I turned it to face them.
It was a human face, but the skin was hanging from her cheek, and there was a fresh mark on her neck, still oozing. Her eyes were dead.
"I drew this from memory," I said.
"Who is it?" Lady Dunn asked.
I paused. "My mother."
And then I began to sob, large wracking sobs, doubling over and rocking back and forth.
One of them took the drawing from me, and then my lady was on the sofa with me, pulling me into her arms, making soothing sounds. She let me sob for a while, then she said, "I have been keeping abreast of your mother and your closest friends. Your mother is fine. Your friends are fine. They are all fine. Even the woman you were helping with her annoying dog is fine."
"He's not annoying!" I said. "He's very sweet!"
"Vampires and dogs do not get along well," Cathalina explained. "Which is odd, because wolves like us."
"Cats are worse," my lady added. "I'm sure he's a sweet dog. Please forgive my casual words."
Slowly I calmed down, and then I was embarrassed. Again.
"I'm sorry," I muttered, sniffling. "You told me you hated this. I'm sorry."
"Shhh," she said. "Are you ready to clean up now?"
"I-" I was about to ask her to bite me. "Yes, I'll go clean up."
I climbed to my feet and turned dully to the bathroom. Just before I got there, I heard Lady Dunn say, almost too quietly for me to hear, but not quite quietly enough, "I am so ashamed."
I stopped, stiffened.
"She heard you," Cathalina said.
"Melissa!" Lady Dunn said. "Wait!"
But I fled into the bathroom, slamming the door and locking it. I knew it won't hold against her, but it was all I had. I stared at the mirror.
"Open this door!" she said. "Right now!"
Instead, I made a fist and was cocking it for the mirror when the door burst open. My fist was halfway to the mirror when she stopped me, pulling me away.
"No!" she said firmly. "I'm not ashamed of you. I am ashamed of what I have done to you. Listen to me, Melissa!"
She turned me to face her. "I'm proud of you. Look at me!"
I looked anywhere but at her. She shook me, ordering me to look at her. "I did this to you!" she said. "And I keep doing it to you."
"I am your blood slave," I said, dull inside.
"Stop it!" she said, shaking me again. She squeezed my jaw, forcing my eyes to hers, so I closed them.
"Listen to me," she said. "Open your eyes and look at me."
"No. You'll glamour me."
"Look. At. Me."
"No! You hate me!"
"She doesn't hate you," Cathalina said from the doorway. "She's never had a blood slave, and she's making mistakes she never intended, but she can't help it. She is terrified she needs to give you to me because she is not sure she can protect you from herself."
"No!" I screamed and I launched myself at Lady Dunn, wrapping my arms around her. "No!"
"And there," Cathalina said, "Is your answer to that question."
And then Cathalina stepped closer and said firmly, "Look at me, child."
I couldn't help it. I turned my eyes towards hers, and she captured me easily. I melted immediately, and my lady had to support me.
"Calm down, Melissa," Cathalina said. "No one here is going to hurt you, and no one is ashamed of you. Calm down, clean up, then come talk to us."
Then she released me, and I tightened my hold on my lady.
"I'm sorry," I said softly.
"Clean up," said my lady. "We'll wait for you."
Then left me alone, and I took only a minute or so. I looked at myself in the mirror, and I was a wreck, but there wasn't anything to be done about it. I returned to them, sitting back on the sofa.
There was a moment of silence, then I said quietly, "If that is how I draw my own mother, Madame Cathalina, imagine how I would draw you. You would be enraged, and I would die horribly."
"Melissa," she responded, "I had a pretty good idea for what I was asking. I want you to paint my portrait. I understand it may be quite horrific. If that is what you produce, then that is what I want. Tell me, would you produce a caricature?"
"No."
"I will take the painting you produce, and I cannot say I will like it, but I want it."
"The only reason to say no," Lady Dunn explained, "is if you do not wish to paint her. She is a patron requesting you complete a commission, a patron like any other. I know at times you have rejected commissions offered you, but I don't know enough to judge why you would reject a request."
I considered my choices. "How would this work?" I asked after a pause.
"I would provide a space similar to this," she said. "And equip it with what you need for a portrait of the size we agree. I would send a car for you."
"You would have to sit, perhaps a great deal. And I may want to follow you around during your day-to-day activities, or at least some of them, to learn more about you."
"I presumed," she said.
"How large a portrait?"
She held her hands up. She wanted a large, but not insanely large portrait.
"And you want my best work. You are not looking for something hastily created."
"That is correct."
"A piece like that, even done in my recent style, requires months, and you would be required to sit for a great deal of it, if you wish accuracy. I would normally use photographs to reduce your strain, but that won't work."
"That is fine," she replied. "I may work or read while posing, if we can work that out."
I turned to Lady Dunn. "I do not know how to perform this commission, especially if I am to do so on her estate rather than yours, and properly balance my responsibilities to you. Furthermore, I would undoubtedly lose my privilege of paint."
"Privilege?" Cathalina asked.
"She must win a game of racquetball no less frequently than once a month to keep her paints," Lady Dunn explained. "Melissa, I will not suspend our games, but I will suspend that requirement until the completion of this commission plus one month."
"And my other responsibilities?"
"Adjustments to your schedule," she said. "It wouldn't be a fixed schedule, as Madame's schedule varies, although I presume there is a great deal of time you will not require her presence." I nodded. "You and I would make adjustments. I would find my time with you. I may spend more time in the gym with you in order to spend the amount of time I crave with you."
"Crave? It only takes moments to drink."
"I spoke carefully," she said. "Crave."
"I feel you are being cheated," I said.
"I am being compensated," she replied. "How is none of your concern. It is sufficient and of value to me."
I thought about it. "You told me to treat you both as patrons."
"That is correct."
"Then I must ask: what am I to be paid? Or is this a favor?"
Madame Cathalina smiled. "Is fifty-thousand dollars sufficient?"
"It is ridiculously high," I said.
"Nevertheless, it is what I am offering, and if you want payment in dollars, that is the amount. Or would you like something else instead?"
I thought about it and smiled. "I wish my lady to negotiate my fee. If I perform the commission, I will accept her decision."
"If I negotiate for you," she said immediately, "it won't be for money."
"I didn't think it would be, but I wouldn't know what to ask for, and you know my needs at least as well as I do."
"Then I will negotiate for you," she said. "Do you want to know what we decide?"
"You may tell me if you want. I will probably not ask."
"Will you do it?" Cathalina asked. "Please say yes."
I looked between them. "What else do I need to know?"
"I believe you know everything you require to decide," my lady answered.
"Am I in a position to negotiate?"
"I thought you wished me to do that for you."
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I smiled, and then she nodded.
"Am I allowed clothing?"
Cathalina glanced at my lady before answering. "Whatever makes you comfortable."
"Am I to be leashed?"
"Whatever makes you comfortable," she repeated.
"Privacy while I work?"
"There will be cameras," my lady responded immediately, "similar to the ones here." She gestured towards them. "Either of us may watch you. No one else."
"I do not always paint to a fixed schedule," I said. "If a session ends earlier than expected, will I be required to wait to return home?"
Lady Dunn smiled for a moment, then schooled her features. I didn't understand, and it was Madame Cathalina who responded. "There will be a computer similar to yours here. You will request a ride, and someone from my household will see to your return home."
"Your tablets will be authorized to communicate with your new patron," Lady Dunn explained. "And also with me. There is even a video chat option, although of course, neither of us will appear. However, we can speak via voice."
I paused, thinking about it. I had already decided I would do it, but I wanted to know everything before I responded. I thought about how to phrase my acceptance. I turned to Madame Cathalina. "I would be happy to produce your portrait subject to what we have just discussed. I have other questions and requests, but the answers will not affect my decision."
She grinned broadly. "Thank you."
I turned to my lady. "Will you be able to negotiate my fee? Do I need to wait for your approval to continue this discussion."
"I know what I am going to ask for. I believe she will grant it. If not, then you will be paid lavishly instead, to be deposited to your accounts. She offered a sum you feel is more than sufficient."
I nodded.
"Meals?"
"My cook will communicate with Lady Dunn's cook," Cathalina replied. "I will enforce whatever rules I am asked to enforce."
I nodded. "I sometimes like to take a break to exercise."
"We will be prepared."
"Walks about your property?"
"With an escort only," she said immediately. "You understand."
"Of course. I sometimes like social breaks. Is that a possibility?"
"Your mistress and I will work something out."
"If possible, unless you have already equipped the space in anticipation, I would prefer to buy my own equipment. My lady did a lavish job here, but you would not want to duplicate her efforts for one painting. Am I paying for that?"
"I am," she said.
"I will take you," Lady Dunn said.
"Then I request the privilege of clothing while we are in the art store," I said. "I can quickly pull on a skirt and blouse in the car."
Lady Dunn smiled and nodded acceptance.
I smiled in return. "Someone once told me if you want something but don't ask for it, you won't get it. And as you are both in a giving mood, I am going to ask."
"All right," Lady Dunn said.
"Dinner in a nice restaurant, dressed well enough to not offend human sensibilities."
"I will take your request under advisement," Lady Dunn said immediately. "Anything else?"
"When do I start?"
"As soon as you want," Cathalina said. "Your space will take a few days, but I understand you do many sketches before you begin painting, and you may wish to do those somewhere else."
"I can do sketches anywhere," I agreed. "But we will need to build a setting for you when seated in the studio. When we shop, I will obtain a neutral backdrop. Will there be space and the ability to hang it?" She nodded. "Then you will assemble the scene you wish in front of the backdrop, but you understand, my eyes will see what they see." I paused. "Almost anything you do is going to turn into a horror scene. Flowers will grow teeth and drip blood."
"When do you need me to take you shopping?" Lady Dunn asked.
"If I am to begin sketching tomorrow, then three days."
"Do you mean today?" she asked. "It is well after midnight."
"Yes, I am sorry. I mean today."
"Then I will negotiate a schedule with your mistress," Cathalina said. "Unless there is anything else, I believe we're done. I am so excited!"
"You're going to hate it. You know that, don't you?"
"I know it will be frightening to human eyes," she said. She smiled. "Perhaps not to vampire eyes."
"I will not be drawing fawning supplicants surrounding you."
She chuckled. "I had that framed. It is in my office."
"There is one more issue," Lady Dunn said. "You have not been signing your work."
"I will not put my name on this new style," I said. "If that is a requirement, then I won't do it."
"Perhaps a new name," Cathalina suggested. "A new name for a new style."
I thought about it. "A new name." I looked at my lady. "You created what I have become. You should pick the name I will use."
"You would ask me to name you?"
I inclined my head.
She paused for only a moment. "Gretchen Faire."
I didn't see any particular reason for the name, but Cathalina clearly did. Her jaw dropped, and she took a hard look at my lady, then an equally hard look at me. She schooled her features while I looked on, puzzled.
"I knew there was something," Cathalina said. "You cannot use that name. If I recognize it, others will."
My lady had been looking hopefully at me, perhaps watching to see if I would accept her name, perhaps simply trying it on for me. She looked to Cathalina, and I watched as her expression grew hard, then disappointed. "You are right. Do you have a recommendation?"
"Is there another name, a more private name?"
"What's going on?" I asked.
"Your lady has answered a question, and I am honored that she has," Cathalina explained. "Pick another name, Lady Dunn."
"Perhaps... Grace Faire."
Cathalina considered it and nodded, and they both turned to me.
"Will you explain?"
"No. Do you want the name I have chosen?"
I inclined my head. "I will sign my new art as Grace Faire."
"Will you sign the pieces you have already completed?" my lady asked.
I sighed. "About that dinner..."
She laughed.
"A blood slave obeys," Cathalina suggested. "You should order her to sign them."
"She could, but I'd misspell the name," I said with a grin.
"And then she would beat you."
"And then the next drawing I did for her would be of the beating. She doesn't seem to like those."
* * * *
Together we returned to the house. I put my clothes away while they watched, then my lady told Cathalina, "if you will wait only a few minutes, I will help her sleep."
"Of course. May I visit-"
"Yes, if you wait until you hear the door upstairs close."
"Ah, of course."
My lady then took my arm, leading me upstairs. She frequently escorted me in this fashion, even though I would have followed without her controlling grip. As soon as we were in the bedroom, I sank to my knees.
"If I have displeased you, I am sorry."
"You have not, but-"
I bent over and immediately began kissing her feet. "I am your blood slave..."
She let me kiss for some time before she thanked me and helped me to stand.
"Until you are done, your schedule will be more tightly regulated, and I will probably be very possessive."
"I understand."
"It is late." She drew me to the bed and settled me in, tucking me in like one might a child. I supposed to her, I was.
"M'lady, one question."
"Yes?"
"Who was Gretchen the Fair?"
She sat down on the bed next to me, not answering right away. "I am not ready to tell you."
"She meant something to you."
"She meant a great deal to me."
"And you wanted
me to carry her name. I don't understand."
"You will someday. You must not ask anyone else about this. I will make sure Madame Cathalina knows my wishes, and she will report you to me if you inquire."
"I won't. Will you tell me some day?"
"Someday," she agreed. "Not soon. I do not want to tell you until you have your beauty back."
"Why?"
"Because I want you to paint her for me, but not in your current style, and I couldn't stand it if you painted her now. Promise me to forget that name."
"Can you glamour it away?"
"No. Cathalina may be able to. Does she have permission to do so?"
"If that is what you want."
"I will ask her. Are you ready to sleep?"
"One more question."
She smiled. "Always one more question."
"How old are you?"
She paused before responding. "If I answer, will you sleep?"
"You'll really answer? Yes, I will sleep."
"I was born in 1260 and was 19 when I was turned." She let me think about it for a moment. "Now, look into my eyes."
* * * *
I began the next day. Ashlyn woke me early. "Oh," I said, "two more hours, mom!"
She giggled. "Get up, sleepyhead. It's after seven."
I rolled out of bed, sitting on the edge. I didn't even worry about covering myself. I hadn't for some time.
"Your tablet has significant upgrades," she said. "As does the tablet in your studio. I will show you how to use it as soon as you are awake enough to pay attention."
"What day is it?"
"Thursday, but there is no school, so I have time."
"Are you excited to graduate?"
"Yes, but I'll miss my friends. You are to wake up enough, and then I am taking you to the gym."
"I am to be escorted?" That would be a major setback in my privileges, but perhaps it was a result of my loss of composure last night.
"Just today. You have a schedule, and I am your schedule keeper today. Wake up now. Gym for forty minutes. Back here to shower and eat. And then you will be gone. I do not know where."
"I will find out if I may tell you," I said.
"Over breakfast I will show you the tablet while you eat."
"All right. Let me go wake up."
Several minutes later, we were on the way to the gym. "You are allowed any exercise you want, but you only have forty minutes," she said.
"Do you like racquetball?"
She smiled. "I do."
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