Demon's Curse [discontinued]

Crystal Clear

                       "So, what am I supposed to be doing?" Arianna asked, her eyes on Nicholas who sat across from her. "Well, every night from midnight until four, you will be given the education every slave receives. Every night from four fifteen in the morning until five thirty, you will be given etiquette lessons." Arianna glared at Nicholas. "Etiquette lessons? Are you kidding me?" Nicholas shook his head and smirked. "Yes, my dearest little rogue, etiquette lessons. You do not understand exactly how important I am in vampire society and I need my precious little rogue the perfect little slave." If looks could kill, Nicholas would be dead a thousand times over. "Now," He glanced at his watch and smirked. "I think the dress you are wearing is fine. Your tutor will be arriving in a few minutes so if you would, hurry up." He stood and walked past her and placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently. "If you embarrass me.." He trailed and smirked before walking off towards the hallway.

                        As if on cue, the doorbell rang the door opened. There were soft murmurs and she quickly swallowed down her soup. A woman walked into the room and it instantly became a bit cooler. The woman had sharp facial features and eyes similar to that of a cat. She was terrifying to say the least her wolfish grin only set Arianna on edge even more. "Hello, Arianna. My name is Alaria Vulca." The woman said in a cold, heartless voice. Arianna had no doubt that she was the type to kill with no remorse or hesitation. "Finish your drink and meet me in the parlour." With that, she departed which allowed Arianna to breathe. "Wow..." She whistled and looked down at her water. After a small sip, she stood and left for the parlour, fiddling with her fingers. "Good. Sit." She instructed as Alaria pulled out a few textbooks, a stack of papers, and a few pens.

                       "Now, little rogue, can you at least read and write?" Arianna fought back a glare nodded. "Yes, I can indeed read and write." Arianna snapped back, her voice harsh. Alaria smirked and looked Arianna over with disgust visible on her cold features. "Good, that saves a lot of time. I would like you to read the entirety of the first chapter of the book and tell me what you got from it." Arianna frowned. "What does that have to do with anything?" Alaria smirked and shoved the book towards Arianna. "It proves that you can be a perfect little slave." Arianna wanted to just jump up and tear her head from her body but of course, she refrained and did as she was asked. It was horrible to say the least. The whole time, Alaria was glaring at her and smirking,, as if she knew something that Arianna didn't. "Very well, slave. Now, tell me about our hierarchy." Alaria commanded, staring Arianna down. Being the stubborn girl she was, Arianna stared her in the eyes in a challenging way. "Your king, Alexander Cagle, runs everything in every vampiric city that your race destroyed in order to control."

                             Alaria narrowed her eyes at Arianna and growled lowly. "Continue." She hissed and Arianna smirked smugly. "Then there is the prince, Lucian, and princess, Amelia." Alaria continued to glare at Arianna, her cat-like features seemingly more prominent. Arianna seemed to pause a moment, her earlier discovery sinking in. "Then there are your filthy little region rulers, second from the king and his family," Arianna inhaled sharply and exhaled slowly. "Nicholas and Sebastian Michaels." She whispered and Alaria grinned. "Good girl." She purred and stood. "And what exactly are region rulers, my little rogue?" Alaria placed a hand on Arianna's shoulder and squeezed, leaning forward. "They, um," Arianna exhaled slowly to calm her heart rate. "They ensure the countries are in proper condition and all cities run well before reporting to the king." Alaria chuckled and squeezed harder before releasing her. "See, that wasn't hard now, was it?"

                                   Arianna sneered at Alaria and began to stare at the book in front of her. It was old, probably published a few months after vampires had taken over the world. "And do you know why we took over, dearest rogue?" she asked, her voice sharp. "Because you are all greedy bastards?" Alaria snarled and smacked Arianna, sending the girl flying. She hit a pillar with a yelp and lied there. She struggled to inhale and when she did, it sent a sharp pain throughout her ribs and spine. "Don't you ever disrespect us that way you pathetic little rat!" Alaria spat, kicking Arianna and holding against the wall with her foot. "Or I can assure you, I will make your life a living hell." Arianna wheezed out a laugh. "What? Even more than it already is?" Alaria snarled and gathered her belongings, storming from the mansion. Arianna chuckled but whimpered, clutching her ribs. It felt as if one cracked, which wouldn't have surprised her.

                              "Master Nicholas would like to see you." Arianna looked up and saw it was the man from earlier, smiling meekly. "That's cool and all but uh, could you possibly help me? I think demon lady cracked a rib." He looked hesitant but walked forward, carefully lifting Arianna up. The pain reverberated throughout her body and she whimpered, holding her rib. It was a struggle to breathe as they made their way to Nicholas's office but she was grateful once she was able to sit down. Sitting relieved some of the pain she felt but it still hurt like hell. "You know, you have a lot of spunk." He began, never once looking up from papers. Arianna scoffed but it proved to hurt her even more so. "Come here." He instructed, his blue eyes meeting hers. Arianna sat there a moment longer, unsure whether to trust him or not but, she decided to stand and make her way to him. Nicholas lifted her shirt and stared at her ribs, his free hand rubbing his strong chin.

                           Arianna took this time to finally get a good look at him. He had strong facial features but they were gentle as he looked more closely at her ribs. He had plump lips and upon closer inspection, she could see a fang pursing his lower lip. Her eyes moved upwards and she noted his hair was brunette and went slightly below his ears and curled in the slightest. It fit him, it really looked nice. He poked a rib bone and Arianna whined, balling her fists. "There we are. Now, it seems you'll need to rest." He muttered. "But, after your lessons for today. I'll cancel the next few etiquette lessons but Mrs. Vulca will still be coming." Arianna groaned, causing Nicholas to raise an eyebrow in curiosity. "Did you not hear the lovely conversation?" She asked sarcastically and he chuckled. "I heard some." He admitted. "You are quite the outspoken rogue, aren't you? To be quite honest with you, I found it amusing. Every human I have ever met is terrified of her and here you are, talking up to her, as if she were nothing. Amazing."

                   Arianna sneered through a grimace and looked away from him. "Of course, vampires don't scare me." Nicholas raised an eyebrow and smirked challengingly. "I see? So, nothing about us scares you? Not even a little bit?" Arianna shrugged. "You are all the same, despite your classes. You all are murderers, nothing else." Nicholas chuckled and stood, backing Arianna into a bookshelf. Her heart rate spiked, only a second before she controlled herself, staring up at Nicholas. "So, it doesn't scare that in a blink of an eye, I can tear you limb from limb? That I can drain your life from your body in seconds?" Arianna's breathing hitched in her throat but her eyes remained defiant. "You really are a stubborn little rogue." He whispered and snatched up her wrists, squeezing them. "I think I will enjoy your little burst of stubbornness. But, I can assure you that you will break at one point or another." Arianna rolled her eyes and smirked. "Whatever you say."