Delicate fangs grazed clammy skin as Gayus threateningly hissed. He heard the young man in front of him jump in hear, but to no avail due to the ropes constraining him to the wooden chair that sat in Gayus’s office. His blonde hair tickled the man’s neck as Gayus his mouth over the man ear. “You think you come to my casino and cheat night after night?” He asked rhetorically. The only sounds that came from the man were frightful sobs, only causing the impatient Vaewolf to roll his eyes. “I don’t mind cheaters that often. Hell. Get your kicks, you only live once.” A slender hand shot up and grabbed the man by the chin with incredible force. He yanked the man’s chin to face his furious grey eyes. “I can’t just kill every cheater that walks into my casino, after all. It’s bad for business.” Gayus slowly grew a menacing smile as he watched the man break into tears at his words.
“If you like to gamble so much…. Let’s make a bet.” Gayus moved to the man’s ear once again, no more than whispering with malicious intent. “I give you a chance at immortality. A life filled with power, sex, blood and wealth. If you live, all debts are paid. You owe me nothing, and you are free to leave and do whatever you please.” He grazed over the man’s neck to the over side, yanking his neck to the side so his fangs could take the plunge. “If you die… Well. You shouldn’t of cheated at my casino for three weeks. Stupidity doesn’t need to procreate.” Without warning, he sank his fangs into the man’s neck, feeling the hot sticky liquid pump into his mouth. As soon as the metallic taste hit his tongue, he let loose a moan of ecstasy as he began drinking more. A wave of euphoria washed over him as began to grow lightheaded and dizzy. Moments passed before he finally pulled away.
He watched as the man convulse violently in the wooden chair. The man began kicking his feet up and rocking the chair until it lost its balance and crashed against the marble flooring, the man landing on his head. The blow would’ve killed anyone, yet the man kept shaking. A smile of amusement crept across Gayus’s face in wonder as he had suspected the man to not survive the siring. But he had spoke to soon, the man gave one last shudder before he stopped moving entirely. Disinterested, Gayus walked away from the body, grabbing a nearby towel and taking a moment to wipe the trickling blood from his face. Looking down, it seemed his cravat was stained from the fresh blood. If Gayus was in a better mind, this would’ve concerned, but from the high he felt from feeding, he could care less.
He made his way to the ornate door that led out of his office and into the grand hallway that led to a series of stairs. Making his way down the stairs, he arrived in the main hall of his casino. Instantly, he felt the glaring stares from his family. HIs first sired daughter stood behind the bar, a concerned expression on her face as she moved to notify an older red headed woman. She turned around, her eyes furious as she stared at Gayus. The other members of his family followed suit, stopping in their tracks to gaze upon his complete disregard of the ancient secret. They had a point, he had to admit, but at this moment, he just simply didn’t care. He wanted to gamble.
There was nothing in his life that he lived for other than gambling. It is his life. His passion. In his mind there was nothing in the world more real than facing a situation where the odds are stacked against you and overcoming the probability. He
existed for that rush. He anticipated the next real dose of high stakes he could get. After all, where’s the fun in winning if the game is stacked in your favor. His careful foot steps carried him to table number seven where an extremely stacked game of blackjack was being played. There were a couple of unlucky tables that housed crooked dealer that made sure the game was in houses’s favor. The casino had to make a profit, after all. Lucky number table seven was one such table. He took a seat on the left side of the table, unfurling his selves down his arms, he rested them on the soft green felt and stared at the dealer wordlessly. The dealer looked concerned that the owner, noting at the spots of blood on his Cravat.
Impatiently, Gayus simply gave a wave of his arm, “Deal the cards, sir.” The dealer simply nodded and dealt out one card each to the patrons. Gayus’s hand consisted of a nine of diamonds, while the dealer sat on an ace. It was nice to see his stacked tables being useful. The second round of cards gave Gayus a total of nineteen, the dealer having twenty. He felt his body run hot as he anitpacted the next round. He started twitching excitedly. His legs shaking nervously. A cold sweat began to form on his forehead as an ace was placed in his hand, bringing his total to twenty, with the dealer placing a heavy eight to himself, causing the dealer to lose. He smiled, fangs glowing in the light, a smile that was seen only in nightmares as he let the rush overcome him.
____________________________________________________________________________
It was late into the night, the two moons filtering in the heavenly light through a heavy ornate window overlooking the sea. His first mate lay beside him in gently stroking his chest. She had been furious with his behaviour this afternoon, and he permitted her reprimands, but in the end, he was the alpha of this house, and his family knew it. After she had lectured him, they retired for the night in their chambers. The two of them laid in bed, mostly still. Gayus was preoccupied with his thoughts, a nagging feeling in the back of his mind. “We have it good, don't we, Ismaerella?” He asked softly. He turned to face her, propping himself up on a chiseled arm. “We have plenty of strong sons and cunning daughters. We own enough of hunting land, and this casino sets up for a very nice base of operations. We have it made, don't we?” He asked again with a heavy sigh.
Ismaerella waited patiently for Gayus to elaborate his thoughts, moving her hand from his chest to run it through his blonde hair. “So, why do I feel like we don't have enough. Why do I feel like there is still work to be done. We’re lucky enough to be this large without attracting unwanted attention from other families and the ancients, yet, I want
more.” He said. His first mate simply smiled, taking his head in her hands with a soft grasp. “You are right, my love. We have enough. Our family is strong, and our children beautiful. Our hunting rights go back generations, and extend plenty of enough for us to be comfortable. You’re casino is an excellent front. We are lucky, far more than most. But it is in your nature to want more. It’s just who you are.” She said, releasing her grip and turning around her side. She nestled her body into his continuing, “What are you going to do? Challenge the Volkov’s?” She asked rhetorically. When her mate didn’t respond, she began to worry. “Oh gods, you’re actually thinking about it.” She said with an eye roll. “I could!” He called out, defensively. “It’s exciting actually. We’ve been still for so long it seems. Our children take care of everything mostly.”
His first mate dismissed it with a wave of her hand. While Ismaerella was not his first made in chronological order, she held his heart the most. She had a lot more liberty with him. She could speak her heart, and he would listen. “I wish to think. Alone.” He said, the ruffling of sheets moving be heard as he got up from bed his dressed himself. “Gayus.” His mate called out to him before he left. “I know how your brain works. Do not pursue this. We have plenty in this life, there is no reason for you to grasp for more. But if you must, do not let it be from the Volkov’s.” She whispered sweetly with concern. Gayus flashed a warming smile and closed the door behind him heading out into the darkness in front of him.
