Chapter 6: Under Contract

The process of creating the contract to work for Lord Hunt took a little longer than Charlotte would have liked for it to. She was in Mr. Mosey's office for at least another hour and a half, just going over paperwork and signing things. He gave her a long winded explanation as to what she would be expected to do while working for Lord Hunt. These were all things that Charlotte had already learned by talking with Shayla. Of course, she couldn't just tell him that because it wouldn't take the legal part of it out.

These agencies and these contracts were all developed so that vampires could be regulated just like any other citizen. It was to keep them under close watch so they just didn't go on killing sprees like they might have in years passed. The idea of it was to protect human life and keep the vampire population under control, while appeasing those who were intrigued by vampires. Regardless of its reason, it didn't make Charlotte feel any better about going through the process.

When all the official business had been taken care of, Mr. Mosey set up a scheduled meeting with Lord Hunt. The intent was to introduce her to him before passing along all the finished paperwork. He could decline to take her on as well, just as any employer could deny hiring someone, but Mr. Mosey made it sound as though Lord Hunt had never done that before.

It was a thought that stuck in the back of her mind after the two departed the agency. Lord Hunt already had met her once and he had dismissed her just as quickly. Charlotte was a little worried that for the first time, he might turn away someone who wanted to work for him. But she kept those worries to herself and tried to keep herself composed while they made their approach to the castle gates.

They were greeted at the gates by another servant, one she didn't recognize and let into the castle grounds. The pair didn't get far beyond the entrance. In fact, they were stopped in the entrance hall where Charlotte had met Lord Hunt just a couple days ago. This was likely because it made it easier to turn around and escort any unwanted guests out of the castle. That fact only made her all the more anxious.

"This was rather unexpected." The smooth, low voice of Lord Hunt rang out from atop one of the staircases.

"Yes, sorry for the sudden drop in. My newest client wanted to meet with you as soon as possible," Mr. Mosey said.

An answer to that statement didn't come right away. Instead, the vampire lord descended the staircase to their left. He stopped once he reached the bottom, a hand resting on the railing. Even outside of the party attire he wore the night she met him, he looked beautiful as ever. This time, his auburn hair was pulled into a loose, low ponytail which draped over his shoulder and directed the hair down his chest on one side. While the tailcoat was missing, he was still dressed in a neatly pressed gray button up shirt, which was carefully folded up to his elbows.

"Allow me to introduce you to–" Mr. Mosey continued when Lord Hunt didn't respond, his sentence was cut short.

"Ah, Miss Barnes," Lord Hunt cut in. A knowing smile came across his features then and his dark, crimson colored eyes flickered over to her. "A pleasure seeing you again."

"You've met before?" Mr. Mosey asked, sounding surprised.

"Yes, we met the night of the ball," Charlotte answered with a nod, she didn't take her eyes off the vampire lord.

"Well, that will make this easier. Lord Hunt, Miss Barnes has signed a contract wishing to come work for you–" Mr. Mosey began again.

Lord Hunt finally tore his gaze away from hers to glance over towards the agent. "I will sign the agreement." He said, once again cutting Mr. Mosey off.

His quick response had Charlotte a little surprised. She thought for certain that once he realized who she was, he wouldn't want anything to do with her. Yet, he instead hastily agreed to allow her to come work for him. It was a curious thing and only added to the mystery that was Lord Hunt. What could he possibly be thinking that he would agree to allow her on his castle grounds so quickly?

In the time that she stood trying to figure out what could be going through his mind, Lord Hunt had already signed the agreement to her employment with him. When it was done, Mr. Mosey just thanked him and was escorted back through the entrance by the same servant that had let them in. Before she could wrap her head around everything that was going on, it was already done. Now, she was left alone with Lord Hunt and this time she was under contract with him.

An official servant of the vampire lord before her. She would be expected to complete whichever tasks he assigned to her for the day. From what Shayla had made it sound, those tasks usually just included castle upkeep. Then a different servant each night would be selected to give their blood to Lord Hunt. It probably made it easy to cycle through a dozen, without having to ask the same person twice in a short period of time.

"No, no need," Lord Hunt addressed the servant once they returned from escorting Mr. Mosey out.

The servant in question had started towards Charlotte, seemingly ready to show her around or something of that nature. But the vampire lord caught him before he made it too close to her. At his word, the man that led her in, stopped and gave a short nod of acknowledgement to Lord Hunt before he stepped out of the room. Charlotte was left watching after the servant, wondering if his task had been completed for the day or if it had just been something that had been tacked on with the unexpected visit.

"I will be showing you around," Lord Hunt explained, drawing Charlotte out of her thoughts once more.

"Oh okay," Charlotte responded. She tried to keep her curiosity and confusion out of her tone.

"I'm sure Mr. Mosey has gone over with you the nature of work my servants perform? I don't expect anything more than that. You'll be offered a place to stay here, if you wish, but it is not a requirement that you take it. Once a day, one of you will be required to give your blood, but it will be done so in a professional manner. Do you have any concerns thus far, Miss Barnes?" Lord Hunt said. With the mention of her name, those intense crimson eyes found her again.

"Do you tell which one of us at the start of the day will be expected to offer their blood to you?" Charlotte questioned.

His smile returned as it had whenever he greeted her. "Of course. Tasks are given at the start of each day, so you'll be prepared when the time comes. Once the task of the day is finished, the castle grounds are yours to roam and you may come and go freely."

"That's awfully gracious of a Lord who doesn't seem fond of opening his gates too often," Charlotte replied with a coy smile of her own.

His stride stopped suddenly at her words and he turned on his heel towards her. Charlotte barely had time to react before the vampire was just a few steps away from her. For an instant, there was a dangerous flash in his eyes while he loomed over her. A bit of information she had gotten from the locals seemed to strike a cord in him. This man truly was someone who didn't want anyone to know much about who he was or his past.

With that glint in his eyes, Charlotte couldn't help but to take a couple steps away from him as though to ease the closeness between them now. He didn't move towards her again, nor did he raise a hand to her or anything of that nature, but that look was enough to tell her that he didn't like hearing that comment. Or perhaps this was just a means to get his point across, she didn't know.

"I enjoy my privacy, that is all. As such the only parts of the castle you're not permitted to enter are my chambers, my study and the gardens," Lord Hunt spoke carefully and intently, watching her with every word. "Is that clear?"

"Yes, of course. I will keep that in mind," Charlotte replied and offered him a small apologetic smile.

"Very good. Then come, there's much I have to show you, still." Lord Hunt replied with a nod. Just like that, he turned away from her and motioned for her to continue to follow him almost as though he hadn't just given her a warning look moments ago.

It was to drive a point home. He didn't want to be bothered until he felt like it was necessary or for special occasions. It worked to make her feel nervous, but it didn't quash her curiosity any. Charlotte still wanted to learn more about him and why he was so secretive. There had to be a story here that he wasn't telling. A story that probably tied into the history of Willow Creek, based on what she had been able to learn about him so far.