Good evening,
This is 2 out of 4 the sneak peeks I'm releasing tonight.
I hope you enjoy.
Oxford Not Brogues
A New Feeling
Part One
Sebastian was considerably perfect in every way. His hair was always manageable and decent, even though he rarely groomed himself. His voice was soft and sweet, alluring to most humans. His skin was unblemished and he was devilly handsome. He could do just about anything, and he could do it better than any human alive. There was no doubt that he was perfect, and he knew this. For thousands of years, he prided himself on how perfect he truly was. But, lately, Sebastian has been feeling rather imperfect and undeserving. This feeling came unexpectedly when Alucard returned one night with a strange, but beautiful woman. At first, he had thought nothing of her. Yes, it was plain to see that the little creature was…alluring in her own way. Her skin, seemingly perfect in every way, and her hair short, cute, and soft with a subtle fragrance of strawberries. But it wasn't until he met her while she was conscious did he truly start to feel almost small and imperfect.
Her eyes managed to capture his attention every single time without fail. Those perfect, dark blue sapphire like eyes of hers. They drew him in, especially when they sparkled whenever she smiled. And that smile…It gave him shivers whenever that gentle creature laughed ever so sweetly as those perfect, pink lips pulled into the most beautiful smile he had ever seen in his life. Her voice was truly like a melody; soft and full of compassion. Even her name was perfect. Seras Victoria. It had such a ring to it, and the meaning itself seemed to fit her. You will be victorious. Yes, he can see her growing into a fierce creature, but still that childlike charm of hers will remain. Dare he say, she was flawless?
Since her arrival at the organization, Sebastian has tried hard to find a single flaw. But he only found more things he loved about her. How was that possible? Sure, she had annoying habits, but nothing that truly bothered him. She was a little clumsy, but he found that endearing. She refused to drink blood and sleep in a coffin, but he was only fascinated by her lack of hunger. Most newborns went mad if not getting a single drop of blood within the first twenty-four hours of their transformation. But she had gone several days before she finally caved and devoured some ghoul blood. Of course, immediately after, she went back to fasting, but he was still very much fascinated by her existence and willpower.
The more time Sebastian spent with Seras, the more this feeling of adoration for her grew. Before he knew it, he started to feel almost insecure around her. Whenever she entered the room, he would hastily comb his fingers through his hair in hope that it looked presentable. He found himself constantly smoothing out his clothes because he refused to be seen with a single wrinkle or crease while she was near. Each time she looked his way, he would always flash her a different type of smile to see which one appeased her more. Of course, no matter the smile, she always smiled back without fail.
There was no doubt in the demon's mind that Seras was his mate. While he had never been in love in all of his existence, he knew for a fact that what he was feeling was an immense amount of love for that little vampire. He just needed to have her fall in love with him in return. Could he manage that? Normally, Sebastian was able to seduce a woman with ease. He only ever had to just look in one's direction and she would swoon. But he was an utter fool in Seras' presence. Seducing her wasn't going to be so easy.
The speechless demon awkwardly stood in the center of the garden, slightly obscured by large rose bushes. In his hand he held a dish of tuna for the stray kittens he normally cared for, but someone had already beat him to it. Sitting near the manor, a little ways from the garden, was Seras adoring the kittens she recently discovered. That gorgeous, perfect smile was on her lips while she stroked the back of a black kitten while it ate the meal she gave it. Sebastian's heart was racing in his chest from just staring at her. He was unable to move or breathe. All he could do was stare. He was loving her more and more each day. But the longer he waited to seduce her the more he felt like he was losing her. He needed to do something before he lost that perfect creature forever. His body leaned forward, but his body refused to move. Almost immediately he lost all courage to approach her and instead stayed put in the garden. Sebastian sighed at his cowardly behavior and dropped his head in anguish.
"Make a move or I will." Alucard threatened him. Not being easily startled by surprising appearances, the demon calmly shifted his head to look at the girl's master. The elder vampire had a large grin on his face while he stared openly at the Draculina.
"You have eyes for her as well?" Sebastian asked, not sounding all that surprised as he looked back at the small blonde.
"I would be a fool if I allowed her to slip between my fingers." The No Life King snickered. "That girl there was made to be my bride."
"Then why haven't you mated with her yet?" The demon asked him outright. "I haven't even seen you converse with her. Is there a reason for that?" A smirk slipped onto Sebastian's face before he glanced at the elder vampire from the corner of his eye. "Are you afraid to be rejected by that beautiful creature?" When not receiving an immediate answer from the unusually quiet No Life King, Sebastian snickered and looked back at his mate. "As I thought." They watched that brilliant girl play with those tiny kittens. She looked purely content, easing the males to see her so happy. After a moment, the demon sighed in peace. "If we wait any longer, someone else will swoop in and steal her from us, and then she'll be gone forever."
"If we don't kill him first." Alucard snickered. Sebastian was the first to make a move. Hesitantly, he stepped around the bush and started making his way towards the little vampire. The No Life King followed close behind. Catching movement from the corner of her eye, Seras lifted her head to find her mentors approaching. Instead of being startled, Seras only greeted them with a bright, friendly smile.
"I know it's silly to be proud of," The little vampire started with a sweet giggle. "But I finally consumed my first blood bag without feeling guilty." She proudly told them.
"Excellent, Draculina." The elder vampire praised her in a deep purr. "I told you it would get easier over time."
"I'll probably feel guilty later, but right now…I feel…surprisingly good." She went on while she stroked a kitten.
"The blood has not only restored the energy you have lost, but has given you more of it." Alucard explained.
"I see that you found the litter." Sebastian spoke as he gestured his head at the kitten in her lap. Immediately, Seras' eyes flickered to the bowl in his hand.
"Oh!" She softly exclaimed. She gently pushed the kitten out of her lap and then scrambled to her feet as if she was in trouble with her mentors. "You were going to feed them? I'm sorry. I didn't know. I just found them and thought they may be hungry."
"It's alright," The demon chuckled at the panicked look in her eyes. "A little extra food won't hurt them." He then set the bowl down beside the other she had brought out. The kittens, however, did not go for it. Instead, the mother of the litter got up from the spot she had been laying in and went straight for the bowl to feed herself. Automatically, Sebastian knelt down to stroke over the mother's back while she fed. He earned soft purrs of adoration, having gained her trust several years ago.
"You like cats?" Seras asked as she watched him pet the mother. Sebastian glanced up at her with a small smirk on his lips.
"Why do you sound surprised?" He asked, knowing the reason. Feeling shameful for asking him, the girl naturally flinched and quickly looked at the ground to avoid his gaze. "Is it because I'm a demon?" The little vampire didn't answer. "It's alright, Seras. I'm not mad." She still wouldn't look at him, though. She kept her eyes glued to the ground while her frown deepened. "I adore cats." He admitted to her. "They are most definitely a weakness of mine." Hearing this, Seras slowly looked back at him.
"Really?" She whispered. "How come?" He snickered at her cute, bashfulness.
"I just…" He trailed off for a moment to find the right words. "Find them irresistible. They are charming, little creatures that are quite the enigma." That beautiful smile on his face transitioned into an almost sadistic smirk. "Much like you," A blush tainted Seras' pale cheeks. Rising to his full height, he kept his eyes locked on her. "Tell me, Seras. Have you ever been on a date before?" The small blonde's brows furrowed together in confusion. She even cocked her head to the side in such a cute manner.
"No," She admitted with a light shake of her head.
"What's your idea of the most perfect date?" Sebastian asked her.
"I…Why are you asking?" Seras questioned while her eyes nervously flickered from one mentor to the other.
"Humor me?" The demon purred.
"I don't really know." The little vampire murmured with a shrug of her shoulders. "There are so many different ways a date could be perfect."
"Hmn," Sebastian hummed, sounding dissatisfied by that answer. "Could you answer me some questions then?"
"I guess?" Seras whispered. "But what's all this about?" The blush on her cheeks only darkened. It was clear that the girl had an idea of what Sebastian was talking about, but wasn't certain. And she was far too bashful to actually ask him to confirm her idea.
"Tell me some things that you like. Your favorite color, flower, film, place, etc." The demon instructed her.
"I'm aware that you just started drinking the blood, but is there a particular type that you like better than the rest?" Alucard asked.
"I don't really understand what is happening." Seras giggled. "Are we…planning a date?" The smirk on the demon's face widened when seeing how pleased the girl looked by this little information. He playfully placed his finger against his lips as if he was quietly hushing her.
"Don't worry about that or you'll ruin the surprise." Sebastian couldn't help but tease her.
"The three of us?" The Draculina asked them, but she kept that smile on her face.
"Would that bother you?" Alucard questioned her. Instantly, the girl shook her head.
"No," She whispered while her entire face turned red. Too bashful to look them in the eye, she kept her gaze lowered. "I'm alright with that if you guys are." Such elation filled the males. So far things were going very well.
"What is your favorite flower?" Sebastian asked once more.
"I love daisies." Seras answered with an almost childish smile and a gleam in her eyes.
"Fitting," The demon whispered.
"Why is that?" The Draculina asked.
"Daisies symbolize purity. They're known as friendly, playful flowers. Depending on the color of the daisy, it could also mean gentle and loving." Sebastian explained while his eyes slowly trailed down her body. "It suits you." A shudder ran down the little vampire's spine.
"Thank you." The girl murmured awkwardly.
"May I suggest that you give us a taste of your blood?" Alucard asked, earning Seras' attention instantly.
"Um?" The little vampire murmured in confusion.
"Your blood is capable of telling us more about you." Her master revealed to her. The Draculina's eyes widened in surprise before she glanced down at her wrist to look at all those little, visible veins.
"Really?" She asked, sounding impressed.
"It would give us an idea of the perfect date for you." Sebastian agreed with a nod of approval.
"Didn't my blood…tell you anything when you were turning me into a vampire, Master?" Seras asked.
"I learned a little about you, but not enough. Mostly because I wasn't looking for anything specific." Alucard answered. "Sometimes, if you're focusing, you see the person's life flash before your eyes." The girl now looked a little uneasy.
"It…shows you…memories?" She whispered, now looking hesitant to share her blood with them. The males frowned in unison. What did she have to hide?
"Yes," Her master nodded. The little vampire nervously gnawed on her bottom lip while she thought it over carefully.
"Is that a problem?" Sebastian asked.
"No," Seras drawled, though she still looked greatly uncertain.
"Whatever we find, we won't judge you." The demon promised her. The girl's eyes darted up to look at him.
"It's not that." She replied with a frown. "I just…" Taking a deep sigh, the Draculina pointed at her head. "I don't have…a lot of good memories…growing up." She then cupped the back of her head and lowered her gaze in shame. "I…haven't really shared…my past with anyone ever. The people who did know…what I went through…they didn't exactly make my life any easier." Looking back at them, Seras proceeded. "I'm…not sure if I'm ready…to tell anyone." Feeling guilty for not wanting to share that information, the Draculina clicked her tongue and let her head hang.
"More than likely you feel hesitant telling anyone because…" Sebastian attempted to theorize, but didn't get the chance.
"Because humans are garbage and they treated me poorly because I was considered 'troubled' because of the things that happened to me. I'm afraid it will only hurt me in the future if I tell someone. I know why I'm hesitant." Seras grumbled with a roll of her eyes.
"Seras," The demon spoke, bringing her attention back on him. "You don't have to worry about Alucard and myself."
"I'm not worried about you guys." The little vampire corrected him with a small smile. "You're not cruel children or…religious jerks who would rather shame a child than help her."
"Then why do you feel hesitant sharing anything with us?" Alucard asked.
"I…I don't know." Seras admitted with a shrug.
"Perhaps you would rather just bury your past and forget?" The demon questioned with an arched brow. She knew instantly that was the correct answer.
"Probably," She murmured. "It's just…"
"Easier that way?" Alucard finished for her. He could understand that feeling. Seras shifted her head to look at him. The two vampires stared at one another for a long few seconds before she finally nodded her head.
"It is easier that way," She confirmed.
"I'm no psychologist, but I believe it's recommended that talking about this eases the mind far more than trying to bury it. It'll just keep haunting you." Sebastian advised.
"Wouldn't you feel better talking to someone who is capable of understanding?" Alucard asked.
"Someone who knows and understands your past can be a great confidant; a shoulder to cry on when you need it." The demon added.
"I think you would feel as if a great weight had been lifted off of you." Her master whispered. Seras was quiet for a moment while she stared intently at the ground. They could tell she was thinking it over carefully.
"We're not trying to force you, Seras." Sebastian quickly added. "We only want you to know that you can count on us." The Draculina looked back up at her mentors then.
"I want to tell you guys, but I'm not ready." Seras whispered. Unexpectedly, the little vampire held out her wrist, offering it to the males. "If you guys are still interested, you can have a taste of my blood."
"But…" The demon muttered in confusion. "Your memories." She gave him a small, shy smile.
"I don't mind if you guys learn the truth. I trust you both. I just can't…discuss my past. Not yet anyway." Seras told them carefully. "Maybe…soon. But at least you guys will be prepared for when we do have that discussion."
"Are you sure?" Sebastian asked. The males acted cautiously and moved closer towards their little mate. Was she really okay with them seeing her memories?
"Positive," The Draculina giggled.
End of Sneak Peek
I hope you enjoyed.
Oxford Not Brogues