Court of Darkness

10. The change - Nicki

She didn't understand what had happened. All she knew was that Alexander had changed. He was suddenly only active during the night, forcing her to change her schedule. Sleep during the day so she could serve him during the night. He no longer ate meals anymore. He just drank wine and a red substance. She recognised the metallic scent every time she handed Alexander his goblet. She just refused to think about what she was handing him. Ignoring it seemed like a better idea than accepting what was going on. She was a mere servant. She couldn't stop him from drinking it. She had no real power. If Alexander decided that he no longer required her services she would become homeless. She had no home to return to. Her family had sold her to the highest bidder. That happened to be the royal family. Not directly of course. Just a random man whose job it was to hire the personnel. At least her family had only gotten money that day. She earned some money while working in the palace. She could buy clothes, some extra food and sometimes fun things like a new hairpin. Was it enough to buy herself a place? Yes but that meant no money for food since she would be out of a job. So she stayed in the palace. It wasn't a bad place, thanks to Alexander. That's why she was so worried about him. He looked sick. His skin was pale. Stripped from all the colour out of nowhere. At the beginning she had tried to convince him to eat some food, but after a few days she had already given up. He wouldn't eat anything. Not even a crumb of bread. It was a waste of time and she was only working on his nerves. That scared her because Alexander was unpredictable ever since the changes.

One evening Alexander asked her to sit with him near the fireplace and share a drink with him. She had accepted the offer. She was curious what he had to say. She tried to pour their drinks but Alexander had already grabbed the bottle.

"Allow me." He said as he poured their drinks. He handed her a goblet.

"It must be strange for you, sitting here and not serving me as usual. Honestly, I just wanted some company. Things have changed lately, as you've noticed. I've developed an allergy for the sun, forcing you to change your sleep schedule. My appetite has changed and I consume mostly liquids." She frowned for a second, long enough for Alexander to notice. She disagreed with how he talked about his diet. She knew that it wasn't mostly liquids. It was only liquids. The red drink with the metallic scent. That was his meal these days.

"I appreciate your worry but I want you to know that I'm fine. I'm in the best shape I've ever been, honestly. These sacrifices are worth it." She was skeptical when she heard his words. She wanted to believe Alexander but it wasn't easy at all. Something was off. She knew that for sure but sadly Alexander didn't trust her enough to tell her what's going on.

"I don't believe you." She said. This was the first time that she openly disagreed with her master.

"Fire me if you want but I refuse to keep my mouth shut for any longer!" Alexander raised an eyebrow, realising that she was a feisty one after all. That had taken her long enough. It was refreshing, someone who was willing to share their true thoughts with him. He stayed quiet, curious to what she had to say.

"You're not fine. Your behaviour has changed out of nowhere! You used to love the sun. Now you avoid it and blame it on an allergy that I've never seen you develop. You're pale like you're on the verge of death. And that drink... Master, it smells metallic. I know what you're drinking... I just want to know what has happened to you." Alexander, who had looked amused at her, placed his goblet on the table and looked her in the eye. His expression was calm.

"It's been kept quiet, just as I've requested. But my father, the king, is dead. It happened a month ago. The reason that you've barely seen him is because he fell ill a few weeks after your arrival. Doctors have tried to heal him but sadly nothing worked. I've been afraid of dying ever since. I've tried to find ways to escape death. It took me a long time but I've found a way. I'm what is called a vampire. I have to drink blood in exchange for immortality. A price that I'm willing to pay." She stared at him. Minutes passed as she looked at him. She didn't know what to say, nor could she move. This didn't sound like her master at all. But Alexander was no longer a human. It sounded like he had made a deal with the devil himself. Who was this greedy man?