[Vladimir's POV]
"Master, you are back early," Artemis commented although his bow was nothing but proper. The butler who had been at Vladimir's service since the latter could remember, was too good at reading him. His sharp grey eyes were regarding him keenly. His back-brushed pepper grey hair, slightly aged features, tall upright figure, and neat black suit would make anyone else think that he was the most upright butler anyone could get.
'The sly fox,' Vladimir thought as he glared back at him.
"When you have guessed my answer, then why ask," Vladimir groused as he walked further in. The butler simply hummed; a gesture which might be seen as out of line to anyone else.
However, Vladimir let it pass. He shrugged off his overcoat and handed it to him without glancing back. His footsteps echoed as he walked down the stone corridor. The darkness and the cold slowly eased the tension. Well, the pseudo feeling of tension that measly humans often feel.
"Will Master Lucian come back?" Artemis asked as he kept pace with Vladimir.
"No, he is steadfast in his promise of living like a human when he is clearly not," Vladimir said through clenched teeth.
As he entered his chamber, Artemis asked, "Did you tell him why?"
The butler's tone was cautious. Vladimir stopped in his tracks and whirled around. His eyes had become red now. "You think he will oblige if I tell him? Well, then you don't know him at all."
Two chambermaids were cleaning his chamber and as soon as they saw him, they scrambled to bow.
"Why wasn't the chamber cleaned before I arrived? Do I keep you here to dawdle around?" Vladimir bellowed.
"Master actually―" Artemis tried but trailed off when Vladimir glowered at him. The chambermaids kneeled and in unison said, "We apologize profusely, master. Please forgive us."
Vladimir saw the two shaking. He closed his eyes.
"Get out of my sight. All of you," he muttered.
"Ladies, please get up," Artemis said, calm as ever. The two girls stood up, still trembling and then all of them left the chamber without uttering another word. Artemis closed the door on his way out, yet again silently conveying that he knew the reason behind his anger.
Vladimir strode further inside and sat down on the ornate-looking chaise. Soon he would have to leave to visit his sire and answer him as to why he could not convince his errant sibling to return to the life they had.
His eyes fell on the empty glass tumbler that sat inconspicuously on the small wooden table nearby. He did not hesitate to grab the piece of utensil and hurl it across the chamber, the glass shattering in pieces as it came in contact with the floor.
He was about to get up, ask someone to clean up the mess, and then go meet his sire, when there was a blinding light, and a few seconds later a woman stepped in front of him.
"Kayla," he murmured, trying not to sound annoyed. The last thing he wanted was for his fiancee to show up. He really did not want to make this woman his mate. Vampires never had mates, but a few centuries ago, they began this ritual, mimicking the mutts, who called themselves werewolves.
Kayla Burton was a renowned beauty among the aristocrats. With her slender and petite figure, her pale, porcelain-like skin, big doe-like green eyes, and waist-length black hair, she could make any man fall for her. She knew that and she often used this allure to catch her prey.
However, Vladimir was not just anyone. He had no attraction towards the woman who was worshipped like a Goddess by many.
The she-vampire and witch huffed, bringing him back to the present. She crossed her arms across her chest. Her eyes flashed with anger.
"Don't you know the answer?" She retorted.
Vladimir looked away. "I told you―"
Kayla did not let him finish as she stepped forward, closing the distance between them. She placed her beautiful pale hand on his chest, while also deliberating brushing her ample bosom against his chest. She had dressed to impress, donning on fine wine-red gown with a low-cut neckline that contrasted her skin, and showed the onlooker what they could have but wouldn't.
"You have been evading me, darling," she whispered. She raised her hand to cup his face and leaned further. Vladimir did not blink. He simply stared at her.
When she realized that her charm was as usual not working, her lips thinned.
"Your Highness, I know this match is not suitable for you, but I will not be treated like this. I can have anyone if I want to, you know that right? It's just that your sire and mine happen to decide that we will be a good match," she said venomously.
"I did not stop you from taking another man in bed. You can do so if you wish. I am not aversed to you if you are worried about that," he paused when Kayla made an angry sound at the back of her throat. "But don't disturb me. I will not entertain your whims," he murmured, this time leaning closer. His tone was icy because he had to make sure that she did not let herself harbor the delusion that they would be anything apart from acquaintances in the future.
Kayla looked intimidated, but she was not easily deterred. "Fine then. Do not blame me if you see me bare and writhing under another man."
Vladimir gave her a pointed look. He did not care.
Kayla did not linger for long. She disappeared just like she had shown up.
As if knowing his master would call, Artemis had appeared.
"I will go on a hunt tonight," Vladimir murmured.
"Alright, Master. Shall inform your sire that you will not be visiting him today?" Artemis asked. Vladimir nodded. He did not feel like having another argument today. Two were enough.
Artemis bowed in acknowledgment and left.
At night, Vladimir donned his disguise. It was simple ― he put on the clothes of a common man, fastened a cloth to hide the lower half of his face, and lurked in the alleys.
This time was no different. He was craving to sink his teeth into human flesh. He walked in the dead of the night, his eyes roving the streets. After some time, he spotted his prey, a woman walking with her cloak covering her head. She was walking hurriedly, and he could almost smell her fear. His lips curved into a smile.
In the blink of an eye, he was behind her. The woman did not get time to scream as he stuffed a part of her cloak into her gaping mouth. He hauled her up and in no time, he was deep inside the forest where no human dared to enter.
He sank his teeth into the skin, tasting the blood. He drank in big gulps. Blood dribbled down the side of his mouth. He drank until there was not a drop left in the body.
He pulled back and looked back at the corpse of a middle-aged woman. There was no remorse in him as he wiped his mouth. He murmured a few words silently, and then said, "Now, no one will miss you because no one will remember you."