Free Eighteen Summers by Jessie M

soon.”
    “ That won't take you long Raffaele my man.”
    “ What a wonderful turn of phrase, Calista, 'my woman',” he laughs heartily in his deeply sardonic style as we make our way downstairs to my suite of rooms. We arrive at my door; he opens it, and follows me inside. He takes my hand and with an unexpected touch of affection, kisses it softly, and then spoils it by snaking his tongue over it. I shiver in disgust. Hopefully he won't misinterpret my shivering as a sign of pleasure.
    “ Farewell Lady, until later.” And he disappears out of the door in a whoosh of black robes.
    I start to undress, and then stop. I need nightclothes first. Sofia appears magically in my room.
    “I trust it went well Cali?”
    “ I guess so.”
    She collects a white cotton nightdress from a drawer, and proceeds to remove my dress and boots and then puts it on me. She takes down my hair, brushes it, and then removes my make up with a creamy sponge. I must admit I enjoy being fussed over like this. I could get to be a real lazy lady given time.
    “Sofia, how do I call you to me?” I ask.
    “ Just call. I am in the next room. I will hear.”
    “ Where is Nico's room?”
    “ Next to yours too, he is your guardian. He must be very close to you.”
    “ Should I try to sleep now?”
    “ Of course.”
    “ Will you stay?”
    “ It is essential that I do, to care for you.”
    “ Thank you Sofia, I really appreciate it.” She nods at me and smiles sweetly. Sofia is such a pretty vampire. She is small, but has a beautiful figure. I admire her bobbed curly black hair and her perfect little nose and cute little mouth. I climb into my vampire princess bed, and am lying comfortably and settled, when Nico arrives through the door.
    “ You managed yourself very well tonight, Cali. It was a composed and sensual feed.”
    “ Why thank you, kind sir.”
    “ It was a pleasure to watch you.” His eyes flash a deep yellow.
    “ It was a pleasure doing it.” I feel my eyes heat up in response.
    “ Are you satisfied with your first meal?”
    “ Very. Will he be all right?”
    “ Oh yes. He is well used to it.”
    “ His name is Mark. He has been coming to us for many years,” Sofia explains.
    “ I found Mark to be very tasty, perhaps he could return for breakfast?” We all laugh at my joke.
    “ I shall leave you now. Try to rest,” Nico says kindly, holding my hand briefly. “Sofia, please summon me if there is anything you cannot handle alone.”
    “ Of course, you know I will,” She smiles at him fondly, flashing yellow sparks. I'm getting vibes from her, about the two of them.
    He leaves and we are alone. I have to ask.
    “Are you and Nico close?”
    “ In one way.”
    “ What way exactly?”
    “ We are often intimate.”
    “ How often?”
    “ Cali... Vampires take their pleasure with each other as they wish. We are not 'paired' like humans.”
    “ So, are you intimate with anyone else?”
    “ A few... Elijah, and Gabriel. And My Lord of course.”
    “ Oh, Gabriel too?”
    “ He is my preference.”
    “ Do you love him?”
    “ No, not love... I want him more, we are close.”
    “ Does he feel the same?”
    “ I believe he does.”
    “ But he is intimate with others too.”
    “ Of course.”
    “ And you don't mind?”
    “ No, why should I? It is a physical need, nothing more.”
    My God, this is a very sexually liberated household.
    It's a shame I'm in the position I am. Suddenly I don't want to be 'Lady' Calista. It means I'm untouchable, noble, and promised to My Lord Creepy.
    I don't have a chance to ask any more questions as I am suddenly seized with pain deep inside my stomach. I cry out in agony. Sofia takes my hand.
    “So, it has begun. Cali, do not fight it, that will make it far more painful.”
    “ I.... I.... I can't... breathe...”
    “ Then don't.”
    I lay panting with an intense pressure building inside me. I look into Sofia's eyes with a growing sense of panic.
    “Please... Sofia... I need