Chapter 3 Sold to an Old Vampire

Eleanor's POV

Better for them, perhaps. For me, it was just another predator, another set of fangs, another night of being consumed.

"Wear the blue dress," she instructed. "And do something elegant with your hair. This one appreciates... refinement."

In the basement shower, I tried to wash away the chill of selling myself to an ancient vampire. Mother said most donors were confident, but my clients preferred my fear—vampires savored terror.

Once I washed, shaved, brushed, and dressed myself, I was ready to go. I went back to the living room as my mother was opening the door. My stomach twisted and I bit my lips together. I really hated feeding vampires.

"What's your name?" she asked.

"Sebastian," he answered.

"Please come in, Sebastian. I'm Lydia. We've been expecting you." Mom smiled as if he were just coming to visit.

"Thank you." He bowed and entered the house.

When he stepped into the living room, I could see him more clearly. My breath caught—fear and something else making my pulse quicken. He looked about twenty, slightly taller than my dad, but his presence filled the room with an icy authority that made Derek's oily charm seem pathetic.

His silver-white hair gleamed under the lights, styled with precision that spoke of centuries. His skin was pale with an underlying warmth, suggesting a darker complexion in his human life. My eyes traced his broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist, the expensive fabric draping perfectly over his frame.

I couldn't see his eyes behind his sunglasses, but I felt his predatory gaze. I instinctively lowered my head, making myself smaller as my heart hammered against my ribs.

He was starving. I'd seen this before. Clients who came wearing glasses were always hiding the red tint to their eyes that came when they hadn't fed in too long. When they came to me like that, they were always rougher and less likely to numb the area they would bite. My throat went dry at the thought, and I fought to keep my breathing steady.

I fought the shiver of fear. When they were rough I had to wear high necked shirts and long sleeves. Feeding a starving vampire was not how I wanted to spend my evening. What if he got carried away?

Donovan Benedict said no one tasted as good as I did and it was hard to feed on anyone else after seeing me. I was sure he meant it as a compliment, but it only scared me more.

It was happening more and more often with my regular clients. I was afraid someone would drain me one night because of that. That was one of my biggest fears.

"This is my husband Derek," Mom introduced Dad.

"Nice to meet you, Sebastian." Dad smiled.

"Indeed," the vampire replied coolly. "Where are we having our feeding, Ms. Lydia?"

Mom hadn't fed a vampire in ten years. Whenever they came, it was usually because they wanted me. I had to bite my lips together to not laugh at the look on her face. Laughing would lose my chance at dinner tomorrow night.

"Oh... umm... I thought you were referred to us. Were you not? Goodness, this is awkward," Mom hummed.

"What is awkward? I haven't eaten in a while and I need something. Getting off the waitlist for a rare type like you was a relief. Now, where shall we do this?" he asked.

"No. Umm... the thing is, nobody wants an old thing like me anymore. My blood's nothing special. But my Eleanor here—" Mom pointed to me with a salesman's flourish, "—her blood is something else. Sweet, rich, potent. That's what clients usually pay extra for. A real delicacy, they tell me."

The vampire turned. He was probably looking at me, but his expression didn't change at all. I walked closer to them. My dad pulled me by my arm once I was close enough and pushed me nearer to the vampire.

"Why would I want a child?" he inquired.

I was practically eighteen. Not a child in a lot of ways. Almost an adult in the eyes of the law. It offended me a little.

"She's seventeen. And she's a virgin," my mom said.

He scoffed. "You honestly believe the old wives tale that we prefer virgin blood?"

"No. But she scares easy because of it. She'd be terrified if you slipped your hand up her skirt while feeding. Imagine the flavor of her fear. It would be much better than an old woman's blood," Mom insisted.

My stomach twisted at her suggestion. His fist clenched for a moment. I didn't think Mom or Dad saw. I had no clue what was going on, but this man was a hard sell. Nothing my parents had ever experienced before. Usually they stopped pushing back once I was close enough for them to smell.

I was practically bouncing inside. He didn't want me! I might not have to get bitten tonight!

"And you feel that's worth me paying more than I've already paid for you? Why would you register with a blood broker if you didn't want to sell your blood, Ms. Lydia?" he asked.

"All of my clients were more interested in her. They say she's sweet and addictive. We've already had three offers to buy her when she turns eighteen," Mom told him.

My eyes widened and I turned to stare at my parents. They didn't even look ashamed. They looked pleased. Like that would convince him.

I hoped they were lying, but couldn't say anything. I wasn't allowed to speak unless spoken to. How could they sell me, like sell me, not just my blood?

Of course, they said I was evil, so it was probably always meant to be the plan. That's why they never talked to me about where I'd go. After Olive and Aurora went off to school, Eleanor fades away.

"How much were they offering?" he asked, bringing me out of my thoughts.

"The current high offer is one and a half million. If you want to try and out bid, we could be persuaded to give you your first taste of her free," my mom replied.

"Two million, if she's everything you say she is, and I take her tonight," the vampire stated.

"Agreed. Derek please show him to the study. I need to have a word with Eleanor," Mom directed.

"Yes, dear. Right this way." Dad said and turned to guide the vampire down the hall.

My mom stepped in front of me and grabbed me roughly by the shoulders. I wanted to beg her not to sell me, but I knew she'd just hit me and sell me anyway.

"This money will help Aurora and Olive. They'll each get five hundred thousand to cover any extra schooling they want and start their lives when they're done," she hissed at me, her eyes cold and calculating. "Don't you want that for them? After everything they've done for you? After all the times they defended you when you didn't deserve it?"