Qrow.

Chapter 30 | Contracts

Vampires could learn to live in the light but no matter what, they'll always feel more comfortable in the dark. It's their serenity. The lights were completely out in Micah's quarters, with the exception of one candle. His room was small, as you'd expect from a servant. It was still a Hell of a lot bigger than where he grew up in New Orleans, or where he lived in the underworld before it was frozen over.

Finch's visit was short, considering how late it was. There wasn't much he could do anyways aside from offering pain medication and a treatment for all the cuts. Paris took a piece of cloth soaked in the solution the doctor had given him and started to gently clean out the wounds on Micah's face. 

"Uhm... Your shirt..." He shyly stammered out, noting the tears in the fabric.

Micah pulled his shirt up over his head and tossed it back on the bed. "A shame. I hate it when a perfectly good uniform is ruined. Hm, what's the matter? Why are you being so reserved?"

His delicate hands pressed the cloth into one of the cuts on his chest. He was always shy, but Micah's bare chest was something he'd seen plenty of times before. "I'm not sure... Maybe, it's just because it's been awhile."

"Or maybe," Micah took the smaller vampire's dainty hand in his, "It's because you've found love in someone else."

Paris tensed up and pulled his hand away. "No... He doesn't love me. I can tell he's trying, I am too, but I just can't feel for him, what I feel for you..." He turned towards the small dresser in the room and set down the rag he'd been using. "I'm sorry. I know you don't want me to-"

"It's not that I don't want you to love me." He quickly responded, "It's that I can't let myself love you, and it's not fair to you to force you to be in a one sided relationship. I could never be with you because of reasons I can't tell you."

"Is it your pact? Is that why?" He asked, desperate to have some form of clarity.

Micah sighed, "Yes. I'm sorry. I'm not allowed to tell anyone the details of my contract, as I'm sure yours is the same way. But, know that when my contract is complete, there would be nothing left of me to love." He set his fingertips beneath Paris' chin, raising his head, "I wouldn't want you to fall in love with someone that you couldn't have in the afterlife. Isn't that the point of love? To have a mate for an eternity?"

"Why do you automatically assume I'll have an afterlife if you don't?" 

The dominant was stunned for a moment, "I... I guess I never... I never thought of that... Do you?"

"You two have been rather chatty tonight." Jasper suddenly spoke from the doorway, startling them both.

Paris instinctively fell into Micah's chest upon the scare. His long back hair fell over his face gracefully. "We're sorry, Master." He murmured.

He smiled, seeming almost amused. "That's quite alright. I'm rather glad to see you've abandon any efforts to give yourself to Mr. Sitkowski. That would've only been a path filled with heartbreak and struggle. Now, as far as you two are concerned..."

"I can only imagine you wouldn't be too pleased with two of your servants fooling around." Micah replied.

"If it bothered me, it would've ended already. You know I know everything. That's part of the reason I came here when I did. It's about time I informed you two of the other's contract, so you can stop with this nonsense and move forward. Many years ago, Micah got himself into quite a bit of trouble with a voodoo man. He lost his soul for quite some time.

The deal we made was I would return his soul to him and offer him a safe home, where none of his past demons could come for him. In return, he would serve me until the day he dies, and when he does die, I get to consume his soul. One that has seen so much wear as his will make a divine feast.