Master helped me into his coach and followed me in. It began to move with a jolt. I sat quietly, focused on remaining calm and keeping my heartbeat steady. I looked down at my hands which were folded in my lap. Master said nothing as we began our trip back to his castle. Soon I had drifted off to sleep. I awoke with a jolt as I noticed streaks of sunlight peaking in the curtains of the coach windows. The hoof beats of the horses pulling the carriage could be heard but the carriage ride itself was surprisingly smooth. My father's wagon allowed us to feel every bump and dip on the road. This one felt like it was almost gliding along the road.
I looked over at my Master and found him staring at me, a slight smile on his face. I looked down immediately, fixing my posture so that I was once again seated straight and staring at my hands. "Do they teach you that at school?"
I was confused by the question. "My Lord?" He sighed, "Do they tell you to sit like that?" I nodded, "We are told to never look our Master in the eye. The folded hands are just something I do when I don't know what to do with them."
He laughed. It was a surprisingly pleasant sound. "When we are alone, you may look me in the eyes. I do not appreciate my commands being questioned. You must do as I say. I don't mind some conversation if I initiate it. When in the company of others of my kind, you will avert your eyes. You may refer to me as Master or Master Alexander at any time." I nodded and raised my eyes to meet him. He smiled back.
"So, tell me pet, I'm curious, why did you pick that particular poem of Lord Byron's?" I smiled. "Truthfully?" He nodded, "It is the shortest of the ones that I've memorized and I didn't want to recite one of his longer ones." I chewed my lip as I said, "I was nervous and feared my voice might tremble if I spoke for too long."
His eyebrows raised in mock surprise. "Nervous? You certainly didn't appear so. I heard nothing in your heartbeat which was steady the entire time, except when Philip asked you to remove your dress. Then it sped up for a moment but soon it was back to normal."
He had been listening to my heart. My father's training served me well. He looked at me, "Tell me, what poem would you have liked to recite if you were not so nervous to do so." I smiled, "I think I should have liked to recite Darkness." He smiled again.
He was certainly handsome, but I was not attracted to him. I feared I might be. I had heard of slaves falling in love with their Vampire Masters who were extraordinarily beautiful. The unrequited love drove them mad. I hadn't seen many Vampires in my life, but those I had seen were indeed beautiful. However, my mind knew that the thing in front of me was not a man but a predator and as a result the mask of beauty did nothing for me. It was like looking at a beautiful lion about to pounce. Perhaps they saw us in the same way, like lovely little deer staring up at them frozen in fright and ready to become a meal. It would have been tortuous to not only be a slave, but to also pine for a Master you could never truly love or who could never truly love you.
"How do you come to know so much about poetry, little one?" I wasn't sure how I felt about the "little one" pet name. Hopefully that wasn't going to be my new name. I ignored it and moved on. "I have many interests, Master." He nodded, "Indeed. I should like to hear you play the piano when we get to my castle."
I looked down. I wish I hadn't shared that piece of me. Playing the piano had always been something I did for enjoyment. I did not relish the idea of being ordered to play even when I wasn't in the mood to.
The carriage appeared to be slowing down. Master Alexander looked out the window and then reached for my hand. "Aliana. We are approaching the town where we will have our meal. I will need to put the collar on you and attach the leash." I swallowed hard and nodded. I knew it would happen eventually. Now was as good a time as any. I was afraid of the stares I might get from the local townspeople. I know that I was one of the ones who would stare when I saw the slaves in town, but I never felt anything but pity for the slave and a sense of fearful anticipation that I might soon by like him or her. We were all connected to slavery in some way. Either we were about to become a slave, had children who would soon participate in a Selection, or had been slaves ourselves. Either way, it wasn't an unusual sight. It was just the anticipated looks of pity that seemed to fill me with humiliation, but I would be looking down so hopefully I wouldn't see them.
YOU ARE READING
The Last Vampire Hunter
Fantasy"Aliana, our Master owns you. All of you. He can take what is his when he wants. It is your duty as his pet to please him." I looked at Silver. Terror evident in my eyes. "Try not to panic, Aliana. This will be your first time. It will hurt...
