5. Chapter Five.

Things weren't what they seemed to be or used to be, but suddenly reality had started to set in, and I was more than aware of this and was beginning to accept it.

What appeared to be fiction in this universe, I now questioned. If vampires were real, other made-up stories might also be as genuine as they come.

In my bed, cuddling I was lost as to how I was feeling just now. Should I accept reality as it is now, or should I keep fighting until I managed to get away?

Perhaps I could gain the confidence of others so that, once I had their support, I could make my getaway.

"Catherine?" I sat up.

"Hmm?" She hummed softly suggesting that I carry on.

"Hmm?" She quietly hummed, encouraging me to keep going.

"Now that I've conclusively proven vampires exist, Are fairies and werewolves real, too?" I inquired because I was genuinely curious.

"We vampires and werewolves have fought each other for a very long time, but I've never heard of a fairy being real." She laughed out loud.

"Who won the battles between werewolves and vampires? She took my hand and sat down on the bed next to me as I asked.

"Werewolves are extremely vicious creatures who can strike out quickly and with great force, yet when compared to vampires, they are viewed as inferior. We have the benefit of ripping out their throats before they even realize our vicious attack because a vampire is far faster than a werewolf." She couldn't wait to share the stories.

"I apologize if I'm bothering you with so many inquiries, but I'm a little lost and need some clarity." I told her that.

"Just feel free to ask. Let me first put an end to all wild myths about vampires. Are vampires afraid of the sun and silver? Regrettably, yes. Are vampires actually cold blooded? No, unlike what you might think, we have warm blood. Are we immortals? Not at all; we have a lifespan of five hundred years." She showered.

"Possibly transforming into bats? Definitely not! Is it possible for us to recover quickly? Most definitely!" I instantly interrupted her as she tried to come up with more questions.

"That's all well and good, but yesterday I met a maid who stated my vampire or kindred will explain to me what being claimed is. Up until now, I've been able to deduce that Vamp is just a shorthand for vampire, but what does Kindred mean and what does it mean to be claimed?" Curious, I asked an inquiry.

It is reasonable to assume that learning about them couldn't injure me any more than it already has because I already knew too much about their existence and they wouldn't let me leave.

"Well, first of all, a Vamp and a Kindred are technically the same thing, but a Kindred mainly refers to that of the Vampire who has claimed a human and is now your owner or to whom you belong as a pet in which case no other Vampire can ever hurt you in any capacity even if they wanted to," Catherine continued to elaborate.

"Why don't you have a pet?" From what I've concluded thus far, I was somewhat Vince's pet.

"I did but he died in circumstances I'm not willing to say just yet." Catherine tensed while blushing before continuing the conversation.

Strange.

"A claim, in terms of vampires, is comparable to a bite from one, signifying that you are now their possession and that any harm done by that pet by someone who is not authorized to touch them, then this could result in their execution. It's always preferable to claim a human once you become because failing to do so could result in their death, a few of Vince's pet unfortunately suffered this fate." Catherine stopped before continuing.

"A claim doesn't turn you into a Vampire unless the Vampire decides to. A human pet and a vampire can also share some rather intimate moments while the pet feeds it's Vampire too." All of the information I have heard so far has piqued my interest.

"Intimate?" I blushed looking away.

"Yes, most vampires have the ability to control dreams, including those of newly born vampires or claimed humans, to play with a person's body in an intimate way. However, only their own Kindred are capable of doing this. Sometimes vampires will do this to guard, mate, or have sex with them. Other times, they will do this while drinking their blood because it is more thrilling and exciting that way. It is also possible for a vampire to be intimate with their claimed human pet without having actual sex." Catherine was openly taunting me, so I left it at that.

I almost vomited hearing her disturbing words about having sex with a damn Vampire.

"However, Vampire's are unable to cancel someone's past memories. Some vampires also have the power to control the minds of their pets or claimed humans. It helps them get what they want out of pets. While most vampires don't need to gaze into the target's eyes when they compel them, a few do." She fessed up further.

God only knows I'm glad I wasn't involved in that with Vince. Despite the fact that he wasn't ugly, I was never going to become intimate to a stranger, especially a blood sucking stranger.

"You claimed that people who choose not to be marked invariably end up being killed. What do you mean by this? And will this put me in harm's way?" I enquired with confusion.

"When a human gets bitten, its Kindred can track them wherever they go, thus some people choose foolishly not to take the risk. While some vampires like to give people a second chance, not all of us are gentle souls. Your freedom to be exploited or even killed by any vampire once unclaimed means that there are no restrictions. Unfortunately, Vince's prior human decided against being claimed, and when he was away on an assignment for a few days, she was attacked."

When I learned the terrible news about Vince's former pet, I gasped. I was now in her predicament.

"Does that imply I won't survive?" My chest started to pound painfully once more.

"No, Vince and I have agreed that going forward, one of us will look out for you, and nothing will ever happen to you," She said, My fears were allayed by Catherine.

"Nevertheless, given that he is unable to seize me and consume my blood, won't Vince need to find another human to feed on? In that case, what will Vince do with me?" Instinctively, I placed my palm on my chest and sobbed.

"As I stated before no harm will come to you Isabella. Vince and I have made a pack to take turns ensuring that no one harms you. You should be fine in this room as well once the door is locked and.....Vince and prince Salvatore I can assure you will surely come up with a solution regarding you soon. Salvatore might seem like a scary guy but he's not all that heartless." I nodded my head taking her words for it and not pushing the topic further.

What is probably in place for me, I'd prefer not to know. My concern for passing away had just come to an end. Concerning surviving a subsequent horrendous trial was too much for me to bear so soon again.

"What about the prince?" I asked, almost blushing; I had already started to blush just thinking about how attractive he was.

"What about him?" Catherine sung in a feminine tone, perhaps patronising me.

"Why is he referred to as Prince?"

"Why don't we discuss how you openly gawked at him, but don't worry, practically everyone does," She suggested, before I sighed more gravely than ever, she laughed.

"Talking about the Prince isn't appropriate, in my opinion." Kate stopped responding.

"Why not?" She had just minutes earlier seemed anxious to tell everything, so I promptly questioned.

"Well, that's a sensitive subject, and the prince has unmatched hearing, so he can tell when someone is spreading rumours about him. Normally, we don't discuss him. Leave those topics alone if at all possible." Before rising, she remained silent.

This simply increased my interest in that particular vampire. My entire body was driven to make sure that I was fully aware of these things. I felt like ice and fire. Although I was aware that if I dove too far, I might get burned, I still prayed that he would be there to, without a doubt, calm and sooth my intense need to come to know him both spiritually and physically.