Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/1155764.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Rape/Non-Con, Underage, Major_Character_Death
  Category:
      M/M
  Fandom:
      Supernatural_RPF
  Relationship:
      Jensen_Ackles/Jared_Padalecki, Jensen_Ackles/Misha_Collins
  Additional Tags:
      Bottom_Jared, Alternate_Universe_-_Vampire
  Stats:
      Published: 2014-01-27 Updated: 2014-03-09 Chapters: 7/? Words: 12217
****** The Vampire and His Human ******
by atsugari8_(Doumo_kun)
Summary
     A tale of a vampire who finds love in the most unlikely of places.
Notes
     A story that I had started awhile back on my livejournal and have
     returned with renewed determination to finish it. The first two
     chapters are reposting of what is on my livejournal.
     There will be mentioning of sexual abuse in the past and some blood
     and gore.
     Disclaimer: This story is fiction and it has no bearings on the real
     people in any way and not harm is intended. Nor any monetary profit
     being made by this.
***** Meeting *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
                                      ♠♠♠
The heavy fog that had cloaked the streets of Burnley county for the past few
nights was at its thickest tonight. Even the full moon held no sway over the
clouded skies, her radiance extinguished by the consuming darkness.
On a night like this, only those with sinister purpose ventured out to fulfil
their deeds in hiding. Amongst them was a predator none like any other, a
ruthless vampire driven by his lust for human blood.
He cut through the dense forest in a blur, his body thrumming with the thrill
of the hunt. His cunning golden eyes tracked the carriage speeding alongside
him on the dirt road, the prey he’d chosen for the night.
When the coachman took a short cut into the woodlands, the vampire took his
chance. He passed the carriage with effortless ease and leapt onto the path in
a rapid sequence of movement invisible to the human eyes. The horses came to a
skidding halt, catapulting the unsuspecting driver out of his seat. The man
crashed into the ground head first with a dreadful crunch.
The vampire grunted in dismay as the driver’s blood pooled around his polished
leather shoes. The heady scent of fresh blood was intoxicating.
Pity, he would have made a good starter to his evening.
It was then that the vampire's keen ears caught the sounds of two rapidly
beating hearts coming from within the carriage.
One beat was significantly weaker than the other.
A child, the vampire thought gleefully and licked his lips in anticipation.
Nothing was better than the taste of untainted youth filled with vitality.
In one swift move, he was standing by the carriage and the door was being
pulled off the hinges. A pitiful scream came from the middle-aged man cowering
in his seat inside. Judging by his well-groomed state and how grossly
overweight he was, the vampire guessed he was a wealthy industrial tycoon of
some sort.
Not the best blood to drink but he was famished and blood was blood.
‘What do you want!?’ The man cried out in fear.
The handsome vampire replied with a cruel smile, baring his razor sharp fangs
in full.
‘Just your life.’
Before the man could react, the vampire had him pinned to his seat with his
large muscular frame and mauling on his neck like a ravenous wolf. His last
pathetic gasp for breath came in wet gurgling sounds, which the vampire found
strangely soothing.
The vampire relinquished his hold on the cooling flesh and the lifeless body
crumpled to the floor. He licked at his blood-smeared lips and stared down at
the horror stricken face of the dead man with a look of dissatisfaction.
Crude and tasteless, just as he’d expected.
A soft gasp came from behind and the vampire turned his head sharply.
What he saw pleased him immensely.
A boy of no more than six years old sat across from him with a mop of unruly
hair and knobbly knees, naked and shivering. His hazel green eyes were wide
open in bewilderment as they gazed up at the creature towering over him. For a
fleeting moment, the vampire wondered why the child was stark naked in a
carriage but his questioning gaze quickly turned appraising.
His eyes greedily took in the tantalizingly creamy skin and supple flesh that
was on display, taunting him with promise of a drink to remember.
He rushed towards the boy and took him roughly into his strong arms, almost
crushing the tiny body.
A choked cry tore from the boy’s throat as the vampire devoured his neck.
The golden flare in the creature’s eyes grew strong it’s intensity matching
that of a thousand blazing suns as he feasted on the boy’s blood.
It was the most exquisite thing he’d ever tasted; sweeter than a maiden’s
blood, richer than the finest wine and more addictive than opium.
He knew then and there that this could not be the first and the last time that
his lips would touch this divine elixir.
As physically impossible as it was, the vampire tore himself away from the
tempting flesh before he sucked out the last drop from the small body. The boy
lay limp and unconscious in his arms, his skin paler than before but very much
alive.
The urge to drink was overwhelming but the vampire closed his eyes and fought
to control his raging blood-thirst.
As the minutes passed, he slowly regained his composure, the tension easing
from his shoulders as he took long even breaths. When he finally opened his
eyes, the eerily luminescent glow of his eyes had faded and was now shades of
brilliant emerald green.
He studied the sleeping boy’s face with a mixture of lust and curiosity. Now,
on closer inspection, he noticed that the child had very attractive features.
High cheekbones, an aquiline nose, a sharp chin and finely shaped lips that had
an innocent allure to it. It was a beauty that perfectly matched to what was
coursing through his veins. A beauty that the vampire had no doubt would
blossom further with age.
‘From this day forward, you’re mine little one.’ The vampire whispered to the
child as he wrapped him in his coat.
In response, the boy snuggled closer to him, pressing his cheek against his
chest.
A fine investment, the vampire mused as he set off into the night with his
precious cargo safely tucked in his arms.
                                      ♠♠♠
Chapter End Notes
     Thank you for reading!
***** A Name *****
Chapter Summary
     A tale of a vampire who finds love in the most unlikely of places.
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
                                      ♠♠♠
It was no surprise to the vampire that Madame Smith immediately voiced her
disapproval the second he entered the Manor with his human.
‘Have you lost your mind Jensen!?’ she hissed as she rushed in close behind him
into his sleeping chambers. ‘If you think that I will idly stand by and watch
you gorge on this poor boy’s blood until he’s dead, you have another thing
coming!’
‘Hush woman, you’ll wake him.’ Jensen scolded, casting a warning glare over his
shoulder. The indignant look on Madame Smith’s face was priceless but she held
back her tongue and waited while the vampire peeled back the covers of his
large four-post bed and gently laid the sleeping boy on the plush mattress.
When the boy was tucked snuggly beneath the covers, Jensen remained by his side
for a moment. To Madame Smith’s surprise, he reached out and brushed aside the
boy’s long fringe then tenderly slid his knuckles down the side of his face.
She watched with intrigue at the rare display of affection.
It was only when they were out in the hallway with the heavy wooden doors
firmly shut behind them, did she turn to the vampire questioningly.
‘What are you doing love.’
Jensen met her stern gaze with a mischievous grin. ‘Isn’t it obvious?’ He
answered matter-of-factly, casting his eyes to the closed door and resting his
hand against it. ‘I’m going to raise him.’
‘Raise him? For what?’ Madame Smith’s feminine features suddenly hardened. ‘You
don’t mean to turn him do you?’
‘Of course not.’ Jensen barked out a laugh. ‘That would defeat the whole
purpose.’
‘What purpose?’
She saw the unmistakable golden gleam in the vampire’s eyes, revealing the
monster cleverly concealed beneath the mask of a gentleman.
‘To own and possess a human whose blood I can quench my thirst with whenever I
please.’ Jensen whispered low, his voice thick with lust.
Madame Smith’s face paled considerably. ‘Oh Jensen, no…’
The vampire smiled reassuringly. ‘Don’t worry yourself my dearest Samantha, at
least be happy to know that he will live.’
She parted her lips to raise her protest but the vampire was quick to silence
her with a chaste kiss.
As they parted, Jensen murmured against her lips in warning. ‘He is mine and I
will keep him.’
He made his departure then, heading down the dimly lit hallway to his study
where his crypt lay hidden behind a secret wall.
‘We’ll continue this discussion later.’ Madame Smith’s determined voice
resounded through the long hallway.
The vampire muttered under his breath. ‘That woman is insufferable.’
I heard that came the Madame’s timely response.
Jensen made his hasty retreat into his sanctuary.
His night was at an end.
Dawn was approaching.
                                      ♠♠♠
It was well past midday when the boy finally woke from his slumber.
Madame Smith had stayed by his side to keep a watchful eye over his weakened
state. After detecting the two deep puncture wounds on his neck, she had feared
for the worst.
But when the boy’s eyelids began to flutter, she sent her prayers of thanks
above to the Lord.
The bed creaked under her weight as she moved to sit beside the waking boy. Her
approach was tentative when she asked, ‘did you sleep well?’
The boy greeted her with few lazy blinks before he snapped his eyes open in
alarm. He wildly scanned his extravagant surroundings, finding nothing
familiar. He turned his wide hazel green eyes to the lady’s in clear distress.
‘It’s alright. It’s alright,’ She cooed as she reached out to cup the boy’s
rosy cheek in a gesture of comfort. She stopped midway when the boy shrunk away
from her hand in fear, his eyes screwed shut and his shoulders hunched to his
ears.
It was a sight Madame Smith saw on a regular basis in her line of work,
battered and broken young girls seeking refuge from a world that had used and
abused them.
But no matter how many times she saw it, it still shattered her heart.
There was only one way she knew how to deal with a situation like this. She
scooped the unsuspecting boy up in her arms and held him to her chest like a
mother would a baby.
‘You’re safe love, you’re safe.’ She spoke into the boy’s unruly hair, gliding
her hand up down his back in a soothing motion. Although the boy did not fight
against her hold, he remained rigid as a stone. His body was wound so tightly
that she could feel his tiny frame trembling under the strain.
So small, so damaged Madame Smith thought sadly.
Again and again she whispered reassuring words into the boy’s ears and gave him
all the comfort only a pair of warm welcoming arms could provide.
Slowly but surely, the boy began to uncoil. The enormous tension that had been
constricting his body began to ease. When the he finally came out of hiding and
peeked up at her cautiously, she couldn’t contain her smile.
‘There you are.’ Madame Smith said happily. ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you love.
My name is Samantha but you can call me Sam.’
The boy stared back at her uneasily, his hazel green eyes flickering nervously
around the room.
She pressed on in a cheerful manner, hoping to distract the boy before his
nerves got the best of him again.
‘Now why don’t you tell me your name love? I’m sure that an angel like you
would have a beautiful name to match it.’
She frowned when the boy shook his head.
‘You don’t have a name?’ The boy lowered his eyes in shame, hugging himself
tightly in a defensive manner.
Madame Smith was quick to reassure. ‘Not to worry love. We’ll decide on one
now. You choose whatever you like. How does that sound?’
The boy slowly lifted his head up with a certain spark in his sullen eyes and
Madame Smith took it as a resounding yes.
‘Right. What are good names for an adorable child like you... Perhaps Edward?’
Madame Smith suggested but the boy crinkled up his nose in disgust.
She chuckled. ‘I see that’s a no … Tobias?’ Again, the look that she was give
was not promising.
And so they went through a list of boy’s name commonly used but none of them
took the child’s fancy.
When they had exhausted all possibilities, one final name came to Madame
Smith’s mind. A name that she had held close to her heart for the last ten
years but had not dared to speak of it again ... until now.
‘What do you say to… ‘ the lady paused and held her breath. ‘Jared?’
It was like watching a flower come to bloom for the very first time. The boy’s
face brightened as his lips curled into a shy smile, revealing a hint of
dimples in his cheeks.
That was an answer enough.
With a great sense of satisfaction, Madame Smith announced. ‘I think we have
just found you your name.’
                                      ♠♠♠
Chapter End Notes
     Thank you for reading!
***** An Agreement *****
Chapter Summary
     A tale of a vampire who finds love in the most unlikely of places.
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
                                      ♠♠♠
When the final ray of daylight vanished beneath the mountainous horizon, the
vampire stirred to wakefulness in his coffin.
His glowing eyes snapped open the moment the world plunged into darkness. He
was pleasantly surprised to feel the blood from his hunt from the previous
night still coursing through his cold veins.
He suspected it was the boy’s blood that had replenished him for longer than
the stock standard was capable of doing.
The memory alone of the taste of the boy’s blood was enough for Jensen’s fangs
to extend in anticipation. He was eager to sit by the fire in his study tonight
(perhaps with book in hand) and immerse himself in its decadence once more.
Just a sip would do for the night.
He mustn’t be greedy if he was to make this last, he reminded himself.
With his course set for the evening, Jensen pushed open the lid of his coffin
with uncontained excitement.
His mood was undeniably dampened when he was met with Madame Smith by the
secret opening to his sanctuary from his study.
Jensen sighed. ‘Come to lecture me still?’ He said as he passed the lady and
made his way to his lounging chair to warm by the fireplace.
‘No, I know how pigheaded you are.’ She replied as she followed behind close
behind him.
‘Something we share in common, I fear.’ Jensen replied with mirth.
He gracefully slipped into his chair and reclined with his eyes fluttering
close. He welcomed the all-encompassing warmth of the roaring fire like a
lizard basking in the sun to heat his chilled bones.
His peaceful reprieve was interrupted by a delicate hand gently tilting his
chin in a silent plead for attention.
He was greeted by Madame Smith’s unwavering blue eyes.
‘I ask of you one thing and one thing only.’ She spoke with a contained passion
that somehow managed to seep deep beneath the vampire’s impenetrable heart.
‘Swear to me that you will nurture the boy and raise him to be a respectable
gentleman. Do not keep him chained and neglected like an ill-fated pet.’
The vampire frowned. The last thing he had in mind was to care for the boy.
Raise him, yes, but nurture him? To the vampire, he was no more than a fine
wine to be matured and aged and tasted. How he was to be kept alive, he didn’t
much care.
Then again, perhaps Madame Smith had a point.
If the boy could be happy, it certainly would help in maintaining (and
developing) the excellence that was his blood. If a loving home or something
that resembled to it was required, it probably was worth considering.
‘Please Jensen.’ The lady pleaded. ’For me.’
The vampire stood and took her hand in his. ‘Very well Samantha. It will be as
you requested.’ He acquiesced and pressed a soft kiss to the back of her hand.
Madame Smith visibly relaxed. ‘Thank you.’
He waved a dismissive hand and took his seat again. ‘Do not thank me. It’s
unbecoming of you.’
There was a huff of indignation but the women held her tongue for once.
‘Besides,’ he continued, ‘it will be your duty to give him whatever affections
he requires.’
Madame Smith softly laughed. ‘A chore not as great as you think love.’
‘I wouldn’t know.’ The vampire said, his gaze lost in the amber glow of the
dancing fire in contemplation.
He had lusted and devoured many in his long life as a vampire to satiate his
carnal desires. But love and affection, he had never known or wanted. To him,
it was entirely disadvantageous. His existence was precarious enough as it was
being a spawn of a demon and a human. There was no need to tip the scale
further by such distraction.
‘Maybe you will learn.’ Madame Smith’s gentle words weaved through his thoughts
like a thread of fine silk.
The vampire shook his head and scoffed. ‘A lesson I’d decline in a heartbeat.’
His hunger spiked then, sharp and persistent in the pit of his stomach. ‘Send
the boy.’ He said abruptly to Madame Smith.
The woman stiffened beside him. ‘Jensen…’
The vampire was swift in his rebuke. ‘I agreed to your terms, now do me the
courtesy of accepting mine.’ He turned in his seat to cast a dark look upon
her. His eyes flashed golden in warning. ‘The boy is here to serve a purpose
and I will see it fulfilled.’
A tense moment passed between the two. The vampire could see the emotions
warring within the woman without using his gift. She had always been so
refreshingly expressive unlike the majority of the dull human populace.
‘His name is Jared.’ Madame Smith finally said with a resigned sigh.
Jensen frowned. ‘Excuse me?’
‘The boy,’ she explained as she would to a small child. ‘His name is Jared. Do
try to remember it love.’
‘Fine,’ he growled and turned back to the fire. ‘Now go, and send for the b…’
Jensen paused and cursed himself for it. Why this woman had such a sway over
him, he would never know. He continued under the weight of the expectant gaze
of Madame Smith. ‘Jared. Call him to me.’
He could practically hear the woman preening as she said, ‘See? You’re learning
already.’
Too proud to concede and too hungry to speak, he grunted and waved his hand
again in dismissal.
The lady took her leave and Jensen, albeit somewhat frustrated, was finally
left to his blessed peace.
All there was for him to do now was wait.
                                      ♠♠♠
Chapter End Notes
     Thank you for reading.
***** An Introduction *****
Chapter Summary
     A tale of a vampire who finds love in the most unlikely of places.
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
                                      ♠♠♠
In the time he had to spare before the boy arrived, he decided to search for a
book to read as he had planned before he had been interrupted.
He eyed the vast collection of books that tightly lined half of his study's
wall appreciatively.
His hand travelled from binding to binding of each book, his caresses sweet and
gentle like that of a lover’s.
Words flew from the pages behind his closed eyes, a glimpse of each story
coming to life in swirls of technicolour. Familiar snapshots of scenes that
he’d read before were vividly captured and faded before being replaced by
another.
He almost missed the soft tread of a child’s feet approaching his study so
immersed was he in his books. The boy’s beating heart, however, he could not
miss.
thump thump thump
His eyes snapped open and he turned to the door, waiting expectantly for the
much-desired company soon to arrive. Not a second later, a messy mop of brown
hair appeared. The boy very cautiously peeked into the room with his eyes
quickly taking in his surroundings.
An inbuilt reflex for a species lower in the food chain, Jensen thought amused
by the antics.
When they fell upon the vampire’s imposing form, the boy cowered slightly but
he seemed determined to not look away. The beat of his heart increased slightly
but held steady. A feat for a child, when the vampire knew his hunger for the
boy was barely concealed beneath his composed veneer.
‘You’re not afraid of me?’ Jensen asked with a tilt to his lips, impressed by
the display.
The boy shook his head vehemently as if to convince himself.
Adorable
‘You really should be you know.’ The vampire warned, his face morphing into
something dangerous and predatory.
He stalked toward the boy, scenting the air as he went. It was almost
impossible not to salivate at the tempting smell of blood that lingered in the
air.
‘My name is Jensen and I am your new master. As my ward, you must do as I
command.’
He crouched before the wide-eyed child. He could almost taste it now. The boy’s
veins pulsing with life that beckoned him like a siren’s call.
So close
The change was instantaneous. The sweet tang completely spoiled by a
nauseatingly sweet stench of burning cigar mixed with stale liquor.
Jensen recoiled with a snarl, shocked and offended. The boy’s eyes had glazed
over in terror and it was not by being faced with the vampire’s fangs.
As if forced by invisible hands against his will, the boy slowly reached for
the collar of his white dress shirt with trembling hands.
Jensen watched stunned as the child reluctantly worked the buttons open one by
one in a twisted striptease. The shirt slid off from his thin shoulders to
reveal his small shivering frame. He stood like an offering to a slaughter,
completely resigned to whatever fate that awaited him.
It was only then that the vampire had enough sense to react.
‘No!’ he growled and tugged the shirt over the boy’s shoulders with more force
than was needed. The boy jerked beneath his brisk touch but he remained glued
to the spot, afraid and confused to do anything else.
When he was satisfied that the boy was half decent, he looked into the unseeing
hazel green eyes and opened his mind.
No words or thoughts bombarded him as it usually did when he listened to human
thoughts. Instead, he was assaulted with images of cruel faces of elderly men
in a swirl of thick black smoke. Their sweaty hands greedily reached for the
boy’s flesh, painful and bruising in their eagerness.
The cloying smell of cigar was oppressive; their humid breath rancid and heavy.
Their depravity was unspeakable.
He shut his mind almost instinctively, struck by how infuriated he was.
A small comforting hand was placed on his left cheek, grounding him against the
rage. He opened his eyes he’d unconsciously closed to find the boy watching him
with worry etched into his young open face.
His fury tampered at the sight and a powerful need to protect the child surged
in him.
‘Never,’ he said as he took the boy’s hand from his face into his own, ‘never
will you be demanded to provide such service again. Do you understand?’
For a long moment the boy stared back completely still. His eyes studied the
vampire’s stern face closely, searching for any insincerity in his words. As
the boy took in every one of his features, the burning scent of cigars that had
been prominent gradually faded.
Finally, the boy nodded his head.
‘Good.’ Jensen said with something akin to relief and released the boy’s hand.
His desire for blood had long diminished. There was no reason to keep him by
his side any longer.
‘You may retire to your room,’ he told the child distractedly as he rose to his
feet. ‘I no longer have any need for you tonight.’
The boy stood awkwardly with his hands fisting his navy blue trousers, clearly
unused to being released without providing any kind of service.
‘Go.’ Jensen said once more in a firm but an assuring tone.
The boy looked up to him cautiously, puzzled and still untrusting.
‘Rest now Jared. ’ He urged with a hint of glamour in his voice and the boy’s
face brightened from hearing his name. He could almost make out the hint of
dimples.
Seemingly satisfied he was permitted to take his leave; the boy inclined his
head and stepped out into the dimly lit hallway to return to his chambers.
Sometime had passed before Jensen realized he was staring at the spot where the
boy had been like a fool.
He made his way to the fireplace and leant against the elaborate stone mantel
with his head bowed. The golden red of the flickering flames went unseen by his
intense green orbs.
Tonight had been a disappointment.
A night that should have ended with him satiated and full had left him
confounded by his own emotions that had surfaced. What he’d seen in Jared’s
mind was nothing new or shocking. It was the many facets of human life that was
harsh in its reality but still no less true.
And yet, the thought of Jared enduring such treatment turned his stomach in
angry revolt once more.
It was troubling to say the least.
Despite where the evening had taken him, he did find himself strangely
satisfied.
The almost smile on Jared’s innocent face flashed before his eyes like a
reminder and the warmth that filled him from the inside was surpassed that of
any he’d felt before.
It would remain with him for the duration of the night long after the fire had
dwindled to ashes.
                                      ♠♠♠
Chapter End Notes
     Thank you for reading!
***** Doctor On Call *****
Chapter Summary
     A tale of a vampire who finds love in the most unlikely of places.
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
                                      ♠♠♠
It was, of course, the ever-observant Madame Smith who had noticed.
‘I fear Jared is unable to speak.’ She had told him the night following his
strange (and bloodless) encounter with the boy. He had been preoccupied
saddling his black stallion for a ride in search of fresh blood he was so
desperate for that he was caught unawares by Madame Smith’s approach.
The vampire paused at the lady’s question. Admittedly, he had not. The blank
look he returned in response must have said it all.
‘Of course you didn’t,’ she had said, shaking her head in agitation. ‘You’d
just read his mind.’
Before he could interject, she turned her beautifully made face and had said
decidedly, ‘I think we should call upon Dr Morgan. Make the arrangements love.
Have him come tonight.’
No sooner had she made her thoughts known, Madame Smith had left their estate
in a flurry for the night to her establishment.
An hour later saw Jensen in the drawing room, waiting impatiently for Dr Morgan
to finish his examination of Jared in his bedchambers.
His fingers tapped on the armrest in a restless beat. After a night deprived of
blood, he had woken starved. He could have left the boy the minute Dr Morgan
had arrived but his wish to know the diagnosis had annoyingly stayed his feet.
The strong healthy beat of the man’s heart announced his approach. It was more
pronounced and enticing to his ears than usual.
‘Well?’ he turned sharply to the rugged doctor the moment he appeared at the
threshold. The faint smell of blood assaulted his senses and his moss green
eyes immediately narrowed on the white patch of gauze taped to the side of the
man’s neck.
Doctor Morgan’s heavy strides faltered at the vampire’s intense scrutiny that
focused entirely on his neck.
‘You need to feed Jensen. You look ravenous.’
Jensen’s lips tilted into a shadow of a smile. ‘Are you offering Jeffery?’
The doctor eyed him warily as he approached the settee situated across from
him. ‘I would be a fool if I did.’
‘Then speak before I am tempted to bite.’ The vampire countered brusquely.
A few choice words were muttered under the doctor’s breath in disgruntlement as
he collapsed into his seat. The day's stress was evident by the shadow beneath
his eyes and his crumpled appearance in general.
‘The boy is well enough in body as far as I could tell. Skinny as a rack
though.’ He said with a groan as he leaned back to stretch the few kinks in his
neck and back.
‘I couldn’t perform a full examination as he was reluctant to be touched in
certain places.’ He regrettably confessed as he settled into his seat.
The vampire’s face-hardened knowing fully well the reason behind it.
‘His voice?’ Jensen prompted.
‘I could see no problem with his vocal chords. Which means the reason he does
not speak…’
‘Is one of choice?’
The doctor’s tanned face dimmed as he shook his head. ‘I would say it was more
of a learned behaviour out of necessity. I have no doubt that he has suffered
abuse, both physically and mentally.’
‘I see…’ Jensen replied quietly, his grip subtly tightening on the ends of the
armrest.
It did not go missed by the doctor’s keen brown eyes.
He leaned forward to close the distance between them and clasped his worn hands
stained with iodine together. ‘You know more than I do of the boy’s
circumstances. Just take comfort in the knowledge that he is well and he will
speak again. All he needs is time.’
His words were spoken in true kindness that the man seemed to exhume whenever
he sensed another in distress, however minute.
The vampire lounged back into his seat and laced his fingers in his lap. He
took in the man's honest stubbled face and considerate brown eyes. ‘I’m
surprised you’d trust me with a child in my charge Jeffery, knowing what I am.’
The doctor did not hesitate to reply. ‘I have faith in you Jensen. I always
have.’
The genuine sincerity was unexpected by but not entirely unwelcome. Still,
unwise to put his trust in a vampire like himself.
‘And besides,’ he continued confidently. ‘I’d expect Samantha would have much
to say if you mistreat the boy.’ He joked.
Jensen snorted. ‘She’d have me staked.’
‘Beheaded too no doubt.’
The look upon their faces was one of shared amusement.
Their moment of camaraderie was short lived as the doctor announced his leave
shortly thereof with an apologetic smile. ‘I must be off,’ he said rising to
his feet. ‘Elizabeth would be getting restless without me.’
Jensen followed suite, rising to his feet. He cocked his head at the doctor’s
patched neck with a look of mild concern. ‘You mean without your blood.’
The doctor’s hand immediately went to the wound defensively. The vivid red of
his blood had steadily seeped through the stark white gauze, the blooming stain
a distraction Jensen did not appreciate. Only repeated feeding without time for
recovery would lead to wounds not healing properly. It was a dangerous act to
perform upon a loved one.
‘It is of little concern.’ The doctor waved it off with a forced laugh. ‘We’re
both alive and it is thanks to you.’
The vampire scoffed; his retort critical. ‘Will you both be so grateful when
she bleeds you dry?’
‘That. will. never. happen.’ The doctor barked and immediately shut his mouth
embarrassed by his own outburst, especially faced with the vampire’s cool
countenance.
‘She’s learning to restrain herself.’ He said calmly after regaining some of
his composure.
‘Patience has never been our strongest virtue Jeffery.’ Jensen noted and
revealed his sharp canines in a grim smile. ‘We are driven by our instincts.’
‘Maybe so but it can be learned.’ The doctor said with firm conviction. ‘A
lesson you may have to learn soon too Jensen.’
The vampire returned the doctor’s meaningful gaze cast upon him with an
indulgent grin. ‘Perhaps. Good evening doctor. Send my best wishes to
Elizabeth.’
The finality in the vampire’s words and the slight edge to his timbre told the
doctor he had overstayed his welcome.
‘Good evening Jensen. Do try to eat before you see the boy and terrify him or
worse.’ He said with a pointed look before departing.
The vampire chuckled darkly. ‘Duly noted doctor.’
                                      ♠♠♠
Chapter End Notes
     I am (surprisingly) still writing and at times I wonder if what I'm
     writing fleshes everything out and if it is fitting with the vibe of
     the story. I can only hope that is the case. I realise a beta would
     be helpful but is a commitment that I may not be ready for as yet and
     I wouldn't want to burden another with! Thank you for anyone reading
     the story and also my self-doubt ramblings!
***** Do No Harm *****
Chapter Summary
     A tale of a vampire who finds love in the most unlikely of places.
Chapter Notes
     There may be historical inaccuracies, there may not be enough details
     or enough character development. Please read at your own risk! Thank
     you for the encouraging comments and kudos alike.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
A week had passed since the good doctor’s visit without any incident. Since
then, the vampire had developed a new appreciation for the spacious manor he
resided in.
Its intricate corridors and the numerous rooms branching from the main hallway
to interconnected rooms with hidden spaces in-between had allowed him to avoid
crossing paths with the boy.
In truth, he was at a loss as to what to do with him following their last
encounter.
He was torn between his craving for the child’s blood and equally matched
desire to do not harm to the child.
As laughable as the circumstance was to a vampire who had never thought twice
about giving into his bloodlust, he was inclined to keep his distance for now.
Despite his time spent well away from Jared, there wasn’t a night that passed
that he didn’t hear some news about the boy.
‘He’s such a bright child.’ Madame Smith said, sounding absolutely delighted as
she did nowadays whenever she spoke of the child.
At no request of his own, the lady had taken to accosting him before she left
for work to tell him of the day spent with the boy.
He watched amused as the woman spoke animatedly.
‘He reads and writes you know, at his age.’ She proudly said. ‘Whenever chance
he has, he will spend time in your study searching for books he can read.’
Something warm fluttered inside Jensen’s chest at the thought of Jared finding
comfort in a space so close to where he nested. Disturbed by the thought, he
took a hasty gulp of his tea that the lady had prepared for them.
A little civility before the night begins. She’d always say as she’d pour a cup
for him brewed from her own concoction.
Today, he tasted roses and peaches.
Feeling a little more like himself, he gently placed the fine teacup and saucer
on the side table next to his chair and raised a questioning eyebrow. ‘Tell me,
have you made arrangements for a governess as I requested?’
Madame Smith hesitated for a moment. ‘Not as yet…’ she confessed and met his
gaze over the rim of her cup.
Jensen did not like that conspiratorial look.
‘I thought that perhaps you could be Jared’s tutor.’
Jensen released an exasperated sigh. ‘Samantha…’
‘Just think about it love,’ she pressed, sliding into the seat next to him on
the lush settee and clasped his right hand in both of hers. ‘You have wealth of
knowledge that surpasses any governess would possess and Jared knows you.’
Jensen glanced at the woman doubtfully. ‘Even so, it would not be conducive to
his studies if he is taught at night when his mind is not as fresh and awake.’
‘He will do just fine.’ She implored. ‘Besides, he will be too busy during the
day learning how to help run the house and the estate. Nighttime would be
preferable you see?’
Jensen lifted his eyebrow in skepticism.
‘I see that you have far too much time on your hands Samantha.’ He said, unable
to counter the woman’s logic without revealing his anxieties when it came to
the boy.
‘You will consider it then?’ She peered up through her fan of pale eyelashes
with a hopeful look on her face.
Jensen casually replied. ‘I make no promises.’
Her answer was an affectionate press of her soft lips to his shaven cheek.
‘Thank you love.’
‘You’ll be late.’ He reminded her.
She smiled, squeezed his hand and stood to leave.
The vampire watched her walk away humming happily to herself. He shook his head
and turned to the wide windows lining one side of the sitting room. His eyes
were drawn to the heavy black clouds that blanketed the skies. A deep rumble
echoed throughout - a forewarning of what was to come.
It appeared tonight, he would be spending his time indoors.
                                      ♠♠♠
The light drizzle had quickly turned to a downpour.
Gale winds now pelted the rain against the old windows and battered them
mercilessly.
A flash of lightening brightened the blackened skies in a sudden spark before a
thunderous clap shook the very earth.
Jensen stood by one of the windows of his study and welcomed it all, almost
reluctant to relinquish the nostalgia it brought with it.
He had moved to his study shortly after Madame Smith had left and he had just
finished kindling a fire to keep the cold and the damp at bay when the first
thunder had struck.
Another deafening crash rattled the window and Jensen was jarred from his
reverie.
Not by the lightening strike but by the lump of a shadow that had appeared at
his study’s doorway.
It was the boy drowning in a thick duvet that he had managed to wrap himself up
with.
He stood timidly at the threshold with only his worried face showing, unable to
decide if he should or shouldn’t enter. A spark followed by a crack of thunder
jolted him into action.
He rushed to Jensen’s side and clung to his tight fitted pants like his life
depended upon it. The duvet had rumpled at his feet forgotten and revealed his
shivering frame in a pale blue nightgown. His dark chestnut hair was an array
of mess. The boy’s eyes wildly looked above and behind him as if in search of
an invisible enemy.
A pleasant buzz travelled through the vampire’s body when the sweet scent of
Jared’s blood mixed with lavender soap assaulted his senses. Jensen inhaled
deep and savoured it.
He noted too an underlying smell that was gradually overpowering the rest. It
was of damp rotting earth, ripe and pungent.
Fear he thought
‘Jared,’ he called to the boy but he could not hear him, too distracted by the
thunderstorm.
‘Jared,’ he repeated again and this time, he took the boy’s chin and tilted his
face upwards to face him.
He patiently waited until the boy’s bewildered hazel green eyes came to focus
on him.
‘Let me tell you a story.’ He told him kindly.
A clap of thunder had the boy flinching but his eyes remained on Jensen.
‘Come, sit by the fire.’ He gestured to a spot near the fireplace, close to his
favourite bergère chair. He collected few cushions from the close by chaise
lounge chair and placed them on the Persian rugged floor.
Jared gathered his duvet and shuffled to sit on top of the cushions. When he
had rewrapped himself with the duvet and had settled in a makeshift nest, he
stared up at Jensen expectantly.
‘It is a story that I was once told, about a demon and a human he fell in love
with.’ the vampire began.
The boy cocked his head like a lost pup.
‘Demons, Jared, are the fallen; the damned,’ he explained. ‘They are terrifying
in their true form but can disguise to appear like any other human. They are
creatures that tempt and lure humans to misdeeds and reek havoc without mercy,
or so they say.’ Jensen smirked.
‘This demon in particular had the ability to tamper the weather and he had been
tasked to destroy a village. But soon after he’d surfaced, he stumbled upon a
young maiden who had been bathing by a hidden cove. He approached her with
every intention to do harm to her but when she turned to him in surprise, he
was taken breathless by her beauty. Even more so when she had the courage to
strike out at him without fear. They fought, she won and he was in love. He
abandoned his mission entirely and instead lived like a human to remain close
to the maiden. With time, she returned his genuine affections and they were
united. But they were not to be destined for happiness. The demon’s desertion
could not go unpunished. No sooner were the happy couple married, the demon was
dragged back to hell by his former comrades and locked away for all eternity.’
The sullen look on the boy’s face spoke of his compassion that the vampire
could not help but find endearing. The vampire leaned in close, his elbows
resting on his knees.
‘But on nights when his sorrow is at it’s greatest, his anguished cries rips
the sky and the earth open in a thunderous bolts of lightening. So you see
Jared, there is nothing to fear of on a night like this. It is but a desperate
cry of a demon for his lost beloved.’
The boy’s demeanor remained subdued, his heart silently weeping for the lovers.
A thunder crashed outside and Jensen was relieved to see that Jared neither
recoiled nor started in alarm.
Instead, he turned to Jensen with a small smile and he could not help but
answer it with one of his own.
It struck him then that he had not once felt the debilitating bloodlust that he
feared would come when faced with the boy.
                                      ♠♠♠
When Madame Smith entered Jensen’s study with tea the next evening, smelling of
cinnamon and apple, and saw Jensen working on what suspiciously looked to be a
customized study schedule, she simply smiled and said, ‘No governess required I
take it?’
Jensen refused to dignify that with an answer.
                                      ♠♠♠
It was alarming how easily Jensen fell into a routine that revolved around the
child.
His typical day consisted of sleeping in daylight, rising at dusk, drinking
obligatory tea with Madame Smith, teaching Jared, hunting when he needed to and
the cycle would repeat all over again like clockwork.
His once thriving social life where he would attend parties to find blood of
noble worth was non-existent and to his surprise, it did not bother him at all.
He now hunted far and wide from unsuspecting lone travelers and lost souls when
hunger overtook him. Their taste was mediocre at best and yet, he found it to
be more than enough when it meant he could spend the rest of his waking moments
in Jared’s presence.
The child, for his part, was adapting to his new life.
‘He still doesn’t smile enough,’ Madame Smith said with a note of
disappointment in her voice as she arranged the bouquet of wild flowers she’d
collected earlier that day, clipping stray leaves where needed.
Jensen stirred from his quiet contemplation that centered on the child’s lesson
for the night ahead. The air was filled with the soothing scent of fresh mint
from the brewing tea.
‘I hadn’t noticed.’ Jensen grunted as he rose to sit up on the settee, feigning
ignorance.
‘Oh really?’ she asked with a quirk of her finely defined eyebrow. ‘So has it
also passed your purview that the boy remains untouched after two months?’
Jensen paused with his teacup raised to his lips caught unawares.
He recovered quickly and explained in a matter-of-fact tone, ‘I have decided to
wait until the boy is stronger. We wouldn’t want him dead now would we?’
‘I see.’ Madame Smith responded completely unconvinced. ‘And here I was
thinking you had become attached to the boy.’
Jensen stared back with a look of horror.
Madame Smith smiled to herself as she poured herself a cup of tea.
                                      ♠♠♠
Jared was late.
He was never late.
The boy was punctual. He had his supper at half past the hour of six and by
seven; he was sitting by Jensen’s study desk for their lesson.
It was now ten past the hour and the child was nowhere to be seen.
Madame Smith had already left for the night and the day help was required to
depart before he rose.
Without anyone to ask for Jared’s whereabouts, he thoroughly searched all the
likely places that he would be. The scent of the boy’s blood and lavender soap
lingered where he went but it was too faint to be of any use.
When his search proved to be in vain, he began to worry.
He decided he would approach the only help that remained on the premise.
                                      ♠♠♠
The air was mild with the approaching spring and the slight breeze carried with
it the refreshing scent of new leaves and fertile earth.
The star-studded sky was endless in its span above.
The vampire vaguely registered all this in passing as he rushed across the lush
ground to the quaint little cottage that stood at the far end of the estate
with his supernatural speed.
He banged the dated wooden door none too lightly and shouted to the occupant.
‘Mr. Beaver!’
The door opened soon after to reveal a grumpy looking bearded man in his
knitted red sweater and stained brown pants held up with suspenders.
There were breadcrumbs in his beard and he hurriedly wiped his mouth with the
napkin hanging from his neck.
‘Sir?’
‘The boy, have you seen him today?’ The vampire demanded, uncaring that he had
interrupted the man’s supper.
The old man’s sun-worn face crinkled in concern. ‘Yes Sir, I left him at the
barn no more than an hour ago with…’
The vampire was gone even before Mr. Beaver had finished his sentence.
When Jensen entered the barn like a swift breeze, the animals stirred in
restlessness.
They knew by instinct that he was a dangerous predator.
Again, there was no Jared.
The heavy steps of the old man came to a haltering stop behind him, his heart
beating in staccato.
‘He’s not here.’ Jensen accused in an eerily calm tone.
Mr. Beaver took a deep breath and groused, ‘he wouldn’t be now would he?’
The vampire turned to face the human, his glare glacial.
The old man coughed nervously to dislodge the sudden lump in his throat. ‘I was
going to say before you rushed off in a huff that the boy was in Winchester’s
barn.’
In a blink of an eye, the vampire was standing right in the man’s face.
‘Are you mad!?’ Jensen snarled furious. ‘You know that Winchester will only
submit to me and no other.’
‘Believe me, I know…’ Mr. Beaver began but he was cut short.
‘James,’ Jensen interrupted, his voice severe and deadly. ‘It will be your head
if I find that he has been harmed in anyway.’
The man stared back speechless, taken aback by the play of emotions on the
vampire's face.
‘What?’ Jensen snapped when the man continued to gawk at him.
‘Um, nothin’ Sir. Just surprised is all.’
The vampire scowled. ‘Come, we’ve wasted enough time already.’
                                      ♠♠♠
It was a short walk to the smaller barn that housed the black stallion,
Winchester.
The stone cobble structure was built specifically for the vampire’s faithful
horse when he had been just a skinny foal, abandoned and at the brink of death.
From the onset, he had not been shy to show his dislike for other living
creatures, especially humans. Whenever anyone tried to approach him, he became
volatile. Jensen was the only exception. They had clicked on an instinctual
level from the moment their eyes had met on that fateful stormy night.
Like outcast to outcast, they accepted one another for what they both were.
His temperament had not changed even in his adulthood.
For this reason, Jensen was unable to comprehend what he was seeing.
His magnificent, strong-headed and unyielding stallion was resting on the
ground on a bed of hay, completely relaxed and unguarded with the tiny boy
slumbering against his stomach.
Winchester’s head blocked the boy from view with his neck curled toward the
child in a protective shield.
They were completely content with one another.
‘The beast was the first to take to the boy.’ Mr. Beaver whispered as he came
to stand next to the vampire.
‘I was teaching him the things I do around here and Winchester had been keepin’
an eye on us from the distance all suspicious like at first.’ He grinned at the
memory.
‘Slowly though, he came around, creepin’ up on us until he was standing right
behind the boy and nudging him for a piece of carrot that he’d been feeding the
others. Since then, they’ve been inseparable.’
The vampire’s eyes never wavered from the sleeping boy’s face as he listened
the story in silent wonderment.
The biting tension that had built within him gradually eased, washed away by
the calming beat of the boy’s tiny heart.
‘It seems I owe you an apology James.’ The vampire ruefully said.
‘Already forgiven and forgotten Sir,’ Mr. Beaver replied in understanding with
an easy smile.
The horse’s ear twitched and he raised his head in alert. His intelligent beady
eyes took in the old man and glowered.
‘Winchester.’ Jensen reprimanded and the horse had enough shame to incline his
head in obedience.
He crouched in front of the horse and as usual, Winchester raised his head for
a scratch under his chin.
‘I see you’ve found a friend?’
The stallion nodded his head up and down excitedly and made a contended neigh.
The enthused reply of the horse roused the boy from his sleep.
Mr. Beaver watched in astonishment for the second time that night as the
vampire’s mask of cold indifference softened.
Jared stared up bleary eyed at the vampire, fisting his eyes to wake himself.
As soon as he was aware of where he was and in whose presence, he scrambled to
his feet and blushed in embarrassment.
The vampire schooled his features into one of disappointment. ‘You were late
for our lesson Jared.’
The boy hunched his shoulders and bowed his head awaiting his punishment. The
smell of rotten earth flared.
‘No matter.’ Jensen said dismissively. ‘I have decided that we will ride
tonight. It is a clear night after all and Winchester could use with some
exercise.’
Jared chanced a glance, peeking from beneath his bangs.
‘Unless you’d prefer to continue with our lesson in arithmetic?’
The boy shook his head with passion.
‘Then it is decided.’ Jensen smirked and rose to his feet, brushing off the
dirt and hay from his knees.
He offered his hand to the boy. ‘Shall we?’
Jared’s small hand nervously reached out for his. Their hands touched and
Jensen’s large capable hand wrapped up the boy’s in his.
A slow dimpled smile graced Jared’s cherub face in pure elation that was
nothing short of mesmerizing.
Jensen held his breath and only remembered to breathe when he met the old man’s
knowing smile.
                                      ♠♠♠
Chapter End Notes
     It felt like I was writing for a very long time but it doesn't seem
     like much when it's posted! Any comment you may have is appreciated.
     Thank you for reading :).
***** Changing Times *****
Chapter Notes
     Over the past few weeks, I have gone through various emotions
     reaching to this point of posting Part 3. I was first feeling
     confident I was getting down what I wanted, then worried that it was
     moving too fast, then satisfied again with what I had written but
     still concerned it didn't flow. I'm not entirely sure how I am
     feeling at this moment but I fear if I don't post it now, it will
     never happen!
     I should also warn you that there is some Jensen/Misha in this part.
     I would have put this warning in Part 1 but at that time, I had no
     plans on having such a pair happening. The story took a life of its
     own on this one so my apologies in advance for the unexpected and beg
     for your understanding.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
                                      ♠♠♠
Time moved differently for vampires.
For Jensen, it felt almost stagnant having never had the luxury humans had to
tell the passage of time.
Forever living in near darkness without the benefit of daylight robbed him of
colours that told of changing seasons.
He aged in minute increments as a half-breed, giving him an appearance of a man
somewhere in his late twenties to early thirties, but in truth, he was quadrice
that age.
Only when he consciously turned his mind to it, did he take notice.
At times, it was the crunch of dead foliage under his boots or the caress of
the ambient summer breeze. At other times, it was by observing the people
around him.
‘It’s rude to stare you know.’
Jensen’s gaze shifted from Dr Morgan’s predominantly grey hair to the man’s
chastised face, now defined by more lines and creases upon closer inspection.
‘Jeffery, you’ve aged terribly.’ He said not unkindly, sounding genuinely
baffled more than anything else.
It didn’t stop the doctor from taking offense and responding with a mighty
scowl, the crease between his thick brows becoming more prominent.
‘I’ve had to deal with you for the last 14 years,’ the doctor shot back as he
shouldered his way through the front doors, making sure to bump into the
vampire hard, ‘it was bound to happen sooner than later!’
Jensen paused. 14 years … Had it been that long since he settled here?
Was it possible that he had allowed himself to become so idle?
He trailed after the doctor and upon entering the sitting room, the doctor
turned to him in a business-like manner and rubbed his hands together. ‘Now,
where is Jared?’
There was an answering bang of the back doors followed by rushed footsteps that
grew louder until the boy stumbled into the room in a whirlwind.
His cheeks were flushed in excitement, his unruly hair windswept. His auburn
shirt was ruffled, unbuttoned and un-tucked with his mustard yellow breeches
and knee-high boots splattered with mud and smeared with grass stains.
‘You’ve been riding Winchester again without me.’ The vampire commented with a
hint of disapproval as he eyed the boy from head to toe.
The colour in the boy’s cheeks deepened from embarrassment and he bit into his
bottom lip guiltily. He attempted to fix his shirt but the vampire beat him to
it, moving soundlessly until he stood before him.
The boy’s stance became lax as Jensen began to work on the buttons.
In such close proximity, the vampire found himself immersed in the sweet smell
of wild berries and the summer sun interlaced with the boy’s scent of blood. He
drew just a little closer, unable to resist his ingrained need to scent the
boy.
He inhaled deep. Still intoxicating as ever.
With the shirt fixed, Jensen begun to card his fingers through the tangled
locks in attempt to tame it to something more presentable. Jared’s eyes
fluttered closed in contentment, lolling his head this way and that as
directed.
The vampire studied the boy’s slackened face before him and he belatedly came
to a startling realization.
Jared had grown almost to his height.
Suddenly, the other glaringly obvious transformation in the boy’s physique came
to light as he studied him closely. His limbs were much longer now in
proportion to his height, still thin, but there was wiry strength to them from
his constant riding. His round face had sharpened, his cheekbones and chin more
pronounced.
Somewhere along the away, he had shed his baby fat and had emerged as a young
man who stood before him.
It cemented the fact that time had indeed gotten away from him.
The doctor, who had been silently observing from the side, could not help but
feel he was intruding on an intimate moment.
He cleared his throat louder than it necessitated.
As he had expected, the vampire did not respond immediately. His gaze lingered
on the boy’s face for a little while longer and finally turned to the doctor.
His right hand, however, remained tangled in the boy’s hair, reluctant to
relinquish his hold.
‘If you are finished, I’d like to examine my patient?’ The doctor said
pointedly.
Jensen turned back to Jared who leisurely blinked his eyes open. ‘You heard the
doctor Jared.’
The boy hesitantly stepped away from the vampire and greeted the doctor with a
reserved but genuine smile. His subtle grace in his lithe form as he walked
toward the doctor was a stark contrast to his fumbled entrance earlier.
‘Let us go to your quarters so we have some privacy?’ Dr Morgan suggested as he
picked up his medical bag.
Jared nodded in agreement and led the way, oblivious to the vampire’s watchful
gaze.
                                      ♠♠♠
Since his first examination of Jared, Dr Morgan had felt morally obliged to
check upon him whenever he could.
He trusted Jensen, yes, but he knew first hand that sometimes vampires took
more than their human counterpart could afford to give in throes of their
bloodlust. There had been many occasions when he had needed to recuperate a day
(even two) after Elizabeth had lost herself in the moment of feeding.
The last thing he wanted was for the boy to become anemic under his watch. It
became a routine of sort and Jensen indulged him, albeit warily at times.
It soon became evident his worry was misplaced.
Not once in the last ten years had he seen the telltale signs of the gratuitous
bites on the boy’s body.
His respect for the vampire had been renewed and re-confirmed every time he
inspected the boy.
Now Jared stood before him a young man and he wondered how long before the
besotted vampire would leave his possessive mark of ownership.
By the interaction he’d witnessed earlier, he guessed it was only a matter of
time.
                                      ♠♠♠
A pitch-black night like tonight promised a bountiful hunt.
The vampire, however, had not been lured by the dark as the doctor had
predicted.
Instead, he found Jensen sitting by his grand mahogany desk in his ill lit
study. He made an imposing sight, halting even the doctor’s feet from
disturbing the oppressive silence.
The full moon was high behind Jensen’s back through the open window. His front
was cast in shadows but rather than concealing him, it brought out the power in
his broad shoulders and the iridescent glow in his stark green eyes.
They were focused on the table where today’s newspaper laid spread open.
Dr Morgan approached him and voiced his concern as he drew closer. ‘What
troubles you my friend?’
Jensen remained silent, his long fingers of his artisan’s hands interlocked,
his eyes intent on the newspaper.
The doctor cast a curious glance downward and even upside down, the title of
the top article leapt out at him in bold.
Another Bloodless Victim Found! A Vampire In Our Midst!?
‘I have become far too complacent.’ Jensen’s heavy sigh was punctuated by the
loud creak of the chair under his weight as he leaned back. ‘Perhaps it’s
time.’
The doctor froze, not liking the direction of their conversation. ‘For what?’
‘Don’t be dull Jeffery. You know what. It’s better to leave before people begin
to question the resident night-walker who does not age. ’
‘But what of Jared?’
The vampire stood from his chair and turned to stand by the window. The doctor
thought he caught a glimpse of Jensen’s usually inscrutable countenance crack.
‘He has Samantha, James and you.’ The vampire said evenly. ‘He will be fine.’
‘And you?’ The doctor demanded. ‘Could you survive without him?’
He heard the vampire’s sardonic laugh. A mask of cold indifference had settled
upon his chiseled face once more. ‘Either you’re blind or stupid doctor. You
just examined the boy, did you see any mark on him?’
‘That’s exactly my point Jensen!’ The doctor urged, drawing closer to the
vampire. ‘All this time, you’ve not touched him once. You raised him with such
care and devotion that only speaks of deep love for the boy.’
Jensen’s response was clinical. ‘He is untouched because he is too young and
weak. He would be no good to me dead.’
‘That may have been the case ten years ago Jensen.’ Dr Morgan conceded. ‘But
that has not been the case for a long time.’
The vampire’s posture stiffened, his pale complexion ethereal in the moonlight.
‘Please … just think about this before you make any drastic decisions.’ Dr
Morgan pleaded and when no reassurance was forthcoming, he regrettably made his
way to the door.
'Jeffery,' Jensen called out to him, effectively halting the doctor's steps.
‘I was going to say earlier that you’re looking surprisingly well,' he said
sincerely but added, 'despite your ageing.' The doctor bristled.
'I see Elizabeth is more of a patient soul than I gave her credit.’ He
continued. 'I envy her,' he murmured almost wistfully.
The doctor smiled to himself and said quietly before leaving. 'You shouldn't.
You're half way there.'
                                      ♠♠♠
Summer meant longer days.
Longer days meant shorter nights for the vampire.
Frivolous pursuits were the last things he had time for and yet …
Jared came running toward him, his face split wide into an exhilarated smile
and swerved to hide behind him. His hands gripped Jensen’s broad shoulders to
anchor his heels into the damp earth. His heart was beating a mile a minute, a
fine music to Jensen’s ears.
The two excitable dogs that had been chasing the boy came to a skittering halt
before the vampire. Their expressive chocolate brown eyes looked up to him in
trepidation and the vampire arched his eyebrow that had them cowering.
Jared peeked from behind Jensen’s shoulders, amusement clear on his boyish
face. He took off again like the wind and the dogs bolted after him.
It was not long before the dogs tackled him to the ground and Jared was being
licked by eager tongues and pushed by demanding paws.
Their frenzy waned and settled eventually with Jared lying on his back and the
two dogs rested their sizeable upper bodies on Jared’s torso. They were far
from being light but the boy didn’t seem to mind and in fact, relished the
contact, idly scratching their necks and behind their ears.
Out of all the pointless things Jensen liked to watch Jared do, he thought he
liked this the most. He was at his most carefree and uninhibited, unburdened by
his past.
The trust he could rarely place on his own kind were freely given to these
devoted animals that would never intentionally harm him like so many of his
kind were prone to do.
Jensen wasn’t quite sure which group he fell into.
He made his way to the boy and the dogs, cleverly so, scattered to distance
themselves from him.
Jared remained sprawled on the ground, uncaring of the wet ground he laid upon
or the hideous stain it was no doubt leaving on his clothes. There were streaks
of mud on his cheeks and his jaw.
‘Jared, you’re filthy.’
The boy grinned up at him completely satisfied by his state and extended his
right hand.
Jensen took it in his own to pull him to his feet. In a surprisingly quick
manouver for a human, Jared yanked him to the ground. He lost his footing,
stumbled over the boy’s prone form and before he knew it, he was lying right
beside him on the muddy ground.
He could already feel the wet seeping through the back of his ivory white vest.
‘I will have you know that this is my favourite vest.’ Jensen said grudgingly
and cast a bitter look to the boy.
As expected, Jared appeared anything but repentant. He was pointing toward the
start filled sky in an excited flurry like this was the first time he’d seen
the stars before.
The vampire sighed and gazed upwards too, yielding to the boy’s whims for the
time being. To him, the view was no more exceptional than any other nights he’d
witnessed before.
Jared’s long elegant fingers curled around his right hand and tightened,
squeezing every time he made a new discovery in the sky.
A shooting star blazed across the clear night and Jared inched closer to him in
excitement, his finger trailing after it. They were shoulder to shoulder, hand
in hand, side by side.
On second thought, star-gazing did have its appeal after all.
‘You’re still washing this vest.’ Jensen said after awhile, his tone bordering
on petulant.
The boy angled a look at the vampire with a quirk of his lips and squeezed his
hand lightly before turning back to the stars.
                                      ♠♠♠
The night was at its hottest tonight.
The vampire was losing concentration.
He was more irritable and easily distracted, his senses amplified.
Being in close proximity to the boy was not helping at all. His heady scent
richer than usual dominated the humid air. It stimulated the vampire’s palate
and other unbidden desires that he refused to turn his thoughts to.
He was still grappling with the idea that Jared was no longer a child but an
adolescent, quickly growing into his skin - his golden sun-bathed skin that now
glowed in the ambient candlelight.
His gaze lingered on the boy’s concentrated face.
He sat across from him by the study desk with his head down, his eyes focused
entirely on the Latin scripture he was reading and translating.
The heat was getting to the boy also. Strands of his low hanging fringe were
damp with sweat and stuck to his glowing skin, his high cheeks suffused in
crimson from the oppressing heat. He took in the impish nose, the mole on his
left side beside his nose, the hint of dimples and the cherry red lips that had
darkened from the constant chewing.
The overall picture – lovely.
The boy lifted his head slightly and tilted it in thought. Jensen’s gaze
followed the tempting slope of the boy’s neck and narrowed in on the arterial
pulse.
thump thump thump
The abrupt rising of the vampire from his seat had the boy snapping his head up
in surprise.
Jensen cleared his throat awkwardly and rushed out. ‘I’m taking my leave.
Finish what you’re working on and go to bed.’
He hurried out of the room before Jared could stop him.
He was in dire need of a distraction.
                                      ♠♠♠
The Vesper Stella was located just on the outskirt of the town.
To the passing traveler, it appeared as nothing but a dense forest on the side
of the main road. To the knowing eyes, however, there was a long winding secret
passage hidden on the side that led to a large alcove where the mansion stood
from prying eyes.
It was an understated building, inconspicuous in appearance with conservative
white stonewalls and stately two doors leading into the elaborate main foyer.
The ground floor was devoted to the small stage for the vibrant cabaret shows
held every night with dining area for the clients whilst they enjoyed the show.
The two floors above were where individualized rooms were located for private
meetings with the twenty odd courtesans that were employed.
They were a mixture of talented men and women, there to entertain the elite and
the wealthy.
Jensen had a standing invitation.
‘Good evening Mr. Ackles.’ The petite brunette at the reception greeted him
with a welcoming smile.
He took his hat off and his cape and returned the greeting. ‘Good evening
Sandra.’
‘Shall I escort you to Madame Smith?’ The girl asked politely as she took his
cape and his hat.
‘No need Sandra.’
Jensen raised his head to the owner of the voice and his lips tilted into a
ghost of a smile.
‘Misha.’
The man’s squared face softened, his soulful blue eyes brightening at the sound
of his name.
‘Mr. Ackles.’ He replied with a courteous nod.
The familiar scent of smoky cigarettes, a hint of sweet myyrh and woodsy wine
the man favoured so much drifted toward the vampire as he climbed the showcased
staircase.
It was all underlined by the attractive scent of his blood, sophisticated and
elegant like the man himself. Tonight, he was dressed smartly in a navy blue
vest with a matching cravat and an ivory dress shirt and trousers with polished
black shoes.
The blue complimented his eyes very well, Jensen keenly observed.
‘Follow me.’ Misha turned and lead the way up to the third floor. Jensen was
more than happy to oblige.
He was shown to the spacious corner room with the view of the greenery and the
charming flower garden below.
Not much had changed since the last time he was here.
The modest oak desk was positioned diagonally to the corner between the two
wide French windows. It was kept immaculate with accounting books in clean
stacks to one side and the writing implements on the other.
In the opposite corner from the desk there was the luxurious wide couch with
deep blue damask upholstery against one wall and a well-used patterned chaise
against the other wall.
Near the couch was the well stocked drinks cabinet where Misha now stood with
his back to the vampire, preparing their drinks.
‘The usual?’ He asked without turning.
Jensen moved swiftly and loomed behind Misha, leaning in to brush his lips
against his left ear.
‘No, I’m rather thirsty for something else.’ He whispered as he curled his left
arm around the man’s dipped waist to seal their front and back together whilst
his right hand loosened the tightly wound cravat until the man’s neck was
exposed.
Misha chuckled. ‘You’re eager tonight.’
Jensen nuzzled the inviting stretch of skin. ‘I’ve missed you.’
‘You’ve missed sex’ Misha said with a hitch to his voice. An unfiltered
response to Jensen’s right hand that now cupped his crotch with sure intent.
‘Sex with you.’ Jensen corrected.
‘Semantics.’ Misha replied breathlessly, his hips canting slightly forward at
Jensen’s middle finger pressed determinedly against his clothed perineum.
‘Do you object?’
Misha looked over his shoulder and pressed his lips to Jensen’s. ‘Not in the
slightest.’ He said with a come hither smile.
                                      ♠♠♠
Adrenaline and sex permeated the air in the dimly lit room.
Jensen inhaled it greedily.
He was feeling more like his old self again.
He mouthed the sweat slick neck before he sunk his fangs into the pulsing flesh
and thrust his hips forward to penetrate deep into the quivering body.
‘Ah!’ Misha choked out as he clawed Jensen’s cloth covered back, arching from
the couch. His body tightened delectably and the hot gush of come coated their
grinding bodies.
Jensen’s pace became frenzied, driven by the sinful taste of Misha’s blood
flooding his mouth and the convulsing passage gripping his erection. He came
with a growl, grinding his cock against the man’s prostate mercilessly.
Misha held onto Jensen’s shuddering body with arms wound around his neck,
gasping softly into the vampire’s shoulder.
Jensen lazily licked the two puncture wounds until it closed seamlessly from
the natural antigen in his saliva. This combined with the healthy dose of
analgesic he’d administered into the man’s blood stream with his bite ensured
that Misha remained none the wiser to Jensen’s true identity.
He disentangled himself from man and they both flinched when his softening cock
slipped out with a wet squelch from Misha’s rosy entrance.
‘Better?’ Misha asked, still a little breathless, as he sat up and grabbed the
cigarette case and a box of matches from the coffee table.
Better was an understatement.
It had been a long time since the vampire had allowed himself to feed and
satisfy his physical needs simultaneously. Sex and the act of feeding usually
came hand in hand for vampires but it’d become almost non-existent for Jensen
since he’d taken Jared in.
He’d forgotten how good it could be.
‘Much,’ he replied.
Misha offered his lit cigarette to Jensen as he stood to dress.
The vampire took a lungful of the smoke and lounged back into the couch, too
satiated to bother with buttoning his shirt or fixing his trousers.
For now, he was content to watch the man clean and dress himself with clothes
that had been discarded on the floor in their passion.
Just as Misha was fixing his hair before the mirror behind the door, a
disturbance from outside their room broke the comfortable silence.
Misha opened the door and Jensen quickly followed.
In the corridor at the top of the staircase stood two figures in a struggle.
One was slightly taller, sturdy in build, holding the thinner man by his left
wrist. Jensen immediately recognized the one fighting against the restraining
hold.
His vision flared red.
Before he registered what he was doing, Jensen had moved to grip the brute’s
wrist and he did not stop twisting until Jared was released and the man bulked
under the punishing hold, falling onto one knee.
Breaking off the man’s offending hand was a very appealing thought.
‘Gentlemen!’ Misha rushed toward them, placing a placating hand on Jensen’s
shoulder.
The vampire reluctantly released the man’s wrist and stepped back with Jared
hidden behind him, shielded from view.
He dared not to let the man out of his sight until he was certain that the
threat was removed.
The man eyed him with restrained hostility, gingerly massaging his inflamed
wrist.
‘Lord Aiden, this is Mr. Ackles, the patron of this establishment and the boy
you were conversing with is his ward.’ Misha calmly explained as he helped the
man straighten to his feet.
‘Mr. Ackles was under the impression his ward was in distress when he reacted.
I hope you understand?’
Lord Aiden’s unconventionally handsome face smoothed into a practiced smile
that most would find charming but Jensen was not fooled by it for a second.
‘Of course Mr. Collins.’ He said good-naturedly and met Jensen’s unforgiving
gaze.
‘I apologies Mr. Ackles and to the young lad for scaring him.’ His cunning
silver eyes focused directly above his left shoulder where Jensen knew Jared’s
face hovered.
‘I was simply taken by your striking beauty and I was desperate to know your
name.’ He smiled shamefully. ‘I truly meant no harm,’ he implored with a look
of genuine remorse.
‘He could not tell you his name because he cannot speak.’ Jensen said curtly,
stepping into Lord Aiden’s line of vision.
The young man’s face imperceptibly hardened before he offered an apologetic
smile.
‘I did not realise and I again, offer my sincere apology. Good evening Mr.
Ackles.’ He said with a polite nod. ‘I’m sure we’ll meet again.’
Misha promptly escorted Lord Aiden down the stairs, casting a meaningful look
over his shoulder at Jensen.
It was a promise of painful lecturing later to come no doubt.
He finally turned his attention toward Jared, who stood in a stunned daze, his
eyes trained on Lord Aiden’s retreating back. He clutched his wrist close to
his chest protectively.
Jensen gently took the wrist and closely inspected it. It was red from being
rubbed raw but the damage was superficial to his relief. The tentative touch
finally stirred the boy from his reverie and he quickly snatched his wrist
back.
The anger and hurt directed at him through the bright hazel green eyes were,
frankly, incomprehensible.
The boy’s accusing eyes trailed down his exposed torso and his creased pants
before meeting the stunned emerald green eyes head on.
Burning Jensen identified the new smell rolling off the boy. Like an entire
woodland burning in an intense inferno.
‘Jared…’
His words were left unheard as the boy darted down the stairs without a second
glance backward.
For the first time in his long life, the vampire was crippled by a gut-
wrenching pain he’d ever had the pleasure of experiencing.
                                      ♠♠♠
Chapter End Notes
     Again, I had felt as though I had written so much but when I post it,
     it doesn't appear to be much at all! Thank you to those who have
     taken some pleasure, however much, from this story :). If you have
     any feedback, please feel free to let me know.
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