Unexpected savior

England, 1865

Brea's heart was still pounding, but she tried her best to stay calm when she cautiously observed her unexpected savior. He was sitting opposite her in the carriage; his dark eyes were staring at her. Was that hunger in his eyes? She truly hoped not, but if he really didn't know why the Strix wanted her, she could have a small chance. Instinctively she touched her necklace. It was a gift from Alexander, the closest thing to a father and a friend she has ever had. He was the only person who had ever shown her kindness.

He was dead now, just because he had taken pity on her. He had risked everything to save her from the Strix. Sir Charles, Alexander's half-brother, had been nothing but a fool who have had no idea what he was dealing with. Those vampires would have killed him as soon as they would have been sure that they had found their "missing property". But Brea couldn't deny that she had been even a bigger fool for thinking that she could actually trust "Uncle Charles". He had no doubt planned to sell her the whole time. She suppressed an exhausted sigh; she was so tired.

"Are you alright, darling?" the vampire opposite her asked.

She forced herself to focus and looked at him.

"Yes, thank you. And… I also thank you for helping me, sir."

"You can call me Lucien," he replied. "And you're welcome."

She hesitated for a brief moment before continuing.

"I really am grateful, but I don't wish to disturb you for any longer," she stated as casually as she could. "Could you be so kind and ask the driver to stop so I can get out?"

He raised his eyebrows; she wasn't sure what he was thinking. She didn't think he would let her go, but she needed to try. If this wouldn't work, then she would pretend to submit to him and seek for an opportunity to escape. She tried her best not to imagine what he would do to her before that. If he would taste her blood…

"Can I ask you a question?" he said after a moment of silence.

"Sure," she replied cautiously.

"Do you have any money?"

His question surprised her, but she got over that quickly.

"No, not on me, but I can arrange you money…"

"No, no," he cut in. "That's not what I meant. I was merely asking because I doubt that you will get far without any money."

"I appreciate your concern, but I'll be fine, thank you," she replied cautiously. "Will you let me leave?"

He bit his bottom lip; she noticed that he looked a little tense.

"Look, I will be honest with you," he stated. "Those men who came to buy you were very dangerous and there are many more of them. You don't have a chance to run from them, not by yourself. However…" He paused and leaned forward. "I can help you."

"Why would you do that?"

He smiled.

"Would you believe that I'm just so nice man?"

"Not really," she murmured.

He seemed amused by her answer.

"Well, you would be right; I'm everything but a nice man. What I am is a ruthless, vicious killer."

She nodded.

"I noticed that."

There was definitely curiosity in his eyes when he looked at her.

"You don't seem afraid."

"Do you want me to be?"

"No, I don't. It's strange really…"

They were both quiet for a moment, he seemed thoughtful.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think what you need is a patron," he finally stated. "I would like to be your patron. I have plenty of money and recourses to guarantee your safety."

She tensed and tried her best to look dignified.

"I'm sorry, sir, but I'm not a prostitute."

He smiled.

"That's not what I meant, darling. I am currently living in America and I will return there soon. I invite you to accompany me. It's a big country; you could start a new life there."

Brea's eyes widened, she hadn't expected that.

"That's a very generous offer, but there must be something you want in return? I mean, you don't even know me."

He seemed amused.

"I could say the same to you, my little butterfly, and yet you came with me after seeing me killing five men."

She frowned.

"I have no reason to mourn none of those men. But I suppose I see your point."

She folded her hands in her lap and tried to clear her thoughts. He was a vampire, one of the very people she needed to avoid at any cost. He could make her life the same kind of hell it had been before Alexander had taken her with him. Thinking about him made her touch the necklace again. Slowly she looked up and met Lucien's gaze. What she saw really confused her. He wasn't going to hurt her. Somehow she just knew that. He was indeed a ruthless, vicious killer, just like he had said, but somehow she knew that she would be safe with him.

Brea couldn't sleep. Her hand was still stroking Lucien's hair, although she could tell he was already asleep. She hated to see him so upset. He felt that he had failed her by agreeing to make the deal with the Strix. She had never thought like that, not even a second. Very carefully she got up and opened the drawer of her nightstand. It was full of chocolate bars and lollipops. Her body couldn't really handle anything salty or spicy, only sweet. It was a part of what she was.

She picked up a chocolate bar and made sure that Lucien was sleeping peacefully before walking over to the window. The box was still on the floor, but she refused to look at it. The rose was Tristan's idea of "an invitation". They would come for her soon and she would have to fulfill the most unpleasant part of the agreement. She hated it, but she didn't show that to Lucien. Just 24 hours, she could take that. Only the elite members of the Strix were allowed to feed on her directly, but unfortunately there were many elite members.

The only good thing was that she didn't have to worry about any of them touching her. Tristan wouldn't have allowed that, he considered himself a gentleman. The first time had been the worst, but it had also shown her how much she owed Lucien. Without him, her whole life would have been like that. When she had been a child, she had never been treated as a person; no one had cared about her thoughts and feelings. Lucien had always treated her kindly and he had never taken anything from her by force.

He could do that if he would want to, but she knew that he never would. She trusted him unconditionally and she would do anything to protect him. He didn't know the whole truth about what happened when she was away and she was determined to make sure that he would never know. It would drive him mad and he would no doubt do something that would jeopardize his safety. She sighed and looked outside. Lucien never took her absence well and the people of New Orleans were about to find that out.