Time passed, and the man opened the curtains without raising himself. Just a single gesture of his hand was enough. “There are only a few hours left until sunrise, parasite. Are you sure you want to wait until then?” He grinned wittingly at him. “I don’t mind, after all, I just will have to vacuum some ashes. But I’d strongly suggest you to reconsider.” 

Was he serious? He wouldn’t leave him in the sunlight to die, would he? Nelio hesitated. To be burned by the sun was the most painful death a vampire could experience. What had he gotten himself into? Why did he have to choose this stupid house? The low security had fooled him in believing the situation was under control.

But the only one that controlled it was the man before him. He was no victim, no prey to be taken. He was a predator himself who had lured him into his trap. What should he do? Should he wait it out? The sun would raise soon. He couldn’t risk waiting any longer.

“Please, let me get back up”, he begged the stranger even though he had to swallow all of his pride to form the words. He hated himself for it, he hated the man for forcing him into this situation. If he only showed an ounce of opportunity, he’d kill him for the humiliation he caused him!

“I’ll do. As soon as you prove to me, you understand who you’ll serve from this day onward.” 

“And how exactly am I supposed to do that?” Nelio was desperate. He had enough of it. He had enough of these games!

“Kiss my feet. Then I’ll know you’re serious. Or at least desperate enough.” He smirked at him as if he was enjoying to see the vampire struggling with his desire to live and the wish to uphold an ounce of his pride.

God-damn it. Did he even have a choice? He couldn’t risk getting burnt for something like that! While growling in frustration, Nelio reached for the foot, pressing his lips so slightly against it, he could delude himself into it never happening.

“Good boy.” The man patted his head again and closed the curtains with another wave of his hand. “Don’t worry. The sunlight won’t reach through them. I don’t intend to burn my little new beast.” 

The force which held him down disappeared, allowing him to raise himself. Nelio didn’t hesitate a second. With a roar, he threw himself on the man, reaching for his throat. “I’ll fucking kill you, bastard!” 

“Oh, you are free to try. But I hope you’re aware of the fact it will end your life simultaneously.” There wasn’t a single hint of fear in his features. His heartbeat stayed so calm that Nelio couldn’t waive it as a bluff.

“What are you talking about?”

“You didn’t realize yet, dear?” The man reached for his cheeks. “I am a blood sorcerer, little parasite. Your life was chained to my own the moment you drank my blood. I enforced a blood pact onto you.” 

A blood sorcerer? In all his years he never heard about such a mage. Yet, he was not stupid enough to risk his life on it. Growling he released the man before he used his voodoo to force him. “So you’re telling me my life is bound to yours from this point onward?” 

Was there anyway to lift something like that? Killing him might have been easy, but it was no option if he died alongside him. 

“Exactly. So, I’d recommend you to accept this fate rather than struggling needlessly against it.” He bowed his head slightly into Nelio’s direction. “But maybe it would be time to actually introduces ourselves. You may start with yourself and I might grant you the honor to hear my name. Or would you prefer with calling me master?”

“Like hell I would!” The vampire grumbled. For now, he had to be patient. He had to wait for his chance to free himself, even if it meant to suck up to this man who was even more rotten on his inside than any vampire he ever met. “My name is Nelio.” 

“Nelio? I see. Welcome to your new home, Nelio. From this moment onwards you are lucky as you won’t need to hunt humans in dangers any longer. As your master of course I will provide your meals.” He chuckled and left open, if he intended to feed him himself or if he planned to throw him some poor humans to his feet. 

Nelio would have to live with it either way. How did it end up like this? A vampire was a predator, a danger lurking in the shadows who brought fear and respect to humanity for centuries. How could he have been overpowered by a human mage? Why didn’t he notice the signals before? 

“The name of the human who you’ll live for from this day onwards, is Amras.” He grinned, pulled his hand back and sank into the bed as if he had no care in the world left. “I’ll be looking forward to your service, Nelio.”