the auction

Chapter 6

As Vlad put the dishes away, he smirked at the disgruntled teen. This was just too delightful. Whoever made this collar and remote to control him was one clever ghost who needed to be awarded a medal. Having Danny in his control filled Vlad with a sense of completeness and satisfaction. He didn't want to change the young halfa; quite the opposite! He loved his stubborn pride and attitude; it made the teen unique and interesting. That's why the threat to press the blue button was a bluff, but the young hybrid didn't need to know that, now did he? At least for now. Maybe when he proved himself to be an obedient and well trained pet he would tell him.

By the looks of it, they had a long way to go. It didn't matter, Vlad had no intention of letting the young hybrid go. Ever. He just needed to get young Danny to see that staying with him was the best choice. Walking over to the halfa, Vlad took a moment to admire him. He was well built for his age, though that's something that comes along with fighting ghosts for so many years. His hair looked soft and silky. Those blue eyes shined with determination and defiance; clearly trying to not let the billionaire get to him with this whole control he had over him. The man loved it.

"Come along pet, I have something for us to do." Vlad informed the teen as he stroked the lightly tanned cheek.

Danny angrily slapped Vlad's hand away. "Don't touch me!" he hissed.

Vlad's eyes narrowed dangerously. The boy had some nerve. He clearly lacked discipline. "That will cost you." His tone was low as his blazing blue eyes watched the teen squirm nervously. "Stand up and follow me."

It felt lovely to have the young hybid follow him like some sort of puppy. An angry, scowling, little adorable puppy who Vlad wanted to kiss. He would get a chance to soon enough, but right now they needed to focus on something else. He led them to a part of the mansion Danny had not been into before during his last few visits. It was in the basement ground level. There was a big white door that required a pass code. Vlad put it in then walked into the giant room.

To the man's amusement and pleasure, Danny was looking around the room in awe. It was his own personal training room where he spent a good amount of his years in, mastering his ghost form and human body. There were impressive looking equipment displayed around and ready for use. It seemed Vlad's intent finally clicked in the teen's head because his eyes widen in realization and his shoulders stiffened.

"Listen up, little badger." Vlad began before Danny could mouth a protest. "I will train you. You have no control over your ghost powers yet. I have watched you grow and develop better at using them, but you are still nowhere near the skill level you should be at. I am the only one who can help you perfect and master yourself."

"I won't do it. I'm not going to let you train me and become your evil apprentice!" Danny replied as he narrowed his eyes dangerously.

Danny always was the dramatic sort, wasn't he? Vlad rolled his eyes. "This has nothing to do with becoming my evil apprentice. You're already my pet." He smirked at the look of anger and hatred in those fiery blue eyes. "So if I want to make you do something that goes against your moral code, I'm afraid you won't have much say in the matter."

The teen's body began to shake with anger. Vlad licked his lips. Really, it was so easy to rile him up and so much fun too, but now they had to get started. He switched to his ghost form. Giving Danny a stern look, the young halfa seemed to realize it was pointless and reluctantly followed. The older half ghost gave a pleased smirk. Danny was slowly breaking.

"Let's begin." He ordered, flying straight at him.

Surprisingly, Danny did pretty well considering it was his first of many sessions. The teen still needed training on keeping a sharp eye on openings and better help on his defense, but that was all expected. Vlad just wanted to know where he stood and then go from there. Of course, Vlad had been brutal. He injured the teen relentlessly, not daring to go easy on him because if he did it would accomplish nothing. Vlad was sure Danny could handle it and he did. Near the end of their session, Danny was on the ground on all fours; battered and bruised. His body shook as hot pants escaped his lips.

Lowering himself to the ground, Vlad transformed back to his human half and squat down to the teen's level to see how he was fairing. Blood dripped from the forehead down to his chin. Rough bruises were forming on the pretty neck and his hair was mussed up. Smiling, Vlad lifted the teen's chin with one finger. "You did well," Vlad praised, pressing a feather light kiss on the swollen cheek. Danny flinched and moved away. For now, he allowed it. "Can you get up?"

With a weak nod, Danny shakily got onto his feet. He looked utterly exhausted, which was good. That was the whole point to this. As they walked towards another room Vlad used for healing, he heard the teen switch back to his human self. Luckily the room wasn't far so they didn't have to walk so long. Once in the room, Vlad patted the bed in the center of the room. Danny obediently sat down on the spot. Vlad went over to his supplies and took out what he needed. Walking towards the teen, Vlad opened up a tube of ointment.

A smell came from the ointment as Vlad put it on his hand. Danny wrinkled his nose in disgust. "What is that?" He asked, staring at the pink goo in the palm of the older hybrid's hand with distrust.

Vlad chuckled at the look. "Something to help with your bruises and burns. It's fast and effective." He gently placed his hand on the teen's arm while using the other to place the cool cream onto the bruise adoring his neck. Danny flinched on the contact, clearly not wanting to be touched but knowing asking to apply it himself would be dismissed. He was right. A hiss escaped the young hybrid's lips when the ointment was applied on the bruises. "I know, it'll burn for a bit but it gets better." Danny looked surprised. He probably didn't expect the man to sound so sympathetic. Vlad almost smiled but kept his cool façade up.

He applied the ointment on all the burns and bruises. As much as the idea of marking Danny thrilled him, he didn't want it to be like this. He wanted to mark him in another way. A feral grin appeared on his lips as he thought of sinking his teeth into the tempting flesh. Danny seemed to shrink in on himself when he saw the predatory look on the older man's face. Whoops.

"That works great." Danny commented with a small sigh.

"It should." Vlad muttered, closing the cap on the tube and putting it away. That sigh had sent pleasurable shivers up his spine. "I invested on it to work the way it should." With a light smile, he placed a strand of the teen's loose hair behind his ear. Danny glared at him for the gesture.

"Shouldn't you put some of that stuff on?"

"Why, Daniel, I didn't know you were concerned about me." The teen shut up. Grinning, Vlad explained, "I try not to depend on it. It's best to get accustomed to being injured and letting our ghost half heal the body naturally. Sometimes it can use a little help though, which is why I allowed you to use the ointment. Don't get used to it."

Nodding his head, Danny hopped off the bed. Vlad led them out of the room. "Hey Vlad?" the teen asked as they walked down the hallway.

"Yes?"

"Can I go play video games or something? If you have any."

Vlad paused in his walking and looked back towards the teen. Just what was he thinking, asking him if he could do something that would keep him away from the man? Well, he did surprisingly well in his training. Perhaps he earned a bit of freedom. It wasn't as if he could escape anyway and he'd be foolish to try. Vlad would notice immediately. And the boy did ask permission… "Go ahead. The room on the second floor, door second to the left, will have what you need to entertain yourself. You have one hour to enjoy yourself."

The young hybrid whined. "Only an hour?"

Vlad narrowed his eyes in warning. "Would you like to make it only 15 minutes?" he threatened.

With a sigh, Danny shook his head and without another protest, walked to the second floor. With a satisfied grin, Vlad headed towards his study. He had some research he needed to do anyway.

He'd have the teen back at his side in no time.