Beyond This Illusion

Days passed without anymore upset. The first night after her punishment, Wilhelmina had crawled to the bathroom and taken a very warm bath, which only reduced her pain by a fraction. The candle wax was easy to remove, but the whip marks burned like fire. She slept uneasily that night, troubled by nightmares of the punishment, only thrice as worse. Twice she woke up, drenched in perspiration and nearly screaming. She fell back asleep though, after assuring herself Jiresue was not near. When the morning came, she sat up with a quiet whimper of pain. The whip marks ached, but not as bad as when she had first gotten them of course. Jiresue was kind enough to have given her food, and even licked where the girl's skin had broken from the whip. Then she left, leaving Mina locked to her room. Jiresue returned later that night, thin lipped and quiet, with a dinner plate for Mina. She ate in silence, and set the plate at the door when she was finished. She went to bed, and Jiresue came to pick up the plate.

The second day wasn't as bad. Her door had been left open, and Mina went out and explored her surroundings. The manor was large, that much was true. A few doors were locked here and there, and she didn't try to enter them if the door knob wouldn't turn. Many rooms looked very much the same, mainly the bedrooms. She found a room she fancied, a library, filled with books. Two large plush chairs were next to a fancy tall, elegant lamp. She picked out a book and scanned through the first few pages. After a few minutes, she chose a book on England History of the eighteenth century, and sat to read. She spent a few hours in there, and then returned to her room. On the way she had met Jiresue. This time the woman didn't seem so hard pressed and angry, but she wasn't exactly nice either. Mina told her she had found the library, and asked if it was all right that she spend her time there. Jiresue nodded, saying she was pleased the girl had found something to do other than sit in her room all day. Mina blushed, and went back to the library again.

That was how it was for almost a week. Every day Mina would wake to a breakfast, shower and dress, then go to the library and read. Jiresue would come in with her lunch, and sit with her while she ate. Sometimes they would talk, sometimes they would not. Mainly it was Jiresue talking of her childhood, how she missed her home and her old family. Mina, although still scared of the vampire, took a genuine interest into learning Jiresue's history. Once Jiresue let Mina talk of her own childhood, which was certainly not as interesting as the vampire's, so she kept it short. Jiresue seemed fascinated by her, and Mina couldn't tell why. She was only a human, after all. Jiresue had lived through hundreds of years, how could she be interested in a barely adult female such as herself? Mina didn't question it. Perhaps it was because Jiresue had not had any company for a long time. And although Mina was forced to be here, as long as she didn't get any more punishments, she really didn't mind it. Jiresue could be kind if she wanted to, and Mina had learned that when she stumbled into a bookshelf.

The shelf was old, barely able to stand. When Mina collapsed into it, the shelf tipped over. Mina cried out in surprise, holding her arms out in front of her to protect herself. She could hear the books falling from the wood, and prepared herself for the pain of the crush. It never came. Mina opened her eyes, wide and frightful. There stood Jiresue, easily pulling the shelf back into it's proper place. Mina blinked, arms still in the air. Jiresue put the books back into place, then nodded to Mina as if it had been nothing. "Th-thanks," Mina had muttered. Jiresue mumbled something, which Mina did not hear, and walked out of the room.

This day was like no other. Mina had awaken, dressed in jeans (provided upon request from Jiresue, even though they were still expensive and elaborate), and a t-shirt (also provided, and also still expensive). She sat in the library, quietly reading a Shakespearean novel. One she had read in high school, had liked, and chose to read again. Mina looked up, expecting Jiresue to come in at any moment. It was just a few minutes after one, and the vampire usually came in at this time to bring her something to eat.

As expected, the vampire woman swept into the room with the grace she always possessed, and almost flaunted. Mina looked up from her book, eyes peeking over the edge, with a gentle smile. "I have your lunch," Jiresue purred, holding up a covered platter. Mina smiled wider, and placed her book marker, a torn piece of paper, between two pages in the book. "Thank you," she responded, setting the book onto the floor beside her chair. Jiresue gently set the platter into Mina's lap, and sat beside her in the other chair. Mina took the lid off, and grinned. Chicken kiev, mashed potatoes, and peaches. She picked up the utensils and began to eat.

Jiresue was silent, only glancing to Mina with mild curiosity as she ate, but not her usual chatter, or gentle eyes. Mina blinked at her, tilting her head to the side. "Is something wrong?" she asked quietly, licking her lips free of peach juice. The woman across from her sighed softly, laying her hands in her lap. She paused before she spoke, lowering her gaze to the floor. "I haven't fed in awhile. I'm hungry. I didn't want to feed from you though. You were recovering from your punishment. I didn't want to enforce another where it was not deserved." The girl blinked in surprise, nearly choking on her chicken. "Oh...I uhh...oh," she stuttered, blushing faintly. "I...I didn't know. I mean...if you're hungry...I wouldn't want you to...starve yourself..." she whispered, her blush increasing into a deep pink high on her cheeks. Jiresue looked up, her own cheeks flushed. "I would think you would. You'd want me to starve, to shrivel and die. You'd be able to leave then. If I die, my magic on this place would cease, and you'd be set free." Mina simply shrugged. "You own me now, don't you? Why would you need my permission?"

An awkward silence filled the room once the question was asked. Jiresue opened her mouth to speak, then closed it. She opened it again, and closed it. She only sighed, shaking her head gently. Auburn tresses bounced on her shoulders. "May I?" Jiresue asked, standing in a liquid motion. Mina looked up at her with wide eyes, setting her plate down beside the book. "You don't need my permission. I'd rather you feed when you are hungry then starve yourself, and suddenly ravage and kill me if you can't control it." The vampire woman understood her logic, and gently placed her hands on the girl's shoulders, pulling her close. Mina became intoxicated within seconds by the woman's scent, and closed her eyes to prepare for the slight discomfort of fangs against her flesh.

Jiresue took Mina's collar in her hand, and pulled it down past her shoulder. Porcelain skin revealed, and a throbbing blue vein beat against her skin. She leaned close, brushing her lips across the pulsing muscle. Mina's body tensed, but Jiresue's hands slipped down to her waist, pulling her even closer and relaxing her. Mina purred into Jiresue's ear, causing the woman to shudder lightly. Jiresue kissed Mina's neck, and now it was the girl's turn to shudder. To distract the girl from the pain, Jiresue let her fingernails scratch lightly on Mina's back, keeping her pressed close to her own chest. Mina pressed her forehead into Jiresue's neck, her own arms wrapped around the woman's waist, in case she were to fall. Jiresue held her firmly, letting her canines extend into sharp ivory fangs.

Mina felt them pierce her skin, and whimpered lightly. Although she'd been bitten before, and knew what to expect, it never lessened the point of penetration. Mina's grip tightened, and Jiresue held her closer to her chest. She buried her face into the woman's neck, holding her breath as her crimson life was sucked from two small pinpricks on the pulsing vein. Jiresue took more than usual, having not fed in a week. Mina would be considerably weakened, but not to the brink of death. No, Jiresue wished to keep her alive for a much longer time.

Once she was done, Jiresue gently pulled her fangs from the small wounds and let the blood soaked canines retract. Mina swayed uneasily, her face pale and her body weak. Jiresue caught her easily, lifting her bridal style and holding her close. "Time to rest now, Mina. You're very weak, I can tell." Instantly Mina shook her head, only to groan as a wave of nausea washed over her. "N-no...am fine..." she whispered; though it was quite obvious by the gentle wind of a whisper she was certainly not fine, and Jiresue knew it. Easily she carried the girl from the library, and into the hallway. She did not turn to Mina's room, but continued left and down the elegant ebony staircase. By this time Mina had closed her eyes, and was drifting uneasily between consciousness and unconsciousness. Jiresue held her tighter, walking down a dimly lit hallway. She paused at a large oak door, a golden leaflet in the center of it with an inscription on it that was too dark to read now. A second passed, and the door opened slowly.

Darkness was in this room, but as soon as the vampire stepped inside, flame seemed to erupt to the wicks of the candelabras lining the wall. Mina stirred restlessly, trying to wiggle out of Jiresue's arms. The vampire chuckled softly, setting Mina down softly on a large, plush bed. The candle light flickered lazily, casting shadows throughout the room. Mina curled toward the deep red pillows, grasping one and lifting her knees to her chest. Jiresue gazed down at her, the corner of her lips raising into a silent smile. She brushed Mina's hair from her face, and slipped onto bed with her. She did not speak to her, nor did she touch her in any sexual way. Jiresue simply lay there on her side, eyes locked on the back of Mina's head as she slept on. Mina would need plenty of sleep now, having so much blood drank from her. Jiresue would not feed like this from her again. She even felt guilty for having done so in the first place. But she hadn't wanted to feed from the girl after her punishment until she was completely healed. It would have been extremely rude of her. So she let the girl remain to herself.

She was very pleased that Mina had found her library. None of her other pets had been so attracted to it, and only went there to destroy her things when they had been upset. However, Mina had found them to be entertaining, even the books Jiresue had found boring and uninteresting. Jiresue enjoyed sitting in the library with her, even if they didn't talk every day. She'd never told anyone else about her childhood, and she had even come close to talking about her turning. Luckily she had stopped herself before she could, and had made an excuse to leave the room. The subject of her turning, and of her sire, had never been a pleasant one, and she refused to talk about it. Even other vampires she were friendly with didn't know, and she had no intention on telling them. Yet, that day with Mina, it had almost seemed natural. The words were on the tip of her tongue, and she had only closed her lips just in time.

Reaching over to brush Mina's hair from her face again, she inhaled the girl's scent. It was very sweet, of freshly bloomed roses and tiger lilies. Without even realizing it, Jiresue leaned close to Mina's cheek and gently pressed her lips against it. The girl rustled, wrinkling her nose, but did not wake. Pulling away, Jiresue's cheeks flushed. It had been on a whim, and seemed like good timing. A kiss goodnight. To stop herself from doing anything else on a whim, Jiresue silently rolled out of her bed and stood before Mina. She gazed down at her smiling, and pulled the thick comforter up to her chin. The girl only whimpered, and curled up tighter. Jiresue blew toward a candelabra, and every candle in the room extinguished, leaving the room dark. Jiresue left quietly, leaving the door open behind her.

She had placed Mina into her own bedroom, which was odd enough. No other pets had been allowed in there. Yet Jiresue felt compelled to bring her there. Mina's bed wasn't as comfortable as her own, and her room was much warmer and more pleasant. It just seemed like a good idea. Jiresue, rather confused by her actions, walked silently upstairs to her parlor. The wind from outside blew harshly, whistling through the slightly opened window in the far corner. Jiresue strode toward it, wincing as the old hinges creaked when it shut. The wind ceased to whistle inside, but she could still hear it beating on the outside of the manor.

Jiresue sat in a large, plush chair, draping her arms lazily in her lap. Her feet crossed at her ankles. She sat there for awhile, almost two hours, contemplating. It was odd, how attached she was to Mina. Even if the girl's only been here a week. Most didn't survive so long, and those who did had given up. Mina though, she seemed to still have that fight in her. She hadn't just fallen over, letting Jiresue do as she wished. Mina had offered herself to her, something no other pet had ever done. Jiresue almost refused, but she knew she must. Otherwise she would have lost control, and killed Mina.

That very thought sent shivers up her spine. Jiresue closed her eyes, lowering her head almost shamefully. She didn't want to kill Mina. She wished for the girl to remain a long time. She enjoyed her company very much, and wouldn't want to have to kill her. "Why am I so attracted to her?" the vampire wondered to herself, taking the corner of her lower lip and nibbling on it idly. "She's a pretty girl, sure...but I've just never felt so strongly to someone before, man or woman. She's utterly delightful, no matter how sassy she gets. Ugh...." The thought trailed off, and she sighed. She knew why she was getting to attached to the girl.

She was falling in love with her.

Another thought that sent shivers up and down her back. Jiresue grimaced, but knew it was true. She'd only felt this way about one other person. And that person was now dead, gone forever. She had refused to love someone after that, but now she could not help it. Mina was just...just perfect. Her raven tresses, twinkling eyes. Usually she felt no guilt about harming her pets, but after Mina's punishment she felt so horrible about it, she'd actually cried in anger. "Damn it! I can't let this happen!" she whispered, her voice echoing around her in the empty room. She could not let this happen. Not again. She wouldn't let her heart be broken in two once more. It had hurt enough the first time, and it had made her what she was now. If it were to happen again...she wouldn't know what to do. It'd be best to cut off the connection now.

She had to kill Mina, whether she wanted to or not.