Why would he ask of me?
If he had sensed that I was human, he could have attacked me there and then.
I could barely focus on my surroundings, and before long, I discovered I was drenched in a fine film of sweat.
"Girls."
Matadre approached us, her hands clasped together at her stomach.
"We were… just about to prepare for the evening," Becca spoke up.
Matadre waved a dismissive hand. "I am aware of that. Rather, something else has come up. You won't be serving the Lords this evening. They will be going out for the night."
An immense wave of relief washed over me. It was just one night, but I wouldn't have to face him…
My mood crashed immediately after. I would still have to serve him the following morning or evening.
"What about tomorrow morning?" I asked.
Matadre's eyes narrowed as she observed me closely. "I thought it was exhaustion earlier, but you clearly look distressed over something."
Becca stepped in, "She is just nervous she has to serve Lord Fashire again."
"I see." Matadre's gaze softened. "You shouldn't worry. The Lords are likely to hold a meeting tomorrow upon their return. You may serve them at the dining hall then. You won't be alone. Ion and Tori would join you too. Just focus on completing your tasks and everything will be fine."
I let out a relived sigh, and Becca offered comfort with a gentle rub on my back.
When we retreated to our rooms, I quickly washed away the day's exhaustion, and faced the mirror. My red eyes were fading to their usual brown hue.
No…
I frowned and straightened. It hadn't even been two days yet. What was happening?
I rushed back to where I kept the vial and took another sip. The effects returned, but immediately started fading again.
No. No. No. No. Nooo!
A quick dash to the mirror revealed my suspicions. The potion was no longer working.
I choked back a sob and staggered back. Tripping over my ankle, I fell and rammed my hip against the hard floor. I was in pain, but I got up quickly.
I shoved the vial back in its hiding place, hands shaking as I tried to calm myself.
Rummaging through my drawers for a dress, I decided to find my way out of this castle. I would take the potion again and while the effects were remaining, I could quickly go see Matadre and tell her I had to do something very important in the village.
She trusted me. I worked well. I would be out and back before daylight. I needed to see my aunt this instant!
I was dressing up when a sudden gust of wind swept into my room.
I turned around, and my heart lurched within my chest before freezing in place.
Perched on the windowsill, sat the unmistakable silhouette of Lord Fashire. His legs were crossed, his hands resting on them. A finger tapped a steady rhythm against his thigh, and it was the only sound in the deathly quiet that had engulfed my room.
I stepped away until my back hit the wall. A strangled whimper escaped my throat as his piercing gaze followed my every move, unrelenting.
He chuckled, and the low sound resonated with a depth that sent shivers down my spine.
"I know you…"
In an instant, he stood before me, his icy fingers grazing my throat. My blood ran cold, and my mouth went dry as his words slithered into my ears. "That servant from the balcony." His eyes blazed with an otherworldly glow, and the air crackled with frost. "Now, since when were we accepting humans amongst our staff?"
A frigid tremor flushed through my system, and the world around me blurred into a dizzying white flash.
※ . ※ . ※ . ※ . ※ . ※
The pitch-black darkness I woke up to was so complete it almost convinced me I had gone blind. I blinked hard and shifted on a cushioned surface.
Panic surged through me, and I jolted upright, only to be yanked back by a sharp tug at my wrists.
My hands were restrained with thick, heavy chains!
The clinking of heavy metal echoed through the air, a hollow, hopeless sound that solidified the reality of my captivity. I strained against the restraints, sinking back into what seemed like a bed.
I slowly took in my surroundings. As dark as it was, I was able to make out the outlines of a few pieces of furniture.
This was his room…
The air felt colder than before, and every corner held the potential presence of Lord Fashire, watching me, and revelling in my plight like a caged animal.
My temples throbbed in panic.
The vial!
I gasped. The potion was still in my room. What if Lord Fashire discovered it? The other vampire Lords could trace it back to the village and, ultimately, my father.
"No. No. No!" I rammed my head down into the bed, the covers muffling my voice. My heart raged in my chest. There were so many things that could happen now. He could kill my father. I wasn't close to my aunt, but he could kill her too.
The air suddenly became heavy and oppressive and I collapsed on the bed, gasping for air.
I wheezed, trying to bring my breathing under control, but it wasn't working. Uncertainty ripped at my soul, tearing the little resolve I had built up to shreds.
How could I escape this? Of all the vampire Lords, it just had to be Lord Fashire.
I closed my eyes, and listened for any sound, but silence enveloped the chamber aside my weak attempts to breathe.
I thought about the boy and immediately sat up.
"Hello?" I called out in a hoarse tone, hoping he would answer me.
No response came, and the absence of any sound beyond these walls made my skin crawl. I drew my hands towards me and tried to feel my way around the smooth metal encircling my wrists. There were no crevices, or gaps to exploit.
I paused and caressed the metal again.
The effects of the potion had already faded. Even my sight had gone back to normal, but why was my sense of touch still sharp?
I tugged at the chains once more before going still.
My vampiric strength was still there.
'What is happening?'
And why did the potion wear off so quickly?
A brilliant flash of light blinded me. I flinched, instinctively raising my hands to shield my eyes from the onslaught.
"Look at me."
His harsh voice cut through the glare. My mouth instantly dried up, and against my will, I lowered my hands.
I trembled as I slowly lifted my head.
He stood at the foot of the bed. The chandeliers high above bathed the chamber in a golden glow, casting an ethereal radiance upon him. He dangled the tiny bottle between his fingers. The pear-shaped vial swayed, its crimson contents swirling hypnotically against the thick glass.
"Mind telling me what this is, servant?" His words dripped with venom, and something far colder.
Lord Fashire tilted his head, and his voice dropped, "Don't even think of lying. I would know."
My heartbeat thundered violently. Could he really tell if I lied? I pressed my lips tight, terrified that one wrong word would doom me.
I could weave a different tale to deceive him. It was a daring thought, but what other choice did I have? I did not want to die. Not now, not here, and certainly not by his hands.
The pain he would inflict would be neither swift nor merciful. And what would become of my father once I was gone? Even his own sister-in-law would not care for him.
I parted my lips to speak, and before I could test the thought, he lunged forward and a blur of motion materialized at my shoulder.
Ice-cold fangs pierced my skin and latched onto my flesh.
My body went rigid.
Then the burning pain came next.
I let out a violent scream.
I arched against his grip, thrashing and scratching in a desperate bid to escape. He rammed me back against the unforgiving headboard. Pain flared at my shoulder and spread through my body like liquid fire. I hunched over, tears blurring my vision as I clutched my bloodied shoulder.
A sharp hiss tore through the air, and I quickly clamped my mouth shut, stifling my sobs. I looked up at Lord Fashire's enraged yell and a fresh surge of agony wrecked my body at the sudden movement. My mind reeled as I doubled over, struggling to contain the pain.
He darted to a corner of the chamber in an instant, and hurled a divan across the room with a thunderous crash. The once-ornate piece shattered into splintered fragments, leaving an indelible mark on the wall.
Time seemed to stand still as the mighty vampire Lord hunched over, clutching his bloodied mouth. My shoulder pain dulled as I heard the sizzling hiss of his burning flesh.