Returning home from work was a relief for most overworked office workers, however, it wasn't the same for Velda Luxe.
"Aren't you going to return?" A fellow co-worker asked.
"No, I am not. I still have work assigned to do." Velda replied cordially, putting on her business smile. "I would like to go home right now, but as you can see," she pointed out at the documents stacked on her tiny table, "I have no leisure to think about it, but thanks for your care."
By saying she had extra tasks, the male co-worker feared she may ask him to help her with work, therefore, after bidding farewell, he quickly rushed outside.
She leaned on her black revolving chair, tired from keeping up with the formalities and having to maintain her social circle in this line of work. There was consolation she couldn't explain about being alone in the office room, and working diligently to the sound of typing. As she finished her last slide of presentation, she saved her files in a USB, locked the important documents for the meeting into her drawer and shut down the computer.
Velda checked whether she left anything on the desk, after rearranging it meticulously for the next day. She walked out of the office, and stepped into the elevator. It headed down to the underground parking lot where her Lamborghini spent 6 hours of rest. Keeping its roof open, she drove leisurely on the highway enjoying the scenery before going back to the condo.
As if he had already known she arrived, his text popped up all of a sudden as usual. She always wondered whether this was one of his abilities or his bodyguards were informing him of her location, yet, she had not much courage to ask him straightforwardly due to the fact that it may seem like she was curious about his personal affairs. She walked up the stairs, sensing the essence of blood dripping from the closed room. Velda instinctively knew he wrecked a mess in the room. It hasn't been a day since he last created a bloody
Normal humans may have regarded this apartment as a normal abode they can securely go in and out of, however, it has been cast with an indistinguishable illusion spell to prevent an important secret from leaking out. With the help of government officials covering his tracks, a high rank vampire capable of intelligence, Callisto von Wagner, was permitted into inhabiting the room of one of the most bustling cities, New York.
The fact that vampires and werewolves existed were kept secret from the whole populace only known to high rank government officials who obtained the position mostly due to abilities to subdue vampires. The rest who found out their talent for it either went freelance or hid their abilities wanting to lead a peaceful life with their beloved family.
In the past, there were several disputes over territories between vampires, werewolves, and the hunters, however, no one came out as a victor, thus, three hundred years ago, with diplomatic meetings between one another, they publicly announced they were establishing a peace agreement where the only three conditions were:
1. Never hurt another clan's personnel unless they broke the territory's rules.
2. Always stay in each other's territory except for official business.
3. Never illegally make, trade or sell products - drugs, blood, bottles with scents - which may entice people, werewolves or vampires to harm someone or something.
Velda was taught the general information of history by the vampire, who intriguingly was the one to offer her the marriage contract 8 years ago. She also knew that the current generations were peaceful because humans didn't endeavor to restrict what vampires or werewolves do, and all races were compliant to the conditions.
Most vampires and werewolves were happy to cooperate with the humans because of labor shortage in their lands. Strong workers or merchants were welcomed with open arms to trade newly invented objects useful for their region. Displeased with the tranquility, a few old aristocrats, who held traditional values - survival of fittest - strived to expose the government and break the public's trust in them.
As soon as the government found out about their scheme, they asked the vampires and werewolves for some of their strongest combatants. Their plan was to disguise them as the police and undercover spies to catch the aristocrats who opposed them red-handedly. What they thought would take a few years to complete, took years. By then, they've only grasped loose ends the nobles left behind to confuse the pursuers.
It wasn't because they were incompetent. With increasing cases of suicides, homicides associated with drugs, the police stations were swamped, investigating the details and sending samples of unknown drugs to the government, who hired scientists to research about them. They had no time dedicated to chasing those minor villains.
Velda was aware Callisto helped with the investigation bureau's workload and invented substances which can detect whether something is harmful for the humans, vampires or the werewolves. The government genuinely cherished him as a dependable partner. If Velda remembered it right, the last time it was a full moon, some of his friends gave him a set of glass tubes filled with drugs. They fed one to him and instantly reduced his blood thirst. This was something her blood couldn't do.
Occasionally, she noticed the rift between Callisto and the government officials when they are discussing serious issues. Whenever Callisto suggested something noteworthy, his suggestions were denied. His friends wanted to speak up but they couldn't for fear of losing their only high paying job. She figured it probably had something to do with the power dispute going on. Those power hungry politicians may not want him to gain more influence within the government, thus, they were wary of him. How hypocritical of them.
Velda sighed, composing herself. Thinking about this was no use, after all, she had no power to change anything unless she divorced Callisto. She placed a key card in front of her, bracing herself for the thick, bloody waft to come gushing out. Her nose twitched slightly, detecting the scent was distinct from yesterday, she hurried into the room, slamming the door shut.
The owner of the blood wasn't delicate or sensitive but rather.... "Carl!" Her husband was in front of a TV, slumped on the leather couch. As expected, he didn't respond to her text because he was injured. She rested his head on a pillow, and laid her briefcase on the table. Unlocking it, alongside the section which contained important documents, there were a variety of drug packs placed inside, each one labeled for its use, a small sharp knife and baton.
He was severely injured. There were shallow cuts near his face and the deeper slashes were near his abdomen and back. "Take some of my blood to resolve the pain." She slashed her index finger with the knife and shoved her finger in between his lips. "Please, you need to wake up." She begged desperately.
Callisto, who was unconscious, woke up to the scent of sweet blood. He wrapped his tongue around the finger and bit the wound to satisfy his thirst for more drops of blood. She didn't react to any of his attempts to tease her because she got used to it. Years ago, when he first made a move, she overreacted because a man had never done this to her before. As soon as she learnt his saliva could heal her wounds, she flushed red in embarrassment for overthinking.
After wrapping the bandages tight around his chest, she sat down beside him in concern. "Do you need more blood?"
"Nah," he refused her. "Can I lie on your lap?" Without hearing her answer, he still moved towards her to use it as a pillow instead. She was surprised but welcomed his warmth anytime he needed comfort.
"Your habit really needs to improve." As a usual routine, she glided her fingers through his silky hair. "I thought I would have to clean up after you again."
He replied cheekily. "Never thought I would be in that state, did you?"
Although him getting injured for the sake of his missions was normal, she couldn't stand seeing him hurt. "I meant to ask you how the latest victim was? Was she safe?"
"Yeah, the officials erased her memory about this incident and she was able to return to her normal life." He attempted to reassure her. "When have I ever fed on a single prey twice?"
"You did." He failed to do so.
Shocked, he tried to restore his clean reputation. "When did I?" He asked her with such serious eyes, she wanted to look away from it.
"Me."
"But you aren't a prey." He said, baffled. "Haven't I told you? You are a special existence to me," he whispered, "never consider yourself lowly."
She retorted calmly. "Say that to a person you genuinely love. With such a charming face, he or she will surely find it hard to not be swayed." From first hand experience, she learnt not to take those misleading words to heart. He only said those words after he found out with the help of her blood, his deep wounds could be healed faster and painlessly.
Vampires were born with the power of regeneration and super enhanced abilities according to how high rank a vampire's bloodline was. Their talents are passed down to generations, not reducing the slightest of their original abilities when the descendants receive them. Being able to regenerate didn't mean vampires weren't able to feel pain when they go out in the sun or endure the unquenched blood thirst during the full moon alone.
Callisto von Wagner wasn't an exception to this pain. "Speaking of which, today, we found out something interesting. The robbers I chased after were the same werewolves I faced in the bar 2 days ago. They inhaled a drug and grew stronger." She listened attentively. "The side effects we waited for didn't come instead, they endured my attacks longer than I thought they could."
"That means...."
"The research lab informed us that the drugs were nearly completed. The ratio of substances they added was a mismatch, however, a perfect enhancement drug could be completed within two months of testing."
Her hands momentarily stopped before stroking his hair gently again. These forbidden drugs weren't popular because of the ridiculous side effects it came with little power they could provide. Nevertheless, if these side effects were to vanish, the drug would become popular with those greedy for power and fall into the hands of evil.
To stop this, there were only two options. The first choice was to disrupt the research from taking away their findings, and the second choice was to kill the masterminds after you have gathered enough evidence. The latter was literally impossible to carry out, therefore, the aristocrats would definitely be prepared for the first. "You....!"
"As expected, you catch on quick, my dear." He sat up from his lying position, patting her head a couple of times to make her relaxed.
She asked, concerned for him. "There's too much danger. What if they laid a trap for you?"
"This matter is final. Vampires, along with a few other hunters, will subdue their research team 5 days later. I need you to prepare all the blood you can provide. Don't push yourself." He walked towards his room, opposite hers. "Even if there's a trap, as long as you are there, I won't die." Saying that, he closed the door to his space.
Of course, she knew that. It was signed in the marriage contract in exchange for providing her with money and living expenses, a weekly supply of blood must be sent to his room. Velda always felt the boundaries between them. Their relationship was closer to that of friends than a harmonious pair of lovers.
Spending days with him, Velda gradually realized she liked him. She didn't know since when he appeared to be different in her eyes. His broad back and sturdy chest became dependable and set her mind at rest whenever she hugged him. His suave visage with a sharp jawline was seductive along with his emerald blue eyes which reminded her of a sea, free from being contaminated by waste. His silky, silver hair was something she relished most out of his appearance. For Velda, his looks were unparalleled, never will she get tired of watching him.
She adored how his eyes turned crimson red just like the color of her blood whenever he consumed the ferrous, viscous liquid. She was fond of the fact that the height difference between them was ideal - 12 centimeters - and was proud that her husband garnered the attention of passers-by with his face and gentlemanly personality. She stopped her wandering mind and got rid of her thoughts filled with Callisto.
She wasn't that smitten with him at first sight, because Callisto wasn't as friendly as he was now compared to the past. At the start of the marriage, he was indifferent, paying no heed to her actions nor caring for her. She understood, unlike those novels, this was her reality. She treated him the same, until one night, she listened to his story and understood more than anyone how painful it must have been for him to endure such treatment from people whom he trusted.
From then on, she decided to approach him as a friend to get on his good side. During the five years of marriage, they had never consummated nor slept together. Despite that, she stayed content, hiding her feelings, with being the only one by his side. Callisto became used to her warmth and trusted her unconditionally, spilling out important information. What more could she ask from a loveless marriage when she was able to gain a friend as well as a confidant?
She unlocked the door and sauntered into her living quarters, which she could never get accustomed to. She put on her slippers and placed her Adidas sneakers on the shoe rack, positioned on the left side of the door. Smooth light gray carpet enveloped the room, leading to a black shelf on which her favorite books were usually stored. A wooden, fixed clothes rack was standing guard to the entrance of the balcony, where access is gained by sliding the doors.
In the southern area of the room, a soft bed with white fluffy mattresses was placed beside a beige wardrobe containing chic clothes and matching accessories in the drawer underneath. Standing opposite the bed and near the wall was a tall square lamp with a glass table and four cushioned chairs. Embellished with various types of amulets, a few paintings were hung around the room to entertain the art devoted clients.
Art wasn't her hobby, nonetheless, cooking for the smile of customers was her only interest. She couldn't become a professional chef not due to her lack of skills but rather because of her huge debt she accumulated during her last years of studying in university. She was only able to complete her bachelor degree and find a normal job because Callisto paid off her debts and allowed her to stay in his house.
She was grateful, at the same time, resented him for demonstrating the reality of how powerless she was, alone without money.