I remember being puzzled when my aunt first brought out that potion. I had initially thought I could work as a human on the premises of the castle, but it turned out there was no such thing. And to my amazement, she revealed I would have to work here as a vampire as she had done.
Such a thing was possible.
Potions strong enough to deceive even the powerful vampire Lords themselves.
With each carefully measured sip, their effects would last for no more than five days.
But the fact that she revealed such a terrifying discovery to me… A slight shudder raced through me as I recalled the strange look in her eyes. Of course, she wouldn't have just done me such a huge favour for free. At that moment, I asked her what she needed in return and her answer had been ominous.
'You will know when the time comes.'
I had no clue what she was referring to, and she did not add any other information or contact me for anything.
I glanced at the spot where the potion was hidden. The weight of this gift, both a blessing and a burden, settled upon my shoulders once again. Each and every day.
I stepped back and let out a small smile.
At least father was getting treatment.
I dressed up in the muted hues of the servant's uniform and stepped out of my chamber, the door sighing close behind me.
We had to prepare food for the human pets, particularly the new ones… to give them the strength and energy required to leisurely feed our masters. The bitter taste of betrayal against my own kind clung to each action I made. But I had no other choice. After all, I was certain they would look the other way if our roles were reversed.
I made my way past Becca's door and turned a corner to see the flight of stairs that led deeper into the bowels of the castle. Becca stood at the top, waiting for me as she had promised. She grabbed my wrist and pulled me along, dragging me down to the kitchen.
The air was thick with the warmth of crackling fires and the fragrant mingling of spices. Within this culinary sanctuary, two fellow servants diligently tended to the bubbling pots and pans, adding ingredients with practised precision.
"When will the others be coming?" I asked out loud, my voice a whisper against the bustling ambience.
But the unease within my words was loud and clear.
Since the others were yet to arrive, it would mean I might have to take one of their places and one of the cook's response solidified that.
"Ion and Tomi are busy cleaning up the pets." Tori, Tomi's twin sister, glanced up from the arrangement of plates and bowls, meeting my gaze with a flicker of sympathy. "It falls upon you and Becca to…" She closed her eyes, taking a breath to steady herself as she leaned against the cluttered slab.
Becca seemed to deflate, her giddiness slowly draining from her small frame. It was about time she came to her senses. Everyone was on edge whenever all the Lords gathered together, and it was even worse that all the servants weren't here.
"Forgive me." Tori shook her head and straightened, her voice laced with resignation as she continued, "You and Becca will have to take the food to the Lord's quarters."
There was a sudden quiver in my stomach.
I should have known this was coming the moment I saw Tori and May, the other servant, here in the kitchen.
Maybe if I had woken earlier, I would have taken the kitchen duty instead. But to enter the Lords' quarters? I had never done that!
May, noticing my unease, stopped what she was doing and softly called out to me. "Most of us aren't at ease around the Lords either, Hiln. It's just for this evening. A temporary arrangement. When the others return tomorrow, things will be back to normal."
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My grip tightened around the tray, my knuckles turning white as I fought to suppress the tremors coursing through my body. I took a deep breath, willing myself to stay calm, to project an air of unwavering composure.
Becca, on the other hand, seemed immune to the gravity of our task, humming a tune under her breath as she confidently pushed the metal cart ahead. Her buoyant spirits were a stark contrast to the churning turmoil within me.
My aunt had given me precise instructions regarding the workings of the potion, along with how I was to work my way around its capabilities. It possessed the power to deceive even the highest-ranking vampires, a remarkable feat.
But there was a note of caution: I shouldn't spend too much time around them. A few minutes, an hour, or maybe even a day could be managed, but the hours before the potion's effectiveness wore off were dangerous. I didn't have to worry too much about this aspect around most of the servants as they were not as perceptive. But Matadre and the Lords were completely different.
My heightened senses would wane and falter before decreasing to my 'normal' state. In other words, various essence of what made me human could slip through.
The lower-ranking vampires I worked with possessed keener senses than humans and formidable strength. But the nobles, the aristocracy of the vampire world, were an entirely different breed. Their senses were finely honed, their powers immense. Each noble boasted a unique ability, and while the potion could mask my humanity from their scrutiny, there were strict rules I had to follow in their presence, even if the potion was in full effect.
Foremost among these rules was the imperative not to bleed or sneeze. Any bodily fluid that escaped my system would be susceptible to their acute senses. With thorough investigation, they would unravel the charade. And in the dwindling hours of the potion's potency, the stakes were even higher—I was basically exposed.
Becca and I were to simply serve the pets, but we couldn't leave until they were done eating. This would go on for the next few days of the new arrivals, seeing to them and assisting in their feeding and care. Thankfully, the ones responsible for this role would return tomorrow.
How ironic it was that the servants used to the presence of the Lords were on vacation.
The tray was heavy, but I bore the load rather well. Years of toiling within these castle walls had bestowed upon me the strength to endure, and the potion provided a potent boost to my physical capabilities.
Becca's melodic hums ceased abruptly as we crossed the threshold into the grand wing reserved for the Lords—their residing places and extravagant chambers.