Chapter 1
AN: I'm still new to the pose player, so some of my pictures are pretty awkward. You'll just have to bare with me. Also there's a change in POV partway through the chapter.
Demitri often found life as a vampire rather dull. He was permanently stuck in the shadows. Even eternal dullness was preferable to permanent weakness.
Demitri had just watched his brother leave after his feeding. Unlike Demitri, Jackson was born a vampire. He was Demitri's biological half-brother. Their family situation was rather complicated, as Jackson was a little over one hundred years Demitri's junior. Demitri felt very little loyalty to his half-brother. Jackson was cruel and lacked control. Demitri definitely put vampires above humans, but he would never do what Jackson was doing to the poor girl downstairs.
Her name was Felicity. The recollection gave Jackson pause. Felicity was a word meaning intense happiness, the exact opposite of what the girl was experiencing at the moment. Demitri was surprised she'd hung on this long. He was even more surprised that Jackson bothered to keep her around.
Demitri had just watched his brother leave after his feeding. Unlike Demitri, Jackson was born a vampire. He was Demitri's biological half-brother. Their family situation was rather complicated, as Jackson was a little over one hundred years Demitri's junior. Demitri felt very little loyalty to his half-brother. Jackson was cruel and lacked control. Demitri definitely put vampires above humans, but he would never do what Jackson was doing to the poor girl downstairs.
Her name was Felicity. The recollection gave Jackson pause. Felicity was a word meaning intense happiness, the exact opposite of what the girl was experiencing at the moment. Demitri was surprised she'd hung on this long. He was even more surprised that Jackson bothered to keep her around.
Demitri stood up and went into the kitchen. He couldn't remember the last time the girl had eaten. Jackson was enjoying his pet too much to let her die, but Demitri ended up being the one who cared for her. Something about Felicity intrigued him, otherwise he wouldn't have bothered.
Demitri fixed some food and carried it downstairs.
Felicity was on the ground. Demitri put the food down next to her. She stared at him, her eyes vacant of fear. Demitri never tried to feed from her. It wasn't worth the trouble. Demitri killed outside of the home. Jackson was the one who liked to keep the humans until he was hungry and then drain them. Demitri knew she'd seen several humans die in Jackson's hands. Her eyes flickered over to the food, but she didn't make a move to go and eat. She was clearly waiting for Demitri to leave.
He headed for the stairs, stopping and turning to look at her again. “Is there anything else you want?” he asked quietly. It was the first time he'd ever spoken to her. A hundred years in this country had not managed to completely stamp the accent out of his voice.
Demitri watched as Felicity stood on trembling legs and walked towards him. “You can't give me what I really want.” she whispered, her voice hoarse. Demitri felt a pang of something, maybe guilt or maybe pity. He shook his head.
Demitri inhaled sharply. “You're right. I can't.” He replied.“You need to eat.”
“Will you tell me your name first?”
Demitri watched as Felicity stood on trembling legs and walked towards him. “You can't give me what I really want.” she whispered, her voice hoarse. Demitri felt a pang of something, maybe guilt or maybe pity. He shook his head.
Demitri inhaled sharply. “You're right. I can't.” He replied.“You need to eat.”
“Will you tell me your name first?”
“Demitri.”
Felicity nodded once. He turned and left suddenly, collapsing on the couch.
Felicity nodded once. He turned and left suddenly, collapsing on the couch.
Why was she affecting him like this? Why was he letting her?
Felicity's eyes were half closed as she stared up at the ceiling. She was still feeling shaky after the feeding. She knew several hours had passed, but without any windows she had no indication of the passage of time. She could hear footsteps on the stairs. Felicity closed her eyes and exhaled slowly. She waited, wondering why nothing was happening.
When she opened her eyes again, the other vampire was crouched in front her her. Demitri Felicity reminded herself. She thought it odd that she'd never picked up on his name. He was the one who brought her what she needed, but he had never spoken to her before the last time he was here. That had to be why.. He hadn't brought her any more food. He watched her until she opened her eyes.
Finally she did. Demitri stood. He clearly expected Felicity to do the same. She hauled herself to her feet.
“I can't give you your freedom.” Demitri said, his voice low. “I can, however, give you something. He's gone. I can take you outside for a few minutes if you would like.”
Felicity was shocked. She knew that doing so would out him at risk. She knew she wanted it more than anything. She knew it would hurt her later, but the allure of breathing fresh air and seeing the sky and the trees was too great.
“I can't give you your freedom.” Demitri said, his voice low. “I can, however, give you something. He's gone. I can take you outside for a few minutes if you would like.”
Felicity was shocked. She knew that doing so would out him at risk. She knew she wanted it more than anything. She knew it would hurt her later, but the allure of breathing fresh air and seeing the sky and the trees was too great.
“What if I run away?” she asked.
“You won't.” Demitri said calmly. “You know as well as I do that if you do, there will be consequences for both of us.”
“You won't.” Demitri said calmly. “You know as well as I do that if you do, there will be consequences for both of us.”
Demitri led Felicity up the stairs and out of the house. It was dark outside, but Felicity didn't care. She wandered around, looking up at the sky and the trees.
Demitri watched her, his expression guarded.
“It's time to go inside.” Demitri said. Felicity nodded. He walked behind her, forcing her to lead the way. He wasn't going to take another risk by turning his back to her.
When they reached the basement Demitri moved to leave. Felicity stared at the ground, unsure of how to thank him. She stopped him by wrapping her arms around him. She was trembling a little, unsure of how he would react and how she was hugging a vampire. He stood completely still for a moment before wrapping his arms around her.
“Thank you.” Felicity whispered.