The Moretti Family
1289 Words
Elena woke before sunrise.
For several seconds, she didn't remember where she was.
Then she saw the unfamiliar ceiling.
The enormous room.
The expensive curtains.
The unfamiliar bed beneath her.
And everything came rushing back.
The auction.
The vampire.
Adrian.
She sat up slowly.
A knock sounded at the door.
Elena froze.
“Come in,” she said quietly.
The door opened.
A female servant entered carrying a tray of food.
“Get dressed.”
Elena looked at the tray.
“Is that for me?”
The servant nodded.
“Yes.”
She placed it on the table.
Elena hadn't eaten properly since the auction.
The smell of warm bread immediately made her stomach growl.
She lowered her eyes, embarrassed.
The servant noticed but said nothing.
“You have ten minutes.”
“Where am I going?”
“To the dining hall.”
Elena's heart tightened.
“Why?”
“The family is having breakfast.”
Elena stared at her.
“Family?”
The servant nodded.
“Lord Adrian's family.”
Elena swallowed.
She hadn't realized he lived with his family.
“Who is there?”
“His parents and his younger sister.”
“How old is she?”
“Seven.”
Elena nodded.
The servant left.
Elena stared at the clothes laid out for her.
She chose a simple dark-blue dress.
It was much nicer than anything she'd ever owned.
After changing, she followed the servant through the enormous corridors.
The mansion was even more intimidating in daylight.
Portraits of unfamiliar vampires covered the walls.
Some were dressed in ancient clothing.
Others wore crowns and jewels.
Elena kept her eyes down as they walked.
Eventually, they reached two enormous doors.
The servant opened them.
Elena stopped.
A long dining table stretched across the room.
Three vampires were already seated.
Adrian sat on one side.
Beside him sat a beautiful woman with long dark hair and piercing eyes.
She looked elegant.
Cold.
And extremely powerful.
Across from them sat a tall man with silver-black hair.
His expression was stern.
And beside him—
A little girl.
She couldn't have been more than seven.
She had dark curly hair and bright eyes.
The little girl was the first to notice Elena.
She immediately looked at Adrian.
“Who is she?”
Adrian leaned back in his chair.
“Elena.”
The girl tilted her head.
“Is she new?”
“Yes.”
“Is she your slave?”
Silence filled the room.
Elena's cheeks burned.
Adrian looked toward his sister.
“She belongs to the household.”
His mother finally spoke.
“And she should remember that.”
Elena lowered her eyes.
The woman looked directly at her.
“Come here.”
Elena hesitated.
She slowly walked toward the table.
“Stand properly.”
Elena straightened.
“Lower your head.”
She obeyed.
The woman studied her.
“So this is the human you brought home.”
“Yes,” Adrian replied.
His mother looked Elena over with obvious disapproval.
“She doesn't look particularly useful.”
Elena's fingers curled against her dress.
Adrian's eyes briefly flicked toward her.
His mother continued.
“What can you do?”
Elena looked up slightly.
“I can clean. Cook. Wash clothes. I can—”
“Then you'll do all three.”
Elena fell silent.
His mother gestured toward a chair.
“Not there.”
Elena stopped.
“Slaves don't sit at the family table.”
The words made Elena's chest tighten.
“You will eat after we are finished.”
Adrian's father finally spoke.
“Is that necessary?”
His wife's eyes moved toward him.
“She is a slave.”
“And?”
“She should know her place.”
Elena looked down.
She hated hearing the word.
But she couldn't deny it.
That was exactly what she had become.
A possession.
Something someone could buy.
Sell.
Order around.
Adrian remained silent.
His mother turned toward him.
“You paid quite a price for her?”
Adrian shrugged.
“Not particularly.”
“How much?”
“Enough.”
His mother frowned.
“You're becoming careless.”
Adrian smiled faintly.
“Good morning to you too, Mother.”
The little girl giggled.
His mother gave him an annoyed look.
Adrian calmly picked up his cup.
Elena glanced at him.
For the first time, she saw a different side of him.
He wasn't afraid of his mother.
Not even slightly.
Breakfast continued.
Elena remained standing near the wall.
Her stomach growled again.
She immediately covered it with her hand.
The little girl heard.
Her eyes widened.
“She's hungry.”
Her mother didn't look up.
“She can wait.”
“But she's hungry.”
“She'll eat when we're finished.”
The girl frowned.
She looked at Elena.
Then at her mother.
Then back at Elena.
“What's your name?”
“Elena.”
The little girl smiled.
“I'm—”
“Don't bother her,” her mother interrupted.
The little girl became quiet.
Elena gave her a small smile.
The girl smiled back.
Adrian noticed.
He said nothing.
After breakfast, his mother stood.
“Elena.”
“Yes, my lady?”
“You'll clean the dining room.”
Elena nodded.
“And after that, the west wing.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“Then the servants' quarters.”
Elena looked surprised.
“All today?”
His mother's eyes hardened.
“Is there a problem?”
Elena immediately shook her head.
“No.”
“Good.”
She walked away.
Elena released a quiet breath.
Then Adrian spoke.
“You should probably breathe.”
Elena looked at him.
“I am.”
“Barely.”
She looked away.
His lips curved.
“Still frightened?”
She nodded.
“Yes.”
He seemed amused.
“At least you're honest.”
Before Elena could respond, the seven-year-old girl ran toward her.
“You're Elena!”
Elena looked down.
“Yes.”
The girl smiled brightly.
“I'm Lily.”
Elena smiled.
“It's nice to meet you, Lily.”
Lily looked around to make sure her mother wasn't watching.
Then she whispered,
“Don't worry.”
Elena blinked.
“About what?”
“My mother.”
Elena looked toward the doorway.
Lily leaned closer.
“She is mean to everyone.”
Elena almost smiled.
Almost.
Then Lily suddenly grabbed her hand.
Elena stiffened.
No one had touched her gently in days.
Lily smiled.
“Come play with me later.”
Elena looked at her in surprise.
“I have work.”
Lily frowned.
“Then I'll help you.”
From across the room came a quiet laugh.
Both of them looked toward Adrian.
He was watching them.
Lily pointed at him.
“Don't laugh!”
Adrian raised his hands innocently.
“I said nothing.”
“You laughed.”
“I breathed.”
“You laughed!”
Elena couldn't help it.
A tiny laugh escaped her.
Adrian looked at her.
For a moment, their eyes met.
His usual teasing smile appeared.
“There it is.”
Elena's smile disappeared immediately.
“What?”
“That.”
She frowned.
“I didn't do anything.”
“You smiled.”
Elena looked away.
“I wasn't.”
“You were.”
“I wasn't.”
Adrian's smile widened.
“Interesting.”
Elena didn't understand why he seemed so pleased.
But for the first time since arriving at the estate, she felt something other than fear.
It was small.
Almost insignificant.
But it was the beginning of something.
Not trust.
Not affection.
Certainly not love.
Just the first tiny crack in the wall between them.
And neither of them knew yet how much that crack would eventually change their lives.
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