At thirty minutes after midnight, Joseph stood in front of the double doors to Master Alexi's room. It was fortunate that no one was there, for he would have not wanted anyone to see his fear or his hesitation. But alas, he knew he had to enter. It had been an order from his master after all. Resolving once more not to speak to the vampire prisoner, he finally stepped inside.
He noticed that the captive was reading, a book about elves no less. Good, perhaps he would learn not to hate Master Alexi so much if he saw the kind of reading material the human left around. Furthermore, it was good for him to be distracted. Any distraction was helpful to keep away from the awful symptoms that the vampire servant knew were just beginning to ravage his body.
Erik immediately heard the servant enter the room and looked up. Though he was physically weaker at the moment, he could still smell the other vampire. People of their own race had a distinct smell, as did humans, though the latter smell was stronger.
“Who the hell are you?” he demanded, with more than a touch of hostility in his voice. Taking a deep breath, the blood-starved vampire forced himself to remain calm. “I mean, are you one of the slaves here?” he asked somewhat more politely. But the head servant ignored him, and simply began with picking up a few things from the floor and organizing them the way that Master Alexi liked. There was not much there, so he was finished with the task quickly.
“You're like me, a vampire. Let me the hell out of here, please. Beings like us aren't meant to be caved up like this.” Erik was furious at the lack of response, but he was not ready to risk endangering his impression with a potential friend. He was not yet that far gone.
You have no idea how much I wish I could do just that, cousin, was the silent vampire's thought. But it is out of my hands. It's Master Alexi's decision, not mine. I must do as I'm told, regardless of how wrong it is. He quickly made up the Master's bed, and began the dusting, careful not to even make eye contact with the prisoner. Then he finished the room and everything in the master bathroom, returning both to a spotless state.
Erik, to his credit, remained quiet himself after only a bit more needling. It was clear he would win no quarter with this perfectly broken servant. The thought of seeing another sentient being wearing a collar and working as a slave made him feel even more sick, if that was even possible. But a few minutes later he was surprised by the slave's approach. Still without a word, Joseph handed the prisoner a bottle of cold water, and placed a lined bucket by the bed, for when the vomiting started, no doubt. And for just a moment, they shared a look that seemed to convey a mutual empathy. Then the other vampire picked up his supplies and was gone, and Erik was alone again.
Joseph took a deep breath as he left the room. It was done, finally. At least for now. He had not even had to care for the prisoner yet and already he knew that this was the most onerous task he had had in a long time. He would have rather been back cleaning the stables as he did four hundred years ago, than spending any time watching perspiration drip from that poor man's face, watching the pained bloodlust in his eyes, and knowing that it will only get worse until he gives in.