Chapter 6 The Vampire's Mansion

Eleanor's POV:

"This was Donovan's house, bought with my money after he betrayed me," Sebastian remarked casually. "He never truly cared for the place."

The dim lighting cast eerie shadows across the room, illuminating swirling dust particles. I noticed scratches on the walls and stains on the floor, and suddenly remembered nights of being held down, forced to offer my veins. A chill crawled up my spine. I hugged my arms tightly, trying to banish the unwelcome memories, wondering what connection Sebastian had to Donovan.

Sebastian led me upstairs and stopped at a door, pushing it open. "This is your room," he said. I almost thought I'd misheard.

I stepped inside hesitantly. The room was simple but so much larger than my basement cell. And it had a window—a real window! I couldn't stop myself from rushing toward it, gazing out at the lawn and the trees in the distance. Moonlight bathed the landscape in a silvery glow, and I could see stars—actual stars—twinkling in the night sky.

"I can see outside!" The words escaped before I could stop them. I immediately felt embarrassed by my childlike reaction.

Sebastian didn't mock me. He just nodded, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. I ran my fingers along the window frame, thinking this might be the greatest gift I'd received in the past decade.

We continued our tour through the mansion. With each empty room we passed, I mentally calculated how long it would take to clean everything. Sebastian briefly commented on each room's purpose while I silently imagined what they could become.

The kitchen had surprisingly modern appliances, though they were buried under dust. Despite this, I was already planning what meals I could prepare there.

When we entered the library, I couldn't contain my excitement—shelves upon shelves of books, even if they were coated in dust! My hand reached out instinctively toward a spine, then quickly withdrew as I remembered my place.

Sebastian noticed. "You can use these books freely," he said. Those simple words nearly made me jump with joy.

In the lamp-lit study, Sebastian explained his plans for me.

I sat in the armchair across from Sebastian, hands clasped tightly on my knees, trying to control my trembling.

"Eleanor," Sebastian began, his voice velvet-smooth yet commanding, "starting tonight, your life will change."

My throat tightened, only able to respond softly, "Yes, master."

"First," he leaned forward slightly, "you will complete your high school education, and perhaps even consider college afterward."

I jerked my head up, not believing my ears. "C-college?"

"Of course," the corner of his mouth lifted slightly, "you're intelligent and hardworking. You deserve this opportunity."

My heart pounded wildly in my chest, blood roaring in my ears. School—real school, not stolen textbooks and midnight self-teaching.

"In exchange," Sebastian continued, "you will be my daytime servant. Responsible for cleaning the mansion, handling daytime affairs." He paused, "A vast improvement over your previous life."

I nodded, a warm rush of gratitude flooding through me. "I'll work hard, master. I promise."

"I know you will." His voice remained even, "You'll receive payment for your work. Tomorrow you'll learn about your responsibilities as my servant."

My fingers twisted together unconsciously. "I'll... I'll be ready."

Sebastian pulled a small black box from a drawer and pushed it toward me. "This is for you."

I hesitantly took the box, opening it to find a shiny black card with my name printed on it: Eleanor Green.

"What is this?" I asked, confused.

"A credit card," he explained, his mouth quirking upward, "tomorrow you need to purchase new clothes and other necessities. I'll arrange for you to start school as soon as possible."

I nodded, feeling my eyes grow damp. "Thank you, master. I... I don't know what to say."

"Good," he said softly, "Tomorrow morning we'll get everything arranged. You can go shopping afterward. Now, you should rest."

I woke the next morning in the soft bed, realizing I'd slept peacefully through the night—no nightmares, no interruptions. Early morning light filtered through the curtains, and for a few seconds, I had to remember where I was. This wasn't the basement; this was my room.

I stretched luxuriously, savoring the unfamiliar comfort of the plush mattress beneath me. For the first time in years, I hadn't needed to rise before dawn to prepare breakfast for my family. The feeling was almost intoxicating—safety, comfort, and the simple luxury of waking naturally.

Just as I was basking in this surreal happiness, a sharp, rhythmic knock at the door interrupted my thoughts.

I hurried out of bed, still wearing the same old t-shirt and worn sweatpants I'd arrived in—the only clothes I owned—and nervously went to open the door.

Standing outside was a slender young man with immaculately styled dark hair that shimmered under the hallway lights. He had sharp, elegant features and perfectly manicured eyebrows that arched dramatically as his gaze swept over me from head to toe.

"Oh honey, no," he said, his voice musical but laden with judgment as he pressed a hand to his chest. "Sebastian sent me to transform you from... whatever this tragic ensemble is... into someone who actually looks like they belong in this house." He stepped into the room without waiting for an invitation, the subtle scent of expensive cologne wafting in with him. "I'm Adrian, Vivienne's personal assistant. And clearly, I've arrived just in time."

I tightened the fabric of my t-shirt between my fingers, nervously fidgeting with the worn hem as heat crept up my neck. "Vivienne?"

"Vivienne Blackwood," Adrian enunciated slowly, eyes widening for dramatic effect. "Only the most respected blood broker in this entire city." He circled me like a fashion predator, occasionally making little tsking sounds that made my skin prickle with embarrassment. "She manages all legitimate transactions between vampires and willing blood donors. And she has standards, darling. Standards that—" he pinched the sleeve of my t-shirt between two fingers, "—these sad little rags are failing spectacularly to meet."

I stepped back, crossing my arms over my chest defensively. The movement made my long black hair fall forward, partially shielding my face.

"That posture!" Adrian gasped, clapping his hands together. "We have so much work to do. Now I understand why Sebastian specifically instructed me to take you shopping immediately." He pulled out his phone, perfectly manicured fingers tapping furiously across the screen. "The Master has excellent taste in real estate and investments, but clearly his new... project... needs my expertise."

My face instantly burned at being called a "project," and I felt my silver-gray eyes stinging with the threat of tears. "I... I only have these clothes."

"Evidently." Adrian rolled his eyes dramatically before his expression softened just a fraction. "Don't worry, little dove. By the end of today, you'll look like you actually belong in this mansion instead of like someone's forgotten laundry." His smile was dazzling but still held a hint of sharpness.

My throat tightened as I gathered my courage to ask the question that had been haunting me. "So, Vivienne... is she the one who introduces minors like me to vampire clients?"

The playfulness drained from Adrian's face so quickly I took an instinctive step back. His eyes, previously sparkling with mischief, turned deadly serious.

"Never," he said firmly, all trace of flamboyance gone. "Vivienne maintains nothing but the highest ethical standards. Every donor is a consenting adult, meticulously screened and generously compensated." His eyes narrowed as they swept over my threadbare clothes and the faded bruises on my arms. "Whatever backroom operation your... charming parents... forced you into has absolutely nothing to do with Vivienne's business."