Faline

Looking back at it almost forlornly before walking in further, my usual upright stature when in this form is majorly subdued. I walk around slowly until the knowledge that the Lady isn't here dawns. Not yet anyway.

In that case, I go to her large window, jump up onto the ledge and stretch out, looking out at the not so dark sky. The sun's getting ready to rise, the skin under my fur feels all prickly, as if warning me that I need to get under cover now. Really don't want to move as I stare out, having only been there for a few minutes.

Someone else makes the decision whether I live or fry as the window glass darkens before going totally black. What the hell? Looking back into the room, the Mistress is sitting on the edge of her desk with a remote pointed at the window.

Ah, I see. She's got all the fancy stuff. Glass outfitted with something that doesn't just tint it to cut down on glare, but go totally black. Nifty, I guess. Dressed in a buckled black leather corset with matching pants, the boots go up her legs all the way to mid-thigh.

Getting up, I turn in her direction, staying on the ledge, then lay on it once more when I'm pointed at her. Stretching out my forelegs and laying my head down on them, gold eyes direct to her with an indifferent expression just as the healer gave me.

She moves till she's leaning with her rump on the corner of the desk nearest me, just staring, so I return stare for stare. Looking from a dark green eye over to an icy blue, then back. We stay like that for a good five minutes at least. My ears swivel to hear the older woman or Maii, but from what I can tell, they've left. So he was sent after me then. Can't be upset at him when he's just doing what he's told.

I eventually slide my eyes to the side, since that seems to be what she's waiting for. Yet when I look back, she's still directed at me, only this time she isn't looking at just my face, but roaming over me.

Whatever.

I seem to be the odd one out anyway. My tail tip doesn't even twitch, not wanting her to pounce on me for any slight movement. She having all but admitted that she likes doing her own punishing instead of having others do it loops in my head.

My mind flashes back to the submissive, Avina, who'd told me how she tortured a man for days before killing him because his screams had no longer pleased her. Skinned him, I believe, if I'm remembering right.

"You are a very curious creature, Pet. You are clearly and obviously a Vampire, yet you are more, aren't you? The rage and glee on your face as you came for me, I've only seen that look on Werewolves and other Were breeds that enjoy bloodshed. If you think me harsh, you should see what some of them are capable of."

I just watch the woman, since I know who's 'rage' it is, and judging by the thoughts I've had while in other fights, I've got a feeling I connect with Kie a lot more than I originally thought. If I'm getting things from her, is she getting things from me?

The Mistress cocks her head, still looking at me since I give no reaction. That in itself though is an answer. Can't remember if she'd been around the other times that I went through an experience with my sister, let alone when I messed up and mentioned her name aloud.

"You have had episodes of seemingly random convulsions since you came here. Never before have I seen a Vampire go through something like that unless having a very intense vision or being punished by their Maker. That does not seem to be the case here though. You, my Pet, seem to be sharing your mind with another. Or, more point of fact, they with you."

Vampires can have visions? Huh, imagine that. Still don't give her a reaction, even when she calls me her pet. Not outwardly anyway, inside, my teeth grit hard. Keeping her eyes on me, she keeps going.

"The first episode I am aware and have been told about ended with you having a brain bleed and trauma. The second time it looked like you were fighting someone, but couldn't make up your mind whether you were in pain or wanting to laugh and smile."

Her eyes direct upwards as she looks back through her head at events, expression staying the same as if frozen in marble.

"When you had been fighting the one in the kitchen, I was told that when you were pulled off you were laughing and joking after having slit his throat. Those types of reactions only come from those who enjoy causing pain or have a raging beast within them. From what I have heard and observed from you, you are not the type to take pleasure in the suffering of another, quite the opposite really."

Okay, so to Vampires, not wanting to see someone hurt is a freakish oddity. Good to know.

I am so fucked.

My blink brings her eyes back down to me.

"You are angered when another around you is hurt or has some 'wrong' done to them. The way you inquired after Kerry when she had knowingly led astray a patron known for his rough attentions. From what I've seen in you, you had not known who he was, and took it upon yourself to protect her and even seek out justice for her hurts."

I can feel my eyes harden as her words and inflection start to piss me off. As if a girl getting abused by someone is okay and wanting to get a return pound of flesh was abhorrent. Ears even go back to show my displeasure at her words.

She raises an eyebrow as she looks at me, her own eyes glittering with some emotion that I either cannot read, or just don't understand.

"See, right there. Just by the way I spoke has riled you, which proves my point. You do not act like a Vampire, yet neither a beast, but you carry both within you it would seem. Indeed you are very special, my Pet."

My tail does twitch this time. If she catches it, however, she ignores it as she moves around her desk, sitting in the chair. Her intent stares now gone as if they'd never been. Not sure if that's good or not.

Vampires have the weirdest mood swings, I swear. Question is, is it from their cat part, or the Vampire part. My head rises as I watch her, my own confusion being broadcast since she has yet to do anything about me attacking her. Or trying to, rather.

Not that I'm looking for punishment mind you, just curious as to what will happen. After sitting up doesn't even grab her attention, I jump onto her desk and sit where she'd been while talking to me. Tail curling around my feet as I sit upright and look right at her.

The woman does eventually look at me, her frame almost in a slump in her seat, as if she's tired of life itself. Can't be very comfortable to do in that outfit. Her Vampire gaze doesn't even have the directness it had earlier.

"Avina told me that the painting in the kitchen was done by your sister. With all the talk going on lately, it really makes me wonder about some things."

Uh oh. What had I said around that girl? If Avina has put my sister in danger by opening her mouth, I will kill her myself. Something must have given me away, because the woman sits up, putting her elbows on the table with her hands clasped.

"After hearing that Nicolaus wanted her to stay with you, I took advantage of the opportunity. I don't believe she has told me everything, which makes me wonder what you have given her that I have not. I've gone to Kerry as well since you two seem to have become so close, she has also balked at telling me things you have shared with her."

Me and my damn big mouth. Threatening Avina's life when I was the one who'd said anything in the first place. I put everyone around me in danger.

Orion I know can take care of himself, and Maii isn't exactly very chatty. But both girls put their own lives in danger when they disobey an order. Now that it's unavoidable, I shift back to have a distinguishable voice.

Staying crouched right there on her desk, keeping my chest against my knees and lower legs over my groin, my long hair falls around me to cover the sides of my face as I look up at her.

"I treat them as human beings instead of walking blood bags to use and abuse. Don't punish them for my big mouth. Since I know there's going to be some punishment happening to me from trying to attack you, just add whatever you would have done to them onto mine."

I talk low, my voice husky from having damaged it so bad after a psychic episode with my sibling. Not at all trying to be seductive, so I really hope she doesn't take it that way. My gaze stays on her face even when her eyes roam.

Having a naked female on your desk is look worthy I'm sure, still unnerving though. Soon as I don't need my talking voice, cat form I shall return to immediately. Not much protection, but I can move faster, better equipped for defense, and I'm a lot smaller.

A fine black brow rises after she runs a hand through her short hair, moving the few stubborn strands that want to hang over the face instead of with the rest. Which is right where they go back to as soon as she moves her hand. Her eyes go to the faint veining scars over my chest.

"You would take their punishment? Even though you know it will add to your own?"

I nod slowly and her gaze follows the movement curiously. Crouched on her desk while she sits where she is, there's only a couple of feet between us. It's a big desk, mostly bare aside from a small lamp on the other side and what looks like a planner book, a few other books stacked next to her, and a phone.

Faster than anyone else I've seen move, she's up, around the desk, and behind me. Not even her clothes made any noise. It startles me, but I don't whip around to face her. Just turn my head to keep her in my view.

Might have freaked out at having her at my back, but I just told her I'd take punishment. I try to stick to my word, after all. One cool hand touches at my shoulder while the other goes to my waist, both sliding towards the front of my body as she presses close.

"I said I'd take punishment, and I will, but I am not one of your whores."

"In my house, you will be whatever I say you are."

Now her hands are over my belly and gripping my neck, her front pressed snugly up to my back. Pressure from both pull me back, then off the desk completely to stand upright. My body stiffens at both her remark and the roaming hand moving along my middle.

"That is easily fixable, open the doors, and let me out of here. I'm sure I'd do better out in the middle of nowhere than in this place anyway."

A face comes even with mine, her chin resting on my shoulder before she turns to talk into my ear with a low tone, hand firm at my neck as she holds it where she wants while nails dig in lightly.

"I cannot do that Pet, for you are not mine, sad to say. Nor would I if you were, as I would keep you tied to my bed and writhing for my touch."

I snort, but my body clenches at how much writhing she has already caused me to do.

"Then I guess it's a good thing I'm not yours, huh?"

With Nicolaus and Anthony 'in hiding', it's not like... Wait.

"You know why they're here, why have you not turned them into whomever?"

Trying to ignore the hand pulling my hair back from the side of my face, hers is too damn close as she rubs her lips along the length of my ear. Shallow breaths stir loose strands around it and cause them to tickle along my skin. The action calls goosebumps to rise, while the hair at the back of my neck rises at her proximity.

This woman go to seduction school or something? Well, considering I have no idea how old she is, she's probably had many years to study everything. The leather of her corset digs into my back, the metal buckles actually imprinting on my skin from holding me so close. Her leather pants also dig into the softer skin of my ass.

"For one, this is also a safe house for those who need it. For another, the one who wants them is someone that I love to irritate as much as I can, as often as I can."

Poor bastard. Don't know him and I already feel sorry for him.

"Gee, aren't you just a delightful peach."

Her fangs sink into my earlobe. I wince, breath hitching at the double piercing. Don't think it actually goes all the way through, as Vampire fangs aren't snake fangs. Probably didn't even puncture or draw blood. Sure stings though.

"Do you even know why they're wanted?"

I ask, wanting her teeth away from me. She pulls her chompers away, but they're replaced by her tongue. That really isn't much of an improvement, that can go away too.

"Of course I do. Do you?"