Kaz is obviously pleased with himself. He radiates it off stridently, yet I have no strength to be mad at him. It's my own fault to show him any hint of my weaknesses. Hope that blood is coming soon. I feel my gums aching, muscles shivering, and throat closing on itself. That's not good. I've been hungry for far too long, I need blood stat or I'll give in to my baser instincts.

Even now, I can smell humans that have passed near, their blood sings an enchanting melody to my sense of smell. There are also some others, their blood like being sprinkled with different aromas, but I can't think clearly so I can't make myself understand.

I'm gonna be pissed if he brings me a human to nibble on. And if Kaz is asshole enough to present me one, I might just jump on him and give him a hickey or two before he manages to throw me off. That would serve him right. To mar that pale unblemished skin of his, to see the fear in his eyes...

Click. The metallic, dark-gray door opens once more to let that guy from before in. I think he is a butler or something like a servant of sorts. In his hands is a tray with - thank goodness - bottled blood.

My gums are strenuously aching as I follow his soft steps. There's liquid dribbling over my lips and chin, and when I bring a hand to wipe it off, I see blood mingling with saliva. Honestly... this shitty hunger is turning me into an idiot, blundering around with my fangs like a novice. I don't need to lose more blood, dammit! Who knows what Kaz will ask for an exchange, and I'm already at my limit.

Before anyone can react, I'm there at the servant's side, a brown-glass bottle settled in my hand. The cap is still on and I have the greatest idea. If this doesn't make Kaz rethink his decision of taking me as a concubine, I'll have to come up with something better.

I bring it to my mouth and flick off the cap with my teeth.

Kaz's face is hilarious. His eyes widened almost unnoticeably and brow furrowed slightly. I think he isn't sure whether to be amused or disgusted with my lack of grace. Well, fuck you, Kaz, I think as I guzzle down the whole bottle while keeping my stare locked onto those green eyes.

It's almost thrilling to challenge him like that. But soon enough, I realize it could also get me into trouble. So I nod in the direction of another bottle, and the red-headed servant takes the cap off. One small victory is enough for me.

Kaz's narrowed eyes feel chilling as he says, "You won't do that at the Ball. Actually, you won't do anything that will bring shame to my reign."

I tilt my head in agreement as more blood spills over my tongue. That's some quality blood he has there, refreshing and nutritious. I usually buy the cheapest one.

Kaz seems a bit pleased, his face loses the hardness from before. "Skip," he says and points toward the blond guy that came to get me from my room, "will instruct you on everything you need to know."

I shift my eyes on Skip who doesn't look too pleased with that but he stays quiet. Huh. It seems he isn't like that woman who made a ruckus in the pub. Apparently, he has more self-preservation than her.

I take a few more sips as I eye my new liaison; blond hair so pale it almost looks white in this artificial light, and dark blue eyes, slightly tilted, like cat's. I didn't notice much when he'd been sent to get me because I just wanted to speak to Kaz back then, but now I can see it, that ethereal beauty in his almost androgynous appearance. He looks like someone I would like to use as a model for make-up contests as if he's just walked down from a red carpet, his perfect posture, beautiful face, and pearly white smile. Definitely prettier than Kaz and Kaz being more handsome than him. Yeah, I would love to do some makeup practice--

Shit! My goddamned makeup or makeup tools aren't here. My bag and phone either. Double shit!

"My Lord, we must discuss the protection detail," a soft-spoken voice says.

I skid a glance toward Kaz and the dark one of the duo, who I believe is named Jeremiah if I remember correctly. It was him who spoke those words and Kaz stopped paying attention to me.

So I decide to interrupt before he goes away.

"I have a few questions."

"You can ask Skip." Kaz waves me off without any regard, his eyes trained on a paper document in his hand somehow procured from heavens know where.

"I need my things from my apartment," I start speaking anyway and get an annoyed glare from those green pools of death as a reward. "I felt like I needed to ask you since you are the Lord and all that." After getting another glare for that last sentence, I hurry to explain, "I don't want to cause another blunder on my part, so yeah..."

Kaz sighs as if all his problems will disappear with that action. "You can get anything you need." He shifts in his seat then and addresses Skip, "Show her around and get her anything she wants, of course, if it's reasonable in its request. Now, get going."

Skip nods once and ambles to my side. His hand looks fragile as it finds its way to my upper arm, but his grip is quite strong as he guides me toward the exit.

We pass one of the lustrous golden chandeliers, candles' flames speeding light in a small halo around it. Skip's hair seems to golden under the fiery light, eyes shining when he sides a glance in my direction and pulls me faster.

Outside, the hallway leads us to more doors, three on the western side, one on the eastern and one straight in front, and all looking the same, but Skip guides us to the last one on the west and inside.

I look around and the first thing that comes to my mind is 'salon'. Sometimes, being as old as I am is a good thing.

One side is almost wholly in glass, only enclosed by a pale green wall in a thin stripe on sides. I can see a spacious veranda outside, set with a table and chairs, and a clean-cut wooden fence surrounding it. A risky move for a vampire house, though I can see an opening for shutters at the top.

White rug, decorated with golden lines creating curved ornaments, lies in the middle of the parquet. Bent legs of a table are golden and carved, and ending like paws, finished with a striped, dark green marble on top. Chairs with greenish tapestry and white base are scattered around it in what seems to be sophisticated disarray. A steaming, white teapot with golden edges awaits on a platter set on the table, two teacups at its side. A tea party?

I look around some more. A wooden showcase, filled with crystal glass set, beverage bottles and silverware, on my right and a chaise longue with one raised end and green quilt on it on my left.

There is another chandelier hanging from the ceiling, though its candles aren't lit as the light comes from self-standing oriental lamps set in two of the room's corners and a gray brick stone fireplace just next to the chaise lounge.

Green seems to be the theme of this room, a morbid reminder of Kaz's eyes. The only disturbance being the gold and white, and sometimes gray.

Skip walks to one of the chairs closer to the tea set and sets in, gesturing to me to take a seat next to him. I don't think I'm given a choice in this matter so I do as shown.

It's soft and comfortable, not really what I expected. I slouch in and I know that the displeasure is clearly written on my face.

Skip is silent for a moment, his face hard as he observes me.

"We will start with some ground rules, then go through some of the training steps," he says, no emotion escaping with those words.

So there are rules, which I hate. And the training sounds like it'll be exhaustive. Just what I need. Goddammit.

I plan on asking a few simple questions, like what is my duty or when can I get my things. Then, depending on the answers, try to find loopholes in it. I can't really run away so the next best thing would be to adapt.

I open my mouth, but Skip beats me to it.

"Tch. That said... first, we need to get over obvious things."

And suddenly there's a rolled newspaper in his hand, striking over my shoulder.

"Your posture is unsightly! Set your back straight and head high!"

To my utter confusion, he continues barking orders while jabbing me those annoying newspaper in my cheek, "And wipe off that ugly expression of your face. You are the Concubine so act like one!"

He keeps poking me with the paper until I shift, but then his eyes start glinting. "Now pour us some tea. Let's see how good you are with simple tasks."

Well, shit. What the hell have I gotten myself into this time?

A/N: A new chapter is here. Hope you like it and don't forget to leave comments :)