Charlie beat his foot nervously on the floor as the elevator went up, clutching the letter he had received this morning. The envelope was marked with a big red urgent stamp and Charlie noticed it had been sent in the middle of the night, meaning the person who sent it was rich enough to be able to make people come in at work in the middle of their sleeping time. 

The sender wasn’t written, but the Doctor knew who it was. There was no doubt in his mind that it was an answer from the Vampire King, carrying the fate of Mika. Charlie hoped with all the cells in his body that the black panther wouldn’t suffer. The Vampire hoped that the ruthless man was only planning to have Mika’s blood sent to him periodically, without any need for contact. 

It was nothing but wishful thinking.

Charlie entered the PIN to open the door and went in, taking off his shoes and his coat. The weather was beginning to get chilly, autumn coming along with its cinnamon scent, its warm colors and its depressive mood. Days were starting to get shorter and Charlie could feel its effect on Mika. The black panther was found dozing off more often, staying curled up near heat sources or in his animal form. He went to bed earlier and woke up much later, meaning he was basically sleeping more than being awake.

At least his complexion looked much better.

Talking of the sleepy cat, Mika came toward Charlie to greet him, enveloped in a cocoon made of a blanket. The white quilt trailed behind him and his hands gripped it from the inside, making sure his body was well covered, only letting out his toes and the upper half of his face. 

Mika looked at the Vampire with dazed eyes, seemingly just waking up from a nap.

Charlie smiled and ruffled Mika’s nest of hair, making the dark curls even more entangled. The shifter let out a rumble of disapprobation, before his eyes widened when he glanced at the letter in Charlie’s hands. Immediately, his whole posture changed. His back straightened up, his visage was alert and his pupils constricted into two slits, making his turquoise eyes pop out.

“Is it… him?” Mika asked with a rugged voice, not really wanting to hear the answer. Sadly, Charlie nodded, confirming his guest. The panther gulped, before closing his eyes and taking in a big inhale. He let the air inside his lungs for a few seconds, before exhaling softly with a shaky breath.

He looked back at the Doctor and Charlie could see the determination in Mika’s eyes. Both men went toward the dining room and sat down face to face on the black chairs. Charlie placed the envelope before Mika and let him open it.

Mika shifted only the nail on his index, transforming it into a claw, and ripped open the ugly yellow paper. He let the suspense stay for a few seconds, taking all the courage he had in his heart and finally spilling the content on the table.

Only one paper fell out and Mika took it, unfolding the letter.

Charlie waited in tense silence as Mika’s eyes browsed through the letter. His features seemed frightened, then surprised and finally settled into a look of incredulousness. Mika looked as if it was unbelievable. As if he suddenly remembered Charlie, Mika looked in his eyes.

“He wants to meet me… He says he wants me to be his Blood Partner, that he will give me anything I want in exchange…” Mika answered Charlie’s silent question, mumbling the words out. The Doctor choked on his saliva, not expecting that. He snatched the letter out of the shifter's hands, the latter not even realizing it as he was too shocked. 

Charlie quickly read the paper and saw that it was exactly as Mika said. The Vampire King, in fact, wanted Mika to be his Blood Partner. This situation meant that the King wanted to spend the rest of his life with Mika. There was a ritual that made it so the Donor would gain immortality for as long as the Vampire lived, but in exchange would produce more blood than normal, making it so he needed to have his blood taken periodically, and other Vampires would become disgusted with his blood. In parallel, the Receiver would only be able to consume the Donor’s blood for the rest of his life. For the Vampires community, such a contract was highly respected and so rare that only a few old vampires still had it. Nowadays, nobody wants to be bound to another.

Because the Donor would have to live the rest of his life sheltered and by having his blood taken, few wanted to become one. Charlie, however, thought that it was a really good opportunity for Mika. Becoming a Donor meant being taken care of and appreciated, it would surely help the young shifter. Also, even though the way was kept secret, there was a ceremony created to cancel the ritual. As the Vampire King, he surely knew how to, so Charlie didn’t need to worry about the future if Mika or the King changed his mind.

It was weird however, that the Vampire King wanted to become Blood Partner with an unknown shifter that he never met. Well, thinking about how Mika’s blood was the first one he had been able to swallow in a long time, maybe it was enough of a reason. Still, Charlie felt that the Vampire King could endure not drinking blood, he wouldn’t risk his position nor his life just for a blood supply.

There had to be something more…

“So, what do we do? You seem to consider the suggestion as a good idea… should I do it?” Mika asked Charlie, not having received a single comment from Charlie after he read the letter. He was honestly feeling that it wasn’t so bad. Mika had heard of the thing the Vampires called a Blood Partner from his history classes. The Vampires didn’t do one with anyone, it was a matter of life and death. It was normally done between two long time lovers, not people that haven’t even met yet. Mika felt like it was better than being mistreated and enslaved.

From what the Vampire King wrote, there weren't any disadvantages for Mika. He would need to stay at home most of the time, only going out if the Vampire King was going too, or with a trusted follower. It wouldn’t be much different than what he was doing with Charlie. Everything would be provided, so he wouldn’t be a burden for the Doctor anymore, and he wouldn’t feel guilty about it because he was paying with his blood.

His health would be assured, because his Receiver needed him healthy, and no vampires would harass him as his blood would disgust them.

“I think it’s a good idea, but that you should meet him first to discuss things and get a contract written.” Charlie told Mika after thinking about it for a few more seconds. The Doctor could see that it was tempting for the shifter, so he didn’t bother asking for his opinion. Mika needed to follow his instinct, thinking too much would only make him doubt himself and miss opportunities.

Both men reached an agreement and sent a letter to the Vampire King, asking for a meeting.

Hey dear readers, how do you think the meeting will go?

Would you accept the deal or reject it?

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