Blue

Part#10

Deep in the woods, after a solid meal, Declyn’s mood rushes him to get back home to

talk to Blue. Yet, he doesn’t want to do that either because she stirs things in him; more so

because he knows she isn’t unaffected by him either. His mind boggles at the insinuation of

importance of this awareness; it matters, for some obscure reason he cannot fathom, that she

likes him. Not only does it matter, he wants it to matter to her too.

He plays the evening over in his mind and marvel at just about everything.

The way she attacked him, was a surprise. He didn’t see it coming until it was too

late. Her explanation makes so much sense and yet there is no sense to be had about it.

Then he recalls the way she sat and enjoyed the meal, like every mouthful was

godsend. The way her body shuddered with pleasure when she tasted the sparkling juice

and how the wetness on her lips … With a deep moan, he turns his mind away from the

particular part quickly.

Instead he recalls the first look in her eyes.

The mere recollection rushes adrenaline through his blood again. It is like seeing the

eyes of every animal present, past and future. The color alone is unique, but the penetrating

way she looks at him thrills his senses. It isn’t a challenge, nor submission, but her gaze pins

him down and does not let go until she shies away.

And her sense of humor! There’s a hint of darkness there, undeniably morbid and satiric –

both qualities he thoroughly enjoys.

He shoves his hands in front of him to mimic her strangling the air and snort-laughs

aloud for it. She is unrehearsed, like the rest of her. She pays absolutely no regard for his

riches, status or influence! In fact, he is convinced she does not know who he is, nor does she

care. He considers for the uncountable time today, how she influences his temperament by

conjuring up things he has never felt before nor given any thought about feeling it

His chin drops to his chest and waits for the series of beats to slow before he forces

himself to slow his walk back.

This girl is special.

***

Declyn returns just as the twins settle down. A demonstration of sound travelling

follows when he calls for me and his voice appears to be in the room with us!

“Did you read the contract,” he asks, looking out of the window when I join him in

the front room.

“I have, but it seems like a standard employee contract. I wasn’t sure I had the right

one,” I get right to the point. The contract merely lists my duties as a nanny and a notice

period of one month in the event I want to leave! Also, there’s a paycheck attached to this

deal. Nothing in there indicates anything about blood portions or feeding needs for him, or

anything.

“It is the right one, and it is a standard employment contract.”

“Uhm.” Not the most intelligent response, but that is what I have. The information

throws me off balance. For twenty years, I’ve been conditioned to be a donor. Every waking

hour reinforced it and created within me a sense of identity. I don’t know how to be

anything else, least of all a paid nanny who has the option to leave. And where would I go

anyway?

“Uhm?” he repeats my response with agitation in the sound he makes. His chin turns

towards his shoulder but he does not look at me.

“It’s just – Well, I am somewhat uncertain how to interpret it,” I can’t tell him his

contract strips me of my purpose and for some reason, it hurts worse than being terrible at

the same purpose I now don’t have!

“Which part?”

“All of it!” I yell at him without meaning to. My nerves are loud and there is not a

thing I can do about it. I’ve tried for many years to muzzle them, with no success.

“I didn’t bring you here as a blood-donor, I don’t need one as mortal blood isn’t my

source of food. I didn’t bring you here as a donor for them, because they are mortal. I

brought you here as a nanny for those children – and to be downright honest, I’d rather have

left them, and you, at the coven to continue a peaceful existence. Your coven was my …

employment agency – they’ve been compensated accordingly and agreed to my terms which

removes your status as a donor – including future generations from your lineage branch.”

His words sting. A lot. It isn’t like any of us asked to be here either.

"Oh,” again, not exactly the most intelligent response, but the only one available to

my now confused brain.

“Besides the listed tasks, I do have one additional expectation from you; honesty. I

have no need for respect, nor trust or loyalty, but for us to co-exist in this house, I insist on

you, being truthful. At any given time and if you wish to leave, you are free to do so with

the appropriate notice; no questions asked. Am I clear?”

“Yes,” I whisper and stroll back up the stairs in an utter daze.

I am an inconvenience for the man – at least he follows his own expectations and is

honest about it – but it sure as heck does not make me feel any better.

What do I do now?

I feel like I’ve just been forcefully disowned from my family! This is not an event

anyone prepared us for; we were food, we live in a kitchen, we feed and we die. That is how

things are meant to go.

Your mission, Agent Blue, should you choose to accept it, is not have an existential crisis.