"Exactly what do you think you are doing, vampire? You should not be here."
Arthur's voice echoed through the library, the sound muffled by shelves of books and elegant decoration framing the walls. This was Alucard's favorite place to retreat apart from his quarters in the lower levels. He had been hiding here to escape the scrutiny of his master for many years, since Abraham van Helsing had released him from the lower levels to the privilege of wandering the upper floors.
With a feeling of dread he hid well, Alucard shifted his focus from the book held between his fingers to the man who stood in the doorway. The day was ending for Arthur. Sunlight had taken its final breath of the day and disappeared behind the horizon an hour ago when the vampire rose from his slumber.
"I recall no order preventing my presence here," Alucard responded in a languid tone.
"You were told to avoid staff and interaction with estate personnel," Arthur corrected, stepping into the library and closing the door behind him.
While likely harmless, just the act of closing the door while speaking to him made Alucard's hackles rise. He reminded himself Arthur was little like his father in the aspect of cruelty. More than likely the man wanted a spot of peace after a tiring day and was unhappy to find a typically empty room with an occupant. Unfortunately for the vampire, the occupant was one Arthur could easily bully.
Raising an eyebrow, Alucard lowered the book to his lap and made a show of lazily looking around the room as if there were humans magically here he had not noticed. Finding none, he returned his mask of a bored gaze to his master and smirked.
"There are none here for me to interact with, Master. Unless you refer to yourself, of course. Perhaps bold of me, but I did make the assumption you were an exception to such rules as requiring me to avoid your presence as well would make commanding me a bit more difficult for you."
Arthur's expression shifted deeper into irritation. "I see all warnings about your attitude have yet to make their way through your thick skull. Stand up."
The order sheered along his nerves like a bitter wind, betraying Arthur's use of the seal to enforce the command. Alucard scowled and rose to his feet, one finger closed between the pages of the book to hold his place. He inclined his head and lowered his gaze out of pure habit, or as Abraham would have likely claimed, years of training. This situation was nothing new. Arthur would lecture him, no doubt, then chase him out of the library for privacy. The son was nothing like the father in terms of cruelty and brutality with his vampire. No, Arthur believed himself higher than such activities and chose rather to treat Alucard like a child or a beloved, but misbehaving, dog. Such were the consequences of being raised next to the monster he was to command.
Bootsteps approached, muffled on the fine, imported rug that lay beneath the set of chairs arranged before the unlit fireplace. Alucard could feel the radiation of body heat from Arthur as the man stopped close before him. The snapping of fingers broke the sudden silence. Opening his eyes a sliver, Alucard gazed down at the extended, waiting hand of his master.
"Hand it over," the man commanded.
Alucard flinched at the order. Without thinking of the action, his arm lifted and placed the book into Arthur's hand. Dismay at having such a simple pleasure taken from him, he let his hand fall away, losing his place and surrendering the book for his master's inspection.
Casting an eye to the cover, Arthur scoffed then tossed the book into the seat of the chair. "Let's go, Alucard," Arthur stepped to the side and gestured sharply to the door. "Now."
Cold fear gripped his chest. Was he to be punished for doing nothing more than sitting quietly in this room, bothering no one? Alucard maintained a mask of bored disinterest to hide the terror that grew with memories of similar interactions and words from his previous master.
Thoughts clouded his mind with a fog of fear and expectations based on Abraham's behaviors, still so well remembered. Pausing to open the door and step into the hallway, Alucard stopped and turned, waiting for Arthur to command him into his cell or someplace worse.
Arthur stood in the doorway, a knowing smirk over his lips, expression one of cruel amusement. "Lost your voice, Alucard? No more flippant remarks?"
"Master," Alucard replied, inclining his head. "Forgive me."
"Of course," the man said with a chuckle. "Stay out of the library, Alucard. That is an order."
With an air of finality, Arthur pushed the door shut, leaving Alucard to stand in confusion. His face shifting into a deep scowl as he realized Arthur's game. The man had played on his fear! Arthur had known exactly what he'd been doing. Then to take away his favorite refuge and access to books! Why?
"Bastard," Alucard growled quietly, turning away to melt himself into shadow.