Was the human being serious? Vanyel could understand the body guard matter, but to trust an enslaved Vampyre? One this man had treated so badly?

Vanyel meant to say all this as he stared openly at the human, but previous memories came flying to him. Vanyel felt his eyes glaze over as memories filled his head, dripping red fluid, screams, his father on his knees... The memories were dull, and cloudy, as if Vanyel was viewing them under a veil. He'd been sick, hadn't he? Living with his parents when they had been attacked. The leukemia had gotten worse, he'd needed someplace to go, and his parents had opened their house to their son once more. A tall, dark haired Vampyre stroking his hair and whispering in Vanyel's ear, reaching through the feverish haze to inform Vanyel he belonged to the dark haired stranger. The pain flowing over Vanyel as the stranger did something to Vanyel's throat.

A shudder brought Vanyel out of the daydreaming, and he found his voice asking, not entirely unkindly, "What sickness do you have?"

Cassius turned his attention to Vanyel. "A rare blood disease, my body may begin to fail pretty fast, the doctors don't know. I inherited an entire legacy when my father died and there has been a few attempts on my life. I'm afraid I won't be able to defend myself for very long. I need someone strong, not human," he explained to Vanyel.

Vanyel turned his gaze out the window...A rare blood disease? He gave a wry smile: Like leukemia.

Turning his attention from the window and forcing his thoughts from his long-ago human weakness, Vanyel settled on haggling his way out, and making his life more comfortable. "Why should I protect someone who kicked me to the ground? What would I get out of this? And what would happen after you died? From how you are talking, it's not far off, you know..." Vanyel gave Cassius another smirk, a tiny light of pride left glowing in his eyes.

Cassius rolled his eyes at Vanyel's last comment. "IfI die you will be set free. I promise as long as you don't do anything stupid. "I only kicked you because you struggled. Think, have you shown me any kind of respect at all? If you don't respect me I won't respect you. You have acted like an animal the entire time we have been together," he scoffed, tugging on Vanyel's chain. "If you continue to act as such I will continue treat you like one."

Vanyel sneered at the man across from him, although Cassius's words did have merit. "Fine...I'll show you as much respect as I can. No promises, you are human after all." Vanyel leaned forward slightly, lifting a finger and gently touching Cassius's neck as he continued, his voice much softer now, "And, I am, as you say, an animal, remember?"

"And how can I trust you to keep your word," Vanyel persisted, "I doubt a dead man's word would count much against another rich man wanting another slave..." The boy spoke as he leaned back, his gaze intently on Cassius's face. "Plus, when you throw a collar around my neck and have me dragged in front of you, how can you expect me to show you 'Respect'?"

"It's the rules of the game vamp," Cassius began to explain. "You are a slave and I am your master, regardless of what species we are. If you play by the rules it will be more pleasant for you," Cassius smiled at him. "As for the word of a dead man," he paused and chuckled. "I will meet with my lawyers soon and you will witness me add your freedom as a condition in my will. Does that satisfy you?"

"Wills can be lost," Vanyel commented, but still nodded his head. It would be as good as he'd get for that matter...As for the other issues...

"You can beat me around all you want...Do you really thinking kicking the shit out of me will help when an killer comes prancing in your door? I'd have more to gain with you dead, you know." The Vampyre spoke casually, his gaze drifting to peer out the window again. His forehead was pressed against the window, however, hopefully looking thoughtful, and not dead-tired like Vanyel was feeling. "This may be some 'Game' to you, but it's my life." A grim smile graced Vanyel's lips, "Or at least what I have left of a life."

Cassius looked over at him. "I had to make sure you're weren't one of those pathetic little vampires. I've come across so many that just whined to be put out of there misery. Kill me I'm damned, I don't want to live anymore," he mocked, rolling his eyes. "I needed to make sure you would fight even in your weakest state," Cassius explained. "As for your respect, that is somthing that you will have to earn." He looked out the window as the car stopped.

"As will you," Vanyel responded quietly, leaning forward to peer out Cassius's window, "As is, I will kill you the first chance I get." Well, no one could say he wasn't an honest vampire.

Vanyel's eyes shifted, gazing at Cassius. "I've yet to meet a Vampyre who didn't want to die, but was too afraid of what the afterlife may contain...Even if they are too proud to admit it." His voice faded when Vanyel's head swiveled, gazing at the window once more. Now someone could say he wasn't honest...His own maker, for example, had been perfectly happy draining innocent little things as if they were juicy berries, never having the slightest remose.

Cassius grinned mischievously. "We will see about that. I don't think you will kill me," he sounded sure of himself. The door to the limo swung open as the driver announced that they were home. Cassius stepped out, pulling Vanyel's chain, encouraging him to follow him. "Welcome home," he chuckled. Cassius's house looked more like a castle. A huge, dark stone monstrosity that overlooked the ocean. The sound of the waves crashed against the cliffs where the castle sat. The wind blew the salty air across Cassius skin, a storm was coming.

Vanyel climbed out of the limousine, his legs screaming as they supported the Vampyre's weight. He'd decided not to honor the human's statement with a retort. Clean, salty air stung Vanyel's pert nose momentarily. The itching sensation seemed to disappear as multi-colored eyes stared at the large structure.

Turning back to the human and forcing his legs to stop shaking-He would not show anymore weakness- Vanyel asked, carefully, "What 'Legacy' did you inherit?" That simple statement was all Vanyel could choke out. Having money was one thing, but having a seaside...castle, Well, it was quite another thing.

Cassius chuckled, climbing the stairs to the huge double doors of the castle, pulling Vanyel behind him. "I come from a long line of Dukes, of course we have no power now, it's just prestige. The doors creaked open for Cassius, revealing a huge foyer, with a winding staircase leading up into heavens of soft candle light. Portraits of Cassius's ancestors lined the walls in the foyer. "I need you to ready the guest bathroom on the second floor," he ordered one of the servants that stood ready.

Vanyel felt disgust rising in his throat as he was pulled up the staircase. "So you really haven't done anything worthwhile? I should of known..."

Glancing at the retreating slave, Vanyel continued, his hand gripping where the collar attached to the chain. "Are you going to take this off now? You did want me to bathe." Naturally, that wasn't why Vanyel wanted him to remove the collar. His eyes flitting over the different portraits lining the wall until they rested on the retreating slave's back. A nice meal of Servant a'la Creme and a jump down from two stories would be no problem.

"Oh no. I'm not stupid. This collar doesn't come off until I get you locked in the bathroom," Cassius smirked leading Vanyel up the stairs. The servant had put fresh towels in the bathroom. There was a shower and a tub. The servant had also folded fresh cloths and laid them on the counter next to the sink. "You are free to use the shower or the tub, whatever you prefer. He instructed the servant to close and lock the door behind him and Vanyel, the lock clicked closed. "Okay I'm going to take your collar off now."

Vanyel blinked at the closed door and backed away from the advancing human, "Wh-Wait! You gotta go out there first! You can't-" Vanyel's voice faltered, as if the wide eyed Vampyre realized how vulnerable he sounded.

His voice took on a haughtier tone, "As if I would let something like you see my body!" The surprise showing through the still widened eyes seemed to betray Vanyel's nervousness, however, and the Vampire continued backing slowly up.

"Don't flatter yourself. I don't want to see you naked," Cassius laughed. Cassius face grew serious, he flicked his baton out and threw it on the floor. He threw the key to the locked collar in Vanyel's direction. "I know you are concerned for my safety you just let that slip, so I will grant you your privacy. Do not unlock that collar until I have locked the door behind me."

Vanyel scowled at the other man, sputtering as he spoke, "You're wrong human....I'll take my privacy if you don't give it." Vanyel gave a bitter laugh, "I care nothing for you, sympathize a bit, yes. I've died slowly twice now, so I suppose I understand the pain, emotionally and physically, of an illness."

The speech was spoken in rather bored tones, though Vanyel still hadn't taken a step towards the collar's key, despite the glances he threw that way, his eyes ghosting over the baton.

Cassius followed Vanyel's gaze to where the baton was lying on the floor. "You wouldn't hurt me? I have thrown down my weapon and I mean no harm. I'm going to let go of this chain and then I'm going to close the door behind me. Is that clear?," he explained as he tapped on the door so the servant could let him out.

Vanyel threw Cassius another scowl, nodding slowly. In his state, it's not like he could do much to an unarmed human.

The vampire moved to the key, gazing at the other male with defiance written into his features, "Fine, get out, and I will bathe..."

Cassius nodded and let go of the chain, he hurried out of the door without turning his back to the vampire. He shut the door and locked it. He waited patiently outside of the door while Vanyel took his bath. He had already ordered the servants to prepard Vanyel's cell and leave him a snack in there as well.

The Vampire bathed quickly, rejoicing secretly in the warm water coating his sore muscles. Soon, Vanyel couldn't think of anymore excuses to remain, and he stood, sighing as the water dripped off his body and allowed his skin to feel the cool air.

The clothes that were laid out, Vanyel quickly donned. He didn't want to wear something given to him by the human, but he didn't want to put his mud-stained clothes on either. Pride won out. The collar and chain Vanyel lifted, dropping them into a nearby wastebasket. After a moment, he slipped the key into the folds of the clothes, flushing the toilet. A Vampyre had no reason to flush a toilet, so if Cassius did decide to collar Vanyel again, the male would have a way to escape. Now, the pale boy moved quickly to the doors, banging on them. "I'm done." He called, tugging at the handle.

Cassius cautiously opened the door, putting his hands out, to show the vampire that he wasn't going to harm him. "Come I will give you what I have promised you and then we can work out a few details of our relationship. I trust that you won't try to jump me when I turn my back to lead you down the hallway?"

Vanyel thought back to what was promised...Food. The Vampire nodded his agreement, shaking his damp black hair hard enough to spray droplets all around.

"Give me food and I'll listen to whatever you have to say...Though I may not obey..." Vanyel pressed with his words, wondering how far the human could be pushed. After a moment's thought, Vanyel added, "And the only relationship we have is the 'Predator and Prey' relationship, Cassius..." Vanyel threw a smirk at Cassius's back, his canine's growing once more at the thought of food.

Cassius turned around quickly. "Master!," he yelled. "And I am not your prey, never!" He wanted to hit Vanyel, but he truly feared what the vampire may do. Even in his weakened state, Cassius didn't think that he would have the power to bring Vanyel down. He thought about the discarded baton in the bathroom. "It really doesn't matter if you agree anyway you are a slave."

"A slave you wish to protect you..." Vanyel reminded the human with a slight scoff. "So ,'Cassius', you may want to rethink how you treat me..."

The Vampyre's eyes glittered dangerously, having the same line of thought as his new master, but also the same doubts. In the limo, Cassius had shown his strength, and as Vanyel still couldn't stand without swaying slightly, he thought better than to outright attack the human who stood before him.