The Vampire's Pet: Part One

I’d seen his photo on the business website. He looked enough like Kier, except for the dark eyes, that even if I hadn’t seen his picture, I’d know who he was.

“There you are,” he said, his voice impatient. “Come in and let’s get this over with.”

We were shoved closer to Kier, who stood, his hands in silver shackles, a heavy chain attached to similar shackles on his ankles.

“Calla,” he said, his voice soft, apologetic. “Chelsea. Please accept my apologies for this—.”

“Get on with it,” Evan interrupted, his voice impatient.

“Come closer,” Kier said. “Chelsea first.”

Chelsea stepped closer, glancing at me before she did. I nodded, urging her forward.

Then, Kier raised his cuffed hands up and held onto Chelsea’s face. He looked in her eyes and spoke to her, his voice firm.

“Chelsea, you’re going to go back home to your family. You won’t remember anything about what happened from the time you arrived at Calla’s cottage to the time you return. You won’t remember anything about vampires once you cross the threshold of this house. When you get off the plane, you will forget everything that happened up until that time. You will think that you had a wonderful time with Calla while her parents were away. The two of you talked about everything, spent time on the beach, and nothing more. You won’t remember anything about me as soon as you leave this room. Do you understand?”

Chelsea nodded, her voice low. “I understand.”

“Good,” Kier said and pointed to me. “Now, you, Calla.”

I went to where Chelsea had stood and Kier took my face in his hands as he had Chelsea. He looked deeply in my eyes and I expected him to start compelling me but instead, he leaned down and kissed me, his eyes closing as he did.

We kissed, our mouths pressing against each other, and I felt so much emotion sweep through me. My eyes tearing up at the thought I’d never see him again or remember him.

“Get on with it,” Evan repeated, his voice gruff.

Our kiss ended and Kier’s eyes were soft when he pulled away. He wiped my tears off my cheek with his finger and then cleared his throat.

He repeated what he’d said to Chelsea. I didn’t feel compelled, but what did I know about vampire compulsion?

When I looked in Kier’s eyes, I tried to see meaning in them, see some kind of message in his voice or the way he held my face in his hands, but I could detect nothing different.

I repeated the words “I understand” even though I didn’t feel compelled, but I knew that if I didn’t, they would never let me leave.

When we were escorted out of the cell, I glanced back before I left the room and saw Kier standing there, such pain on his face, like he regretted that I’d forget him, and that we’d never see each other again.

His kiss had been passionate. He didn’t want me to forget.

When I left the room, though, and as Chelsea and I were led out of the building to a waiting SUV, I remembered him.

I remembered him…

THE END