Author's Notes: Vampires can cast a reflection, in my opinion. Just sayin'.

Love or Blood

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Promotions

XXXX

Janus let the cord fall gently from his grasp. He was very hopeful that it would be Abigale Lynn to greet him momentarily. He hadn't the stomach for Hal-Liurz recently. He found his Stewardess' company to be more and more oppressing each day. Perhaps she was simply getting too old for all the taxing work her job entailed. Janus was unsure, but he knew something would have to be done about it soon, whether she liked it or not.

He walked over to the mirror by his wardrobe and adjusted his vest once more. Indeed he looked much better. A more youthful glow emanated from him. His skin smoother and brighter, his eyes a brilliant red color. With all the blood he had consumed, coupled with his long needed rest, he looked very much like himself before the change took him; a man in his late thirties with nothing but possibilities before him.

He found it odd to feel akin to that very same notion now, as though some long dead promise was somehow rekindled. The man in the looking glass was not as lonely or drawn as he had been several months ago. This man had something - had someone to be with, if only for a few hours each and every day.

Abigale Lynn. She would not leave his mind. His thoughts were becoming muddled and crowded by her presence. Janus found he quite liked it.

This morning when he first awoke he had nothing but unbridled lust for the girl. Now as he paced about his room awaiting her arrival he simply longed for her companionship. Sometimes it was awkward and sometimes it was tense, but it was always welcomed now. Once upon a time he found her a slight nuisance…it was comical to reflect.

She was so frail and beautiful to him. Mortal and desperate to please him in whatever way she could. Janus knew of her desire to satisfy him as it had been written on her face since she accepted her servitude. It was in those large, pleading, beautiful eyes of hers. The way she would look up to meet his gaze with such a profound wonderment and fear always stirred him in ways he dared not admit.

Then there was the paleness of her flesh as well. The beautiful flush of her cheek seemed to hum of the decadence that flowed right beneath her soft blush. And if he were to follow the softest of pulses and hymns from cheek downward, it would lead him to her neck, one of the many things upon the girl that he wished to caress. To simply bring his fingertips up to brush against the curve of her throat would either satisfy or madden him.

Janus swallowed hard and tried his best to bring himself back to the present. Despite his never ending list of desires he thought them unhealthy. For Abigale Lynn and himself, it simply did no good to pine. Especially not in the current circumstances he was in. Perhaps in the quiet of the night or the early hours of dawn he would think of her. Alone and secluded, he could think of her then. For during the day he had other things to focus on, things that he could no longer shut out, things that haunted his nightmares as well as his conscience to the point that it was unbearable. There was no peace for him or Rona during the day.

Then the rhythmic knock of Abigale Lynn rapped upon his door. All depressing thoughts vanished as quickly as they arose as his pacing came to an abrupt halt. He could have called her in, could have simply told her to enter or spell the door open himself. Instead he found his hand pulling the brass door handle inward. The Count then felt genuinely happy as a disheveled and wet Abigale Lynn smiled shyly up at him.

xxxx

After the bell had rung I dressed quickly. I patted my body down with a towel and dressed in a hurry. My hair had been roughly combed and put back in its ponytail, though it was much wetter than usual. I scurried to the manor with all the haste I could muster without looking too suspicious. Several locks clicked under my silver key as I bustled through the Count's private chambers. I did not care what mood he might have been in, I only knew that I desperately wanted to see him. Being out of his constant control for three days was not only tirelessly bore some, but also freighting for me as well.

Once I approached his door I lifted the heavy knocker several times to lightly tap upon the wood. I quickly patted down my skirts and adjusted the collar of my blouse. I knew I looked a mess and was trying to be as presentable as possible.

I stopped as I heard the Count's booted feet hit the stone close to the door. I was pleasantly surprised to have the door open for me. In the darkness of the hallway I could make out little more than his silhouette but the air about him was light and I knew he was smiling.

I bowed my head slightly to him. "Good evening my Lord. You rang for me?"

He chuckled lightly and stepped aside, ushering me into his room in the process. "I did indeed. I'm very happy our Stewardess relayed my message to you. She is not always the best person to wake up to."

Smiling, I turned to face him, only to stop and gape at the man before me. As he looked over his shoulder at me while closing the door, I could not help but notice how…well he looked. The Count was still very much the same, but not so tired and not so gaunt. Though his bone structure was still pronounced it had softened slightly. His pallor brightened and seemed more of a healthy shade. His hair looked thicker and darker, even the wispy greys now seemed more brilliant.

But it was his gaze that left me stunned. His eyes shined with splendor one would only ever read about. They always reminded me of two flawless garnets. But now as he approached I could see smaller and darker shades of red weaving through his iris like tendrils reaching out from his pupils. It was beautiful and frightening, much like the Count himself.

I stood quietly for a moment only to realize that he had spoken to me. "Y-yea…yes, yes Sir, she did."

The Count furrowed his brow at me. "Surely you've not grown shy to me again. It has only been a day."

I quickly shook my head. "No Sir not at all. But if you wouldn't mind me saying..." He nodded for me to continue and I laughed a little nervously. "You look very well and happy. Did you sleep decently? I know you've said you have trouble most times." I fiddled with my sleeves as I watched his face change from happy to thoughtful.

"Thank you, and yes I did sleep very well. I suppose living off of naps here and there isn't good for a vampire. I mustn't let it happen again. I will make a note to sleep once or twice a week at least." He nodded again but to himself this time. I realized then how much I missed simply standing before him, waiting for an order or for him to just speak to me.

"You slept for so long, Sir. I was beginning to worry." I admitted. I had missed the stability of the Count's presence so very much. The more I looked upon him now, the more I hated the days without his company and command.

He laughed then and I did miss that quiet laugh very much. "You are so endearing, you know that, correct? What could I have possibly done to put myself in harm's way? It was only one day."

I was puzzled for a moment then bit my lip. The Count did not know how long he had slept and I was the one to break the news to him. "Actually, Sir," I began nervously. "It has been three days."

At first he said nothing but looked a little confused. Then he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Three days? Truly three days?" Again I nodded. "I am terribly sorry then for worrying you. I must have lost track of time somehow. I myself am not even so sure."

I was afraid my news would upset him so I tried my best to comfort. "You were asleep, Sir. Does not everyone lose track of time when they sleep?"

"Not a vampire." He said nonchalantly. The Count was still a bit troubled by my news but thankfully it did not put him in a sour mood. "I am sorry though for leaving you. I wanted to watch over you more. How have you been fairing?"

I was moved by the genuine concern in his voice. I swallowed hard. I did not want to lie to the Count but I also did not want to tell him of Lucien Lachance's letter. It would anger him and I did not want him angry. "I was very bored, Sir." I answered honestly. That was truth at least. "There isn't much to do in the Maids Quarters. And it is a bit lonely." I shrugged, trying to appear calm…but I didn't often shrug, or show much body language in general, besides my quirks, trembles and lip biting. How often did I shrug?

"Ah. So, what is it that you are avoiding telling me this time?" I mentally cursed. The Count seemed to know me better than I did. But he had a playful smirk upon his lips which I was beginning to recognize. It made me smile back at him.

"I'm sorry Sir." I laughed nervously. "I-it isn't much really."

"Uh huh…Another lie, but please, do continue." He baited playfully. I bit my lip and fought the urge to stomp my foot in discouragement. I disliked being read so easily. I did not lie often to anyone, now though it seemed to be an everyday occurrence. I did not like it; I did not like the Count knowing my lies even more though.

In an effort to keep him from knowing why I was truly upset, I blurted out one of the other things that bothered me instead. Of course it paled in comparison to a sexual letter from a murderer but it would work. "The Stewardess did not let me leave the Maids Quarters for anything. It troubled me. I did not like being so confined."

His demeanor changed in an instant. "She did what?" He demanded. His body stiffened and his nostrils flared. Immediately I regretted the small truth.

"I-"I began quietly. "S-she told me I could not leave until you rang, Sir." The Count was easily angered, this I had come to know. But the sheer look of utter contempt in his eyes was unsettling. "I'm sorry, Sir. She was just—"

"She was just out to make a fool of herself." He cut me off as he stormed over to the cord for the Maids Quarters again. "I am sickened by her thinking she has such authority here." He grumbled as he pulled the cord several times obnoxiously. "That goes against my previous orders to you. I allowed you access to my library, yes? How were you to get there? This is not the first time she has tried to overrule me but it shall be the last."

I was horror stricken as I realized that the Count was going to tell the Stewardess all that I told him. It was all truth, but I did not want her to know that I spoke of her. "Sir what are you going to do?" I nearly groveled as he walked back to me. "Please, I beg of you not to tell the Stewardess I spoke of her. She dislikes me so and it will only make her angrier!"

He put a finger to his lips as if to silence me. It worked, of course, but I still whined a little and began wringing my hands with a fury.

"I have already thought of that." He said in a vain attempt to comfort me. "She does not need to know about our little conversation here. And believe what you will, but I had been giving this thought for some time now. Her jealousy of you is unprofessional and unbecoming." He gestured me to follow him to his desk and I obeyed. He took out some paper and dabbed his quill in the ornate inkwell. He jotted down several things quickly before stepping aside and handing his quill to me. "Sign it." He demanded again, firmly, not cruelly.

"Do I get to read it?" I asked carefully.

"Abigale Lynn, I dislike bringing this up immensely, but we both know I already own you. Anything on that paper is for your benefit, I promise. Read it later with me, the Stewardess will be here soon." I gulped and nodded. I looked at the paper again and where I was to sign. Down beneath the Counts neat signature I scribbled my name quickly. He beamed like a child once I handed him the quill. "This will certainly remind her of her place." He chuckled as he snatched the paper from the desk. As if on cue a knocking came from the door. I blanched but the Count only smiled.

XXXX

Hal-Liurz strode purposefully into the Count's bedchamber. There he stood in the center of the grand room with the young Abigale Lynn by his side. The girl looked nervous as ever and the Count far too proud for the Stewardess' liking. Something about the two standing so close together irked her. She felt it wrong, especially how the girl kept glancing up at her vampiric lord, as if for protection.

"Good evening my Lord." Hal-Liurz began calmly. "I am here to answer your call. But perhaps you had rung on accident. After all your ever dutiful maid is here with you. Surely my presence is unrequired." The Stewardess looked at the pair again and awaited some sort of rebuke from the Count. Oddly enough one never came.

"You are always so thoughtful, Hal-Liurz. That is why I called you here. I have something for you to look over, if you please." The Count held out a piece of paper for the Stewardess. She approached but did not accept it.

"What is it?" She asked with a wrinkle of her snout.

"Read it and you shall find out." The Count forced a smile. The Stewardess could see the quiet anger in his eyes as plainly as she could see him. With a huff she took the paper from the Count.

After a moment of her eyes scanning the document she looked up angrily. "What on Nirn is this?" She snapped, crinkling the paper in her fist. "Have you lost your mind?"

"Actually I have been enlightened." The Count said happily, but his character changed at the drop of a hat, shocking the two women near him. His voice lowered and his lightened stare became cold and steely. "Sign it."

"I will not!" The Stewardess stammered. She was taken aback by his anger, despite living with his mood swings, this was different somehow. Much more forceful and she did not like it. "You cannot put her place above mine! It is absolutely ludicrous!"

"What?" Abigale Lynn squeaked as she looked from the angered Argonian to the Count. "What is it?"

"You signed a document you did not even read?!" The Stewardess exclaimed. "You -you foolish girl!" Her voice shook with emotion and she pointed angrily at the young girl. It was a mistake to do in the Count's company but the older female was uncaring at that point.

"You watch your damned mouth!" The Count cursed loudly. Abigale Lynn stared up at his back with pure dread. The Count then took a step forward, his upper lip curling back. "Unlike you and your snobbish self, she obeys me. I tire of you thinking you are someone to be reckoned with here, Hal-Liurz. If not for my consent to the Countess' wishes, you and your mother would have never stepped foot inside my Castle. Your entire position is a handout! You might as well be in line for stale bread at the chapel. You are in no way above her. So Gods help me, if you do not sign that document I will do well on a threat that I made to your mother decades ago. Now sign!"

The Stewardess stood with her chest puffed out and her scales flushed. With a back as straight as an arrow, she walked to the Count's desk and quickly scribbled her name upon the parchment. She went to hand it to the Count, who snatched it from her so quickly she jumped. "Get out." He said lowly.

Without another word the Stewardess left the room. She made her way quickly out of the Count's Manor and into the Private Quarters. There she entered her room and slammed the door, far out of earshot from the Count. She was angry and her anger was justly centered at the Count himself. How could he? She thought bitterly as she stormed around her room, her tail snapping back and forth.

All the years that she had cared for him he never treated her so inferior. There were times that he had been crueler, yes, but he had never spoken down to her in such a way before. She was hurt and also worried. According to that document Abigale Lynn answered to no one but him. The young maid had effectively taken a position far above the Stewardess. And the poor, foolish girl did not even know it.

Of course Hal-Liurz duties would stay the same but her interaction with the Count himself was now very limited. They were only to discuss stately affairs and business. It had been a very cold document indeed.

The Stewardess flopped into a chair and stared out her window – one of the few remaining in the Castle. She feared what else was to come now. The two were getting closer and the Count was getting more…possessive. It made her fearful for both their safety. Soon something would break or bubble to the surface and she had a feeling someone wouldn't reciprocate the others affections. And if that was the case, she feared deeply for Abigale Lynn, the Count's new 'Personal Assistant'.

xxxx

Once Hal-Liurz stormed out I stood completely motionless. I was shocked and appalled at what just took place before me and I did not understand what I had truly witnessed. The Count had changed so quickly…he did so often, but I never saw his anger so very intense, aside from our first meeting. It was also very uncomfortable to watch from the sideline. I knew the fear that the Stewardess had in her eyes; I too had felt it on several occasions. To feel so lowly and weak, to know that in the grand scheme of it all, you do not matter to him. It was a terrible feeling and I now looked to the Count with small distain.

The Stewardess had never been very kind to me but I did not see a reason for her to be. I did not look to please her, I was not out for her approval. All I wanted was to make the Count happy so I would be safe and alive. Now it was different between the Count and myself. I just wanted to be around him and Hal-Liurz did not like that because it was so very different from what she is used to. I felt her reaction to me displacing her was justified. I had done nothing to earn it.

The Count ran his hand through his hair before turning to me. I felt indifferent to the troubled and frustrated look upon his face. For perhaps the first time ever I was disappointed by his actions. They were rude, his words were hurtful and the way he snatched the paper from her hands left me pouting.

As he unwrinkled the paper I wondered why he was only so gentlemanly to me. Of course he had not always been but he certainly was now. But the Stewardess had been with him and helped protect him for decades. Should he not be more compassionate towards her?

"This," He said, finally. "Is a legal documentation of your promotion. Starting now you are my Personal Assistant. This means you will answer to no one but me. If you have questions, you come to me. If you are troubled, you come to me. If you see something you don't care for, you come to me. I am the sole person to whom you address any problems or mundane issues. I will fix whatever you wish." I was stunned as he stood to my side, pointing to the list of things he had jotted down so quickly. "You shall continue to come and clean every night. You will also do any other things I command. But before you worry, it is nothing out of the ordinary. The Stewardess will continue with all the complex stately affairs, for now."

"How…" I began shakily. "How am I to accept this, Sir? What have I done to merit a promotion? I am not qualified in any manner. Please, allow me to go apologize to the Stewardess and set this right."

"I forbid that." He scoffed. "As to what you do…you do so much for me that you will probably never understand. The Stewardess, not so - she can be dutiful but that is the end of it. There is no passion in what she does. No pleasantries in her company. She is like the paper and ink of her work. There is no grey area. There is no life in what she does."

I was taken aback by his words. The Stewardess loved her job that much even I could see. This was her life's work and we had just insulted her and threaten to take it all away. "Please, Sir that is untrue. I-I know she is cold and dislikes me but she is passionate about her work."

"Then perhaps she reserves it for you, as I do. I have never seen it nor do I care to. One act of enjoyment does not wash away a lifetime of condescending." He stepped in front of me then. "Enough of her…are you not pleased? I was under the assumption that this would satisfy you. You are no longer confined. Only I preside over you now and I only want your happiness and mine." The Count came closer to me and I felt crowded in by him. My back touched one of the large decorative pillars of his room. "Now without her interruption and regulation can't we have our happiness? Do we not deserve it?" His gaze was so intensely focused on me that it was almost frightening. I felt uncomfortable under it and looked away.

He spoke of happiness with desperation, as if I was to confirm that he could be happy now. I knew the Count had been alone for a very long time and it felt like he was looking to me now to somehow mend that old loneliness.

I swallowed hard. "I did not know she caused such an obstacle, my Lord. I-I am happy here."

"But is this not better?" He asked as he placed a hand on the stone by my head. I found our proximity uncomfortable and the look in his eyes was almost territorial. It was the look a greedy soul gives a trophy after having it almost taken from them. I did not like it. "I can make you happier, if you would only let me."

He is only lonely, I told myself. He and I both knew of the Stewardess' dislike for our odd friendship. If she could have she would have stopped it altogether. The Count had effectively removed her opinion and word from our meetings. He thought she was a hindrance to our companionship and snuffed out the 'problem' quickly.

He was eagerly awaiting my approval on this matter but I was still unsure of it myself. "I-" My voice cracked as he continued to near loom over me. I was still astounded and confused by the way he was now acting though. "I'm sorry, Sir. I don't understand." I shook my head slowly. "You…you couldn't possibly make me happier. I-I am the most pleased I've ever been."

But his expression changed into a haughty one. "You would be surprised then." He continued to look down upon me smugly. "There is much I can do to—"

His pride had frightened me. Proud men are often dangerous ones and at the moment he was all fire. If the wind changed direction he could burn me easily. "I think this conversation has gotten too complex for me, Sir." I said as stoically as possible. His face and his body language reminded me all too much of Lucien Lachance. My voice wavered and I felt uneasy. The Count could change himself so quickly, I did not think it was intentional but I feared he would turn on me like he did the Stewardess. I did not want his anger or this odd talk. "Maybe I should go."

I turned to leave him despite not truly wanting too. I did not want to be so alone again but I knew it was better than to allow whatever this was to continue. Perhaps he slept too much or needed to gain sustenance by whatever means he utilizes. I knew well of his loneliness, his eyes almost pleaded with me to stay. But I did not want anything to become strange between us simply because he felt entitled at the moment.

But before I could even pry myself fully from the pillar another hand went to the opposite side of me and blocked me in. "You go nowhere unless I permit it." The Count said abruptly, his voice was low and bitter, his head was bowed but his gaze was eating up mine. "I need you here." He sounded truly hurt by my want to leave. He closed in on me further, looking more distressed and a little riled. His voice then took on the tone of one very, very desperate. "You are mine you will stay." His voice wavered and to my utmost horror I saw the slightest flash of his fangs as he spoke. "I need you here. Y-you will…you…"

And then he stopped and stared at me blankly. It was as if every thought and every emotion was violently sucked from him entirely. He moved away from me quickly, like I had burned him. The sheer desperation and anger that had been so evident moments ago lingered for a moment before it vanished completely.

My mind boggled as I stared at him with wide-eyed and afraid. My chest heaved; I had been holding my breath and only then realized it. I kept my back against the pillar and watched the Count. His looked like he was in physical pain. He held the bridge of his nose and shook his head. He too then let out a shaky breath and stared up at the ceiling. For a long moment nothing was said.

The Count still looked pained as he slowly shook his head at me. "Abigale Lynn," He began softly. "I am sorry." He sighed and shook his head again with his fangs still present. They had not gone to their full extent the entire time but the fact that they were bared even a margin more than the norm frightened me. "I am so very sorry…T-this blood is wild." He placed a palm to his forehead and swallowed hard.

I carefully stepped from the pillar. "Sir I don't understand. Wh-what just happened to you?"

His gaze lingered on me for a moment and he looked pained. "I am truly very sorry. I fed recently, bottled blood. I think it's made me brash." He pinched the bridge of his nose again. "These damned things won't go away." He growled and rubbed his mouth hastily. Each time he looked at me though his eyes became apologetic but no less desperate than they were before. "I cannot apologize enough to you. You've been through so much this week and I have worsened it."

"No Sir." I said as I came closer to him, cautiously. Indeed I was afraid of him but not as much as I knew I should have been. "It was an accident. The blood was bad."

"I did not mean to make you so uncomfortable and afraid. You needn't be afraid of me, Abigale Lynn. I could never hurt you; bad blood or no."

Once he said this to me I was at his side again. Even with bad wild blood he controlled his instincts and refrained from harming me; despite already being angry and feeling enabled. I was touched by his control. I did not understand the ways or wants of vampires but I did know that they were hunters and predators, he had told me this himself. I was weak and there. I had the makings for the best prey. Yet in spite of all those odds he pulled himself away. Not even ordinary men wanting my body could do such a thing.

"Do you want me to leave you, Sir?" I asked gently. "Do you need some time to recuperate? Or is there perhaps something I can get you?"

He did not look so pained anymore once he saw me at his side again. His eyes were still pleading with me though. His own actions disturbed him. Being a vampire must be a confusing existence. "I do not want you to go. I spoke truth, I missed you."

Had I not been so emotionally rattled I may have blushed. Instead I tried a nervous smile. "I missed you too, Sir. I think we established this earlier." I had a mind to look at the pillar I was moments ago trying to sink into, but I found myself too concerned for his wellbeing rather than my own.

The Count chuckled and carefully reached out and took my hand. I did not pull away, instead I felt happy by the small innocent gesture. "I am sorry…But why did you not run away from me?" He asked, looking sincerely perturbed. "You wanted to, I know you did."

I thought about it for a moment then it was my turn to laugh quietly. "You blocked me in, Sir. And I think I am more afraid of your possible repercussion than I am of imminent danger."

This made the Count laugh genuinely. He placed his palm against his forehead once again. "You poor girl. I must give you nightmares." He ran his thumb across my knuckles – something he liked to do, I was beginning to gather.

"Actually Sir, if I dream of you it is quite pleasant." I answered him nervously, still smiling. I was trying to make him happy. I wanted him to know that I was happy here, he did not need to keep me by any means, so long as he was waiting I would return. But upon hearing this small confession he blinked and pulled my hand a little closer.

"You dream of me?" He asked me, looking positively astonished. I nodded uncertainly, mildly amused by his interest. "What are they about? Won't you tell me?"

I wondered why it was so interesting to him as I teasingly pulled away. "In current circumstance? I should think not." I laughed and he looked so bewildered that I laughed some more.

"I could make you, I am your Count." He said pulling my hand again and me with it closer still. "And I have it on good authority now that you won't run away, regardless of my implements to get you to speak." He smirked at me and I tugged on my own earlobe nervously. I was certainly blushing now, regardless of being still addled and jittery from his earlier possessiveness. "You'd make me beg then? Well, I am no dog."

He was eating up my bashfulness and I his attention. We had simply been separate for too long, so I felt it natural to get a little carried away in our behavior. After all it was only playing…

Then the door banged open. In a second I was pulled into the Count's arms.

"Woof." I peeked over the Count's bicep to see Vicente Valteri standing in the doorway of the Count's bedchamber with his arms crossed, looking down on us both as though we were small children caught up after our bedtime. "I came here to save something I thought was in jeopardy, I see my presence is not required. Unbelievable. Perhaps I should take my leave?"

I blinked and I was no longer being held by the Count. Instead he was over in the doorway, holding Vicente up by the collar of his shirt.

Author's Notes: Dun Dun DUN…