Bloodl.u.s.t

I was successful in finding the kitchen after exploring the enormous house for almost 15 minutes, stumbling upon weird looking rooms, one which appeared like a dungeon and I was certain I had spotted shackles through a huge iron door which guarded it.

I wondered what they used that room for?

After a lot more wrong and right turns, I finally encountered the brightly-lit kitchen and was immediately greeted by the delicious scent of freshly cooked pancakes.

"Want some?" I heard Samuel ask when he spotted me. He was wearing an apron and one of his cheeks was coated with flour.

I hesitated at first but then heard my stomach growl; the aroma was too tempting as well, so I tiptoed and sat myself quietly on the kitchen stool.

"I'll take that as a yes then?" he smiled, one that reached his eyes.

Nodding, I took a look at the kitchen. According to Penny, since the 10 years that she'd lived there, no women had ever cooked in it. Her mother had died when she was just 7 so it was her father, Mr. Gibson who cooked all the meals. Although they were often times when she would find egg-shells in her pancakes, she never tried a hand at cooking but when the food was extremely under or overcooked they would have to order takeout.

I disliked Penny but this was one thing I liked about her. The inability to cook.

"Bon Appétit!" squealed Samuel as he passed a plate of nicely presented pancakes and a glass of orange juice to mr. The blueberries were arranged the form a smile and sliced strawberries surrounded the edge.

"This is so cute!" I attacked the pancake as soon as it reached me, "And so yummy!"

He bowed perfectly and went on to flip some more pancakes.

"Thank you! This takes like heaven as compared to Mr. Gibson's lasagna last night!"

I chewed slowly, trying to stifle the mmm's which escaped my lips.

"Someone had to make it up to you after all," he said pausing from his pancake flipping to focus his attention on me.

I stopped munching and spoke in a flat tone, "So, this is kind of an apology? For trying to kill me?"

"Maybe?" he pressed his lips together

and I let out an annoyed grunt. "I'm sorry for what he did. His mind is not in the right place currently."

"Stop apologizing for someone else's fault. You didn't try to kill me, he did."

"Well you see, Nick... He is my family. He stood along my side when no one did. Besides, he won't ever apologise for what he did." He teased with a chuckle.

"I thought so." I snapped.

He had a smile on his face, one that made him look adorable. And somehow the anger I felt in that moment seemed to fade away.

Don't forget he's a vampire!

Yes. That fact had slipped my mind. He had been way too kind to me. What I couldn't understand was how that evil vampire had befriended him.

"He's not as bad as you think he is. He's just stuck in this terrible... terrible situation. He never acts like this. He never hurts anyone. Not for no reason at least. I don't understand..." He spoke with a confuzzled tone as he removed his apron.

"What situation?" I seemed absolutely interested as this was the second time I had heard of it.

There was no answer.

As if you thought you would get one.

"But why am I being held captive? You need my help... Fine! I'll help y'all. Just let me go home."

"You will be helpful to us if you happen to be a witch. And if you are, I'm sure you don't know even a single spell."

"You want me to do magic? Haha." I genuinely laughed.

"It's not funny." His tone held seriousness.

"Yes, it's not! I can't do magic...!" I stated, annoyance clear in my voice.

"We don't know that yet. But you're going to be here for a while and once your work is done you'll be free to go."

I thought for a minute and the next moment it was out of my mouth, "What if I don't want to help?"

Samuel's eyes widened, letting out a nervous chuckle he warned, "You have no other choice but to help. Nick gets what he wants. It's a matter of life and death to him."

I sighed heavily and ran my fingers through my dark brown locks, "Is there... a chance of me getting harmed whilst helping?"

He bit his lower lip and replied, "A little. Yes."

A frown had formed on my face instantly and I could feel my heart beat at a dangerous rate.

"But I wouldn't let that happen. We won't let it happen. You're helping us. We'll protect you."

"Yeah, helping y'all without my consent. Besides, you are the ones who need my help. Don't make promises that are bound to break." I stated rudely. Or at least tried to. I wasn't the type of girl who could be rude to people easily and his adorable face wasn't helping either.

"You don't want to help," He began with a vicious smirk playing about his lips, "but I'm sure you can be convinced."

Now we are talking...