Vampires and Slaves (Enter This Realm To Die)

Fidelis

I led him through the exhibit halls, telling him one story after another that was connected to the displayed pottery. A Venician vase for a royal family in the late 1500's, a small flower pot for a French noble family in the early 1700's, and many in between and beyound that. During those times, I was employed either on sight or by discovery to make vases, pots, and plates. Throughout history, I took many names to avoid being found out as a vampire. However, I couldn't remember any of my false names during those times I've been employed. "As time flew by, I've been keeping the money I earned for a time when I needed a place to settle down and care for a slave instead of just myself. All the money I saved is kept in a safe with Silver as the guardian. Many vampires call her the Dragon behind her back, considering that she guards my fortune jealously like a dragon guards a nest." I chuckled. "Most of my fortune is gold coins, but I also have some jewels to add to it. Believe me. Only the Queen knows how much money I've earned in American currency, which is almost enough to rival the Council's fortune."

Allan

A fortune?

"And you're using the money now?" I ask, looking at him, slightly confused. "Y-you said you were saving for when you settled and had to care for a slave... You have me now."

Fidelis

I nodded. "Of course I'm using it. I don't spend a lot of my fortune, but just enough to keep the apartment working and other needed things. Ever since I took you in, Silver and I had to do our hardest to keep the local law away from you and me. Believe it or not, Silver also works as a daytime flower merchant. She pays the electric, heating, utility bill during the day while I take care of the food. Although I feed on your blood, I have to keep you alive by buying you the necessary food needed to keep you healthy. Healthy blood, so I've been told once and know from experience, is the greatest kind of mortal blood a vampire could taste. Now don't think I'm putting you under a strict diet as I put myself for centuries. There's some other kinds of food that I bought, but those I only buy at certain times. Even the juice and bottled water were things I've paid for. However, I never buy wine or anything else that could taint your blood from its taste of sweet surrender. Those drinks I stay away from at all times."

Allan

I nod. After my experiences with alcohol, I'm okay with never having wine again. I look down for a moment and try and bury the memories, not wanting to recollect any part of that time of my life.

Fidelis

"Of course, I have done something I shouldn't have done in my life." I sat down and sighed. "There's a reason why the Bloodlust Twins are always on my hide." I looked at Allan. "Do you want to know why?"

Allan

Confused, I look back at him and nod. What could he possibly have done?

Fidelis

I sighed. "Two centuries and four decades ago, I was just as hungry as I was when I found you and your two friends. The Bloodlust Twins found me near-dead of starvation and took me to their stead to recover. I made it clear to them that I didn't want to drink the blood of a woman or even that of an innocent child. They offered me many slaves in hopes that one of them would sustain me until I was strong enough to go my own way. I fed from two slaves at a time during my recuperation period, but also Shiela fell in love with me. This I knew because she tried to advance on me, but I refused her all those times. Her last gift was a female slave, who I know now was an ancestress of yours on your father's side. I told Shiela angrily that I didn't want the blood of a woman or child and especially didn't want Shiela as a mate. Carlos heard that and kicked me out after I freed your ancestress. The latter thanked me and returned to her old life while I went about my gypsy way." I sighed again, keeping my eyes on Allan. "So I guess in that way, you and your father owe me your lives. If I never freed that woman, you and your father wouldn't have been alive in this lifetime."

Allan

I stare at him in shock, not fully understanding. He knew my ancestor? Freed her?

"I-is that why she wants me?" I ask, leaning into him again. "Because of what happened..."

Fidelis

I nodded. "To them, it's revenge against me for freeing your ancestress. I did that because she was with child and I just couldn't allow her baby to be raised a bloodslave. I took that gamble so her child could live amongst family and not vampires. Because of that risk I took, the Bloodlust Twins vowed revenge against me. Up until the other night, I didn't know they intended to take my slave from me in return for the loss of theirs. Now that I know what their revenge is, it makes me want to take extra measures to be sure they don't exact their revenge."

Allan

I nod, listening, and look down again.

"W-why can't she just find another slave?" I ask. "I mean, I get the revenge thing...but after all these years..."

Fidelis

"Shiela has an excellant memory. The second she sees something or someone, she never forgets. Carlos is just as intelligent as I am, but both he and Shiela are precisely four centuries old. They know that what I done was an act of humanity and kindness, both traits they lack. Unlike most vampires in the world, I still have my mortal emotions. The Queen considers me as a more special vampire because I show kindness to mortals like yourself, children, and women. She even offered to make me her King, which would prevent the Bloodlust Twins from exacting their revenge." I got on my feet and held Allan close to me. "To the Queen, my ever-lingering mortal emotions are what seperates me from the others. If I would be her King, then the Bloodlust Twins would have no choice but to take orders from me."

Allan

He holds me close, finishing his explanation. I nod again and process it, looking up at him.

"Why didn't you choose to be King then?" I ask.

Fidelis

I bowed my head with my eyes closed. "I have considered it once, but then remembered that it would put a lot of pressure on me like the expectations of my parents before they passed away. I wanted a pressure-free life in spite of the Bloodlust Twins, so I declined the Queen's offer and told her I'd take my chances. I know she still wants to offer me the chance of being her King, but that would get in the way of my life as a potter. It's tempting to return to my former status, but what good is a King who's made a fortune throughout the ages as a pottery merchant?"

Allan

I nod again, understanding, and wonder if he would still stick to only me if he had chosen to be King. We certainly wouldn't be as.... Our relationship would be different. I look up at him again and wonder what our relationship even was.

Fidelis

I opened my eyes, looking into his. "I have made another vampire in my lifetime, but he didn't last long. He was an old friend of mine in my childhood. I turned him two months after my parents passed away, but that old friend killed himself by throwing himself in a pit of fire two weeks after I turned him. I did that so I wouldn't be alone. After losing him, I never turned another mortal since."