(Addis)

  “Sir, the show starts in a few minutes.”

  “I am aware,” Addis hissed, the door slamming closed as the assistant left in a hurry to avoid his wrath. The vampire looked back down to his arm, annoyed by the ache he was feeling. Here were those phantom pains again, and Addis tried to shake away the feeling. He did not need to be putting up with the pains now, not while he was working. Addis leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes as the radio station’s tune hummed quietly throughout his office.

  As a turned vampire, Addis had immediately understood his disadvantage in Dephus and he took steps to overcome his weaknesses. He had never been considered as low as a human, but he had been barely above that dismal rank. Of course, his sire was a person of power, but Addis loathed the idea of belonging to another just to get by and as soon as he left his sire, he immediately began to work on building his power, lucky to stumble upon Roma in those early years. Even though she was a born vampire and far older than him, she had been eager to become his thrall, and with her help, he had been able to build his own empire and earn his rank as a high vampire. There were many born vampires that despised Addis for his ascent to power, but once the King had accepted him among their ranks, they had no choice but to do the same.

  Addis’s expression twitched as his thought turned to the King, a frown coming to his face. Lena’s father, Rasvan, claimed that it was entertaining to see a turned vampire amass so much power in his realm, and Addis could still remember the way the King’s eyes had lit up with mischief when he named Addis as one of the high vampires of Dephus. While the vampire was glad to have his new position of power and wealth, he knew that there was more to the king supporting him than Rasvan enjoying “an underdog story”. Rasvan was always looking for new tools to push his own agenda, and Addis had no doubt that the King was still trying to determine if he was a piece worth investing in.

  “Hey,” Addis growled again as he heard Ruben’s voice, and the door to his office was once again pushed open. The human had salt and pepper hair and tired green eyes, as if he had seen the worst any world had to offer. Considering the man was eternally in his forties thanks to his role as Addis’s human servant, it was likely those horrors that also made him always smell like alcohol. “That girl is here again. Causing a scene.”

  “Girl?”

  “Sybil, or whatever her name fuckin’ is,” the human spat and Addis felt his annoyance growing. Like most high vampires, Sybil owned several businesses throughout Dephus, although she mostly focused on her casinos. Addis had been sure to voice his disdain for her when they first met and yet rather than discourage the woman, it seemed she was eager to cozy up to him. She only seemed to come around when she had dumped her latest flame and the vampire took a deep breath. Ruben coughed as he waited for Addis’s orders and the vampire simply waved him off.

  “Tell her to leave.”

  “She ain’t gonna listen to me and you know that,” Ruben spat back and Addis gave him a dangerous glare. The human wasn’t the least bit intimidated and the vampire couldn’t help the slight amusement that creeped onto his face. It wasn’t surprising that Ruben no longer took his threats seriously: after all, Ruben had been his servant for centuries now and he knew the difference between Addis merely threatening and meaning his harsh words.

  “Fine,” Addis finally stood from his chair, doing his best to ignore and shake off the feeling in his arm. As long as the pain got no worse than this, he would be able to hide the discomfort gracefully today. “I’ll deal with the pest, and we can begin the afternoon show.”

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  “Uh-huh,” Ruben didn’t move from his spot in the door and Addis’s annoyance began to grow again. Maybe Ruben was getting a little too comfortable in his position. “What is it?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I ain’t stupid Addis. I can tell those pains are still bothering you,” the human said calmly and the vampire forced himself to take a deep breath. Ruben’s eyes were as astute and attentive as ever and it was starting to get on Addis’s nerves more and more. “I also know you ain’t stupid enough to just hope they’ll go away.”

  “I assumed you were also smart enough to know your place,” Addis smiled, but his eyes glowed with anger and power as he watched the human. Ruben’s heart rate spiked a bit, but otherwise he seemed unfazed by Addis’s threat. “My… condition is none of your concern, Ruben.”

  “I know you don’t want to think about it, Addis, but you know you’re likely-”

  “DON’T SAY THAT WORD!” The vampire finally raised his voice, and the lights throughout the station flickered as his power rose. He heard the worried shrieks from the other workers, all worried and afraid of his wrath as the radios began to screech with static. Ruben, for his part, remained unfazed, still watching Addis with the same calm expression. Addis forced himself to take a deep breath, pulling his power back as the building stabilized and relief washed throughout his workers. Today was not the day to have to replace his staff.

  “Ruben,” Addis started again, smiling at his servant as he walked over to the human. As usual, the human was not intimidated by their height difference, and merely looked up to meet his master’s gaze. “I think you and Roma should return to the shelter. After all, we’re having our little gathering tonight, and I’m sure Lena will need some help setting it all up.”

  “Yeah?”

  “I’ll be by once I’m done here for the day,” Addis continued, still smiling dangerously at his servant. He always appreciated the man’s company and lack of fear, but today was not the day for Ruben to push his luck with the vampire. Ruben seemed to sense this as well, finally sighing as he closed his eyes.

  “Whatever ya say,” Ruben shrugged, finally turning and leaving Addis alone in the room. The vampire sighed heavily as he allowed his smile to fade, looking at his shadow as he felt the creature moving within. Its green eyes manifested as it watched him, its amusement obvious in the way its gaze shone in that living darkness.

  “So touchy, Addis,” its voice curled around his thoughts like smoke and the vampire glared at the darkness near his feet. “Why not let the human speak?”

  “You know very well why I don’t want to hear it,” Addis spat, and the creature in his shadow seemed dismissive. Addis rolled his eyes as he checked himself in the mirror, adjusting his suit. He didn’t expect it to understand, and the vampire sighed as it ate his worry and concern. At least it seemed the ache in his arm had disappeared, and Addis looked down to his shadow again. “You don’t want it either.”

  “Why wouldn’t I? The result is annoyance for you and a meal for me,” the creature hummed, its eyes vanishing as Addis turned toward the door. He could now hear Sybil’s annoying voice as she tried to force one of his workers to reveal where the high vampire was and Addis closed his eyes as he sighed with annoyance. “Although I suppose we have more pressing concerns right now.”

  “Behave yourself today, I don’t need a scene with Sybil again,” he commanded, but his shadow merely laughed in his mind.

  “I never cause undo trouble, do I?”

  Addis’s smile twitched. “You always cause undo trouble.”

  It laughed again as Addis finally started for the door, ready to get the rest of this troublesome day over with.