The Vampire's Pet: Part One

“Please,” he whispered. “I need your blood…”

I pulled away, not wanting to really offer him my wrist.

“I don’t know…” I said tentatively.

“Please, Calla,” he said once more. “Just a mouthful. As long as I have this bullet in me, I can't heal. Take it out.”

"I can't take it out. I'm not a surgeon."

"Just dig in and remove it. You must."

I grimaced. When I pulled his jacket open and unbuttoned his shirt to reveal his bare chest, I saw the gaping wound.

"You want me to dig in with my fingers and pull it out?"

He nodded. "Quickly. Give me something to bite on. There's a handkerchief in my pocket."

I removed the handkerchief and rolled it up, then I placed it in his mouth. He bit down and in a muffled voice, spoke.

"Now."

I took in a deep breath and pushed my finger into the wound, feeling around for the bullet. His flesh was cool and wet and I felt something hard just an inch deep. I pushed my finger down along side it and tried to pry it out.

In response, Kier grimaced and groaned. I tried harder, finally prying it up and out. Once it was out of his body, he seemed to improve immediately.

I didn’t want him to drink my blood, but I thought I’d be safer if he were stronger so once he was able to sit up on his own, I relented finally and held my wrist out to him. He reached up and took it in his hand and pulled it to his mouth. I felt a sharp bright pain as his teeth pierced the flesh again and then a sucking at the wound. His grip tightened and he sucked harder, and for a moment, I worried that he wouldn’t be able to stop.

“Please,” I said and tried to pull away, but he held firm. I pulled hard and then finally, he released me, a red stain of my blood on his lips. His eyes were closed and he panted for a moment, but then he opened his eyes and stared into mine. I could see the strength return and even a touch of color in his cheeks.

I held my wrist, examining the wound, but it had already stopped bleeding.

Kier struggled to sit up but then straightened his clothes, his jacket and shirt. He ran a hand over his hair and cricked his neck.

“That’s better,” he said and took in a deep breath. Then he looked in my eyes. “I’m sorry this happened to you. I never meant any harm to come to you.”

I said nothing in return but I was thinking that he put me in danger when he showed up at my cottage. He was on the run from what he thought were his family’s enemies. How could I not be in danger from him?

I turned away and sighed, not wanting to get into an argument. He was a vampire. He could kill me if he wanted. None of the guards or even Kier’s brother would care.

Then, a guard came and unlocked the cell, gesturing to me.

"You," he said and pointed to the door. "You and your friend are to come with me."

"I'm Kier's pet," I said in protest, not wanting to leave Kier.

"You're no one's pet until my Master says so. He'll decide what to do with you. You're in the City now and he's the Prince."

He unlocked Chelsea's cell and the two of us stood, leaving our adjoining cells.

Kier stayed behind, and as I went through the door, I glanced back and saw him sitting there, his dark hair falling into his blue blue eyes.

I hoped against hope that it wouldn't be the last time.

Kier

I spent the entire day in my cell, pacing, wondering when one of my family members would finally come and speak with me, explain to me why I was being held captive.

Had they all betrayed me? Even my sisters?