Authors: Jez Strider
“No way, absolutely not.”
I threw the paper back onto the desk.
When the servant girl,
Taya
, returned I was sitting at the desk with my face buried in my hands.
She sat the tray in front of me and went about her business, changing the sheets and making the bed.
I moved my hands and looked down at the food.
I was starving.
The platter had fancy strawberry crepes and orange juice, but what caught my eyes was the small glass of red liquid.
I could smell it without even lifting the glass to my nose.
It was blood.
I slowly fixed my gaze on
Taya
and asked, “Was this in Master
Sanuto’s
directions?”
“No, mistress.
You looked weak.”
She replied. This girl always seemed so expressionless with her responses.
Didn’t she know Dante would kill her for the slightest error?
I took the glass and drank every drop of blood.
It would be foolish to look a gift horse in the mouth.
The blood immediately made my strength start to return.
“It was a gift from one of the donors.
No one will find out.”
“Alright, enough is enough.
Give me the truth about why you’re so helpful.”
My voice was commanding.
“People don’t just cross Dante without reason, even for the simplest things.”
Taya
took a seat in the chair opposite me at the desk.
Her hands rested calmly in her lap.
“I was a gift to Antonio from his father.
Dante spotted me in Manila with my friend.
We were celebrating our graduation with the trip.
Until recently, I was the Prince’s favorite girl.
I loathe Dante, but I fell for Antonio.
I was his lovely
Pinay
.
He’s as kind as the Master is evil.”
The girl looked saddened.
“When
Tonio
disappeared, Dante made me a servant.
Antonio is the only man allowed to have me.”
“I see.”
No wonder Dante had chosen her as my servant.
She was in love with Antonio.
The food was a welcome distraction from looking up at her, so I focused on eating.
“So you have a death wish now by disobeying?”
“Of course not.”
She let out a musical laugh and I looked up.
“Amongst the people, there is a legend.
Anyone heard speaking of it severely punished, usually by death.”
The excitement building in her voice made me nervous.
“It is said that the Queen will arrive and save the people from the reign of the evil King.”
Dumbfounded, I stared at the girl.
“And you believe that?”
My first reaction was to ask if she was crazy or just stupid, but I figured it would be wise to use this newfound knowledge to my advantage.
She nodded and gave a shrug.
“I didn’t believe it before, but here you are.
Even if it’s just a silly predication or legend, you can make it true.”
“How do you know I don’t want to rule with Dante?
Or that I love him?”
I eyed her seriously as I questioned the girl.
“If I do love him, then you will be dead by the end of the day.”
“You’re strong.
I heard that you even attacked and drank from the Master.
No one like that would want to be his prisoner and slave.
Besides, you’re the only hope of the people he keeps against their will.
It’s not just me!”
She raised her voice and I could hear the desperation.
I held up my hand to calm her down.
“Hush!
What about Antonio?
Do you think he wants to be the next “
King.
”
She shook her head.
“I don’t think he wants to, but the society has to have a leader to keep the vampires from getting out of control.
I just assumed you would both rule together.”
“Wouldn’t that make you jealous?”
“Yes, but Antonio never falls in love with anyone.
He takes many women to his chambers.
Last night, I noticed him take the two women you saw near the throne.
Afterwards, he came looking for me and we spent the rest of the night together.
I think he cares for me, but something holds him back.”
She shrugged.
That part of the conversation I could have done without.
“Can you get me any weapons?”
I directed the topic to the matter at hand.
A sly little smirk spread across her face.
“I slipped a
Balisong
into your purse.
The kitchen workers would have been suspicious if I put anything sharp on your tray for breakfast.
I may be able to get something at dinner.”
She checked the time on her gold watch and I wondered if it had been a gift from Dante or Antonio.
“Speaking of which, I better get out of here.
You’re expected to be cleaned up and ready for your official introduction this evening.”
The tray was in her hand and she was headed for the door in a hurry.
“
Taya
,” I called out and she turned to face me with a reverent smile.
“Thanks.
And…Next time you see Antonio….”
It was hard to decide what to tell the girl.
“Tell him you’re on our side.”
Her expression looked confused, but she nodded and said, “Sure.”
The food and blood helped physically, but my mind was still all screwed up.
I looked in the mirror and hated myself.
I was used and abused.
I’d had one of the shortest engagements ever.
There was no way Marcus would take me back after getting myself into a situation where another vampire had sex with me.
Also, Antonio depended on women to drown his sorrows and he was so broken he couldn’t fall in love with someone else.
I blamed myself for that, too.
My purse was sitting on the large sink counter.
I opened it and found the butterfly knife
Taya
mentioned inside.
The secret compartment appeared to still be intact.
With a flip, I dumped everything out of the purse and onto the counter.
The knife was perfect for cutting open the stitching.
I wish I could say I fanned the knife open like a professional, but I was actually careful as I opened it.
Syringe, needle, and blood thinner were all still there.
I didn’t know how much time I had until Dante returned, so I prepared my secret weapon immediately.
The injection and the knife needed an easily accessible hiding place.
I looked around the bathroom and groaned in frustration.
There was nothing that seemed suitable so I went back into the bedroom.
The bed.
It had to be the bed.
He would only let his guard down there.
I pulled back the bedspread.
The pillows were massive.
I concealed both items underneath.
Time was escaping me.
There was no clock that I could find in my room and I couldn’t see outside.
The shutters were locked.
Of course they were.
Just more of Dante’s mind games to torment me.
I had to get ready to be presented to the followers.
Besides, I wanted to scrub myself clean of the vampire.
The bathroom tub was closer to the size of a hot tub.
I smelled a few scented bath salts before choosing one that seemed most relaxing.
The fragrance of honeysuckle sweetly assaulted my nostrils as the hot water filled the bath.
When I lowered myself into the tub, I instantly dunked my entire body under the water, including my head.
In my down state, I wondered if I could just drown myself.
Or perhaps just use the knife to make a couple of slits.
It wasn’t like me, but I’d be lying to myself if I didn’t admit the thoughts crossed my mind.
There was no way I would have actually killed myself, but at the time, the idea was comforting to my struggling mind.
My bedroom door creaked open sometime later and I opened my eyes.
Taya
poked her head into the bathroom to tell me she had my lunch.
Hadn’t I just had breakfast?
More time must have passed than I had known.
With a sigh, I climbed out of the bath and wrapped the towel around me.
I stopped when I passed the mirror and noticed the bite mark on my breast had finally faded.
“The wonders of drinking blood….” I mumbled with bemusement.
“More blood.”
Taya
said and gestured to the serving plate.
She was risking too much because of this crazy legend, but I understood all too well the desire for freedom.
“Thanks.”
I forced a smile as I sat down, cutting a small piece off the chicken breast.
Wait.
I stared at the knife in my hand.
“How did you get this to me?”
One more weapon to hide in the room gave me more chance at victory.
Taya
smiled as she spoke.
“The kitchen was empty because it’s somewhat early for lunch.
The guards trust me so they didn’t even search the tray.”
She lowered her voice.
“They expect I’ll be up for grabs soon when Antonio bores of me.
I think they’re angry he’s back.”
“You’re a good ally to have.”
I finished cutting up my meat and wiped off the blade, placing it on the desk for later.
Another serving of blood was helping my mood.
My increased appetite for the crimson life giver was extremely irritating.
I’d lived on such small amounts before, but now I couldn’t imagine being so weak again.
“May I fix your hair for you?
If you’re perfect, the Master will be pleased.”
She said as she was already making her way to prepare the beauty tools on the vanity.
I opened my mouth to protest, but the better Dante’s mood, the more likely he would be to let his guard down.
All I did was give a faint nod.
Everything that surrounded me was expensive and beautiful.
I hated it.
I longed for Marcus’ home.
The mess, the dog, his embrace….
Taya
must have sensed my unease so she kept silent while I finished my lunch.