Chapter 11

HAVEN

Grace was perched on the counter, watching me as I cooked breakfast. It had been a while since I’d cooked, but fourteen years of practice had made me pretty good at it.

She was smiling, even though she looked a bit paler than yesterday. She needed food and iron pills to get her strength back.

“I like your place,” she said, her eyes scanning the mix of old and new furniture. Some pieces were older than the United States itself. My kitchen was mostly modern, except for the wooden table and chairs.

“I’m glad you like it,” I replied, a smile playing on my lips. “I’ll give you a tour after you’ve eaten.”

“Have you...always been a vampire?” she asked, her voice hesitant.

“Yes,” I replied. “There are two types of vampires: the turned ones and...the cursed ones. I’m a cursed one, and I’m also the lord of this city.”

“What does that mean?” she asked, her brows furrowing in confusion. “You’re cursed? Why? And you’re a lord?”

I chuckled at her bewilderment. It was understandable. We’d been hiding among humans for so long, making them believe we were just figments of their imagination.

Sometimes, I felt sick at the way they portrayed us, but it was better they thought we sparkled in the sun rather than drained them dry in the night.

“My ancestor was cursed to become a vampire centuries ago. He was a follower of Judas. That’s how the first vampire families came to be,” I explained, setting a plate of food in front of her. “So, I was born a vampire. Turned ones have to be bitten to become a vampire, and they don’t look like me. They’re more vicious, but they can never be stronger. I’m a lord because I oversee the vampires in this city. I’m the oldest and strongest here. That’s why.”

“So, your ancestor made...a deal with the devil?”

“Something like that.” I nodded. “It’s a complex story, and it can wait. You need to eat, or you’ll pass out.”

She slid off the counter and moved to the table as I grabbed the silverware. I’d had to buy it all when I prepared the house for her. I hadn’t had humans around me for so long that I never bothered to buy any of these before. Grace seemed more interested in my vampire nature than anything else anyway.

I placed the plate in front of her, and she picked up her fork. She tasted the scrambled eggs and gave me a small smile.

I let out a sigh of relief. At least she found it palatable. It was a challenge since I couldn’t taste the food, so I had to rely on my sense of smell.

“It’s good,” she said. “Thank you.”

“Anytime.” I smiled back at her. “Don’t hesitate to tell me if I need to improve.”

“No, you’re doing well for someone who doesn’t eat.” She chuckled. “I do have another question though.”

“Go ahead,” I said, amused.

“Do you have other abilities besides invading my dreams?”

I laughed at her question. If only she knew. Vampires had so many more abilities than humans.

“I do. I have the usual super speed, super strength, super hearing, mind control, and heightened sense of smell. I can turn into mist. I have wings, which is normal for born vampires. Invading dreams is...common for all vampires who form a certain connection with humans. I have control over animals and fire, which is unique to me.”

She seemed taken aback as she processed everything I’d told her. She continued eating until she was done, then put her fork down and locked eyes with me. I could tell she had more questions, but something was bothering her.

“Did you use your mind-control ability on Daryl and Lee?” she asked, her eyes narrowing.

Caught. I gave her a small smile and nodded. I would never apologize for protecting what was mine, especially her. I didn’t regret it either. It didn’t harm anyone and it allowed me to get closer to Grace.

“Yes, I did. Daryl was a bit too interested in you, and you’re mine. I figured since Lee seemed interested in him, it was the best way to get rid of both of them,” I explained.

“Daryl was?” She blushed.

Now it was my turn to narrow my eyes. Had Grace been interested in him as well? I wouldn’t stand for that.

I scooped her into my arms, and she squealed at the sudden speed. I headed straight for the playroom upstairs near my bedroom. This issue needed to be addressed ~now~. I wouldn’t let her think about another man while I was in the room.

I opened the heavy wooden door, which was sealed with my fingerprint, and set her down. She looked around the room, curiosity lighting up her eyes. That reassured me a bit. She had been truthful when she said she was interested and wanted to learn. Time to start the first lesson, then.

The room was equipped with everything we needed. I had designed it myself, with a bed at the far end, a platform with chains in the middle, furniture holding all the toys we could want on the other walls, and racks with ropes and chains.

“I already told you what to call me when we’re in this room, but we need to talk more about it. You’re not allowed to speak unless I give you permission,” I said. “You’ll need a safe word for when you can’t take it anymore. When you use it, I stop, and we can talk freely. Is there anything you’re not comfortable with? Not just physically, but verbally too.”

“I don’t really know what I might like since I don’t have any experience, but... I’m okay with dirty talk and humiliation as long as you don’t slap my face. I don’t mind the pain, and I’d prefer if you only made me bleed with your fangs,” she said, deep in thought.

“Are bruises okay?” I asked.

“Yeah, I guess they won’t be seen, so sure.”

“We’ll gauge your tolerance for pain. Don’t stress. Can you tell me your safe word? Pick something you’ll remember no matter what.”

She pondered for a moment, her face lighting up with an idea. I couldn’t help but smile. Even though she was in hot water for thinking about another man while with me, she seemed to be having a great time. I hoped she’d keep up that spirit.

“Ruby,” she finally declared.

“Perfect.” I grinned at her. “Let’s check out the toys so I can explain and you can tell me what you’re okay with.”

I walked over to one of the dressers lining the wall. I pulled open the first drawer, revealing an array of dildos and butt plugs of various sizes.

Grace looked surprised but not scared. She examined each one, and naturally, I had purchased them all in her favorite color: pastel purple. She was still a unicorn enthusiast at heart, my Grace. She shot me a smile when she noticed.

“I’m okay with these,” she said.

I opened the next drawer, revealing more toys. She blushed but gave a nod of approval. I was excited to explore with this daring girl.

I opened the next drawer, which held an assortment of whips. She nodded again, her eagerness apparent. Adorable. I showed her the canes and sticks next, but she didn’t seem frightened. She was more intrigued by how I would use them.

“Are we going to use all of these?” she asked.

“I hope that we will eventually, but we’re also here to discover what you like and what you don’t. We’ll take it slow, and I’ll document everything in a contract so we’re both clear,” I said, chuckling. “But first...”

I reached out and pulled her into me, her back against my chest. She gasped as my lips brushed her ear. She was so responsive to my touch. I adored that about her.

“You’ve been very naughty, and you deserve a punishment. Do you know why I’m punishing you, Grace?”

“No, Master,” she replied, taken aback.

“You were thinking about Daryl earlier, weren’t you? I don’t appreciate that. When you’re with me, there’s no room for thoughts of another man. I want your full attention on me when it comes to romantic feelings. I need to remind you of that, and that’s why you’re being punished.”

She looked at me, her eyes wide, and nodded as she blushed deeply.

“Good girl. Get on the bed, face down, ass up. We’ll begin your punishment with a whip. I won’t repeat myself, Grace, so you better move quickly.”

She did as I instructed and waited for me on the bed while I selected a flogger. It was the ideal whip to start with. I joined her, and since she was only wearing my shirt, this position exposed her behind, and it was a sight to behold.

“I’m going to whip you ten times, and you’re going to count each strike. After the tenth, you’re going to say, ‘I’m sorry, Master. I won’t do it again.’ Do you understand? Respond.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Good girl,” I said, amused. “Let’s begin, Grace.”

She bit her lower lip in anticipation as I struck her left butt cheek. We were going to have a lot of fun.