Wish I'd had more time to write this month. But I've been working three jobs and then I got so sick that I couldn't focus on anything (not COVID, just the longest case of laryngitis ever). I was hoping to do this special story in three chapters, but looks like it's going to be four.

WARNING: This chapter contains mentions of past abuse, sexual assault, internalized acephobia, period-typical racism and homophobia (remember, this is the 1930s, after all).

Living with a vampire was surreal, to say the least.

The first day was spent entirely with Niffty giving Tina a tour of the manor and then taking her measurements for new clothes. The maid then showed her a catalog, pointing out that they should select gowns with high collars, for concealing the puncture wounds in the neck.

It was then that Tina noticed how high Niffty's own collar was.

"Does the baron drink from you too?" Tina asked.

"Sometimes." Niffty rubbed her neck. "If he can't find a decent meal. Sometimes he'll drink from Husk, but only when desperate because his blood is practically alcohol."

"Is it always that," Tina said, biting her lip, "intense?"

Niffty giggled. "Got you horny, did he?"

"Well, uh…" Tina blushed. "That is, I—"

"Oh, don't be ashamed. Happened to me the first few times too, but I eventually got over it once I realized the baron wasn't into me that way."

"Ya mean he's not into any women? Or…men?"

Niffty shrugged. "If he's ever had a love in his life, he's never brought it up. I mean there was that woman who changed him into what he is now, but he doesn't like to talk about her very much. I think the only woman he's ever really cared about was his mother, and that's a whole other can of worms."

"But if he's already got you and Husk for emergency food supply, why am I here?"

"He must like you. He doesn't socialize much and only keeps around people he likes."

"So what brought you here?"

"The stock market crash." Niffty sighed. "My parents brought me over from Japan during the Great War. It was hard enough settling into a country that saw us as the enemy, the stock market crash left us broke. I didn't wanna burden my parents with another mouth to feed, being an adult who could look after herself, so I hopped on the first train out of town and ended up in New Orleans. Of course, not a lotta people were used to seeing an Asian person and were still wary from the war, so finding a job wasn't easy. The baron found me begging on the streets one day, said that no fine lady such as myself should go hungry, and the rest is history."

"What about Husk?"

"Oh, he was just as affected by the war, except he actually fought in it. Left some deep emotional scars so he tries to drown them out in drink." Niffty snickered. "You could say the Depression as well as Prohibition left him more than destitute. The baron found him passed out in an alley. He took him back home because he had nothing better to do, or so he says."

Just when the baron started sounding like a good Samaritan, Tina was reminded that he was a selfish vampire with too much time on his hands.

Tina didn't see much of Alastor during the day, as he was mostly asleep, only leaving the manor to run errands in town. He hadn't given her an official role in the household, commanding that she spend her free time how she liked, so long as she kept herself healthy.

That meant going into serious withdrawal from smoking and drinking. She hated how Husk was allowed to drink and she wasn't. Whenever she brought this up, Alastor would pat her head and say that Husk's blood was not as precious. He never bothered to elaborate what that meant.

With no job, and no access to cigarettes or alcohol, Tina found herself in constant idleness. In this enormous estate, the only ones she had to talk to in the daytime were Husk and Niffty, and they had duties of their own. So, to avoid boredom, Tina started assisting Niffty in her chores. Alastor was initially appalled when he discovered this, until Tina reminded him that he had granted her free reign to do what she liked, and that with her help, Niffty was able to get her chores done faster and have some free time of her own.

Besides, Tina didn't want to feel like a trophy wife. She accepted the new wardrobe, and the lavish new bedroom, but she didn't want a repeat of her situation with Ethan.

The cleaning allowed her plenty of time to reflect, and to chat with Niffty. Cooking meals also wasn't tedious, as it was only for three people. The baron never joined them for obvious reasons.

In the afternoons, when the work was done, Tina would spend most of her time in the library, filled with thousands of books, or the music room, which contained various instruments, including a grand piano.

One evening, Alastor snuck up behind her while she was playing, giving her a fright. He then sat beside her on the bench and played with her. Then at his request, she sang for him.

Her voice was well-trained, though the song she chose was playful. With her comedic energy and the ridiculous faces she made, Alastor found himself laughing harder than he had in decades.

"My dear," he said, wiping away a bloody tear, "a hilarious talent like yours deserves to be on Vaudeville!"

"Yeah, right." Tina huffed. "I'd be lucky enough to get in a minstrel show. Can you imagine me wearin' that tasteless white lipstick?"

"Well why not? You'd be onstage, wouldn't you?"

"And makin' a mockery of my own race. Ya know what I'd do instead, if I had the chance? I'd get up on that stage, and tell the world what it's like to really be a black person. Not like those white posers who think we're something to laugh at."

"Says the woman who wants to be a comedian."

"Yeah, but I'd be makin' people laugh and layin' the truth on 'em. Like how whites set themselves above us, but at the same time wanna blacken their faces and act like us."

Alastor chuckled. "Well, in that case, if anyone can accomplish that kind of change in the world, it'd be you."

He was the first person not to make fun of her dream. And so, from that day on, he had her respect.

It turned out Tina and the baron had a lot in common. Before their sessions, they'd spend an hour or two discussing music, literature, philosophy, art, anything. Deep, intelligent conversations Tina had never shared with anyone else, that made her feel unexpectedly comfortable in the baron's presence.

Then would come the time for him to feed, and her uneasiness would return.

Niffty had said she would get used to it. But after several months, Tina still couldn't get through one feeding without needing to touch herself afterwards.

It wasn't that Alastor was purposely making her feel this way. Like a true gentleman, he never touched her more than necessary, his mouth never anywhere other than her neck.

Of course, he wasn't helping to dispel these fantasies either. Especially when he kept greeting her with a kiss on the hand, complimenting her appearance, and calling her affectionate names like 'dear,' 'darling,' 'chère,' and 'pet.'

She had to remind herself constantly that he didn't see her as a woman, but food.

And so, Tina brushed her attraction off as a foolish flight of fancy. Even if the baron wasn't a vampire, he was out of her reach. Although he engaged in casual conversation with her, they could never truly be equals. It didn't matter that he was half black. He still had the wealth and privilege of a white man, just like Ethan. If Alastor paid her any attention, it was merely out of boredom.

At least that's what Tina thought. Until one evening, when she went to help Niffty prepare dinner. Only to find the baron at the stove instead.

Tina had never seen him out of a suit. He'd exchanged his red pinstripe jacket for a red apron. The sleeves of his white dress shirt were rolled up, his bowtie nowhere to be seen. A pot of water simmered on the stove as he minced vegetables at an amazingly rapid pace, all while humming a jazzy tune.

"Mr. Bruneau?"

Alastor turned to Tina, holding up the large, curved blade, causing her to jump.

"Ah, Tina!" He bared his fangs. "Care to assist me with dinner?"

Her gaze didn't leave him as she took an apron off the hook by the door. "Where's Niffty?"

"I gave her the evening off." He put down the mincing knife and picked up a meat cleaver, which didn't make her feel any more relaxed. "That girl gets so caught up in her work, she forgets to take a break every once in a while."

Tina knotted the apron behind her, watching as he pulled a slab of meat onto the counter. "Not anyone I know, is it?"

"It's venison." Alastor chuckled. "I only consume blood, not the meat."

She approached him cautiously as he began slicing up the meat. "I didn't think you cooked."

"Why, because I'm a man?"

"No. Cuz you're a vampire. And a rich man with servants to do all that for ya."

"True. But my mother and I used to cook all the time. Even though her recipes don't taste the same to me anymore, recreating them brings back memories."

There was a sadness in his voice Tina had yet to hear.

"Whaddya want me to do?" she asked.

He handed her the mincing knife. "Finish the rest of these vegetables while we wait for the water to boil."

As they worked on the stew together, Tina found she couldn't keep her eyes off Alastor. It was strange seeing someone so polished and refined do something so domestic and…normal. Even more so that she'd be cooking alongside him as if he wasn't the master of this estate, but just a regular member of the household.

When it came time to pour the ingredients into the pot, Tina noticed that Alastor's collar was undone. He usually buttoned his shirt all the way to the top, but had loosened it for this activity.

His neck was covered in gray, faded scars. Bite marks.

Alastor caught her staring. "Something on my face?"

"Your neck," Tina muttered.

He stopped stirring and quickly buttoned his collar. "My apologies. How improper."

"Where'd you get those scars?"

He was quiet for a minute as he resumed stirring the stew. "You know how those…wounds of yours never fully heal?"

Her hand went to her own bandaged neck. "So, the vampire who changed you—?"

He closed his lips around his teeth. "You're very sharp, my dear. The only things that can leave scars on a vampire are holy water, the sun, and bites from other vampires."

"But ya only have to bite me once to take my blood." She was now realizing he always bit her in the same place so that there were no extra puncture wounds. "Why do ya have multiple—?"

"Please." He held up the spoon in the same manner as the knife from before. "Do well not to pry into my affairs."

"Sorry, sir." Tina hung her head. "I didn't mean to make ya mad."

Alastor's expression softened as he tilted her chin up with his finger. "None of that 'sir' nonsense, you hear? If I'm to call you by your Christian name, you are to do the same."

There was an unspoken rule between blacks and whites. A white person could call a black person by their first name, but if a black person called a white person they weren't on intimate terms with by their first name, it was considered disrespectful.

Needless to say, Tina was rarely ever addressed by a white person as "Miss Davis."

While she hadn't minded Alastor calling her by her first name, she had been reluctant to return the favor. Only ever calling him "Mr. Bruneau" or "sir." Or "the baron" when he wasn't present.

Despite him technically being her race, she'd been treating him like a white man all this time. But this was his way of showing her that he saw her as nothing less than an equal.

"Okay then." Tina smiled. "Alastor."

Husk was about to enter his room when he heard humming. He turned to see Alastor pass by, straightening his jacket and smoothing out his hair. If Husk didn't know any better, he'd say his employer was on his way to a date.

"Off to Tina's room again, huh?"

Alastor stopped and shot the groundskeeper an elated grin. "You know how my thirst cannot be helped, Husker."

Husk crossed his arms. "You seem to be looking forward to your meetings with her a lot lately."

"Well, she is plenty more entertaining than my usual game. Always has something interesting to say, and never screams or struggles." Alastor sighed. "Yes, taking her on was the best decision I ever made."

"Right." Husk huffed. "And how long do you plan on keeping her like this?"

"Hmm." Alastor rubbed his chin. "Until she is no longer of any use to me, I suppose. Being mortal, she won't remain in good health forever."

"And then what? You kick her out? Kill her?"

The baron raised an eyebrow. "Is there something you wish to say, Husker?"

The servant shook his head. "I don't like how you're using her."

"She was the one who agreed to this arrangement."

"That's cuz she's self-destructive and you're taking advantage of that."

"And?" Alastor shrugged. "She wants to suffer, I need to eat. This deal benefits us both."

"She's not a cow. She's a human being."

"And I'm a vampire. I've feasted on humans before, yourself included."

"Yeah, but you've never done it on one person for so long." Husk rubbed his neck. "At some point, losing blood so regularly is gonna take a toll on her."

Alastor pondered this. "If she gets too tired, I'll give her some time off. Just like during her monthlies."

His consideration surprised Husk. "You've gotten awfully close to her, haven't you?"

"I have to, in order to drink her blood."

"No. I mean you've been spending a lot of time with her outside the feedings. I saw you in the kitchen the other night. Not the first time I've caught the two of you alone together."

The baron shrugged. "She makes good company."

"Aren't you worried?"

"About what?"

"Well, knowing how your, uh, feedings can go," Husk said with a slight blush, "and that you talk to each other a lot, aren't you worried that she might…you know? Get the wrong idea?"

"Meaning…?"

Husk sighed. "What if she falls in love with you?"

Alastor threw his head back in laughter. "Aw, Husker, don't be ridiculous! Tina knows what we have is simply business and that I'm only interested in her blood!"

"Are you?"

"Am I what?"

"Only interested in her blood?"

"Of course! I'm a hundred years old, Husker! If no woman has turned my head by now, then no woman ever will!" He winked. "Or man, for that matter."

"Never say never." Husk shook his head. "There are some things that are out of our control."

"Well in my case, Husker, there is nothing to control, except for my lust for blood! Now good night, old friend!" The baron waved as he continued down the hall. "Mustn't keep the lady waiting!"

As Alastor made his way to Tina's room, he mused about Husk's ludicrous accusations. There was no way someone as sensible as Tina would ever fall for a vampire. Sure, Alastor could sense her lust while he drank, but that was only a natural reaction. It wasn't as if she would ever act upon those urges.

What was even more absurd was Husk suggesting that Alastor would have similar urges. Just because she was a woman, and he was a man, didn't mean he had any romantic or sexual intentions. The most he thought of Tina was as a respectable companion.

Yes, that's all she was. His favorite companion, and his favorite meal.

But when Alastor entered Tina's room, he was met with a sight that froze him in place. His hand fell from the door, letting it swish closed behind him.

"Hello, Alastor." Tina stood from her armchair with a smile. "How are ya this evening?"

With the newly formed lump in his throat, all he could manage to say was, "Is…is that a new nightgown?"

Tina glanced down at herself. "Oh, yeah. Niffty picked it out when we were shoppin' yesterday. She said this one wouldn't stain as easily, and gives more room for your…well, fangs. Whaddya think?"

Her gown was red. Like her bedsheets. Like her blood.

But oddly enough, that was not what Alastor was focusing on.

This gown was much more revealing than the others he'd seen her in, held together by two ribbon-thin straps, the black lace neckline dipping just above her cleavage. The silken fabric hugged her curves, the skirt falling an inch below her knees.

If the blood weren't already drained from Alastor's body, it'd be coloring his cheeks.

"It's too much, ain't it?" Tina wrapped a matching silk robe around her body. "I can go change."

"N-No!" He held up a hand. "It's, err…very practical."

He mentally kicked himself. What kind of compliment was that to pay to a woman's outfit?

"Okay." She sat back down in the chair. "Anyway, I was in the library today and read a book called The Scarlet Pimpernel, that takes place during the Reign of Terror in France…"

Alastor couldn't focus on her words. He didn't even take the seat across from her. He was too fixated on her new nightgown, and the amount of skin it exposed.

This was ridiculous. He'd seen her in nightwear before. In his feedings, he'd caught glimpses of her bare arms, legs and chest. As inappropriate as it was for him to have seen all that, he'd grown accustomed to it.

Yet still Alastor couldn't take his eyes off Tina's skin, the fire giving it a soft, copper glow.

His fingers tingled with the urge to touch that skin. His mouth watered with the urge to sink his teeth into it. Not just her throat, but her shoulder, her arm, her leg. Why shouldn't he, when it was all being displayed before him like a grand feast? Why did he have to limit himself to just her neck?

"Alastor, are you listening?"

He shook himself out of his thoughts. "A-Apologies, dear. I did not mean to daydream. I'm just…really thirsty."

"Oh." With slight disappointment, Tina rose to her feet. "Well, let's just get this over with then."

She shrugged off the robe, revealing even more of that delectable flesh. It took all the muscles in Alastor's cheeks to keep up that grin. When it was clear he was not going to move on his own, Tina took his hand and led him to the bed. Unwrapping the bandage from her neck, she laid herself down on her back.

Despite all the times Alastor had crawled on top of her, he suddenly felt very, very self-conscious. Like he wasn't a vampire about to feed, but a virgin being seduced by a lady of the night.

Well, he at least knew the lady of the night part was a delusion.

Tina reached up to take his shoulders. Normally, she'd close her eyes before he could reach her throat, but this time, her eyes made direct contact with his.

All the fear and nerves he'd seen their first night were no longer to be found in her gaze. His own was another story.

She looked so beautiful beneath him. He'd always acknowledged her beauty, but tonight was different somehow. Was it the gown? Was it the lack of fear in her eyes? Or was it the way she smiled as she tilted her head and bared her neck for him?

He resisted the impulse to bite elsewhere. It wouldn't do to scar her more than necessary. Opening his jaw, he leaned in for her throat, but paused.

A new scent entered his nostrils. It was sweet, like peaches. Had she bought a new perfume along with the gown? He closed his mouth, taking a moment to savor the smell.

And just like that, his bloodlust disappeared. And was replaced with another craving entirely.

His nose remained in the crook of her neck, lost in her scent. Without even thinking, his hands traced down her arms, admiring their texture and shape.

"What are ya doing?"

Alastor didn't hear her as his nose moved into her hair.

"Alastor!" Tina pushed against his chest. "What's wrong with you tonight?"

He had no idea. But instead of wanting her blood, he wanted to just smell her, hold her, feel her. Despite it being night, he wanted to fall asleep in her arms.

"Alastor, if ya don't stop messin' around, I swear I'll cut my wrists just to bring ya back to your—"

She stopped as she was suddenly jabbed in the pelvis. Alastor leaped back to the far side of the bed. Tina sat up, stared at his groin, now covered by his hands, and then at his face. That perpetual grin was twisted, his eyes wide with horror.

"Alastor," Tina said. "Are you…?"

With the speed of a cheetah, he was out the door.

Alastor didn't halt until he was safely in his room. He leaned back against the door, panting, his hands still clutched around that thing.

"Why, why, why?" he muttered as he collapsed on his bed. "Of all the times you had to be a nuisance, it had to be now?"

Having no choice, he took a handkerchief from his pocket, pulled down his pants and reached down.

Even in undeath, there were times when his blasted member would make its pesky presence known. Sometimes during sleep, or when he was doing the most mundane of things like reading a book or playing music. But never had this happened during a feeding. To his victims, yes, but not to him.

It just wasn't fair. All of Alastor's other organs had ceased to function, why couldn't this one do the same? He'd tried castrating himself before, only for it to grow back the next day.

Alastor had never felt so embarrassed. Tina must think him a pervert. First with his staring at her half-naked body, then his obsessive sniffing of her, and now this.

No woman had ever affected him like this before. But he didn't understand why he suddenly felt this way. He'd been drinking her blood for nearly six months now. Why only now was he finding himself entranced by her beauty?

Alastor released a sigh once his member was finally satisfied. Then his bloodlust returned, and he covered his fangs.

He couldn't go back to Tina. Not after his disgraceful behavior. He would have to settle for a deer tonight.

It had been a week since Alastor had run out on Tina, and he seemed to be avoiding her. She didn't mind a break from the feedings, as it gave her a chance to get her strength back up, but she missed conversing with him.

Things got so lonely that when she caught Husk heading out one evening, she asked if she could come along.

"It ain't no place for a lady," he replied.

Tina grabbed her coat. "Good thing I ain't no lady then."

Husk shook his head. "The baron won't be happy if something bad happens to you."

"All the more reason to for you keep an eye on me." She patted his shoulder. "Let's go."

With no energy to stop her, Husk gave in.

Tina followed him through the bayou, into town, to a gambling den. Husk thought she would change her mind as soon as she saw the place filled with cigarette smoke and ruffians. But she didn't even bat an eye. Not even when a glass bottle narrowly missed her head. As Husk led her to a poker table, there were many whistles in Tina's direction. She responded by waving her middle finger above her head.

"Okay, if you're gonna hang around," Husk said, "you're gonna help me out. If you sit at the bar, you should be able to see some of the other guys' hands and—"

"Fuck that." Tina sat at a table seated by three men. "Deal us in, boys."

The dealer, a tall, blond man with freckles, raised an eyebrow. "Who's the dame, Husky? You get a new squeeze without tellin' me?"

"She's my coworker, Anthony," Husk said. "And I didn't invite her to play."

"Yeah, no offense, toots," Anthony said, "but I don't wanna take advantage of a dame."

"Oh. I get it." Tina rolled up her sleeves. "You're worried I'll clean ya out."

Anthony narrowed his eyes, then delt the cards, including Husk and Tina. "Just for that, I ain't goin' easy on ya, bitch."

She smiled as she picked up her cards. "Bring it on."

Both Husk and the Anthony had underestimated Tina's poker face. It seemed she'd taken a few lessons from the baron, keeping her smile consistent. After Tina's third win, two of the players left. It was down to her, Husk and Anthony.

"Raise ya twenty." Tina laid down a bill.

Husk shook his head. "Can't match that. I fold."

"Ha!" Anthony pointed at her. "Callin' your bluff, toots!" He put down a twenty. "I ain't backin' down! Show me those cards!"

"Fine." She dropped her cards. "Full house."

"What?" He smacked down his cards. "I had a fuckin' straight!"

"Sorry." Tina scooped up the pile of money. "Your fault for not takin' it easy on me."

Husk burst out laughing.

"Wanna go again?" Tina asked.

"No, I'm out." Anthony stood and went over to Husk, smoothing back his blonde hair. "Ya know, Husk, I wouldn't mind if she joined us tonight." His tone lowered as he laid his hands on Husk's shoulder and leaned in. "So long as you're in the middle."

Husk shoved Anthony's hands off. "People are watching, you fucking idiot." He glanced at Tina and murmured, "Besides, I gotta get her home."

Anthony frowned. "But it's been so long since we've seen each other."

"Look, the baron will kill me if I leave her alone. She's, uh, very important to him."

"Oh, I get it." Anthony smirked. "You're chaperonin' your boss's squeeze."

Tina stood abruptly. "I ain't nobody's squeeze, thank ya very much. Don't assume that just cuz I'm a woman that I need a man to look after me. I just tagged along with Husk here cuz he happened to be goin' somewhere fun." She placed her hands on her hips. "By the way, that three of spades is stickin' outta your sleeve."

After hiding the card, Anthony grinned at Tina. "I like this dame. Say, toots." He wrapped his arm around her. "If you're ever up for a little ménage à trois—"

"Get off her, you fucking pervert." Husk grabbed Anthony by the shoulder and pulled him back.

"Fine, fine." Anthony raised his palms. "But you're buying me dinner sometime this week."

Husk grunted and took Tina by the arm. "Let's get outta here."

"Bye, Husky!" Anthony waved. "Nice meeting you, toots! Gimme a call tomorrow!"

"But he didn't gimme his number," Tina said.

"Just keep walking," Husk whispered.

Neither of them said another word until they were on the safe path through the bayou.

"So, this Anthony," Tina said. "He a close friend of yours?"

Husk's eyes shifted to the side. "You could say that."

She hummed. "I've never known close friends to engage in threesomes."

He stopped and faced her. "Look. Whatever you heard, it's not what you think. Anthony just…likes to tease people."

"Right. Especially his boyfriend."

"He's not…" He blushed. "We're not—"

"Husk, it's okay." Tina raised her hand. "I ain't gonna tell nobody. You're not the first homosexual I've met."

"I ain't no homosexual. I mean Anthony is, but…" Husk rubbed the back of his neck. "I…I like women too."

"Hey, whatever. We can't control who we're attracted to."

After all, Tina was physically attracted to a vampire.

"Wait a minute." She covered her mouth to hide her snicker. "Does that mean when Alastor feeds off ya, you also get—?"

"Shut up." Husk continued walking. "Another reason not to go blabbing to Anthony about the baron."

Tina followed. "Suppose that would make him jealous."

"More like he'd want in on the action. He's weird like that."

She laughed. "Don't think Alastor would be too keen on that idea."

When the pair of them returned to the manor, the baron was waiting for them in the entry hall, that smile still present, but accompanied by a scowl.

"And just where have you been at this hour?" he demanded.

Husk looked at his feet. "Well, uh, Tina and I were—"

"Tina and you?" Alastor crossed his arms. "Did you take her out drinking, knowing full well she is strictly prohibited from doing so?"

Before Husk could utter a word, Tina stepped in front of him. "Is there a problem, Alastor?"

"Indeed, there is." The baron loomed over her. "I come seeking your company, only to find you completely absent from the manor! I send out my shadows to find you, and what do they tell me? That you're out on the town with this drunkard!"

"So?" Tina folded her arms and looked the baron directly in the eye. "I didn't break any rules. I didn't go out into the bayou alone, and I didn't drink a drop of alcohol. And don't blame Husk, it was my idea to tag along."

Alastor's mouth twitched. "Why?"

"Cuz I was bored. You of all people know how that feels."

"Uh, I'm just gonna…" Husk slipped into the kitchen.

"I needed you tonight," Alastor said. "When I couldn't find you, I had to hunt to satisfy my thirst."

Tina scoffed. "Oh don't talk to me like I abandoned you. You haven't said a word to me in days. Why do ya think I went out tonight? I needed to have some kind of social interaction!"

"How dare you talk back to—?"

"Nuh-uh!" She held up a finger. "Don't you lecture me like I'm some child! You ain't my daddy, and you sure as hell ain't my master! If you wanted me tonight, you should've said so, or at least sent a note! Not ghost me for seven days with no explanation! What's up with that, hmm? You sick of me already?"

Alastor was stunned. No mortal had ever dared to stand up to him before. Especially one who'd served as his meal multiple times. But here she was, calling him out on his ungentlemanly behavior, just like his mother would.

"So tell me, Al," Tina said. "Were ya mad because I was out late, or because I was out late with another man?"

He sputtered. "W-What exactly are you insinuating, mademoiselle?"

"That you're jealous!"

"That is absurd!"

"Oh, then I'm not allowed to spend time with Husker? Who is simply a friend, by the way?"

"Well—"

"And I'm not allowed to go out a have a little fun every now and then?

"I—"

"So I'm supposed to stay in here cooped up like a bird in a gilded cage? Am I your slave after all, then? Is that it? Huh, huh?"

Alastor burst out laughing.

Tina put her hands on her hips. "And just what is so funny?"

"You…" He wheezed as he smacked his forehead. "You actually…" He clutched his stomach. "Land sakes, you're quite possibly the loudest, bossiest, most stubborn woman I've ever met!"

She blinked in confusion. "And that makes you laugh?"

"Of course!" He straightened out his clothes as he composed himself. "You know, chère,most mortals cower before me, especially when I threaten them, but you… Oh my dear, I find your passionate fury absolutely refreshing!"

She was surprised again with a pat on the head.

"Next time you plan to go out so late, darling," Alastor said, "do spare me the worry and let me know, alright?"

And then he turned on his heel and departed, leaving Tina too stunned to respond.

What a weird man.

Once again, the baron made himself scarce. This time, for three days.

With nothing better to do, Tina took the time to herself to explore the plantation. She'd visited all the rooms in the mansion, but had yet to fully explore the grounds. Husk had assured her it was safe, so long as she didn't venture beyond the tree line.

The sun was setting when she stumbled upon an array of log cabins. They were covered in moss and vines, decaying from lack of care. Peering inside one house, Tina found an old stove, knocked over chairs, and bunk beds clumped together.

On a plantation as grand as this, it was no mystery to Tina who used to occupy these homes. With no more blacks bound by slavery, these houses had been left to rot.

Except for one. One cabin stood perfectly preserved. No moss, no vines, no rot. It looked as if it had been built yesterday.

There was hardly any daylight left, so when Tina opened the door, she couldn't see much. She felt her way to a fireplace and found a matchbox on the mantel. A pile of fresh logs was set to the side, suggesting somebody came here often.

Tina put in a couple of logs and struck the match, illuminating the single-roomed house. The only furniture it held was a stove, a table, two chairs, and a rickety bed covered by a wool blanket. No different than what she'd seen in the other slave houses, except everything was in good condition. Not even a speck of dust was present.

When Tina stood, she spotted something above the fireplace. Something she hadn't expected to find in a home like this.

An oil painting. A portrait of a woman. A black woman, dressed in a lovely red gown, her neck adorned with golden beads. She wore such a kind smile, but there was a hint of sadness in her dark eyes, like that smile was all a lie.

It reminded her of the baron's smile, only less exaggerated.

"What are you doing here?"

Tina spun around. Alastor stood in the doorway.

"I-I'm sorry," she said. "You said I could go wherever, and didn't mention—"

He held up a hand, then approached her. His gaze focused on the painting as he placed a candle on the mantel, took a match from the box, and lit it. He then whispered something in a language she didn't recognize and bowed his head, as if in reverence.

Tina looked between him and the portrait. Not only did he and the woman have the same smile, but the same eyes.

Then it all came together.

"This was your mother's house, wasn't it?"

Alastor nodded as he put out the match.

"She was a—"

"Slave," he muttered. "Yes."

Tina's eyes widened. "Then your father was—"

"Her owner." He gritted his teeth. "Let us simply say I was not planned. My mother certainly didn't have a say in the matter."

She covered her mouth. "I'm gonna be sick."

"It is sickening, isn't it?" He reached up and stroked the painted face of his mother. "That such a kind, generous soul could be subjected to the horrors of such a devil." He clenched a fist. "If I hadn't resembled him so much, he would've had nothing to do with me. But he had no other heir, you see. So he paid people off so that I could be legitimized, even faked my birth certificate so I would not be associated with my Negro heritage."

Alastor leaned his arm against the mantel. "He allowed Mother to stay on as my nurse, and so she was able to teach me the family traditions in secret, from her recipes to Vodou. Eventually, she told me the truth of my birth, and that if anyone else knew, I would be in danger. She wanted me to live a better life than she did."

The corners of his mouth twitched. "But I slipped one day, and called her Mother in front of others. Father took his fury out on Mother and…"

He turned his attention to the bed in the corner. "Bastard didn't even send for a doctor. He just…left her there. For dead."

Tina hung her head. "I'm…so sorry."

"Don't be." His lips curled into a sinister grin. "He got his comeuppance, in the end."

In interest, she stepped towards him. "What happened?"

"I wanted to escape my father, but he reminded me that if I tried anything, he'd announce to everyone who my mother was. Don't mistake that I was ashamed of my heritage, but I didn't want to escape one bondage to find myself in another."

Tina shrugged. "Sounds like a no-win situation either way, if ya ask me."

He chuckled. "It wasn't until the Civil War happened that I managed to find a way out. As you know, by law, every able-bodied young white man was drafted into the Confederate Army, including myself."

She blinked. "But you ain't—"

"According to my forged birth certificate, I was, and so I got the letter. Naturally, I didn't want to fight for a cause that would keep people like my mother, people like me, in slavery. I got into a row with my father, who said I'd be breaking the law if I refused. I insisted that I wouldn't disgrace my mother's memory, that like it or not, I was black. Things got physical. It ended when I picked up a letter opener from his desk and stabbed him in the gut."

Tina's jaw dropped.

"What?" Alastor tilted his head. "Did you think I only became a killer when I became a vampire? Oh no, my dear. A killer's blood already ran through my veins."

She hadn't thought much of his killer instinct. After all, how he fed was no different from how a carnivorous animal needed to feed. It hadn't crossed her mind that he would ever kill a person in cold blood.

Then again, from how Alastor described his father, she wasn't exactly sorry for the man's death.

"What'd ya do then?" she asked.

"I panicked. With his blood still on me, I fled into the bayou, not thinking of what might happen to me. It didn't matter if my secret came out now. A murderer's a murderer. I probably would've been devoured by the gators if a vampire hadn't found me first."

At this point, he couldn't maintain eye contact with Tina. "Her name was Rosie. She must've smelled the blood on me and realized it wasn't mine, because she asked who I had to slaughter to be in that state. My mother had told me stories of vampires who'd come from Europe to the bayou, so it didn't take me long to figure out what she was. So I told her everything, and asked her to kill me."

Just as Tina had asked of Alastor.

"Instead, she made me like her."

They were both quiet for a long while.

"So, then what?" Tina asked.

He sighed. "Once I'd gotten used to my form, I returned to the plantation. The slaves had blamed my father's murder on a burglar. They'd always been sympathetic towards me and my mother, you see. Now that I owned the plantation, I was exempt from the drafting order, as I had to stay behind to look after the slaves. I freed them all when the war ended, though a few remained as paid servants, even after learning what I was. Being mortal, however, they didn't last long."

"Damn," Tina said. "Your life's almost sadder than mine."

Alastor stared at her. "That's what you get from that story?"

"Well, yeah. I thought I had it bad as a black woman now, but for you to have to hide a part of yourself, in a time of slavery?" She looked up at the portrait. "Even worse, what your mama had to go through. I mean a white man takes advantage of her, forces her to conceive a child she doesn't even want, and when she has the good decency to tell her child the truth, she pays for it with her life?"

Tina shook her head. "Just when ya think you've seen all the shit in this world, it throws a whole lot more your way."

Alastor's smile became softer and less forced.

"Why do you always smile like that?" she asked.

He turned back to the portrait. "Mother always said you're never fully dressed without a smile. The more you smile, the less people know what's going on inside your head."

Tina nodded. "You don't have to be afraid of your feelings, ya know."

"What?" Alastor said in surprise.

"Frankly, the way ya smile all the time is creepy. I was startin' to think ya didn't have any feelings at all, but here we are."

He chuckled and shook his head. "You really are something else. I think Mother would've liked you."

"I might've liked her too. She sounds nice. And she was certainly very beautiful."

Alastor stroked the picture frame. "We didn't have cameras back then. I had to paint her from memory."

Tina gasped. "You painted this?"

He nodded. "I've existed on this plane for almost a hundred years now and have tried many different hobbies."

"But it's so detailed." She gestured to the portrait. "Almost as if it were alive."

"Then at least she remains alive in some form."

He leaned in to kiss the painted face. Tina watched in pity.

"This why ya refused to kill me?" she asked. "Did my story remind you of hers?"

"Partly." Alastor blew out the candle. "I also found you interesting."

Tina snorted. "Not sure what's so interesting 'bout me."

"Haven't you guessed?" He bent down to her level. "Tina, you knew what I was, what I was capable of, and yet you did not tremble in fear at the sight of me."

She blushed. "W-Well, uh, it's hard to be afraid when you're so—"

"Yes?"

She shook her head. "Never mind. Speakin' of fear, why've ya been avoidin' me lately?"

The baron straightened up. "I, err, don't know what you—"

"Don't gimme that." She wagged a finger. "You've been actin' funny since ya last tried to feed on me, but then ran out before you could do anything. So, what's going on? Did I do something wrong?"

"No, you…" He rubbed the back of his neck. "You did nothing wrong. See, what happened…"

Alastor glanced at the portrait. He didn't feel comfortable discussing this in his mother's house, with her eyes silently judging him.

"It's dark." He took Tina's hand and snapped his fingers. "Let's get you back to the manor."

The fire extinguished behind them as he led them out of the cabin.

"If you're tryin' to dodge my questions again—" Tina started to say.

"I'm not," Alastor said, averting her gaze. "You see, what happened that night was…embarrassing for me."

"What was so embarrass—oh." She stopped in her tracks. "Ya mean what was going on with your…?"

She glanced downward and he self-consciously covered his crotch.

"I-It was undignified of me, I know." His voice was like that of a shy schoolboy. "I-I have no control over it, you see, and it doesn't normally happen when I—"

"Al, it's okay."

He blinked. "It is?"

"Yeah. So ya got a little excited. No big deal. I mean…" Her face flushed. "It's not like I haven't gotten excited over…that. Like ya said, we can't control these things. It happens to everyone."

Alastor released his groin. "You're…not disgusted with me?"

She shook her head. "Least you had the decency to stop yourself from doing anything untoward. Not all men have that kind of self-control."

He saw her frown, and he almost did the same.

"Listen to me, Tina." Bending down, he laid his hands on her shoulders. "That night was…unexpected, but please know that I would never, ever do what that cruel man did to you. What my father did to my mother. I may be a killer, but I'm no brute."

"I know." She patted his hand. "Believe it or not, I feel…safe with you."

"You do?"

"Mmm-hmm. But next time," she said, stepping out of his hold, "take care of your business before feedin' on me, okay? I know it ain't as easy for men to hide as it is for women."

Alastor chuckled as he continued towards the mansion. "That's what you think."

With a blush, Tina caught up to him. "And just what is that supposed to mean?"

Oh boy. Let me tell you, it was NOT easy reinventing Alastor's backstory to pre-Civil War times. NOT my favorite part of American history.

Also wasn't easy writing Alastor's ace panic. I can tell you as asexual myself that it's not impossible for aces to get horny. It's just hella uncomfortable.

See how I managed to sneak Angel Dust into this story? Yes, I'm aware Husk is pansexual and not bi, but the term hadn't been coined in that era yet, not to mention people were still in the binary mindset, so he would've only been able to say he was attracted to women and men.