Under the vampire Lord's protection Chapter 2: Arabella, Henrietta Sterling

The sharp iron scent seldom drifted through the mansion, and for any vampire, it typically signaled that a nearby human had suffered an injury.

Silas reached that very conclusion the moment the distinctive metallic aroma teased his senses.

Wood carving had always been a source of great amusement for him. Wood split and curled away like soft butter under the blade, so effortlessly, carving out flawless curved grooves that filled him with boundless delight.

Yet Silas carefully placed the curved gouge on the table and closed his sparkling diamond eyes to concentrate on this fresh interruption.

It had been ages since he'd detected such exquisite blood spilling so abundantly—ever since the grand war, it seemed.

Undoubtedly noble blood, and its owner had endured a grueling night, perhaps the most exhausting of their brief human existence.

Overcome by intrigue, he shifted his attention to his acute hearing, aiming to trace the source of that tantalizing fragrance.

Heartbeats always served as the starting point for such tracking. Silas figured the person's pulse was still chaotic, and he proved correct when he located the most frantic heartbeats around the manor, soon joined by an unfamiliar voice.

A melodic, feminine tone declared, "Yes, I shall serve your son, my Lady,"

Silas didn't need to hear the other speaker; clearly, the Lady of the estate—his mother—sat opposite her.

In mere seconds, he pinpointed their voices to the lounge nearest the main entrance, and even quicker, he left his room, sped through the lengthy halls and stairs, arriving at the lounge door.

Indeed, a young woman he'd never seen before occupied a seat there.

Luxurious raven hair cascaded to her slender waist, perfectly matching the deep blue gown that hugged her figure, rising to her... ample bosom. The golden locket nestled there drew even greater focus to that area.

Blood wasn't her only aroma; she carried the wild essence of the forest she'd dashed through, evidenced by the mud staining her gown's rumpled hem.

"What skills do you possess, girl?" Lady Persephone inquired calmly, though her voice carried clearly.

As their talk continued, Silas opted to stay silent, concealed by the door frame.

The woman raised her head, revealing for the first time her shining emerald eyes that gleamed like jewels as she gazed at his mother. Her flawless ivory skin was marred only by cuts leaking her blood.

"My skills?" she whispered weakly.

"Why yes!" Lady Persephone replied, placing her teacup on its saucer. "Noble ladies receive rigorous training from expert tutors from a young age. Surely you can read?"

"Yes, of course," the woman responded quickly yet unsteadily.

"I must verify that myself. And poetry?"

"Yes, my Lady. Mostly classical works, many memorized by heart," she affirmed, lowering her gaze once more.

"Wonderful," Lady Persephone noted. "What about music? Can you sing?"

"I fear my voice lacks beauty, but I play the piano well," she replied, twisting her fingers nervously.

"Show me your hands," his mother commanded.

Startled briefly, the woman paused before raising both hands for Lady Persephone's inspection.

"Closer, girl."

Obeying, she extended them further, allowing Lady Persephone to grasp them. She prodded certain spots and stroked others. "Tender flesh," she observed amid the woman's fearful stare. "These cuts look recent. From your journey here, I presume."

The woman simply nodded, her heart pounding wildly.

"Any crafts taught to you?" Lady Persephone pressed.

"I've been praised for my embroidery, my Lady," she murmured.

"Delightful indeed," Lady Persephone said, lifting her teacup anew. "We host many gatherings and receptions here. With your... captivating appearance and talents, you'd make an ideal entertainer and companion for my guests."

"Entertainer?" The woman's breath caught sharply. She trembled harder in her chair at those words.

Noting her response, Lady Persephone chuckled softly. "No need to fear, child. No one will touch you without your consent." She sipped her tea, then continued, "You see, most guests are vampires, and as we age, human ways fade from us. They'll be enchanted by your mere presence—wanting to watch you, listen to you speak, read, play music, laugh, and do simple things." After a pause, she added, "Very well, we've covered the key points of our... arrangement. Now, let's address your condition."

The woman nodded. "When do I have to-" she began hesitantly, eyes still averted from his mother's.

"Not tonight, certainly. You can't afford to lose more blood now. And you must be properly introduced first—do you take us for barbarians?" Lady Persephone's tone sharpened sternly.

The woman shook her head vigorously. "No! Of course not!"

Lady Persephone chuckled again. "You're truly amusing to tease, but I'll cease. It would be unkind otherwise. You may wander the grounds freely while here. You're no captive, but stay within the property borders. I can't ensure your safety beyond my lands."

"Understood."

Beside Lady Persephone's saucer rested a dainty silver bell. She lifted it delicately by its handle and rang it with elegance.

Silas quickly ducked behind the ornate Corinthian pillar at the lounge entrance. Moments later, a familiar human maid named Ada hurried in to respond.

"Is a guest room prepared?" the Lady asked.

The maid bowed, hands together. "Yes, my Lady. We keep one ready on the first floor always."

"Excellent. Escort Arabella to it. She'll reside there for now. Inform the cooks to prepare her meals with special care, and tend to her injuries."

Arabella—that was her name...

Silas observed Ada leave the lounge first, with Arabella trailing closely, until they vanished around the corner toward the stairs.

"She's a lovely little gem, isn't she?" Lady Persephone's voice sounded from the door frame where she now stood.

As one of the eldest vampires on the estate, Lady Persephone excelled in power, stealth, and swiftness, matched by few. Silas was among those exceptions, so her approach catching him off guard stirred unease.

"Another refugee?" he said in his usual frosty tone, which she knew well.

"She crossed from Lustris to Umbraria alone and survived. Remarkable, right?" She smirked slightly. "This one flees a prince."

"Won't that bring trouble?" he questioned.

"Will the Sterlings ever stop plaguing us? One wonders," she grinned, fangs flashing.

Hearing Arabella's family name, Silas's fists balled as he stared down the path the women had gone.

"She'll be your personal blood source from now on. Do... treat her kindly," she offered the bloodstained handkerchief Arabella had used, which he accepted promptly.

Silas nodded subtly, then bolted toward the stairs.

He stayed hidden again as the women appeared. They halted before the massive portrait overlooking the lower stairs.

"That's Lord Emeric Eleazar. I wasn't born in time to know him, but tales say he was exceptional, like his wife," Ada paused, her smile dimming a bit. "I'm Ada, by the way. Human, like you."

Arabella turned sharply to her. "And you chose to work here," she half-stated, half-asked.

"Long story," Ada sighed with unease.

"Of course, sorry. I didn't mean to intrude, I just..." Arabella faltered, searching for words.

"No issue. I'll look after you well. Nothing to fear under this roof," Ada's smile warmed anew. "I sense you have questions weighing on you. Ask freely; I'll answer as best I can." She placed a reassuring hand on Arabella's shoulder.

"Lady Persephone's son..." she murmured, eyes on her feet.

"Master Silas," Ada replied brightly.

"Yes... Is he... Does..." Arabella stammered, body still quivering slightly.

Ada inhaled deeply, eyes widening as she grasped the implication. "He speaks little and stays solitary, but he's not cruel at all. Just keep on his good side."

"Of course. Thank you. I appreciate your kindness," Arabella whispered, nodding slowly. "My name is Arabella."