Cassius followed Camilla up the stairs of her apartment building, he was familiar with the place from an airfield perspective and found this route a change of pace. Camila paused in front of her apartment door before peaking at Cassius one last time. 'Do you want to come inside?' She didn't want her night with him to come to an end regardless of the surprises that she encountered.
'If I come inside, I won't be able to stop at just a kiss Camilla, and I don't think you are ready for that yet.' Cassius wanted to ignore all caution and enjoy her fully there and then. However, the thrill of waiting now that he had cornered his prey was exciting. That was what he told himself on the surface anyway, he knew there was a part of him that simply wanted to make sure she was ready.
'Yes, you're right I need some time.' Camilla spoke slightly embarrassed, as she brushed her hair behind her ear fidgeting. Cassius sensing her disappointment, grabbed both her hands and kissed them farewell.
'I want to Camilla, believe me when I say I do.' He tightened his hold on her hands trying to control his urges as he took in her scent. 'But I don't want to scare you, I can be... intense.' Cassius tried to find the most accurate word to describe his behaviour when he devoured his meals, especially one as delicious as her.
Camilla was lost for words and reluctantly gestured him goodbye as he released his hold on her. She went inside and paused at the other side of the door as she took in everything she felt that night.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Cassius arrived at the crimson family manor pleased and brimming with excitement, he had never tasted anything so sweet and was looking forward to enjoying his prey while they were sound of mind. Whenever he fed in the past the humans would be charmed as his intensity was too much for most people to handle without being drunk on his pheromones.
Estefan had already met him at the door. 'Did you enjoy your night Sire?' Estefan welcomed his master home.
'Yes I did, very much... Estefan have you ever heard of our charm having no effect on a human?' Cassius realised Camilla was a rare case. Even though Cassius had lived longer than Estefan, he knew Estefan's knowledge and history surpassed his own.
'I've heard of humans resisting our charm but never of it having no effect at all. I will look into this further.' He replied intrigued as it wasn't an everyday occurrence for there to be something Estefan didn't already know about, he felt it a challenge.
Cassius was making his way up the stairs towards his private quarters when he felt a faint vibration in the air.
'Seems our young lord is practicing his aura control.' Cassius could sense the strength resonating around him.
'Yes Sire, he has gotten quite good at it.'
'Quite the little beast we have on our hands.' Cassius smirked looking back at Estefan. For a vampire to improve so quickly was unheard of, it was as though Vesper was catching up on lost time.
Estefan replied back with a devilish grin. 'Perhaps another testing session, Sire?' He too was eager to see his growth.
'Soon.' Cassius was excited to see the young lord's new strength, but he wanted to hone it further. 'For now, he could do with some theory. Bring young Vesper to your study.'
'My study?' Estefan raised an eyebrow in annoyance as his safe space of solitude had been invaded on multiple accounts since his master's awakening. 'Of course, Sire.' He recovered his composure before Cassius noticed. 'I'll prepare a blood bag for you while you wait Sire,' Estefan was always good at anticipating what his master needed.
'Ahh, there will be no need for that anymore.' Cassius smirked holding in his laughter behind his demonic pose. He looked like crazed beast remembering the taste of a delicate soul.
Piecing the puzzles together Estefan smiled as he acknowledged his master's delightful mood. 'I'll look into the charm immunity at once Sire.' Estefan corrected himself as they both headed upstairs towards the study.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Estefan was in his element once again behind a pile of seemingly never-ending paperwork. 'What could possible keep you so busy every time I come here?' Cassius wondered out of boredom as he sat waiting for the young lord.
'Would you like to see for yourself Sire?' Estefan smiled in a sarcastic manner still without pausing his work. He already knew the answer, and for some reason this time when his Cassius awoke his interactions with him weren't entirely that of master and servant.
'I believe there was a book here that I remember enjoying over here.' Cassius walked towards the overgrown bookcase evading the answer. Cassius was never one for administrative work, among other reasons this was why he had never taken charge of the Crimson family affairs despite being its founder.
'Esme? You said her name was?' Cassius was thinking out loud.
Estefan froze his work and peeked over his glasses.
This was the second time Cassius noticed his sensitive reactions towards the female aide. 'You seem to care about this human?' Cassius searched his mind. 'I don't believe I have ever seen you care about another.'
Why? He asked.
Estefan removed his glasses to properly face his master. 'If you mean to ask me why her? Then the answer won't be to your satisfaction.' Estefan condensed his aura in his palm, his eyes turned ruby red while his nails grew sharp. 'She quietens the voices in my head,' his fangs grew as he spoke and while his eyes looked distant and strained. 'Since my turning you know I've been plagued with nightmares, simply put she brings me peace.' As Estefan finished his explanation, he regained his human appearance once more.
Estefan had been with Cassius the longest even before he had been turned, in fact most of Cassius' past acquaintances had all died long ago. To the point that he could not remember any of their faces. Over the years Estefan had seen many scenes that would have crippled any average human whilst by Cassius' side, once turned these manifested as paranormal echoes every time he used his powers and when he slept.
'I see, it was her blood that calmed you down?' Cassius looked almost relieved as though he was telling himself the same.
Estefan shook his head in return, 'at first I also thought that to be the case, but it was more than that, I just didn't see it till much later.'
Cassius couldn't help but see the parallels while listening to his retainer. Did he really feel something for Camilla other than hunger and lust?
Was that what he kept trying to bury?
Why? Why her? Why now?
However, his thoughts were interrupted before he could come to any distinct conclusion.