T H I R T Y-T H R E E

Five years ago(from present)

"You will be the leader of our first class guards-judging by your history of...violence we respectedly over looked." The King turned around with a smile plastered on his face. "So, welcome to our kingdom. Kai."

The vampire boy perked, surprised. "Thank you but, um, do we not go by numbers here, sir?"

"Ah yes, many kingdoms do that but not here. I'm not that inconsiderate as to strip someone of their identity."

"Oh. Every vampire here has a name?"

"Yes. Same one they came in with. I will call you by your name, as for my wife and a few servants, probably not. Plus, Kai is nice name-human or not."

"Thank you."

The King titled his head at him.

"Uh, thank you, sir."

"It'll take a while to get used to I'm sure, but I advise you to remember around my wife. She controls those," He points and directs the vampire's attention over to another, who had a silver collar on, "And if you struggle to take it off it'll trigger and shock you."

"Oh."

"But do what you're supposed to and she'll pay little mind to you."

Kai glanced at the King with an emotionless face. They were around the same height, which was interesting to him because Kai had always been quite tall, going over six feet. The King held a lot of dominance in his facade of kindness, it didn't take much to notice his atmosphere was thick and serious.

"Right then, we need to get you your collar now." The King gestured to the door in the training building he showed the vampire and they started walking over to it. "Our blacksmith makes them, they're renewed about every years."

"What happens if they aren't, sir?"

"They malfunction. We try to keep close tabs on whose are in need of repairing or things like that."

As they talked they descended down stone stairs, heading into the basement where the lights dimmed and only flickering torches lit their way. Once they made it out of the long hallway, the brightness increased, but it was still slightly dark.

Kai watched as the King knocked hard on a large door and stepped back. There was shuffling within the room, the sound of slapping metal quieted and soon it sounded like the door was being unbolted; unlocked until it swung open.

A middle aged man poked his head out, dark smudges on his face, and looked the two up and down.

"You're here for the collar, yes?"

"That's correct. You finished it? Oh-this is Ray," The King introduced the man to Kai before the man allowed them to enter.

"I did. And the girl's."

When they stopped in the middle of the room where the light was pooling over two tables cluttered with tools, Kai stared at the two collars on the table. Their cold metal look was intimating especially knowing what they could do.

"Where is she, if you don't mind me asking." He looked over at the King, who had a pondering expression as if figuring out what he meant.

"Oh, Sage? I had a guard show her around the mansion. I thought supervising our maids and servants would be a suited task for her. And guard the inside in case the guards outside slip up."

"Has it ever happened before?"

Arlo smiled at Kai.

"Sorry, uh, sir."

The King chuckled shortly and watched Ray fiddle with the collars. "No. My guards are exceptional. But it could happen. I'm not much of a risk taker anymore."

The King was a mystery to Kai, the more he talked the further away the vampire felt from figuring him out. Which he wanted to do.

He was good at reading faces, but Arlo was too skilled at keeping loose emotions in. He looked away when Ray cleared his throat.

"Come sit here." He pointed to a chair and Kai wandered over to it. He sat down and eyed the device in his hands.

"You appear to care a lot about the people who work under you, sir. I don't know a lot of Royals with that type of consideration." Kai tried to distract himself with words; which worked both for and against his favors. He wasn't good with words but talking faded his anxious feeling.

Getting a collar meant he was no longer a drifting, free vampire. This Royal family owned him. He wouldn't apologize for feeling the way he was. It was truly nerve-racking.

"I presume that's a compliment," Arlo chuckled, "well a lot of the people who work for me have earned my respect. And as I say, those who fight for me I will fight with them in return."

Kai sat up straight but the cold metal of the collar touched his neck.

"If I'm not wary as a King then you'll find me as a very prudent father."

The vampire poked the collar. It was heavy. He didn't like it. "A son, correct sir?"

"Yes."

Ray backed away from Kai when he finished and nodded at his work. "A perfect fit."

"Thanks, Ray."

The man nodded again and returned to his tool littered table. "Shall we test it?"

Kai jerked his head up and the King shook his head.

"Not this time, Ray. I have faith your work is as spot on just like the other's."

"Very well. When she's ready go ahead and send in that other vampire."

"I'll do that right now. Thanks again."

The King beckoned Kai over and he stood up and followed him to the door.

"Sage, wasn't it?" He asked the Kai as they climbed their way back up to the main floor.

"Yes, sir."

"You came in together I noticed, mind if I ask what your relationship is?"

Kai occasionally picked at the collar as they walked. "She's..family."

The King glanced at him but didn't comment.

When they got to the first flight of stairs they stopped as coincidentally the two other vampires came walking down.

The female vampire smiled at Kai as she hurried down the stairs.

"The mansion is huge!" She exclaimed in a whisper, which Kai smiled at. "Much bigger than the ones we've been to."

"Will that effect your tasks?" Arlo asked, cutting into.

"Oh, no worries, sir. I am very prepared for the job. I thank you for the position."

Arlo smiled at her when she bowed her head and he motioned for the other vampire guard to take his leave.

"Well, Sage, I'm glad you have taken a liking in our mansion. You'll start right after you get your collar."

"Sounds good, sir."

"I'll take you down to Ray. Kai, you can go back to the other guards, I want you to learn their names before two days from today."

"Yes, sir."

With a few more words, they all parted ways. The King and Sage wandered back to the stairs leading down in to the basement and Kai found his way back to the training hall.

††

Sage pointed at a female guard talking to a male and Kai hummed.

"That's Meli."

"And that one?" She directed his attention for to another female.

"Cyrus."

"Whoa, you really did remembered all their names in a day."

The male vampire just shrugged, "I have a very good memory."

"Hm." Sage acknowledged, impressed. "You know I'm pretty exhilarated to start working here. Which is ironic because a lot loath the idea of being subjects to the humans-but after so many decades.." Sage smiled to herself and looked down at the grass they sat on in the training building, "I'm actually ready for this."

"This kingdom seems promising."

"Yes. I like the King, I don't want to meet the Queen, however, the guard that showed me around claimed she's a straight up devil."

"I wouldn't say that out loud," Kai muttered as he looked around them. They were sitting near the corner watching the other guards chat away. In a few minutes they were going to head to the other area to train, which was out in the open on the other side of the mansion. They were waiting until the sun shied away behind a cloud so it wasn't scorching down on them. Any minute now it would occur.

"Ah, don't sweat it. He told me the guards are open to hating her, just not in front of her."

"Well I guess that makes sense. Who would disrespect the royal who can kill you with just a push of a button."

"Have you been shocked yet?" Sage turned to face Kai better, eyes glowing with something he couldn't read.

"No."

"It hurts."

Kai furrowed his eyebrows. "What happened? What did you do?"

"Nothing. I asked to feel it when the King told that old guy to not test it. He too, gave me a weird look, but I wanted to feel it."

"And?"

"It hurt."

Kai's scoff turned into a chuckle as he shook his head and stood up. He held his hand out for her and Sage grabbed it.

"I expected it to hurt, but the pain was underestimated. I didn't even last three seconds before I felt like passing out. But I was okay. You come back strong from something you are prepared for."

Kai shook his head again at her, "You're insane. But I love you for that."

Sage gleamed and the two walked over to the crowd of guard, first class guards, when one informed them that they were getting ready to go.

"I love you too, but you know how you can make me love you even more?"

Kai arched a curious brow and Sage smirked at him.

"Find out who's single here. The women are," She took a deep breath, "Wow."

Kai laughed and patted his friend on the shoulder. What's to come after today was rocky and uncertain, but he knew things were going to slowly unravel into something good. He could only hope they would.

But if not, he had Sage with him. And as far as he's concerned, she's all he needs.

††

And their back story begins!!

I know that Iris and Kai's relationship was sort of rushed or already developed in the beginning of the story and I did that for a reason. I wanted them together before telling how they met and grew in the three years they were together.

Alsooo, in the time period they're in-or were supposed to be in-electronics didn't even exists, but this is wattpad...so..they do exist; hence the shocking collars.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy Iris and Kai's upcoming backstory!! :)

~Swissy