Two sides of a coin

Nyx gazed at the room Zurie had taken her; decked with a bright shade of wallpaper, victorian furnitures a queen sized bed and large velvet drapes.

She watched the wick of the candles slowly burn to cast a dimly lit glow on the room, pulling at the damned piece of clothing the vampire had made her change into. Spotting the entrance to the bathroom she inwardly thanked Zurie for letting her share her room.

Feeling an ounce of relief when it seemed like he'd eventually forgotten about her for a while. Reaching for the faucet, she turned it on, letting the surprisingly warm water cascade all over her body that had begun to scream out its exhaustion.

Once she was done, she wrapped the neatly folded towel firmly around her body before sprawling herself over the clean bed, curling up into a ball and slowly feeling the cold grip of tiredness drag her deep into the abyss of slumber.

†††

Nyx felt soft pair of hands shaking her awake, with eyelids still heavy from sleep, she fought to keep them open and fixed on the petite silhouette standing right in front of her. Zurie continued to awaken her till her eyelashes finally fluttered and her eyes parted open.

"Good morning Zurie," she groaned.

"Good morning. I come bearing bad tidings," the female fidgeted.

At her words, she hurriedly plopped down the bed, heart racing frantically in her chest."what is it? Did he order my execution?"

She shook her head in dismay, " no. Much worse. He asked you be moved to the barn."

Nyx shrugged, unsure of what she'd meant. "The barn. Alright. That doesn't sound too bad. Tell me, what animal am I working with? A goat? Sheep? or a cow?"

The dhampire tsked at her ignorance, "not that kind of barn. Here, feeders are placed in a place called 'the barn'."

"Wait. Hold up, feeders? As in human blood bags for vampires?!" She exclaimed.

"Yes. If you're kept as a feeder, it'll not only lead to your eventual demise, it also tampers with your sanity. Even powerful hunters cannot bear the bite of an elder vampire." It was a fate far worse than death for any hunter.

In the next minute, she rushed over to where he'd been spotted, pulling the huge mahogany doors that revealed a library. She gasped, mouth wide open, she marveled at the room that held several antiquities and books that spiralled from the bottom to the top in a fancy shelf-like staircase.

She walked over to the shelves, running her hand through the books stacked neatly, captivated by the breathtaking ambience she found herself forgetting the reason why she'd come in the first place, picking one that had ‘Medieval vampires and their bane’ as the title.

“Ahem..”

She heard someone clearing their throat. Jolting from fear, the book slipped from her grasp, falling with a loud thud.

“I didn't mean to startle you.”

Nyx heard the most beautiful deep voice speak she hurriedly turned back, jaws dropping at the gorgeous handsomeness that stood before her. His ochre irises glimmering when he blinked, his golden locks smoothed back. His tunic stood tucked neatly into his breeches she exhaled when he neared.

“I must have had you shocked. I apologize.” he leant over to picked the book up, wiping some imaginary dust off it he chuckled. “Vampires and their bane? Intriguing.”

“I...I..huh..I didn't mean to intrude.” she stuttered, struggling to form proper stings of words.

“I guess we're both guilty of intrusion then. I'm not supposed to be here either. Draven hates it when you go through his personal belongings.”

She fidgeted, reeling backwards and nearly stumbling until his sturdy arms grabbed her to prevent her from hitting the cold floor.

“Careful. You're one clumsy human.”

She couldn't tell if that was a complement or an insult, but she wondered what he was going to do to her now that he'd mentioned she was human she cringed from him.

“I won't hurt you.” he helped her back to her feet, “I don't share the same views as my kindreds. I don't prey on human's weaknesses.”

“Why? You hate us.”

His eyes twinkled, crimson bleeding into them, he smirked. Turning on his feet he pushed the book back where it belonged.

“I wouldn't use the term hate'. Well, not that I feel hatred for humans, I don't.” he leant against the shelf while she stood planted to a spot, listening to him.

“You're Lord Draven's she'. Am I right?”

She scoffed, “She? I'm no one's she. Definitely not that cocky bastard's either.”

He laughed like she'd said the most amusing thing in the world, his gaze trailing every inch of her, scrutinizing her. “That 'cocky bastard' happens to be my brother.”

She gasped, slapping a hand to her mouth, “I'm so sorry.”

“You don't need to apologize. My brother can be a dick most times.”

This time, Nyx chuckled. Wondering what it was about him that made her feel at peace. He was a predator, that much she'd reckoned but he somehow had a calming way of speaking.

“What is your name?"

“Nyx.“

“Ahh.. interesting.” he fiddled with the ring on his finger, “beautiful name for a beautiful person.”

She felt heat creep up her cheeks and turned a healthy shade of scarlet, until the door swung open and a very much angered Draven stood by the doorway.

He scoffed, dragging his hand through his hair, his gaze burning through her like they could see through her soul, his eyes scrutinizing her, his lips holding a permanent scowl.

“Hello brother.” the stranger smiled at Draven.

“Callan, What are you doing here? with my human?”

The vampire Nyx had just identified as Callan smiled, ignoring his brother's snarky remarks. “Not a good way to welcome your elder brother. Don't you think?”

“I don't like you being around what belongs to me. And you're certainly not welcome here.“

He chuckled, walking over to her, his hands held unto hers, he placed a subtle kiss to it. His other hand rubbed her cheeks when he whispered, “See you soon, milady.”

With that, he walked out of the room.