Alvin
The moment she left the room, I was taken away by her poise and self-assurance. I was especially impressed. A lot of the people I spoke with during the interview process seemed anxious, agitated, or busy. However, Selena held an elusive quality that I simply could not ignore. Somehow, she seemed both familiar and mysterious.
Finally, one thing stood out above all else: her thoughts escaped me. The second she stepped foot in the room, her mind was as blank as a whiteboard. Reading people's thoughts was one of my many vampire skills. Regardless of how far away they were or what room they were in, I could always hear their innermost thoughts. It wasn't a gift I enjoyed. Quite the opposite—I hated it. Knowing everyone's secrets and wants was exhausting. But for the first time in a thousand years, I found a person I couldn't read. Oddly unique.
I wanted to know more about her. It would be advantageous to hire someone whose thoughts wouldn't constantly break my focus. However, this wasn't simply about ease. There was something about her—something unexplainable that stirred an interest I hadn't felt in ages.
I took one last look at her resumé, which still sat in my hands. There wasn't anything special about her on paper, other than the fact that she recently moved here from Phoenix. Her working history was a mix of odd jobs: housekeeping, caregiving, and administrative work. Nothing special. "Who are you, Selena Grey?" I murmured quietly to myself.
"Mr. Slaughter?" Joan's words snapped me out of my thoughts. She was standing in the doorway, clipboard in hand. "Shall I call in the next candidate?"
I stared at her blankly for a second, considering my options. "No, that will be all. Wait two hours and then call Miss Grey to tell her that she's been hired."
Her brows rose slightly, her thoughts betraying her surprise. I could hear them loud and clear. This is unusual. He never decides so quickly. What's so special about this one?
"Are you sure, sir?" she asked warily, wanting to ensure she hadn't misunderstood.
"Yes, Joan. You may leave now," I replied curtly, waving her off.
I didn't respect when my decisions were questioned. I'd lived long enough to know what I wanted and what was best. My instincts rarely led me wrong. And Selena…she was a puzzle I meant to solve.
Once Joan left, I leaned back in my chair and picked up my phone. Pressing the speed dial, I waited for the line to connect.
"This is Victor," the rough voice on the other end answered.
"I'll be sending you a file," I said, my tone strong and unyielding. "I need a full background check on the individual. Every detail. Leave no stone unturned."
"Understood," Victor responded without hesitation.
I hung up and sent over a digital copy of Selena's resumé. I always ran background checks on my personal helpers. My job required it. I wasn't just a man running a successful business; I was a being that shouldn't exist. Knowing who was close to me wasn't just a precaution—it was a requirement. And Selena? She was a mystery. The fact that I couldn't read her thoughts only heightened my interest. It was as if she was protected by something…or perhaps she was hiding something.
I glanced at the clock. It was time to leave for the day. Standing, I grabbed my coat and stepped out of my office. As always, the air shifted the moment I entered the passageway. People scattered, their eyes cast downward, avoiding my stare. My image preceded me. Cold. Intimidating. Ruthless. I'd earned those names, and I wore them like armor. It kept people at a distance, which was exactly how I liked it.
As I made my way to the lift, snippets of their thoughts floated around me.
He's so terrifying.
Why does he always look so angry?
The Ice King…
Nicknames. Judgments. Fear. None of it mattered. They were unimportant. Once outside, my sleek black car was already waiting. The driver opened the door, and I slid inside, the city's evening bustle fading behind the tinted glass.
The drive home was easy, as always. I stared out the window, watching the streets blur past. So much had changed. Centuries ago, I'd never imagined a world like this—cars, buildings, technology. Yet here I was, a relic in an age that had no place for beings like me. I'd lived in countless cities, spoken nearly every language, and enjoyed every luxury. And yet, something was missing. Life felt hollow.
My curse didn't help. The hunger, the need for blood, the constant fight to suppress my other half—the wolf. I'd learned the art of survival centuries ago, training my body to sustain itself on animal blood when necessary. But it left me weak, a shadow of my true self. Now, I have access to human blood without the need for violence, thanks to modern advances. It was efficient. Clean. Civilized. Or so I told myself.
When we arrived at the house, the butler was already at the door, bowing slightly as I stepped inside. "Welcome home, sir."
The grand interior was as immaculate as ever, a testament to the staff's care.
My staff were all under my compulsion because here at home, I wanted to live as free as possible. Do whatever I wanted without scaring anyone. They all knew a few things about me, only what I wanted them to know. Inhumane to put humans under compulsion and make them live according to my rules? That was because I wasn't human and whatever I did, as long as I wasn't hurting anyone, didn't look inhumane to me, as long as I paid them good money.
One of the maids approached, her voice soft and polite. "Your meal is ready, Mr. Slaughter."
I nodded, ignoring her with a glance. Making my way to the bedroom, I shrugged off my coat and loosened my tie. The familiar scent of perfume met me before I even opened the door.
Inside, three women lounged on the bed, dressed in little more than underwear. They giggled as I entered, their eyes lighting up with expectation. I compelled them to stay still, their laughter fading into silence as they awaited my command. I approached, my hunger rising. This was the one part of my day where I allowed myself to enjoy.
One by one, I drank from them. Wrists, arms, necks—I took only what I needed, careful not to harm them. Their blood was intoxicating, a sign of my primal nature. It was a ritual I'd perfected over the ages. Clean. Controlled. Necessary.
Once I was satisfied, I released them from my compulsion, allowing their natural reactions to take over. They giggled again, unaware of the amount of my power. It was better this way. Ignorance kept them safe.
But as I leaned back, the satisfaction fading, the usual dread crept in. The wolf. The other side of me that I'd spent ages suppressing. It wasn't as easy to control as my hunger. It was wild, uncertain, dangerous. I avoided the werewolf society at all costs, and I was unwilling to risk exposure. They wouldn't take kindly to hybrids like me—and I was the only one of my kind.
One day, I hope to find a fix. But until then, this was my life: a delicate balance between power and control, indulgence and denial. And now, Selena Grey had joined my world, bringing with her questions I wasn't sure I wanted the answers to.