Aleksandr closed his eyes as he felt the familiar prodding against his mind.

Is everything alright, little vampire? I heard you speak my name.

I am currently trying to convince the council that you are not a threat to our species, Master. My brothers have taken it better than the council. Bunch of grumpy old bastards.

Okay, little vampire. Call me if you need support. Tell me when you want me to meet your species. Be wary, my little vampire.

Of course, Master.

Aleksandr opened his eyes to see everyone staring at him.

How many times do I have to tell you, Vampire? You do not need to call me Master. I am human, I am no lord, nor am I a master.

Aleksandr flinched as he felt the slight shift in their bond. Almost instantly, the atmosphere in the room changed.

I apologise, Little vampire, I did not mean to scare you. If you feel more comfortable calling me Master, do so. I simply meant to show you are not less than me.

Of-of course, Sir.

Aleksandr felt the brush against his mental wall, and he returned to reality.

"You contacted him." Raphael stated. "He can access your mind."

Aleksandr knew what his brother was implying. He was being used as a vessel to find out what they were up to.

"No." Aleksandr felt his resentment building at their constant assumptions. "He has never accessed my mind. We can speak mentally, though. He swore to never force himself inside my mind."

"And you believed the words of a human?" Samael questioned. "How do you know he is not as bad as the others, Brother? He could be using you to get to us. A human betraying his own species -"

Aleksandr felt the building resentment shift to anger. An unrelenting, powerful anger. An emotion he never wanted to be directed at his own race.

Calm down, Little Vampire. They are your brothers and sisters. They are worried for you, that is all.

Aleksandrs anger was soothed almost instantly, and he retracted his overpowering aura.

I apologise, Master. I do not like them disrespecting you.

Hmmmm. You do not need to apologise to me. You defended me, and you are acting rationally. I understand your emotions, but you must understand. These are your people. They trust you, but you must prove to them that things are not as what they seem.

How am I to do such a thing, Master? Aleksandr noted he was being stared at. May we continue our talk once I am in privacy, Master? I wish to try and explain further and leave them to dwell on it for the evening.

Of course, little vampire. I will be here, awaiting your reply.

Aleksandr wanted to say something else, but he didn't know what to say. He loved the sound of his masters voice. It was soothing and commanding, nothing like the angered roars of his captors.

"I understand your scepticism, brothers, sisters." Aleksandr acknowledged the whole room. "I tried to run from my current master many times. Each time, he never contacted the hunters. I refused to believe a male human known to be a slave owner and one of the first to take slaves during the start of the great war, to be a nice man. Now, my master is not always a nice man. He still has his loyalties, as do I. He understands I will not stand for my species being treated like we are, as I understand if he reveals his true intentions to those around him, he would likely he killed for treachery and I would be passed on until they had enough of me."

"How are we supposed to trust him, Brother? As you said, he took the first slave." Samael questioned.

"His first slave was his original traitor. She betrayed him during the rebellion and gave up his allys whereabouts. My master did what he had to, but ultimately, he failed because of her. He withdrew his rebellion and now is forced to live under some false Kings rule to keep an eye on. He is not a danger to me or the vampire race."

That was all it took, and Aleksandr bid his brothers a good night and made his way to his room. Aleksandr shut the door and changed from his old clothes into shorts and a vest, something much more comfortable than the scruffy suit he wore.

Are you settled now, Little Vampire?

Aleksandr smiled, hearing the familiar voice brush up against his mind.

Indeed, Master.

I feel your resentment, Aleksandr. Talk to me.

Aleksandr sighed, grabbing a blanket from his bed and the book . He dragged himself over to the balcony and slipped onto the cold floor tiles.

I..I do not know, Sir. I do not understand why they refuse to listen to reason.

Aleksandr heard the man chuckle. You have returned after months of supposed torture after being enslaved by your species rival, only to defend those very same people? They are angry, and they do not understand your loyalty to me.

You saved my life! Aleksandr snapped. Can they believe that, eh?!  Can they believe me for once! I'm sick and tired of having to prove myself to those bastards!

Aleksandr could still feel the presence beside his mind, trying to soothe his anger, but he noted he received no reply.

Master? He asked tentatively.

Yes, my little vampire?

Aleksandr smiled a little at the endearment. How did he get such a patient master?

Do you want me to offer my opinion, or are you simply complaining?

Aleksandr sighed, pushing himself into the corner of the balcony. He gazed into the distance, trying to come up with something to say.

Well-I-i dont know, sir.. I'm not used to being back here, Sir. They always looked to me for answers. They trusted me with everything, and I made sure our people were not harmed or captured. Yet, they refuse to believe me now? I do not understand why they have lost faith in me so easily.

A moment or two passed. Aleksandr didn't expect a reply yet.

I think it would be best to show them, Master. Aleksandr caved.  But please be careful, Master. I don't want them to hurt you

I will be there tomorrow evening, Little Vampire, and you can introduce me to your species and your council. I will be fine, you will be there with me, will you not?

Yes....yes, I will. Please be careful, Master. The forests surrounding our lands are riddled with human slave owners and out of control newborns thirsty for blood. I dare not think what could happen if you find yourself between them.

I will be careful, Little Vampire. I may loathe the human slave owners, but I may have to suck it up for a little while. They should keep me safe and follow my orders.

Okay... I know you are powerful, Master, but my species... I know what they have done to humans in the past. Things I have done that I would never wish upon anyone. I-i wouldn't be able to live with myself if they touched you, Master.

Breathe, Little Vampire. I will be fine. We must be smart if we are to show your species that not all humans are brutal monsters. I loathe the very man that reintroduced slavery into this world, I was barely a slave, I was less than that for my entire life. I will do everything in my power to ensure you do not live in suffering and pain like did or how your species are now.

Aleksandr felt tears well in his eyes. His emotions were still all over the place thanks to their newly formed bond. He cared for his master. He really did. The beast he kept inside bad was soothed and looked to his Master for guidance. He had been stuck in a world where hate and pain and torture ruled, and he no longer wanted to kill the humans. He just wanted peace.

And his Master gave him that. That was why he had vowed to keep their bond close.

A chuckle brushed against his mind. Thank you, Little Vampire. I'm glad you have learnt to trust me. Aleksandr felt himself smile, and he dried his tears. Tomorrow evening I will arrive by carriage. Meet me by the border.

Of course, Master.

Aleksandr hesitated, asking something, so his master gave him a gentle promt.

Go on, Little vampire, ask me your question.

I have not drank since our last meet, Sir...Aleksandr gulped, a little nervous to ask for what he needed. Can I...can I drink from you?

Aleksandr felt his masters mind envelope him, calming his instincts and soothing his worries. Of course, Aleksandr. Thank you for asking. I'm glad you are comfortable enough to ask me now, Little One.

A sob bubbled from Aleksandrs chest as the relief finally hit him. Not only was he free, but he also had a duty now. A duty of care to his master and he could trust his master not to judge his words.

Drinking from a human was not only extremely rare but often used as a form of torture for those enslaved by humans. They were often starved of blood, force-fed vegetarian diets, and, if lucky, got the human prisoners left-overs. Aleksandr had been terrified the first time he drank from his Master, believing that if his master even suddenly didn't want to be drank from, he would be punished for going ahead with it in the first place. But his Master was patient with him, once drained his own blood into a glass for him to drink from.

Aleksandr felt his body settle, and his mind began to shut down.

Little Vampire, please do not fall asleep outside.

Aleksandr knew the only reason he had begun to sleep was his Masters smooth timbre rattling his mind. He was truly addicted to his Master.

I don't think I'll be able to sleep without your scent, Sir...

Aleksandr trailed off, feeling a little ashamed, as if he had spoken out of turn. He was possessive of his claimant, and he knew he would likely be tested during his Masters time there.

I put one of my shirts in the inside pocket of your duffel, Aleksandr.

Aleksandr shot from his place, nearly tripping over the door, cabinets, a chair, his desk, and the bed itself as he scrambled to get the piece of clothing. He heard the deep laughter in his mind, but he didn't care. He grabbed the overly large shirt and slipped it over his pillow, jumping onto his bed and cuddling it, relishing in the scent of his master.

Good night, My Little Vampire. Sleep Well.

Aleksandr was out like a light.

[word count: 1812]