The Vampire's Pet.

A Loud Thud.

Harriet's POV

I had been tossing and turning in my bed.

I didn't know why I couldn't sleep, it was the wee hours of the night but yet my eyes were still as bright as though I was just waking up from a seventeen hours sleep.

It had been a week since I last saw Devon, since our interactions that still left me confused in his study, he had embarked on a trip that night and was yet to come back.

Not that I missed him but it was obvious that his absence was noticed. The house felt louder, servants did their duties but they had gossips on the tip of their tongues and laughter in there hearts as they moved.

Everyone was no longer guarded or on their toes. I could walk around freely and just like Devon said, his library was open to me and I had read a lot of books to my heart's content.

No one knew when he was to be back, even Ms Patricia and Penn didn't know. Penn and I had spent almost the whole day talking. She was indeed happy that this Luca man was coming, it was obvious in her smiles and how our conversation always somehow centred back to him. I had asked questions about him and each time a blush rose on her cheeks.

My friend was whipped and highly in love it was highly comical.

I had asked her if Luca felt the same way, but all I was met with was a forlorn look. She hadn't told him yet. She said they normally flirted but just like his brother, Luca was well known with the women, both human and Vampire's.

I felt sad for her but she told me she was fine with it as long as Luca still remained her friend which it was clear they were.

As I watched Penelope describe her feelings to him, my heart couldn't help but ache. I had never been one to fan over love or soulmate. I had had one boyfriend whom I quite liked in high school, whom I gave my virginity to, but after then, it soon turned to a friend's with benefit thing. I had never really felt what it meant to be in love and it was as though I might never experience it, being cooed up in a Vampire's house and all.

I might not be able to experience anything at all.

Penelope and I soon strayed to more light topics, topics that didn't tug my heart and caused my chest to ache. After she left to do her duties, I wandered over to the study again, my mind always going back to the way Devon looked cooed up in here, the conversations we had, the questions he asked me. When he was in this study, he didn't look like a Lord, it was difficult to remember he was a vampire. He resembled a very gorgeous man that was simply interested in books more than he was interested in the world.

I couldn't deny the fact that I went to his study to imagine him sitting there with me. It was how I was able to read very large books and finish under three days.

However now I could not sleep, my head going over the similar activities of the day that I had partook in. My eyes had since mastered the designs on this chandelier, the beautiful design of the ceiling. That was how awake I was.

I couldn't hear any movement on my hallway anymore and it was obvious that the servants had long gone to sleep as well. I had every urge to summon Penelope to gist more with her but she needed all the rest she could get. The infamous Lord Luca was coming in tomorrow so she needed to rest appropriately.

I let out a sigh as I sat upright on my bed, my eyes turning over to the cotton that was hiding the floor to ceiling windows. I snapped it in half, my eyes meeting the darkness of the outside world. There was nothing to see there so with another frustrated sigh, I shut the cotton's and made my way outside for some water.

Just in my sleeveless silk nightwear, I grabbed the robe that was on my sofa, draping it across my body before making my way out.

Just like I presumed, the servants loitering around were no where to be found and a little sadness found their way to me. I was expecting some noise, anything to distract me from the strange insomnia that had soon taken me over.

I glanced around the large house, suddenly overwhelmed with how big and large the house was. It looked bigger and larger now because it felt as though I was the only one living in it. I was on the second floor, my hands clutching the wooden railing as I stared down. Everywhere was dark save for the little candle light that was so bright, it was illuminating the whole house. It was a surprise how a little candle can burn through out the night. I had asked and it was said that Devon made it raising more questions in my head but the servants was long gone before I could question him further.

Taking another tired sigh, I made my way over to the kitchen, my steps light not intending to wake anyone.

Very close to the last stair, a heard a loud thud. I whisked immediately, my heart dropping and my stomach knotting. All the hairs on my back stood. I faced the direction of where I perceived the sound was coming from but I didn't see anything. Taking a deep breath, I made more steps forward but then the sound echoed again.

I screeched quietly, a cuss coming out of my mouth. My heart beat quickened and my hands were clammy.

I ganered the strength albeit it being minute and turned back only to find nothing. I tried to coordinate my breathing again making moves for the last time but suddenly, I snapped backwards again, my neck making a c***k sound at the magnitude with which I turned it.

My brows furrowed in confusion, my eyes scanning the house that i knew was empty. I glanced back again, closing and opening my eyes to see if I was indeed seeing well.

I was.

The study room was opened slightly, and a little light was peeping from it. The confusion on my face increased, I hadn't left it opened after I was done earlier today, even if I did, the servants that had been standing outside the doors surely wouldn't have left it opened.

I was confused and highly frightened. Sometimes I forgot that I was living amidst Vampire's, in a vampire city. Anything could happen but the study? What if these were where the vampires had their meeting at night. I was never awake during this time so I couldn't tell but now that I was awake, was I going to die?

I didn't know whether to take my water and run back to my room or simply find a place to hide, Incase it was a monstrous creature that was behind those doors.

I took a heavy breath in, doing the sign of the cross even when I didn't believe in it. I soon found myself going in the direction that wasn't in any of my options. If I was to die, I might as well see who and what will kill me.

So with my heart in my mouth, my hairs pricking out and sweat clamming my body, I made my way over to the study.

It was as if the universe was playing with me, because I didn't hear the thud anymore, all that could be heard was the light beating of my heart and nothing else. Even my steps were as quiet as a dove.

Now on the passage leading to the study room, I soon came to my senses.

Maybe this was a bad idea Harriet. I cane here to find a way out for my family, not to be swallowed by a monstrous creature.

About to turn back to my room, ignoring the water, the sound echoed again stilling my movement and causing my knees to almost give out under me. I was closer to the door now so the thud could be heard closer to me.

How was no one else hearing this? Were they all under a spell.

Deciding to go with my initial option, I swivelled back and continued my journey to the study room. My fingers were picking my nails and there was an obvious sweat on my forehead and in other places. My heart would not stop beating erratically.

Now standing in front of the slightly ajar doors, my hands were trembling as I lifted them up to pry the door wider. I kept praying to whatever god that was there to answer that this was not my last night on this Earth, that I would get to fufill my dreams of seeing Harvey through the college of his choice.

With my hand slightly lifted, I tapped the door before slowly pushing it in further, the light suddenly causing my eyes to twitch after being in the darkness for quite some time.

I shut my eyes Immediately I came in contact with the light, after I was fully adjusted to it, I pried it open and I felt another set of eyes staring back at me. A deep, penetrating gaze, one that I had become quite accustomed to over the past month. My hairs stood on my body but for a different reason, my brows furrowed almost to my hairline, confusion claiming my features.

What was he doing here?

"Devon?"