"Look at you all..'' Said master slowly. His void like eyes glided over the crowd like a discerning father. I found myself tensing when his eyes landed on me; His sudden smirk wasn't encouraging either. He was full nude in broad daylight; but somehow it didn't shake his confidence, nor take from his imposing presence in any way.
Imperiously he took a step forward and the crowd began to part. It didn't take long for him to reach me and I stood stone still as he looked me up and down. Finally after what felt like forever he spoke in a pleased tone.
"Very nice; Horns suit you." Just then I felt something tickle my spine; upon examining my backside I spotted a pointed tail swaying hazardously behind me.
"I have a tail?!" The words escaped my lips before I could stop them and Master gave a hardy laugh. His voice was so much deeper; but still held a charming baritone that seemed to tickle your insides. I blushed at my unexpected slip in front of Master and bowed my head in apology. I felt him put his hand on my shoulder and I tensed.
"Don't be so stiff; today is the day of my rebirth. The last thing I want is my most trusted servant to be stand-offish." My heart skipped a beat at the words 'Most trusted.' Master trusted me? but I have made so many mistakes. I was about to say as much until I looked up and met his eyes. seeing those expectant eyes brought me out of my thoughts and I looked around to see many jealous eyes. What was with this sudden change in atmosphere?! I looked back at Master and a sly smile played on his face.
"Jara!" He called turning away suddenly. Jara was there in the blink of an eye. She now looked much shorter than Master did; Her youthful appearance didn't help resolve the awkward and more than apparent age gap that formed between them.
"My-my; How debonair. You look even more dashing after your evolution Amos." her black, dress shoes skimmed the ground slightly as she clung and hung from him. He pushed her off and began to speak again.
"The people who stand before you after our feastival are now our allies. any atrocities you commit against them are atrocities you commit against our organisation, and to a graver extent me." His final words carried a greater weight than anyone had expected; as if being pushed down by a great external force everyone fell to their knees. I don't know if it was because I was no longer human but I could feel the fear radiating off of some monsters; There was also a mix of excitement and even pleasure. I swallowed hard.
"Congratulations to those of you who have evolved; and for those who haven't... Try harder. Return to your post and respective jobs. Humans of This village, prepare to relocate; you have until a month from now. spread word that an Emissary will come and guide you to your new home. Gail, Jara come with me." He left with that and everyone aside from Jara and myself waited until Master was well away to move again.
Back Inside the Catacombs
What was this?! I felt an uneasy emotion settle into my stomach and a strange longing tore through me. My face became flushed and I stumbled a bit before regaining my balance. "Master.." the words escaped my lips and I covered them Immediately. No... my will should be too strong for his bite to be effective. what happened?! I began to panic as I felt the pull and sudden connection; In that moment I was his.
If my family knew about this development they would shun me or worse; kill me to protect the family. I Andorra Fayelin could not let them know!
"Are you alright?" Said a kind voice. I turned to see Lilly; her excited eyes always seem to twinkle with an unsettling and hidden ambition. but more importantly why was she here?
"Um yes, I'm fine." Lilly smiled and came into the room. her slow approach felt somehow predatory and found myself backing away. This was my first mission all I had to do was keep an eye out and report back. I wasn't good at combat and for the most part I was the most expendable as the youngest of 3 daughters. After my slight slip up that day it was normal for them to be on edge; but the fact I wasn't dead meant that they didn't see me as a threat right?
"Why are you in master's private chambers? Aren't I supposed to be the one to tidy his room today?" eek! Her voice was childish and kind but that facade did not fool my eyes. her true intentions were plain as day; she was going to kill me if I wasn't careful. If the vampire's kiss was ineffective on me then on her it was too effective. Her obsession with our master-...I stopped my thoughts as the realization I had been calling him 'our master' instead of ' that/the vampire.' settled in.
I was in absolute shock and didn't notice her approaching; it wasn't until she was in my face that I came to my senses. outwardly she looked bright and sweet; but to my revealing eyes her delirious state was obvious.
"If I kill you, surely Master would reward me, won't he?" her words were grim and in complete contrast to her flowery tone. my heart stopped and I stared shocked. There was nothing I could use to fight back with!
"What are you ladies doing?" The voice sounded slightly different; but was definitely familiar. I tensed and sucked in a sharp breath. Master was back!
my heart leapt with joy in contrast to the dread that spread from my head to my toes.
"Master!" Lilly said with joy; she twirled on her tippy-toes and leapt for him. Master however was unamused; He backhanded her, sending her flying into a wall. The impact wasn't enough to break the wall; but it left a slight indentation, and Lilly slid to the ground with a sweet smile on her face. she was in a state of euphoria right now. Disturbed I looked away and saw someone who could be Master's father standing next to Gail and another unfamiliar lady.
" You still haven't answered my question." This familiar presence had to be Master. but how..? It was so much stronger, as if you were standing in front of a god. I fell back onto my butt. I wasn't strong enough to stand in his presence when he was like this. He was upset; my eyes could see he was not pleased with me or Lilly at the moment.
"I- I thought I could help Lilly clean your room. " I said hesitantly, Looking over at Lilly who was giggling in a low mad tone. I knew he didn't believe me and I looked back to find a frightening smile on his face. I looked him in the eyes and unlike before I felt I like I was being sucked in. It felt like I was drowning in an endless sea of red; terrified I screamed. the next thing I knew I was looking down at the ground, screaming like a mad woman. I suddenly stopped realizing I was completely fine.
"Well in that case do continue." He sounded like he was holding back laughter. I felt tears begin to stream down my face as I heard their footsteps drift away. I was doomed; even if I managed to escape I would only be a liability to my family and they would surely kill me after they found out I gave away information and even worse was under a vampire's control. If I stayed here I would be made the mental play thing for this ungodly monstrosity. The panic was gone and the only thing that remained was this feeling of hopelessness.