|I've cried more than I've smiled|

It was cold.

I woke up to a strong foul odor, my whole body was laying face up, causing everything to ache in pain when I attempted to sit up. Moaning in protest, I blinked my eyes open until I could see clearer, but for some unknown reason, everything was hazy.

I don't have a recollection as to where I was or how I have gotten here. I try to make out anything—but fail to hear or see anything—all I can do is smell, and right now my nose is shriveling in protest at what the air smells like.

It was pitch black dark in wherever here was. My heart started hammering, I hated the dark. It's where all the bad things happen, where monsters live. I'm afraid I could be sharing this darkness with something else.

"Hello?" I foolishly called out.

My breath was coming harshly but I didn't bother trying to calm down because no matter how much convincing I did, I would still be terrified of the situation.

I stood myself up, feeling every joint in my body pop itself in relief. The noise echoed through the darkness and I kept my eyes wide open for anything around me.

It took a few moments to steady myself on two feet, which were shaking furiously. I realized then that I was naked. I was naked in the dark. I really needed to concentrate and not wonder my mind to all the possibilities of putting those two circumstances together.

Naked? In the dark?

No, I will not stray to those thoughts.

I heard a deep low growl surround me. It was ringing everywhere through my body, straight to my heart. It was even harder to breathe then, I was alone with a creature, in the dark.

Naked? In the dark? With a creature?

I pushed my hands in front of me like a blind person would do. Am I possibly blind? Could my mind be that ludicrous and make me believe I'm blind?

Another growl reverberated through the darkness and I whimpered in fear.

"Help!" I screamed. I felt helpless standing here, searching through the air with my hands. I must look like a psycho. What else could be worse?

Being eaten by a creature in the dark while being naked.

I felt wind whip past me so fast I wasn't able to react. I jumped in fright and backed away quickly. I wished so bad I could see something, anything.

"Someone! Help me please!"

I got no response. I was now feeling anxious. My body was quivering and I just wanted to leave this evil place.

I felt hands grab me from behind. Fingers wrapped around my throat with such force I wasn't able to scream again. Still, I couldn't see anything as I was now being choked of air.

My gasps were the only thing heard. Before I knew it I was released and I crumbled to the cold floor releasing wheezing breaths. I started screaming again, wishing for someone to hear.

I didn't stop my screams until I was picked up by hands again. They were freezing, and they held a firm grip. A hiss sounded in front of me.

Immediately I knew it was a vampire in this evil place with me. How I hated vampires so much.

"You're going to taste so good little one." The vampires menacing voice said. I couldn't wiggle myself free when his grip got even stronger. I cried out more and more, swinging my hands everywhere but they weren't finding anyone in front of me. How?

I felt a very sharp pain pierce my neck, the vampire started sucking greedily from me.

"No!"I screamed even louder.

"Miss?" Azalea heard from far away.

Someone was screaming when she woke up, her throat felt sore and it was then she realized that she was the one screaming.

"Honey, are okay?" She felt Gladys's hands gently shaking her awake. It felt like her body was made of bricks and her eyes were glued shut.

She tried a few times to speak but every time failed as she could only release a few pained breaths. Azalea felt weaker than ever, there was a fear rising in her to the thought that she was on her deathbed.

"Don't try to move just yet honey, you are very weak. I'll be right back, I'll make you some soup." Gladys said, then left the room.

She didn't give up trying to open her eyes. She moved her body along with them to get the feeling back. Her eyes opened finally but felt very heavy with exhaustion. She could only wonder how mortified she must've looked by the way she felt.

Her heart began to race when she saw the room was completely dark. Her thoughts immediately began to waver when she believed she was back in the evil darkness.

"No!" She screamed, being able to open her mouth. He was back, the bloodthirsty fangs will come to kill her for sure this time.

She tried jumping from her bed but only managed to rid herself of the covers and fall hard on the floor. That's when the door to the room opened, dim light streamed inside but there stood a dark figure.

"Please no!" She cried unable to move herself any further. She would go crazy if he tried to attack her again. She cowered in fear, curling into a ball as to protect herself somehow from the monster.

"Azalea?" She heard a deep voice say beyond her whimpering body but was not able to comprehend it due to her fright.

Kyran stood in the door feeling very confused while looking at his slave. She was crouched in a ball on the floor scared out of her wits. He wanted to rush to her and try to comfort her frail body, but his mind objected.

How sure he was in the warehouse that she was stronger than this. He didn't doubt she was anything less, he hopes she is only adjusting to her new home.

He turned the lights on and walked to her, "Azalea, what is wrong?" He asked softly.

Her breathing stopped in the realization of who was hovering over her. Her master.

She slowly peaked her head out from her arms hold to see her Master's handsome face and captivating blue eyes frowning upon her.

"Mas-Master?" She sighed. Although she was still afraid of him, she knew not to mistake her master for the monster from her nightmare. He hasn't drunk from her yet.

Yet.

"Forgiveness, my sleep was scary." She hiccuped, now letting the tears flow. Partly for the pain she now felt from her side and partly for being relieved, she was not stuck in her dream.

Kyran was surprised.

"It was only a nightmare." He reassured her, but a small ache blossomed in his chest hearing her rapid heartbeat.

He quickly shook his thoughts anew. There was no way he would let feelings flow for this human. He will care for health, not her companionship.

He held out his hand to her which she carefully accepted. Once again, sparks of energy flowed between their touch, making Azalea blush when she felt a pleasant warmth flood through her body. She looked into her Master's eyes, noticing he too felt the same thing. He dismissed it not a moment later and helped her back into his large bed. "Don't worry now."

It was then Azalea finally noticed where she was. The room was enormous with she was laying upon was as soft as a cloud, with linens made from pure Egyptian cotton. It felt like heaven when she sunk into the material. Never in her life of a slave has she been exposed to such comfort.

She nodded her head. "Thank you greatly, Master."

"Of course." He responds.

"Soup is ready—Oh, King! Is everything alright?" Gladys came bursting in, her eyes darting back and forth between the two.

"Yes."

"Very well." She gave him a quick smile.

"Gladys, please attend to her." He demanded, making his way to the door. "And make sure that soup isn't too hot." He said, then left fast.

Azalea stared after where the Master was just standing. She was astonished that he showed kindness towards her. Was he making her into a fool just so he can seduce her into giving her blood? She hoped not. She loathed being drunk from. Every vampire has no control, they are savage beasts.

She's been told stories where a bite from a vampire has been pleasurable, but to Azalea it was a lie. Every bite has been the most excruciating pain she has experienced. There have been rumors of blood and vampire mates, she never knew what to believe from any of the girls she'd had seen at the slave house.

None of it matters what she thinks or wants. She's a slave in this world, whether she likes it or not, she has no option other than being a vampires blood bag, she can't fight for herself and say no, especially to her new master.

Should she be scared that he new master hasn't drunk from her yet? Or should she be relieved? It was all too much for her. It used to be where she wouldn't have to wonder. Vampires would come and drink as they please without hesitation. Even buyers would taste their slaves before choosing.

"Um— Glad-ys?'' Azalea stuttered, trying to pronounce the woman's name right.

"Yes Dear?" Gladys gave her a concerned look, she eyed the fragile girl noticing her frame shaking. She had to understand what troubles she must've been put through. Clearly the King hasn't made it clear to how he runs things.

"When does master drink from me?"
Azalea asked, feeling her pulse spike slightly at the turmoil running through her.

"I'm sorry , I'm not sure when and if he will. Though if the King wanted to drink from you, I know he would've already." Gladys says, beginning to blow the girls soup off. " I made you onion soup!" In a cheery voice, hoping to distract her. Granting her wish, the girl quickly forgot what was troubling her mind for a moment when she heard Gladys say 'soup'.

Soup? Azalea could remember vaguely what soup was, she hasn't been exposed to many or pleasant foods since she was little, before she was taken. She gave the woman a warm smile in gratitude for making her a meal even though she is a slave. She didn't want to refuse the offer simply because she was starving and as if on cue, her stomach began rumbling. Azalea began to smell the wonderful warmness of the soup Gladys held stirring. She couldn't even imagine what was made in the soup, she wouldn't be able to guess either, she had no clue how soups were made.

She saw Gladys raise the spoon and blow off steam, then brought it to Azalea's mouth that was closed firmly. After a second, Gladys frowned at the girls expression. "Open up."

Azalea felt horrible for being ill-mannered, she couldn't help but feel scared to enjoy such a luxury like the soup. Gladys raised the spoon again, eyeing Azalea to open her mouth.

Seeing the woman's stern look, she obeyed. She opened her mouth slightly, just enough for her to drink from the spoon. Azalea eyes widened like saucers, the taste in her mouth was extravagant, she didn't know what the taste was but she could feel tears prick her eyes. She's never tasted anything like this before. The soup was so amazing, she wanted to eat the whole bowl. Her stomach growled even further and more furiously due to the rich taste in her mouth, it begged for more.

"Oh dear." Gladys said.

*

A day had passes since Azalea last saw her master. She was never given permission to leave the room she was in, so she stayed put.

She still felt weak but Azalea could now see and feel every bruise that littered her body. She actually spent a whole hour that morning crying her eyes out because of how hideous she had become to look at. She always wished for her skin to be rid of scars, she always wondered what she would look like.

Thinking back to her master— he probably has a cage prepared for her. Have her continue to live like she did before, to some extent it didn't bother Azalea as much as she thought. If she could do it then—live in a cage, being fed from and beaten for who knows how long—then she could do it again. But she couldn't deny the fear that rose in her throat at the thought of being drunk from or shackled.

Above all, the room she resided in was beautiful. Whenever she got the chance, the first thing she did was look over the balcony, admiring the gorgeous view. Trees and roads she could see that went on for miles. She could smell the crisp air and hear birds chirping in the distance. The only downside was when the sun began to rise, she had to hide from the light. It was still too bright for her to stand in, but that didn't stop her from sticking her hand out to feel the warmness. She let a few tears leak from the smile that graced upon her face. For so long she was kept in the dark from anything and everyone. She felt so grateful for the small amount of bliss for seeing and feeling the sun.

Thats all she wanted to do was just sit by the window and stare outside. So, that's what she did. She looked around the room and spotted a wooden chair, she then dragged it over in front of the doorway to the balcony and sat there.

She admired the way the breeze tickled her skin, it brought back memories of her childhood before her family was murdered. Azalea wouldn't think further of it though, she only wanted to focus of the happiness that pumped in her body for now.

It was very foreign to her, just like the sun, and just like the soft wind. It was the best feeling she's had, and she begged the gods wouldn't take it away from her now that she's had taste of it.

Her mind was abruptly interrupted when a scream tore though the outside of the bedroom door.

Without even thinking, Azalea shot up from the chair and raced as fast as she could to the door, which wasn't that fast.

She was surprised when she found out the door was unlocked the whole time when she swung it open carelessly and even more surprised when she found the halls empty.

Long tall hallways were as far as she could see and she felt panic rise in her throat. Which way?

Should she pick a way? Or stay in the room?

Her hearted leaped in terror as another screamed answered her questions and sounded like it can from the left entrance.

There were many doors and when she tiptoed her way past them she stopped every few seconds to see if she could hear anything.

It wasn't until a hand clamped on her right shoulder that Azalea let out a scream herself, but couldn't make anymore sound when the hand covered her mouth.

Vampire.