Chapter 5: Lavinia Spends the Night

Lavinia lay splayed on Isaac's bed. Her corset was unhooked and thrown open over her slightly torn chamise. She breathed slowly, taking stock of the sensation coursing through her body. Across her body were marks of reddish-purple bruising surrounding pairs of pinpricks. The pain of each blended into a strange sense of total relief and euphoria.

Lavinia felt weak and drained. She knew that even if she wanted to she would not be able to stand or even sit up. Her body felt light and somewhat numb, but not in an unpleasant way.

Her eyes fluttered open. The room was darker than before as the fire had died to a low crackle. From her vantage point, she could see some indistinct movement by the door. Turning her head, she saw Isaac standing in the slightly open door. He was facing out, speaking softly to someone beyond the view of the door. In reply came a high, almost musical voice.

In her delirium, Lavinia could only register the bare minimum of their conversation. It seemed like an argument, but an amicable one. The voice from outside sounded vague like it was speaking through laughter, while Isaac's replies seemed to be twinged with annoyance and just a hint of anger.

He had changed his clothes, now wearing something dark that buttoned up to his neck. His robe was hung over the back of his vacant chair.

After a few moments, Isaac said something loudly that was met with a fresh peal of giggles. He stepped back from the door and slammed it. Isaac stalked over to the open fireplace and stared down into the flames. His profile stood out starkly, backlit by the flames.

Lavinia could see something new in him as he stood. Without eyes on him, Isaac's posturing dropped. His face sat relaxed and calm. Instead of his usual glower, he had an almost contented smile. The night before there had been something behind his eyes, something ravenous and haunted. That was gone now. Like he had in his robe, Isaac was reduced to just a beautiful young man without any of the monstrous aggression. His hair fell down into his eyes, free of its careful style.

Looking at him, Lavinia could almost forget that she was laid on his bed, facing death. There was a sense of relief that she was still breathing. Perhaps she would be returned to the room like the brunette girl and face her end another night. Not that there was much she could do now. Isaac appeared as though he was finished, but there was nothing that Lavinia could do if he turned around and decided to finish the job.

Experimentally, she tried to turn onto her side letting out a soft groan as the motion made her head spin. She closed her eyes tightly, trying not to let the dizziness reach her stomach. At her sound, Isaac snapped his head towards her, haughty expression returning to his face. He approached her, moving slowly and pushing his hair back into place.

"How are we feeling?" the sneer was back in his voice as was the arrogant look on his face. His eyes flicked across Lavinia's body, taking note of the bruising and bite marks. His gaze lingered on Lavinia's exposed throat and open corset. Taking a seat on the edge of the bed, Isaac brushed Lavinia's dark hair out of her face.

"You certainly look comfortable," Isaac paused, waiting for a response. When she did not give any, a look of concern furrowed his brow. "Lavinia?"

"I almost believe that you're worried," Lavinia whispered. She opened her eyes slowly. Isaac's icy face was a shock in the dim warm room. He seemed out of place in the room just like genuine feeling seemed off on his face.

"I-" Isaac cut off, setting his mouth. "I have to look out for the wellbeing of my bloodbags."

"That's not what the others told me."

"Well, I just don't want to break such an exciting toy so early. You have a lot of promise and I'd quite like to draw out my entertainment. It's so rare that I actually get a girl to talk back."

"Is that something you look for? At the factory, you seemed rather focused on obedience."

Isaac chuckled softly. "Oh, I do like obedience. But I find that that obedience is much more satisfying when it is earned."

Lavinia could feel her face flush. Isaac pressed his finger to her cheek, feeling the heat of her blush.

"Maybe I did not drain you enough if you have enough blood left for this level of embarrassment."

"How d-"

"Ah ah," Isaac started. "I would avoid saying anything you'll regret. You've earned just a touch of favor from me and I recommend not callously throwing it away."

As Isaac spoke, a knock came at the door. Isaac raised a finger, telling her to wait. He stood and walked to the door, pulling open the one that made Lavinia visible to the pair of guards standing in the doorway.

"Ready for us to return her, sir?" asked the shorter guard.

"No," said Isaac. "I'll be keeping her for the night."

At this Lavinia froze. Had he not said he was going to keep her alive? Was this it?

"We'll be back then in the morning. For the body."

"No no," Isaac replied. "I'll return her to the room in the morning. I think I can manage to find my way alone."

The guards hesitated.

"Is there something wrong?"

"No sir," said the taller guard. "Very good. We'll leave you to it."

The pair turned and walked back down the hallway, boots clicking until the door was swung shut behind them. Isaac turned back to face the bed.

"What are you doing?" Lavinia gathered all of her strength and pushed herself into a sitting position. "Why are you keeping me here?"

"You be spending the night," said Isaac simply, unbuttoning his shirt. "I'll return you to the others in the morning, don't worry."

Isaac threw his shirt onto the same chair as his robe and lay down next to Lavinia, turning her onto her stomach and placing her halfway on top of his own chest. In another circumstance, Lavinia would have interpreted the pose as affectionate, but given Isaac's stiff posture and emotionless face, she could not help but feel the veiled threat behind it. Still, she could not bring herself to pull away. She tried to tell herself that she stayed still out of physical exhaustion, but there was a part of her that welcomed being pressed up against the young vampire, the definition of his thin body sending a twinge of static through her still open wounds.

Isaac lay with his eyes closed, but Lavinia had no idea if a creature like him could sleep. Closing her own, she found it much easier to relax here rather than in the room below with panicked girls. Lavinia sighed once and settled in to spend the night with Isaac, wondering if her comfort would remain in the morning.