Chapter 6

We were finishing our bags in Anna's room. Taking my violin's case and putting it on the bed I looked at it, hands on my hips.

I'm not sure if I should take it with me. I did pay for it. But what if I can't take it to the Academy? I don't want to stop playing.

A sudden weight on my head between my ears startle me, and Anna's voice sends my ears in a twitching frenzy.

"What's wrong Jane?"

"Damnit Anna! Don't do that!" I whine a little, tilting my head back to glare half-heartedly at her.

She simply grin mischievously and I shake my head with a sigh.

"I just don't know if I'll be able to continue playing at the academy. I hope so. But even then, do I take my violin? Or leave it here?"

"Take it." She answer decidedly, her tone not leaving any doubt.

"Hmm? Why are you so decisive?" I tilt my head at my sister, my voice laced with wonder and confusion.

"Even if you can't play at the Academy, you still paid for that violin. It's important. Besides, maybe there is a possibility you will be able to play no? And I think Eliza and her parents would love to hear you play again." She answers with a smile on her lips.

She has a point. I totally forgot about it but if I remember right, Euclydia Academy has some curriculum for music. Actually, now that I think of it, lots of the groups in the posters in Anna's room are graduates from the Academy.

I'm just not sure if they'll accept me in those classes. Even if I'm not too bad at playing, I'm far from a genius with real talent.

Yes. Talent is useless without efforts. But since Virina said only awakened with an invitation can attend Euclydia, I guess all music students are genius at it.

"I'll take it then. Who knows? Maybe you're right."

I don't have a lot of bags to pack. Courtesy of those people almost never buying me anything, except when I outgrow my clothes over the years. So with how small I am... Yeah, it's been a few years since I last got anything new. At least for a man. I do have some dresses in Anna's room. Heck, I'm sure even at Eliza's house there's some. Her parents had a lot of fun dressing me up.

But right now both Anna and me faces the same problem: our bodies changed too much to really fit in anything we have.

"Tomorrow is shopping day I suppose..." I muse quietly with my arms crossed under my chest, one hand stroking my chin.

I turn toward Anna to ask for her opinion and see her eyes shining brightly. Uh-oh. I know that look. It's a promise of me being a dress-up doll for a looong time. Is it a good idea to bring Eliza too?... I highly doubt that. But if I don't invite her to come with us she will probably be upset.

A sigh escape my lips. I'll leave that to future Jane.

"C'mon Anna you finished packing right? Let's go then." I smile at my sister and extend my hand toward her.

She takes it with a smile, a bag slung on her shoulder and a wheeled suitcase in her other hand. For myself I only have a simple but big bag strapped on my back with the case for my violin in my hand.

As we get out of my sister's room I see our 'mother' standing near the front door. She seems a little anxious. She wasn't here when I threatened that man earlier and it's only now that I wonder why. But thinking about it a bit more and I realize that I don't really care. While she never really said or did anything to me, she still never defended me at all. She just let that man do whatever he wanted.

I can't understand why. It's beyond me.

And now here she is, waiting. For us? I do hope she doesn't think to stop us. But I don't think so. I can see in her eyes various emotions. Regret, fear and maybe a little hint of joy? That last one is weird.

As we approach we can see her hesitating. I was about to ignore her but she finally gathered enough courage to speak.

"Jak... No, Jane. I... I know it's way too late. But I'm sorry. I should never have let him treat you like that. You... Deserved a better childhood. I'm just... Too weak, way too weak to resist him." A hollow chuckle escape her lips and we can hear tears in her voice. "I will never ask for forgiveness. Because you won't give it. And you have all the right in the world not to. Can I just ask you to take care of your sister, please?"

She looks at me with hope in her eyes. But her request is useless. Even without her asking I would protect Anna all my life. That's the bare minimum she deserves.

"Of course. She is my dear sister. She isn't getting rid of me easily." I answer her while squeezing Anna's hand tightly.

"Thanks." Her voice is breathless, her shoulders sagging with relief, then turn toward my sister. "And Anna, I know. It's pretty obvious. Well, maybe not for some pretty dense girl. It may feel weird to hear that coming from me but... Go for it. It's not much, maybe nothing even, but you have my blessing. And..." A little mischievous smile tug at the corner of her lips. "Try to be a bit more open about others getting close with her. You know she's too amazing to not bring attention to her."

I'm a little confused about the meaning of all that. Looking at Anna, I see her face growing red fast, her mouth open in disbelief and her eyes wide while she looks at the woman in front of her.

A little strangled noise escape her lips, her gaze flicking to me so fast I thought I saw wrongly, and the smile on our mother widen a bit.

"H-how?!" She ask, her voice cracking in panic.

"I just said it, it was pretty obvious." Our mother just wave her hand dismissively. "Now go on, this house is a prison for both of you and you shouldn't ever come back here. Oh and also Jane."

"Hmm?"

"You are beautiful. Don't ever think otherwise. You were already before changing. But even more so now. Open your heart and your eyes and have more confidence."

I freeze, stunned by her words. She never said that, ever. I feel my cheeks burn a little. It's true that I've never really had any confidence in my looks. Heck, I wasn't who I wanted before today. I did think the girl I saw next to Anna in the mirror, back in that bathroom, was gorgeous. But that was before I admitted it was really me. And now someone just straight up compliment me like that.

I don't know. I do like myself more than before, of course, but it will be hard to change how I think.

"I'll... Try, at least." I simply answer with an uncertain tone.

She just nod her head. Anna suddenly bring me closer to her and stick her cheek against mine with a wide smile.

"Of course she's the most gorgeous girl in the world and nobody will make me think otherwise!" She proclaim, her voice smug and proud like she's the one that got complimented.

It just serves to make my cheeks even hotter and I struggle to push her away with a huff, pouting slightly. We really should go now or we'll reach Eliza's house way too late.

"Aaah c'mon now! Let's go!" I say, trying to hide my embarrassment and happiness . But my tail isn't agreeing with me at all. It's swishing restlessly behind me. "It'll be the last time I say that but... Goodbye mom. If they are bullying you, please get help"

I don't want to see her expression after that, so I just tug on Anna's and open the front door, stepping outside. I see my sister waving goodbye a last time before the door closes.

The walk to Eliza's house isn't long. It takes us around ten minutes before we're standing in front of her door.

I don't even have time to knock before it got flung open with force, revealing Eliza. My eyes go wide immediately and my face get as hot as a furnace.

What the heck is she wearing?! Isn't that way too indecent?!

I don't even know how to describe what she has on her... It's... A white nightgown supported by thin straps, it split just under her chest in two parts to reveal her stomach and her sides when there's a little breeze. Thanks the gods she's still wearing white night short and isn't just in her panties. The hem of the nightgown goes to her mid-thighs and is

"You are here, I was scared something happened." She says, her voice tinged with concern and relief, not minding her outfit at all.

I just stand there, frozen. For a second she tilt her head, confused, before looking at herself. Her head lift back to meet my eyes, a grin making her lips go up even if her cheeks takes on a light pink colour. She bends a little to bring her face around the same height as mine.

"How does it looks?" She ask almost whispering.

"I-I-... It looks g-great... I-I mean..." My brain can't keep up and I just stutter an answer that makes her giggle.

"Ahem, do you intend to let us in Eliza?" Anna's question seems to bring back Eliza from her teasing.

"Of course, come in you two. My parents are trilled to have you both!" Eliza straighten while smiling, unfazed by the interruption.

She got out of the doorway to let us pass. I shake my head to regain my bearings, but my face stay hot. I never expected something like that at all. My heart is beating so fast and so strongly in my chest that I'm almost sure they can hear it. To avoid my tail from betraying too much of my inner turmoil, I make it coil around my leg. But it's still twitching from time to time.

When we finally enter her house we're greeted by a big living room that just scream 'cosy and warm'. A fireplace is in one wall, some soft sofa placed in front for nice evenings with a coffee table between them.

On another wall is a bookshelf full of various books with different subjects. The visible walls are a soft beige.

One of the sofas in front of the fireplace has two people sitting. Eliza's parents. They get up and turn around when they hear us entering.

Her dad is tall, with brown hair and eyes, he can be described as handsomely ordinary. He's always sporting a soft and gentle smile.

Her mom ressemble Eliza a bit too much. To the point where, if you put them side-by-side and didn't know them, you could think they are sisters and not mother-daugther. She has the same hair and blue eyes as her daughter. But while Eliza's seems always calm and collected, Miss Havenflow's are overflowing with love and care.

"Oh my. Jane. You are indeed as beautiful as Eliza said! I'm glad to see you both!" She says, her voice gentle and full of motherly love.

A soft smile spread on my sister's and my lips. I'm so glad to know those wonderful people. I don't know if I would have survived long without them and Anna in my life.

"Thanks Miss Havenflow! I'm happy to see you too. Thanks again for letting us stay for a while." I answer, bowing a little.

"There's no need for thanks and you know it. I consider you two like my own child." She waves her hand dismissively without letting her smile leave her face. "But you both must be quite tired after everything today. We prepared rooms for you both. You are free to chose which one you want."

Their house is pretty big. Even if they are only three, they have a few vacant rooms. If I remember correctly it's because they thought to have more children, but sadly couldn't after having Eliza.

We get through a side door after wishing a good night to Eliza's parents. The way to the rooms is through a corridor with various pictures on the walls, depicting various scenes with our best friend's family.

"Here, these two rooms are next to each other. And mine is that door. Well, you know it actually" Eliza says, gesturing toward two doors.

"Thanks Eliza, I think I'll crash out right now. I'm pretty tired..." I answer her with a yawn at the end, hand in front of my mouth.

She simply nod and turn around, making her nightgown float a little. I can't help but stare for a second too much. Of course she notice and sends a wink my way before disappearing in her room.

I feel my face burning again. Anna clears her throat next to me, making me jump in surprise. I look at her and she look back with a complicated expression on her face. Is it me or she looks a little pale?

"Are you alright Anna? You look pretty pale." I ask, concern lacing my voice.

"Uh? Oh, uuh, yeah. I'm fine. I'm just a little tired too I guess." She answers quietly, I can hear the fatigue seeping through her voice. There's also something else but I can't put my finger on it.

"Hmmm... Let me put my bag in my room and I'll come help you unpack alright?"

I don't wait for her to answer and just open the door. The room is simple, lacking decorations. There's only a bed, a closet and a desk with a chair. I'm not surprised at that. It is a guest room. So there's nothing wrong for it to be bare.

I put my bag on the made bed and immediately go to Anna's room.

I freeze slightly when I see her collapsed on her own bed, her chest rising with difficulties. I hurry to her side and drop on my knees besides the bed.

"Anna?! What's wrong?"

She open her eyes languidly to look at me and I'm surprised to see the usual violet I love seeing is replaced by a bright red.

Damnit I forgot! She also got her race changed. She's a vampire now and she didn't drink a single drop of blood all day. I'm actually very surprised she lasted until now. Maybe it's due to her being a noble vampire. Anyway, I feel like a failure of a sister to not even think of that way earlier.

But where am I going to find blood to give her? I can't ask Eliza or her parents can I?!

Wait. I can give her blood. I'm an idiot. I summon my dagger in my left hand and I roll-up my right sleeve.

"Wait a second Anna, I'll give you blood right-"

I don't even have time to finish that I feel a pull on my arms, after a blur of movement I find myself pinned on the bed with Anna on top of me. Her face is on the crook of my neck, rubbing slightly. I can feel my face growing hot.

"You smell so good Jane...." Her voice is low, almost sultry, and it sends tingles all over me. "Can... Can I?..."

For a second I'm confused about what she's asking, her pressed against me and talking with that tone made my brain lag. But the sudden brush of a fang against my neck makes me understand fast. I'm not one hundred percent sure about that, if it was another vampire I would refuse immediately.

But now? It's Anna. I know she wouldn't bring harm to me.

Screw it! If I don't let Anna do it, who would I accept?

"Y-yeah. Just, please be gentle..." I answer her, my voice shaking a bit.

I'm still scared. I saw that man drink from our mother quite a few time. He always seems to think she's enjoying that. But I saw it. The pain on her face.

Every.

Single.

Time.

She never found pleasure with his bites. And after he satisfied himself I always saw her tired, dark circles showing themselves under her eyes.

Then he would scold her for being clumsy when it's totally his fault for sapping her strength.

Anna hummed at my acceptance, the sound making both our bodies vibrate.

Then she licks a small part of my neck and a yelp escape my lips. I don't even have time to scold her that I feel her fang sinking very slowly into my flesh. At first it's like getting prickled by a thin needle.

But the small pain transformed almost immediately. It's warm, numbing and way too pleasurable. I have a feeling of sinking in cotton. Molten hot cotton, making my whole body hotter by the second.

My arms make their way around her and I hug her tight, my hands gripping her shirt with my claws coming out and almost digging into her back.

I squirm a little at the gulping sounds coming from her throat. It's slow, like she's afraid of taking too much. One of her hand is caressing my cheek. The other makes its way to my ears and she start scratching on the same spot Eliza and her 'assaulted' earlier today. And I just... Melt.

The two pronged wave of pleasure are just changing me into a fox puddle. Suddenly I feel a low rumbling coming from my chest.

What? Am I... Purring?! Foxes can do that?!

I hear a low whine and I'm sure I just felt Anna's body tremble.

After only a minute that felt like hours of heaven, she finally retract her fangs and lick the two puncture holes to clean it, sending a new shiver down my spine and through my tail.

"Full?" I ask. Trying, and almost failing, to stop my voice from trembling.

She doesn't answer and just lay there, pressed against me with her face still in the crook of my neck. When she still doesn't move after a few seconds I peek at her and see her ears as red as a tomato.

Ah so you are embarrassed too! Thought it was beyond you

I'm amused at her reactions. But I don't call on her and just continue to hug her tight but without claws this time. I lower my voice into a soothing tone.

"Do you want me to stay here tonight?"

Even if she didn't show it, leaving the home and parents she grew up with must have been hard for her. Contrary to me, that man and our mother did dote on her. The only reason she was at loggerhead with them was me. It's totally my fault if she cut ties with them...

So I have to be here for her, every step of the way. I have to protect her right next to her until she can find a wife. Then I'll fade in the background, still protecting. But just not visible. It sounds cringe like that, I know. But it's just all for the better.

"Yesh please..." She answers me with a whisper, nuzzling her face in my neck.

"Alright alright, then just please turn off the lights?" I laugh softly at her reaction.

She get up lightning fast to cut the lights and immediately dive back into my arms, putting the blanket on us in one smooth move. She's still lying on me with her head in my neck.

"Goodnight Anna."

"Hm-mh 'night."