Call Me Master

2

Although the ride to the manor felt unbearably long, it took less than an hour to get there. I sat in silence the entire way, staring out my window at the passing trees and houses, businesses and buildings that stood tall and free. I felt like a tiny insect in the grand scheme of things, and even though the thought of being transported from the life I knew to whatever kind of existence awaited me with my new Master was enough to bring me to the brink of tears, there was no way in Hell I was going to let him see me like that.

As the road dragged on, I stewed in my thoughts. Tuthfully, I didn't know who I was more disgusted with: the dirty vampire for purchasing me, or my mentor and friend for allowing such a thing to happen in the first place – not that she had much power over the situation to begin with. Still, the whole thing's cruel and just cuts me to my soul…

Those f*cking supernaturals! Always f*cking things up, per the usual! I STILL haven't forgotten about the two girls who were taken shortly after I moved in-

The sound of tires coming to a halt outside of a massive iron gate snapped me out of my thoughts; the gate, itself, was old and majestic with small roses etched into its thick bars, and it was oddly colored – almost like a mix of burgundy and rust.

Silent and scowling, I tore my eyes away to look beyond my new Master, immediately noting the keypad to the left of the gate; it was similar to the way an outdoor storage facility operated in the sense that the gate wouldn't open without the correct code.

After the driver gained access, we slowly crept along the driveway lined with menacingly-tall trees swaying gently with the wind. Feeling bold and daring, I glanced over at the Master and began to say something smart-ass to him but abruptly changed my mind, clamming right back up as I folded my arms across my chest.

It'll be interesting to see how long I last here. From what I've always heard, vamps don't like mouthy humans – people like me. This fella sitting beside me, though … he'll figure that out soon enough! Might even live to regret his decision in the long run! Who knows? What's so great about little ol' me, anyway? And WHY does this driveway stretch on for a mile-

"We're almost there," the Master's appealing voice broke through my thoughts.

I glanced out the window again, surprised to find us pulling around a stone circle driveway. When we idled, my mouth dropped open as my eyes fixed themselves on the breathtaking behemoth that stood tall before me. A knock at my window a moment later startled me out of my awe-filled trance, prompting me to collect myself before I stepped out of the car.

"Welcome to my humble abode, pet," the Master casually stated as he climbed out of the car.

Alright, two things, vampire – first of all … PET?! What kind of backwards sh*t is that?! And two … 'humble'? Really? Your 'humble' is any other man's 'wealthy'!

The Master walked around to join me and took me by my forearm, then he led the way up the steps and in through the huge double-doors of the manor.

As I stepped a foot inside, chills overcame my body, making me shudder and fold my arms across my chest; it was a very small action on my part, but it certainly didn't go unnoticed by him.

"I'll have Jerome adjust the thermostat in a minute, and someone will bring your bags in for you later," he mentioned, then he motioned for me to follow behind him. "On the left is the kitchen," he began to point out, "and connected to that is the dining area. Past the kitchen is a small mudroom, then across the foyer's the lounge, the ballroom, and the guest washroom. There's also a small study down that way and ... Harper? You with me?"

With the snapping of fingers in my ear came the realization that I'd become entranced with the ballroom and was unintentionally ignoring the man. "My apologies, Sir," I muttered when I caught my error, averting my gaze downward.

His nostrils flared and he scowled for a split second, but he quickly fixed his features. "Eyes on me when I'm talking to you, pet," he huffed in reply.

Fighting the building irritation, I swallowed the snide comment I was going to make and followed closely behind him up the stairs then to the right. The wing stretched endlessly – or so it seemed – and we didn't stop until we came to the very last door on the left.

"Ladies first," he muttered, holding the door open to allow me to walk ahead of him.

Once inside, I shuffled to the immediate left so that he could get in as well, borderline shaking as he closed the door and locked it behind himself. From the corner in which I was standing, I looked around the room to really take in all its details. It was a massive space with off-white walls and a gray tile floor, and to the left of me was a door which I speculated to be the closet. There was a nice oak desk and a leather office chair in the next corner with two bookshelves full of thick and thin books catty-cornered behind it.

Wandering along that wall, my eyes then settled on two large French doors that led outside to a balcony, which had me shrieking internally in anticipation of all the things that I could possibly do out there – if the dirty vampire would ever let me, of course!

As scenarios played out inside my mind, my eyes skimmed along then came to rest on a comfortable-looking chair in the far corner of the room. Along the furthest wall stood a massive, four-poster King-size bed with two nightstands on either side and a lamp on each stand; the bed, itself, was dressed in the most luxurious bedding I'd ever seen in my life! It looked like pure, unadulterated Heaven! Beside the stand on the right was a door which I assumed to be the bathroom, and along the final wall sat a suede couch that looked uncomfortably firm. The only things missing were the rusty crate I assumed I'd be housed in and the degrading collar I figured I'd be forc*d to wear.

Uttering not a word to me, the Master headed straight to the presumed bathroom and disappeared inside, shutting himself away and leaving me by my lonesome – which was fine by me, in all honesty!

Unknowing what to do with myself and half-scared out of my wits, I sat down on the couch and stared at the balcony doors, wishing like hell to be out there watching nature and gathering my muddled thoughts while the Master was occupied.

A silent while later, the bathroom door swung open and he emerged dripping wet with a towel wrapped loosely around his waist. The smell of his body wash was mildly driving me crazy, of course I wouldn't be telling him that any time soon – or ever, for that matter! He brushed past me to the door which I speculated to be the closet, stopping to turn his head slightly in my direction once he reached it and making damn sure to lock eyes with me before he disappeared inside. Moments later, he stepped back out in a pair of loose black pants and a gray t-shirt, smirking as he brushed past me. "You gonna keep staring at me, or do I need to take a picture for you?" he spouted.

Sh*t! Busted!

Feeling my cheeks heat up in response, I tore my gaze away from him altogether.

Chuckling to himself, he slowly approached me and pulled me to my feet. "We're going downstairs," he informed me, then he led me down to the kitchen. Inside, an older woman wearing a light-blue dress and white apron was standing at the sink washing fresh vegetables and humming a tune.

To gain her attention, the Master cleared his throat. "You're back early," he said to her.

With a sweet smile, the woman acknowledged him, but her eyes widened and she dropped the vegetables into the strainer when she saw me, prompting her to turn the faucet off and hurriedly dry her hands on her apron. "Earlier than usual, yes," she remarked to the Master, then she jerked her head toward me. "Who's this pretty little thing here?"

The Master took my hand into his, an action I found more odd than calming since vampires are strong, resilient creatures who can easily overpower a 'pretty little thing' like me. "Henrietta, this is my new pet, Harper," he said to her, then he turned to face me. "Harper, this is Henrietta-"

"But you may call me 'Hen', my Dear," she finished for him. She reminded me so much of my Memaw Hollins (God rest her soul) apart from her slight British accent.

"It's nice to meet you, Ms. Hen," I replied, extending my hand for her to take – only she didn't accept it.

"We don't shake hands around here, pet," the Master declared. "That's too human."

Despite wanting to roll my eyes to the ceiling and back at the ridiculousness of his statement, I opted to play it safe, smiling instead and leaving it at that.

"What's for dinner?" the Master asked the busy woman.

"We're having baked chicken with roasted asparagus and zucchini, young Master," she replied with much enthusiasm in her gentle voice.

Smiling, he rubbed circles on his stomach in approval. "Well then, I'll leave you to it. Smells delicious, by the way," he replied, giving her pile of freshly-sliced veggies a second glance.

How odd! Vampires eat actual food? Snacks between blood meals or something?

"Thank you, young Master," she beamed, smiling sweetly at him before offering me the same.

Nudging me in my ribs, the Master gestured toward the exit with a sharp jerk of his head, then we excused ourselves and set off across the foyer.

By the time we reached the stairs, a tall, older gentleman wearing a suit and dress shoes walked through the front doors with my bags slung over his shoulders. He looked at me with indifference, for which I was grateful, then he quickly turned his attention to the Master. "Good afternoon, young Master," he greeted, nodding once.

"Jerome," the Master replied, following it up with a quick nod of his own. "Allow me to introduce to you my new pet, Harper."

I began to extend my hand for the man to shake but quickly retracted it in remembrance of what the Master had said mere moments ago, opting instead to offer him a weak smile in return and nothing more.

"Miss," Jerome chimed as he dropped my bags at my feet, then he scurried to the kitchen and disappeared inside.

Huffing out an annoyed breath, the Master grabbed my bags and toted them up the stairs, leaving me to follow quietly behind him. Internally, I was sighing in relief, thankful that the introductions were over with – for then, at least.