Chapter 2

Just as I drifted into a hazy sleep, the cross-shaped mark on the side of my neck suddenly burned intensely.

That mark had been left by the vampire count, Augustus Renault.

Whenever he needed me, he would summon me through the searing pain.

By the time I pushed open the heavy oak doors of the castle, the setting sun was casting shimmering colors through the stained glass.

In the great hall, Augustus lounged lazily on a velvet sofa.

He looked at me with a hint of amusement in his blood-red eyes.

"I haven't summoned you in three days, yet you seem to have held out pretty well."

"Your Excellency, you must've had your reasons," I replied calmly.

"Is that so?" Augustus suddenly reached out, grabbed the back of my neck, and pulled me closer. His nose nearly brushed against mine. "Then why did I hear you've been running errands for the elves and the werewolves these past several days? Leah, you've been quite busy."

I could feel his cold breath against my skin.

I didn't move away. "We signed a three-party contract. It's written clearly. I serve the other two races as well."

"I know." Augustus released me and leaned back. There was a flicker of displeasure in his eyes. "But I don't like you carrying someone else's scent. Go wash up. Change your clothes, then come back."

"Okay," I answered softly and turned around to leave.

The moment I stepped out of the hall, I ran into a stunning woman.

She was Lilian Langford, a noble vampiress who had been visiting the castle rather frequently these days.

She looked me up and down and covered her mouth before chuckling. "Leah, right? I've heard about you. You're the blood servant Augustus raised. Are you supplying him blood through a contract now?"

I didn't respond. I simply stepped aside to let her pass.

But Lilian didn't let me go. She leaned in and lowered her voice. "Do you know what Augustus says about you? The other night, when he was drunk, he told me–"

She paused deliberately. She was clearly pleased when my lashes trembled slightly.

"This is what he said. Leah? She's more obedient than the other blood servants I keep. The moment I summon her, she offers her wrist herself. I don't even have to bother trying to bite."

Lilian let out a chuckle. "Tell me, is that praise or an insult?"

Of course, it was an insult.

Although I knew I meant little to Augustus, my face still turned pale for a moment.

"Ms. Langford, if there's nothing else I can do for you, please excuse me."

With that, I fled.

When I reached the corner, I couldn't take it anymore. I braced a hand against the wall.

I'd thought I was at least somewhat special to Augustus.

After all, when I was first taken in, he was the first to reach out to me with kindness.

Whenever I hid in a dark tree hollow after being wronged, he was always the first to find me and wipe away my tears.

But now it seemed I was nothing more than an unusually obedient blood servant to him.

That was all I meant to him.

"Leah."

Augustus's voice suddenly came from behind me.

I quickly composed myself and turned around to curtsy. "Your Excellency."

He walked over and frowned when he saw my pale face. "Are you feeling unwell?"

"No."

"Then why do you look so awful?" He reached out to touch me, but I instinctively stepped back.

His hand froze midair. There was a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Are you avoiding me?"

"I wouldn't dare."

"Wouldn't dare? Are you reluctant to be close to me?" He stepped closer, trapping me between himself and the wall.

"What did Lilian say to you just now?"

I lifted my head and met his gaze. "She said Your Excellency described me as being more obedient than your other blood servants."

Augustus's pupils contracted slightly.

"Were those your exact words?" I asked calmly.

He was silent for a moment. He then scoffed. "What's the matter? Did that upset you?"

I didn't answer.

He lifted a hand, gripped my chin, and forced my head up.

"Was I wrong? Didn't you come the moment I summoned you? Didn't you cut your own wrist? Leah, you grew up by my side. You should understand this better than anyone. We vampires don't need emotions. We only need blood."

His fingertips brushed the side of my neck. The cold sensation sent a shiver down my spine.

"So don't wear that wounded expression." He released me. His tone turned cold. "Don't forget your place. Do what you're supposed to do. It doesn't matter what I think of you, does it?"

I lowered my gaze to hide every trace of emotion within them.

"It doesn't," I said.

I turned around and walked away, but I could still feel Augustus's gaze fixed on my back the entire time.

I didn't look back at all.