Vampire Born

Visitor

As I wake up, I wonder what today will be like.  I go downstairs and start making the first round of blood.  As I’m stirring, Rose comes in.  I pour the blood into three heated mugs and put one on a tray for Master.  Rose grabs hers and goes out onto the patio.  I go to the study and knock.

“Come in.”  I enter and cast my eyes down.  “Good morning, Dahlia.”

“Good morning, sir.  Your morning blood.”  I say setting down his mug on his desk.

“Thank you.  I have a conference call at one today, so, you don’t have to make blood for me this afternoon.”  Master informs me.

“Yes, sir.”  I smile to the floor.  I back up and start to head for the door.

“Dahlia?”  Master stops me at the door.

“Yes, sir?”  I say turning around.

“Tomorrow I have a visitor coming.  She will need actual food that I will go buy after my conference call.”

“Yes, sir.”  I nod.  “Is there anything else you need from me?”  I ask.

“No.  That will be all.”

“Very good, sir.”  I leave his study and go grab my blood to take out to the patio.  Rose is out there enjoying her blood.  I sit across from her and start sipping my blood.

“Took you a bit to get out here.  Everything okay?”  Rose asks.

“Yeah.  Everything’s fine.  Master just needed to inform me of some stuff.”  I reply.

“I see.  Anything I can do?”

“No.  Well, actually I may need your help tomorrow cooking a meal for Master’s visitor.”

“Okay.  No problem.  What are we going to cook?”

“I don’t know.  Master said he’ll go get food after his conference call.”

“Okay.  Well, I’ll help in any way I can.”  Rose smiles.

“Thanks.”  I smile back.  Rose and I finish our blood and I go grab Master’s mug.  Rose dries while I wash.  “Thanks.”

“Anytime.”          

“I’m going to go read in the library.”  I say.  Rose nods.  I leave the kitchen and go to the library.  I pull down my book and get cozy on the couch.  When I check the clock, it tells me it’s one in the afternoon.  I go in search of Rose.  She tells me that she is good, so, I don’t make any blood this afternoon.  Instead, I go down to the pool to do some laps.  While doing laps, Rose joins me.  We sit in the hot tub for an hour when Master comes down to find me.  I cast my eyes down.

“Dahlia, the food is here and put away.  I hope you can do something with what I bought.”

“I’m sure I will be.”  I smile.  He leaves then.  “I hate that I don’t know his eye color.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because there’s just something about the eyes for me.”  I reply.

“Yeah.  That’s a good point.”  Rose smiles.  I smile in return.  After we sit in the hot tub for another half hour, we get out.  I take a shower in the locker room.  Once I’m done, I go upstairs and make a fresh pot of blood.  I pour the blood and set one on a tray.  I go to the study.

“Come in, Dahlia.”  The gruff voice says before I even knock.

“Good evening, sir.”  I say as I enter with my eyes downcast.  I go straight to his desk and set down his mug.

“Thank you, Dahlia.”

“You’re welcome, sir.  Do you need anything else from me right now?”

“No.  I should be done with my mug in about ten minutes.”

“Very good, sir.”  I leave the study and go to the kitchen to grab my mug.  I take it out to the patio.  One of the horses makes a noise, so, I decide to visit my favorite one.  I enter the stable and Raven neighs happily.  “Hey, Raven.  Have you been good?”  He neighs and nudges my shoulder.  I rub his muzzle and he closes his eyes in pleasure.  I grab an apple from the container on the wall opposite the stalls.  I rub Raven’s muzzle and let him smell the apple.  He eats it with his eyes closed.  “Good boy.”  I rub him some more while I finish my blood.  I go back inside and Master is standing in the kitchen with his mug.  “I’ll take care of that for you, sir.”  I say casting my eyes down.

“Thank you.”  He sets his mug on the counter and leaves.  I grab his mug and wash it along with my mug and the pot.  Rose comes in just as I finish washing the pot.  She hands me her mug then grabs a towel to dry the dishes.  I wash her mug and let her dry it.

“Well, I’m going to go shoot pool.”  Rose says.  “Wanna join?”

“No thanks.  I’m going to read my book.”  I reply.  “I’ll probably take it up to bed, so, goodnight.”  I smile.

“Goodnight.”  Rose says.  I go to the library and grab my current book which is The Accidental Werewolf by Dakota Cassidy.  It’s the first in a series.  I really enjoy it so far.  So, I take it upstairs with me.  I get water running in my bathtub and add a couple drops of lavender into the stream.  I settle into the warm water and start reading where I left off.  I read two chapters before I start to notice the water has gotten chilly.  I set my book on the counter and get out of the bath.  I dry off and get into my pajamas.  I snuggle into bed and am soon asleep.

~

Waking up this morning, I feel excited to meet Master’s visitor.  I get dressed and head downstairs.  I go to the kitchen and get to work making blood.  As soon as I get the blood heating, I go to the fridge again to see what Master bought for his visitor.  I find chicken, eggs, salad, cucumbers, tomatoes, and cheese.  I open the cabinet where we store little amounts of food.  Inside I find flour, bread crumbs, green beans, and mashed potatoes with gravy.  So, apparently I’m to make fried chicken.  I finish getting the blood prepared then deliver Master’s to him.

“Come in, Dahlia.”  Master’s gruff voice comes through the door before I even knock.  I enter Master’s study and cast my eyes down.  “Thank you.  My visitor will be here at two.  Please have the meal ready by then.”  Master says.

“Yes, sir.  I will have anything ready by two.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, sir.”  I smile to the floor.  I back out of the room and go back to the kitchen.  I have three hours until I need to start working on the meal.  I grab my mug and go sit out on the patio.  As I sit enjoying my blood and the sun, I wonder about who Master’s visitor could be.  Is it a female?  Is it a mal?  Is it a lover?  Human, Fae, or werewolf?  I finish my blood and go back inside.  Rose is standing the kitchen looking rundown.

“What’s wrong?”  I ask.

“I didn’t get much sleep last night.”  Rose replies.

“Sorry to hear it.”

“It’s okay.  Here’s my mug.  I’m going to go rest.  Sorry I won’t be helping with the dishes this time.”

“It’s okay.  Go rest.”  I smile.  Rose smiles and leaves the room.  I hear her going up the stairs.  I turn back to the sink and wash the dishes.  I go ahead and towel dry them.

“Dahlia?”  The gruff voice of Master says behind me.  I turn around.

“Yes, Sir?”  I question.

“I need a favor from you.”

“Anything you need, Sir.”

“When my guest comes, will you sit with me?  She intimidates me a little.”

“I can do that for you, but who is so intimidating to you?”

“The Queen of Witches.”  He replies.

“Why is she intimidating to you?”

“She has powers beyond belief.  Of course, if you were a thirteen-hundred-year-old witch, you would too.”

“She’s thirteen-hundred?”  I ask shocked.

“Yes.  She’s the only witch left from back in the day.”

“Wow.  I can see now why that would be intimidating.”

“Yes.  She prefers it if females are the ones she has to deal with, but in my case, she makes an exception.”

“And you want me there to do what?”

“If a female is present, she won’t be so harsh with me.  I need you there to help delegate with her.”  He informs me.

“And what is the topic of discussion?”  I ask.

“We are discussing financial ties we have with each other.”

“I see.  Well I’ll try to be as helpful as I can.”

“Thank you.”  I see Master smile from the tops of my eyes.

“You’re welcome.”  I briefly look up to smile back.  His eyes find mine and I immediately look down again.  “Well, I’d better start making the meal.”  I say and turn back to the counter.  I feel Master leave.  I start preparing the chicken for coating.  Then I peel and quarter the potatoes and put them in a pot with some water.  I coat the chicken and get that in a frying pan with some vegetable oil.  While the chicken is frying, I make a fresh pot of blood.  I check the chicken then take Master his blood.  Rose comes into the kitchen just as I am leaving.  “Yours is on the stove.”

“Thanks.”  She smiles.  I go to Master’s study and knock on the door.

“Enter.”  I open the door and go into Master’s study.  I keep my eyes on the ground as I set his mug on the desk.  “Thank you, Dahlia.  How’s the food coming?”

“The chicken is frying, the potatoes are softening, and I am about to put the green beans on to heat.”

“Very good.  Thank you again for my blood.”

“You’re welcome, Sir.”  I turn around and head for the door.

“Dahlia?”  Master stops me.

“Yes, Sir?”  I ask turning around.

“When Arabella comes, please show her to the living room first.”

“Yes, Sir.”  I leave then and go back to the kitchen.  I check the chicken.  It’s almost done.  I drain the potatoes, a little bit of milk and butter, and then mash them.  I add salt and pepper, stir it up, then put the lid back on and set it on the stove to keep warm.  I pour the green beans into a pan and set it to heat through.  The green beans and chicken finish at the same time.  I drain the beans and add salt, pepper, and butter.  I dish everything into serving dishes and set them on the dining room table just as there is a knock at the door.  I go into the entryway and open the door.  Before me stands a beautiful brunette with hazel colored eyes.

“I was expecting…oh never mind.  Who are you?”  The woman asks.

“I’m Dahlia.  I’m a servant here.”  I reply.

“Well, I’m Arabella, Queen of Witches, and I am here to see your master.”  She says sternly.

“Of course, ma’am.  This way please.”  I say and show her to the living room.  Master is sitting there patiently waiting.

“Arabella.  So nice of you to come.”  Master stands.

“Yes.  Yes.”  Arabella says shrugging Master off.

“Please.  I have had Dahlia prepare a meal for you.  This way, please.”  Master extends his arm in the direction of the dining room.

“Thank you.”  She says curtly.  I follow them to the dining room.  Master pulls out Arabella’s chair and she promptly sits down.  Once she is pushed in, Master comes around the table and pulls out a chair.  He gestures for me to sit.  I go over and sit down and he pushes me back in.  Once he is seated, Arabella starts fixing her plate.  “Dahlia, I commend you on a job well done.”  She says as she takes a chicken off the serving plate.

“Well I hope it tastes as good as it looks.”

“I imagine it will.”

“Thank you.”  I smile.  Arabella returns my smile and starts to eat.  She finishes and places her napkin on the table.

“That was very good.  Thank you, Dahlia.”  She smiles.

“You’re welcome, Your Majesty.”  I smile

“Please.  The name is Arabella.”  I nod my acknowledgement.  “Now then, to business.  Dahlia, I’m afraid this is a private matter.  Will you please leave us?”  Arabella says.  I look to Master who hesitantly nods.  I get up and leave the room.  I go to the library and find Rose in there on the couch with a book.

“What are you reading?”  I ask.

“Dracula.”  She laughs.

“That’s a good book.”  I say.

“Very true.  Although a little misinformed.”

“Yeah.  But I’m sure Bram Stoker didn’t know a real vampire when he wrote it.”  I giggle.

“Probably true.”  Rose smiles.  I sit in the leather arm chair.  I lean my head on the back of the chair and next I know, I’m waking up and Rose isn’t in the room anymore.  I look around disoriented.  I slowly get up and go to the dining room.  Arabella is gone and all the dishes are already cleared from the table.  I go into the kitchen and everything is already taken care of.  Rose walks in.

“Did you do this?”  I ask.

“Yes.  Master didn’t want to wake you.”  Rose replies.

“Oh.”  I look at the clock and it tells me to make evening blood.  I go to check in with Master, but he’s not in his study.  I go in search of him and find him in the barn with the horses.

“Good evening, Dahlia.”  He says without turning around.

“Good evening, Sir.”

“Is there something you need from me?”  He asks after a moment of silence.

“I am about to make a fresh pot of blood.  I wondered if you were drinking tonight.”  I reply.

“Yes.  Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.  I’ll be back with your blood then, Sir.”  I go back into the house and make a pot for three.  Rose comes in just as I finish pouring.  I grab two mugs and go back out to the barn.  I knock on the barn door before entering.  When I enter, Master is petting my favorite horse.  I clear my throat while looking down.

“Ah.  Thank you, Dahlia.”  His hand comes into view.  I hand him a mug and go back into the house.  I go to the library and grab a random book.  I settle on the couch and start reading.  After reading only the first paragraph, I slam the book closed and set it on the table.  I finish my blood in solitude and then go to the kitchen to wash the dishes.  I set the dishes in the drying rack for overnight.  I go back to the library and shoot some pool.  After a few times of losing rather than winning, I go upstairs.  I run water into my bathtub and soak in the warm water.  Suddenly, I feel a presence.  I look around but don’t see anyone or anything.  I close my eyes hoping that the feeling will go away, but it doesn’t.  When I open my eyes, standing my bathroom is the Queen of Witches.

“Hello, my dear.”  She smiles as if I’m not naked in a bathtub.

“He…he…hello.”  I stutter out.  “Can I help you with something?”

“Yes.  You can.  I need you to deliver a message to your master.”

“Okay.  And why can’t you deliver it yourself?”  I ask before thinking.

“Because he’s a man and I don’t trust men, my dear.”

“Then why did you send me from the room earlier?”

“I needed to speak to him about a private matter.  However, if you keep insulting me by asking those kinds of questions, I will have no choice but to discipline you.”

“I’m sorry.”  I say bowing my head in shame.

“Very good.  Now then.  I need you to tell your master that I will be needing what we discussed in one week.”

“Okay.”  I say.  She smiles and vanishes.  I get out of the bathtub too quickly and slosh water everywhere.  I quickly dry off and dress in my finest pajamas.  I go downstairs in search of Master.  I find him in the library.  He’s reading the book I slammed shut earlier.

“Dahlia, what is it?”  He asks with a hint of concern.

“The Queen of Witches was just in my bathroom.”  ‘While I was in the bathtub.’  I think to myself.  Master smiles.

“What did she want?”

“She told me to tell you that she will be needing what you two discussed in a week.”  I relay the message.

“That’s soon.”  He grunts.  “Thank you, Dahlia.”

“You’re welcome, Sir.”  I go back upstairs and crawl into bed.  I spray lavender on my pillow and am soon drifting off into a restful sleep.

~

This morning I wake up, get dressed, and go downstairs to the kitchen.  I get out the pot for blood.  I go to the fridge and pull out three pouches of blood.  I pour out the contents into the pan and turn on the heat.  While that’s heating, I run the water in the sink for cleaning the pan afterwards.  I get three heated mugs out and set one on a tray for Master.  When the blood is ready, I divide it into the mugs.  Just as I finish, Rose walks in.

“Morning.”  She says.

“Morning.”  I smile.  “Yours is on the stove.  I have to take this to Master.”  I take the tray to his study.  I knock and wait.

“Come in.”  Comes the gruff voice.  I enter keeping my eyes down cast.  “This is going to take some getting used to.”  He chuckles a rough laugh.

“Hopefully it won’t take too long, sir.”  I reply.

“I’m sure it won’t.”  He says.  “Thank you.”  He says when I set down his mug.

“Will there be anything else?”

“Not until this afternoon.  Unless I think of something, you’re free to do as you please.”

“Thank you, sir.”  I say and leave.  I wash the pan and Rose dries it for me.  I drink my blood on the outdoor balcony basking in the early morning sun.  It took me ten years to build up my tolerance to the sun.  It no longer hurts to go out in it.  It never would have killed me, but it used to hurt like hell.  Rose and I built up our tolerance together.  We would go out every day that the sun was shining and stand in the sun for as long as we could.  We did this until we no longer felt pain at all.

After I sit out there for a good hour, I go back in the house and grab my sketchbook.  I go to the library to finish my sketch of the fireplace there.  While sitting there sketching, I feel a presence in the room.  I look behind me and there stands Master watching me sketch.  I immediately cast my eyes down.

“Why do you do that?”  He asks.

“Do what?  Sketch?”  I ask.

“No.  Cast your eyes down every time.  Am I that hideous?”

“No!”  I exclaim looking up.  “It’s just that my mother taught me to do that because you don’t like people looking at you.”  I reply.

“Bollocks.  I don’t care one way or the other.”  He says.  I continue to look at him this time truly seeing him for the first time.  He really doesn’t look that bad.  A little startling at first, but it’s something you get used to quickly.

“Well I hope I didn’t offend you by doing it.”  I offer.

“Not really.  It just made me anxious and curious.”  He pauses.  “Your sketch is fantastic.”  He smiles.

“Thank you.”  I smile back.

“Do you have any other sketches?”  He asks coming around the couch and sitting down.

“Yes.  Would you like to see them?”  I ask basically already knowing the answer.

“Please.”  He says.  I show him the other sketches in my book.  He stops when I get to the one of the front of the house at Halloween time with all its decorations.  “Incredible!”  He exclaims.  “You captured every detail beautifully.  When did you draw this one?”

“When I was fifteen.”  I reply.

“Such talent.  Do you have other talents?”

“I can sing; play piano; speak, read, and write in Latin; I’m ambidextrous; and I can cook.”  I reply.

“Wow!”  He says amazed.  “How do you know you can cook?”

“All those meals for when the Fae, witches, or wolves came were made by me.”

“They were always a huge hit.  Nice!”  He smiles.

“Thank you.”  I smile.

“So talented at such a young age.  It’s wonderful.”  He says with a throaty laugh.  I can’t help but to join in his laughter.  He continues to flip through my sketches offering nothing but great compliments.  I take his words to heart because of all the fine, expensive art he has around the house.  When he gets to the most recent finished sketch, he sits there gaping.  It’s the sketch I did of the Paris skyline.  “How did you do this?”  He asks.

“Books.”  I reply.

“It’s incredible!”  He says amazed.

“Thank you.”  I say with self-satisfaction.  He sits looking for a good five minutes.  Then he hands me my sketchbook back.

“Those are truly amazing.”  He says with a huge grin.

“Thank you.  That means a lot to me with all the art you have around the house and what not.”  I say honestly to a point.  He smiles and gets up.

“Well I’m happy to give you my opinion whenever you’d like.  You need only ask.”  He says.  “If you’ll excuse me.  I have a call to make.”  He leaves then just like that.