by M. Cheykota
He stares at me for a few moments. Whatever he sees in my eyes causes him to back down. “You may speak to any and all of my vampires and servants. I have nothing to hide from you.”
Taking a deep breath, I relax a little. “I might just do that.” I switch couches to sit next to him, resting my head on his shoulder. “I just don’t like seeing people forced into doing something they don’t want to do.”
“I do not condone slavery either, chatte.” He rubs his cheek against the top of my head lovingly.
“I am glad you agree, because what I am going to ask may anger you.”
“I cannot release all my donors, chatte. Even if I relieve them from their duties, I do not feel comfortable with them returning to human society without wiping their memories. For some, that may be more distressing than you think their life here is.”
“After speaking to Patricia, I understand how you may feel that way. She really likes it here and has no intention of leaving.” I admit to him.
“I am pleased to hear she is happy. It pains me to see her child suffering.”
“I’d like to do something about that.” I send to him telepathically.
“What do you mean?”
“I want to cure all your servants. Then I want you to offer them a choice to stay or return to their lives. Either way, if they weren’t beholden to you, maybe I wouldn’t feel...”
Christien senses my hesitation and fills in the blanks. “It would make you more willing to stay with me?”
“You have a one track mind, I swear. However, yes it would do much to relieve my anxiety towards vampires. My mom fell in love with a vampire, even one from Hassan’s line. Maybe all vampires aren’t out to drain me dry.”
“If it will ease your mind, I am willing to give all my donors the option. Please understand that if some or all choose to leave, my get has grown. I will need to actively recruit for more blood donors for my get or allow my vampires to hunt. I prefer not to do that, especially the ones from Hassan’s ligne de sang.”
“Okay then.” I speak aloud. “Now that we have come to a solid understanding, I’d like you to take me home to pick up supplies. I would like to give your donors the option of a cure, rather than force it on them.”
He groans. “I was hoping we could reconnect for a while upstairs in my bedroom.”
I pull away from him laughing. “Oh no, we stop by my house first. There is no guessing how long we will be upstairs if I give in to you.”
“That is my point, chatte, but I will do as you ask. The sun will be rising in a few hours and many of the younger will fall into their coma-like sleep. I will see that my older vampires are secure before we begin.”
I stare at him in surprise. “No argument? That’s it, you’ll do it?”
“You underestimate how much your opinion means to me. There is not anything I am unwilling to do to ease your mind. Shall we go? I too am eager to see the blood’s healing capabilities at work. Our donors will be extremely grateful for your generosity.”
We stand and begin walking towards the door, hand in hand.
“Don’t you mean your donors?” I ask, curious about his slip of tongue.
“Everything I have is just as much yours as it is mine. You still do not understand. You are my mate. My get is now our get. Our vampires are at your disposal as much as they are at mine. They may not be part of your ligne de sang, but they still belong to you.”
We climb in the car and the driver pulls away in the direction of my house. We stop at Blixen to pick up my car first.
“Thank you so much for everything. I really don’t know what to say.” I tell him as soon as we walk into my house.
“Considering the horror that Hassan has put you through, you owe me nothing. If you’d like, I will give all of his vampires to you as retribution for the pain he has caused.” He rubs my back reassuringly.
“I have come to terms that nothing can bring back my parents. I will take my retribution when we find him and remove his head from the rest of his body.”
Christien nods in agreement. He shows his fascination with my home security. I explain to him my basement security as we proceed.
“In order to get inside my lair,” I giggle at my description of my basement room, “I thought it was important to have multiple layers of security. I didn’t want to leave it to a lock and key. I have more security than the three layers that you see. First, my hand scanner checks my fingerprints. If my fingerprint scan passes, the system takes a pinprick of blood. The needle is so small I hardly feel the entry. The wound seals immediately so no blood is exposed. The scanner compares my DNA to some already stored on the computer. If the results match, the system will ask for my passphrase. I have to say the words with the correct inflection that matches the stored passphrase. The system will compare it to the one stored in my computer system inside. Only then, will it electronically unlock the door and allow me entry. All these tests insure that it is truly me and that I am alive and not under duress. If I say the wrong passphrase, or fail any of the previous security measures, more than three times, the system will lockdown. Not even I will be able to gain entry for almost an hour if any of the tests results fail.”
“What made you come up with such an elaborate security system in the first place? If the location of your hiding place is secret, why did you take such drastic measures in keeping it secure?” He asks as we enter the basement.
“Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.” I log into the center console and turn towards Christien. “How many sick humans do you have?”
“I only have 30 blood donors that have medical conditions within our get.”
“Meaning, you have more blood donors, but they are not sick.”
He smiles. “That would be an accurate assessment.”
“Stop with all the deception, Christien. I don’t want to be carrying around a bunch of blood that I don’t need. What kind of illnesses do they have?”
“Why would that matter?” His tone is curious, not rude so I answer.
“My mother has given me some insight on how much blood it will take to cure certain types of diseases. For example, it may only take a small tube of my blood to cure a birth defect or pneumonia. For something like cancer or neurological disorders, it may take half a pint. My mother told me that angel blood packs a punch. Very few human diseases, if any, would require a full pint of blood to cure it. Once my angel blood fixes the problem inside of their body, it breaks down and their body absorbs it.” I explain.
“Amazing. How long does this process usually take?”
“How long does it take for you to feel the affects of my blood when you drink from me?” I toss back at him curiously. “I believe the angel blood attacks the disease immediately. I imagine that within a few hours their body will show no more signs of whatever was ailing them. It does not mean that they will always be healthy. The sickness will be gone, but they may still need time to regain their strength. It will not prevent future sicknesses. Most of the donors I have seen at your place look strong enough due to the vampire blood you have been giving them. Hopefully, that will aid them when they receive my blood.”
He takes a few minutes to describe their various illnesses. I perform a mental calculation and begin removing the necessary bags of blood. As I am busy, he wanders around the basement getting a better look around. Last time he was here, we were in a rush and were not here long.
“You are familiar with using all of these weapons?” He picks up a short sword and gives it an experimental swing before placing it back on the wall.
“I have been training in martial arts since I started walking. When I finally earned enough money on the streets, I continued my training. What’s funny is when I was young, my aunt had to force training down my throat. I did it because I didn’t have a choice. Now, I go out of my way to find someone to train me. As much as I fussed at my trainers when I was young, there are a couple I wish I could find to continue my training.”
I grab the blood I need out of a storage bin and stack it carefully in a backpack.
Christien opens the refrigerator of blood I have in the back of the room and pulls out a bag. “Do you drink your blood cold?”
“Not unless I am really hungry. Normally I heat it in the microwave for a half minute. Not until it’s hot, just long enough to take off the chill. Heat it too much and it gets hard to drink.”
He toys with the blood in the bag for a few moments before returning it to the refrigerator. He turns and sees the small living area, complete with bed. Shuffling around the furniture, he lies on the bed on his back in a relaxing pose.
“No. You are not getting me in a bed. We are going back to your place to cure the donors.” I demand.
“We have time. They have been sick for a while. A few more hours will not cause them further harm.” He says playfully.
“You’re not the one sick. I couldn’t live with myself knowing that I indulged in your body while they are suffering.” I whine.
He sits up quickly. “You intend to indulge in my body?” Sliding off the bed, he tugs my waist bringing me between his legs.
“Figures that is all you hear me say.” I laugh as he nuzzles my breasts with his face. “Stop that! I got the blood we need, let’s get going.”
He sighs. “Very well, I still would like you to indulge in my body after we cure our donors. I will allow you to take as much time as you need to indulge me fully.”
I roll my eyes playfully. “We’ll see.”
Riding back to Christien’s house seems to take longer than the ride to my house. Sunrise is less than an hour away. Christien rushes inside to make sure the young vampires are preparing for their coma-like sleep and demands his older vampires stay in their rooms. I setup an area in the kitchen with syringes, bandages and other things I will need. On his way back to the front of the house, Christien requests his donors to gather in the living room for a meeting.
Several minutes pass as everyone files into the room. Greetings and curious chatter fills the air as Christien takes my hand and guides me to the front of the room.
“Is everyone here?” He asks the now silent room.
Several people answer positively. Others nod in agreement.
“Very well, let us begin. For those of you that have not met my mate, this is Jessica. Jessica has agreed to assist me today. We have asked you all to join us here this early morning to discuss the results of Ian and Logan’s recent blood work. As you all know, both men had life threatening diseases, completely unlike the other. Several days ago, something happened during a feeding with Ian and Logan. I have erased this incident from your minds in order to protect the vampire involved. What I will tell you is that during this incident, Ian and Logan received blood from a unique vampire to replenish what they lost. Even though the vampire almost drained Ian and Logan of blood and they drank the blood of a vampire, they are not vampires. They are still very human. Also, they are completely cured of their diseases.”
We wait a few minutes as the startling revelation carries through the room. As the nattering quiets down, Christien regains everyone’s attention.
“Now that we have confirmed that the blood can cure any human disease, Jessica is eager to offer anyone who would like a cure to their disease her assistance in administering the necessary amount of blood. Anyone cured may also leave my get and rejoin human society with no ill feelings towards them.”
The room is so quiet I would be able to hear a pin if someone dropped one.
“What if we don’t want to leave your get? Could we get the cure and remain here?” A woman near the middle asks. Several murmurs of agreement follow.
“No one will be forced to leave if they choose to accept the cure to their disease. Each of you is welcome here. You are all precious to us and we will miss you if you do choose to leave.”
“With your new vampires, won’t you need more donors?” Someone else asks.
“Yes, but that is not your responsibility. You have all done enough for our get. We want to make sure you do not feel obligated to do more than what you have already done. Please understand that I do appreciate everything you have done for us. I am more than willing to offer all of you a cure in exchange for the dedication you have already demonstrated.”
I clear my throat. All eyes turn to me. “I think what Christien is trying to say is that all of you have spent more than enough time serving his get. If you want a cure so you may continue on with your life, he is offering that to you now.”
“Anyone wanting the cure should join Jessica in the kitchen. She will be administering blood to you according to your disease. Judging from Ian and Logan’s response when they received the blood, their blood was clean of their diseases within a few hours. Some will respond faster, some may take longer. We are confident that the blood will work on all of you without any side effects.”
“Does blood type matter?” The same woman asks.
I respond without hesitation. “No.”
“How will it affect my baby?” The pregnant woman, Clara, asks.
“Any defects in your baby’s health will be healed in the womb. If your baby is already healthy, your baby will stay healthy.” I respond confidently.
“If we choose not to have the cure, what will happen to us?” A man asks.
“You are welcome to stay here as long as you like, regardless if you accept the cure or not. Again, I will ask no one to leave against their wishes.” Christien reassures everyone. “Regardless if you take the cure or not, we will remove the memory of the curative properties of this vampire’s blood from your memories, naturally for the vampire’s and everyone’s safety.”
The room nods in understanding. Christien leads me away from the group and guides me into the kitchen.
I recheck the equipment and supplies while I wait nervously for the first donor to arrive. A few minutes pass and no one enters the kitchen. Christien shrugs and opens the kitchen door to look into the living room. Several people are lingering in the room talking, but most of the people have left the room and are continuing with their morning routine.
Following Christien out the door, we stop a couple of people walking by.
“Does everyone understand that I am ready to administer the blood right now?” I ask the donors.
“Yes, we understand.” The people left in the room answer.
“Then why have you not gone into the kitchen to get the cure?” Christien asks in confusion.
“In all due respect Christien, we do not want it. If we receive the cure and you decide to change your mind about keeping us in your get, we will be stuck in the human world. We all have friends or family here. All of us get along with each other and enjoy our lives. None of us want to be forced to leave.”
“Really? Everyone feels the same way?” I ask incredulously. “You would rather stay as a blood donor to a bunch of vampires than live your lives in the human world?”
The man gives me a dirty look. “They are not a ‘bunch of vampires’ to us. Christien has been extremely generous and his vampires are gentle and kind. They protect us with their lives. Occasionally, they may ask for little from us. We keep ourselves busy by managing their businesses during the day, cleaning, shopping or just guarding them while they are asleep. They are family, not just a bunch of vampires.” The man storms away with a woman in tow before I can apologize for the misunderstanding.
The room is empty of people moments later. I return to the kitchen to see my equipment moved to the side as the table fills with people sitting down for breakfast.
“Has anyone changed their mind and would like me to administer the cure to them?” I call out to the room.
Several people shake their heads. The rest don’t respond at all.
Christien picks up the equipment from the table and takes the backpack filled with my blood off my shoulder. “I believe they have made their decision ma chatte petite.”
“You didn’t manipulate them in any way? Convince them tha
t getting the cure would be detrimental?” I ask suspiciously.
“Not everything is a conspiracy chatte. You were there when we spoke to all of them. I was not controlling them. Is it that hard to believe that they would rather live without a cure than to continue their lives outside our get? Even with the promise that they will not be forced to leave, they are not willing take the risk.”
“You’ve made your point. They love it here and don’t want to leave. I get it, but that doesn’t mean they need to suffer, especially the children.” I mumble angrily.
“I do not mean to upset you. When they take their next dose of blood, I can exchange it with your blood and give them the cure without their knowledge. That way, they can stay firm in their belief and still receive treatment.” He offers quietly.
“You would willingly deceive your get?” I ask incredulously.
“Yes I will, if it would make you happy. I do not like the idea of me tricking them against their wishes, but your happiness will come first to me, always.” He admits tenderly.
“I’ll tell you what I want. I want the children to have the cure. The adults are old enough to make their own decisions. I don’t want the children to live in pain or live with any type of suffering.” I plead with him.
“Thank you for not asking me to force the adults to conform. I will see that the children are well. I agree with you in that sentiment, deception or not.”
“I’m tired, let’s go to bed.”
Christien smiles and carries me upstairs with vampire speed.
Chapter 10
The sun is setting over the horizon making the sky fill with vibrant shades of blues, reds and oranges. I wake up comfortable and refreshed. I hear water running in the bathroom. Without bothering to get dressed, I slide out of bed naked and tiptoe into the bathroom. The steam from the shower billows around me. I open the shower door and arms sweep me inside.