What is going on here?
(Celeste)
What did you do for the Count?
(Mia)
Everything he asked me to.
(Kai)
Is she saying what i think she's saying?
(Celeste)
Take her out of it.
(Kai)
Mia.
(Mia)
What..why did..
(Celeste)
Kai, leave us.
(Kai leaves and Mia tears down)
(Celeste)
Mia, honey, it's okay.
(Mia)
No, he said i couldn't tell anyone.
(Celeste goes to see Kai)
(Celeste)
Kai.
(Kai)
Your Grace.
(Celeste)
Compel them to forget we ever talked to her alone. As far as they're concerned, Mike was with us the whole time and we only asked them about their practices.
(Kai)
Okay.
(A bit later)
(Kai)
Celeste, what the hell happened out there?
(Celeste)
Let's just say that the Count satisfies his own needs with whoever he wants. I didn't want her to get in trouble because of this.
(Kai)
Is he..raping her?
(Celeste)
She wouldn't express it like that. She said that she does favors for him and he gives something in return.
(Kai)
Seriously? That's extortion.
(Celeste)
I know, i know. This thing just got way more complicated.
(Kai)
Complicated? Just kick his ass.
(Celeste)
Calm down. He is still the Count and we can't do anything. Not right now. Something still doesn't add up.
(Kai)
What do you mean?
(Celeste)
He invited us here and knew you would come. He even requested you should come. For the sake of compulsion.
(Kai)
Yeah, so?
(Celeste)
Then why would he put her on the list of suspects? He knew you could compel her to tell the truth, so why put her on the list?
(Kai)
Shit, you're right.
(Celeste)
Language. And about that thing you pulled earlier.
(Kai)
Oh god.
(Celeste)
You won't ever talk back to me again, is that clear?
(Kai)
Yes, Your Grace.
(Celeste)
Get down.
(Kai)
What? Here? You're kidding..
(Celeste)
Now.
(Kai's POV)
Oh shit. This is going to hurt, a lot.
SHIT!
(Celeste)
Language.
(Kai grunts)
(After the punishment)
(Celeste)
Let me clean up your wounds.
(Kai)
I'm good, you've done enough.
(Celeste)
Don't do this right now. Turn around. Kai, do you want five more instead?
(Kai turns around)
(Celeste)
It's been a while since you got punished like this.
(Kai)
Yeah and you didn't hold back.
(Celeste)
I never do. All done. Lay off your back tonight and the wounds will have healed until tomorrow.
(Kai)
Yes, Your Grace.
(Celeste)
Put something on and we'll go feed.
(Kai goes to put a shirt on)
(Celeste)
Put Crow on the phone.
(Kai comes back and Celeste talks on the phone)
(Celeste)
Then make sure she listens. I'll be back tomorrow. Ready?
(Kai)
Yes, Your Grace.
(Celeste's POV)
Obedient at last. He's like this in the beginning, hurt and humiliated. He'll get over it.
(Kai's POV)
Okay, i'm behaving from now on. That hurt more than i thought it would. It's been too long since I've had that.
(In the meanwhile)
(Lexa's POV)
Finally this room looks like..a room. I talked to the Count, which scared the shit out of me. But Vanessa was with me and backed me up after she saw my room. The Count said i could do whatever i wanted with the room and that i could have a few books in my room. As long as i noted which ones i'd taken and let the librarian know, that is. I moved the bed to the other side of the room and well decorated it. They also gave me a computer but it doesn't run without a password, which obviously i don't have. It was after my run, which actually felt good, that i decided to do something about the room. It wasn't as fun running alone as it is running with Kai, but i did my homework and ran a lot. Tyler was right about vamp running, it is fun. Okay, I love the result of my room!
(Lexa laughs and Tyler walks in)
(Tyler)
Were you laughing for yourself just now?
(Lexa)
No...
(Tyler)
Your room looks amazing. That's why you've locked yourself inside almost all day?
(Lexa)
Yup! And now i'm done with it.
(Tyler)
It looks great.
(Lexa)
Thanks.
(Tyler)
Did you hear about Libby?
(Lexa)
No, what happened?
(Tyler)
She was about to get examined but she didn't let them. Knocked two guys out before they pinned her down.
(Lexa)
What?
(Tyler)
Yeah, and now she's under lock-down until Celeste gets here. I think it'll be tomorrow.
(Lexa)
But why didn't she let them examine her. It's not a big deal.
(Tyler)
You got me. I tried to talk to her but she wouldn't see me.
(Lexa)
God. Did i really miss all of this? I feel so stupid over a room, i could've..
(Tyler)
No, hey. Trust me, no one can get to her except Celeste. She'll come back tomorrow morning i think. Or night. I'm not sure.
(Lexa)
Is only Celeste coming back?
(Tyler)
Don't know. I don't think she said. I heard that she's coming back from one of the guards.
(Lexa)
Oh, okay. Well thanks for telling.
(Tyler)
Thought you should know what's happening while you're in your cave. I'll let you go to sleep. Good night.
(Lexa)
Night.
(Tyler leaves to go to sleep)
(Lexa's POV)
Okay, yes i'm hoping Kai is coming too. He should come, right? Because Celeste is his trainer now..so.. I should just go to sleep. All this decorating has made me tired. Just go to sleep and time will go faster.
(Time passes and Lexa is still not sleeping)
(Lexa's POV)
Come on. I'm not this pining type of girl. It's just that I've gotten used to having him around. And maybe because of that kiss. I was totally unprepared for that. I can still imagine his lips brushing against mine..
(Lexa finally falls asleep)
(Meanwhile)
(Celeste)
We're going back tomorrow morning.
(Kai)
We are?
(Celeste)
Yes. There's some trouble with Libby and i'm needed there. We're going back for a few hours and I've let Count Livre know. Enough with the moping around. Take the bed tonight and stay off your back. Sleep shirtless too so the fibers won't dig it's way in.
(Kai)
Yes, Your Grace. But i'll take the floor.
(Celeste)
No, not tonight.
(Kai)
I want to sleep on the floor, it's comfortable for me. Seriously, i want to.
(Celeste)
Fine. Go to sleep, we leave first thing in the morning.
(Kai)
Yes, Your Grace.
(Next morning when Kai arrives to the Mansion)
(Kai)
I see you're sleeping in.
(Lexa)
Who the.. Kai!
(She vamp runs and hugs Kai)
(Kai)
Hey right back at you.
(Lexa)
You scared the shit out of me.
(Kai)
I saw how fast you were getting up. You've improved your speed.
(Lexa)
Just like you told me too.
(Kai)
Good.
(Lexa)
How long are you here for?
(Kai)
A few hours. There was some trouble with Libby.
(Lexa)
Yeah i heard about that.
(Kai)
I thought i could use this time to teach you something new. Then you'll have two things to practice on.
(Lexa)
Great. (She rolls her eyes)
(Kai)
How's it been going with the blood?
(Lexa)
Good, kind of. The first time i kind of snapped at Vanessa.
(Kai)
She can handle that.
(Lexa)
Otherwise it's been fine, i guess. I'm back to studying and that feels great. I have something to do when i'm not practicing.
(Kai)
I'm glad.
(Kai's POV)
Very.
(Kai)
Okay, so..
(Lexa)
Shit.
(Lexa's POV)
The next thing i know his fangs grew out. And oh my god, are they long. Longer than Rico's and much longer than Libby's.
(Lexa)
They're huge.
(Kai)
The longer you're a vampire, the longer they get. Now you try it. Focus on your canine teeth. You kind of have to think that they're growing out and try to feel the movement.
(Lexa)
Ouch! Ouw ouw ouw. Oh shit, it hurts. Why does it hurt?
(Kai)
It's only the first few times because they're never grown out.
(Lexa)
You didn't feel like telling me that?
(Kai)
I just did. Now take them in again.
(Lexa)
Will it hurt just as bad?
(Kai)
Yes, kind of.
(Lexa)
Then i won't do it. It looks like i'm smiling, but i'm not. It hurts if i close my mouth.
(Kai)
What are you going to do then? Walk around with your fangs and that smile?
(Lexa)
Yup.
(Kai)
Come on. Take them in.
(Lexa)
It hurts.
(Kai) Yeah and it'll keep hurting the first five times. But you have to do it.
(Lexa)
Ow!
(Kai)
Good. You're going to keep doing this until it doesn't hurt.
(Lexa)
Five times?
(Kai)
Could be more.
(Lexa)
Great.
(Kai)
Now you have something to do while i'm gone.
(Lexa)
I would've managed.
(Kai)
I'm going to see what happened to Libby. I'll catch you before we leave again.
(Lexa)
Okay.
(Lexa's POV)
And maybe, just maybe, we'll kiss again.
(Meanwhile)
(Libby)
Let me out of here you stupid, asshole, mother..
(Celeste walks in)
(Celeste)
Please, do finish that sentence.
(Libby)
Celeste..
(Celeste)
Did you not understand me when i told you to avoid causing problems?
(Libby)
I..
(Celeste)
Did you, or did you not?
(Libby)
Yes, Your Grace.
(Celeste)
You manage to knock down two guards while resisting. And for that you will be punished. But i know why you refused, Libby.
(Libby)
I don't want them to touch me.
(Celeste)
I know, but this isn't the same as what happened to you before. They're trying to help you and the full body exam is mandatory.
(Libby)
No, i don't want to.
(Celeste)
Libby, you have to. It's a regular check up and everyone has to get them. Would it help if it was a female doctor doing it?
(Libby)
No, i..i want you to do it.
(Celeste)
I'm not qualified to do it but i can be here if you want.
(Libby)
Do i really have to?
(Celeste)
Yes and i'll be here. Can i go get them now?
(Libby)
Okay.
(Celeste)
I'll be right back.
(Libby)
I'm sorry for making you come all the way here.
(Celeste)
Don't worry about it.
(Celeste gets out of the room)
(Kai)
Is she okay?
(Celeste)
She's fine. She's just reliving what happened to her before she got here.
(Kai)
Understandable.
(Celeste)
Did you see Lexa?
(Kai)
Yeah.
(Celeste)
Is she alright? Can she manage you being gone a few more days?
(Kai)
Yeah, she's fine.
(Celeste)
What is that?
(Kai)
What?
(Celeste)
I'm smelling..blood. Are you serious? Get in.
(Kai)
What did i do?
(Celeste)
It's what you didn't do. Get inside.
(They go inside a room)
(Celeste)
Take off your shirt.
(Kai)
What?
(Celeste)
Take it off and turn around. God, i can smell it from here.
(Kai takes off his shirt)
(Kai)
What are you doing?
(Celeste)
Turn around.
(He turns around)
(Celeste)
Kai! Why haven't you let it heal?
(Kai)
What? I have.
(Celeste)
It's still bleeding.
(Kai)
I..i didn't block it. I promise.
(Celeste)
Why is it taking so long then?
(Kai)
I don't know. I can't feel it, it doesn't hurt.
(Celeste)
Let me trigger the healing.
(Kai)
Are you serious?
(Celeste)
Just a small cut so the healing will start. Turn around.
(A bit later they go to Kai's room)
(Celeste)
You okay?
(Kai)
Yeah, i can feel it healing.
(Celeste)
Good, rest until we leave. I have to go to Libby right now.
(Kai)
I can't do this Celeste.
(Celeste)
Do what?
(Kai)
This..being submissive. I've already had my training and i can't just go back.
(Celeste)
Just because you've had your training doesn't mean you can be disrespectfull. You have to know your place. It's not that important with me, but with the Count.. you can't lecture the Count's daughter, that's his business. Count Livre may have done bad things but you are not entitled to do anything about it.
(Kai)
Can't you see how wrong that is? He's raping a 16 year old girl and we're not doing anything! Because of what, a title? It's bullshit!
(Celeste)
It might be but you have to respect that this is the way we live.
(Kai)
It doesn't have to be.
(Celeste)
You know i don't have the power to change that. The Count ordered you to be trained again. If you don't want that, you know what you have to do.
(Kai)
Do you want me to?
(Celeste)
It's not up to me. Kai, you're a grown man and it's about time you start making decisions about your life. If you don't want to be trained again, that's fine. But in doing so you're defying your father, the Count.
(Kai)
And i have to leave the Mansion?
(Celeste)
Yes. We live by rules here. Your training was done a long time ago but you chose to stay.
(Kai)
It's not like i have someplace to go.
(Celeste)
If you really wanted to leave, you would have figured something out. Think about what you really want, Kai. Because once you leave, there's no coming back.
(Kai)
I know.
(Celeste)
I have to go to Libby. Let me know what you decide.
(Kai)
Yeah.
(Meanwhile to Lexa)
(Lexa's POV)
Taking out the fangs really hurt. I sound like a total wuss. But imagine needles, hundred of needles, being injected in your gum. And well, you have to do it over and over again. After Kai left i tried again, but the pain kind of got worse. So i pulled the fangs in and haven't taken them out since. I know i kind of have to or else i'll get punished. Whatever that means. I haven't gotten a punishment yet and nobody really elaborates on that..so i'm left clueless. I should decide what to wear, go eat breakfast and then do some running. I've never actually been into sports but this is fun. Vamp running is really fun. I just threw something on. I'm going to change right after I've eaten breakfast.
(Lexa opens her door and sees Tyler)
(Lexa)
Tyler, wait up!
(Tyler)
Morning.
(Lexa)
Good morning.
(Tyler)
Someone's in a good mood.
(Lexa)
Are you heading down for breakfast?
(Tyler)
Yeah, i just have to talk to Celeste real quick. Follow me there? We can eat together.
(Lexa)
Sure.
(They head to meet Celeste talking to a man)
(Bane)
She's been good actually.
(Celeste)
Then we'll talk to the Count before i leave.
(Bane)
Absolutely.
(Bane leaves)
(Celeste)
Tyler, good you found me.
(Tyler)
I was told to see you as soon as possible.
(Celeste)
Exactly. Hello Lexa.
(Lexa)
Good morning, Your Grace.
(Celeste)
I don't have anything new for you Tyler. I just wanted to tell you what will happen when i get back. You must have noticed that you're training harder now.
(Tyler)
Yeah.
(Celeste)
When i get back your training will intensify even more. A few more steps and then you're good to go.
(Tyler)
Go where?
(Celeste)
Wherever you want.
(Tyler)
Are you saying..what i think you're saying?
(Celeste)
Yes. Your training is almost finished.
(Tyler)
Thank you!
(Celeste)
You only have yourself to thank. Keep training until i'm back. I have some things to take care of before i leave again.
(Tyler)
Yes, of course Your Grace.
(Celeste)
Behave while i'm gone.
(Celeste leaves)
(Lexa)
I'm so happy for you!
(Tyler)
Thank you! I'm finally done with my training.
(Lexa)
You deserve it. Who's in a good mood now?
(Tyler)
Let's get something to eat.
End of chapter