Demon's Curse

Two

As the car drove on, Arianna watched as the trees zoomed past them. They were enticing her to run. It was impossible, she knew she wouldn't get very far. She closed her eyes and sighed, her heart heavy.

She missed the feeling of nature. The way the leaves crunched beneath her feet, the cool dirt between her toes, and the way the wind whistled through the tree branches.

A single tear fell from her eye, slowly trickling down her cheek. She wiped it away and wrapped her arms around her body. It was hard remaining strong when she had no idea what had become of her parents or her brother. Was either of them safe?

"I understand you and another slave have become friendly. Do you remember her name?"

Arianna's head popped up in curiosity. How did they know that? Were they being watched in that holding room? She noticed Nicholas gazing at her, his eyes searching hers.

"Her name, her name is Leila."

Nicholas pulled out a tablet and typed away before tapping on the screen and facing it towards her. Arianna was met with a picture of that blue-eyed girl she had met earlier that day. Her freckled nose smile shined at her and Arianna couldn't help but smile.

"Is this her?"

Despite being a slave her whole life, Leila seemed so innocent. Arianna nodded and looked back out of the window. The tree line slowly receded and street lamps emerged on the sides of the road becoming more frequent. The vehicle suddenly came to a stop. Arianna looked forward and noticed large gates slowly creaking open. The car pulled forward past the threshold and parked in front of a set of stairs.

Nicholas cleared his throat and tucked his tablet aside.

"When we are inside, I will show you around and discuss what your particular duties are. Afterward, the night is yours to do as you please. Sunrise is in two hours so do with it as you will."

Arianna nodded and she slid from the vehicle, staring in awe at the home before her. It was a home fit for someone like Nicholas. A hand pressed against her lower back, eliciting an unwelcome shiver, urging her through the doors.

As stunning as the outside was, it was nothing compared to the inside. Marble flooring, grand chandeliers, a dual staircase. Her mouth dropped in awe as she took in the view. She was so accustomed to rogue life, she couldn't imagine anything like this even if she tried.

"To the right is the common area, the left is my security room."

The door sat ajar and she saw computers lined with a video feed and two beefy blood-suckers watching them. Their gazes met hers and her face crinkled in disgust. She never dreamed of ever being surrounded by so many of their kind without attacking them. It went against her nature not to kill every blood-sucker she laid eyes upon. Unfortunately, that was out of the question. She needed to think her situation out.

Nicholas led her up the grand stairs and down a hall where they stopped before a pair of french doors. "This is my office. You are not to enter this room without explicit permission from me."

Nicholas's voice was gruff, his words laced with warning. The doors opened and Arianna gasped. She had never seen so many books in one room! Shelves reached from the ceilings to the floor and lined three walls. A large mahogany desk and black chair sat in the middle of the room with organized files lining the top.

"Sit."

He pulled a seat out, motioning towards it. She cautiously sat on the edge of the seat, looking around frantically. Two large skylights lined the ceiling and were the only means of escape. That would be difficult to scale but it was possible.

Nicholas sat in front of her and laced his fingers together. "I want to apologize for my brother's rude behavior earlier."

What? A dirty little blood-sucker apologizing?

Arianna gave him a wary side-eye look. Her body tense, ready to recoil at any sign of danger.

"He has little respect for your kind." Nicholas rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. "To be honest, I care not for having slaves. Is it convenient? Yes. But I don't enjoy it at all."

Arianna stared him down, confused.

Nicholas began to chuckle and he shook his head. "My belief is an uncommon and unfavorable one. One that only a few of us share."

Arianna furrowed her brows at him and inched away, cautious. "Why are you telling me this?"

He snickered and leaned forward on his elbows. "You're a rogue. You are new to a society like this. I'm giving you realistic expectations of your life here with me." Arianna felt her stomach churn at the sound of his laugh.

How was he able to affect her like that? Was it solely because he was a vampire? He seemed so human. It was eerie.

Arianna's eyes trailed along his frame. He held himself as if he were human. The only thing that reminded her that he was one of them, was the little glint in his eyes that all vampires get in low light. Her eyes moved lower and she noticed his fangs pressing against his plump lips.

"Arianna,"

She collected her thoughts and gazed into his eyes. They captivated her.

"Your duties."

She blinked and seemed to feel foggy. What was that all about?

"You are what is known as my personal slave. This entails traveling with me to events and parties, as well as assisting the others in their duties when needed. You will also assist me here when you are not with your tutors."

She raised an eyebrow. Tutors? That's odd. "I feel as if you left something out."

Nicholas grinned and shifted in his seat "You pick up quickly,"

Arianna's heart fluttered. Every time he smiled, she felt the butterflies in her stomach.

"You will feed me whenever I desire it."

Arianna felt every muscle tighten up as she went rigid. Feed him? Be his blood bag? The thought made her sick to her stomach.

" You've gone pale. I see the thought doesn't sit well with you."

Arianna scoffed and glared at him. "You think?" She composed herself and clenched her fists. "I'm going to be your blood? What happened to the last one?"

The smirk left Nicholas' lips. "Sebastian killed her." His voice was low. "He took it upon himself to discipline and to take advantage of her. He beat her and drained every last drop."

Arianna's heart dropped. She would kill that monster before he even had a chance.

"I won't allow him to harm you."

Arianna glanced up and met his gaze. It was intense and dark. "Neither will I," She murmured and stood up from her seat. "Are we done?"

Nicholas day silently a moment. "For now, yes but I do expect a feeding before sunrise."

Arianna paused before making her way to the doors and grabbing the handle. "Where's my room?"

"Three doors down on the right."

She left the office without another word and walked to her room. Too much happened that day. She was taken from her home and lost her family. She was moved into the same house like a monster and had conflicting thoughts about Nicholas.

Nicholas was kind to her, he seemed human. And yet, he was still a vampire. She stood in front of the door to her bedroom and hesitated. What was she to expect? A dingy room with the bare minimum?

She pushed the door open and her mouth fell agape in awe. Her bedroom was like nothing she ever saw before! Silk drapes hung precariously from four posts and a silver comforter covered the king-sized bed. A grey vanity sat on the opposite side of the room.

Her heartbeat quickly. She was incredibly excited! Arianna made her way to a door and swung it open, amazed at the massive walk-in closet. It was bigger than the room she shared with Connor! She moved on to another door and pushed it open, revealing a beautiful bathroom. Arianna was in complete and utter shock.

Why would a vampire give me a room like this?

Upon gathering her thoughts, Arianna stepped into the bathroom. A deep garden tub awaited, beckoning her close and inviting her in. An actual tub? Before she even knew it, Arianna was undressed and slipping in.

How she longed for a bath! To sit and relax, to forget about the horrendous day she suffered!

Time flew past her as she slipped into deep thought. The water had turned cold but Arianna didn't care. She was numb. She couldn't bear to feel anything at that moment.

Sunlight began to shine through her window and her eyes opened, watching as the sun peaked over the horizon. Nicholas forgot to feed!

A smile forced its way into her lips. She could escape, Nicholas and Sebastian were bound to be asleep. Her guards were vampires as was most of the staff!

She stood and let the water drip from her body. The faint noises of the bird songs tempting her. Arianna padded her way to the closet, a towel draped around her, and searched through the abundance of clothes that occupied the closet.

Some were lavish dresses, others were simple athletic wear, and others were casual home wear. Conveniently, they were her size. He must've gotten them ahead of time.

A door slammed shut and she gasped. Sebastian's voice could be heard ringing throughout the house and at that moment, Arianna knew she had to leave.

She wouldn't be stuck with a monster in that house! She quickly threw on some clothes and began to check her windows to escape. The windows were bolted shut and the glass-reinforced. There was no way to escape there. She slowly slipped through the hall and peered off the balcony.

Sebastian could be seen standing before a slave, his arms crossed. "M'lord, I truly am sorry I-" a loud crash resonated and Arianna had to hold in a gasp. The slave was smacked and she flew into a China cabinet.

"Do not make excuses for your poor work, worm!" Sebastian snarled and stalked towards the girl.

He picked her up by the ponytail and held her midair. "Now how about I feed on you? Would you like that?"

The girl cried and wriggled in his grip. "Please sir, no!" Arianna could feel the anger bubbling within her being. As much as she wanted to help, she knew she needed to leave whilst he was distracted.

She silently made her way down the stairs but she could hear the girl's body hit another wall. She wished she could kill him right then and there.

The door was now in reach and she grabbed the handle. Arianna knew he'd hear the click of the door. She'd have to make a run for it once it opened.

Hearing that girl's gurgled screams only fueled her hatred and desire to run. And so she did. She flung the door open and ran.

Arianna pushed her body to the max and ran as hard as her feet would carry her. It felt as if she was flying over the dirt. She could feel it squeeze between her toes. Her lungs stung in the morning chill and she smiled as she saw the house get further behind her.

Arianna lifted her leg to push herself off once again but she suddenly felt a heavy force knock the air out of her body. She couldn't inhale and her throat burned like she had swallowed a thousand suns.

Her surroundings blurred around her for a moment and when she blinked, she was in a room, a hand around her throat holding her in mid-air.

Sebastian snorted and shook his head. "You thought you could run, little one?" His grin was maniacal and he licked his lips. "I bet you are very tasty." With one swift movement, his teeth were tearing into her neck.

A searing pain shot through her body and she scratched at the hand that held her in desperation. Arianna tried to scream but no sound came out. She was stuck and at his mercy.

All Arianna could think of at that moment was that she was going to die. It was as if time had slowed down and the pain was amplified by a thousand. Her entire body burned and her vision was fading.

What seemed like an eternity later, she was thrown into a wardrobe and fell with a loud thud, splintering it. Arianna sobbed. She sobbed harder than she had ever done before. Looking through her teary eyes, she saw Sebastian with a devilish smirk on his face as he wiped her blood from his lips.

"You taste so sweet. Your fear adds a little kick." He growled and grabbed her by her hair, pulling her up and holding her.

Arianna yelped but glared at him. She will kill him, even if she died trying. Despite the pain she felt, Arianna reared her knee and kicked his groin as hard as she could.

Sebastian screamed and dropped her, his hands immediately covering his groin.

Arianna quickly recovered and grabbed the splintered wood from the wardrobe and charged at him in a blind rage. Sebastian tossed her to the side but she was prepared for it.

She picked herself up and charged him again. Arianna leaped onto him, her nails digging into his face as she bit into his neck, tearing the skin from his body.

Sebastian yelled in agony and as they fell and she raised the wood high.

That bastard will die!

She swung it down but right as it was about to pierce his flesh, a hand grabbed her wrist.

Arianna was panting heavily, tears streaming down her cheeks, her heart thudding with adrenaline.

Why? Why did he stop me? All Arianna wanted was to see the life drain from Sebastian's eyes.

"Enough!"

She glanced over and saw Nicholas, his eyes wide, and his mouth agape. He pulled Arianna behind him before yanking his brother up roughly.

"You bloody i***t! Leave my home!" Nicholas disappeared with Sebastian.

Yelling ensued but Arianna could barely keep conscious to understand what they were saying. Something downstairs shattered before a door slammed shut.

Nicholas rushed to Arianna and knelt beside her. "That was stupid, little rogue." He murmured and lifted her head, studying the deep bites that occupied her neck.

"I'll kill him next time I see him." She muttered, clutching onto his shirt. She could feel her body scream at her as she slipped unconscious.

"Me too." was all she heard before there was nothing.