Helping Duke inside, Sasha now made her way to the bathroom grabbing some bandages and peroxide. As she returned to the kitchen, she noticed Duke leaning back in his chair.
Duke raised his head slightly, giving her a tired smile as he now began to tend to his wounds. "So how long you been in town," she asked.
"Not long," Duke sighed. "My dad dragged me here because of business. Like I said they basically disowned me. Usually he just keeps me locked in his basement."
"Locked in the basement," Sasha exclaimed. "Jesus what the hell does he beat you or something?"
Duke winced, cursing under his breath. That had always been his biggest problem, being ti open with people. "Look its nothing," he said quickly. "Its not as bad as you think. I'm strongerthan you think." Sasha gave the teen a dubious look as he now fidgeted in his chair. "You um wouldn't have something to eat would you?"
"Let me check the fridge," she said quietly, still critically studying the teen. Quickly giving the fridge a once over, she noticed some leftover deli meats. "Turkey and salami sandwich work?"
Duke happily said yes, the teen sinking back in his chair as Sasha now made him a sandwich. As she did, she now studied the teen carefully. Duke appeared around her age but it was hard to tell. The teenage boy was quite thin, almost frail with long, matted hair. Studying him she saw a sallow face with oddly colored magenta eyes with dark circles underneath. To Sasha it looked like Duke hadn't slept in days. Still, there was something off about him. Despite his appearance, he seemed to have a strength about him. An aura of power she couldn't quite put her finger on.. As she handed the boy his sandwich she began to question him some more.
"So how old are you anyway?"
"Seventeen," he said between bites. "Yeah I know, don't look it. Too skinny and a bit short, people always think I'm younger."
"Yeah I can see why," she stated. "So do you think your dad is looking for you?"
"Ugh I hope not," Duke shuddered. "Hes always been ashamed of me. When my mom died he decided he wanted nothing to do with me. Pretty sure he always felt like that, he just put on appearances to make her happy."
"He sounds awful."
"He is," Duke replied coldly. "He always has though, always talking about his legacy. He hated that one of his sons was a half breed."
"Half breed?"
Duke cursed once more, he was being idiotic. Sharing his secrets like this to a complete stranger. Still, it felt nice to be indoors. To finally eat some fresh food, to not be stuck in a cage.
"Look Duke," Sasha said, her eyes narrowing. "Obviously your in trouble. Maybe I can help? We can call the cops, maybe have your dad arrested or something. I mean anything is better than living with what you have."
"No," Duke said quickly, his eyes growing wide with fear. "No cops, please. It would be a waste of time and of lives."
Sasha furrowed her brow, her ring at the ready. Duke obviously needed help but things were just too weird. The teen talked far to cryptically. He knew something or worse was something.
"Listen Duke and listen carefully," she said slowly. "Obviously you need help. I want to but you gotta be straight with me. What are you!"
Duke fidgeted, nervously looking between Sasha and his surroundings. "Nothing its nothing," he said nervously. "Look thanks for the meal but I gotta go."
As Duke went to stand, he gasped in shock as the arms of his chair now coiled around his body. The teen now gave a frightened cry, struggling against his restraints as he gazed at Sasha.
"Holy shit your a wizard," he exclaimed.
"Yeah I'm a wizard," Sasha grumbled. "So what are you. Somethings up with you now talk."
"What do you want," he yelled. "I haven't done anything wrong."
"True," Sasha countered. "But you're not telling me something. I invite you in my house, feed you, make sure your okay but something stinks. Before you leave I gotta know if my family will be safe."
"Of course they'll be safe I don't want to hut anybody," he exclaimed. "I never want to hurt anybody! Why do you think the vampires hate me so much!"
"Vampires," Sasha exclaimed.
Duke cursed once more. Stupid! Being to honest with someone once again. Sighing he sadly looked at the wizard, maybe she would finally just end his existence.
"Are you a freaking vampire!"
"No," Duke sighed sadly. "I'm a dampierre. Half human, half vampire."
"Whats the difference?"
"I can go out in the sun for one," Duke sighed. "I don't have alot of the weakness vampires do. I also don't have to drink blood, which is good because it makes me squeamish."
"Blood makes you squeamish," Sasha stated, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah I know okay," Duke groaned. "Big joke, the vampire afraid of blood. The black sheep of Miro Tepes! An embarrassment to the bloodline of Dracula."
"Dracula," Sasha exclaimed. "Like THE DRACULA.! Like, 'I want to suck your blood' Dracula!"
"You know he never said that right," Duke replied, raising an eyebrow. "And the cheesy vampire accent is awful, but yeah..that Dracula. He's my great grandfather. "
Sasha now collapsed into her chair, staring slack jawed at the great grandson of Dracula. "What the hell have I gotten myself into."