Chapter 53
I couldn't morn for long and I had no time to find out where my
feelings of terror had come from. Virginia came to me with a
research request from the King. It was another priority project
and like typical management the King made no clear indication to
which one was more important.
I knew fixing Sabertooth wouldn't take that long. I also was a
little afraid of what would happen when I reactivated him. So I
worked on the new project. I had to identify each of the
hunters and be sure that once dead they posed no threat to us.
Besides, this would help me complete my own personal project.
My list of the dead grew exponentially. I added every name I
could identify. The ten slaves came first, and then the 174
hunters. I could not list who killed them, but at least they
were recognized. I still debated whether to add the three dead
vampires.
Every now and then I'd have an urge to run, or my whole body
would shiver. I thought of the times that happened when I lived
with my mother and she told me someone was walking over my
grave. How appropriate was that now?
I had no reason to believe this was anything other than post
traumatic stress. The fear I felt just was a bit too specific
as something chased me, like in those dreams I had. It
distracted me from my work. I would have to stop and
reassociate myself with my surroundings. I was safe in the
computer lab. Nothing was after me and Sabertooth was safely
turned off. There was nothing to fear here.
After a time the feelings died down so I could work more than a
few minutes at a time. Eventually it became nothing more than
an uneasy feeling and emptiness. I began to grieve. I even
cried a little. Many people died today and it now caught up
with me. I allowed myself several minutes of this before I
forced myself to get back to work. The King would not be happy
with me if I didn't have something for him tomorrow.
I scrounged the net and found references to a large conclave
and then nothing. Forum topics went dead, and entries to
on-line journals stopped. It began to look as if we put a good
size dent in the hunter population.
Not that there were many to begin with. To every one vampire
hunter site I found at least 10 vampire sites. These were no
role players. They were legit. I laughed, because really, why
would any vampire want to advertise and invite this sort of
wrath upon itself?
The software the vampires gave me allowed me to hack into a
number of different databases and glean the information the King
needed. The names, address, social security numbers, even IP
addresses of most of the hunters. Rex Quinn had a son and wife
surviving him in Ohio.
I was even able to find several networks that these hunters
used. Some had information on the assault including the
location. This had to be dealt with. First, I had an interest
in Quinn. After all he had an interest in me. His computer had
heavy safeguards and firewalls. Too bad they didn't stand up to
the vampire's software. I found his personal journal as well as
finances, the poor guy didn't get paid much for his kills. His
journal didn't say much, but it did speak of me, he recognized
me from a missing persons report. After our last meeting he
reported me as deceased to the government. I almost felt
grateful; now my family could move on. In his book, I'm sure I
really was dead. He believed the vampires would kill me once
they found the tracking device and if not, then I would be
killed in the raid. They had no plans to save any of us. We
were all potential risks. He had no compunctions about doing so.
I no longer wished to read this, the man I thought might be my
savior really was just a murderer. I had been given a virus by
The Master of All Things to install anywhere there might be a
threat. A few mouse clicks and woosh, everything went bye-bye.
I didn't know how, and didn't want to know, all I knew is the
information was wiped clean. My job here was done.
***
I hadn't slept at all. I couldn't, despite being awake more
than 24 hours. I tossed and turned and finally gave up. Every
time I tried I felt horror and anger running through my veins.
It was back, renewed and stronger than before. Something was
after me. No, not me, someone else, it just felt like me, like
in a dream. It always is nondescript and terrifying, something
chasing me. I knew I wasn't asleep this time because there was
no laughter.
Before, when I dreamt I could never remember the fear or what
chased me until when I woke people told me what I was saying in
my sleep. Each night there was always one common word. One
word I had forced myself to forget and to deny even when they
insisted I screamed. Not a word, a name.
"Bram." I said deadpan when the door to his room opened. He
appeared shocked to find me on the inside sitting in his
favorite chair waiting for him to return.
"Toni, what a pleasant-"
"Where were you?"
"Excuse me?"
"You know exactly what I mean. Where were you last night,
during the funeral, and after?"
"I was out." He turned away from me taking off his jacket then
removing his shirt. He tried to hide it but I caught a glimpse
of something like a red stain, like blood.
"You were out killing."
He dropped his head. He knew he couldn't lie to me. "It
wasn't my choice."
"Wasn't it? You were burnt badly, and riddled with bullets. I
bet you were thirsty."
"I drank from Heather after the fight and the bullets weren't
in me long enough to do damage like they did that night in
Lincoln."
"Then why'd you do it?"
He sat on the coffee table in front of me. He wanted to hold
my hand but I wouldn't let him. "When I swore to you I wouldn't
kill again, you had to understand that was with one provision."
"The King." I said knowing his mind.
"The King. He believes the people of the town needed
punishment for allowing the hunters to stay there. He believes
they had hope the hunters would eradicate us. He had to show
them that he would not tolerate such treachery."
"So he sent his executioner to kill off a few of the
townspeople while scaring the shit out of the rest."
Bram was silent for a few moments while I fumed. "I'm sorry."
He finally got up the guts to look at me. "I didn't have a
choice."
"You could have said no!"
"He would have killed me!" Bram shouted and stood towering
above me.
I squirmed a little in the chair knowing how some of the
townspeople must have felt seeing him bear down on them. He saw
this and sat on the sofa far from me. He sat silently pondering
his thoughts and how he had hurt me. I felt him fighting with
himself, trying to suppress the memories of the murders he had
committed that night, yet enjoying the feeling of draining the
life out of them.
"How many?" I finally asked him.
"Three." He said quietly. "Two women and a teenage boy."
I moved over to the sofa but not close enough to touch him. "I
suppose we should have a funeral for them too."
Bram shook his head. I knew what he was thinking; the King
wouldn't allow it. Besides there would probably be one in the
town.
"I regret it Toni. I really do. You know I wouldn't have done
it had the King not ordered it."
"I know." I did. He was telling the truth.
"Can you forgive me?" He tried to keep the hope out of his
voice, for in a way he didn't believe he deserved it.
"I already have." I reached across to him and took his hand.
We sat for a short while until I broke the silence. His new
skin glistened as if freshly oiled. His skin was nearly healed
only a few burnt patches remained. There were so many others
who had no chance to heal like that. "You know what really
peeves me about this whole thing?" He didn't answer for he knew
I would continue anyway. "No one's acknowledged us for our
help. Yeah, sure some like Kama and you show concern for
individuals. The King cared more for his damn mechanical mutt
than us. Someone could have stopped by the funeral or something
and said 'thank you.'"
"We are grateful Toni. It's what you're here for, to protect
us. You didn't go above and beyond the call of duty. It's your
job. You didn't get a pat on the back every time you finished a
circuit design at your work did you? I personally am grateful
that you saved my life for a second time but don't expect that
from the others. The King will never directly acknowledge your
work. Though, he may be a little more lenient now."
"I know. It's just sometimes you need to hear the words."
"Such as I love you?"
"Exactly sometimes you just need to hear them to reassure
yourself."
"I love you."
"And sometimes-" He didn't let me finish, not that I knew
where I was going with that. His mouth covered mine in a heart
felt kiss.
Sometimes I'm just selfish. I pulled him over to me and
wrapped my arms around him. It didn't take long for clothes to
start coming off. In the process we fell laughing to the floor.
With a quick shove from Bram the coffee table slid out of our
way. Whether it was my lips or another part of my body, he
never took his lips off me.
I was already breathing heavy and we hadn't even done anything
yet. He licked the sweat from my cleavage. He lingered there
relishing in the sweetness of the taste. He wanted more so I
distracted him by arousing him.
He held me close and our eyes met, I could see the lust in his
and I knew what he saw in mine. He pushed inside me mentally
and physically. I gasped. He held me tightly as we rocked. I
filled with his passion and my own desire. I felt and saw
everything he did along with my own senses. The mental
connection between us always grew strongest as we made love. He
covered me in kisses and suckled my collar bone. I moaned
softly. It all felt so good.
He stopped.
I felt the need inside him. I had a need too. It was separate
from his, I knew because I had felt it since the first time he
ever touched me. Only at this point was I able to recognize it
for what it was. "Please." I whispered in his ear.
His lips touched my skin and I braced myself against him. His
teeth, ever so gently, brushed against my neck then pulled away.
I pressed up into him. It was the first I ever came close to
begging for this. "I love you." His mind touched mine, just as
his teeth penetrated. I let out a low moan. My blood flowed
through the holes he created and his warm tongue slid over it.
We moved to the rhythm of his sucking.
I had never felt pleasure like this before. There had never
been anything in my life to compare to it. I tasted what he
tasted and knew the longing he had for this moment. I also felt
the blood pumping through my body as if it wanted to pour out
every drop for him. My body tingled everywhere. When I
climaxed it was the most intense thing I ever felt. My heart
and breathing stopped. The world stopped. At the same time
everything exploded, colors, sounds and especially every cell in
my body including those rushing through my veins to fulfill
Bram's bloodlust.
He too shared in my enjoyment and when the last vibration
rippled through my body he pulled away violently.
I took a moment to catch my breath before turning over to face
him. He lay with his back to me huddled in a fetal position. I
had a feeling what was wrong. He spoke before I could, "I
almost couldn't-"
"But you did stop." I wrapped my arms around him and ran my
fingers through his chest hair. "I'm alive, hell I'm not even
woozy. A little breathless..." My heart was still pounding.
The after effects were still tingling in my toes.
He turned over to look at me. "You're okay?"
"Yeah, you didn't really take that much." He rolled over and
we cuddled a little bit. This was what I went through that
battle for. This was why I killed hunters, fought for my own
life, and saved him from the evil sun. All that so I could lay
with the man I love and allow him to drink my blood. What a
crazy world.
He looked at the teeth marks he had left on my neck and
fingered them. He started to move in towards it. I felt his
intention and moved away slightly. "Control it Bram." He
stopped and looked at me angrily.
"Do you think I can't?"
"I know you can." I said softly. "But, I think we should take
it slowly, just in case."
He looked longingly at that spot then leaned back. His head
thumped on the floor. "I know. You're right. It's just..."
He smiled up at me, "You are the sweetest thing I've ever
tasted."
"I love you too." I leaned in and kissed him.
He held my face softly in his hands brushing my hair out of my
eyes to get a better view. "I love you to the very core of your
soul."
"You're corny." I poked his nose.
"No more than you." He kissed mine. Yes, this is what I live
for.
***
It took over a week but I finished one of my assignments. Bram
was so full of life after drinking from me that he couldn't sit
still and kept interrupting my work by taking me out for a
picnic or chased me around the complex. He didn't drink from me
again for a while because he knew I wouldn't have enough energy
to keep up.
So he let me work periodically. I gathered all the information
on the hunters I could. Not just those who attacked our
building, all of them in the U.S. I thought about expanding my
search outside. I then realized that would take years and more
than just one person, so I stopped.
I bet you're wondering who modified Sabertooth? Yeah me too.
It's to the vampire's credit that they broke me enough to not
even attempt to solve this mystery. Oh I had my theories. I
just wasn't about to go accusing anyone.
Believe me, I know this sounds like a cop-out. It just wasn't
worth the torture that would result. In between my research I
worked on getting his dents out and fixing his foot. A new fur
coat was on order so this gave me a little time to make other
minor updates I had been planning.
It still bothered me that he could now be used as a weapon and
not just a companion. I just couldn't do anything about it. So
like everything else in my life at that point, I just dropped
it. It was difficult. Then again changing your ideology
usually is. I had changed, I didn't necessarily like who I was,
that didn't stop me from enjoying my life.
I've made peace with the vampires and myself.
Of course there was someone I found it very hard to make total
peace with. Not Keir, though he was second on that list. It
was this sleaze bucket that dropped down next to me not that
long after I returned to my cot one morning. "So how's our
little escape artist doing?"
Why was he always early for our appointment? However,
remembering that I'm supposed to be friends with him I said,
"Fine, how are you?"
"Can I help it if I am a bit anxious to taste your blood?"
Heremon leaned in towards me.
I tried hard not to be repulsed by him. I knew he was just
trying to provoke me and I had to fight myself from snapping at
him. "I'm sure I'm not that tasty."
"No, I'm just an early riser. Here."
"What's this?" I took an envelope from him and turned it over
in my hands afraid it might explode if I open it. I opened it
anyway. It didn't explode, though I wish it had. It was thick
stationery adorned with a simple, elegant, swirling pattern and
a boat load of flowery fragrances. What follows is what was
written;
Her Majesty the Queen
requests the honour of your presence
for cocktails and dinner
Sunday the fourteenth of July
Two thousand and two
at Three o'clock in the morning.
Throne Room
My hand shook. This was not happening. An official invite
from the Queen? To the throne room? This wasn't a simple
feeding, nor an invitation for tea. This was a formal event. I
wondered if this was part of the suborior ceremony. I didn't
want to think about it.
"Come to my bed." Heremon rose.
Do I have too? I asked myself.
"You know you do."
In a way I was almost glad for the diversion. While I didn't
enjoy myself, I forgot the invitation for a short while. Even
so, as soon as I left Heremon I did the only thing I knew to
prepare for this event.
I ran to Mistress Kama.
I didn't need to knock. Hell, I let her know I was approaching
the entire way there. Everyone I passed probably knew I wanted
to talk to the Mistress. She was waiting for me at the door
dressed in a dark gown that clung to her body. "I'm sorry to
bother you at this hour Mistress, but this is urgent."
"You know you are always welcome child." She gestured me
inside. I went in. It surprised me not to find Kenneth inside.
In fact she was all alone.
I didn't kneel. I didn't take a seat. I just stood there
nervously flapping the envelope against my leg.
"Sit and relax." She said while going to a seat herself. "I
should speak to the doctor, it seems your nerves have been more
frayed since he's increased your medication."
Was there anything these people didn't know?
I did sit and immediately started bouncing my leg. "I've come
for your advice Mistress. I received this." I shoved the
envelope at her, she took it and glanced at the contents, though
I'm sure she already knew what it said. "I've served the Queen
before but I've never received a formal invitation. What do I
do?"
She handed it back to me. "You accept and be graceful about
it. You should not be surprised as I had told you she'd wish to
have a turn at enhancing your social graces."
"You knew this was coming?"
"What do you think I was preparing you for? You'll do fine.
That is as long as you do as you're told."
"Yes Mistress." I flipped the invite in my hands a few times.
"So I just use the normal etiquette? There's nothing special
for royalty?"
"Ah, well you already know most of what you need. Curtsy when
you enter the hall and when you approach her. Keep the 'Royal
Presence' distance of 10 feet unless she invites you into it.
If she does, show reverence as you approach and kneel until
given leave to rise and as you leave back out. When engaged in
conversation, only speak when spoken to. Otherwise be courteous
and respectful, as you always are." The last little quip stung
but I know she meant well.
"So, there's nothing else expected of me?"
"No, nothing."
"This is a relief. I thought..."
"It won't be the Queen, Toni. The King won't allow her to
suboriri anyone."
"Oh." I slid a candle on her table mesmerizing myself with the
flame and effectively keeping my gaze off her. "Do you know who
it will be?"
"Do not agonize yourself over it."
"I try not to. It's the waiting that's killing me." The flame
flickered as I moved the candle from hand to hand.
Kama lifted my chin so that I'd look at her. "If I told you it
was tomorrow would it make a difference? It will happen. Let
it happen in its own time." She kissed me softly and let me go
back to staring at the candle.
Now that the necessities were over, I broached a subject I was
curious about and knew I shouldn't. I nervously stumbled, "How
are you and Kenneth? Is everything... Has he..."
"You're right child it is none of your business. I know I
taught you better."
"You have, it's just... I'm concerned."
"Darling, the only thing you should be remotely concerned about
now is your own future."
I nodded, of course I should be concerned about that, thing
was, it was a habit to be more concerned about others than
myself. I wasn't so concerned with her physical safety.
Nothing Kenneth could do would hurt her permanently, but
mentally... I couldn't help the feeling that he was using her
in someway.
"Your threat was a noble if unnecessary gesture." Damn, she
did know everything.
"Me? Threaten someone? Never." I said innocently enough.
"Yes. I've taught you well. He certainly believed you."
"You sound disappointed."
"Let's just say that night didn't go exactly as planned."
I remembered that she seemed to like the idea of Kenneth being
the dominant one. "I'm sorry if I ruined your session with him."
"No worries child. There will always be others."
She took a breath and I knew that look. Our friendly
conversation neared its completion. "Speaking of your future, I
realize we have passed the date we've agreed upon for the end of
our arrangement. We both have been... distracted. You have
since learned to do as you're told. For this alone, I should
release you from any obligation you might have towards me. We
agreed that at the end of the term if you were content here, you
would continue serving me, and unofficially you have been,
though in a limited fashion. Therefore, I can't condone your
latest escape attempt. You had made a promise to me that you
would no longer try to leave."
Hell, had it been that long? What was the original date that I
was supposed to stop serving her? Of course the whole thing had
been blown to pieces long ago, but I guess she needed to feel in
control.
"Assume your place."
"Yes Mistress."
I knew what that meant. I undressed folding my clothes neatly
on the couch then knelt, sitting on my heels with my back
straight, before her.
"You had accepted your place here, you've been given
leniencies, how could you throw that away?" She sounded more
hurt than angry and that made me feel all the worse. Worse
still, I had no answer for her. I'm not sure she wanted one.
She removed one of her many silk scarves from her dresser and
placed it over my eyes tying it nice and tight guaranteeing I
wouldn't be able to see anything. "Your loyalty to us during
the fight with the hunters is perhaps the only reason I am not
as upset as I should be."
As she shuffled around the room she made a proposal. "I will
pardon all offenses if you do something for me."
"Whatever pleases my Mistress." I bit my tongue immediately
remembering it was wrong for me to speak without permission.
She let it slip this time.
"I want you to do me a favor, Heremon has been neglecting his
duties. There are people in Germany he should be observing.
Instead he's taken a mind to interfere with my affairs." I felt
something light and soft float across my cheek. "You must
persuade the Queen to send him to Europe for a month or two." I
now felt it sliding down my arm. I got goose bumps as what I
finally figured was a feather touched a ticklish spot on my
side. "She mustn't know the real reason, nor should she suspect
you are telling her what to do." She ran the feather across the
bottom of my bare feet and I bit my lips together to stop myself
from squirming. "Use the skills I've taught you to allow her to
come to the conclusion that she must send him." The feather ran
up my back, across my scars.
"Permission to speak Mistress?"
"Granted."
I took a deep breath for I knew she was about to be severely
disappointed in me. "I can't."
"Can't what darling?" Kama asked. The feather stopped.
"I can't do what you're asking."
I felt the tension in the room go up a notch. "Why not?"
She knew already. Like everyone else she wanted me to say it
just for the sake of hearing myself say something stupid. "I
could never live up to your expectations. You and Bram have so
many expectations for me. I can't be the warrior goddess he
wants me to be and I can't be the manipulating diplomat you
want. That's not me. Ever since I got here I have tried to
please you. I'm so tired of trying. Every fight I started,
every time I disobeyed someone's order, that wasn't me talking.
That was whom all of you wanted me to be. I was trying to
impress you and Bram and myself. I was trying to show off to
see if that would make my life easier.
"Every time I tried to commit suicide, that was me. I'm no
hero. I'm weak. I'm stupid. All I want is a quiet, stable,
and boring life. I want to hide in my mother's womb and never
come out again."
She placed her cool hand on my cheek. "You can never have
that." I wanted her to comfort me. To tell me everything would
be all right. I was disappointed again.
"I ran away because I didn't want to disappoint you or myself
any longer. I failed again."
"You've disappointed no one but yourself. If you disappointed
me in anyway, you wouldn't be here now. You can AND will do as
I request.
"One thing you must learn soon is that everyone here
manipulates others to achieve their goals. Perhaps Kenneth is
using me. It wouldn't surprise me. He has used you and you,
yes you," she stopped me before I made another slip-up in
judgment, "have used others including Bram and myself."
"Yes Mistress." I bowed my head lower. It felt like it was
about to touch the floor. She was right. The reason I always
thought this place was filled with conspiracies was because
everyone had an ulterior motive.
No, not everyone.
"Al didn't use me."
"Al used you more than anyone. Perhaps he did it in a kinder
way but-"
"Shut up!" I knew it was true though. I knew because he told
me himself, every time he used the word "Kiddo."
I didn't get a chance to reflect further as Kama decided I made
my last faux pas, which honestly it was a rather bad one. One
should never tell a vampire let alone a dominatrix vampire, to
shut up.
***
The Mistress released me a few hours later with some parting
remarks. "Now, be confident, yet not brash. Be polite and
courteous and only drop hints never tell her what to do or how
to think.
"Remember you should always bring a host a gift when invited to
their party." She handed me piece of paper. "I'm certain
you'll find something she'll appreciate there."
"Thank you, Mistress." On the paper written by hand was a web
address and credit card information. I'd never heard of the
website and feared it might be someplace the Mistress would shop
for her own play things. "Perhaps I should find something on my
own."
"Don't worry dear one. She will not find offense in anything
there." Why did I feel I was the one being manipulated?
I made my way to the computer room to investigate this website.
I found antiques from Northern Germany of all kinds.
Apparently their newest items were unearthed recently in Bremen
and date between 600 and 800 AD. There didn't seem to be much
history behind them other than they seemed to be from a well to
do family. I did a bit more research on the region and history
of the artifacts, enough, I hope, that would convince the Queen
there was something worth looking into there. Not that I could
imagine what.
"Toni! There you are!" Lacey's shrill startled me. "I just
found out. What a thrill!"
Should I encourage her? What the hell, she's been through
rough times lately. "Found out what?"
"Don't play coy with me. You got an invitation to dinner with
the Queen."
I didn't even bother asking how she knew; slave gossip geese
strike again. "And?"
"You aren't excited?"
"Excited? I'm scared out of my wits. Can you imagine what
will happen if I mess this up?"
"Nothing worse than what you've been through before, I'm sure."
Well, for once she thought of something I hadn't. How bad
could it be? "Besides, you've served the Queen before. It
can't be that bad."
"I'm not serving the Queen this time, that's what's so scary."
"You'll do fine. You just need to relax. Why are you standing
anyway, shouldn't you be sitting while working on the computer?"
"I can't sit right now." I mumbled.
"Well, why not?" I leveled my gaze on her and she guessed why
not. "Oh, you were bad."
I ignored the remark and turned back to the computer. I went
back to the original page. I had to figure out what I should
buy the Queen. The actual pieces, of course, were not for sale,
but replicas were, at a hefty price. A broach struck my eye
with its ornamental work of fine wire of gold and silver in what
looked to be an animal shape of some sort, perhaps a horse, in a
Celtic type design. Beaded wire ornamented the perimeter.
Certainly, it was gaudy enough for the Queen.
"Oooh, that's pretty. Can I have one?"
"Only if you beg Mistress Kama, it's her money."
"On second thought, maybe just those little earrings."
I laughed. "Those little earrings cost twice as much as this
broach."
"Ah, come on. Buy me something, please, please, pleeeeeease.
I'll make you a gown to wear to the dinner if you do."
It's not as if I couldn't wear any dress there was in the vast
dressing room, but I did need something befitting the Queen, and
I doubt they had anything like that. Of course I didn't even
know if she could finish it in time. Did it matter?
Of course, buying her something was the problem. The Mistress
never said anything about spending as much as I wanted or buying
more than one item. If she found out, well, I might be standing
for a long, long time. Yet as Lacey pointed out, nothing worse
can happen to me than already had.
"Okay, fine." We picked out a small triangle shaped pendant.
I placed the order and requested the quickest shipping they had
praying that it would arrive in time.
***
Things seemed to be going my way for once. Mistress Kama said
nothing about the second purchase and both arrived on time.
When I told Bram about the invitation he was at the same time
excited for me and sad that it did not include a guest and we'd
be parted for the night. He did assure me I'd do fine, which
made me feel as if I really would.
An extremely pleased, Lacey finished the dress and did my hair
and she did everything in her power to hide my burn marks with
makeup. As she patted down the edges of the cover-up I said, "I
told you about your father saving my life right."
"Yes." She concentrated on my makeup so she didn't talk much.
"You know he's a good man. I think you should consider going
to see him sometime."
She stopped. "I don't think I can."
"Why not? Look, you've turned out okay. I don't think he's
upset with you. He wants to see you."
"I don't know. I'll think about it."
"Perhaps I could put a good word in. You know, with the Queen."
"Yeah right." She laughed. She started applying some eyeliner
thus had to look me in the eye. "You're serious? You would do
that?"
"Yes."
"Don't."
"Huh? Why not?"
"The Queen isn't too fond of the town. She doesn't see the use
in them." Lacey explained.
"Okay, if you're sure." She nodded. This was about all the
conversation I could muster because my mind became occupied with
planning how I would convince the Queen to send Heremon away.
I must exude confidence. "Exude confidence. Exude
confidence." I repeated nervously to myself.
By the time I was all prissied up, I'm sure I looked confident.
I just didn't feel it.
Mark met me before the door. "You look good." He had a bit of
a twinkle in his eye. "Wait here and I'll announce you." He
stepped through the door and called, "Ms. Antoniette Aloise."
I gathered all of my training and waited to be invited in.
When she did I curtsied then I walked through the entrance of
the throne hall with all the confidence I could muster. Miss
Kama warned me not to be insolent but also not to show weakness.
I was early. Of course, I'm always early. There was no one
there except the Queen. I did not want to walk in the stream in
this dress so I took a chance and walked straight to the table
she had prepared. The Queen said nothing and sat lovely within
a throne like chair set off a little from the table. She wore a
white dress that almost looked to be a wedding dress with as
many frills as it had. Over her shoulders draped her royal red
robe and she wore a delicate crown and enough jewelry to feed a
small country.
Across the bank from the King's throne, inside the big curve, a
long table elaborately decorated with lace and silver stood. It
struck me at that moment that the Queen hadn't put all this
together. Slaves must have been put to work for my sake.
I felt horrible, I could imagine being one of the ones asked
and doing it because it was my duty, but if I found out all that
work was for another slave.... I'd be rather upset.
I forced myself back to reality. I approached her to within 10
feet then curtsied again.
"What does one have there?"
"If it pleases Your Majesty, it's a gift."
"For us?" This took me aback somewhat as I've never heard her
speak in third person before. The formal setting must have
gotten to her.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Step forward and present it us."
I did as instructed, took a couple of steps forward, held it
out at arm's length, knelt and bowed my head. She took it from
me and I took a couple of steps backwards. Meanwhile, she
unwrapped it opened the long case and drew out the broach. She
examined it for only a moment and I saw something in her eye,
almost like recognition before she placed it back in the box and
set it aside. "This pleases us. We accept ones offering."
The Queen wasn't drunk she wasn't exactly sober either. I'd
say she was in a happy place between the two. She did however
offer me a drink. When she did, she waved a guy in a white tux
over. I watched in amazement as Brian stepped up balancing a
tray with two wine glasses.
"Mr. Jerib." Mark's voice rang throughout the throne room. In
the doorway Jerib stepped forward without any salutation. He
did pay the Queen homage before doing anything else. He
approached her within a couple of feet bowed his head slightly
and said "You look lovely my Queen." This break in protocol
didn't seem to bother her.
"We are pleased that one is able to attend."
They spoke quietly for a few moments about the King. Jerib
seemed disappointed that he didn't show. The Queen laughed it
off saying he was busy with other business. Somehow I didn't
believe this. The Queen offered him a drink and they sipped
quietly.
"Ms. Chandra." Mark called out again. No curtsy from her at
the door, she was good enough to curtsy and wait until called
into the Royal Presence after which she ran up to the Queen and
kissed her cheeks. I wondered quietly if she had been mocking
me.
They seemed like characters in a high school play, acting the
part but deep down it wasn't really them. These were not
royals. At least they weren't born and raised that way. After
several more of these types of entrances, I was happy I had
arrived early and was spared any of them mocking me directly
over my entrance and presentation of the gift. I had been the
only one to do so.
Of course, as a slave, I figured it was a slight offering to
bring me up to the level of the others in the Queen's eyes.
After all, by the time the last person arrived the only other
slaves in the room were those serving cocktails.
I realized the invited are the Queen's closest friends, from
which Heremon was conspicuously missing. I hardly had any
rapport with any of these vampires. Their social circle didn't
intertwine with mine.
I felt like a vagrant at a country club's social. Let into
some secret fraternity but still on the outside. This was why
whenever my engineering friends had a party they didn't invite
any sales people. It's like two different species. It's not as
bad as inviting a lion to a zebra's party but maybe like a skunk
to a house cat's. Even putting paint and perfume on the skunk
won't make it fit in. Okay I'll stop with the analogies now
before they get any worse.
I suppose they tried to include me. They were kind enough to
talk aloud so I could at least hear the jokes they made, even if
I didn't get any of them. While I wished to remain unnoticed
somehow the spotlight kept drifting my way. Sometimes they
asked for my opinion from a slave's point of view. "Would the
slaves mind terribly if we extended the library into the
sleeping area?" I think they just asked out of courtesy as
their eyes glazed over while I answered. Sometimes they were
just trying to pull me into the conversation. "Toni, that's a
lovely gown." Or "The Queen holds you in high regard. She
never asked me to one of her parties while I was human."
None of this made me feel better. I felt more awkward and fell
back to where Mark stood. "So how come I'm the only human
invited?" I fished to see what he knew.
He shrugged. Was it bad etiquette to make conversation with
the help? I made a note to ask the Mistress later.
The closest vampire to us moved out of earshot and Mark said,
"Al was invited too, but he declined."
"Really? Why?"
He shrugged. He fell silent as another vampire walked by.
Mark couldn't possibly think it mattered if he spoke aloud or
not, could he?
I shook my head and asked, "What about other vampires? Was
Heremon invited?"
He continued in a whisper now. "Apparently he's not coming.
It happened kind of quick because we had to remove his place
setting just now." This seemed good for me. Perhaps I could
use it to my advantage. Then came a little juicy tidbit: "The
King was invited too you know. He declined. Set the Queen off
a bit. Apparently she'd like to reconcile..."
He clammed up as Brian signaled to him from across the room.
It was time for the meal. I sighed. At least it was almost
over.
As I feared, the place card indicated I was to sit to the
Queen's right. I didn't have much choice about being the center
of attention now. A small soup appeared in front of me. While
we waited for everyone to be served the Queen struck up
conversation. "Did everyone know our Antoniette is quite the
little story teller?"
Oh God! I started fiddling with my napkin forcing myself to
keep it on my lap instead of hiding my face in it. Maybe I
could excuse myself to the bathroom-
"Yes, what I've read is quite charming." Chandra said.
I started to slip in my chair to hide under the table. My
dress crinkled up around my neck.
"A shame some have kept her from her art." Mina made an
obvious stab at Keir. Perhaps this wasn't so bad after all.
"To be frank, it bored me."
This caught my attention. "How exactly?" If nothing else, I
try to keep my stories entertaining.
The Queen kept him from answering. "Do not listen to Tiernan.
He is bored with life." A bowl of soup was placed in front of
her and everyone else took that que to begin eating. This was
nothing like the gatherings where you'd think them all pigs
wallowing in the muck. Even if this whole event was for show,
they were at least being civilized about it.
Six courses later the conversation wound its way to the recent
events. The Queen dipped into her sorbet and said, "We don't
understand why that man is still sending people up there."
Meaning the King and up to the building. No longer was anyone
pretending to live there now they were sentinels.
"Because the hunters may come back." Jerib said simply.
It wasn't so simple, after all the research I had done I knew
differently. "I doubt it. All hunters in the US seem to have
gone underground."
"Perhaps they are hiding in Europe." Tiernan suggested.
"Lovely." Chandra sounded as if this was the best thing in the
world. "I've so missed Europe. It's beautiful this time of
year."
The door couldn't be open any wider for me. "Perhaps it would
be wise to send someone there. My research showed there is a
bit of activity in Germany." I watched the Queen's eyes light
up.
"I would like to volunteer." The husky Dominik placed his
spoon loudly on the table.
Now this wasn't quite what I intended. "Perhaps it would be
best to send someone familiar with the area and the people."
"I lived in Poland for over a hundred years." Dominik insisted.
"Maybe you've heard Poland and Germany are different countries
now." I immediately wished I could take that back it was a
horrible breach in protocol.
The Queen cleared her voice. Something was wrong. I feared
her anger that I swore I felt bubbling up in her. Any moment
now she would break etiquette herself and bite into me here at
the table. Only she didn't. The Queen quietly took a small
bite of her sorbet and said cordially, "We hear Sir Bram is
courting one again."
I blinked a few times. She was forgiving my poor skills and
moving onto gossip? Now I knew something was wrong. I tensed,
it must be some sort of pretext to hurting me, maybe she was
just trying to make me suffer in anticipation while she decided
my punishment. I watched as she took a long swig of her
champagne and I knew the blow would fall now. "So tell us; one
fantasizes about having a threesome with Sir Bram and Keir,
doesn't one? We most certainly do."
I nearly fell to the floor in shock. This wasn't at all the
dinner conversation I expected. I'm not the only one. Dominik
threw his napkin on the table while saying, "Excuse me." He
turned and left. The Queen didn't even notice.
"Come now. Answer the question." Her words were crisp, but I
swore she was drunk.
My heart beat as I looked around the table and everyone stared
waiting for me. "N-n-no ma'am."
"Really? One should consider it. They're both so handsome and
good in bed." Bram slept with her!
I swallowed hard stopping myself from getting upset with him,
or her. I didn't know what else to say other than, "I'll
consider it your Majesty."
After that all attention was mercifully taken from me as
Chandra began speaking of an affair she had in Europe as if the
entire conversation hadn't happened since she last spoke.
With dinner completed some people left discreetly and I tried
to do so as well. Only problem is when I went to take my leave
of her she handed me a drink and latched onto my arm. "Does one
know why we invited one here?"
Oh I had several ideas. The Queen wishing to humiliate me was
near the top. I didn't speak though, as I truly wished to know
the real reason. "No, your Majesty."
"We wished to return the favor of one's hard work and
dedication to us."
That was no where near my list of reasons, nor did I wish to do
her any more favors if this is her idea of a "thank you". I
gracefully bit my tongue and said, "Thank you."
"Now tell us. Is there something we could do for one?"
Maybe the door does open wider. I could blatantly tell her to
send Heremon to Germany but I think she's already gotten the
hint. What else did I want? Nothing really, well, besides my
freedom. There was no hope of being granted that. Otherwise I
did have everything I could want in this place. Except maybe,
she could stop mangling the English language for me.
I politely said, "I don't believe so your Majesty. I would be
more than pleased if I could serve your Majesty in some small
way."
The Queen thought this quite hilarious. "Come now, there must
be something a cunning and daring servant such as oneself would
like that we could help one with. One has been so attentive
over the years and we wish too repay one." I'm not sure "we"
were all talking about the same person here. However, she
insisted and there was one mystery I had never solved.
"Well... there is one thing."
***
I looked in the small window and saw the pipe with the
mysterious symbol. I found it while playing the "follow the
pipe" game again. I also noticed the small red screen that read
"all clear." I was sure this was the same room I had found
before. According to the Queen's directions, which I had wrote
down so I wouldn't become lost, I was to go past three more
corridors on my right and the fourth one would lead me to a
door.
I stood before that door that just looked like a dead end, but
I knew from going to the King's room; walls were sometimes
doors. I didn't knock, I thought. I concentrated on the Queen
and let her know I had arrived. Nothing happened. Sure it had
crossed my mind while she gave me the directions that she might
have been too drunk to give me the right ones. This could just
be a practical joke played on a slave. I didn't care. It
wasn't as if I had anything better to do.
A moment later the door opened and clean air washed the stuffy
corridor. I briefly wondered if these people didn't know
anything about clean rooms. I glanced inside the door and
realized they did. There was only a small space and another
door. The door behind me closed. Air circulated and some kind
of mist sprayed about. Then the second door opened. I was
greeted by the faces of several awestruck vampires. I knew what
they were thinking. "What are you doing here?" And "how did
you get past the secure doors?"
I smiled awkwardly. Each one looked at me for another second
then went back to work. Did the Queen communicate with them or
did they read it in my mind? Either way they no longer seemed
to care I was here. Shouldn't they? I mean I was in the
vampires' inner sanctum. I was about to learn secrets that as
far as I know no other slave had ever laid eyes on.
There weren't many secrets revealed in this room at least. The
room was not much larger than the laundry room. Machines in
various stages of development filled it. From where I was
standing they all looked like generic 19 inch modular racks
filled with circuit boards. For all I knew they could be
computer servers or the next great advancement in rocket
control. Most paths were taken up with various testing
equipment and so I stood in the main aisle getting a closer look
at something that looked nearly complete. The machine had a
screen and some cryptically labeled switches.
"Antoniette?" I just about jumped out of my skin. I
sheepishly looked up as if guilty of some great crime. I found
Dr. Wendel there. "Terrance and Betty, back in the med lab need
to be fed. Now please move so I can pass."
I just noticed he was pushing a cart full of medicine and other
equipment for the infirmary. It never occurred to me that he
must have access to where they created their revolutionary
medicine. Terrance and Betty? I hadn't heard of them before.
It didn't matter it would give me a chance to see their magic at
work. "Uh, sure." I moved aside. I almost had to climb over
some computer cases to do so.
"And Antoniette." The Doc stopped right before the door.
"Don't touch anything."
I took my hand off the small device I was about to pick up and
examine. I clamored back to the main aisle and walked the way
the Doc had come. I was overwhelmed with a long hall with doors
and off shooting corridors. Luckily, there was a directory a
few feet inside the door. It must have been put here for poor
souls like myself who were sent here unwittingly. I quickly
found the medical laboratory on the map and made my way down two
corridors.
Now this place was huge. When I say huge, I mean bigger than
the hangar upstairs. Of course it was sectioned off, but each
section was bigger than the slaves' sleeping area. There were
shelves of medicines, rows of medical equipment, and rooms full
of chemicals of every nature. Some rooms looked like operation
rooms and others like a mad scientist's playground.
Still, for as large as this place was, there were very few
people here. None of which I recognized. I walked up to one
who seemed to be studying a chart and said, "I was told Terrance
and Betty need to be fed."
At first I didn't think he heard me. Then I noticed his finger
subtly pointing me towards a near by door. I shrugged and went
through it. The corridor on the other side was dark, until I
stepped into it and the fluorescent lights flooded the area. I
walked to the first door and looked into the little window. It
was dark inside but the light from the corridor was enough for
me to see that it looked like a little doctor's office inside,
with a table and sink and all. Otherwise it was empty. I went
by a few more of these until I got to one with two people
inside. A woman in a smock with a tight hair bun was writing on
a computer tablet. There was a man strapped to the table. I
didn't understand anything on the diagnostic screen, but just by
looking at him I knew he was in pain. The room had a cot
crammed in the corner and I wondered if the woman didn't sleep
there.
The woman looked straight at me, smiled then motioned for me to
enter. "Dinner's here, Terrance." She said softly to the man.
It didn't seem to faze him. Then to me, "Take a seat I'll be
with you in a moment."
I did so and watched as she prepared a syringe. My leg bounced
fast as she injected Terrance. He yelled in pain and pulled at
his bindings trying to kick his way free. Blood flowed from his
mouth as he bit his lips and tongue repeatedly. Betty watched
him through most of it. I guess to make sure he didn't choke,
for she did nothing else for him. Finally he stopped yelling
though he still pulled at his restraints and breathed heavy.
Betty turned to me and looked me over as if she were examining
me. "There's nothing to fear. We're just testing a new drug on
him." But I did fear. If he was to bite me now, with all of
his blood covering his mouth... I had no intention of becoming
one of them by the likes of him. She read my thoughts instantly
and said, "He'll be needing a transfusion. There's no need for
you to get closer to him than you are now. Of course I'll be
feeding first."
I nodded just to show I heard her. I couldn't take my eyes off
him. He no longer struggled but the heart rate monitor showed
it was still above normal and I was beginning to feel his pain.
My stomach was clenching as if I ate bad seafood, my chest hurt,
and I swore it was getting harder to breathe. Terrance coughed
a horrible phlegmy sound. I forced a mental shield into place.
It helped and as the pain subsided I realized my sleeve had been
drawn halfway up my arm. Betty struck her teeth into my vein
with medical precision. She only fed for half a minute. She
cleaned up the excess blood then started to setup the equipment
for a transfusion.
"He'll need four pints. I'm told you can handle that." I
shrugged. I wasn't sure how many pints I could lose. I knew a
typical human couldn't lose that many, but I've adapted to
feeding these people and probably could lose more than that
without dying. "Because we're dependent upon the technology, it
will take about a half hour to draw it and you'll need time for
recovery, so I would like you to lie on that cot. I laid down
and closed my eyes. They may not use needles but the whole
thought of losing that much blood at once was a little
disheartening.
It didn't take long for her to hook me up and for my blood to
start dripping into a bag. There was a second tube coming from
the bag leading to Terrance's arm. I watched as the crimson
liquid slowly oozed down it towards him. The moment the blood
entered him, he relaxed a little. I wondered how long it had
been since his last feeding.
"I'm going to check on something." Betty told me. "Just lie
quietly and it'll be finished before you know it."
I watched Terrance. He was paler than any vampire I had seen.
I had been told the lights were specially made to keep the
vampires from going pale. Perhaps it was the medicine that did
it to him, or he was kept in the dark more. His face was smooth
and he looked no more than twenty. I wondered just how old he
was. He was sickly thin save for a swollen neck. Basically he
looked as if he was about to die. "Terrance?" He stared at the
ceiling completely unfocused. "What have they done to you?" I
wondered aloud feeling sorry for the lad.
"They... didn't." His voice was horse and he spoke slowly.
His reply made me fear that there was something worse than
vampires out there. "Who then?"
"I did."
I couldn't have heard him right. He made himself ill? That
was preposterous. "You?"
As more blood filled his body he was able to talk a little more
unimpaired. "We needed a cure for a new strain of
turbeculosous. I volunteered and injected myself with the
disease."
"Shouldn't your vampire blood be able to eradicate the disease?"
"Of course. We have methods to inhibit certain genomes to
prevent that from happening. Thus allowing us to become
infected with certain diseases."
"My God, you use yourselves as guinea pigs?"
"You'd rather we use you?"
"Well..." The thought had crossed my mind. I mean why have
slaves if you're not going to take full and complete advantage
of them. Of course I said something else to cover for this
thought. "What about animal testing?"
He laughed a weak laugh that started a short coughing fit.
"You certainly have a low opinion of us."
I felt ashamed and a little woozy. The display on the meter
showed 2.2 pints had left my body. It was all a bit much for me
to take. I mean I knew they were smart and I knew they created
cures, but a lab where they experimented on themselves?
At least they were ethical enough not to treat us slaves as
something so disposable as lab rats. Yet, why keep this from
us? Did they just want us to stay out of the way? Were they
afraid we'd become infected with some of these diseases or was
there another reason? Speaking of which: "Isn't tuberculosis
contagious?"
"Yes, however you don't need to worry. I'm told you have a
healthy immune system, besides, Betty will confirm you're not
infected before you leave here." Yes, a healthy immune system
while I have all my blood. I didn't bother arguing though.
It's not as if I could do anything about it at the moment.
Besides, I would probably be a vampire by the time it became
active.
Something clicked in my mind. Was this why the Queen was so
eager to show me this area? So that I know, when I become one
of them, that this will be my fate? Will I become a lab rat?
Terrance laughed again, but didn't cough now. "No, I don't
believe the Queen even knows we do experiments down here. More
likely she had intended to send you to the wine cellar on the
other side of the facility."
I tried to laugh with him. I was now the one who faded in and
out of consciousness. "Terrance? Why haven't I seen you guys
upstairs? Why haven't I heard of people being sent down here to
feed you?"
"I rarely go upstairs. Everything I need is down here. Very
few slaves come down here. There are even some who live here
with us. I suppose it is because you're new that you haven't
been trusted until now with the information."
"New!" Now I did laugh, even if it was feeble. I didn't feel
like a new slave. I suppose though that there are still
mysteries about this place for me to unravel. It's pleasant to
know that there might still be things for me to learn before I
become one of them. These were my last thoughts before I fell
asleep.
Betty woke me quite a while later to have me eat and drink some
water. Terrance still coughed and generally was in bad shape
but he had enough blood to sustain him for a few days. Betty
told me I was expected in the propulsion lab and gave me
directions then sent me on my way.
I didn't feel up to feeding another vampire and as it turned
out I didn't need to. When I entered the propulsion lab I was
greeted by two familiar faces. Neither smiled. Then again,
it's not in their nature. Wen and Urquhart finished making an
adjustment on a large system. I noticed a series of mirrors and
realized it must be some sort of laser. Putting two and two
together, based on the name of the lab, this must be some sort
of laser powered engine.
"Neat." I said. "Lasers are fun. How much power does this
one put out?"
"Enough." Wen said.
Urquhart proudly said, "One megawatt."
"Did you say mega?" I blinked a few times. That was like the
amount put out of a power plant. That laser could conceivably
blow up this complex and the town and probably the side of the
mountain. For the first time I realized I was in well over my
head. "That's a lot." There was an awkward moment but my
engineering mind couldn't help wondering. "Where do you get the
energy to run it?"
"Humans." Urquhart said deadpanned. "A human body generates
more energy in five minutes than a battery does in 10 years. We
will put you in status and use the energy you're not using into
the machine."
That didn't seem right at all, especially since a person would
put out more energy while active than while in stasis.
Wen shook his head and Urquhart raised an eyebrown. "Not
really, I'm fibbing. We only use humans as backup in case of
emergency."
I could tell by the three blinks Wen gave him that he was still
lying. "We use chemical reactions." Wen rectified.
"And you use the lasers how? For a spaceship right? To heat
up the air?"
"To do stuff." Wen said as he went back to work. Obviously he
wasn't happy with my being here. Perhaps he felt threatened
that I might be taking his place soon.
"These lasers will not be used to get the vehicle off the
ground. We will be using sails while in space. This laser will
produce the light needed to put wind in the sails." Urquhart
explained.
"Ah, solar sails!" I said finally understanding why so much
power is needed. Solar sails aren't that practical because you
need to be near a star to use them, with your own light source
you can go anywhere.
"Not quite solar, yet close enough." Urquhart stopped me from
asking another question. "As interesting as this is, it's not
why you're here."
"It's not?"
"No." He pointed to a pipe that ran across the ceiling on the
other side of the room. "That is."
I had seen the markings very recently; on the pipe leading to
the room in the corridor. It drew me to that room due to
curiosity. Long before that, I had banged on a similar pipe and
nearly killed myself.
Urquhart continued. "We buy CO2 from power stations and
factories that have collectors in their smokestacks. The CO2 is
transported through those pipes."
"Carbon dioxide? Why?"
"We combine it with other materials to make fuel that powers...
things. We also use hydroelectricity as well as solar power as
alternatives." Wen was as non-specific as normal.
"Combine how?" I asked.
Urquhart said, "I'm afraid we're not at liberty to discuss that
at this point."
"Oh come on. I've come this far. Besides it's not as if I
won't be working with you soon." Wen and Urquhart looked
curiously at one another. "Won't I?"
Wen shrugged and Urquhart said, "We were not given that
information. I was only told to give you a brief tour."
"Okay, so show me where the pipes lead." He did so and Wen
stayed behind.
"Isn't running this stuff all through the complex rather
dangerous?" I asked as we walked.
"It's been done for more than half a century without incident
until you came along. If you are wondering the door with the
window is a storage facility where the solid CO2 is stored and
converted."
Hence why it's locked and the readout that says it's "all
clear." No one needs another incident I figure.
We approached a window but there wasn't much to see there. The
pipe ran into a machine that was attached to a circular wall in
the center of the room. There were several similar machines
with pipes. A vampire, in what looked to be a small and
flexible hazmat suit flipped some switches and read some data.
He looked bored.
"There really isn't much to see. Everything happens in an
enclosed environment. The only reason Felipe is wearing the
suit is in case of an emergency."
"Is any of that radioactive?"
He smirked. "Do you think we're that primitive?"
He knew my answer and thus he led me out back to my blank
corridor. He left me with more questions than I started with.
I hate it when he does that.
***
Even with so much on my mind I managed to notice the absence of
Heremon, not that I minded. Apparently the Queen got my hint.
I finished my assignments and even sent Sabertooth back to his
master. I received no "thank you." Of course, I didn't really
expect any.
No, I received my reward in other ways, and I was quite content
with that fact. Bram and I had another night together. It made
me happy enough to put what little culinary skill I had to use.
Bram and I had returned from an extensive training session.
While the hunters weren't a threat at the moment, one never knew
when they might be. Besides, I wasn't much use during the last
battle, at least not with weapons.
Now, I was messing in the kitchen. This too was practice.
After all I was almost as lethal to my allies in the kitchen as
I was on the battle field.
I knew he was approaching but my hands were a little full as I
stirred the frying meat. "What are you doing?" Bram placed his
hands on my hips and his chin on my shoulder. I felt his
hormones erupting and mine were starting to sky rocket. Intense
training sessions very often turned into intense bedroom
sessions with him. Not that I was complaining.
I had to concentrate on something else so I started shredding
some cheese. "Cooking." I finally answered.
"Yes you are hot."
"Not now Bram, I'm hungry."
"For me?"
"For food." The meat started sizzling too much and I stirred
it again so it wouldn't burn.
"All right, what are you cooking?"
"Barbecue cups."
"Sounds wonderful. Is it a delicacy like you."
"It's an ancient Bohemian recipe passed down in my family. It
may be more than 30 years old."
"That old?" This coming from a 1500 year old.
"No, I was kidding. It is the only thing my mom taught me to
cook that wasn't boxed, canned or take-out."
"Ummm, boxed cans." He joked. I was going to mention leaving
the comedy to the jester but then I caught myself remembering
our jester was gone.
In that moment of silence he threw a little cheese in his
mouth. I slapped his hand as he went to take more.
"You'll ruin your appetite."
He slid his hands around my waist and kissed my neck. "I have
appetite enough."
While the recipe was by no means tricky I had to push him away
so I could pour the barbecue sauce. "Save it for desert."
"Oh, what are you making for desert?"
"Me." I kissed him and almost didn't come up for air. Then I
remembered I still had to cut out the biscuits so I pushed him
off me again. "Go sit down. Or this will never get done."
"I hope you don't mind, I invited someone over." I dropped a
spoon and it clanged loudly against the stove, I fumbled for it
missing again and again until it clamored on the floor. "I take
that as a yes." Bram laughed.
"It's not that you invited someone, it's who you invited."
"I didn't mention names." He said still playing a game with me.
"You didn't have to." I had bent down to pick up the spoon and
now rinsed it off. He had wrapped his arms around me again and
now placed his mouth on my neck. He didn't bite but ran his
teeth over my collar bone sending chills all over my body.
Erotic images floated through my mind, placed there by him
telling me how he will make it up to me. "Okay." I relented.
"He can come in." For Keir was already at the door.
It didn't take long for Keir to walk in. "Smells good, what's
cooking?"
"Sex." Bram laughed taking a bar stool on the other side of
the counter.
"Don't go giving him ideas!" I stabbed my spoon at Bram.
"I don't know it sounds good to me." Keir sat in the stool
next to Bram, a bit closer than I thought necessary. "You know
I remember a time that I had to lock her in my room to get her
to cook for me."
Bram laughed and strangely I didn't find offense in it.
Dinner passed pleasantly enough; no insults were exchanged nor
any accusations made. I found perhaps I could accept Keir as a
friend.
Perhaps I should have seen it coming, I mean when I look back,
I really should have expected it. I cleared the dishes away as
Bram and Keir had a quiet conversation. Frankly, I was a little
jealous and while I didn't need to, I squeezed my way in-between
the two. "Excuse me." My eyes met Bram's and I saw the playful
gleam in them. As my hand fell on the plate I was reaching for
another hand fell on mine. It wasn't Bram's.
The hand squeezed harder forcing me to look at Keir. I was a
little disgusted but he wouldn't have that. He brought me
towards him and kissed me gently. I tried to compute what was
going on when I felt a second pair of hands running through my
hair. Bram slid my hair aside so that he could kiss my neck
while Keir rubbed my back side and kissed my mouth.
The boys' faces were so close that it was inevitable for them
to meet. I watched Bram and Keir kiss and you know what? I
didn't mind.
Later the three of us lie in bed together. I was thoroughly
exhausted. "Come now." Bram tried to get a rise out of me.
"You can't be that tired, surely you've had more strenuous
nights with Keir alone?"
I looked to Keir whose face displayed his own tiredness. I
felt something strange. I don't think I ever felt something
like this coming from Keir before. Happiness. "Yes, but not
ones that make your brain explode with pleasure."
At this Keir perked up a little. "Why haven't we done this
before?"
"Maybe because you tortured me all the time." I wasn't trying
to be mean, just factual.
"So, you don't want me to torture you at all?"
"No." I said a little wearily.
"No torture whatsoever?" I wasn't sure what he was getting at
and I tried to enter his mind.
I wasn't fast enough as Bram asked, "Not even tickle torture?"
"NO!" I broke into a fit of laughter as twenty fingers
attacked me. I squirmed but there was no escape.
I cried for them to stop. I couldn't retaliate. I couldn't
move. It wasn't because they had my mind controlled, but just
because if I moved I would leave something exposed that they
would tickle more. It was childish, it was lewd, but most of
all it was one of the best memories I have of Keir and my time
as a slave.
By: Christine Schnell
