(Faye)

Faye lounged on the couch across from Adrian, pretending to be fully interested in the book he was 

reading. It was one he had read a million times before, but Adrian didn’t have many books, and he didn’t care for his owner’s tastes. The knot of his shirt dug into this neck and Faye tried to subtly shit on the couch, anything to relieve the annoying pressure.

“Just tell me what you want, Adrian,” Faye did his best to ignore the conversation going on at Adrian’s desk, but it was hard to pay attention to the words on the page. After all, Rasvan didn’t come often to the office directly, and very rarely did he bargain with anyone. Adrian had not attempted to take out his frustrations on the human when he arrived, instead forcing him into the outfit into his hands and ordering him to make himself presentable before the king arrived. It was obvious that Adrian had not anticipated the meeting, and Faye frowned as he turned the page. That only meant more pain for him once it was over. 

“Your Majesty, you know that I would answer any summons you have of me,” Adrian started politely, but even Faye knew it was to mask his anger and annoyance. “But Faye is my personal doll. To allow him to be seen on the arm of another, even at the request of the king is–”

“Surely you can use another of your ‘dolls’ for one night,” Rasvan insisted, the tap of his cane betraying his annoyance. Faye did his best not to flinch as he pretended to read, hating that Adrian had forced him to be present. Why did he have to listen as vampires argued over him as if he wasn’t even there? “I have set my rules, and I will have Addis obey them, even if he does not want to.”

“But surely I can lend him another–”

“It will be Faye, and no other,” Rasvan insisted and the human took a moment to brush his hair from his face, turning another page. He didn’t really understand what they were arguing over, but he knew it had to do with some event Rasvan was holding for the high vampires, and he wanted every attendant to have a “pet” to feed from. Addis’s aversion to such practices was well-known and was the main reason he was despised and looked down on by other vampires. He preferred to drink from his own kind, or at least that's how Zélia had put it. “I have offered you a boon in return, and I suggest you name your price, lest I decide to force you to obey me without such a kindness.”

Silence filled the office as Adrian scowled and Faye flinched as he felt the vampire’s gaze on him. He knew that Adrian was blaming him for this, as if it was somehow his fault that Rasvan was forcing him to do this. Faye had never even entertained the king or his wife; why would he know why Rasvan wanted him to torture Addis? The only guess Faye had was it was due to Lena, to somehow undermine her efforts at the shelter by using her business partner. He knew appearances were important, but he didn’t care to understand more than that. Wouldn’t help him if he did. 

“If it is alright, my King, I would like to save my boon for a later date. Faye will accompany Addis to the event, as you command,” Adrian finally sighed, fake respect in his voice as he bowed his head. It was enough for the king however, as Rasvan stood from his chair. 

“As you wish, Adrian. Good to see you understand your place, as you will never rise if you grasp beyond your means,” despite the smile and pleasant tone, even Faye understood that Rasvan was threatening Adrian. He supported Adrian privately, but Rasvan could easily destroy everything Adrian had created for himself. Faye kept his eyes down as the king turned to leave, pausing in the door as he spoke again. “I’ll have the outfit sent tonight and be sure to keep him presentable. We all have our vices, but I will have to punish you if there are any marks.”

“Always, your Majesty,” Adrian agreed and Faye’s heart started to pound as the door closed. Rasvan’s presence had given the human more time, but now, he was alone with Adrian. And Adrian was more upset than he had been even the night before. Faye pretended not to notice the intense gaze he knew was on him, and the anger on his owner’s face. “Come here.”

Faye carefully marked his book and stood, attempting to hide his fear as he smiled at Adrian. To his horror, there was a dark smirk on Adrian’s face, and Faye did his best to hide the shaking in his limbs as he walked over to the vampire. To where he knew intense pain was awaiting him. 

“Yes, Adrian?” Faye answered sweetly as he leaned across the desk, and he wasn’t even surprised when Adrian grabbed his hair, and slammed his face into the desk. 

“You. Damn. Slut!” Adrian cursed, slamming his head again before tossing Faye to the floor, angrily standing from his chair. Faye clutched his face as he scuttled away, already able to feel the blood running down his face from his broken nose. So much for keeping him presentable. “What the FUCK did you do?!”

“I didn’t do anything, Adri–”

“I don’t want your lies, human!” Adrian growled and Faye moved back more as the vampire took a step toward him, his back touching the couch. As usual, nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. “Rasvan has no reason to want you on that fucker’s arm unless you did something. What did you do?”

“Nothing, I swear,” Faye whispered, but he knew no truth or lie would protect him. After all, Adrian knew that Faye had done nothing; Faye knew better than to try anything so direct. He had almost been killed in the beginning of his contract for daring to hang on the arm of another vampire and Faye never wanted to repeat that night. Adrian was upset at his own powerlessness, so he would take it out on the one who made him feel powerful: the defenseless human on the floor. 

Adrian stalked toward Faye and the human closed his eyes, hating what he knew would come. Likely Adrian would kick him next, take the wind out of him so he couldn’t fight back. Pin him to the floor, likely even assault him as he drank from him. After all, he had called him a slut this time, which usually meant he assumed Faye had used his body to betray him. And Adrian always took back what was his. 

“My, my, what is this Adrian?” Faye’s heart filled with more horror as he heard Addis’s voice and he turned to see the vampire rising from his shadow. Adrian paused at this sight, his anger only growing at seeing his adversary. 

“What the fuck are you doing in my pet’s shadow, Addis?”

“Keeping my promise to Lena. She’s noticed your little… gifts on Faye, and her rules are clear about how the humans she shelters are to be treated,” Addis chuckled and Faye knew this was only going to get worse. Adrian was nothing if not a creative bastard, and he would find a way. He always did. “I warned you last night, we won’t tolerate you breaking our rules anymore, if you want to keep your ‘doll’.”

“Fuck off,” Adrian spat and Faye flinched even more as the vampire laughed, the sound echoing around the office as the lights flickered. They steadied again as Addis’s laughter died down, and his voice was darker and filled with all the hate he had toward Adrian. 

“If that’s what you prefer, I’ll gladly ‘fuck off’ and let Lena know how little you respect your princess,” Faye wished the couch wasn’t behind him as Addis took a step forward, clearing doing everything he could to antagonize Adrian more. “If my warnings aren’t enough, perhaps she can make a nice little example of you.”

“That bitch is too fucking soft to do anything,” Adrian spat back and Addis shook his head. 

“Underestimating your opponent is how you lose the game, Adrian. Consider that a little token from me,” Addis slowly began to sink back into Faye’s shadow, his chuckle still echoing in the human’s ears. “After all, it would be a shame to see a high vampire fall after so much effort.”

As soon as the vampire was gone, Adrian pounced on the human, pinning Faye to the floor before he could even react. He fought to throw the vampire off him, even though he knew it was pointless. He was only human, and Adrian’s knee on his leg soon put a stop to his squirming. 

“I don’t know what little game you think you’re playing, Faye, but you aren’t going anywhere,” Adrian spat, using his hand to force Faye’s head to the side, exposing his neck. Faye swallowed back down the bile rising in his throat, hating everything about this. His thoughts turned to Addis’s taunt and he closed his eyes as he felt Adrian’s tongue drag along his neck. Who would ever want this? “You and your sweet blood belongs to me, and me alone.”

Pleasure shot all through Faye’s neck and head as Adrian buried his fangs into his skin and a scream escaped him as he fought to push the vampire off. Adrian was quick to stop him, digging his nails into Faye’s free hand to force the human to stay still. Faye bit his own tongue to fight against the feeling assaulting his body, anything to not let that feeling overtake him. He hated that vampire bites were euphoric, anything to make their prey more amenable and he bit his tongue until the metallic taste of blood filled his mouth.

Adrian’s annoyance was obvious as he bit down harder, trying to force Faye to surrender to him. Faye knew from experience he would not win this fight, that eventually the chemicals flooding his body and mind would win, but he would not go easily, and he would not go willingly. 

And he certainly would hate every moment of it.