I waited outside on the front door steps of the mansion, wrapped in a thin jacket as I watched the last of the sunset. The vampires only woke when there was no sunlight left, but I liked to be early. The vampires liked it when I was early, too. 

The vampires in question made up a large clan, and they lived collectively in aforementioned mansion that was big enough to accommodate all of them. Due to its size, it was located at the very edge of the city's west side, next to the wide canal that served as the city's boundary line.

It was the perfect place to watch sunsets, not only because of its location, but because of the lack of people. No one ever dared to come so close to the home of the vampire clan; who knows what might happen to them if they did.

I wasn't in any danger, though. They fed off of me sometimes, yes, but never to the point it might kill me. I was their dear beloved pet. They didn't like to hurt me. 

I became their pet by chance, you could say. I had arrived in this city in search of a fresh start, but little did I know that a vampire clan owned the land. For the first week I had managed to settle in without conflict, but I soon caught the attention of the clan’s four Sires one night, when they visited my workplace. Needless to say, it didn’t take much for them to grow infatuated with me, and they proposed that I become their personal pet, in addition to my current job. 

I didn't put up a fight. How could I, when I was in their territory? I soon discovered, too, that these vampires weren’t the usual malevolent kind that enjoyed torturing their pets. They agreed to pay me for my services, and I was allowed to roam the city freely during the day. I also harboured the guilty pleasure of enjoying my pet status. The night the four vampires claimed me, they each took turns fucking me senseless, and once certain I was pliant and feeling as good as I could, they each bit into my neck and injected a magical venom into my veins. It took the shape of an elaborate tattoo collar around my neck, a permanent symbol that told every onlooker who I belonged to. 

And I didn't mind one bit of it. I found it so strange, so odd, how these vampires never laid a hand on me in violence. Never spat insults, never beat me, never tossed me in a cage to rot. Even when they bit me, they used their magic to stem the pain and transform it into sensational tingles. 

Since then, they had established a set of rules with me. I was free to live as I pleased, but I would always need to return to them every night. I would always be bound to them, and I was not allowed to forget it. They made sure to remind me often, usually through feeding, fucking, or rewarding me in some other way for being such an obedient pet. 

I was theirs and only theirs. No one else could have me.

The last of the sun's light faded away, and the world turned a hazy blue color. It wasn't quite time for me to head in yet, though. The vampires needed a chance to wake up and stretch their limbs first. 

Only when it turned pitch black, and the lamps lining the walkway turned on, did I finally stand from my spot on the steps and approach the gigantic front door. I grasped its thick metal handle and waited. A familiar tingling surged from my hand up along my arm and to my neck, little dancing strands of magic scanning who was here. It recognized me, of course, and I soon heard the complicated series of locks click within the door. It swung open when I gave it a nudge. 

I stepped inside. Some of the servants had already lit the candelabras inside the massive foyer, lighting the interior in a gentle glow. The door swung shut behind me and locked again. Without dawdling, I headed over to a large set of stairs leading up to the higher floors. 

The four Sire vampires would want to see me first, and their bedrooms were on the topmost floor. I climbed the stairs alone. I could hear the other vampires of the clan awakening, going about their routines before they would begin their night. Some worked night shift jobs, some went to night school, some stayed here to work on their crafts, some went to the library to study and practice their magical abilities, and some assisted the Sires with their business tasks. 

I reached the fourth floor. The only bedrooms up here were the ones for the Sires, and empty ones for guests, should they ever have any. The vampires had yet to have important guests, but I had only been with them for about six months, so I wasn't sure yet if guests were rare or not.

I walked down the wide hall to the first bedroom on my left. Light shone from the crack underneath. I raised a fist and knocked softly. 

“You know you can come in, my pet," a deep, soothing voice answered from within. Alaric. I opened the door and kept my head bowed slightly as I entered the room. 

“Ah, there he is," Alaric crooned. I kept my eyes downcast as the vampire approached me. His hand reached out and caressed my cheek, moving down to cup my jaw and tilt my head up so I had to look at him. 

Alaric had long black hair that he liked to style differently every night. Tonight, it was in a loose braid that fell over his shoulder, stray strands framing his handsome face. A light layer of stubble dotted his jaw and around his smiling lips, and his wine-red eyes gazed at me with warmth. The candlelight in his room left a pretty glow on his light brown skin. 

He wore a loose, silky black robe that I personally found attractive on him. It was undone, leaving his front exposed, but tied loosely around his hips. The knot was one quick tug from becoming undone, however, and I forcibly turned my thoughts away from it before I could become too distracted. 

“Have you eaten supper?" Alaric asked, reaching his other hand out to lightly trace his claws along my stomach. 

“Um..." I looked away from his eyes, a blush tainting my cheeks. Alaric tutted, shaking his head.

“Now, this won't do, you know that, Vanilla,” Alaric chided. I continued to avoid his gaze as I mumbled an apology. Alaric sighed and used his hold on my jaw to tilt my head up, exposing my neck. “Let’s see how this is faring,” he said. He wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled us flush together. He pressed his nose to the venom collar and traced the intricate lines, soft and teasing. I shivered as a rush of tingles cascaded down my body, and I bit my lip as a small moan escaped. Alaric made a pleased sound. 

“Still strong. Very good," he said. Sometimes, the venom within the collar needed to be replenished. It wouldn't disappear completely over time, but it would fade and become less visible if not renewed regularly. The effects of it would wear off the more it faded, hence Alaric’s test to see my reaction. The collar was a very sensitive thing. 

“What's this sweet scent I smell?" a teasing voice drifted into the room from down the hall. A lighter one than Alaric's, more playful and lilting. Noctis.

“Vanillllla," someone else crooned in an equally light, almost dreamy voice. Inkas.

I leaned and peeked out of the door to see Inkas hanging his hands on the top of his door frame, using it to keep balanced as he stretched his back. He had a more lithe frame, like a gymnast, with fluffy brown hair and bright cherry-red eyes. He caught my gaze and grinned. 

Noctis sauntered over to Alaric's room. He had rusty reddish brown hair that held a wind-swept style, and maroon-red eyes. As he neared, he stole my gaze and opened his arms wide. Alaric stepped back as the other vampire gathered me in his arms and gave me a tight, squeezing hug, lifting me enough that my toes dangled an inch off the floor.

I wheezed as the breath was pushed out of my lungs in Noctis’ python grip, and Noctis set me back down with a chuckle. “Sorry, darling, I’m just so happy to see you.” I only smiled and shook my head at the vampire's antics.

The door from the room across Alaric's opened, revealing a tall disheveled vampire. He had black hair as well, but his front bangs had a streak of white in them. It was jaw-length and usually swept back from his face. His glowing ruby-colored eyes immediately cut to mine.

“Did I hear that our pet hasn't eaten his dinner?" he asked, to no one in particular. My shoulders drew up in an attempt to make myself look smaller, but I knew it was all for naught. Out of the four, Akash could be the most intimidating. 

Inkas gasped dramatically. “Oh, that's no good!”

Akash strode over to me, his steps deliberate. He, like Alaric, also wore a silky black robe that left his chest exposed. It was also loosely tied around his hips, and I made the mistake of staring for a moment too long as Akash moved closer. All too late, I pointed my gaze firmly at the floor.

I held very still as Akash stopped an inch away from me. The vampire had a good half foot of height on me, and almost towered over me.

“Perhaps our sweet pet was too eager to get down to business, so eager in fact he passed up a meal," Akash said. His voice held a teasing darkness. Upset that I had skipped dinner, but not completely pissed about it.

“Ohh, darling, that will not do," Inkas replied, moving up alongside Akash.

“I'm sorry... it didn't come to mind," I said. 

“Look at me," Akash ordered quietly. I looked up at him cautiously. Akash’s ruby eyes stared intently at me, locking me in place. The collar tingled slightly, and I swallowed. 

“When was the last time you ate?" he asked me. I thought for a moment, and already regretted my answer.

“I only ate during my break. A couple, um, muffins," I said quietly. Akash's eyes blazed.

“Only two muffins? For the entire day? Boy, you're in for it," Noctis said. Alaric sighed a few feet away, adding his two cents.

“Two muffins for the whole day? ‘Nilla, baby," Inkas commented, his voice distressed. “You poor thing.” He drew closer to me and cupped my cheeks in his hands. “You must be so hungry. Come here," he ordered, gesturing for me to follow. I glanced at Akash, but the vampire only crossed his arms over his chest in disapproval. Inkas led me over to a wide, comfortable chair in the corner of Alaric's room, and sat me down. 

“Wait here while we fetch a decent meal for you," Inkas said. With that, he turned swiftly and exited the room. Alaric followed him, and Noctis and Akash stayed. 

They both came up to me. I looked down, avoiding their gazes. Akash knelt in front of me, and a hand gently gripped my jaw and moved it so I had to look Akash in the eye. He didn't appear angry anymore, and I relaxed my shoulders. 

“Do you know why this makes us upset?" he asked. Noctis shimmied onto the chair next to me and wrapped his arms around my waist. 

“Because it's not healthy," I answered. 

“That's right, sweet pet," Akash replied. He stood, which leveled my face with his length, and I turned away to avoid staring for too long again. Akash's hand sifted through my dark brown hair. “I expect you to be more diligent with your eating habits. Malnourishment will not be tolerated.”

“Yes, master,” I complied, refraining from sighing.