As We Are (Let it Burn)

Part One

Alcina Dimitrescu was nothing if not meticulous in getting what was owed to her from those that had incurred debts from her and were unable to pay them back. Quite a few of the maids that worked her castle were obtained in that manner, Xyr Wyntheria included.

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One of the hardest things to keep from the immortal, vampiric Lady of the Castle was the fact that one of her worst enemies was living and working within her castle and under her nose. Many moons had passed already since I had started working at the castle, and many more since I had become a werewolf. If I was honest, I had never expected to survive, but my parents had gone into debt with the Lady to save my life, so it was only fair for me to spend the rest of my own immortal life serving the Lady that saved my life. Not that she knew that I was immortal, because the witch that my parents had paid to save me was convinced to create a power limiter, of sorts.

This limiter is actually fairly high tech, considering that there was very little technology involved. Essentially all it was was an elaborate choker necklace that contained more magic than my own body contained. If the enchantment ever wore off or weakened, I would need to go and see her. The enchantment had stayed strong since I had started maturing, not needing to be renewed yet. Who knew if it would ever need to be renewed. With the way that the power limiter worked, there was no need for me to ever shift, and I never went into heat, as long as I wore it. If there was ever a need to take it off, I would shift within a few hours whether I was prepared or not.

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I hummed gently as I dusted the shelves in the massive library. Normally, I was finished with the chores I was given by now, but this was my last chore for the night and I was giving my roommate some alone time with her partner. They had just recently started dating, and I was more than happy to give them some alone time. I would give them another hour before I made my way back to our shared room. They had been together since we had finished dinner, so that was more than enough time this evening. I lowered my humming as I passed over another spot that I had already dusted, knowing that if they wanted more time together tonight that I would go and find some more things to do.

I chirped as I put my duster back into the cleaning belt that I had made (similar to a carpenter's utility belt) and moved down the shelves to reorganize some loose books. I resumed humming, beginning to sway my hips to the rhythm I was humming. I was almost to the point of singing when I heard fingers tapping along to the rhythm I had created. I gasped and cursed as I dropped the books I was holding, turning around to see hooded golden eyes staring directly at me. I hissed another curse in my native tongue and bent myself into a bow.

"Skit! (Shit! in Swedish) My Lady, apologies. I had not intended to intrude on your private time. I will pick these books up and be out of your hair."

I didn't wait for her to speak as I turned around, bending down to pick up the four books. I was putting the second book up when I heard the Lady start laughing. I froze in place at her laughter, but soon turned back to her, gulping at her throat on display. It called to my baser instincts, which wasn't supposed to happen with my necklace. I gulped and made a mental not to write to my parents so that they would be able to get in contact with the witch that created my necklace. I blushed slightly at the Lady laughing, but cleared my throat, forcing my blush away. I turned back to put the last two books up, wiping my hands on my apron as I finished. I froze as the Lady spoke to me, her voice smooth as silk and smokey enough to cause gooseflesh to rise on my skin. She sat with her cheek resting on her closed fist, her elbow supporting her.