Weeks went by and the seasons changed. I was able to convince Ezra to stay, as I knew I would be. He and Ryan made amends on their own time. Now, I find them working or training together often. About once every week or two, Ezra will join me in the kitchen and I'll teach him how to make something for Yuu. Cutely enough, once Yuu figured this much out, he asked if I could teach him how to cook more savory meals for Ezra.

Kuza made a full recovery from the incident. Ricky sends me out on tasks with he and Ryan often, to keep me busy. I've had the privilege of seeing one civilization, now. From my understanding, it's the safest country in the world for dark creatures like us. It was a nation named Avatar Country. The people there were kind to us, as if we weren't monsters to them. Ricky had mentioned there were humans infatuated with the occult here, just as there are goths and geeks on Earth, and it seemed the majority resided in Avatar Country.

Though I am grateful Ricky hasn't locked me up in a tower like a vampiric Rapunzel, I know he only sends me out on low risk missions. There have been times where Ryan and Kuza make it back with significant wounds or afflictions. The type of battles they encounter when I'm not with them are almost always severe. I have yet to decide how I feel about Ricky choosing this treatment for me.

We've grown closer, though I'm not sure I would define us as a couple. I'm confident in saying we're far more than just fuck buddies. He confides in me a lot, and spends the majority his down time with me. Most nights, though, I do sleep alone in my coffin and he in his bed.

While the leaves had started falling two weeks ago, today was the first official day of autumn. It was a remarkable sight to behold from our privileged vantage point. Every day, I could look out on a sea of yellow, orange and red trees. It was the perfect temperature always, and the smell in the air was heavenly. I can't believe this will last for eight months. It's like I've died and gone to Heaven.

I became concerned when I hadn't seen Ricky in over a day and a half. He does often get wrapped up in his work and I try not to bother him. When I couldn't find him in his normal study, I began searching the castle for him. Eventually, I found him stood out on the balcony. He was leaned over the railing, looking out at the twinkling night sky.

"Is something wrong?" He asked me as I approached.

"No," I replied, "I just was wondering where you were."

Ricky turned to look over his shoulder, smirking like the Devil. "Were you worried about me? You were, weren't you?"

"So what if I was?" I remarked.

He laughed, returning his gaze forward. I stepped up beside him, joining him in his admiration of the landscape. Ricky was wearing something I had yet to see him in. It was a well fitted black coat that reached his ankles. The garment looked expensive. Underneath, he had a clean white shirt with a frilled collar, his emblem pinned upon it.

"A meeting's been called. One I can't ignore, unfortunately." He grumbled.

"What kind of meeting?" I asked.

Ricky sighed, clearly bothered, "A meeting of the demon lords."

"All of them? Call me strange, but I don't think attending a meeting with someone who tried to kill Kuza is a good idea."

"Trust me, I agree, but I can't say no. We have this meeting twice a year. I've always declined, but this time around, the guy in charge threatened to pay me a visit if I didn't show. As I'm sure you can imagine, the man in charge of demon lords is not someone you want to mess with. I'll be gone six days. Can you handle things here while I'm gone?"

I shrugged. "Sure. It's not like anything dramatic happens around here anyways. I'll miss you though, and I'm sure we'll all be worried."

"You shouldn't be. I can take care of myself, and knowing I have others who depend on me, that means I'd never let anything happen to myself." He reassured me.

So, he thinks we depend on him? Well... Yeah, okay, we do. I don't know where I'd go if I didn't have him or this castle. He keeps Kuza from losing his mind about once a week, and I fear to think where Ryan's attitude would land him left unchecked. And, trust me, Yuu would probably lose it if he ever had to go back to living with primitive ogres.

I grabbed Ricky by his hips, pulling him into a kiss. "I take it you probably don't have time for goodbye sex?"

"Unfortunately not. There'll be a lot of sluts where I'm going." He said suggestively.

"I don't care if you play with some whores," I grasped his chin in my hand, "But you better not get on your knees for anyone else. I'm the only one you submit for."

Ricky snickered like the little shit he is, "Yes, Sir. Watch after everyone. That includes yourself, and that's an order."

I grinned, "Yes, Master."

Since coming here, the most I've been away from him is a few days. I'm not sure what a week will feel like. Ricky returned inside to say goodbye to Kuza. Of all his servants, Kuza was the most dependent on him, almost like a child. I found it sweet. Ryan, on the other hand, preferred his solitude, like a moody teenager. I'm sure Ricky just slipped a note under his door in efforts to leave him alone.

I think it's fair to say I'm really worried. Ricky rarely speaks of the other demon lords. I've learned there's twenty or so. If you were to rank them, Ricky would be in the ten to fifteen range. I didn't get the impression that Devin was more powerful than him, though no one likes to talk about him. I wouldn't exactly know. I do know, however, that dispelling the damage he inflicted on Kuza seemed easy for Ricky.

Even so, I can't imagine the others take kindly to his seclusion. He mentioned before that many of the other demon lords greatly enjoy fighting. What happens if someone wants to spare with him that he can't hold his own against? I hope this meeting is as diplomatic as it sounds, or else he could be in a bad way.

Until then, I guess I'm in charge. Experience wise, it really feels like it should be Ryan. However, given his predisposition, I think I understand the master's choice here. Not much will change from my normal habits, anyways. I headed down to the kitchen to start on dinner. A nice meal should help calm everyone's nerves in regards to Ricky's absences.

—

Two days later, and things were fine. We weren't running about like kids when their parents go out of town. No, no one really cared for that kind of behavior, thankfully. Kuza was catching up on sleep, which seemed to be one of his favorite pass times. Ryan was using this as an excuse to kick back and cheat on his diet. Vinny seemed to keep to himself or just bother his brother most the time anyways, so not much had changed in those regards. Apparently, he felt like bothering me instead today.

I had been in the library, trying to find information on demon lords, when he walked in. He was shy, like a child afraid to ask their parent for a glass of water in the middle of the night. "Chris?" He softly said.

"Yeah?" I responded, putting down the papers in my hand.

"Ezra asked me to come get you. He said something about Yuu not feeling well."

Of course the damn elf would get sick while Ricky was gone. Of fucking course. I told Vinny I'd be right there and that he should go back to his own room, as not to get exposed if it's contagious. First, I put away what I was working on, then headed down to their quarters. Much like what he'd done for me, Ricky made sure Yuu had a bedroom that made him comfortable. It was very ethereal in his and Ezra's room. Lots of silvers and blues, foresty shit like crystals and plants too.

"He's running a fever." Ezra informed me as I walked in. He sat along Yuu's bedside.

I approached, placing my hand to the elf's forehead. Obviously, I run much colder than your average warm blooded being. Over the years, I've figured out what living beings temperatures should feel like. He didn't seem hot by those standards.

"He feels fine to me." I said.

Ezra grasped my wrist, then responded, "No. He's a moon elf. He's supposed to be almost as cold as you are."

"Oh." Should have figured that much. "Sorry. Any idea what it is?"

He sighed, "Where's my brother?"

"I sent him to his room. Why?"

"I just didn't want him to hear the truth. He thinks we're safe here. He actually manages to sleep at night. I don't want him to worry." Ezra reached down to his love, brushing back his hair to reveal a purple ring on his skin surrounding two puncture holes. "He was bitten by a black velvet beetle. It's fatal if left untreated, but that isn't the worst part. Chris... They aren't native to our forest."

"Go tell Ryan and Kuza to search every inch of the castle. Once the grounds are secure, I want them to check the forest for clues as to which direction the intruder came from." I spoke just about a whisper, in case anyone was listening it. "I think I can help Yuu without resorting to the potions encyclopedia, but I'd rather you don't see this."

"As long as it saves his life, I don't care what you do." Ezra placed a kiss on his ill boyfriend's head before leaving the room.

My body houses one of the most advanced and complex venom systems of any vampire that's ever lived. What I'm about to do to Yuu, I've done before a few times, but I'm still taking a huge risk. There are things in this realm far great than myself, and I can't underestimate the power of a bug. I didn't want Ezra to see this for two reasons. The first being, I knew no matter what, I'd end up putting myself in pain. The second—A vampire's bite is often times very sensual. He shouldn't have the image of me on his boyfriend's neck in his head.

I aligned my fangs with the preexisting puncture wounds and bit down. Then, I sucked out as much of the venom as I could without draining too much of his blood. He's weak enough as is, I don't want to take anymore than I have to. I spit out most of the venom into a nearby glass, but purposely swallowed a small amount.

As it coursed through my bloodstream, I could feel my veins igniting. I collapsed onto the ground as my muscles constricted. They say we forget pain, but I swear, I've never forgotten this feeling. It was the longest three minutes of my life. Once my vampire body caught up with the venom, it broke it down and processed the information into my brain. In layman's terms, I now had the ability to replicate that venom whenever I wanted. More importantly, I could synthesize an antidote and save Yuu's life.

Well, I'm glad that didn't kill me. Ricky would've been so pissed if I died. He'll probably still be frustrated and mad that I was reckless enough to try it.