which was enough to make her feel at least a tad special – far more special than she ever had in the entirety of her life.

"Both... it would just be so complicated..." His voice was extremely soft, so immensely so that she was forced to lean closer to him in order to hear. "We don't live in a fairytale where everything just works out if we give it some time... if I were to become your partner, it would give both of us trouble, Avalon. Please see reason... although I am not the one who should talk, I suppose... it is just... we would both be shunned and frowned upon... punished, if father so wills it... and besides what the rest of society things about human/vampire relationships- none of us will ever have children. I do not want any either way, so for me it wouldn't matter but you...? You would make a wonderful mother, I'm sure... and it would be sad to see that taken away from you. Even if you are a servant... I could always set you free. You could have a life, if you wanted one... and you could find someone of your own kind to love and marry and have children and raise a family with... you could actually... get some normality into all of the chaos you've had to live with all these years …” He went quiet for several moments, during which time tears had appeared in her eyes, a few escaping to leave trails down her cheeks. When his hand touched one, the coolness of them smeared across her skin.

”A-although... I do think... I love you..."

And there it was. His confession. The words that she had been waiting to hear since they were children. Although they had grown up together, they had lived in separate worlds; his that of the rich, vampire society, and hers of the poorer, human servitude. Yes, she was his servant, and he her master, but she had always loved him – in one way or another. At first, it was as a master – and then a brother – and finally a man. A slightly immature man, but a man nonetheless, and one that she knew without a doubt she could not live without.

Her cheek went cold when his hand dropped from it.

He suddenly chuckled, causing her brows to draw together in a bit of confusion.

"You're naive, Avalon..." Avalon took no offense to this, seeing as he was obviously teasing her, and in fact, soft pink hues of embarrassment rose to her cheeks. "We are different, whether you like it or not. Physically we may look alike, but truly... we are very different. I am a monster, you are a mortal. I am a vampire you are a human... you have a heart that beats and you need oxygen to stay alive... but I do not have a literate heart. Do you feel it? My chest? There is no heart beating inside of me... there is just a black hole. That is what makes me, and every other blood vampire, a monster. Even spirit vampires own hearts... not hearts like humans- as they do not have the same functionality... but they are nonetheless hearts … We... on the other hand, are blood thirsty beasts... monsters."

His words stung her, but not because of his indirect phrasing of rejection, but of his own self-respect. At first, her emotions were hurt, and she was on the verge of crying once more. After several seconds had ticked by, however, her sorrow was replaced by anger, and she felt her jaw clench.

"Every human who knows what is best for the run when they see a beast in the forest... every human who cares about their life would never approach anything which could kill them. It is not wrong of you to love me, but perhaps foolish... after all, would you really love a wolf who could turn on you any day? You will never know if I one day lose control and accidentally kill you. You will never be safe... and beautiful but foolish stories like the beauty and the beast aren't reality. They're nothing more but wishes which will never come true... ideas with no place in reality …”

“This is horrible, you know. We sound we're part of some kind of terrible love story. But we're not in twilight where Bella's life sucks but she gets to be happy in the end anyway although I really hoped both she and that Edward and that Jacob guy would just die... because truly, they were all very annoying …”

Twilight? What on Earth was Twilight? Having been stuck in the mansion all of her life, she hadn’t been exposed to any type of atrocities such as the ones that he was spewing. In fact, if asked, she wouldn’t even know what a television was.

"What I mean is... I am not a prince charming or your Edward. To be quite honest... and you know this truth; I just want to make it clear for you... I am lazy as hell, and no person in the world- not even my greatest love could make me change my way when it comes to that. Added to it, I'm really nothing better than a moody and bratty teen who doesn't give a damn about the world. I'm not brave and in bad situations, I probably wouldn't be able to save you. I mean, although I probably would be able to scare my brothers into obedience by putting them into place once and for all, I am still afraid of a lot of things... such as fire. Remember a year ago, when I was in the kitchen and almost freaked out because of the stove? I'm scared of loving too... I guess... and... a lot of other things. Really, I'm just a pathetic monster, not worthy of your love and devotion, Avalon... you should give it to someone who deserves it … Love someone... who may love you back properly and can give you what you need and deserve... I-I... don't think I am that one, and I don't think I will ever be... I'll always just be Andrei- a disappointment to the family and the one no one ever expects anything of. I'm terrible at being anything else... really. I-I love you but … I'm not worthy of you …”

Avalon was quiet for several moments, her eyes boring into his, the odd hues of them taking in his sorrow and the look of surrender that one would often gain when they had given up. Her own expression was stoic, but her lips were a thin line on her face. Finally, she lifted her hand and pressed her palm to his cheek.

“First of all, you are incorrect in the assumption that I care about being shunned upon by others, whether they are of your kind or mine. I do not see as to why it would matter. Love is love, and if two people love each other, they should not care what others think of it. Just because you are a vampire, and I a human, does not mean that we cannot love each other, and it surely does not mean that we do not have the right to be together. Also, in regards to having a family … You do realize that there are both human and vampire orphans, correct? So we do not necessarily need to have children of our own. Have you not heard of adoption?” she asked, raising a brow at him. Her hand moved from his face to his knee, which it squeezed gently.

“This supposed chaos … Is the only thing that I’ve ever known. But it’s my home. Both the good and the bad, for any and all madness, is a part of my life, just as much as my sister is. This is my home – this mansion, the other servants … And you. You are my home. I don’t want normality … I don’t want a family … If it means that I cannot be with you … I need you in my life, that is what I know, and if we were to somehow find a way to have children of our own, that would be wonderful. But I need you more than I wish for children.” Her expression darkened immediately after she finished speaking, her fingers tightening around his knee.

“Monster?” she asked, her voice dripping with disgust. “You are no monster, Andrei. You are only what you allow yourself to be. If one wishes to be a monster, than that is what they are. But you do not want to be one. You are many things, but a monster you are not. A monster would not sit here and try to convince me to find someone else to love, for my own safety and happiness, at the sake of your own feelings. A monster doesn’t worry for my bodily safety. A monster doesn’t feel,” she said softly, her hand dropping from his, and falling atop her opposite one, both of them now being placed atop his knee. She leaned in close to him, nearly going cross eyed due to the new small distance.

“A monster doesn’t give a little girl a stuffed animal for her seventh birthday just because her own family forgot about it,” she said, referring to the time around a decade before, when he had given her one of his stuffed toys in an effort to make her feel better about her parents and sister forgetting her birthday.

“… And as the years flowed by, some villagers told travelers of a beast and a beauty who lived in the castle and could be seen walking on the battlements, and others told of two beauties, and others, of two beasts.”

She lowered her gaze for a moment, before raising it once more to his, fresh tears glistening in them.

“… For cannot a Beast be tamed?” she asked softly, taking one of his hands between both of hers, folding it within her grasp.

She chuckled a bit, amusement appearing on her face.

“Yes, all of that may be true … You are lazy as Hell … And a bratty, moody, overly hormonal teenager … And you also do not deserve me,” she teased, moving her hand to flick his nose, before returning it to his own.

She suddenly fell serious, her expression deadly so. “But … You are brave. You may not think it, but you are. You also are not pathetic, nor a monster … And you are not a disappointment. You have never done lower than my expectations of you, and you have always been brave. It takes quite a lot for someone not to showed their fear when it is at its greatest point – which, last year, I could tell when you were faced by the fire. We grew up together, Andrei – I know how to read you, and your emotions. You are like that of an open book, and are quite legible and easy to read,” she joked, her nose touching his, her eyes staring into his own.

“You will never be a disappointment in my eyes. You are you, and that is all that matters. Everyone has quirks, even your father … But that is what makes you you. Without them, you are nothing but a machine. You may not be perfect, but you are perfect in my eyes. You are perfect for me. I do not ask for much, Andrei, but you surpass my levels for qualification in a suitable man to love and be with.”

“I am not asking for marriage, or jewelry, or even attention from you. I am … I am only asking for your love. You do not have to be there all the time, but I want you there. I want you in my life. I want you to hold my love, and I want to know that I am the only one that will ever have yours. You are my life, Andrei … Without you, I would be little more than dust in the wind – and worthless, forgotten memory in the back of everyone’s minds. I would be nothing, and my life would hold no meaning …”

She lowered her forehead to her hands, which still held one of his clasped between them. Her tears caught her thumbs and trickled between them, dropping to his skin.

“I don’t care what others think. I don’t care about the risk of my own safety. I don’t care about not having a family, for you will be my family. I don’t care that you aren’t perfect – in fact, I like you more that way. And I don’t care you are not my ‘knight in shining armor’. I don’t need a knight … All I need is you. Please, don’t give up on something that you haven’t even tried for. At least give it a chance. Give us a chance … Don’t give up on us, when you haven’t even tried …”

“One week … That is all that I ask for … One week. Allow yourself to love me for one week ….That is all that I want … Even one week will be enough to last me a lifetime of memories … No matter the heartache of not being with you, should you choose that it is not worth the trouble to be with me, I will always have my memories to look back on. One week … Will you give me that much, Andrei? Please? Or will I be reduced to the low level of begging for you to do so?” she asked, lifting her head to look up at him. “During this time, I will have sex with you as often as you wish, and give you any blood that you desire. Just … One week …”

He quickly slammed his door shut and locked it. He placed Eve on the ground and unwrapped the sweatshirt from around her frail body. Like he suspected she was passed out cold, and her breathing was weak. He noticed she was loosing a lot of blood and took a damp cloth and dabbed the neck wound he created. I can't let her die before I bring her to the Transylvania court, or they won't believe that my evidence is true, if she is dead , he though to himself as he kept dabbing. The bleeding on her neck stopped and he wrapped gauze on it so it would heal before he killed her.

He picked up her light body and placed it inside the bag and zipped it up but left a small hole for her to breath. He looked outside and the sun was rising. He had to go or he would miss the train to Transylvania. He pulled on a clean hoodie and put the hood up, he grabbed his suitcase and the duffle bag that was holding Eve, and left his room, walked down the marble stairs and left the mansion from the front doors. He walked for a while, looking up at the sky full of shades of orange and pink. He finally reached the train station and bought his ticket to Transylvania. He waited only a short 20 minutes for the train to arrive, he stepped on and took a seat near the back on the cart.

He closed the blinds over the train window to block the harsh sunlight, shining in the train. Finally, I can take charge or how bloods should be, he thought to himself, looking at the duffle bag that contained the small little spirit vampire. Sadism running through him as he though how joyful it would feel to kill her.