Chapter 23 – Demons

Bella's POV:

When I woke up, I was in my Master's arms. I jumped awake and gasped but he was right there to calm me.

"It's okay, 317.", he assured me, taking my arms, "You're alright. I'm here. You're alright."

He stroked my hair and looked deeply into my eyes. I looked around and saw we were here in one of his training rooms. And he was laying next to me on the queen sized bed where I always wrote in my journal. The fire was going in the corner.

"Are you alright ?", he asked me.

I nodded, knowing that I was okay now. We were home. And I was with him.

I began to smile at him and he smiled back at me.

Without saying a word, we both knew that we had experienced a lot of evil fun this weekend. And I think we were both very happy with our game partner.

He seemed very relieved that I was smiling and he let a breath out.

"You're fucking amazing, you know that, right ?", he gave me a very sexy, naughty smile. I almost loved this smile more than the crooked one.

He pulled me to him and kissed me with urgent lips, his fist holding my hair with just the right amount of force. Once he stopped, after I felt the dizzy spell fade, I could respond.

"Of course I am.", I grinned as he laughed. His laugh was genuine and deep and made me feel exhilarated in my stomach to hear it.

"You're not so bad yourself.", I said to him, putting my hands on his that were in my hair, "God you even creeped ME out and I knew you were playing."

"We play well together.", he simply stated.

"Was that a real shot you gave me ?", I asked, looking at my inner arm.

"Nah.", he frowned a bit, "Just a little sleep medicine. You've only been out for an hour."

"That was cool.", I marveled, "When you brought that box out…JESUS."

"I use that for my dog when we travel.", he informed, "But this was a lot more fun. You should've seen your face."

"I almost thought some French guy was really gonna show up.", I admitted.

"I WAS going to start speaking French to you just now when you woke up", he said, "But I thought that would be cruel."

I giggled, thinking of it. "Oooh if I was hooded and couldn't see you and you spoke French….wow."

"Oh my God she's actually planning part 2 of the game already.", he said to himself, stunned.

"Thanks for selling me to a fat old bald guy by the way.", I play smacked him.

"I thought you'd like that.", he grinned.

"I loved the fake remorse at the end.", I complimented.

"That wasn't fake.", he looked insulted, "I was really almost feeling sorry for you. You cried and everything."

"Because you were SO good.", I said, "I really FELT like it was real !"

"It really does feel that way, doesn't it ?", he agreed.

"Yea.", I said as he leaned in and kissed me. It was a very nice kiss, not a violent one.

"Was that your house we were at ?", I asked him.

"No.", he replied, "Just another place. I told you I'm not taking you to my house."

"Why not ?", I wondered.

He looked away. "My house is the one place I don't have to hide. I don't trust anyone enough to be there. It's nothing personal. But we just met a month ago. There are people I've known for fifty years who don't come to my house."

I felt a little hurt but I understood that. I didn't like to let people into my world either. I would just have to show him in time that he could trust me.

"Can I ask you something else ?", I questioned.

"Go ahead.", he waited pleasantly.

"Were you…going to…", I cleared my throat, "Bite me…earlier ?"

He smiled. As if I had caught him doing something harmless. Then it looked like pride in his eyes.

"I was very close.", he admitted without shame, "You just drive me crazy and then your blood…starts to call to me…it's very hard to resist. You have no idea. The ice…I had to do that to chill off your blood a bit…it was so hot…"

"I'm sorry.", I said, "I wish my blood didn't do that to you. I don't know why it's like that."

"I'm investigating it.", he stated without any further explanation.

"What do you think it is ?", I asked.

"There are many possibilities.", he said, "It could be a curse, it could be a witch's spell, it could be scientific, you could be a weapon…"

"What's that mean ?", I asked, "A weapon?"

"There are certain mortals we call weapons.", he said, "They are born to kill vampires. And their blood usually smells unbelievable so it attracts the kind they are hunting. But they are trained from birth by other weapons…they're excellent fighters."

"That's not me.", I frowned, "You don't think that, do you ?"

"No of course not.", he replied, "I did at first but now I know that's not the case. I've seen you run and play volleyball, you're no weapon."

"Thanks.", I squinted at him.

"Or it could just be that that's the way it is.", he said to me, "I think that's what's really happening. It's just a coincidence."

"Oh.", he suddenly smiled and put his hands over my eyes, "Close your eyes, it's time for your birthday present."

"I thought you just gave me my present.", I thought of him letting me have his cock.

"That's not a present.", he got off the bed and went into the other room, "It's a privilege but not a present. This is a present."

"I hate surprises.", I grumbled.

"You'll love this one.", he said from afar.

A box was placed in my lap and I opened my eyes. A little red box was sitting there under my face and he was there, pulling the lid off.

"Surprise !", he sang and a little thing leapt out of the box and into my lap.

I looked and saw a tiny little brown thing with a thin little tail dipped with white at the end…and those cute little buggy eyes coming out of a very little face, a white stripe going down his forehead.

His little yelps were so happy as he saw me and I picked him up, screaming, "TANK !"

I was crying and holding my little friend as he licked my nose furiously.

"What are YOU doing in there ?!", I asked the little excited boy in my lap, "Oh my God ! I thought Jackie came back and took him!", I felt tears in my eyes as his little tiny tongue went into my mouth.

"It seems that she's not coming back to school at all.", his voice sounded irate, "So I bought the little bastard from her."

I covered Tank's ears.

"Don't call my baby a bastard!", I defended him.

He smiled and watched me loving on my new baby.

"So, you want him then ?", he asked me, already knowing the answer.

"I LOVE HIM !", I kept kissing him "Of course I want him !"

"Hey, where's mine ?", he leaned in, "He's getting all the love here."

Men. So jealous.

"Aww, let Daddy in.", I let Tank kiss Master's face and he really did lick him all over his face.

Master just sat there and frowned. I was hysterical watching this.

"That's not what I meant.", he winced, "I wanted YOU, not fucking Tank."

"Aww, come here, baby.", I grabbed his hair and kissed him deeply, he was almost pouting.

"And I am not his Daddy.", he added after the kiss.

I held up the tiny angel and asked Master, "How can you look into this little face and say that ?"

"Easily.", he grumbled.

I looked and saw that Master had gotten Tank a collar with a little metal dog bone tag on it that said TANK.

"Aww you got him a collar with his name on it.", I said, then gasped, "You collared him !"

"Oh my God.", he pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Hey, he's 318 !", I joked.

"Please stop.", he blankly pleaded.

"Thank you, Master.", I hugged him tight, "I love you."

He held me, his large hands felt so wonderful on my back, and he kissed my forehead, saying, "Happy Birthday, Bella."

He said my name. That made me so happy.

And after all this, I still got home in time for curfew, me and my little baby.

"This is our room.", I showed him as I took him out of my jacket, "This is our bed. You can sleep here with me. Just don't let me roll over on you. I'll get you a little bed or something tomorrow so I don't crush you in my sleep."

He scampered around the room, checking things out. I watched him, hoping he didn't pee or poop on the floor. He'll learn. I just watched him playing with his toys that Master bought him and I thought life will never get any better than this. I have a baby. I have a Master. And even if he can't say it to me, I feel that he loves me. And I love him. I didn't see marriage or anything in our future but I felt loved. It was everything. Now I understand all the love songs I ever heard.

"I love you, Tank.", I picked him up in my hand and kissed him. I put him on my chest and he slept there while I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep, so happily.

The next morning I got a message from unknown.

Tonight you will write in your journal for me. See you later. You can bring the little bastard with you.

See, Tank ? Daddy loves you.

I wondered if he was ever really in prison. No. That was just part of the game. Right ? I thought of asking him about it but didn't want to open a can of worms if I didn't need to. More trust has to build before he'll open up to me about his past. I'll be patient and wait.

Edward's POV:

I already knew that my inner demon would get his hands on me the minute I let her walk to her house. He couldn't wait to castigate me the moment I was alone.

"Are you fucking kidding me ?!" he spat out, "You gave her a cupcake ? You gave her a birthday

present ?! A puppy for fuck's sake ! Why don't you just get it over with and marry her already ?!"

My kinder side responded to the demon now. Maybe you could call it my human side. The side of me I thought was almost gone…but had magically risen up in the last month.

I know ,I know. And I'm not marrying her. I just like her. She's fun. Look at how great she plays with

us ! And she's not scared of us either ! When's the last time we found that ?!

The monster responded:

Fine, play with her. But get real, man ! You're being way too easy on the bitch ! You almost kill Miss Fagan for punching Bella but then Bella choked her first, almost killed her, and she gets a BIRTHDAY PARTY?! NOT FAIR !

My human voice sighed in his answer : I know. Believe me, I know. But Bella is too new. She can't be punished hard like that yet.

The monster was ready to pounce on me instantly : See ? There you go again. Being soft on her. You're getting way too attached. You know that never ends well.

I know. But— : I heard myself begin to explain.

The harsh voice cut in again :

No more buts ! You don't think she ACTUALLY loves you for real, do you ?

I said nothing in response.

Holy FUCK ! You DO ! Oh JESUS ! She's a 17 year old girl, a virgin ! Of course she's gonna say she loves you, you're giving her ten orgasms a week ! She's just addicted to the sex and the vampire glamour. You don't think she would love YOU if she knew all the things you've done, do you ? You poor bitch. : the heartless voice stabbed into me like a blade.

I couldn't argue that point.

I took a solemn breath and knew he was right. There's nothing lovable about me. And even if there was, once she knew all my past it would be over. There's a reason I'm so good at the games we play. Because I've done it all before. And it was no game then. I've sold women, not for money, for the fun of it. To hurt them as they have hurt me. It was a long time ago but that doesn't make it okay. I have ended the lives of girls just like Bella, without a second thought. To satisfy my own personal needs or wants. Even worse, out of convenience for fuck's sake ! A loose end tied up, a problem solved. A voice silenced.

I have been to prison. Not because I was caught and couldn't get away. There was a time when I thought I should pay for what I've done and I thought, why not ? In prison, I could feed on people who were despicable and deserved it. I could see if suffering really brought redemption. It was worth a try and if I didn't like it, I could always get out easily.

At first my food came right to my cell, a new young inmate looking like me attracted the worst scum in the place first. I fed well. And I didn't even hide it that I killed them. They locked me in the hole and that was my big punishment. For years I lived there, working in the library. No man tried to rape me after the first few tried it. Word got around that I drank the blood of the men who came after me. I was called Dracula by the other inmates. No one wanted to be my friend and that was fine with me.

Only one thing made me leave the prison eventually. No women. This was during a time where there were no female guards working in the system. If I were there today I bet I'd be very happy, letting a female guard have her way with me. I could even compel her to do it to me.

As much as I was embarrassed to admit it, I had been around women all my life. I was raised in a whorehouse by nothing but women. The one man around was the owner of the brothel and he hated me. He always shoved me around and told me to do the chores, tend to the animals, paint the house, etc. We never really had a relationship. I was schooled early on about sex and what women loved and didn't like. I was a kid but all the girls loved me and were attracted to me. This was their way of showing me love and I certainly accepted their love and the sex. Christ what great sex it all was. They were my teachers and lovers and friends.

When Miss Swan tells me she loves me, I know I should scold her and tell her not to say it. But it reminds me. Of a time when I was human and was loved, not for my vampire beauty or my powers that were a curse not a gift. I was innocent then, and they trusted me. I had never hurt anyone. And I was the one they protected, I was the sweet kid that was abused and needed them.

When she says she loves me, I feel good. I feel alive. I feel normal. Most of the other girls I've known fear me more than anything else. Love never came into it. A couple girls, like Miss Fagan, have said they love me…but it never lasts. First, I don't love them and I don't believe that they love me. Second, even if I did, I know they would hate me if they really knew ME, the past I've had, what I've done. I don't love me, how can they ?

Third…even if Miss Swan knew my whole past and still loved me, where can this relationship go ? I can hardly hold myself back from drinking her blood when we play together…and it's only been a month. In a year I'm certain to have drunk her blood, maybe killing her, or I'd have the blood, get tired of it, and get bored of her…maybe calling her to me only once in awhile when I wanted to taste her again. My voice is right. It never ends well.

Part of me suggested…we could change her. Make her into a vampire. Keep her.

Right away I said no. I've never changed anyone and I have no plan to do it ever. I would never do this to anyone else. Stealing a life is one thing. But stealing it and then keeping the undead person like a pet is just unforgivable. I may be a monster but I'm not THAT yet.

Maybe it was good that Miss Swan had the puppy now. I would have to start pulling back a little. Play with other girls. The thought of it bored me already. The crying, the sobbing, the begging…ukk.

I DO adore the brat that Miss Swan becomes when she's drunk or hurting. I love waking her up and seeing that rage in her eyes and in her voice when she comes to life. I have to work on that as she gets stronger and better with her pain. How to have that little bitch and Miss Swan at the same time. How to bring that woman out, not just after a good lashing. It was a very intriguing idea.

And now I was planning on spending MORE time with Miss Swan when I just said I should pull away. Fuck, I AM addicted.

I will admit that her appeal was clear. It was great fun to torment and kidnap her, then after the weekend is over I can be with her, talk to her, laugh with her and the guilt is erased. If every woman was like that, I'd love being me.

It was divine putting her into that box and putting her to sleep, then locking the lid shut over her. Something dark and deep inside me was so elated. I wanted to keep her in there, take her home with me and keep her forever. My pet.

That fucking dog. He's a little rat and she loves him so much. I guess I'm just like Tank. No one else wants him and he's a little piece of crap but she sees something in him…and me. Maybe it's a brain disorder of some kind. In any case, I'm glad she has it.

I was breaking all my rules for her. But fuck it, they're my rules and rules are made to be broken. I'm going to Hell anyway, why not do what I want ? If Miss Swan eventually sees the light and doesn't love me anymore then I should expect that and then it will be easier for me to just use her for her blood. None of the others love me and I feed off them. I told myself that in a couple months things will probably cool off and go back to normal. The only problem was that every time I thought of her not loving me anymore I felt a tiny throb of pain inside me.

Love will be the thing that destroys me.

Good, let it then. I've been here too long already. I'm becoming used to the shit this world pours down upon me. At least in Hell I'll be at home and finally pay for all I've done. I deserve that.

END OF CHAPTER 23