The Vampire's PA
Chapter 7: Towel girl

I slept like a rock that morning and only managed to drag myself out of bed when I realised it was my turn to supply Zaiden of food that night.

I took a nice long hot shower and wrapped myself up in a towel. I sighed as I regarded myself in the mirrors on the cupboards. I looked a lot better since I’d been able to take hot showers and only been drank from a little bit. I was well rested as well. The spot where Zaiden had bitten me before was almost completely healed and the bright sunlight I’d gotten on the first day had done my skin good.

I made a mental note to spend the next afternoon in the sun. With my towel wrapped tightly around me I laid down on my bed to rest for a bit longer before I had to put on tight clothes.

I’d barely closed my eyes when there was a knock on my door and my eyes snapped open. I sat up quickly and secured my towel around me. I glanced outside and saw the sun was still shining brightly, that eradicated the possibility of a vampire standing outside my door.

I cautiously walked closer to the door, “Who is it?” I asked loudly through the door.

“It’s me.” the voice called.

“Me who?” I asked suspiciously with a wide playful grin.

“Rose, you idiot, now open the door.” She said, sounding strangely on edge.

I laughed as I pulled open the door, “Why, I was just checking to see if you were some creepy-” My eyes met Alexander’s and I stopped mid-sentence.

Alexander’s eyes widened as he saw the barely covered state I was in and he looked me up and down. His eyes were extremely dark as they met my eyes again. His gaze was fiery.

I choked on my words as I yanked Rose inside and shut the door loudly behind her. I stood with my back against the door and glared at Rose, “Why didn’t you tell me you weren’t alone?!”

When she saw my flustered face she laughed, “Well, to be fair, I didn’t expect you to open the door half naked.”

I was so embarrassed! My face was so red I was sure half of my blood supply was in my cheeks, “Y-y-you…” I didn’t know what I wanted to say so I merely trailed off. I took a deep breath to clear my thoughts. “What do you want?” I called through the door even though I knew he’d probably heard our whole conversation anyway.

“I want to talk to you.” He said very close to the door and I stumbled back like some idiot.

My heart was ramming loudly in my chest. I yanked open my closet and looked to Rose for help, “What should I wear for tonight?”

“You’re working?” She asked with a frown and I nodded, “Ah man, I thought we could read again.” She hung her head sadly and I was about to remind her that there was a vampire outside my door wanting to talk to me and that we didn’t have time to be worrying about socialising right now when she continued. “I don’t know. A dress?” she offered.

I snorted, “Not in this lifetime.”

“A skirt then?” she suggested and I gave her a flat look, “Look, I know you aren’t a girly girl but you should at least look like a female when you work.”

“Are you saying that I look like a man the rest of the time?” I asked her accusingly and ready for a fight about comfort over style.

“Well…” she said slowly as she looked at me, “Not when you’re only wearing a towel like now. Right now you very much look like a girl.”

I grabbed the first piece of clothing I found in the closet and angrily chucked it at her. It hit her in the face and she laughed while I muttered bad things under my breath.

I was dressed in a skirt with sandals and a plain shirt when I looked at her again “Satisfied?” I asked her sarcastically.

She nodded in approval, “Yes,” she jumped up eagerly. “Now have fun working!” she hopped all the way across the room and opened the door and stepped outside.

“You’re leaving already?” I asked sadly.

“I could stay if you’d like.” She offered and I was about to take her up on her offer when Alexander interrupted me.

“No, I wish to speak to her alone.” He told Rose in his deep voice.

Rose looked up at him with a bit of a dazed expression and I prayed that she wasn’t falling for that creep, “You heard your master, I’m going now! Bye!”

“He’s not my master!” I shouted after her angrily. “Good bye!” I scoffed and crossed my arms as I made my way back inside and fell down on the bed.

I knew Alexander was watching me from my door, “Can I come in?” He asked politely.

“You’d come in anyway even if I said no.” I said and gave him a sideways glance. His smile took me by surprise and I looked away from him.

“You’re right.” He said with a chuckle and stepped inside my room. He closed the door behind him and watched me passively.

I sat up and leaned against the headboard, resting my head on top of it, “So what do you want?”

“The nobles can’t stop speaking of an incredibly amusing little human and her shy friend. Apparently she’s absolutely no good at pool but she played through the night anyway.” He smirked at me, “You wouldn’t happen to know who they’re talking about, would you?”

“Haven’t the foggiest.” I said innocently with a small wave of my hand.

He smiled and walked closer to the bed, “Are you sure?”

I nodded seriously, “I’m positive. I wasn’t working last night so…” I trailed off.

“So what?” he asked, his smile wavering a little, “You decided to tag along?”

I swallowed hard. Busted.

Alexander sighed, “Even Fabian, who usually has no more personality than a dead slug, was talking about you like you were the light of his life! They say that you’re the most polite and classy human they’ve ever met.”

My eyes widened in surprise and I smiled unwillingly, “They said that about me?” I looked down “Wow, I feel so important right now.” My eyes brightened when I looked at Alexander again, “Even the sadistic vampire? What did he say about me?”

Alexander frowned slightly and smiled, “Sadistic vampire?”

I nodded, “Yeah, Mr doom and gloom, what did he say about me?” I wrung my fingers tightly together as I waited for him to answer.

“Oh.” Alexander chuckled and it sounded like a choir of angels singing. I mentally hit my head against the wall for thinking that. “You must be talking about Samuel. He’s very ‘doom and gloom’. I don’t think anyone has had the guts to call him that though…” he thoughtfully scratched his chin and he looked at me with a measure gaze, “His opinion matters to you?”

I shrugged, “I was just wondering what he might have said since he was so mean to me last night.”

“He said that you were like a fresh corpse on a ship of remnants.”

I stared at Alexander, not sure how to react to someone saying something like that to me, “Ok, that sounds…uh… enlightening.”

He smiled and sat down in front of me, “As far as compliments go it might not be the best one you’ve received but I’m sure it’s the best one he’s ever given anyone.”

“Gee thanks.” I said sarcastically.

“You know,” he said while eyeing me with curiosity, “When they told me about this polite human I didn’t for a second think it was you.” I was about to give him an earful when he held up a hand to silence me and continued. “I didn’t think it was you they were talking about because you’re not polite, you’re sarcastic, bluntly honest and outspoken.”

“Wow,” I said even more sarcastically, “This just keep on getting better and better.

“I realised then that the polite side of you was only an act and I came to the conclusion that you’re only yourself when you’re around me.” Alexander said with bright eyes as he leaned closer to me.

I watched him passively, “No, actually I’m the most polite person you’ll replace but you just keep on pissing me off enough so I get sarcastic with you.”

He frowned deeply. He suddenly pulled me forward and I let out a surprised yelp. He bent me down on his lap and took hold of my hairband. “What’s with this thing?” He muttered and pulled it out. “That’s better.” He said when he let go of me.

I tried not to think much about where my face had been because surely that would make me turn as red as a beet, but it was far too late to try and stop my thoughts and my face heat up. I ran my hands through my loose hair as I glared at him, “What on earth did you do that for?”

“They also said that your blood smelled divine, so I’m just covering up your neck.” His face turned serious, “You should be more careful of what you wear.”

I threw my arms into the air dramatically, “Last night I made sure I had absolutely no skin showing so I don’t know what you want me to do.”

“You made sure?” He asked suspiciously, “Why?”

I hesitated and then looked away from him.

“Tell me.” he insisted and moved closer to me.

“Because even if it doesn’t look like I’m afraid of you, I am. I’m terrified every time a vampire comes near me and since Zaiden wasn’t there to make me feel safe…” I sighed, “I hate being a stupid damsel.”

Alexander’s eyes were suddenly on fire and his fists were balled and seemingly ready to tear the ship apart, “What do you mean he makes you feel safe? He’s a vampire as well!”

My eyes widened, “Calm yourself, Alexander. It’s just good to know that he won’t let anyone else kill me.”

He settled down again, “I won’t let anyone else kill you either.” He said quietly with soft eyes.

Something clicked into place for me then, “You work for him, don’t you?”

Alexander frowned, “For who?”

“Zaiden.”

“No I don’t.”

“But you do!” I said and pointed at him excitedly. “He probably sent you out on the day we met to sample a few humans’ blood and tell him who’s is the best! And the second time I saw you… you were right there and he was worried that I wouldn’t ever go inside so he told you to help me! And now,” I exclaimed excitedly as I shot up and walked in a circle and came to a stop in front of Alexander, “You’re here because he asked you to come here, aren’t you?” everything suddenly made sense to me!

“No, though…” Alexander tormented me by pausing, “He did send me here to fetch you for your movie tonight. I assume you enjoy films, yes?”

I sighed at his change of topic, “You do work for him.”

“I really don’t.” he insisted with a small shake of his head.

“Oh yeah?” I asked challengingly, “Who are you then if not his servant?”

Alexander smiled devilishly and took hold of my wrists. He pulled me closer and whispered in my ear, “What would you do if I told you I was a royal?”

His words were a little hard to comprehend as I was distracted by the proximity of this beautiful creature who I hoped didn’t want to drink my blood. I snapped out of it the moment his words made sense in me brain and I pulled away. “I’d tell you that you’re a lair and that you will have to come up with a more realistic lie if you want me to believe you.”

“Why don’t you believe me?” He asked as he stood up and towered over me.

Some of my confidence was lost the moment he got the height advantage, but not all of it. “Royal vampires only drink the blood of children.” I pointed out.

“How do you know what my diet includes?” He slowly walked around me and observed me from every angle.

I swallowed hard and tried to focus on anything but him, “You drank my blood.”

“I might have had a change of heart.” He said.

“That’s unlikely.” I muttered, “You also just said that Zaiden sent you to come fetch me. I’m pretty sure no royal would take lightly to being sent.” I stated as-a-matter-of-factly.

“Fine then, you win.” Alexander said with a smirk. He took a step closer and jabbed me in the forehead, “You’re just too cleaver for your own good.

I rubbed my forehead where he’d poked it and looked at him angrily, “You still haven’t answered my question.”

He sighed, “Actually I’m a low class vampire who can’t stop bugging you because I fine you amusing.”

“That sounds plausible.” I said, “But I still think you work for Zaiden.”

“Whatever floats your boat.” He said.

“Yeah, you better hope my boat stays afloat.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “I know you work for him, Alexander, I just know it.” I poked him in the chest as hard as I could but only managed to injure myself rather than to make him lose his balance as I’d planned.

He smiled at me amusedly, “Most people only call me Alex instead of wearing the whole thing out.”

I crossed my arms stubbornly, “I refuse your indirect request.”

“It was just a suggestion.” He said, “I don’t mind either way.” He watched me intently and glanced behind me for a moment. “Are you going to tell me your name yet?”

I shook my head, “Nope, not until you tell me why I’m your PA and what it means.”

Alexander’s green eyes brightened, “You accept being my PA?”

“I’m not sure… but…” I bargained evilly, sure that victory was on my side, “I might agree if you tell me what it means.”

He shook his head, “No can do Noyb. I want to know your name and then I’ll tell you what it means.”

I glared at him.

“You realise I could just go ask your friend or Zaiden what your name is, right?” he asked and I spun around.

“You wouldn’t dare!” I challenged.

“Try me.” he tempted.

I scoffed angrily. “Why did you come here now anyway? The sun is…” I trailed off when I saw that it was pitch black outside, “The sun was still shining brightly when you came.”

“So we could have this conversation.” Alexander stated in a duh tone, “That reminds me.” He held out his arm for me. “We should probably get going now, I’m sure you don’t want to miss the beginning of the movie.”

I sighed heavily as I linked my arm through his, “Fine, let’s go so I can get my blood drained.”

If possible he became even stiffer than a normal vampire, “How many times has he drained you?” He asked casually but I could hear the tenseness in his tone.

“Not once. He’s very thoughtful.”

Alexander muttered something under his breath that didn’t sound very polite, “You sound like you’re ready to praise the ground he walks on.”

“I do not sound like that!” I said and watched him close my bedroom door behind us.

“Don’t deny it.”

“I’m denying it because it isn’t true!”

“Then why are you reacting like this and screaming my ears off?”

I opened my mouth to speak but shut it again when I found I had nothing to say to that. I pulled myself closer to him, “Oh, shut up and walk.”

He smirked and looked down at me, “You look a lot better in these clothes than you did in those you were wearing the other day.”

I looked away from him and smiled bashfully.

“Though…” he said thoughtfully as he looked at me intently, his beautiful dark eyes raking my body before meeting my own, “I did like the towel better.”