Season of Darkness Episode 3: Chapter 15

1

"Doctor!" I bolted to my feet. I panicked. I would not let that life support machine take another person from me. I immediately focused all my energy on Lacey. I entered her thoughts or at least assumed I was and for a few horrifying moments couldn't feel anything. 2

The infirmary quickly jumped to life. Wendel and a nurse ran to Lacey's side. 3

"Come on Lacey don't do this to me." I said in her head. There was light and dark. A confused feeling permeated everything. I focused on it since it was the only thing there. I used my own sense of surroundings to fill in the gaps in her confusion. Made her hear the doctor's voice, feel the bed below her.4

"One, two, three…" Dr. Wendel pressed down against her chest. I made her feel the pressure.5

"Breathe!" The nurse used a bag valve mask to force air into her lungs. It felt like drinking in a cool breeze on a warm night.6

Now I think above all else I understand why Bram refused to drink from me at first. This feeling of total guilt was killing me. I avoided drinking from Lacey for this very reason and now look what I've done. If she wasn't lying there dying on the table, then I'd leave and go sulk in my grief. I couldn't let it end that way. I couldn't let the vampires win. I couldn't allow myself to be like them and just let one of the slaves, one of my friends, die.7

"Lacey, come on, I know you want to be free, but this isn't the way. I'll find another way." I begged her. I felt warmth on my face, and a fog begin to lift. I forced more thoughts into her head, happy times we shared: hours talking, her trying to help me with my projects, or me modeling for her. At the same time I went digging for memories of her dad.8

Sheriff Jones walked with a confident stride. Through her eyes I saw Lacey prance between him and her mother. They laughed and were so very happy. Then her mother faded away. Lacey didn't even seem to notice and she still laughed with her father. Now he read her a story about a puppy. 9

"Sad Sam couldn't find his bone. He dug here. He dug there. How did he dig Lace?" As Lacey I pedaled my hands pretending to dig a hole in the air making her father laugh. "My what a big hole."10

As he turned the page I looked up and the room faded except for red eyes. I felt searing fear and the scene began to fade. Lacey's whole body began to shake. A man stood there glaring down at us.11

"No, Lacey, not this. Happy memories." Knowing she went back to visit her father on occasion I tried to find one of those. 12

"Daddy!" I focused on that word saw the town flying past me in the brightness of day then falling into her father's arms. He squeezed tight.13

"You came back! It's been so long Lace." He patted me on the back then looked up. "But who's your friend? Not one of them?"14

"No, daddy. He's nice. His name's Gary."15

"Oh? Gary is it?" He extended his hand and Gary shook it. "Come inside, son. We'll get you something to eat." We followed him inside. "Now pull up a seat and I'll just head on to the kitchen. Make yourselves comfortable. I'll be back in a jiffy."16

Indeed, Gary and Lacey made themselves comfortable in each other's arms. 17

"I've been waiting so long for this." Gary whispered. 18

I really wanted to pull out of the memory. However, I knew this was beneficial. Feelings were coming back, warmth and other senses. I could hear the beeping of the heart monitor far away. 19

Gary wrapped his arms around me and leaned in close. Lacey didn't fight him instead she anticipated the kiss with eagerness. Slowly his lips touched hers.20

"There! She's back!" The beeps were loud and rhythmic now. The Doc and nurse bustled about stabilizing her.21

I fell back onto the bed I'd been sitting upon. I sighed and relaxed. Lacey was out of immediate danger and I was out of her memories. She wasn't conscious, but at least she was alive.22

Slowly things became quieter around me and the only thing I could hear was the gentle beeping of the heart monitor.23

I sat, my face buried in my hands trying to think of something other than Lacey, but my mind kept drawing back to hers. I saw her mother several times, family members and people of the town. Gary held a special place in her mind. She liked him. Her mind kept going back to that day with him in the town. Had they both not been stuck here she would marry him if he would have her. She knew he wouldn't though, he liked someone else, she was jealous but there was nothing she could do. Slaves weren't permitted to have relationships among each other, and it was a vampire he loved.24

I searched for the name, thinking it would be Shelly's that would come up. The answer came from an unexpected place: Gary's mind. He had just entered the room, I wouldn't have known it had I not been out probing minds, and he was now standing before me. He wasn't thinking about Lacey. 25

"How is she?" His question didn't break my concentration at all. I searched the back of his mind to see if what was near the surface was true. 26

Without breaking the bond I spoke. "She's been better."27

"You did this?" He glanced at her while I surreptitiously probed him. 28

"Yes." I wasn't going to lie to him, besides a truthful answer may produce more answers in this situation. 29

"Why?"30

I stood and stepped in front of him so that our bodies were almost touching. His heart raced and his thoughts were so impure if he died at that moment the devil would take him for his sidekick. Leaning in I whispered in his ear, "Why don't you tell me."31

He stuttered as he tried to bring his mind about to the question at hand. "Yo-you w-w-were jealous of her."32

I smiled a crooked smile and patted him on the cheek. "I would never do such a thing for you, Gary." I kissed him softly on the lips then stepped back. With that step his mind faltered, there were impulses for him to jump me and try to have his way with me. Years with vampires taught him to hold back that thought, for he could never get anywhere. Instead those thoughts grew into disgust and anger. 33

Finally I understood him. All the hate and disgust he'd always shown towards me was masking his true feelings. Too bad for him I'd never return those feelings.34

All his built up frustration exploded out of his mouth. "What would you do it for? For your own lusty pleasure, bitch?"35

I had to take a deep breath to keep myself from putting him in the same position as Lacey. "I didn't mean to hurt her at all. She begged me to help her so I did, but I had no intention of going through with killing her."36

"You really have become a vampire. You've adapted to their hypocritical nature."37

I didn't want to argue with him, there was no reason why I should, so I turned my back on him and took Lacey's hand. I would not give him the satisfaction of seeing he hurt me. 38

I wanted to will her awake, but she was so pumped full of sedatives that I couldn't. Instead I turned back to the thoughts that I was probing before Gary walked in. "You were partially right, Gary. Jealousy is involved here. However, it wasn't I who was jealous of her, it was the other way around, though that wasn't why she wants to die."39

"How egotistical of you." He didn't seem to want to talk anymore.40

I did. I wanted him to know the truth. "For the life of me, I can't fathom why, but she likes you, Gary. You're her anchor here. If it weren't for you, she would have gone down the suicide path long ago."41

He seemed to be listening and moved to the other side of the bed, opposite me. The one thing on his mind, "Lacey likes me?" He looked down at her sleeping visage. Softly he spoke to me without looking away from her. "What do you mean, that I'm at fault for this?"42

He was beginning to understand, to see her in a new light, one that could dramatically change his attitude. "No, I am. Before I came here, did she have a chance at all with you, Gary?" He stood silently. "If you have any feelings at all for her Gary, show her. Let her know how you feel. It may be the only thing that can bring her around and want to live." His mind was at odds he did like her, that much I could tell, but he still had feelings for me, who knows why. "Gary, I have Bram, let me go. Give her something to live for." 43

He looked up at me. A single tear began to fall down his cheek. He angrily wiped it away, embarrassed to be showing soft emotions in front of me. "You flatter yourself too much."44

"Gary, listen to me closely. Stop with the tough guy act, okay? I know. I can read your thoughts. Your feelings for me are superficial. If you want to impress anyone, show them there's more than one side to you. Show her, Gary. Show her you care. Show her how deep your feelings are for her. Show yourself since you obviously are blind to it." He nodded considering my words. "And stop being such a dick."45

He cracked the slightest of smiles. He took Lacey's hand and I stepped back. Slowly I removed myself. Before I could disappear from the infirmary, Dr. Wendel put a hand on my shoulder.46

"A word."47

I nodded and stepped into his office.48

"I'm sorry about earlier. I had no right to say those things to you."49

"You had every right. Doc, I'm one of them now. I'm just like them. I know it. However, I won't kill you for talking back to me. So feel free to say what you like. Bring me back to reality with harsh words every now and then. I'm sure it will do me a world of good." 50

He shook his head. "It's only a matter of time before you start to feel differently. Lacey was just the first, Antoniette."51

I bowed my head. I knew he was right, she wasn't even the first but he didn't need to know that.52

"You are in the infant stages of vampirism. Like any child you will become the product of your upbringing, genetics, and environment. These things will affect you and your personality. We can try fighting against it, but in the end only one thing remains true: you're a blood junkie now."53

"Doc, it's not like that."54

"Did it ever occur to you, that there are no such things as vampires."55

"Come on-"56

"Like any other addiction this whole thing is only in your head. You had a hard time stopping when you drank from her not because you need the blood. It's because you like it. It gives you a high, makes you feel good. Like any other drug if you do not take it regularly you go through withdrawal, you become depressed, irritable, have violent mood swings, and more. 57

"It's not all your fault. Any human, slave or not, at the time of being bitten reacts with the natural flight or fight response. Which produces epinephrine (adrenaline) as well as glucose and oxygen into the blood that is what gives you the rush that is addicting. Soon you do anything to feel that rush, scare the victim, beat them, even make love to them. You may think you're not like them yet, but you will be. You don't have a choice. It happens to the best of them." 58

"It's not an addiction Doc. If it was we could go through rehab and be better. There's no vampire's anonymous support group."59

"Oh, you can get better, but like all other addicts, you'll relapse. I've seen it before. It's not your fault. It's those around you. If you truly don't want this to happen again, get out. Get as far as you can from these people. Get away from temptation and bad influences."60

"You know that can't happen." I sighed.61

"Sure it can. How else will you fulfill the prophecy?"62

I shook my head. He just didn't understand. "Thanks Doc, I'll think about it."63

"One more thing, Antoniette."64

"What?"65

"If you hurt Lacey again, I'll personally see to it you become a guinea pig down in the labs."66

The memory of Terrance lying on the bed infected with tuberculosis crossed my mind and my eyes must have shown it. The Doc nodded and pointed me towards the door.67

***68

I returned to the slave court a week later. I figured by then Lacey would be healed and tempers cooled.69

No slave looked at me any differently as I walked through. Oh sure the rumor had gone around that I nearly killed Lacey, but it didn't seem to warrant any special attention. Other gossip had already replaced it in most minds. The largest news was indirectly related; they sent Gary on what some people consider a suicide mission.70

Had my prompting him to show her affection put him in danger? The rumors spoke of a mission to go after a known hunter and yet another said something about a hostile vampire. Could I believe any of it?71

I contacted the only person I knew that would have any knowledge about Gary only to find out I didn't have to look any farther than Keir's mind. Gary was there with him on a far more dangerous mission than anyone suspected and at the same time was being reminded that he was there to serve vampires and not Lacey. Pleasing Keir was no easy task, but Gary always seemed able. I'm just glad it's him and not Bram doing those things to Keir right now.72

"Like what you see?" Keir's voice echoed in my head.73

"Sorry, I was just looking for Gary."74

"Well, you found him. Want to join us?"75

"No, it's quite all right. Enjoy him. I'll talk with him later." I quickly closed the connection before I had to watch Gary be humiliated any more. I'd been locked in Keir's room before and knew what he was going through. For once, I felt sorry for Gary.76

What was it with these people? There's no privacy and no respect. The Doc was right though. The environment does affect us because not one person thinks these things are out of the ordinary anymore. It made me sick to think I too had become content with the situation here.77

Then there's Lacey who had never known a different lifestyle. Yet even her heart yearned for something different.78

"Hi. Can I join you?" I asked.79

Lacey shrugged. I sat on my old cot facing her.80

"Gary's with Keir." 81

"So?" She tried to act indifferent but I could tell her heart leapt a little knowing he wasn't out getting killed. Though if she knew what he was doing, would she be so happy?82

"How are you feeling?"83

"Like normal. Feeling drained by a vampire and slowly building my strength back up."84

"I'm sorry." She didn't look at me. "While you were lying there Gary and I had a little heart to heart-"85

"Why didn't you kill me?"86

"I couldn't."87

"I thought we were friends."88

"We are."89

"I thought I could count on you to help me."90

"I can't kill you-"91

"You're just like them! You're supposed to be different! You're supposed to fulfill the prophecy!"92

"Killing you isn't part of the prophecy!" I tried not to raise my voice but it was hard as everyone else spoke in whispers here. Again I found I was the center of attention as people popped their head up. I wanted to drag Lacey into another room but that wouldn't look good either. I might as well stand and face them. "Nor am I the one to fulfill it."93

"Yes, you are. The King saw it."94

"No, what the King saw was some woman who looked like me. It could have been my ancestor or my descendant. Who knows? They're guessing. Everyone's guessing. No one knows anything. Including myself." My frustration over the past events was starting to leak out. "I don't know anything okay?" I stood and looked about the room making sure everyone understood. "Supposedly I'm reincarnated from some chick Bram married over a thousand years ago! They think one of those incarnations will kill the King. No one said anything about freeing the slaves or anything else. So just drop the whole prophecy bull shit okay?" She looked up at me meekly and I realized I'd hurt her feelings again. Damn I was batting a thousand. I sighed and fell back down onto the cot. 95

"I'm sorry Lacey. You are my friend. That's why I couldn't kill you. I don't have many real friends here and I didn't want to lose you. I didn't want to become like them and not care about the people who mean something to me." I took her hand. She squeezed it just a little. It was enough. "I won't treat you like they do. I swear it."96

"I know."97

I whispered confidentially. "Don't tell anyone I said this, but your blood is too sweet for my taste."98

It wasn't true but it had the intended affect; she giggled slightly.99

I shifted my weight around and my hand came across something hard under the pillow. Curious I felt more; a cold smooth surface of metal and glass. A picture frame? I slowly pulled it out. No one had anything so personal around here. I was curious to see who was so special to be able to keep a picture here.100

Lacey became extremely nervous as I pulled it out. Perhaps no one knew the picture was here.101

"Toni. It's not what you think."102

I looked at the picture and found Gary smiling up at me with his arm around Lacey. The backdrop seemed to be somewhere in the town. I wondered if Lacey's dad took the picture. It was old. They both appeared at least ten years younger if not more.103

"No, Lacey, it's exactly what I think."104

"No really, my dad wanted evidence and -"105

"Don't lie Lacey. It's not becoming of you." She reached for the picture. 106

"It's mine, my dad thought Gary was one of you and -"107

"And he let you be with him alone in his house while you were supposed to be visiting him." Her jaw dropped and she was speechless. "See it's exactly what I think." 108

"But how? No one's ever known about that."109

I smirked and inwardly thought "or mentioned they knew." 110

"Well, they might not know about this." I slid the picture back under the pillow. "But I'm afraid they know of his feelings for you. Which is why he's with Keir right now."111

"I know." She lowered her head. "I mess up everyone's lives."112

"Don't feel that way. To be honest I think I'm the one who messes up other's lives. Look at what happened to you. It wouldn't have happened without me. Al, Nate, Eric, so many others are dead because of me." She shook her head. She really did believe she was the cause of at least most of the problems around her. "Come on. You really made my life bearable while I slept here. All those sleepless nights we gossiped. Remember when you kept insisting I would enjoy sleeping with Mistress Kama?" She turned the corners of her mouth up a little but that's all. 113

"By the way, who does sleep here now?" I asked innocently, I really had no idea until I thought of the picture again and the lie Lacey told. "You didn't put that picture there."114

She shook her head. "Gary has my old cot?" I asked.115

"He has his old cot back." She snapped.116

"His old-" My mind finally clicked into place. It had all been there before me the whole time. No wonder Gary was always so aggrieved by me. He'd been happy and content just being near her and then I came along. 117

"Why you?" I asked.118

"Why me what?"119

"Why did they have me bunk next to you? Why would they move Gary away and put me there?" 120

Inside Lacey's mind Brian placed Gary's things into a box as Harlow watched and Lacey felt confusion.121

"Where's Gary?"122

"You are getting a new bunk mate." Harlow said.123

"Why?"124

"Just be sure she stays in line."125

Then another memory flashed by.126

"Mistress, can I recommend you see Toni?"127

Kama looked hesitant. "Is there a problem?"128

"Other's have hurt her. I thought you'd be better for her."129

"And you expect me to be kind to her?"130

"Well… Yes, Mistress."131

Kama laughed. "You believe her worthy of me?"132

"I think she will benefit from you."133

"She doesn't fear us?"134

"I don't believe so."135

"Has she shown any inclination towards wishing to harm us?"136

"No." Lacey had no idea why she was asking those questions then, but I think I know.137

"All right, send Antoniette to me." Kama said after some thought.138

"Yes, Mistress."139

"Watch her for me. Tell me whenever she acts strangely."140

"Yes, Mistress. May I ask something else, Mistress?"141

"If you must."142

"Why is she here? She's not like the other servants."143

"Yes, she's special, but it's not important for you to understand."144

"Yes, Mistress. May I ask another question, Mistress?"145

"One more only."146

"Why did they move Gary and put her there?"147

"I think you know the answer to that. We trust you to do the right thing."148

"Yes, Mistress." And out that memory faded.149

"How's Toni been treating you?" Bram wiped the fresh blood from his lips.150

"She's very nice." Then he wiped the blood from her breast.151

"Has she asked about me?"152

"Of course." She giggled. "I told her you were the best of the vampires."153

"Oh did you?" She nodded happily. "That is why I picked you. You always know the right thing to say. She trusts you and your opinion."154

"I guess."155

"She does." He said as if he knew, and probably did. "Then tell her not to fear me."156

There was nothing there. They gave her no clue. Finally she came to the same conclusion I already had.157

"I guess they thought I could show you the ropes and be your friend and keep you happy."158

"Keep me under control you mean."159

"Yeah, I guess." She paused. "I guess I didn't do too good a job huh?"160

I smiled. She was always so naive. "No, you did a very good job. I'm still your friend, right?"161

"Always." Lacey took my hand and I squeezed back.162

***163

I typed happily on my laptop. At the moment everything was okay. I still wasn't sure about the whole reincarnation deal, nor sure about my relationship with Bram. Of course these conflicts help me to write so I was quite happy with having them in the back of my mind. Plus Lacey was in good health and high spirits. Gary had returned to his cot none the worse for wear. Yeah, he wasn't going to take Lacey back to the town and have his way with her, but he could at least go back to how he was with her before I interrupted their lives.164

A knock came at the door. I quickly shut down the laptop. I knew it wasn't Keir, and he would have admonished me from afar for writing if he wanted to. I just don't like people reading my stuff in progress. 165

Kama opened the door without me acknowledging her. She waved for me to remain seated and came over to me.166

"Good evening." She gave me a peck on the forehead. I watched her cautiously. She was in too chipper of a mood. There had to be something wrong. I hadn't seen her this happy since before she broke it off with Kenneth.167

"What's up?" I asked cautiously.168

"Do I have to have a reason to visit my favorite pupil?" She sat on the desk next to my laptop.169

"No." I smiled though I knew she had to have a reason for being here.170

"You haven't been taking care of yourself." She fiddled with my hair.171

"Haven't felt like it." 172

"You're not feeling suicidal again are you?" Okay, she was here because she wanted someone she could patronize.173

"No, ma'am." I said hoping she knew how I felt.174

"Good, because her life isn't important enough to risk your own."175

"Lacey's a better person than I am. Besides it seems your concern is unwarranted. Keir didn't punish me for my last suicide attempt, nor for this."176

"Not yet at least. He will in time."177

"Why do you people play me off each other?"178

"Excuse me?"179

"You know what I'm talking about. Keir tells me Bram manipulates thoughts better than any other. You tell me Keir is going to punish me. Bram's about the only one not trying to turn me against anyone else."180

She laughed. Obviously I hadn't ruined her mood, yet. "Life is a game child. You're just now learning the basics."181

"But why?"182

"Is it important?"183

I thought it was. However, if she wanted me to learn, I might as well enter into the contest.184

"That dream I had the night I tried to kill you. It wasn't a dream it was a memory wasn't it?"185

She gave a noncommittal shrug.186

"What happened in that previous life? Why'd you kill me?"187

"I'm not at liberty to discuss the past my dear."188

"Oh come on. It's not like I don't know. I know that that you pushed me off the building. Why did you do it?"189

"You fell!" Her mind burst but she tried to cover it up by saying aloud; "I've never pushed anyone off a building."190

"So you admit it happened?"191

"Antoniette, don't."192

"Don't you think you guys have lied to me long enough?"193

"Some memories are not meant to be relived."194

"Because they hide the truth?"195

"Because it's already traumatized you once." I remembered ripping the headboard apart and nearly killing Kama with it. She had tried to explain it away due to my medication then finally admitted I had a dream. Now knowing it was more than that I can understand why I was a little traumatized. Still the full memory was obscured from me and it frustrated me. 196

"Trust me." She said. "I wouldn't kill you."197

"Unless the King ordered it." I quipped.198

"Maybe." She averted her eyes. "Even that night I stopped before I killed you, please understand we've been friends for a long time. I don't wish any harm to come to you."199

This softened my heart. Kama didn't normally let her guard down. The fact she even said please led me to believe she was being honest. In addition, she was feeling quite guilty.200

"You never tried making me a vampire."201

"No, why would I?"202

I shrugged these people certainly had a strange way of showing friendship and love. Not that I was any better. "I almost killed Lacey." 203

"I know, but you wouldn't."204

"Why not? She wanted me to. I panicked and stopped."205

"You're her friend. You don't want to see her dead."206

"I guess." I felt guilty now that I didn't do what my friend wanted and more so I was very much like Kama. It scared me. I killed Al and he was my father in one past life for god's sake. So that doesn't explain why I would spare her. I thought about what I had asked Lacey earlier; why her? Was there a reason I hadn't thought of before?207

"Did I know her in a past life too?"208

"I can't speak for each of your incarnations, but not in any that I knew."209

"Then why?"210

"I can't say, other than you've learnt some control thus you were able to stop in time. Perhaps too much control."211

"Huh?"212

"My dear, you've become stressed lately. You need to let loose a little."213

"You're not suggesting what I think you are, are you?"214

"You can read my mind, so you tell me?"215

"I'm not sleeping with any of them. Bram's enough for me."216

"Bram is not here." She argued.217

"Look it's bad enough I just did something I promised myself I wouldn't do."218

"You won't kill anyone by sleeping with them. At least not if you don't over exert them." She giggled. "Where's the harm?"219

"My self esteem." I hated that she was encouraging this unsavory behavior.220

"Dear, when they start beating down your door to get to you, I'm positive it will boost your self esteem."221

"Gee thanks."222

"Besides fighting those urges will only make things worse. Kenneth wants you almost as badly as he does me."223

"What how-?" No, dummy don't ask. You know she's been watching him. 224

"Go ahead and give into those urges. I give you permission to sleep with him."225

"Mistress!" She'd offer her lover that easily? Okay, I know. Loyalty means nothing here.226

"After all I can sleep with Bram anytime I feel like it and not feel guilty about it. Can't I?" I just sat there and fumed. "Can't I?"227

I knew she could because everyone slept with everyone else around here. It doesn't mean I have to like it.228

"If he's not to your pleasure, then may I suggest Gary?"229

"God no! He's the last person on earth I want to sleep with. I'd sleep with Heremon -- no, no I wouldn't."230

"Then consider Kenneth. In fact I insist."231

"Why?"232

"Because it would be good for you, dear. You need to get over your fears. Besides it will get his mind off me if he has someone as equally lovely to occupy him."233

"You are something else."234

"Yes, dear. That's why you love me." She patted my cheek.235

"What fear?" I asked not letting her distract me.236

"The ones you have of men and of harming the slaves. Don't worry you'll enjoy it."237

"I'm not worried about enjoying it. I'm worried about using them."238

"That's what they're here for."239

"God!" Why didn't she understand?240

"Do you think sparing them makes a difference?"241

"Yes."242

"How?"243

"They won't think I've completely gone to the dark side. They'll believe they have an ally in at least one vampire. They will have someone they can trust."244

"Can they trust you?"245

"Of course."246

"Do you think Lacey will trust you now?"247

"Well, sure."248

"You did not do as she wished." Kama said249

"Lacey will know I can't kill her she'll trust me with her life."250

"What good will that do her?"251

"Well, she…" Hmmm… I drew a blank. I thought about it for a few moments until I thought of one. "She'll still be my friend."252

"That's good. You do realize she'll be your friend no matter what, don't you?"253

"Well, I guess, that's what defines a good friendship."254

"Then what's your hang-up?"255

"It's not just Lacey. I want to keep the others' respect too."256

"My dear, before I slept with you, did you have trust or respect in me?"257

"You're different. I didn't know you as a human slave first."258

"Didn't you?"259

"Huh?"260

"Never mind." She waved me off. "Do you know how many of the servants here wish to sleep with you?"261

"What?" I probed her mind to see if she was serious. At least a dozen faces smiled back at me. She was joking, right?262

"See your self esteem has been boosted already. Those are just the ones I know of, who have asked me how to approach you. I'm sure there's more."263

I shook my head. This wasn't right.264

"Child." She placed a motherly hand on my shoulder. "Give into your urges just once. You will find it is not as bad as you believe." She kissed me before I could object. I let her sweet scent wash over me and my urges were telling me now to drink in more than just the fragrances.265

I bit her lip gently, not breaking the skin, testing the waters of how far I could go. My heart started pounding with the hunger for blood. She pulled away from my lips but I felt her own blood pumping now below my touch. She sucked on my earlobe and I dug my nails into her exposed back. Her slight moan was music to my ears as I licked her neck. I primed it for my bite but I hesitated. Not because I didn't want to bite her, but because it was too quick, too easy.266

She forced me into a laying position quickly taking her normal dominating position on top of me. She ran her hands over me and teased the buttons of my blouse. I pulled her into me for another kiss. As I did so, I dug my nails deeper into her flesh and this time I knew I broke the skin. 267

I breathed deeper and could smell her blood. I fought hard to keep control. Not yet, just a little while longer, build up the hormones in her blood first. She smiled down at me and kissed me again with all her lust. She moved her tongue smoothly around my lips and encouragingly inside my mouth. I wrapped my lips around it and sucked and tickled it with my own tongue. God, I wanted to taste more!268

I bared my teeth ready to strike. She sat quickly placing a firm hand on my chest.269

"What?"270

She smiled evilly at me. "Good, now go find Kenneth and use that desire on him."271

"Kama!" I couldn't believe her. She tricked me. "But you want me to bite you."272

"That's 'Mistress' to you dear. I made you think I wanted it, only to bring out this animal in you. Now go put it to proper use."273

I wanted to bite her now more than ever but she stepped off me and put half a room's distance between us. "Go on child, be a good girl and go make Kenneth do everything you tell him to. Make him kneel before you and kiss your feet. He will thank you for the opportunity."274

"That's just wrong."275

She laughed softly. "All right then just go and talk to him. He'll be begging you to bite him before long."276

"That's what I'm afraid of." I muttered. However, I was starving now more than ever. For the first time as a vampire I hungered for something more than blood.277

She would have nothing more to do with me so I did as I was told and went to find Kenneth.278

As I bounced on the adrenaline running through my veins towards the slave court, I happened upon an unusual sight. Sabertooth pranced my way. He was not accompanied by anyone and I hadn't seen him by himself since the hunter attack. I was a little wary of him and his upgraded biting ability.279

"Hi boy." I said cautiously. He stopped sat and looked up at me, tail wagging. How could I be afraid of this guy? If someone had put a tongue in at the same time as the mouth it'd probably be flapping happily about.280

"So what 'cha doing way out here Sabertooth?" I asked not expecting an answer. Why do I always feel the need to talk to dogs as if they're people? As if he's even a dog?281

I placed my hand out to pet him and he pushed his head up into my hand. The programing was simply amazing on this guy. "Are you going someplace special or just wandering buddy?"282

He stood up so I could pet his back easier. I did so for a minute or too. He gave a happy bark and then trotted off down the hall the way I'd come. I shrugged and went on my own way. After all I was still hungry and I could ask about Sabertooth later.283

"Aaaaahhh!!! Get off me!" I nearly reached my destination when I heard the yelling. I looked around but as it turned into a blood curdling scream I knew it was in my head. 284

I knew instantly it was Mistress Kama and she was in distress. I spun around and flew back towards her room. I knew she hadn't gotten all the way back there. Before I even reached the hall to her room other screams, some masculine some not joined hers. 285

"Kill it!" 286

"No, get back!" 287

From where I was I could smell the blood and knew there was a great deal of it. My senses tingled with the excitement of fresh blood. My pace quickened with the anticipation of feeding though I knew I wouldn't be able to take any.288

"Get it!"289

"What the hell?"290

"Turn it off!"291

Jumbled words flew through my mind and I knew every other vampire in the complex must be hearing this. There were at least four pained screams now and three or four other vampires trying to get close to the victims. 292

Victims of what? I probed their minds and nearly hurled as I saw through their eyes Sabertooth ripping into Corbon. Kama laid next to him appearing unconscious perhaps dead and two other bodies I couldn't see very well. A couple of people tried to get near the robot but he snapped his hard steel jaws at them and they backed off. Jerib had found a sword and was trying to get close enough to whack Sabertooth with it.293

Perceiving the threat Sabertooth took a single hit from the sword and got in close enough to bite the hand holding it. He then began mauling Jerib and new screams added to the chaos.294

I rounded the corner to the scene of the bloodshed. Indeed, the walls were covered in blood. My nose twitched and heart longed to lick it up. I nearly gagged at the sight of my mauled friends before me.295

The horror really was much worse in person than through another's eyes.296

People seemed to move in slow motion as they ran to help the injured. Most couldn't get close enough because of the rabid dog snapping at them. Sabertooth seemed the only one moving at normal speed and that appeared super fast compared to the others. He's also the only one who seemed to notice my presence when I spoke.297

"My God! Sabertooth!"298

Sabertooth looked up towards me. A piece of flesh still hung from his mouth. Some onlookers took advantage of his temporary diversion and pulled a couple of injured away. 299

Sabertooth wagged his tail then trotted towards me. The crowd of vampires parted afraid he might go psycho on them. He sat down in front of me then looked up expectantly. He looked as happy as a puppy.300

I eyed him warily and now people started to notice the quiet and turned towards us. "Sabertooth, drop it." I said cautiously. He dropped the blood covered skin to the ground obediently.301

"Roll over?" He quickly followed my instructions dropping to the ground and rolling onto his back then back to his stomach watching me for my next command. 302

"Sleep mode." I said.303

His head lulled to the ground and while he didn't have muscles it seemed as if he relaxed quite a bit. 304

Everyone focused on me now and I saw their thoughts. They saw how easily I commanded him therefore there was only one conclusion.305

"Get her!" I curled into a ball as twenty some vampires rushed towards me.306