I was sat at my desk when he walked through the door. His scent filtered through the air to me as I made my way over to him. He had a nice earthy scent on him, with subtle hints of a fruity fragrant. There was a strange vibe that went through me, one I had felt before during his interview but couldn't quite place. My vampiric instincts were telling me to be wary of him, be on my guard, but when I looked into his eyes I felt the exact opposite. His dark eyes were kind and innocent, it was hard to imagine him to be anything else. He appeared to be humble, from what Tang Cai told me. My creative director was over-the-moon with how quickly he warmed to the other designers, however he says that it appears as if FuXi doesn't really believe in himself and isn't sure if he had been the right man for the job. I couldn't understand how someone so talented could think they wouldn't fit in here. His designs inspired me before I had even met him. Now that he was here I'd been itching to meet him again. Usually, I don't appoint new members to run new projects, especially ones as big as this one. This could potentially be as big as our first signature obsidian jewel encrusted diamond ring. However, his designs were exactly the inspiration for this new project. For the first time in over a century I was excited and energised.
"FuXi, it's a pleasure to see you again," I said as I held out my hand for him to take. I studied him as he slowly approached me. He was at least a foot shorter than me and his short dark hair was spiked and looked like he had just rolled out of bed. His frame was small, but he looked athletic like he could run a mile or two. My eyes locked with his deep hazelnut brown ones and I found myself gasping for air that I've not needed for over three hundred years. FuXi was just as stunning as before.
"Pleased to see you again too," he said, in a soft voice, as he placed his hand in mine.
His voice was soothing, it stirred things inside me that I thought were dead. It had happened during his interview but it was very brief so I hadn't felt as aroused as I do now. Though unlike Luca, I hadn't taken anyone for a few decades. He liked to find a new mundane every other day. Whereas I had grown tiresome with having a lover for a few nights or a few years. I would see them on the streets and they wouldn't recognise me since I would wipe their memories. I was finding it too much hassle for what it was worth. Especially after recently I've seen a guy and a girl I used to date and I was sure I wiped their memories, but when they looked at me. I had a suspicion, the look they gave me said that I looked familiar. This made me wonder, had someone reversed my compulsion.
Having said that, the feelings that I've been feeling for this human could change my life, if I let it, but he wasn't just any human.
That strange familiar feeling had become stronger the closer he got and in that moment as his skin touched mine, I knew.
'He's a witch!'
I internally growled and quickly let go of his hand. He stumbled back and I momentarily forgot where I was and prepared myself for his attack. Years ago, there was a lot of fighting and hatred between vampires and witches. Though I have no idea how it started, each side just seemed intent on killing one another. However, over the past hundred years or so things had settled down. Bigger cities and large populated areas meant that it was harder to hide such things, so both sides had called for a truce. That being said, there were still some that continued that hatred, so I was still ready for whatever this witch had in store for me.
"Mr… Mr Astello?" his small voice asked, shakily walking backwards, "What are… who are you?" he stuttered.
As I eased my stance and studied him again. He seemed scared, but mainly he was just alert. He had his hand out ready like a witch powering for a spell, but nothing happened.
'Is this a trick?' I thought. 'Is he waiting for me to let my guard down so he can attack?'
"Sir?" he asked again, a little stronger this time.
"Yes," I replied coldly, making sure he knew I wasn't to be taken easily.
"Should I leave?" his head lowered to his chest and he sounded like he was about to cry. "I'm sorry, I'll go now," he turned around without another word.
'What the fuck?' I thought. 'Why didn't he attack me? Or place me under some kind of spell?'
I stared after him with an opened mouth. My eyebrows crossed as I heard the click of the door shut before Luca opened it a few minutes later.
"That was quick? What happened? He ran out like you just fired him," he asked.
"He's a witch," I scowled.
"Did he attack you?"
"No!"
"Did he threaten you?"
"No!"
"Did he say anything?"
"No!"
"So what actually happened?"
"Nothing!"
Luca looked at me quizzically. He looked back at the door and then back at me like he was trying to figure out some complex mathematical equation.
"Ok, help me out here. You need to give me something other than the word no. What did he do?" he asked when it became obvious I was being stupid.
"Just get him back! " I ordered with a sigh.
Whilst Luca headed out I thought about the exchange in my head. FuXi hadn't threatened me nor attacked me. He didn't give off anything to suggest that he meant any harm.
'Is it possible he doesn't even know he is a witch?' I asked myself. 'That's impossible! His family would have recognised his gifts and taught him their ways.'
Sitting back down at my computer, I brought up his file and scanned through the background check that I required from all employees. I scrolled down and then sighed.
'So, he grew up in an orphanage run by nuns, but he was adopted by two guys. If they are mundane, then that would explain a lot. He must not know about his gifts or if he does he could just think he was different.'
Just then the door opened and Luca stepped through with a very timid Fuxi. I could see red blotches on his face which meant he had been crying. Damn! Now I really felt like a monster. Luca told him to take a seat in the small seating area I had. I stood and approached him and noticed him flinching. Cautiously, I took the seat across from him, careful not to make any sudden movements. I attempted to soften my face.
"FuXi? I'm sorry, I hadn't meant to scare you," I said softly trying to ease the fear I could feel running off of him in waves.
"No… no.. you didn't… I mean.." he stammered.
"Yes I did," I interrupted with a small smile. "I can not explain my actions but I promise that it won't happen again."
I hoped he wouldn't need an explanation because if he truly didn't know about his abilities then it wasn't really my place to tell him. Especially if he was raised by nuns. He was most likely taught that witches were concubines of the devil and only did his evil works. A load of rubbish if you ask me. I've known many witches over the years, one even blessed me with a daylight ring, she infused it with magic to protect me from the sun. She did it to thank me for saving her life from a rogue vampire who had truly given into his vampiric side. He had become the true definition of the monster the mundanes' thought we were.
"Did you change your mind? Would you like me to go back down and send one of the others up? Elle, Suki, maybe even Nick," he asked in a quiet voice.
'Fuck!' I thought before sighing. I guess I will have to explain a little to ease whatever worries were spinning through his head.
"No! I need you on this project specifically. This project requires a special touch, one that only you can handle," I tried to explain. "I hope you don't hold this against me and accept my sincere apologies."
"But why me? I'm the new guy," He asked, but it seemed demanding.
"I will tell you this in confidence. You see, lately my business hasn't been inspiring enough. Don't get me wrong we still do well enough but seeing as it has dipped a little I felt we needed a new designer's eye to revamp our style ," I explained.
Suddenly, FuXi gave me a wide-eyed expression and I could have sworn he smiled a little. As he did that I felt my cold, dead heart pulse and my cock throb.