Back At The Mansion

So we were back at Xander's modern mansion, sleek and elegant, yet strangely cold. The walls were adorned with abstract art, and the polished marble floors gleamed under soft, ambient lighting.

He gave me a brief tour of the house before stopping in the living room, where he motioned for me to sit. His demeanor was calm, almost calculated, but I could sense a heaviness in his words when he spoke.

"Leighton," he began, his dark eyes locking onto mine, "I need you to understand something. I'm a benevolent vampire. You don't have to be afraid of me."

I raised an eyebrow, repeating the word slowly. "Benevolent?"

He gave a little nod.

"Basically, good vampires. We use our powers for good—protecting humans, taking out the rogue vamps, and keeping the balance."

"So... feral vampires are the bad ones? Like the one who attacked me earlier?" I asked, the memory sending a shiver down my spine.

"Yes, exactly," Xander said, his tone approving.

"Feral vampires are driven by hunger and rage. They lose themselves, succumbing to their baser instincts."

I bit my lip, the weight of his explanation sinking in.

"But why me? Why would they care about me?"

He hesitated, his gaze briefly flickering away.

"Because you stepped into their nest... and your blood, well, it's unique. They are drawn to it—more so than to ordinary humans. You're like a beacon to them."

His expression darkened, the weight of his words settling between us.

"And that makes you a target."

I leaned back, trying to process everything, but before I could ask more questions, he stood abruptly, reaching for his car keys.

"I'll try to speak with their leader," he said, his voice steady.

"If I can reason with him, I might be able to keep his brood from attacking you again."

I frowned, doubt gnawing at me.

"Do you think they'll listen to you?"

"They might," he responded, his voice low and serious.

"My lineage is one of the oldest among the living vampires. That carries weight, even among the wild ones."

He paused, a shadow crossing his face. "Don't wait for me."

He gestured toward the kitchen, his tone softening just slightly.

"There's plenty of food in the pantry and fridge. It's all for you, I don't need it."

I nodded, though his words barely registered. My mind was still spinning as he walked out, the door clicking shut behind him.

After Xander left, I wandered through his massive house, curiosity getting the better of me.

The first door I opened led to a master bedroom. Judging by its meticulously organized state, it was undoubtedly Xander's.

The room was elegant yet somber, dominated by dark tones—deep grays, blacks, and muted blues. Despite the minimalist design, the room exuded a strangely calming energy. A faint, woodsy scent lingered in the air, delicate and refreshing.

I moved on to the next room. It was the one I'd woken up in earlier, and the difference was striking. Unlike Xander's room, this one was warm and inviting, with soft pastel colors and a light, floral scent.

The feminine touch made me pause. Was this room meant for someone else? Did he have a girlfriend? Could a vampire even love?

The thought made me uneasy, though I quickly shook it off. There were bigger things to worry about than Xander's personal life.

The third room stopped me in my tracks. It was a music studio, packed with music instruments—guitars, a grand piano, a violin, a drum set, and even a saxophone.

The sheer variety was overwhelming. Did Xander play all of these? The idea of him sitting here, immersed in music, was strangely humanizing.

My stomach growled, pulling me from my thoughts. I headed to the kitchen and found a fridge stocked with everything imaginable.

After making myself a simple meal, I sat in the living room, staring blankly at the flickering fireplace. The house was too quiet, its emptiness pressing in on me.

I pulled out my phone, grateful for a distraction. Jane's name flashed on the screen. She was calling, probably to check on me.

I stared at the screen, my finger hovering over the answer button. What could I even say to her? That I'd been attacked by a vampire and was now hiding out in a stranger's mansion? That I didn't feel safe anymore—not even in my own skin?

The call went to voicemail. I quickly powered off my phone, guilt pooling in my chest.

"I'm so sorry, Jane," I whispered to the empty room.

Leaning back against the plush sofa, I let my eyes drift shut. The soft hum of the fireplace was oddly comforting, and before I knew it, I was drifting off to sleep.

I woke up to the sound of the front door opening. My heart jumped, but when I glanced over, I saw Xander stepping inside. His expression was grim, and there was a faint smear of blood on his sleeve.

"You're back," I said, sitting up groggily.

He nodded, setting his keys on the table. "Didn't mean to wake you."

"It's fine," I murmured. "Did you—did they listen to you?"

He hesitated, his jaw tightening.

"Not exactly. Their leader wasn't... receptive."

My stomach sank.

"So what does that mean?"

"It means we'll need to take extra precautions," he said, his tone clipped. "You're not leaving this house alone, not until I say it's safe."

I swallowed hard, the weight of his words settling over me. The thought of being trapped here, reliant on Xander for protection, was suffocating.

But what choice did I have? The world outside was far more dangerous than I'd ever imagined.

Xander moved across the room with a calm, deliberate grace, though the tension beneath his composed exterior was palpable. When he stopped in front of me, his dark eyes locked onto mine, intense and unwavering.

"I'll find a way," he said, his voice steady but resolute. "You're safe here."

Something about the conviction in his tone made me believe him. Without question, I surrendered my fate to him.