-Kira-

I sat on the edge of this bed, feet resting on the chest below and drew in slow, deep breaths.

I could feel it all over when I woke up this morning, the consequences of pushing this off longer and longer.

A burning ache sat in the center of my chest and felt like it got worse every time my heart pumped. The same went for my evergrowing headache that had my keeping my eyes shut and my face in my hands.

I hadn't yet eaten today. I didn't want to risk that cursed unavoidable panic I'd experience every time I stepped out of this room.

The reminder that I was trapped didn't need to settle in against until I was back to normal. I didn't want to risk pushing my heart further than it could go.

Instead, I waited in silence for that doctor he mentioned yesterday, hoping more than anything that he was serious about it

I didn't care by what method, I just needed something.

Who am I kidding, once this doctor looks me over and Lucien gets the confirmation he's looking for, I'll most likely end up being his newest snack.

My mind was split on that matter, hating the thought, but almost wishing for it out of pure desperation to make this feeling go away.

Desperate and trapped. Lucky fucking me.

I pulled my hands down my face, taking a moment to count my heartbeats. Count how many happened in the span of ten seconds.

It was something I had to learn to keep track of from a young age. Dad would always ask me once every few hours after injecting me with his 'magical cure' to fix this illness of mine.

Fourteen. Not bad.

It definitely spiked, however, when a sudden knocking on the door jolted me onto my feet.

I stared at the door in shock at the fact that he didn't just let himself in, and took a moment to recompose myself.

The doctor, it had to be them right?

The one to greet me on the other side of the door, however, was the same, gloomy vampire.

My brows knitted out of instinct, masking every ounce of suffering the moment I saw him.

That same narrowed, tired expression as always, now mixed with the sight of his hands in the pockets of the sweats I've noticed he favors.

"Doc's here. Don't make this complicated." was all he said before turning and walking away.

Well, good morning to you too, dick.

I waited until he was back in his room before following.

The sight of the other person in the room was not one I was prepared for.

The tall figure stood over by the fireplace, pulling and situating things from a bag.

Fluffy brown hair sat in waves around his head, and he wore a long sleeved black shirt that was tucked into his jeans at the hips, with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

Holy shit this guy was like... really good-looking.

One look at his mouth when he turned to face us and smiled told me exactly why.

He was a vampire... right. They all look like that.

My stomach twisted a bit at the realization, though I don't know why I was surprised.

There was an odd kindness in his eyes I'd never seen on a vampire- or well, anyone for that matter.

Maybe my desperation had something to do with it.

If things go well, this guy may just become my saving grace.

"This is Doctor Cypres, an old buddy of mine," Lucien spoke before falling down onto the couch.

"You can just call me Erik," He corrected, offering me a hand to shake.

I stared a moment before taking it.

"Kira" I stopped myself from saying my last name, "So, you're like the vampiric human doctor in town?" I gauged for my curiosities sake.

I knew we typically always had one, but I never knew their name.

He shook his head.

"Not yet. I've got my own private practice that's... similar, but I'm aiming to get that title here soon."

...okay. Beggars can't be choosers I guess.

He continued, "You can go ahead and sit down, and we'll get started."

I nodded and took my spot in the cushioned chair since there was no way I was sitting on the same couch as Lucien.

It was then that I notices that there was a new plastic sheet over the coffee table with miscellaneous doctor-esque materials. One of which was a syringe I recognized from the blood collections.

Oh thank God.

I gained some attentiveness at the hope, ready to be a model patient if it meant getting that thing in my arm.

"So, what exactly is the problem?" He asked, seemingly struggling with which one of us to look at for an answer.

Which irked me, but got solved before it could show outwardly.

Lucien just shrugged amongst a cat-like yawn, showing off those fangs and that piercing before gesturing back to me with a wave of his hand.

He settled from his yawn, leaning his elbow onto the armrest and resting his chin on his fist, giving absolutely no indication to whether or not he gave half a shit about what was happening in his living room.

But Erik turned to me, and I followed, feeling myself hesitate just from what my dad had said about doctors in the past.

"I uh... I produce to much blood for my body. Consistently." I went with for starters.

He blinked in surprise but otherwise kept a professional composure.

"And how long have you dealt with that?"

"Since I left the womb," I replied.

There was a whole report on it that came paperclipped with my birth certificate.

He thought for a few seconds.

"Are there any medical records of yours? Any medicine a doctor has put you on?"

Lucien must have mentioned that I was a rogue if he was mentioning medical records.

I shook my head, "You're the first doctor I've seen since I was born."

There was a silence as Erik processed what I'd said. Even Lucien quirked up a brow at that.

I guess he was paying attention.

"... May I ask why?"

Since he asked so nicely, I answered straight to the point.

"My dad was convinced that if more people learned of my condition, I'd get taken and experimented on for vampires to duplicate my condition in others. For the blood shortages and all that."

Which was pretty damn laughable since he told every vampire he let into our house. And that it got me taken anyway.

Another confused silence

"I see... So then if you're not on any meds to calm it, then how do you..." his voice faded off with an awkward expression. Probably not knowing how to ask without making it sound gross and gory.

"However I can," I began to save him the embarrassment, "Fangs, blades, syringes. I make do."

His expression turned tight, showing sympathy I was in no way used to or expecting.

It had been like this all my life. That, on top of my dad's orders, I never had a choice.

"How often do you need to?"

"About every two weeks."

"And when was the last time?"

I choked back my eagerness, feeling something in me flutter at the chance given to me.

"Two and a half," I eyed the syringe on the table, "I was hoping that maybe you could..." My voice quieted into nothing, glancing at the other vampire in the room who was staring right back.

Curse that stupid unreadable expression.

My remaining pride in this circumstance was now fighting for its life. I didn't want to admit I needed help out loud in front of him.

I wasn't a pet, and certainly not a human that needed assistance with any little thing.

Thankfully, Erik got the gist.

"Of course," He spoke in a soft, comforting tone that made me do a double take.

Well, that was... new.

I was used to a more 'Yeah whatever shut up and hold still' type of response.

The warmth of that realization died rather quickly when Erik turned back to Lucien.

"How do you want me to go about this? If you want the blood then take it now, or I'll do it my way."

That shift from normal patient back to pet who needed approval for these things hardened the bliss of the relief.

It made me glower at the vampire in question, but he wasn't looking at me anymore.

"I'm not drinking it unless you've confirmed she's got nothing weird going on in her blood. Go ahead with the needle." He said.

Though it was the answer I wanted, I was still bitter about how it got that way.

The feeling it shot through me only furthered the headache and pressure throughout my body.

I simmered down with that thought, relaxing deeper into the chair.

Whatever. Just take the win, Kira, you need it.

"Right," Erik began, turning back to me and leaning down just a bit, "I'll get to that here in a few minutes, but I want to take note of a few things."

"Have you heard of anything like it?" Lucien asked.

"No, but... I'm sure it's existed before. Her dads worries weren't completely off-kilter. I don't blame humans for wanting to keep this kind of thing to themselves."

Hm. Alright. I guess it was possible for a vampire to have some sense. Or, more surprisingly, my father.

"Can you feel when it starts to get bad?"

I nodded before explaining.

"I can feel it, it's like my heartbeat becomes... deeper. Stronger I guess. Then there are the headaches, and I start to feel lethargic. I can feel this sort of pressure all over if it starts to get really bad."

"Against your arteries, yes," Erik mumbled.

I perked up a bit at the understanding and genuine interest in his voice. Like he was really going to try to figure this out.

Would he try to cure me? I knew he was only really here for a diagnosis, but... what if?

That thought brought a face to mind, to the one who'd tried that in the past.

"Oh!" I exclaimed at the realization, startling everyone else, "You asked about medication from a doctor. I didn't have that, but my dad injected me with something he said was supposed to help every other month."

If he was going to help, he needed all the information he could get.

"Inject you?" He questioned, "With what?"

I slumped, not having any semblance of an answer.

I don't know why I never asked... It had just become a routine I stopped questioning.

He told me it was going to help, and that's all I wanted.

" I don't... I don't know," My voice was soft, trying to wrack my brain for any hint or clue.

He didn't talk about it.

"Explain it to me." He persisted, surprising me yet again with his want to understand. Kicking into my peripherals I could see that even Lucien now leaned more forward to pay attention.

"It was um... like a really transparent green color. The consistency was a little thicker than water and it... burned going in. It was about." I lifted my hand to show the amount that was typically in the syringe he used. I think it came to about four inches, "That much."

The concern and borderline disgust written on his face wasn't comforting.

The silence in the room lasted longer than the others, creating an odd tension that I wasn't expecting.

I knew it was all strange, but not... this strange.

Erik was the one to finally break it.

"Okay, um- I haven't seen anything like that for that purpose, but... I'll keep that in mind," He paused to brace for his next question, "Anything else?"

I just shook my head, folding my hands in my lap.

He almost looked relieved, but for what reason specifically, I couldn't tell.

"Alright," He let out a sigh that further proved it, "I'm just gonna check a few more things then."

I nodded and he leaned closer.

I was expecting him to pull a stethoscope out of the bag he'd set by the table like the doctors in the magazines, but quickly remembered that he didn't need one.

"Yeah, your heart does sound like it's working a lot harder than it should be," His words were just above a whisper like he was talking to himself but wanted to let me hear anyway, "A lot harder... but the speed is still relatively normal. Other than that, it sounds surprisingly healthy. Usually, hearts with that level of blood pressure start to struggle in one way or another."

"I suppose that's a good thing?" I asked.

He nodded, showing some assurance in his eyes.

"It is. What you're going through isn't anything that I've seen or heard of, but I'll do my best to get to the bottom of it."

I both cherished and despised the rush in my heart at his words. Watching him check over some other things internally before standing up to his full height.

"But first, let's get some of that out of you."

I fell back completely into the chair after he turned to gather what he needed and put on gloves.

Okay... things here still sucked, but if anything I was owed this win.

The two vampires chatted about something I wasn't focusing on through my rush of thoughts at this new opportunity.

Was this really worth it?

A chance at figuring this out? Possibly curing it in exchange for... being owned by a royal vampire.

My hands squeezed over one another.

I had people to get back to... Though how long could this realistically take?

Ugh, I'll think about this after he takes my blood so I don't have to feel more of my stress than necessary.

My attention went back to the doctor when he turned to face me, and set my arm face up on the armrest.

He paused a moment, and I saw his eyes look over the assortment of puncture scars I had all over the bottom of my left forearm.

He didn't say anything and carried on, wiping down my skin with something that felt cold and stung my nose.

This needle was strange, and wasn't the one I initially set my eyes on. It attached to a small tube that was about eight inches long, then to another contraption that didn't look familiar. Like a small lid to a bottle... with another needle facing the opposite way.

He turned to grab some things that clinked in his hands and set them down on the opposing armrest.

Glass vials. No thicker than an inch wide, but long enough for me to distinguish.

I didn't react in the slightest seeing him line up the needle to my skin, avoiding the obvious scars in favor of his own spot.

When he pushed it into my skin I hardly even felt it.

Crimson quickly began to take over the tube, and at a much quicker rate than Erik was expecting judging by how he jolted and hurriedly reached for one of the vials.

He snapped it onto the contraption with a click, and I watched in a... probably twisted sort of fascination as my blood dispensed into it with a pressure that wasn't normal judging by the look in his face.

My eyes shut after a few seconds, letting my head fall back against the chair, and bask in the feeling of that full-body discomfort fade away.

That strain of my heart lessened with each vial I filled and the next got clicked on.

'Depressurizing' I used to call it. To cope with the insanity of it I suppose.

When I focused back on what he was doing, my blood was coming out at a much more... normal pace, and sitting to my right were five full vials capped off and full of my blood.

We waited for the sixth to fill, and once it was nearly there, he gently pulled the needle from me and let the rest fall into it.

"Okay," He sighed out, licking his gloved thumb and pressing it into the wound.

Oh...

He took a moment to situate his supplies before looking over the last vial, holding it up to the light, and swirling it.

Both mine and Lucien's eyes followed it.

Erik's eyes squinted in thought, bringing it back down and snapping off the contraption, leaving the vial open.

He brought it to his nose and sucked in a deep inhale.

I drew back an inch at the sight of the pupils in his blue eyes thinning out but then returning back to normal after a blink.

"It looks and smells normal," He began, eyeing it over once more, "No difference from any other blood I've seen."

Erik turned and handed it over the second Lucien reached for it, coming back to look over the rest.

I rubbed over where the needle was for no apparent reason, watching Lucien now examine my blood.

I hope he hates it.

I hope all that taunting from yesterday ties up his tongue and he chokes on it.

He finally lifted it to his lips, and took a tiny, cautious sip.

His now eyes widened as they faded to a deep red, shoulders pulling back in some sort of surprise. Then they furrowed, as if confused and pulled the vile away with a heavy exhale.

He turned to me with a firm, almost puzzled, pointed expression. Like I'd just attempted to poison this territories beloved prince or something like that.

I sent the same look right back with a little added flair.

The hell is he looking at me like that for?

Most of the vampires I've had snacking on me say it's one of the best tastes they've had, but that wasn't the look I was being forced upon.

That look deepened, eyes narrowing further while he licked over his bottom lip.

Pondering...

"Taste okay?" Erik called over his shoulder, oblivious to this whole scene.

"Yeah," Was his slow but simple reply, easing himself back down into the position he was in before, but obviously keeping an eye on me.

Okay weirdo.

He threw back another gulp of my blood, eyes fluttering shut and shoulders sagging into what looked like a relaxed state.

He always looked like he had a stick up his ass, so seeing it looked strange.

"Do you want to keep these?" Erik asked him.

Lucien wiped his mouth with the back of his hand before answering.

"You don't wanna keep one to look at?"

"I will at a later date. I'm gonna see what I can research given what I know so far and don't want the blood going bad in the meantime."

Well... I had enough to go around. Probably.

"Yeah, I'll keep it then." He said, finishing off what was in that vial.

Great.

I wonder how mad he'd be if I pushed them off and sent them shattering to the floor.

I didn't really want to find out, but the thought kept me occupied.

If he thinks he's gonna store them in my fridge, though, he's insane.

"Alright then," Erik snapped off his gloved and turned on his heel to face Lucien, "Now on to you."