This story does contains themes of abuse, both physical and sexual as well as sexual scenes. None of the abuse is written, simply implied, but viewer discretion is advised. All mature chapters will be marked as such (Addis)

A quiet radio tower stood near the outskirts of Pavivani city, looming high over the nearby buildings as its pulsating red light cast an eerie glow over the streets. A few vampires scuttled around the structure, too scared of the creature who lived within to bother the grounds, even on a dark night like this one. No, the nearby citizens knew better than to risk waking that monster, lest it come and make a meal of them and their kin. Little did they know that it was not their puttering feet that would wake the high vampire on this night.

Addis was suddenly jolted up from his pillow, pain searing through his midsection like a hot knife. The vampire had to stop himself from crying out, doubling over in his bed from the pain. He pressed his face into the mattress, unable to help the cry that escaped him as another wave of pain ran through his gut. His shadow immediately rose from the floor at his voice, frantically searching for what had harmed its master, but they were alone in the dark bedroom, nothing but the occasional flash of red light invading the space. Addis waved the creature down, still holding himself as the pain faded, and he let out a shaky breath. It obeyed, hovering hesitantly next to his side as its green eyes continued to search for the cause of Addis’s torment.

It wasn’t over: Addis knew better than to expect relief like that even as he opened his eyes to glance around the dark space. A brief respite, that was all, and soon it would strike him again. Worse, harder than before, and the vampire closed his eyes again, his body tensing as he waited, his fingers gripping the sheets tightly. Where would it strike him next? In his head, as it had that night where he had to excuse himself from a meeting with Lena? Or would it be his leg, like when he almost fell down the stairs in front of Zélia? 

Just as Addis thought this, multiple waves of pain ran through his back and he cried out again, burying his face into the sheets as his power now reacted, static buzzing in the air as it rose to allow him to protect himself. The radio tower seemed to come alive in the quiet night, sending out cries of static as his electrical power ran through the building. Anything to take away this pain, but what could he do? Addis had no idea where this pain was coming from and he had already tried everything in his power to stop it. Every single one of the vampire’s attempts had failed him, leaving him to deal with the ever-growing phantom sensations.

Addis had begun feeling these phantom pains a few weeks ago, and while at first they had been a mere nuisance, nothing more than a distraction as he tried to sleep or work, over time they had become much worse. At times, like tonight, they would be intense and strong enough to wake him from his sleep and fill him with a pain he had not felt since he was alive. The pain almost reminded him of the beatings his stepfather used to give him before he killed the bastard, but this time, there was no one to kill to end the torment. No, these pains were starting to become too much for the vampire and he gripped his sheets tighter as another wave ran through him, this time striking his arm.

“STOP IT!” Addis finally cried out, the scream radiating from the tower into the neighborhood surrounding his home. The vampire didn’t care whom he might have startled awake, or what fear he might have struck into those who dared to walk outside his home. He shivered as the pain struck him again in the arm, another scream of wordless anguish escaping him. He needed this pain to end, and he needed it to end now.

As if answering his plea, the pain began to fade, and no new pains came in to take its place. Addis let out a shaky breath, the creature and his power retreating as relief filled the vampire. It was over, at least for tonight, and the vampire slowly pushed himself up, forcing his hands to release the soft fabric. He panted as he sat up, his vision still blurry as his head pounded from the residual pains. They had been sparse at first, but lately it seemed to be a nightly occurrence, constantly keeping the vampire awake. At this rate, Addis would never get another good night’s sleep and he closed his eyes, taking in another deep breath as he tried to steady his nerves.

“I have to find a way to end this suffering,” Addis whispered to himself, sitting up on his knees as he threw his head back, sighing as the ache began to leave him. These pains were clearly not his own or from any memory of his own beatings; they had to be coming from something or someone else. He couldn’t have been hexed or cursed; he would’ve been able to recognize such a thing immediately. It could be possible that someone was physically attacking him, but as the pain never left any marks, this was also unlikely.

His shadow seemed to look up at him from where it rested on the bed, and the vampire frowned as he stared into its unsettling gaze. The creature seemed to be watching him with equal parts concern and disdain, as if it was disappointed in him. It moved away from the bed, slithering into one of the room's dark corners as its laugh echoed in his mind.

Addis growled softly, averting his eyes to look out at the night sky beyond his window. He slowly stood from the bed, walking over to the opening as he looked out into the city below. No vampires sulked around his tower tonight; even if any had, his screams had probably been more than enough to send the fools running. It was but a shame: he could’ve used an excuse to help himself to a late-night snack, some drops of blood to satisfy his aching thirst. Anything to distract from the thoughts now rampaging through his skull, the annoying, terrifying prospect that fought to make itself known.

No, the more he thought about it, the more he didn’t like his final option for the cause of these pains. Yet, the longer this went on and the longer he went without finding another explanation, the more it seemed obvious. Addis turned away from the window, grabbing his coat and tossing the garment over his shoulders as he stepped out of the room. He quietly left his home, glancing at the station nearby as the red light bathed the grounds around him. It still hummed with the remnant of his power and he huffed, slipping out onto the dark streets. He would have to return tomorrow before broadcasting, but he needed a distraction for now.

And since he was awake, he might as well make himself useful and return to the shelter. It was unlikely that anyone would be awake at this hour, and he could work undisturbed, no longer plagued by Lena’s constant suggestions or Faye’s insistent jabs. Addis smiled to himself as he walked, the thought pleasing him greatly. Yes, since he was up anyway, at least he could get some needed work done in silence.

The shelter was a pet project of the princess’s, Lena wanting a chance to prove to her father that humans and turned could be useful in Dephus. Of course to most, the shelter seemed like a simple charity, a royal vampire trying to garner points with the lowest in their society. Addis chuckled to himself as he walked the darkened streets: if only they knew the truth about the princess and her goals, then there would likely be none in Dephus who wouldn’t jump at the chance to support her endeavor.

Addis was surprised as he arrived at the shelter, finding that someone had left the front doors wide open. Lena and Zélia were usually fast asleep this late at night, and Ruben would usually be awake, but rarely left his room unless it was to raid the kitchen for more booze. Roma was too busy with her tasks to bother with escapades beyond the building, leaving only one culprit for the open door.

“Faye.” Addis growled, closing the door behind him as he stepped in. His mood soured as soon as he entered the building, his smile quickly fading to a scowl as he made his way to the office Lena had given him. That human could really learn some manners, especially if he was inclined to leave the door wide open in the middle of the night, not to mention he was out past his curfew. “He will have to be properly reprimanded this time.”

Faye was one of the few humans currently at the shelter and Addis did little to hide his disdain for him. Faye was crass and loud, not to mention that his job as a blood escort made him little more than vampire candy. The human was nothing to Addis except a constant reminder of his owner, another high vampire that Addis couldn’t stand. Addis scoffed as he crossed the lobby, flinching as he thought of the human pleading his case with Lena before the princess forgave him. Again.

Addis quietly slipped into his office, breathing in the nostalgic smell of the books he had filled the space with. A quick snap, and the small radio in the corner flared to life, filling the space with soft jazz as Addis slid into his desk. The princess had already left him several papers and ideas to look at, given the stack on his desk, and the vampire put his glasses on his face, picking up the first sheet. It seemed, like usual, she was full of idealistic plans, and Addis sighed heavily as he began to mark the page with corrections and suggestions. 

This is not how he had planned to spend his night, but it was better than wallowing away in his tower, lost in his own thoughts and worries. So, Addis allowed himself to get lost in the papers on his desk, the memory of the pain and its possible cause fading from his mind.