Beauty and the Vampires

Lord Damian's eyes moved in slow motion over the contents of the file.He closed his eyes, his forehead narrowed and he muttered something incomprehensible.His eyes opened and they were gleaming red.He closed the file with a loud thud.His lips pressed together in a thin line.

I shifted slightly in my seat, wondering if the frustrated lord would snap at me.He looked at me and started moving slowly towards me.I remained frozen, alarm bells ringing in my mind.As he drew near, his eyes changed back to their original brown and he brought his hand out to move a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Come in Charles."

I was brought back to my senses by his deep voice and I noticed a short elderly man enter.

He gave a slight bow and spoke,"My Lord! Silas is dead."

The Lord turned to face the man with a smirk.

"That was expected Charles.My brother couldn't afford to keep him there any longer.He was a stubborn vampire, hardly of any use to us."

"Lord Nicholas must be thinking that Sir Gabe was meant to keep an eye on him." Charles said.

"Ofcourse Charles. Gabe was sent to confuse him." The Lord replied.

"But my lord!Silas was the only one who could have the information we needed.Now what would we do?" He enquired.

"I have my ways." He smiled. The man named Charles gave a slight smile to the Lord and bowed before exiting.

I was shocked to hear their conversation.They just discussed someone's death as if they were discussing the menu for tomorrow's breakfast.My mind began spinning.I was trying to make sense of all of this but couldn't think properly.The Lord turned to look at me, his expression soft,"Mia dear. There are many things in our world that you won't understand.Don't worry about it." He approached me and tenderly placed his right hand on my left cheek.

This small act brought new sensations in my body and my cheeks flushed.My heart was hammering against my chest and in that moment I just wanted to give in to his small touch.But a rational part of me was still alive that asked me to be wary of the vampire lord.

"Mia I have prepared for you to shift to a new room.You will no longer be staying in the dormitory from now on.Lance will take you there." He snapped his fingers and his butler Lance entered.

It was bizarre.I was just an ordinary cook in the castle and giving me so much attention would have aroused suspicion and people would soon start gossipping about it.

I was unable to understand the Lord's growing fondness for me but a small,irrational part of me loved it.I didn't quite understand why I felt that way.After what happened in the garden last time, I felt pulled towards him like a magnet.

So now here I was sitting on a small chair in my new room,writing letters to my Aunt Rose.

The room was big and spacious.A huge round bed with two soft pillows were kept.A small table with a chair was also kept at a corner near the window.The curtains adorning the walls were of silk.The view outside the window overlooked the garden.

I smiled inwardly.The Lord had deliberately chosen this room so that I could have a good view of the garden.

I drenched the quill into the ink pot and began writing on the parchment.My hands moving in slow motion and my mind putting my thoughts into words on this little piece of paper.

Dear Aunt Rose,

Greetings!

I am very well here and hope that you are in the best of spirits too.How is my sweet little princess?I have been longing for her since I have arrived here.I miss you both.The castle is very huge and everybody here loves my cooking.

It's all thanks to you.You have taught me well.I was living in a dormitory before but the Lord has given me a room of my own now.It's beautiful!

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.Give my love to Alice.

Yours Lovingly

Mia

I put my quill down on the table.My eyes read and re-read the letter making sure that I hadn't missed anything important.

Satisfied at having penned down everything worth mentioning, I rolled the parchment neatly and tied it.I stepped outside my room and gasped.

I was about to bump into Lord Nicholas who seemed to be standing outside my room.

"Mia!I heard Damian gave you a room of your own.I thought I should pay you a small visit." He smirked.

"I didn't know you were here my lord!I apologize for startling you." I spoke with nervousness.

He chuckled."Sweetheart! I am a vampire and vampires don't get startled so easily." He spoke as if talking to a kid.

I blushed, my cheeks getting heated.He looked at me intently with a slight smile playing on his lips.

"What's this in your hand?" He asked taking notice of the parchment in my hand.

I looked at the piece of paper and spoke,"It's a message for my family.I was going to send it."

"You do miss them.Don't you?" He asked me with concern evident in his voice.

I nodded and told him about my family,especially Alice.

He heard with great attention.When I finished, he snatched the parchment from my hand in one swift movement.I looked at him open mouthed!

"M-My Lord!" I reached out my hand to grab the piece of paper from him but he jerked it away.

"I'll send it.Don't worry." He spoke with a smirk plastered on his face.

He snapped his fingers and a guard arrived.Lord Nicholas handed him the parchment,asking him to deliver it to the addressee.

I smiled slightly in gratitude.Just then I heard footsteps of Lady Eugene.Her high heels making loud noises in the silent corridor.

She looked angelic.She came rushing towards me,grabbed my arm and without giving a halt, started dragging me with her.

"Mia!Come to my room.I have lots of dresses to show you." She spoke excitedly as she dragged me along.

I was flabbergasted, an expression of horror on my face.As Lord Nicholas was receding from my view, I saw his eyebrows pulled up in surprise and then relax, a smile of amusement forming on his lips.Eventually he was out of my sight.

"Lady Eugene!Excuse my interruption but why are we in such a hurry?" My arm had beginning to hurt under her firm grip.

"We need to quickly reach my room and you're going to love my collection!" She went on excitedly.

By the grace of good lord, we reached her room before my hand got snapped.Her room was HUGE.I felt that my own new room was so tiny as compared to hers.It had paintings of women dressed elegantly adorning its walls.Her huge bed was surrounded by beautiful curtains from all sides.

Through the see-through curtains I could see loads of dresses piled up on it.My eyes spotted Sir Gabe.He was standing in one corner of the room, his hands in his pockets and leaning against the wall.

"Mia.I am glad I'm not alone in this torture." His face in a bored expression and a sarcastic smile playing on his lips.

Lady Eugene gave him a hard look and I felt her firm grip loosen and she approached her bed, her hand lifting a beautiful red, strapless gown.She picked it up and brought it close to her body and looked at herself in the mirror.

Her eyes sparkled and a broad smile formed on her face,"Don't you guys think it looks elegant?"

"Eugene I was wondering since now you have Mia to tortu...I mean show your fine collection to then I can go and attend to the more pressing matters assigned to me by the Lord!" His lips curved in a fake, flattering smile.

"Don't be ridiculous Gabe! I need a man's opinion too!You have your duties towards a friend too not only towards your lord." She spoke with slight reprimand not once looking away from her reflection.

Sir Gabe sighed in exasperation.

"Mia, thanks for being here.Your presence gives me moral support." He murmured and Lady Eugene gave him a quick intimidating glance.Ofcourse she being a vampire had super sensitive ears.

"I didn't quite have a choice myself." I spoke truthfully.

He chuckled and Lady Eugene turned towards me,"Mia you're siding with the wrong guy here."

"But I daresay my lady your choice of clothes is very refined, befitting a classy, high class woman."

That seemed to pacify her as a pleased smile formed on her face and she went back to staring at her reflection.

"It's Eugene.You can call me by my name when we are alone.I've never really had a female best friend to talk to in the palace.I've always been treated as the Lord's sister and The Great Pure Blood Vampire's daughter.It would be refreshing to be just Eugene with someone." She gave a sideways glance in our direction, her eyes showing sadness.

Sir Gabe looked at her with a slighly confused look in his eyes.His mouth slightly opened in surprise, a look as if something unexpected hit him.

One look at her and I realized her loneliness.She was in need of a best friend.I went up to her and hugged her.She hugged me back.

"Ahem!I guess if you girls are done with your 'public display of affection' we can get back to looking at your collection Eugene." He spoke, slightly embarrassed.

We both laughed and Eugene showed us many of her dresses which I had to admit were simply outstanding.

After that when me and Sir Gabe exited Eugene's room he spoke,"I am really sorry about that day Mia.I didn't do it intentionally.I hope you forgive me." His eyes showed remorse.

I smiled,"It's ok Sir Gabe.It was my mistake.I shouldn't have barged into your room unannounced."

"Lord Damian told me that you are very fond of Lucinda.I have always been a ruthless monster to my slaves.I had forgotten what compassion was once I was turned into a vampire.But after meeting you I have realized what compassion does to people.Especially after what you and Eugene shared today, I have realized how good you are as a person.We can be friends too you know." He smiled, a genuine one.

"Ofcourse!I can assure you I can be a great friend Sir Gabe." I laughed.

"It's Gabe when we are alone." He corrected.

"Ok Gabe." I smiled.

"Would you like to meet Lucinda?" He asked smilingly.

My eyes lit up. "Is that even a question?" A huge grin formed on my face.