It had been two days since the incident, and Vaughn had treated and protected Layla carefully. She had gotten better and healthier, and he was relieved to see her recover. However, he was worried about the upcoming Blood Moon, a tremendous time for vampires. Layla had just recovered, and he couldn't afford to put her in danger. He entered his room and saw her sketching on one of his papers. If this kept her happy, he'd let her do it. He walked towards her and looked at her drawing, smiling. "It looks beautiful," he said. Layla turned back, her eyes locking onto his. His smile had been enchanting over the last few days, and she trusted him now. "Thanks, what's the problem? You look tense," she asked. He brushed his hands through his hair.
"It's nothing for you to worry about," he exclaimed. She nodded and resumed drawing as Vaughn watched her from behind. He took her hair and tied it in a bun with a rope, and Layla smiled, her cheeks flushing red. She stood up, facing her master.
"Vaughn," she called. He looked up at her, telling her to talk. "Why do you treat me differently from how masters treat their pets?" she asked.
He was amazed by her questions and wasn't prepared to answer. "You don't have to think about that," he said. Layla nodded but wanted to ask another question. "Why do you seem so distant from your family?" she asked .
Vaughn wasn't ready to discuss that. He turned his back. "You can't know that," he said. Layla moved forward and hugged him tightly, whispering in his ears. "I'll always be grateful for taking care of me, but the times you spend with your family are good memories to behold. You can't waste them."
Vaughn released himself from the hug. "Layla, you won't understand. I lost my mother; she was everything to me. Losing her was like losing my world," he said."
I also lost my mom, not just her, but both my parents. They were murdered right in front of me," Layla said, tears dripping down her eyes."I felt like my world ended. I loved them so much. My parents were always there for me. You're lucky to not lose both parents," she said.
Vaughn was touched. The last time his heart ached was 19 years ago when his mother died. He felt guilty, knowing he was the one who killed her parents. He couldn't bear to tell her; it would hurt her more. He hugged her as her sobs reduced, and he said, "I promise never to let anyone hurt you."They remained in that position as Layla fell asleep. He laid her on the bed, lying with her, and her head was laid in his arms as she slept peacefully. He gazed at her; she was different from his previous pets. She encouraged him, and he moved closer to her, shutting his eyes and inhaling her scent.
He noticed the human was in a deep sleep before he got up from the bed. He picked up her drawings and began examining them; they all looked beautiful and graceful. He was done looking at them and placed them on the desk neatly. He walked and stood at the window, gazing at the empty sky. His life when he was younger was jubilant and joyous.
His mother would carry him around, stroking his hair. He would run around the building with his toys as his mom would chase him around. Draven, his brother, would sit, and they would play together. They would laugh, and their mother would always tell him to go study, but he would run, saying, "Try to catch me, Mother."He remembered how her death was announced and how he cried beside her corpse. He had kept the corpse in a hidden place after being thrown out by his father....and he had tried many possible ways to revive her, but none was working. He had once read in a book that the blood of a royal would revive her, but none seemed to work.
A knock was heard on the door, interrupting him, as he walked towards the door, and opened it. Draven stood by the door as Vaughn came out. "What brings you here?" he asked his voice firm but controlled.
"I came to check on Layla if she's okay," Draven claimed, his eyes fixed on Vaughn's. Vaughn's eyes were hot red as he moved closer, his face inches from Draven's. "If that's why you're here, you should get going," he growled, his voice low and menacing. Draven took a step back, his eyes widening slightly.
"Vaughn, why are you being such a mess?" he asked, his voice laced with concern. "Ever since Mum died, you've been such a forlorn. You need to snap out of it, brother."
Vaughn chuckled slightly, his eyes glinting with anger. "I'll not take it lightly, Draven. Stay away from my pet," he warned, his voice dripping with malice. With that, he entered and closed the door, leaving Draven standing alone in the corridor.
Vaughn held his chest as it was thumping rapidly he fell to the floor as he got hold of it, he needed blood, but Layla wasn't an option he couldn't hurt her.
He dragged his body on the marred tiles as he pushed himself forward till he got to the lower part of the drawer pulling out a knife he cut his skin sucking the blood, he groaned in pain, as he etched back resting his back on the wall.
His eyes got blurry, his head dangling, tomorrow was blood moon and if he didn't get enough blood before then he might die, he looked at his surroundings, he was doomed already he had no blood, and cutting his skin was not an option, he was weak already his eyes blurry, I wish you nothing but happiness Layla, am sorry I couldn't protect he said. I'm coming to meet your mother he said with his last breath he fell with a loud thud, the blood from his hands gushing out, his skin turning more paler and paler. His green eyes were shut and his shirt was soaked with blood his body lay lifeless there.