Chapter 4 Never Again

Eleanor's POV:

I was frozen. He said he would take me tonight. Despite everything, I still craved the warmth this broken family gave me.

Our birthdays were in October. Aurora and Olive always saved me some cake from theirs and slipped me little presents when our parents weren't looking. The thought of missing our eighteenth birthday—the milestone we'd dreamed about since we were children—made my chest physically ache.

Tears started filling my eyes. I felt like I couldn't breathe. Aurora said I wasn't evil like Mom and Dad insisted I was. She said I was better than everyone in the house. She wouldn't want me to leave.

"I... I can't," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "Please, at least let me stay until our birthday. Let me see them turn eighteen—"

The crack of her palm against my cheek echoed in the kitchen. My head snapped to the side, the sting bringing fresh tears to my eyes.

"Don't you dare try that disgusting act with me," Mother snarled, her face twisting with contempt. "From the second you were conceived, you've been nothing but a curse on them! On this entire family! Now when you finally have one chance to be useful instead of a burden, you show your true nature yet again. Revolting. Did you honestly think a demon-spawn like you has any right to stay under our roof? Or are you so deluded you believe you're worth more than what he's paying? ANSWER ME, NOW!"

She was right. I wasn't worth that much. I only took.

We'd spent the first few months of our lives in the NICU because of me. Mom's body couldn't carry us as long as we all needed. The doctors said she would have been able to carry Aurora and Olive for longer if I weren't there. Aurora almost died because of me.

"I was only thinking of how much I'd miss everyone, ma'am. I know I'm not worth nearly as much as he offered. I'll go feed him now," I murmured.

"Good. Get out of my sight." She sneered, and I turned to the hall.

As I neared the study, I felt like I was going to be sick. He would drain me. This vampire would buy me and drain me before I turned eighteen.

My life was ending tonight. I could feel it.

The door opened before I could wipe away my tears.

"There she is. Eleanor, this is Sebastian. I realized we hadn't officially introduced you two. Now, be good for him. I'll be in the living room with your mother." Dad closed the door behind him, leaving me alone with the vampire.

I kept my head down, a habit formed through years of survival. "Yes, sir," I replied softly.

The vampire stood motionless, studying me. Even without looking directly at him, I could feel the weight of his gaze.

"Were you crying?" His voice was unexpectedly gentle. "Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you."

My stomach twisted with anxiety. "Th-Thank you. Where would you like me for your feeding, sir?" I asked, hating how my voice trembled.

He sighed and removed his sunglasses. That's when I realized I was shaking uncontrollably. I hadn't been this terrified since my first time, at seven years old.

When I finally glanced up, I found myself staring into impossibly deep crimson eyes, ancient and powerful. The vampire's nostrils flared slightly as he inhaled, seeming to savor something in the air. His eyes lingered on me with an expression I couldn't interpret, and I felt an odd warmth rush through me—different from fear, more like an inexplicable pull.

"Your blood scent is quite extraordinary," he whispered, almost to himself. "No scars on you or your mother, skin so pale... interesting."

I bit down hard on my lower lip, every muscle in my body tensing as I fought to contain the terrified whimper building in my throat.

His crimson eyes narrowed, clearly sensing my fear. "You won't be feeding me. I ate earlier."

A small weight lifted from my chest—he wasn't going to bite me right now. But just as quickly, my stomach tightened into a painful knot. If he didn't want my blood...

"I'm s-sorry." I took a deep breath to steady my voice. "Did I do something wrong? Did you change your mind because of me? How can I fix it? Please." I couldn't keep the desperation from my voice.

He stepped closer. "What will happen if I don't buy you?"

I fought to stay calm as I felt the power radiating from him. "They'll be angry with me, lock me up, and keep taking offers until my birthday, I suppose. They'll sell me to the highest bidder. If you don't buy me... I can't bear to imagine what monster might claim me instead. Please..."

Sebastian went silent, his eyes unfathomable.

"You're coming with me," he finally said, his voice low but firm. "I want you to pack your things."

"Yes, sir," I stood, then hesitated. "But if I go out without bite marks, they'll know you didn't feed on me."

Sebastian had started toward the door, but paused at my words. He turned to face me.

"You're leaving tonight," he said firmly. "Don't worry about what they might do. I'll ensure your safety." His voice softened slightly. "At my home, you'll have more freedom, and never need to feed anyone again if you don't want to."

"Really? Never again?" Relief flooded my voice, though I noticed where his eyes were focused, creating a strange mix of anticipation and apprehension.

"Really, never again." He stepped back, seemingly forcing himself to create distance. "Now go. I don't want to stay here any longer, and we need to discuss some things before we reach my colonial mansion." He nodded toward the door.

I hurried out to gather some shopping bags for my belongings. Being a servant wouldn't be much different from my current life. Never feeding a vampire again—being safe—was all I truly wanted. I might not see my sister and brother again, but they'd be taken care of. I hoped this wasn't a trick to make me more compliant, but something about Sebastian made me trust him, despite what he was.

Ten minutes later, I'd packed my few possessions and written a goodbye note in black marker on the back of my door. Aurora would probably see it Monday after school. I simply wrote that I loved her and Olive and would see them again someday. I didn't mention I was leaving with a vampire—I didn't want her to worry, or to risk her searching for me. My new master might be kind to me, but I couldn't know how he'd react to discovering my siblings.

When I returned to the living room, my parents were smiling and shaking Sebastian's hand. I stood beside him, head down, waiting.