From the first moment I laid eyes on her, I knew she was the most precious thing I have ever or would ever see in my life. I wanted her. I wanted to keep her safe from harm.

But I'd be dishonest if I didn't also say that a part of me- an overwhelming part of me- didn't want to pin her down and suck every drop of blood out of her body that very instance.

I'd never seen anything like Daphne Bridgerton before, and I'd never been so at war with myself.

My uncle once told me that the first time a vampire sees a human, their instinct is to gorge. Consequently my uncle was always careful to who he introduced me to, which wasn't many vampires. I'd met a few but honestly didn't know too many. I'd seen that look before though- that look Lord Basset was giving me right now. Such intensity, such disbelief, such awe, such admiration…..

Such hunger.

My instincts also took over about ten seconds after we directly gawked at one another. Being supernatural he could move faster than me, but I had the advantage. I didn't even see the exquisite leap Lord Basset did from his balcony into the centre of the garden, mere feet to where I'd just been standing. Instead I bolted inside the manor as fast as my feet could carry me. It honestly felt like running from a dog or a bear- any predator that was chasing me. I didn't really think nor care where my legs were taking me; I just ran into the closet room I could find with a door that could lock. That turned out to be the library

Not seconds after I slammed shut the door and frantically turned its lock was there pounding on the wood. I stayed clung to my end of the door, desperately holding onto the handle.

"Miss Bridgerton, open the door." I hadn't heard Lord Basset's voice since the night he came back to the manor. Hearing it again made my heart pump even harder than it already was. I was too frightened and frazzled to say anything back in the moment. More vicious pounding from his side. "Open the door!" Him saying that somehow gave me the courage- and strength- to finally speak. I don't know if him hearing the sound of my voice for the first time would help matters, but I had a sneaking suspicion it wouldn't.

"I-I can't, my lord. It's not safe." "Don't be ridiculous! I'm perfectly…. in control. Now open this door," Lord Basset commanded me. I don't think he's used to being told "no" much. "I cannot. You don't have permission to speak to me, let alone see me," was my faint response. That didn't stop his knocking. "I don't need permission. I am the master of this house and you are under my roof. Now for the final time, open this door." I hesitate for a minute, resting my head against the wood. "You know I can't….." He's never seen a human before, that much is certain. But I didn't trust him enough yet to see him in person, and especially alone.

I doubt his grace was expecting this much resistance as the knocking ceased on his side. Still I didn't hear him walk awake. Far from it, judging by the way the handle jiggled in my hand he was holding on the knob just like I was. A very tense quiet moment passed by, with neither of us making a sound. It was Lord Basset who broke the pregnant pause first a minute or so later.

"What were you doing outside?" To my utter shock, his tone was peppered with concern- concern and firmness. It was enough to make my eyes widen a little though. "M-My lord!" "What were you doing out in the garden by yourself?" His tone was stricter this time, as if he expected an answer and he expected it now. "I…. I was taking my afternoon walk. I-I always walk in the garden after lunch, if the weather permits."

Lord Basset wasn't impressed by this, apparently. "You have no business being outdoors unsupervised," again, his tone was tart but I could detect it. I could detect the worry in it…. "Your grace?" "You're a human; you ought to act like one." "What do you…..?" It took me two seconds to realize….. Wait, is he….? Was he concerned that I was out there alone and unprotected? My balled hand rose up to my pounding heart. If I didn't know any better I'd say my cheeks were blushing a tad.

"T-That's very nice of you, your grace. But I'm safe out in the garden. So long as I stay within the garden wall, everything should be fine." "Don't be so foolish! You're only a human, and you're right out in the open. Lady Danbury told me you had free reign of the entire estate, and I gave my consent…. But that before I knew how frail humans actually are. How fragile…" He's saying this and yet moments again, he wanted me to open the door; the only thing separating us right now. Though if he wanted to bite me truly, he could easily rip the door off its hinges. Yet, he didn't…..

That's when it hit me like a lightening bolt. He must be so thirsty right now; I can't imagine what it must be like for him. I must not mistake his hunger for genuine consideration for me. Uncle had taught me better than that…. Realizing this made my heart stop beating so fast; my shoulders relaxed ever so slightly.

"Your thirst is clouding your judgement, my lord. Go get yourself something to drink and you'll feel better," I hope. Oh boy, Lord Basset did not like me making that insinuation. "What did you just say?" "Erm, what I mean is… I-I'm a human and so you're liable to…." I suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable. He didn't say anything for a minute, making me really nervous. When he finally did speak again, his tone was low and dark.

"Open the door right this instant." "I can't! We can't be in the same room together, at least not without an escort," I shot back, growing more anxious by the second. Lord Basset considered this briefly to himself. "An escort…. Fine then; have it your way. Lady Danbury will be our escort tonight at dinner. You will come, and we shall talk then about your excursions among the grounds unsupervised." "L-Lord Basset!" My eyes grew huge. Wait, did he just… invite himself to dinner? My dinner with Lady Danbury, as per our usual routine at night now? Did that mean…. I would finally meet his grace in the flesh this evening? Was this a good idea?!

As if sensing my reservations, Lord Basset's tone softened when next he addressed me. "We'll meet at eight o'clock, with her ladyship present." "I….." My lips began but I couldn't bring myself to finish my sentence. I doubt he expected me too either. "And Miss Bridgerton? Do not leave the manor again this afternoon. Do I make myself clear?" Lord Basset…. He's still confusing his thirst with sincere regard for my safety. Or maybe…. Am I the one who's wrong here? It's so impossible to tell….. "Yes," I finally whispered, more to myself than him.

Seemingly satisfied with that, he removed his hand from the knob; though I still held onto it on my side. Heart pounding so hard it was ringing in my ears, I waited there still as statue until his footsteps finally echoed down the hall, leaving me there alone once more. I didn't unlock the door for some time however. How could I? He was on the other side of this door somewhere. My lips parted a sliver on their on accord. Should I be worried? Now that Lord Basset's seen me…..

Now that he knows what I look like.