When he woke he was here, in my home, and now he is sitting on a cushion at my feet leaning back against my leg. He's been here all night, not on the cushion but here, in my house. I got Chancey to clean him up when we got home. Chancey is my housekeeper. He's been with me a long time. He is beautiful too, in his own way. Once he sat on the cushion but he was far too useful to be a pet for long. And now he runs the house completely, keeps my stable, takes care of the staff. He is invaluable, not least because he has taken to the role so completely and is entirely respectful and compliant without any compulsion whatever. I think he enjoys it.
He took the boy away, bathed him, rubbed scented oils in his body and washed his hair. Then, in the morning, he dressed him in the way he knows I like and brought him back, still unconscious and laid him at my feet. As a reward, and because I was feeling mellow and gracious, I allowed him to drink from me.
My blood is an intoxicant to humans and it bestows on them long life and vigour. Chancey has been with me a long time. He looks like a boy of fourteen or fifteen but he has been at my side for more than fifty years.
I wonder idly how old the new boy is. At my age it is so hard to tell. He's not a child for sure, although anyone under a few centuries old is a child to me. I lean forwards and raise his chin looking into his face. They always look younger when they are asleep. Hmm... Early twenties I think, although he may be a little younger.
He stirs as I examine his face and those fabulous eyes blink open and dazedly stare upwards. Of course he's not truly awake, he won't be for a while, at least until I have decided whether I want to keep him or kill him.
The boy stares at me with little comprehension but he sighs with pleasure and half closes his eyes again. I understand. For the first time in what is probably a large chunk of his young life he is clean and warm and comfortable and he feels safe. Of course the safety is an illusion but he is feeling it strongly nevertheless.
I toy with his pretty hair and he sighs again.
"What shall I call you?" I muse. It is a small pleasure that I have, choosing names for my pets. Chancey got his name because of the chances he took with me that eventually led to his elevation. I changed it from Suki which is what I first called him, entranced by his smooth cappuccino skin, thick black hair and cat's eyes.
This one is not dark at all. Without the grime of the streets, the smell of stale sweat and fear he is pale as a ghost. His hair is long and silky, white a snow and soft as it too. His skin is milky with a pale pink blush over his cheeks. There is no spare ounce of flesh or blemish apart from the signs of recent violence on his throat, ribs and the side of his face.
His eyes flutter and draw my attention to their stunning colour. They seem lighter here than in the darkness of the bar, but brighter. They are the most intense blue I have ever seen in any eyes before. "You have beautiful eyes," I find myself saying. "The colour is stunning...Aqua." And I know that's his name.
"Aqua. You are Aqua. Do you like that little pet? Do you like who you are now?"
Aqua blinks and looks at me with eyes that are remarkably clear. "What have you done to me?" He asks softly, completely taking me aback. He is not supposed to be able to speak. Nevertheless I smile, letting my fangs show.
"I've done you a favour boy. I have taken you off the streets, snatched you away from a destiny which would have snatched away your life before the week was out. I have bathed you, scented you and treated your wounds and, above all I have refrained from killing you. I think you have nothing to complain about in what I have done to you."
Aqua regards me thoughtfully with his bright eyes which, frankly are creeping me out at this point and trust me that is no mean feat. "Have you drugged me?" He asks blinking.
"Not as much as I should have. And I really ought to put that right... right now." But I don't. I like to watch the confusion in his eyes as he struggles to process what is happening, what I am saying; fighting the effects of my venom. Well, there's one way of stopping that. Actually there is more than one way but this is the most fun.
"Stand up Aqua."
"I... my name is not Aqua."
"It is now."
"No I..."
"Stand up Aqua." I allow the command to leak into my voice and he finds it irresistible. His blood is still thick with my venom and he can fight it, more that he ought, but he can't resist. He looks even more confused as his body reacts without allowing his will or desire any say in it whatever. He raises dazed and slightly frightened eyes to mine. He should be a lot more dazed and considerably more frightened.
I tilt my head to one side and regard him thoughtfully. Damn he's beautiful. Just looking at him makes my stomach tighten. I smile. At the moment I really don't have to worry about why. After all, if it becomes a problem I can just kill the boy.
Getting to my feet I walk slowly towards him and despite the conditioning he takes a step back. I reach out and bury my hand in his hair, caressing his cheek with my thumb. He flinches and tries to pull away.
"Leave me alone," he spits at me.
"No. You're mine now, get used to it."
"Yours?"
"My pet; one of my pets."
"No," he growls shaking his head.
"I would beg to differ... but I never beg."
"No I... I won't."
"You won't? What makes you think you have any choice in the matter?"
"I..."
I move closer so that his body is pressed against mine. "Guess what happens next?" I whisper into his ear, nudging his hair aside so I can kiss his neck.
"No I... I don't..."
"You don't what? Don't want me? Are you sure?"
He puts a hand against my chest and tries to push me away. He has more strength... mentally and physically... than I thought. How exciting. I like them to fight back, not too much but enough to make it interesting. However, there is a time and place for everything. I lower my head to kiss him. He struggles but I am strong, so much stronger than he is. I could easily crush him, snap his ribs like toothpicks. Maybe one day I will, just for fun.