Eighteen Summers by Jessie M

won't. I understand why I mustn't now.”
    “ And you may use the garden and the pool outside for recreation. There is a spa which I am sure you will enjoy. Sofia can accompany you. She may also escort you to the square opposite. We will privately prepare for our journey in the meantime. Do try to keep positive in your thoughts and take things slowly. You have no need to rush things, do you?”
    “ Okay. Thanks.”
    “ And always remember, I am your friend, as a well as your guardian. Feel free to talk to me when, and if things become burdensome.”
    “ Yeah, I know.” I rise and hold out my arms to him for a hug. We slip our arms around each other and I press my ear to his chest. I love his slow heartbeat, and his scent. I breathe it deeply into my lungs. I feel so content when I hold him tight. My eyes close and I smile to myself. After a while he drops a kiss on my forehead and breaks us apart.
    “ Come now, we can't stand around hugging all day, can we?”
    “ Can't we? I rather like it.”
    “ Mistress, behave....” He chuckles in a deep sexy fashion and moves towards the door. He turns. “I shall be back in a few hours with your next feed and a gift you may enjoy.” And then he leaves me to my thoughts.
    I am suddenly tired and fall asleep instantly. Later, I am awakened by Sofia and Nico and my next meal is led in. I am finding my feeding to be so gratifying. I feel alive and full of instant energy. It's a shame I have nothing and no one to use my energy up on.
    Nico produces my gift, placing a bag in my hands. I peer inside. My heart flips over. It's an iPad.
    “ Oh my God! Thanks so much. This is just the biz! I've wanted one of these for an age.” I throw myself at him in joy and kiss him on the cheek. I rip open the box and get out my 21 st century toy and lifeline.
    “ Normally we do not have such things in the bedchamber, but as you are of a young modern era, and My Lord has his own personal media suite, we thought it would only be fitting for you to have something similar,” Sofia says and I hug her with enthusiasm.
    I look at the iPad with love and adoration and clutch it tightly against my chest. Sofia and Nico are watching me with great amusement. I don't think they understand me at all. We all laugh at my silliness. But I don't care. Suddenly I'm as happy as pie.
     

Chapter 6
     
    The next day passes quietly and uneventfully. I master my iPad after a few technical glitches and get it up and running. I am now quite at home lazing on my bed and surfing the net, reading about the world, and listening to some new music I have downloaded on it. I keep out of Facebook, not that I was into anything socially, and I don't look at my emails either. I don't want to see anything upsetting from my parents.
    My feeding is calming a little, and I am going longer periods between them. Apparently, I can expect to feed every other day normally. I am starting to feel more hopeful and happier in my new life. If it wasn't for My Lord, I could be quite content.
    It is late in the evening on the third day after my change when I have a surprise unannounced visit from my intended.
    There is a knock at my door, and without waiting for my reply, he opens the door and strides in.
    “ Lady, I am missing your company. Please come along to my rooms.” He holds his hand out to me. I am not sure if I can or should refuse, so I don't.
    “ Okay, but just for a while. I am still tired and adjusting after my change.” I hope a vampire can't detect lies. I cannot abide his presence, especially now that I know more about his sick ways.
    “ Of course. We shall not indulge in anything too taxing. Some light entertainment perhaps?”
    I take his hand with my usual degree of revulsion. I speak loudly in the corridor as I pass Nico's and Sofia's rooms. I announce who I am with, if they don't know already.
    “How has My Lord been keeping?”
    “ Fine My Lady. I have been working on my book, doing some essential and overdue