Raine
I came to awareness slowly, stretched my body from head to toe and opened my eyes.Immediately,adrenaline shot through me as I took in the unfamiliar bedroom-it wasn't all a dream!
I snapped my head to each side,scanning the room for Cage. He was nowhere to be found.Shit,now what should I do? I slipped out of the bed. I was not about to walk around naked, so I snatched the top sheet from the bed and wrapped it around me.I remembered where the bathroom was and made my way across the room. After I peed,I dropped the sheet and studied myself in the mirror. The wound in mny chest was almost healed. Anxiety wound through me. How was that even possible?
Suddenly, a woman's voice said, "Hello Miss, I am glad to see you are awake."
I yelped in surprise,grabbed the sheet to recover myself and spun around to face her.Her eyes were wide as she rushed, "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to startle you! I thought you knew I was here." She twisted her hands together and looked down.
Her demeanor confused me. She looked as if she were afraid of me. I reassured her, "No,it's perfectly fine."
She exhaled in relief and gave me a small smile. "My name is Ella. I will be attending to you."
"I'm Raine. It's nice to meet you. What do you mean by 'attending' to me?"
"Oh, I will be taking care of your needs," she explained and pointed to a basket of toiletries on the counter. "Master Micage has already had some things delivered for you. Once you are finished here, I will show you around."
I nodded as she slipped out. I turned back toward the basket and was thrilled to find a toothbrush and toothpaste included amongst lotions, soaps and even a hairbrush.After I finished with my teeth, I ran the brush through my now unruly locks. I stepped out of the bathroom. Ella stood patiently waiting for me. I looked at her closer. She was young,my age or younger.She had a round face,caramel colored hair and pretty hazel eyes. But most surprisingly,she looked human.
She must have registered my surprise because she bit her lip. "What is it? Have I done something wrong?"
"Oh no! I was just surprised, that's all. Are you human?"
Her face relaxed."Yes."
I couldn't help my next question. "Why are you here?"
I followed her and was thrilled again. This time to find an assortment of food arranged at the table. She continued, "Would you like to eat or tour first?"
My belly growled in response. I grinned sheepishly and sank into a chair. I selected some fruit and a blueberry muffin. I motioned to the chair next to me. "Please sit and eat with me. There is way more food than just for one person."
Her eyes widened in surprise. "Oh no, I couldn't do that!" She settled onto the couch in the middle of the room to wait for me.
"But why would you work here?" Surely, she had to know her employers were vampires.
She answered, "I am fortunate to be employed. Most humans are used as a food source or pets. And they pay well, particularly now that I am assigned to you."
I gaped at her words. Her features transformed into alarm again as she realized I was not already privy to some of her answer.
"Food source?"
"I shouldn't have said that..." her voice trembled,near tears.
I forced my shock under control, so that I
could comfort her, "No, it's okay that you told me."
Her lip quivered. "It's not okay. I thought you knew. They will punish me..." she couldn't continue as a tear ran down her cheek.
"Shh...Don't cry. I won't say anything. This conversation will stay between us. I promise."
Her features transformed to extreme gratitude.She nodded and wiped away her remaining tears. I decided to steer away from the vampire diet topic for now. "What did you mean by pets?"
Her eyes became guarded again. "Please, I've already said too much."
I understood why she didn't want to discuss the details, but I pressed, "When I met the High Council, there was a woman swimming in a pool...naked. She had on a necklace...Was she a pet?"
Ella didn't answer, but her lips formed a thin hard line.
I nodded as though she had confirmed my suspicion. "She was wearing a collar,wasn't she?"
Again silence, but the look in her eyes told me yes. I remembered Vladimir's words. "Are they allowed to wear anything other than the collar?"
"Some," she whispered evasively.
"But not the ones owned by Vladimir?"I guessed tightly. I shuddered when I recalled his look of cruel excitement at the thought of forcing himself on me.
Her eyes opened wide in fear at the mention of his name. Shit.I knew the answer.Anger and disgust rolled through my stomach.
Suddenly,I had no more appetite. I stood to my feet and murmured, "I think I'm ready for the tour now."
Relief flooded her features. She smiled."Come."
I followed her through the remaining rooms in the suite,as she described various features and amenities. We ended up at a large walk in closet. I was shocked to find several racks filled with new clothes."Master Micage had these delivered earlier."
"Okay," I murmured pensively. I was excited to finally be dressed again, but that was a lot of clothing.I appreciated his thoughtfulness,but I had no intention of staying for an extended period of time.
Ella walked toward the door. "I will be back later."
I watched her disappear before walking into the closet. I ran my fingers along the racks of hanging clothes. I stopped when I reached a rack toward the back. It held very expensive
lingerie. I looked at the tags still attached.There had to be thousands of dollars just in lingerie. They were all stunning with beautiful fabrics and quality craftsmanship. I exhaled in happy appreciation, "Oh!!"
A deep baritone voice murmured, "I thought you might like them."
Adrenaline shot through my veins and I spun around to find Cage staring at me intently.I held the sheet closer around my body and when I could speak again, I breathed, "You scared me."
He smiled unapologetically.
My heart beat faster for a whole different reason.
I mumbled, "Thank you, they are exquisite."
"I noticed your affinity for fine undergarments...We share that in common,"he replied huskily.
Without thinking, I giggled and snorted,"What, do you like to wear sexy woman's lingerie as well?" As soon as the words slipped out, I clapped a hand over my mouth, and stared at him with wide eyes, with no idea how he would respond.
He laughed at my expression. "It sounds like you are still enjoying the pain medication."
I relaxed and grinned sheepishly. "I wish I
could blame it on the drugs. Unfortunately, I don't always have the best control censoring what goes through my head versus what comes out of my mouth."
He smiled and teased, "Somehow, that bit of insight doesn't surprise me in the least. Get dressed,so we can talk."
He left me alone. I slipped into a lacy bra and pantie set,and then fished around for a pair of jeans and button down blouse. When I emerged, he glanced up at me in open appreciation. I blushed and made my way over to the couch where he was seated.
He began, "I'm sure you have questions."
That was a bit of an understatement. I looked at him and said carefully, "I appreciate your protection and medical care for my wound,and the clothing, but I cannot stay."
His expression turned hard. Shit.
"You cannot leave," he replied, his tone not allowing for any disagreement.
Anxiety rolled through me. "You would hold me...Against my will?"
A muscle in his jaw clenched as he replied evasively, "If that is what it takes."