The Vampires Pet

Chapter 45

~ Song ~ Genesis - Ruelle ~

The apprehension of meeting Nicholas's contact allowed me little sleep as it filled me with fear and consumed my loud mind. If Nicholas was kept awake by my constant squirming and rolling over, he did not say but I found his eyes constantly on me. He could sense my trepidation, hear the sudden spike in my heartbeat at the thoughts that invaded. He didn't comment on anything, he didn't need to.

What happened with Charles still haunted my mind, making me less willing to leave the room let alone the house. I didn't feel safe anywhere but I had to admit Nicholas's presence soothed the turbulence I felt a small amount. I glanced up at Nicholas as he walked in from the bathroom, his eyes scanned over my body before returning to mine.

"How are you feeling?" He asked.

"Fine." I murmured. "Are we leaving now?" His eyes narrowed as he nodded his head, clearly skeptical of my answer.

I ignored his heavy stare as I turned and checked my small bag once more. We'd be gone for a few days so despite my little variety of dresses, I packed a small bag. Nicholas began to speak but before he could get a coherent word out, the door slammed open so harsh it almost flew off the hinges.

The sudden action and loud bang made me jump in fright, flinching back as I shut my eyes tightly. I hunched my shoulders, wrapping my arms around my chest.

"You frightened her you halfwit." Nicholas said behind me.

"Why didn't you tell me she was awake!" The familiar voice made my body relax.

I turned around and saw Clara glaring at her cousin, when she noticed me move her head snapped to me. She walked forward, grabbing me by the shoulders and inspecting my face with attentive eyes.

"Oh for god sakes Clara." Nicholas grumbled, rolling his eyes.

"It's so good to see you looking alive again." An earnest smile broke out on her face.

"Thanks." I said softly, frowning slightly. "I think."

"Where are you two going?" She asked, glancing at our packed bags.

"Work." Nicholas answered.

"Nic is it such a good idea when she's still healing?" Clara stepped back, giving me another smile before she turned to Nicholas.

He gave her a blank look, shaking his head. "She is up on two feet is she not?"

Clara glared at him. "Nic!"

"I am fine Clara." I said quickly before she could begin reprimanding him. She turned back to me, her eyes softening but a stern look still etched on her features.

"You were kidnapped Faye and stabbed."

I pursed my lips. "I know. I was there." Nicholas chuckled at my response, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I really am fine, Master Nico gave me his blood." I gave him a quick glare.

Clara's eyes widened as they snapped to Nicholas. His smirk dropped as he shot me a glare. My lips twitched and I shrugged nonchalantly, I may have been delirious but I still heard how adamant Clara was at Nicholas to not give me his blood.

"You bonehead."

Nicholas grabbed his bag. "We are leaving. Goodbye Clara."

"You're going to get an earful when you return Nic." She said crossing her arms over her chest. "Don't think I haven't sensed that mark on her either." Nicholas simply smirked at her, grabbing my wrist and pulling me with him.

Clara's eyes softened when they met mine and she smiled softly, I offered her a small wave before I was dragged from the room.

Nicholas walked fast, making me stumble every few steps, clearly in no mood for any more interruptions. When he began descending down the steps I felt my heart rate quicken, my hands becoming clammy. As my eyes settled on the place I was knocked out, the room started to feel as if it was closing in on me. I was suffocating but there was no physical reaction, it was all in my mind.

The panic must of reached Nicholas as he turned around, his eyes locking with mine yet I could see everything but his. He stopped at the bottom of the steps causing me to stop on the very last step. My breathing had become shallow, my body frozen still as the fear paralysed me.

I could see their wicked smiles, the evil shining in their eyes while they stared at my body. I could feel the aching in the back of my head where the rock made contact and the tickling of the blood rolling down my forehead. Then I remembered everything that happened with Charles, the starvation, the knife he plunged into me. His wicked smile had stained my mind, creating my nightmares.

"Fairy." My eyes snapped to his as I suddenly came back to reality, noticing the hands gripping my shoulders. I tried to calm my breathing as I stared into his eyes, refusing to let my eyes wander anywhere else. "You with me Fairy?" He asked, his eyes studying mine.

"Yes." I murmured.

He raised a brow, uncertainty in his eyes. "Let's go then."

I nodded my head, biting down on my bottom lip. His hand slid down my arm to my wrist before he started walking again, pulling me with him. I kept my eyes trained on his back as I followed him until we made it outside. The carriage was pulled up and waiting for us, the horses sprinkled in a small amount of snow.

I felt something be dropped on my shoulders, turning to see Nicholas putting a coat on me. I mumbled a thanks and followed him to the carriage, the coachman put our luggage in the back while we got inside. I sighed and leaned back against the seat as the carriage started moving.

Silence consumed us but it wasn't an uncomfortable or tense silence, it was peaceful. Nicholas had closed his eyes, his body relaxed as he escaped reality and entered his mind. He looked so vulnerable, so unlike the Nicholas I had gotten use to seeing.

"What are you thinking Fairy?" He suddenly asked, making my eyes widen slightly.

"Nothing Master Nico." I murmured, shuffling in my seat.

His eyes cracked open, meeting mine in a pressing gaze. Outwardly he seemed calm and unbothered by this trip to see his contact but I could just see the turbulence he felt about it hidden behind those red pools. If anything that made my fear grow, he had apprehension when he had met this person before.

He knew what they were capable of and the troubled look behind his eyes was unsettling to say the least. It was almost as if he felt he was taking a risk, something I never thought Nicholas would think.

"Is that so?" He asked dryly.

I nodded my head, chewing my bottom lip. "This contact.." I started carefully. "What are they?"

Nicholas sat up straight. "What species?" I nodded. "You'll just have to wait and see."

I frowned at him. "Are they stronger than you?"

Nicholas scoffed arrogantly, his lips curling up into a smirk. "Are you underestimating my strength Fairy?"

"Answer the question." I narrowed my eyes on his, I wasn't going to let him deflect yet again.

He shook his head softly, his smirk remained but a solemn look clouded his eyes. "She is strong." He answered. "But I can kill her."

I didn't miss the reassurance he held in his voice but it did little to sooth my nerves. I pursed my lips. "She?"

Nicholas nodded her head. "She is very old." He said. "And her humour is of an acquired taste."

We fell into another comfortable silence. I watched the scenery change as we ventured further into the forests on our quest for answers. I wasn't sure if we would find them, Nicholas may but the questions I wanted answered were too far out of reach for me.

After hours of sitting in the carriage, watching as the sun moved through the sky, the carriage finally came to a stop. I opened my eyes to see a small two story inn. It was obvious it had been standing for years but wore it well. I glanced at Nicholas who had opened the carriage door already.

"This is where we'll be staying for a few nights."

I nodded my head and followed him out, noticing how we were perched on a small hill. Nicholas's grabbed our luggage while the coachman parked the carriage around the back. My eyes flitted around, noticing how deserted it looked.

"Come on Fairy."

My eyes snapped to Nicholas's. I quickly caught up with him and followed him up the steps. He opened the door, a soft bell ringing. The desk was empty but after hearing the bell a small woman walked out from the back, her dull amber eyes scanning the two strangers who stood in front of her. She looked as old as the inn, her short gray hair falling around her face messily.

She wasn't expecting customers, that much was obvious. Her eyes lingered on me for a second before she craned her neck to look up at Nicholas. He spoke to her but his words were incoherent to my ears as I glanced around the room, noticing the familiar looking paintings hanging on the walls. I was about to step towards them to inspect them further when Nicholas's voice compelled me to turn around.

"Let's go." I nodded my head, glancing at the old woman as I followed Nicholas.

I felt her eyes on me while we walked up the stairs, causing goosebumps to rise on my arms. I shook the strange feeling off and entered the room Nicholas unlocked. It was a small and basic room, nothing fancy about it as I had expected. Nicholas threw the bags on the bed, rummaging through his while I looked around.

"How do you feel?" Nicholas suddenly asked, causing me to spin around.

"Fine." I answered quickly.

He stepped forward so I stepped backwards, my eyebrows furrowing. Before I could take another step backwards he reached out and caught my arm, keeping me in place.

"What are you doing Master Nico?" I asked.

"I need to check your wound." He said, pulling me with him to the bed. He pushed me down so I was sitting and grabbed a blanket off the end of the bed. He placed the blanket over my legs. "Dress."

I bit my bottom lip and pulled my dress up so the wound was exposed. I stared at the black lines around it, shivers erupting through my body. Nicholas's face remained impassive as he examined my wound. I still had many questions swirling in my mind about the black lines but I had a feeling Nicholas would avoid giving me those answers.

He reached forward, his fingers gently running over the lines. I sucked in a breath and tried to remain as still as I could, my body tingling from his touch. Slowly his eyes travelled up until they locked with mine. I could see a commotion swirling in them but hadn't a clue what emotions they were.

"It looks fine." He said, standing straight and stepping backwards.

I pulled my dress down and stood from the bed, stretching my tired muscles. Nicholas pulled a cigar from his pocket, walking to the open window and lighting it. My eyes lingered on him for a few more seconds before I sighed and walked into the bathroom.

Nicholas only allowed us a short break before we were off again, despite my disapproval. I trudged behind him as we walked behind the Inn to the stable where the carriage was parked. I furrowed my eyebrows when I noticed the carriage hidden away and the horses, save for one, in their stalls. My eyes fell on the black horse tied to the hitching post saddled up.

"Have you ever ridden a horse?" Nicholas asked, holding his hand out as he approached the horse.

I shook my head only to realise he couldn't see me. "No."

"Well today's your lucky day Fairy." He turned his head and grinned at me.

"Why aren't we taking the carriage?" I asked.

"For a few reasons." He ushered me forward, untying the horse. "This is Achlys."

Before I could react, Nicholas hands were on my waist. He hoisted me up as if I was a bag of feathers and placed me on the front of the saddle. I gasped, holding onto Achlys's mane tightly. Nicholas smirked, lifting himself up behind me on the saddle. I squirmed uncomfortably at our closeness and it only got worse when he reached around for the reins, caging me in with his arms.

"Relax Fairy." He murmured in my ear. "She will take care of you."

"She?" I asked, tilting my head so I could glance at him over my shoulder. "Your horse is a mare?"

He chuckled, kicking Achlys on into a walk. I swayed back slightly, leaning into his chest before quickly pushing myself away from him.

"Mares are very loyal and protective." He said. "Once you earn their trust there isn't much they wouldn't do for you." I nodded my head, chewing on my bottom lip.

Once we were away from the inn and on a small dirt track, Achlys began cantering. Despite how close Nicholas and I were, the ride was peaceful. I could guess one of the reasons we didn't ride in the carriage was because of the track we took. We had to weave through trees, jump up banks and walk through creeks.

Achlys was far braver than I was, as we got closer my nerves began to flourish but she didn't falter once despite all the obstacles. I felt Nicholas's body tense against mine, he pulled on the reins slightly bringing Achlys back down to a walk. I furrowed my eyebrows until my eyes landed on a small wooden cabin through the trees.

"She is a witch." Nicholas suddenly said causing my head to turn. "A dark witch."

"What?" My eyes widened.

"You asked what species she was."

"I thought you hated witches?"

"I do." He clenched his jaw. "However she has useful information, sometimes."

Achlys came to a stop a few feet away from the cabin. I turned back around, my heart hammering in my chest. Nicholas climbed off, tying Achlys to a tree before helping me off. His hands remained on my waist as he stared into my eyes.

"You must stay at my side at all times." He said, his voice stern. "Do you understand Fairy?"

I nodded my head numbly. "I do."

He stepped away, allowing me to breath and began walking to the front door. The forest was quiet save for a few birds in the distance, there was little to no light shining through the thick trees. I followed Nicholas cautiously, trying but failing to calm my worried heart. I took a deep breath as we reached the door, hiding behind Nicholas form.

The door opened and I could just make out a figure standing there.

"Nicholas."

I peered out from behind Nicholas, almost gasping when my eyes landed on her completely white ones.

"Sybil."

~~~~

Little authors note because I can't fit everything into the other one. The site I write these chapters on has updated and is now very laggy and different. The spacing between paragraphs doesn't seem to be forwarding on to the mobile app :/ so this chapter might not have breaks between paragraphs. Hopefully it sorts itself out because I don't know how to fix it but otherwise, I hope you guys enjoy.

I have been trying to update the chapter and it just won't work, very frustrating. --- So I deleted the chapter and then published a copy, that seemed to fix the spacing situation a bit. The site is still laggy as all hell so I have to write somewhere else and copy and paste :/