RAFAEL.
I silenced the beeping alarm clock with a careless shove as I stretched, tossing the bedspread aside. Sitting up, I planted my feet on the floor and ran a hand through my disheveled blonde hair, stifling a yawn as I took in the surroundings of my bedroom.
With Dragos and Dawn away in Fiji, I was back at my place—a rare occurrence these days since the villa had practically become my second home.
Dressed in nothing but pyjama bottoms, I made my way to the bathroom and grabbed my toothbrush.
Lately, things had been chaotic. Dawn's death and Dragos spiraling out of control had left little opportunity to relax or even have time for myself.
I figured today was as good a day as any to change that. As I brushed my teeth, I stared at my reflection, mentally planning my day. "Movies, arcade, beach, home, then the club," I said to myself, a happy smile forming at the thought of some well-deserved fun.
After rinsing my mouth, I turned to fill up the jacuzzi, ready to relax. But just as I reached for a bath gel, my phone buzzed. I grabbed it, checking the caller ID. It was Mrs. Vlad.
"What's up, Mrs. Vlad?" I answered, trying to keep my tone light. A brief conversation later, I hung up with a groan. She needed me, and though it would throw off my plans, I figured I could still squeeze everything in.
With a sigh, I headed back to the bathroom to take a bath, mentally adjusting my schedule.
When I was done, I got dressed in a white tee on casual Levi's jeans.
Thirty minutes later, I was out of the house and on my way to Kaius Sawyer's estate. He was an investor in the Blue Cove branch of the Vlad wine company. Mrs. Vlad mentioned that he had a proposal to infuse blood into certain wines, catering specifically to vampire clientele. Though she had little interest in the idea, she sent me to hear him out and gather more details before dismissing it entirely.
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I arrived at the estate, an exquisite mansion that showcased the wealth and extravagance Kaius clearly enjoyed flaunting. The staff greeted me warmly, their practiced smiles one I was used to.
Being seen as a member of the Vlad family came with certain privileges, even if I wasn't entirely comfortable with the eye service.
I was ushered into a grand dining room, where I could sit to eat while waiting for Kaius.
The long table was laden with a spread of dishes of every kind. From fresh seafood to plated appetizers, main courses, and desserts.
"Lord Kaius will join you shortly, sir," a maid informed me with a polite bow before retreating. I gave a curt nod and leaned back, my eyes roaming over the room.
Portraits of Kaius' ancestors hung on the walls, silver-colored curtains framed the tall UV-blocking glass windows, and a larger-than-life chandelier hung low from the ceiling.
Standing, I began to wander, inspecting the paintings more closely. Each blood-starved face stared down at me with a haughty expression, as if I were a lowly being.
I wondered how many of them had been like Kaius— opportunistic, disgusting, and more than a little overbearing.
"Rafael Langston!"
The booming voice startled me, cutting through the quiet. I turned to see Kaius entering the room, his arms spread wide open in a gesture of welcome. He was grinning broadly.
"Ah, Kaius," I greeted, not moving to meet him, and after an awkward pause, he lowered his arms, getting the message.
"You haven't eaten yet? Why not?" he asked, gesturing to the feast before us.
I glanced at the table and back at him. "Yes, I can see there's plenty," I replied dryly as I sank back into my seat. "Thank you."
"Or perhaps you'd prefer something tastier… something to whet your appetite?"
I knew he was implying blood, so I shook my head.
"No, I'm fine. Thank you"
Kaius chuckled, taking the chair beside me, his body spilling over the edges as he leaned forward.
He was a short, obese vampire, his bald head shining under the chandelier's light. On each of his thick fingers were gaudy rings.
"You remain a hard man to please, Rafael," he said, pouring himself a glass of wine. "But I think you'll like what I have to propose."
I leaned back in my chair, watching him carefully. "I'm here to listen. Let's hear it, then."
Kaius smiled, flashing his discoloured teeth, "Oh, not yet. We've got time. Let's enjoy ourselves first."
He pressed a bell, and a string of vampire women emerged from a room, dressed only in see-through gowns of which they were naked underneath.
I smiled bitterly at Kaius.
"Take your pick," he said with a grin, "They'll be more than happy to please you, giving you the best attention and care. What's your preference? Blonde? Brunette? Redhead?" His gaze roamed to the women, and he licked his lips suggestively.
"No, thank you," I replied, trying so hard to keep my tone cool. "I have other matters to attend to, Kaius, so let's get to your proposal."
Glancing at my watch, I added, "I have a busy schedule to keep."
Kaius chuckled, unfazed. "I could send one home with you... or maybe two, even three."
"Is this your idea of a bribe?" I asked, arching a brow.
He laughed it off. "Of course not. I just want to make sure my guest has a good time."
I smirked, "I appreciate the thought, but we're running out of time."
Kaius sighed dramatically, struggling to prop himself against the table. "Very well then, but first..."
He signaled for a maid to approach. "Tell Samantha to bring me a sample of the wine from the safe," he ordered coldly, his countenance changing.
The maid hurried off, and moments later, Samantha entered the room. She was small in stature, her short blonde hair styled neatly, but it was the way she carried herself that caught my attention.
She was bent forward, almost as if trying to make herself smaller than she already was, and her movements were quick, nervous.
I couldn't get a clear view of her face as it remained lowered, her eyes fixed on the floor.
"Master Kaius," she said softly, her voice barely audible. Her tone was submissive. Hesitant. And there was something about her comportment that struck me… that saddened me. She was terrified.
Before anyone could even suspect it, Kaius slapped her harshly, "What did I tell you about speaking louder?" he growled, his eyes cold.
Samantha flinched but kept her composure, clutching the bottle of wine tightly in her hands.
It surprised me how the glass hadn't slipped from her hand and shattered on the floor, and how she still remained composed, though her hands trembled.
She was used to this... used to the violence Kaius' wrought.
It must have been a regular occurrence—him slapping her, asserting his dominance in that horrid way.
A knot of disgust and anger formed in my stomach. I didn't like the way Kaius treated her, but I chose to remain silent for now, unwilling to draw attention.
"F-forgive me, Master," Samantha stammered, bowing her head as she placed the wine on the table. For a moment, she raised her head, and her eyes flicked to mine.
Baby blue eyes.
She had baby blue eyes.
Kaius waved her off dismissively, "I'll have to punish you later for that. Leave," he muttered, and she quickly departed the room.
He turned to me. "You see," he said, leaning back in his chair with a smirk, "Samantha is the only one who knows the combination to the safe where I keep the wine sample. It's quite valuable, and she's the only one trusted enough to have access."
I nodded, staring at the wine as Kaius uncorked it and poured it into two glasses.
"Blood, my friend" he began "Not just any blood, of course. Carefully sourced and treated to preserve its special qualities. Imagine the appeal to our vampire clients, a wine that doesn't just complement their taste for blood but enhances it" he handed me a glass.
Kaius lifted his glass to his lips, taking a sip. "We could market it as a high-end product, limited edition, only available to the discerning customers. Vampires will flock to it. They'll pay any price for the experience."
I remained silent, watching him drink from his glass, his expression one of pure satisfaction.
"This sample is proof that the process has already been perfected. All I need now is the company's support to scale production. With the Vlad name backing it, this could change the industry. We'd dominate the market, not just in Blue Cove, but everywhere."
He spread his hands, "So, what do you think? Are you ready to help me convince Darcia to bring this masterpiece to life?"
I glanced at the glass, then back at him, my expression unreadable. Slowly, I brought the glass to my lips and drank.
It didn't taste bad at all. The metallic tang of blood was present, blending in with the other components.
"It's an interesting idea," I replied cautiously, setting my glass on the table and eyeing the bottle of blood-infused wine. "But let's get practical, Kaius. Blood is a perishable substance, isn't it? Won't it… spoil? How do you plan to preserve it?"