Hey guys! My cold finally went away yesterday! I'm sorry I haven't updated earlier today, but I had a lot of homework to do.

P.S: I have my first Favourites person for this story! As in, someone he added this story to their Favourites! Thank you so much blushingpixie, you're awesome! ….

Chapter 10

As she and Lumiere fell into tense silence once more, Jacqueline stole fleeting glances at him. She continued to admire his good looks, and felt a wave of heat rush through her body as she bit back a moan of both surprise and need. He was so handsome! The Zemya sniffed, smelling the blood that pumped faster through him, and shuddered slightly despite herself, "What is wrong with me? I cannot believe I think a human is attractive!" she thought.

Lumiere's gaze flickered to her, and their eyes locked, "What's the matter now?" he practically snapped, giving her a cold look. He clenched his fists, "I swear, if she complains about the way I'm taking care of her, I'll kill her. Screw the cruse" he thought.

However, to his complete surprise, Jacqueline replied somewhat breathlessly and shakily, "N-Nothing. I am fine." The vampire practically quivered as his hand gently touched her thigh, and she cussed under her breath, the word so quiet that she was certain he did not hear her. The cuss had been a mixture of arousal and frustration…but mostly the latter, "Why am I behaving like this?! I just stuttered in front of a…a human!" she thought.

He said something to her again, but she did not pay attention. All Jacqueline could concentrate on was his husky accent. She let out another involuntary shudder as thoughts of what he might say with that voice, came to mind. Such shameful things he could whisper to her, and oh, the things he could do to her. Jacqueline blinked a few times and clenched her fists, "Stop it! He probably does not even want you like that! Why do you even care?" she scolded herself.

Lumiere gazed at the vampire before him in slight suspicion, "What's wrong with her? Why hasn't she snapped at me yet?" he wondered. Then, however, the mercenary noted how her eyes had darkened even further and her breathing had become slightly laboured. He raised an eyebrow, "You want me" he said, sounding almost shocked, and sly at the same time.

The vampire blinked a few times, "W-What? No!" she stammered. She was, as far as she was concerned, hastily trying to protect what little dignity she had left. Lumiere gave no reply, and Jacqueline continued quickly, wanting to change the topic, "I need to see my sister. She is at my castle all alone, and I need to see her."

Her companion shook his head, voice firm and eyes cold, "No. We're staying here until you heal. No arguments."

She crossed her arms, "No. If I must heal, then we are going to my castle. That way, I can look after my sister as well" she argued.

Lumiere ran a hand through his hair, "Didn't I just say, 'no arguments'? We'll go to the castle, if it'll get you to be quiet" he growled.

"Merci" the vampire answered curtly.

As soon as the two stepped into Jacqueline's castle, Babette moved toward them with her vampire speed. She gasped upon seeing the state of her sister, "Jackie!" she said with worry. Then, the Zemya glared at Lumiere, fangs bared, "What did you do to her!?" she practically screamed.

"She got hurt, and I'm staying here to heal her" he answered coldly.

Jaqueline inquired, "Babette, did anything happen while I was away?"

Her younger sister shook her head, and snarled at Lumiere, attempting to be polite, "Would you like me to show you to your room, monsieur?"

"Sure" Lumiere answered nonchalantly.

That night, he and Jacqueline were in his room, because the vampire was feeding after just getting her bandages changed. Her companion groaned. He had just spent the last half an hour searching for a dead human body that he had a chance of stealing, so that he could give it to her. He had gotten sick of her complaining about animal blood, so, he had made the extra effort to find her a human body.

All of a sudden, Jacqueline's head snapped up, and she dropped the limp female body. Standing, she muttered, "Pardon moi" and walked out the door. Curious, the mercenary followed her, being as silent as if he was a feather.

The Zemya opened the door to Babette's room, and walked in. Lumiere listened from the side of the door.

He heard Jacqueline's voice. It was completely unlike what he was used to hearing. Instead, her voice was sweet and kind, "Is everything alright?" she asked.

Babette replied, "Oui, I just had a strange dream."

The mercenary heard her sister suck in a breath, "A…a dream?" she asked slowly.

"Oui. It was about…about a man. He was very tall and handsome. I…I think I might know him" answered the younger sibling.

Jacqueline responded hastily, "Ma petite, are you sure you are alright?" There was a short pause, where Lumiere assumed that her sister had nodded, before Jacqueline spoke once more, "Very well. Bon nuit ma petite" she said, and walked out the door.

The Zemya let out an animalistic growl upon seeing Lumiere, "You were listening" she hissed.

He looked at her, "So what?" he asked heatedly, glaring.

"I cannot believe you did that! It is unacceptable, and I will not stand for it. You have caused me enough trouble" replied the vampire.

Lumiere's expression darkened dramatically like a flick of a switch. Anger burned in his eyes, and his lips pressed in a harsh line. Not saying another word, the mercenary dragged her into the next room, throwing her inside and slamming the door shut. He did not care if he woke the smaller vampire. They were both annoying.

Oh, but the one he faced at that moment…she was the worst.

Jacqueline's face paled with fright at the sight of the enraged mercenary In front of her. She had been blinded by his good looks so much that she had forgotten how truly dangerous he was. That he could easily kill her if he wanted to.

Lumiere took one threatening step forward, and snorted, "Really, I've caused you enough trouble!? Are you even hearing yourself!?" he snapped.

The vampire started, "You…"

The mercenary interrupted, venom coating every word and his voice lowered an octave dangerously, "Shut. Up. Vampire. Do you know what it's been like? Hmm? Do you know what it's been like to have to play a servant to a vampire! A creature that I normally can't even stand the sight of!? It's been hell, vampire. Utter hell." He took another step forward, "Do you know why I did it? I did it in the hopes of breaking my curse. A CURSE THAT AN ENCHANTRESS PUT ON ME! I'VE BEEN ALIVE FOR CENTURIES BECAUSE OF HER! ALL I WANT IS TO BREAK THAT SUPID CURSE! YOU CAN'T EVEN BE DECENT ENOUGH TO HELP ME WITH THAT!"

Jacqueline, now terrified, attempted to speak, "L-Lumiere…"

The mercenary shook his head. He was no longer yelling, but his voice was still lowered and coated with venom as he snarled, "No…" he stepped closer, "Everyone got their happy ending Jacqueline. Everyone…" he grabbed her by the neck, "But…" he thrust her against the wall, "Me." He put his face inches from hers, and smirked darkly, "Do you really know where Nicolas is, Jacqueline? I might just spare you if you do" he whispered threateningly.

Petrified, she stammered truthfully, "Oui. H-he is in t-the n-north marshes. He likes to go th-there because there are many h-humans to feed off and th-the weather is always c-cloudy." She swallowed hard, not bothering to try to stop her body from shaking with genuine fear. Would he kill her? If so, how? Wold he snap her neck? Would he strange her?

Lumiere glared at her for a few minutes, his eyes unmoving from hers, and it seemed like a century before he released his grip on her neck and stepped backwards. The mercenary answered coldly, "Thank you Jacqueline. I'll leave for the north marshes in the morning. You'll have Babette here to look after you instead of me."

Jacqueline gazed at him for a few seconds, before saying quietly, "No. Do not leave."

Lumiere shook his head, "I'm going, and you won't stop me" he answered, already heading for the door.

The vampire let him go, knowing that it would be useless trying to stop him. Then, for the first time in what felt like forever, she felt the smallest bit of what could only be described as heartbreak.

…

Oh no, poor Jackie!

Don't worry guys, I'll be updating really soon…maybe even later tonight if I get the rest of my homework done. I hate homework.

Any constructive criticism is really appreciated, as always!

I'll see you soon guys,

-Babetteisawesome.