Sanctuary

The Evanescence of Hope

The dinner ended quickly, and Xerxes noticed his little concubine had been silent and rigid as stone the entire time. It didn’t take a mastermind to figure out she was angry with him. He rolled his eyes in annoyance as he led them back to their chambers. Kaila walked behind him completely quiet, and the only sound in the halls was the constant beat of her heels and the soft clink of the chain that came from the collar around her neck. Naturally, he, being who he was, did not make a sound when he walked as he often hovered half a centimeter above the ground.

Still the silence irritated him. Why in the world was she upset with him? What gave her the idea that she was allowed to feel any type of animosity toward him? Didn’t she know he could snap her neck in a heartbeat?

“You really don’t value your life.”

“Yes I do… most of the time.”

He almost snorted in aggravation. He could not resist and so had to inquire, “What’s wrong?”

Kaila only stared straight ahead.

“I will not ask you again, little one. Tell me what is wrong.”

Even she knew not to refuse him more than once. “I think it’s obvious.”

His eyes narrowed. Being brazen was she? “If it was so obvious, I very much doubt I would be asking.”

“I thought you were intelligent.”

He heard her suck in a breath as he forcefully grabbed the metal rings attached to her neck and swung her to face him. “Do not ever use such an impetuous tone with me, Kaila. I cannot guarantee I’ll be tolerant.”

The fear that shone in her eyes satisfied him. He had thought her brave but now had come to see it as inanity not valor. “I’m… sorry.”

The dark angel let her go. Her apology had been strained at best, but he didn’t have the patience to continue the conversation. At the rate it was going, she would be dead before dawn. He then allowed her to walk in silence as he became enthralled in his own thoughts. He could not possibly fathom why she was angry, but as she stumbled a bit the chain pulled tightly reminding him of its presence.

Suddenly, like daybreak, it dawned on him.

Of course… the chain. He looked at her crestfallen face and noticed she fought the urge to cry. The memory of her tears at the banquet came soaring back into his vision. Humans were delicate creatures, their hearts not prepared for much abuse. Like any ordinary human, Kaila had reacted normally. He should have anticipated that.

“Had I known you were so sensitive, I would not have placed the collar on you at the banquet.”

Kaila looked at him in surprise, and suddenly her eyes blazed with fury, “Sensitive? You think crying, because you degraded me in front of everyone: from human to pet, was sensitivity?”

Xerxes almost winced at her shrieking. Humans were so incredibly loud… couldn’t they be more like their dark outcasts and just hate the world in silence? He sighed and replied, “Kaila, I thought you had said you had your role in life blatantly clear.”

“I did!” The tears began to flow, “As a human slave. Not some animal.”

Would the tears never cease? Didn’t mortals eventually run out of water? Honestly, they spent half their lives sniveling.

“Kaila,” He began patiently. He paused as he realized they were at his chambers, and he inwardly sighed in relief. The doors opened at his command, and he escorted her in. He ordered her to sit on the bed and swiftly hooked her chain to the clasp on the wall. He ignored her sniffles and stared deep into her eyes, “Your time is being limited with each tear you shed. Do not try my patience.”

She sniffled again, but wiped her tears, “What am I supposed to do then?”

“Adapt. Fast.” He turned without another word and strode to the doors. “I will be back. Don’t try anything.”

Before she could utter another sound, he was already down the hall. His paranormal speed really gave him an advantage in uncomfortable situations. He needed something to relax him, he was tense.

Suddenly, he stiffened as he heard a sinister voice fill his mind.

Kill…

He growled.

Kill for me…

“Get out of my head.”

I will always remain a part of you, Xerxes.

“I will never serve you. Get out of my mind.”

Laughter followed. He stiffened. He had only once heard such a cruel laugher before. In the Great War of Heaven.

You have fallen from the heavens Dark Warrior, but you have not landed yet. Your place resides with me and only then will your rightful purpose be revealed.

“Leave, now.”

The laughter died away. He sighed in relief. Finally, his mind was at peace.

“Talking to yourself, are you?”

Xerxes snarled as a handsome fair-haired man commented from his idle stance against the wall with his arms crossed.

“Rupam…” The dark angel growled.

Said vampire gave him a smirk, “Hello to you too, little angel.”

Xerxes growled in warning. He didn’t have many friends, but he also didn’t have many enemies.

Except for the blonde vampire apparently.

Rupam had had it in for him since his arrival at the castle. Xerxes had a strong suspicion that the contempt came from the vampire’s jealousy of the closeness between him and Vader- who he suspected- Rupam had strong feelings for.

“Tell your lord that I’m not interested,” The dark angel informed before turning away.

Unfortunately, the vampire’s laughter stopped him.

“A little too tempting?” Xerxes turned and glared, but Rupam only snickered again as he continued, “Well, take it up with someone else. It’s not my job.”

“You’re right, it’s mine.”

Out of the blue, Vader landed where they stood, his demonic bat-like wings disappearing.

“M-Master,” Rupam stuttered as he quickly gave a bow. “Out hunting?”

Vader gave him a casual look, “A meeting with our lord.” He then glanced at Xerxes, “Join me?”

Xerxes nodded but not before smirking at Rupam’s seething look. He followed as Vader released his wings once more and took off. They flew through a large window and landed at the top of a terrace overlooking the east side of the castle.

The dark angel watched as the heavy clouds revealed the full moon. He crossed his arms and was silent as the wind blew his hair and disheveled his wings.

“Are you all right?”

“Does it look like I’m all right?”

He heard Vader sigh before feeling the vampire next to him. “I suppose not.” Vader commented.

“When is he going to give up?”

At this, The Vampire Lord let out a snort, “Give up? Xerxes, come on now. You know who we’re talking about. Giving up is not in his nature.”

The dark angel remained silent until Vader’s next remark, “You seem to be leaning towards our side anyway.”

In a flash, Xerxes had turned to glare at the vampire, his wings spreading characteristically, “I do not serve him.” As Vader raised his hands in mock surrender, he turned. “I serve no one.”

“Yet you are leading my army through the nearby villages for All Hallows Eve,” Vader remarked quietly. “You are our-“

“Secret weapon, I know.” Xerxes exhaled deeply, “I’m doing this more out of favor to you then anything else.”

“Well, in any case. He will not stop, Xerxes. He never stops.”

“I know…” After a while, the dark angel turned to the other, “Thank you. I don’t think I say this as often as I should. But thank you for everything.”

Vader waved off his gratitude as usual, but his face lit up nonetheless. “Don’t worry about it. You’re benefiting as much as I am.”

“Maybe so.” Xerxes chuckled as they studied the view in silence.

She didn’t know how long she sat there chained to the wall. Only that each passing moment fueled her rage.

Kaila tried once more to pull the golden metal rings off the wall but to no avail. She huffed as she stared at the tastefully decorated wall until the doors opened and the object of her fury stepped through.

She watched silently as Xerxes walked into the room- without a single glance in her direction- and began removing his coat.

As he did so, his black feathered wings caught her attention. She had seen them before of course… but it had never hit her until now. He had feathered wings… he couldn’t be a vampire. He had been telling the truth- well she knew before that he was telling the truth- but it should have been obvious from the start.

She watched as his coat slid off his body, and his wings slid out of the holes gracefully. So that’s how he gets in and out of his clothes, she reflected. As his shirt came next, she instantly forgot all thoughts.

She had never seen him undressed and as his pale, smooth, strong back was revealed, her breath hitched.

He seemed to have heard as he turned to regard her mildly. His hair was loose and hung sleek and straight against his thick chest.

It was then that it hit her.

If he wasn’t a vampire, what was he?

He had to be some type of demon… his black wings were proof of that, but… what kind?

She had to ask, “What are you?”

“What?” He paused as he picked up his coat. Instead, he let it drop as he walked over to her, “What do you mean?”

“You said you’re not a vampire… but your wings…”

He looked away as he turned to once again pick up his coat, “I’m not human. That’s all you need to know.”

She was quiet as he placed his clothes in a wardrobe in the far corner of the room. A burning desire emerged as his pants and boots came next leaving him in only his ankle length sarong. Normally, this would look pretty gay on a male, but Xerxes looked anything but.

Still her curiosity was peaked, and she wanted an answer, “Did you always have dark wings?”

“Enough questions, Kaila.” He slammed the wardrobe door closed and snarled at her. She jumped and fear instantly replaced her lust.

Xerxes must have noticed since his look softened, and he walked over to sit on the large bed. “There are… certain things in my past, I do not wish to discuss.”

Kaila was silent again before reaching out. He stiffened as she gently ran a hand through the feathers of the nearest wing. A shudder past though him, and she withdrew her hand.

“Your wings… they’re so soft.”

Instantaneously, Xerxes stood up and crossed the room. He was silent for a moment before speaking, “I thought you were angry with me.”

She bristled at this, “I am. Just because I’m curious doesn’t mean I’m not mad anymore.” He raised a brow as she went on, “Some things you can’t easily get over.” She gestured at the collar.

He rolled his eyes, “So you’ve mentioned.” He waved his hand and dimmed the lights. Before she could blink, he settled himself on the bed with his head in his hands. She opened her mouth, but he silenced her by opening one eye. She sighed instead and leaned back against the headboard as she hugged her knees.

Minutes passed, she couldn’t really tell how many, and the sounds of deep breathing filled the room. She glanced at her side.

The moonlight streamed through the room and illuminated the pale ivory skin of her master.

She titled her head as she studied him.

He was so… beautiful, so perfect in every way. His platinum silver hair shone in the light and looked almost like water. How she longed to touch all the skin revealed to her. Sure, he had taken her virginity, and she was very much acquainted with the most clandestine of his anatomy, but she felt that there was so much more she had yet to learn.

She exhaled and her head hit the headboard with a dull thud. What was she thinking? She had to find a way to leave. She pulled her chain experimentally.

“It won’t budge.”

She huffed as Xerxes chuckled. It figured he would pretend to sleep to see what she would do.

Suddenly she had an idea. She had to find a way to get out of the collar. If she couldn’t take it off, he would have to remove it for her.

“I need to go to the bathroom.”

“No, you don’t.”

She sat up straight letting her knees fall back on the bed, “Yes I do! Don’t tell me what I do or do not need.”

Xerxes cracked on eye open and looked at her, “I know you don’t. You want to escape.”

Her eyes widened at his tone, “You can read my mind.”

He gave a slight shrug in return.

Kaila sighed and was silent for a long moment. After a while, she asked. “Will you let me go when I really have to go?”

“Of course.”

“What if you’re not here?”

“I will be.”

“What if you’re not?”

Her master groaned in exasperation before he sat up. “You will not give up will you?” He asked as he turned to her.

“No, I…” She trailed off.

Xerxes sat back on the headboard and bent one leg so the sarong allowed her to see a great deal of his pristine flesh. Suddenly she couldn’t remember what she had been saying.

She heard him chuckle again, “Lusting, little one?”

She refused to say anything and sat in silence.

Xerxes opened his eyes to meet the dark ceiling. He glanced at his side. Kaila had fallen asleep and lay curled in a ball facing him. She managed to find a comfortable position despite the golden metal around her neck.

He traced the rim with his index finger careful to avoid touching her skin. She complained about it enough, but he thought she looked… endearing with the collar around her neck.

He chuckled inwardly as he recalled her naïve thoughts of escape. Kaila was such an innocent girl… full of blazing desires, his eyes trailed over her lithe body, and questions…

Maybe someday he could tell her what he really was…

Maybe if she lasted longer than the others…

Maybe…

“Xerxes…”

The dark angel sat up at the whisper of Vader’s voice through the room. “What is it, Vader?” He asked careful to not awaken Kaila.

“I need you. One of the brides of Siyavesh has been staked. He’s… just get over here.”

Xerxes sighed as he began dressing. Siyavesh could be as ruthless as any vampire, but he did care for his brides. It would not be easy to stop him from going on a human genocide.

He slipped on his onyx-colored leggings followed by his knee-high buckled combat boots. He grabbed a belt decorated by silver stakes, crucifixes, and other anti-demon devices and placed it around his hips before donning a hooded trench coat and leather gloves.

He made his way to leave when a glint of silver caught his attention. He fought the urge to walk back, but he gave in- as he always did.

The hoary-colored cross glimmered as the moonlight kissed it, and it hummed softly as it lay in his palm. He gave a grim smile as he placed it in his pocket and walked out the door.

He hadn’t put it on since…

Yet he always carried it around.

He couldn’t let go…

Not yet.

A dream.

A dream about friends, family, and life.

Kaila almost cried as the images of her former life faded away as the blissfulness of sleep escaped her.

She opened her eyes and looked around.

Xerxes was gone.

It hit her like a blow to the stomach. Xerxes was gone! She could escape, but as she sat up the clinking of a chain made her remember her current situation. She put her face in her hands as she exhaled deeply.

This is so annoying…

Still, she couldn’t just sit there and do nothing. She stood up and began yanking on the chain. She placed her stiletto-clad foot against the wall and pulled with all her might.

“Well, well, well, what a naughty little concubine.”

The voice startled Kaila so much she lost her balance and dropped down onto the bed. She turned and froze as a blonde-haired man entered the room. Her heart began to race as she caught sight of his icy grey eyes.

He smiled at her showing glistening fangs.

“W-W-Who a-are y-you?” She could not keep the tremor from her voice. Naïve and often times dull though she was, even she could not mistake the look in his eyes.

His shoulder-length blonde curls swayed in syncopation with his long silver PVC cape. Her breath came out in pants as his steel-toed boots made a dull thud with every step.

There was something about him that sent warnings off in her head- despite his good looks- and she found herself once again wishing for her master’s presence.

“My name is Rupam, little slut.” She winced at the insult. She would have defended herself hadn’t not been true and could only move away until her back hit the headboard as he continued, “Tell me, why isn’t your master here taking care of you?”

“H-He h-had to l-leave. H-He’ll be b-back s-s-soon.”

Obviously, he didn’t buy her little lie as his smile grew even crueler, “Well then, I’d hate for no one to take care of you while he’s away.” He sat on the bed and crossed his arms and legs, “I guess I’ll have to do the honors.”

Kaila could not stop the small whimper that escaped her lips.

“Oh?” He glanced at her and smiled once again.

She really wished he would stop doing that.

“Is the little concubine afraid?”

To her horror, he began crawling up the bed.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of you while Xerxes is gone.”

More whimpers escaped her as paralyzing fear began to take over. She didn’t like the new vampire and knew his actions would be far from “caring.” Her suspicions were confirmed when he roughly grabbed her ankle and wrenched her so she lay flat on the bed.

She bit back a moan of pain as the chain pulled on her collar making it bruise her flesh. She began to struggle as he climbed on top of her.

Rupam grabbed her neck and shook his head, “Tsk, tsk, tsk. Can’t have you doing that can I?” He squeezed, and Kaila immediately began trying desperately to break his hold as her oxygen was cut off. He gazed at her from head to toe before shaking his head, “You’re not quite as enticing at the previous one had been. You’ll do though.”

Tears flowed down her trembling cheeks as he released her throat and began kissing it instead.

No, oh god, please no.

She began to sob as she felt his fangs glide over her skin without tearing the soft tissue beneath. She began to squirm anew and tried to shove him off her.

“Please don’t! Stop, please!”

The vampire looked up annoyed and slapped her face hard, “Stop moving, you little whore!”

Her face stung and more tears leaked out of her eyes as he went on.

“You are nothing but a mere concubine. This is the only thing you’re good for.”

Her eyes widened as she caught sight of his face… he looked… feral. He licked his lips mindful of his fangs as he raised a hand. His dark nails extended to sharp claws, and he brought one down on her cheek.

“The more you struggle, the easier it will be for me to cut you.”

Kaila stopped twisting around without delay, but her tremors only increased. His hand lifted her skirt to her hips, and he ran sharp claws up her leg.

“Help me... Master,” The name escaped her lips without warning yet she had never wanted to see someone so badly. Xerxes could be cruel, and often times cold, but he took care of her, and she wanted-needed-his protection.

The sinister laughter of the blood-thirsty demon above her made her heart run cold. “Xerxes isn’t coming, sweetheart,” He leaned down, and she tried to shrink away. “He’s quite busy and don’t think he’ll come sweeping in to save you like a guardian angel.”

For some reason, the last statement seemed completely uproarious to Rupam since he began to laugh heartedly.

Kaila closed her eyes. She had to do something! She couldn’t just lay there letting him rape her. Not wasting another second, she brought up her knee and hit him right in the gut.

Caught off guard because of his laughter, she managed to punch his face and shove him off her.

She heard him grunt and almost cried out in joy as she scrambled away- that is until her chain tightened and nearly chocked her.

To her dismay, she remembered the chain and began to sob as she tried to break the metal free from the wall.

Suddenly a hard body crashed into hers and the back of her head hit the border of the headboard with a cracking sound. She began to see dark spots as her vision waned. She felt something warm trickled down the side of her face and instinctively knew it wasn’t her tears.

Rupam instantly licked the liquid off her face as he grabbed her chin in a strong grip. She gasped as her body froze, and her collar began to feel warm.

“I could make you enjoy this you know?” He kissed the side of her face as he straddled her body and ran a claw down the strings of her jacket- efficiently breaking them. She tried to scream but no sound escaped her mouth. “What a shock it would be to your master, finding that his little concubine betrayed him and loved every second of it.” Her jacket came apart, and she almost cried as she was revealed to her molester.

“Hmmm,” He grabbed one of her breasts brutally and studied it before letting it go brusquely and taking hold of its twin. He looked up into her eyes, “What he sees in you, I’ll never know.”

Kaila could do nothing as the vampire placed his mouth over hers. She flinched as his tongue raped her mouth and noticed by the blood filling her mouth that he wasn’t overly careful with his fangs. Yet that was the least of her problems. Her collar began to burn her, and since her body was frozen she could do nothing as it seared her skin.

What was going on?

The burning shot from her neck to the back of her head. She had never felt such pain. Suddenly, being raped didn’t seem quite as unbearable as before.

The blonde monster pulled away, and she made a silent gasp as his eyes glowed red.

“What’s this?” He touched the collar and snarled as it burned him. He grinned, “You know. I don’t think I’ll make this enjoyable for you. I know that all he’ll do is torture you and kill you for the betrayal and find himself a new concubine.” He tapped his chin, “He might do that anyway… but regardless I want him to suffer at least a little if only a blow to the ego.”

He looked down at her, “Your blood is exquisite. It’s hard to imagine such nectar coming from such a plain girl.” He licked her lips and murmured against her ear, “I will take you long and hard. Making you beg for me before I fuck you inside out.” A whimper escaped her lips, and he chuckled deeply, “But first I need you to do me a little favor.”

Kaila swore her heart stopped beating as he began to unbuckle his belt. The burning sensation faded, and she began to plead inside her mind.

Please god, no.

His belt was discarded onto the ground.

Please… Xerxes… Master… help me…

Silent sobs racked her body as his phallus was revealed to her. It hung pale and limp, and she almost gagged at the repulsion of it. Her master’s was completely different. He was beautiful and this… monster would never be able to compare.

“I’m afraid you just don’t arouse me.” The vampire shrugged as he shook his head. He then smirked, “Not a problem. I have a fast solution.”

Her eyes widened as he took his own cock in his hands and began to masturbate in front of her. She shut her eyes tight against the repulsing scene.

Unfortunately she felt a tingling sensation as his voice cut through.

“Look at me…”

She found herself falling into a trance as her eyes opened.

Rupam smirked and then groaned deeply as his hand began to speed up. She followed the trail of the shiny liquid coming from the tip as it slowly fell to the ground.

“I’m… usually… not into… women… but I’ll have… to make… an… exception… this time.” He began panting as the liquid began to trickle down drop by drop.

His eyes locked onto hers, “You’re enjoying this, little concubine… very much.”

Kaila felt her body surge forward at the bolt of hot pleasure that coursed to her core. She began to fight inwardly. She should not be enjoying this, but his voice was so soothing so… seductive.

At last, he stopped with a low moan and grabbed her hand. She could only watch helplessly as her hand began to stroke his cold slab of meat on its own accord. She hated herself for being so weak.

If the vampire didn’t kill her, Xerxes certainly would.

Her golden entrapment sprang to life and a blood-curling scream escaped as the blazing pain enveloped her. It felt like she was being burned alive. Her body hummed in raw throbs, and she felt herself losing consciousness.

This was not what Rupam wanted apparently as he jerked her awake and slapped her hand away.

Her body began to stop its seizures and the blinding pain began to die away.

The vampire laughed, “Isn’t this a pleasant surprise? It seemed this collar punishes you should you be unfaithful.”

Before she knew it, his talons slashed away skirt until it lay in pieces, “Xerxes will pay for taking the one I love away from me.” He touched her cheek softly, and she gave a small cry when the pain returned though not quite as strong as before. His eyes narrowed as his lips twisted into a smile, “We’ll see how much you can take. Don’t worry. Feel free to scream as loud as you want. Every room in this castle is soundproof.”

Kaila’s eyes widened at his next statement, “It’s just you and me, sweetheart.”

Without warning, he took hold of her waist in a harsh grip and yanked down so her neck was hanging awkwardly as the chain was pulled taut. He moved so his manhood dangled just above her lips.

Please… please, Xerxes help me…

She didn’t know if he could hear her, but she continued to beg as the hard muscle began to descend.

I need you… please… help me…

So many tears had flowed down her cheeks she wasn’t sure if she was still crying, but her hope began to fade as he made her open her mouth.

“Take me deep, little whore.” He murmured as he stroked her hair. She fought the urge to gag as the muscle continued its plunge into her mouth, and the collar began to blaze anew.

She had to do something, anything.

Acting on instinct, she bit down as hard as she could. Warm blood filled her mouth, and she began to gag as Rupam pulled away instantly.

His eyes began to grow crimson as he snarled at her. “You little bitch,” he slapped her so hard her face turned to the sound with a sharp snap, and the blood in her mouth splattered over the sheets. “I’ll make you pay for that.”

He began to assail her face with punches before he took one of her nipples in his mouth and yanked brutally.

At once, her voice returned, and she cried out, “Stop it! Please, stop!”

His laughter made her sob. He looked up at her, “That’s it. Beg. Beg for me to stop. I want to hear you scream.”

With a flick of a finger he cut her at the very tip of her nipple, and she wept in pain.

He rose up two fingers, the claws glistening with blood. “I am going to break you, little girl. You will pay for what you did. I will rape you brutally until you are nothing but a feeble body in my hands and then,” He chuckled darkly, “I will suck you dry. You will be my little meal, human. Your master won’t recognize you upon his return.”

She shook her head and despair took over. The feeling of completely helplessness was more painful then any physical pain.

As he spread her legs, she gave up fighting.

There was no hope now.

His fingers entered her sharply, and she shrieked.

Her master wasn’t coming to save her.

She could feel the claws tearing her insides.

She had thought she could feel no lower.

His fangs began to extend as his mouth replaced his fingers, and he began to suck up the blood.

She was wrong.

No…

She gasped ignoring her surroundings at the warm voice in her head.

You are worth more than that…fight… fight him…

She did not question whose voice encouraged her. She only knew they gave her the strength to fight.

She might not see her family or her friends again.

She might not mean anything to her captor.

She might end up dying in the demon-infested castle.

But she had to fight for herself. She was not a bad person. She deserved to live.

And that in itself was enough.

End of the Chapter

Child of Philosophy