Chapter 8

When I woke up, it was dark, Leonardo was gone. The mansion was surprisingly quiet. I wondered if the deliveries had been successful. Then my shoulder demon asked how long they would be sticking around; but my shoulder angel decided that I should cut them some slack. I mean, Melissa had just popped out enough kids to start a frickin' band.

I finally sat up, thinking about how this evening was going to be different from any other. I would avoid Parker's room at all costs. I figured that I could hide out in the library or in the kitchen for a night or two. I went to the bathroom to draw a bath. I sat on the tub as I drew the water only to have Leonardo waltz in as though he knew I would be undressing soon.

"Melissa is well, in case you wanted to know."

I shrugged, watching the water rush from the faucet.

"That's good. How's Parker?"

"I think he's in shock. You would think he knew that werewolf cubs come in litters."

I shrugged again. There really was no telling with Parker.

"What's wrong? You seemed so excited earlier."

Another shrug. "Well I do love a spectacle."

Leonardo smirked at me. "And you say I'm the monster."

I turned off the faucet despite the fact that the tub was barely half-filled.

"It just seems really awkward. I mean, of course I'll congratulate them later but, from what I've heard, they don't get along too well and…"

"And that has nothing to do with you."

"I just want to avoid an awkward conversation. I mean, I don't even know Melissa and I barely know Parker. I figured I'd just wait around until they left. Besides, I don't know if I want to get too close to werewolves with young."

"You know, now that you mention it, they were much calmer than I thought they would be about the whole thing. I even got to hold one."

"They let the bloodsucker hold a baby?" I chuckled to myself as I absentmindedly turned the faucet back on.

"It wasn't so much a baby as it was a puppy. Besides, Melissa and I are good friends."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, it's her mother who breathes confrontation."

"Why does that not surprise me?"

"She's been trying to keep Melissa and Parker apart."

"I thought they weren't really together."

"It's complicated."

"If that's the case, then why did she bring Melissa here?"

"Melissa wanted him to be there when she gave birth."

"So her mom started caring then?"

"Perhaps. I honestly have no idea. That woman's heart is smaller than mine but she is devoted to her daughter."

"I guess that's…nice."

I managed to take my shirt and bra off by myself and drop my sweatpants before sliding into the water. In another time, I would have been reluctant (terrified) to undress in front of Leonardo but he was gradually losing his edge around me.

"How was your relationship with your mother, Roxanne?"

"Why do you care?"

"I don't really. I'm just curious. You're so mysterious, Roxanne."

I looked up at him questioningly to find him leering down at me. I snickered.

"Right, I'm mysterious says the ancient vampire with the creepy friends."

Leonardo's expression changed from lecherous to quizzical.

"Did you have many friends, Roxanne?"

"Do you honestly think I'm going to answer any of your questions?"

"You'll have to eventually."

"And why is that?" I spat."

"If you don't, you'll forget."

I looked back up at him, but he wasn't looking at me anymore. He grabbed a loofah and applied body wash to it. I watched him, denying his intent in my mind.

"What are you doing," I asked.

He began scrubbing my back. Because I didn't want to get my casts wet, I sat there, feeling my body grow hot with embarrassment and something else…

"I'm not a child! I can wash myself!"

"Oh, I am aware of that." I could hear the smirk in his voice.

"Master, really, I— "

"Isn't there anything you would like to know about me, Roxanne?"

I leaned my elbow on the rim of the tub and let my chin fall on my canvassed palm.

"No," I said flatly.

"I doubt that very much, darling."

I sighed, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of an answer.

"What was your family like?"

"I really don't want to talk about it, okay?"

"You will have to talk about it eventually. Are you happier without them?"

"If you're asking if I like being owned by a vampire and bored out of my skull, then my answer would have to be no."

"That's a shame. Do you miss your family?"

I didn't answer. I felt so many emotions that I couldn't even sort through them. Memories of my family and the night I was taken ran through my mind as if I was dying. Then, to my horror, I couldn't visualize my parents' faces. That realization combined with the mortification I felt at being bathed by Leonardo brought me close to tears. I hung my head, mistakenly thinking that I could hide my wet, reddening eyes from Leonardo.

"Calm down, love," he said with a sigh. "We can talk about this another time."

I tried to suppress a sob but just wound up shuddering. I splashed water in my face, trying in vain to hide the fact that I was crying. Leonardo continued to pass the loofah over the rest of my body, careful of my casts. It would have been sensual if I hadn't given myself a headache trying to remember what my parents looked like. When he was done, he stood me up and wrapped me in a towel. I wouldn't look him in the eye. I went into the bedroom without a glance back. As I dressed myself, I could practically feel Leonardo's eyes boring into my back.

"Don't you have anywhere else to be?" I spat.

"Not at the moment."

I turned around to glare at him. I had already lost the fight to keep the tears from escaping and saw no point in trying to hide it.

"Are you trying to make me miserable?" I sobbed.

A surprised look passed over his face before he looked away from me.

"I'm sorry I distressed you. I should not have pressured you."

I sniffled, shuddering as I tried to swallow the sobs.

"I know what you were trying to do. I just…I can't even remember what they look like."

Leonardo nodded.

"I understand."

There was an awkward pause before a strange thought crossed my mind.

"Do you remember much of your life before you became a vampire?"

I looked up at him through tear-laden eyelashes to see his mouth tugged in a rueful smile. He chuckled.

"Not at all."

I lowered my eyes.

"I'm sorry."

He sobered and nodded at my response.

"Then you understand why we have to talk about this eventually."

"I guess so."

Suddenly, I felt silly for crying. I was being overemotional. Leonardo was only trying to help. At times, Leonardo tries so hard to be helpful that he winds up causing more trouble than it's worth.

"I am truly sorry for distressing you."

"I know. I accept your apology."

The sobs were subsiding, making me tremble slightly as opposed to convulsing. Leonardo gave me a brief hug which surprisingly helped calm me down.

"I'm afraid I'm still a bit tired, my dear. I think I'll take a nap."

I nodded as he pulled away from me.

"Good evening, master."

"Good evening, Roxanne." With that, he climbed into his coffin and closed the lid.

I took a deep breath, making sure that I had my breathing under control before I wandered out into the hallway again. Just when I thought I had pulled myself together, I saw Mod walk out of his room. He froze when he saw me.

I whimpered like an injured puppy.

The sound I made seemed to jolt Mod into action and he took off down the hallway. It took me a couple of seconds to find my voice.

"Mod, wait!"

He froze, still not facing me. I walked up behind him and, before I could stop myself, lay my hand gently on his shoulder. When I realized who I was touching, I quickly withdrew my hand.

"Did you deliver Melissa and Parker's babies?"

He turned around to face me.

"Yes."

I inhaled sharply. Somehow I had forgotten how gorgeous he was. I shyly averted my eyes.

"Oh… Did everything turn out alright?"

"Yes."

There was a strange pause. Mod refused to look at my face but my gaze drifted back to his face.

"That's…good. Good job."

Good job…?

Mod looked at me questioningly.

"What I mean is…that's really cool? I don't know…I think…You seem very…useful?"

His expression didn't change.

"I mean, after you…hurt me, you were able to heal me. And apparently you're also an obstetrician…You're very talented."

His expression softened.

"Thank you, Roxanne."

Although his features were more relaxed, the look in his eyes made me somewhat fearful. His stare was very intense, as if he was holding himself back. I was suddenly afraid that he might try to touch me. A small smirk tugged at his lips, confident but not condescending like Leonardo's.

"I never apologized for…what I did to you."

I knew where he was going. I suddenly wanted an escape from the conversation.

"You really don't have to. I think I understand."

"I don't think you do," he said, stepping closer to me with the same intense look. That look and that smirk did strange things to my head. I was both terrified and intrigued. I liked that feeling. "We have much to discuss."

Now I was the one giving the questioning look.

"I don't think we do, Mod. I belong to Leonardo."

It hurt to use that as an excuse.

"Leonardo understands, but I'm almost positive that you don't."

His smirk widened and I could swear that there was light behind his eyes. Terror was beating out intrigue.

"Mod, I—"

"Call me Asmodai."

I whimpered again. His smile faltered.

"I wish you wouldn't fear me."

"I wish you wouldn't frighten me." My voice trembled, making my quip sound more pathetic than witty.

His eyes bore into mine. This time I could see the light behind his eyes, giving them a low glow. It scared me so much that I wanted to cry all over again.

"I will find away to make amends with you."

I nodded, resigned to his attentions. I wanted the conversation to be over.

As though he sensed my embarrassment, he walked briskly down the hall and down the stairs without a glance back. I went back to my room, too afraid to go in the direction he went.

A/N: First of all, I'd like to thank AmiableAngel for reviewing. I'm at the point where I've answered almost all of your questions in the following chapters. Personally, I think Peter warrants more speculation, but I suppose I didn't make him as mysterious as I thought. You'll be seeing a bit more Leo/Roxi in the future though.

In the meantime, reviews are ALWAYS welcome. While I appreciate the story alerts and the favorites, I'd like some constructive criticism, questions, et cetera. I'm glad that there are people out there who like this fic, but I also want to know why you like it. Are you Team Leo or Team Mod? What do you think of Roxi's characterization? Is she ever annoying? Erratic? Flatout stupid? I do hope you enjoyed this update. Between now and the next one, feel free to tell me what you think.