Bloody Shackles

Chapter 1: Grace Like Rain

This chapter is inspired by the song Grace Like Rain by Todd Agnew. :) And there is a pic of what Ellianna looks like on the right. 

Ellianna’s POV

            “You’re going to stay here, until your master comes to find you,” the man uttered, cruelly, dragging me into the cell.

He sat me down roughly on the cold floor. I remained silent as he chained my feet together as well as my hands. Glancing at him as he stood up I noticed that he had short silver hair, black eyes, and wore a long black overcoat and pants. His shoes shined so brightly that I could see my reflection.

He leaned down suddenly and cupped my face. He gave me a wicked smile.

“I wonder what my brother will do, when he finds out his precious little slave, has been taken to the dungeon,” he pressed a finger against my lips, “but that is going to be our little secret, ok?”

I nodded.

“Good,” he replied with a laugh. He then slammed the door loudly, walking out, without another word. I sighed softly. I was somewhat grateful that he wasn’t my master, but one could never be so sure. My master could be even worse than he was. I could only hope.

I kept a cross on a long chain around my waist. Since most vampires didn’t like holy things, they usually would hurt a slave who had such possessions. I found it in the garden of my first master. She was elderly, and although I assumed that she would stay to tradition and harm me in some way, she let me keep it. It is gold so it has value, and since I don’t want it to be taken away; I have to keep it out of sight. Also the neck is usually the first thing a vampire notices about a human, so I wouldn’t dare wear it there.

In vampire society it is custom for the vampire to have many slaves and servants. There are cooks, maids, butlers, gardeners, concubines, and personal servants. I am known as a personal servant. There are very few of us left, because many vampires just buy more concubines for their pleasure. They also use them to feed, so there isn’t much use for a personal servant.

Before I came here, I was told that my master had concubines, and yet he still bought me. Although, I do not like being owned, I felt honored to be owned by someone who had concubines, but still needed a personal servant. The job of a personal servant is to be by their master’s side at all times and to tend to their every need, whether that be feeding, cleaning, or more…explicit matters.

I curled into a ball, with my knees against my chest. I pulled my jet black, waist-length, hair over my shoulder and scooted closer to the wall. I sighed as I place my head on my knees. I wondered what my master would be like. I hoped that he would find me soon; I hoped that he would be kind. I hoped that he would not beat me as harshly as some of my previous masters, and I hoped that I will be able to stay pure a little while longer. I hoped that he would not soil my body.

You see, although I am to be eighteen this coming spring, I am still a virgin. Although I have been the slave to more male vampires than female, I have still been able to stay pure in the eyes of my Father. I pulled the skirt of my dress up a little and wrapped my fingers around my cross. I hoped that someday, someday in this horrid society, where vampires are superior to humans, that maybe I can be married and give my heart and body to the one I love. That is the way of the Testaments.

Since old religions like, Christianity, are scarce they are referred to by code names. The Testaments, is code for the Holy Bible, which is the book of God, and is filled with His teachings. I used to own a bible, but it was burned and I was severely beaten because of my ownership of it.  Still, I was able to memorize it before it was taken from me, and I recite verses on occasion, to comfort me, especially in times such as this.

I began to whisper a particular passage to myself that was one of my favorites. Although I was the only one in the room, I was still wary of people overhearing.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the path of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

I could feel my eyelids begin to droop, as sleep curled around me, but I continued.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over,” I paused as I realized that tears were falling down my cheeks.

They drenched my neck and the collar of my dress in a chaotic mess. As I pressed my hands to my eyes, and wiped the moisture away, I knew that those were not tears of sorrow, but tears of joy. I was so thankful, that even in this place of misery and torment, even without knowing what will happen next, I knew that God was with me. I could feel his presence, or maybe it was angels, because it felt as if there were tons of people sitting beside me, so many that I felt cramped.

A since of peace and serenity fell over me, as I finished the scripture.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

I could feel the angels leaving, but the peacefulness stayed, as well as the presence of one last angel. I glanced up, and I had to squint because his radiance was too bright. His wings were massive, and took up all the space of the room. When he spoke, it was powerful, but caring.

“Do not fear, for your faith in the Father is strong.”

With that he left, and I suddenly felt exhausted. I let my eyes close, wrapped my hands around my knees, and rested my head on them. A calm slumber covered me like a blanket…that is…until my master found me.