Eternal

Day Two of Imprisonment: Boredom has set in.

After yesterday’s encounters with the other feed-subs, I was sentenced to the day of being locked in the cell with Lynn, the cold floor, and boredom. Through the morning, or what had seemed like the morning, Lynn had explained some of the rules. In the dirt, I traced letters that formed a dim list of what she had told me.

First: Don’t question authority. This was fairly simple and implied the potentially fatal consequences that came with it if this was broken.

Second: Don’t look Masters in the eyes or talk back unless otherwise instructed. I mean, this was supposed to be just a more respectful thing, but I still hated being treated like a dog. It was degrading to be treated as a slave, but I guess if I didn’t want to be drained, I better follow this one as well.

Third: Free time is the only time to talk loudly. When in your cell, you may not scream or yell loudly unless speaking the safety word. Yeah, the vampires were the ultimate fun haters. No screaming, barely talking between cells, or other rough play.

Fourth: The safety word will only be used when necessary. So apparently there had been some “incidents” according to Lynn where oh one vampire might be hurting their feed-sub and accidentally killed her….The word was Red and if yelled, other vampires would go and attempt to save the feed-sub before she was drained.

“And one of the other important rules is to not mess with the night hounds.” Lynn explained. I rubbed the words into the dirt in the opposite corner of the floor. Little indents formed the fifth rule.

“Except for me. I’m a professional night hound teaser.” Misty added from the other side of the cement wall. Smiling a little, I scratched out the elderly’s words and replaced them with the rebel girl’s.

Fifth: Only Misty is allowed to mess with the night hounds.

“Bark, scratch, howl, and bite. Misty dares to tease the hounds of night!” Blue’s voice sang back.

“Hmm…It’s quite fun to screw with them. None of the Masters lets us do it except for Misty. Balz says that if Op’Ri’Er rips off her face, it’s her own fault.” Grey-Girl chimed in. Standing up, I stretched against my shackles far enough so that I could see just into the other cell.

“Um, excuse me?” I asked her.

“What do you mean?” Misty asked. She came to stand at the window. What was the strange word and who exactly were the night hounds?

“That world, Op-ree-ah, and what about the night hounds?” I asked curiously. Misty sighed and her eyes softened to a playful, easy tone.

“Oh, I always forget you’re fresh blood! You fit in so well, Jynx, I could’ve sworn you had been here for years. Night hounds are like wolves, except twice as large, pure black coats, sometimes grey, and have stormy silver eyes. You could’ve sworn a giant took a handful of the midnight sky and formed it into a wolf. Their teeth are shining white and they are some of the most intelligent creatures you’d ever meet-but they’re also so vicious it’s like the devil himself sent them howling from hell. The hounds like to prey on fresh blood. The vampires had supposedly trained them to not kill us, but accidents happen….” Misty trailed off, deep in the old memories. I could almost imagine the worn pelt of the beasts. Thankfully, we were safe down here.

“But what about the name?” I responded. Tucking my feet against the wall, I leaned back in my chains, letting the metal links support my weight as I fell back and caught me.

“Oh, since the vampires basically train them as their pets and guard dogs, they name them from three parts. Castle Volcan has about ten hounds, each with a unique name in a language rumored to be older than the foundation of the building itself! Op’Ri’Er, pronounced ohp-ree-air, is Balz’s hound. He’s a little demon and I like to torment him. His name means Stars-Take-Flight. Don’t ask me why Balz named him that, because I don’t know.” Misty shrugged. I sighed and stared at the flat wall. That was certainly an interesting name for such a strange creature. The dim light threw out shadows like gambling cards as I focused my attention on entertaining myself.

“So does Balz let you go out much?” I asked her. Misty sighed, running long fingers through her brown hair. From the small corner of my vision, I saw Grey-Girl help brush out Blue’s hair with a small comb.

“Well, a little. Not too much nowadays.” With her final words, the teen retreated from the window to lean against the wall.

“So Lynn, why are you not in chains? Why must I be the only one?” I turned my attention back to the old woman. I must’ve been super bored because I’m not normally this social.

People have always described me as quiet and shy. I never really wanted to be the center of attention, which was fine by me. I had my close friends and that was all. Being in this cell added something else to the list-fearful.

I feared for my life.

“When Austin brought you in, he had spoken to Alan, unsure if you were going to bolt or what. They usually put all the new bloods in chains, just in case they try to fight back or run away. I know it’s degrading, but as long as you show that you’re good and follow the rules, they’ll take them off quickly. In fact, they might do it today!” The blind woman explained cheerfully. I watched as she ran her hand along the bottom of the wall by which she sat. As soon as she discovered where it cornered, her head tucked into her arms and she curled up on the stony floor.

The door swung open on silent hinges. It took me by surprise that I didn’t hear the man coming towards us. Looking at his face, I saw the familiar arms full of tattoos and the pale skin that quietly closed the gateway and locked the bolt. Everyone in the other cells pretended as if no one was there, but didn’t speak a word. From the far right cell on the opposite side, I caught Vic’s eye.

It told me to stay silent and obey anything.

Our cell door swung open and Lynn stayed in the corner. Her dark eyes were cast at the floor, as if she could actually see it.

“Lynn?”

“Yes, Master Austin?”

“Go up to the castle lobby and feel free to hang there. I’m sure Alan will show you to your knitting.” The now revealed man, Austin, spoke kindly to her. It was nothing like the monstrously deep tones I imagined.

Yet, I was still frightened, but a slight bit curious as to the fact that Lynn knitted.

My back pressed against the wall as I slyly shuffled the dirt with the rules I had written in on it. As far as I could, I melted into the walls. The rules are gone and I couldn’t look at them now. Lynn had disappeared through the doors and I couldn’t ask her. They were mostly memorized…I think. There was no second chances on screwing up.

All I knew was the stay silent and to keep my eyes downcast. Obey orders, don’t mess with Misty…wait, night hounds? Tease them? Yell loudly? Okay, everything was getting mixed up in my head!

Dim candle light flickered ominously.

“So how are you adjusting to new life down here, Jynx?” His thoughtful voice inquired. As I stared at the toes of my shoes, I went saw him stand about a foot away from me. Still, his presence seeped into my skin.

“Well, Au-Master.” I responded, automatically correcting myself. Would this be punishment if I screwed up slightly?

“Good. I hope the others have been welcoming.” The silence sat heavy, yet was starting to lighten up.

“They have.” I murmured in reply. Without warning, I felt his hand reach up and gently stroke a small strand of blonde hair. The fingers traced down my shoulder and I shivered a little, biting back a scream of terror.

“Dear, please look up.” His soft voice murmured for my ears only. Following his instructions, I met the golden eyes that entranced my very soul. It was like he delved into my mind and ripped apart each memory before lovingly putting the pieces back together. One hand wrapped around me, holding my back against his chest. It happened as soon as I was lost in those golden brown eyes of his and my fear melted away.

“Hold still, little one.” He cooed. As soon as his eyes broke away, my breath hitched and I was tossed back to reality. As soon as I could refocus, his lips pressed against the cool skin on my neck. The world was tossed upside down as two little pricks poked through my tender flesh.

Oh yeah, I guess it was breakfast for him.

Or should I say, I guess that I was breakfast for him.

He sucked the blood that splashed from my neck until he pulled away, gently pressing hand against the rapidly healing wound and another hand holding me tightly to him. My legs started to give out from the head rush and tumbling vision. Numbness spread through my body and I felt almost paralyzed.

“See? That wasn’t so bad.” He delicately chuckled. My eyelids fluttered closed as he laid me back down on the floor, patting my arm in reassurance. The touch wasn’t harsh as I had expected or fears. It was tender and spoke of patience.

“I’ll be back soon, love.” He whispered to me as the gate creaked shut. As soon as the second door was closed did I really fall into sleep, weakened by the loss of blood.

Well, that was unexpected.

Notes