"Somewhere conservative. No questions."
"Yes, m'lady. Or no, m'lady. Whichever was appropriate."
I dressed, complete with the shoes.
"Should I bring anything?"
"No. Let's go."
We got into the hallway when I said, "Forgetting something?"
"What?"
"Leash?"
"No leash today. Are you going to try to escape?"
"Like I could."
"No leash today."
Half the staff was downstairs when we got there, hovering about. That was odd; I wondered if they were waiting for a delivery. I few of them touched me on the way out the door, and then we climbed into the car.
"They're acting like they aren't going to see me later."
"Hmm. I hadn't noticed."
She drove us into the town, and something was eating at her, but when I asked, she refused to answer. We drove into the city center, and I was rather surprised when we pulled into the parking below the government center.
"What are we doing here?"
"I have a little business here."
"Business that involves me?"
"If you like, we can go to lunch afterwards."
"Vampire lunch bar?"
She laughed. "No."
We took the elevator to the fourth floor. She asked me to take a seat in a waiting room while she checked in. She was back with me in a few minutes. "We have a short wait."
She sat down next to me, paused a moment, then asked quietly. "Has it been horrible for you? Your time with me?"
"Sometimes," I said. "You know that."
"But there have been rewards, too."
"Yes." I didn't want to tell her there was no way the rewards were worth it, any of it. I still believed she was going to drain me dry, either because that had been her plan all along, or because I couldn't get my art back and begged her to. Either way, I believed my three-year sentence would turn into a death sentence.
I was also bitter she'd kept me the entire three years. She didn't have to. I guess she needed her money's worth, but I had earned that back for her. She told me she made a profit during that first party at Madame Cathalina's.
"Do you remember the name Gretchen Faire?"
"No," I said. "Should I?"
"I mentioned it to you once," she said. "Really, it was Gretchen the Fair, and she was my lover."
"When was this?"
"Late fourteenth century," she said.
"Long ago."
"Yes."
"Was she human?"
"She was when we met. We spent a few years together that way."
"She was your blood slave?"
"She did many of the things a blood slave might do," she replied. "I was rich and powerful, and back then, being rich and powerful meant you could do almost anything you wanted. But we were lovers. When she asked me to turn her, I foolishly did so."
"Why foolishly?"
"It was not a good time in history to be a young vampire. She didn't have the defenses she needed."
I stared. "She's the one you had to kill!"
Demetria lowered her head. "Yes."
"I'm so sorry."
"It was long ago."
We sat quietly for a few minutes.
"Gretchen had a daughter."
"And a husband?"
"Yes. A much older man. She had a daughter. And her daughter had two sons and a daughter. One of the sons died in some foolish war, but the other son and the daughter both had children. And they had children. And then there were so many, I couldn't keep track of all of them, so I only traced the daughters."
"I imagine that was still a lot."
"People had large families. But women died during childbirth often, too."
"I imagine. How many now?"
"I've lost track of them over the years. I only know of a few."
"A few?"
"Well, only two now. There were three until a few years ago."
"What happened a few years ago?"
"Your maternal grandmother died."
I stared at her, stunned.
"I told you that I'd explain why you were special. I've watched you your entire life. You cannot imagine how delighted I was you became such a gifted artist."
"Who knows?"
"Cathalina. She figured it out. I didn't know she knew that name. And Edie."
"Maria? The others?"
"They know you're important. They don't know why. People know about Gretchen, but the path to you would be very hard to trace if you weren't following it all along. Your line isn't necessarily the eldest daughter, and of course, all of your ancestors would have changed names when getting married. There are probably others, but I'll never find them. Unless you have children, you're the last."
I stared at the floor. "Is my success my own, or did you engineer it?"
"How can you ask that after seeing your art? A few commissions were indirectly for me."
"My first?"
"No. It was close. You were struggling, and you really needed the money. But I knew it was best to let you succeed on your own. We've met a few times, but you wouldn't remember."
"All those paintings you have-"
"A few you did for me. The rest I acquired here and there. The dealers know I have a thing for your art, and when one becomes available, they call me. Sometimes I buy them, sometimes I don't."
"Do you really like them?"
"More than I could ever express."
"Does my mother know?"
"No." She cocked her head. "They're calling our name."
"Our name?"
"Today is Monday, May 15th," she said. "It was exactly three years and two days ago that you came to me. We have to go see the judge now. Come along."
She stood up. I sat there, numbly, but I didn't resist when she lifted me to my feet. I didn't resist when she took my arm and led me to a courtroom door.
Seated on the bench was the hateful man who had sentenced me three years ago. I stopped and glared at him, but Lady Dunn pulled me forward.
Some sort of clerk stepped forward. "Next case, regarding blood slave Melissa Walsh. Is Ms. Walsh present in the courtroom?"
When I didn't respond, Lady Dunn spoke for me. "She is."
"And is her vampire, Demetria Dunn, present?"
"I am," she replied.
"If you can both step forward," the judge said, indicating a place before his bench. Demetria tugged on my arm, leading me into place.
The judge looked down at me. "I remember this case," he said. "I remember a somewhat more animated woman."
"She is every bit the animated woman you remember," Lady Dunn said. "I didn't tell her what we were doing here until a few moments ago. I wanted her to myself as long as I could have her."
"Ms. Walsh," the judge said. "Do you know what's happening?"
I looked up at him. "You said you were offering me mercy. You did this to me." I waved at my face. "For three years." I sighed. "I understand it is rare for a blood slave to last more than a few weeks. I have wondered for three years where the mercy was in that."
"Ah," the judge said. "An interesting observation."
"You asked if I knew what was happening. I have been informed as we walked to the door that my three-year sentence ended Saturday. I presume we are here related to that. I do not know what happens next. And Lady Dunn and I have unfinished business. She made certain assurances to me she has failed to carry out."
"I am sure those would be a private matter," the judge said.
I turned to Demetria.
"Later," she whispered.
"As I understand it, I don't take orders from you any longer."
"Actually," the judge said, "you do. Until I sign your emancipation papers, you still belong to her."
"So she could still bleed me out and it's legal?"
"Yes."
"Well then," I said. "You better get to it, Lady Dunn. Your three years are up, and my ability to produce beauty has not returned. In fact, you pr
omised to help me recover the beauty, and I haven't detected a single attempt."
"What is going on?" the judge asked.
"A private matter," Lady Dunn replied. "And this is not the appropriate venue to discuss it."
I was growing angry.
"Ms. Walsh," said the judge, "today is a happy day for you. You aren't going to ruin it by doing something that gets you declared in contempt of court, are you?"
"You are about to declare me free?"
"I must ask Ms. Dunn a number of questions, then yes, I am about to declare you free."
"And after that, she can no longer drain me."
"Not unless you enter into a new, legal agreement, and the courts are reluctant to allow that without first pursuing other choices."
"Your honor," Lady Dunn said, "perhaps we can handle the first half of our proceedings then adjourn to your chambers."
"Most unusual. Is this satisfactory, Ms. Walsh?"
"You won't release me until I'm ready to agree?"
"I have never had a blood slave argue with me in this fashion," he said. "No. Your signature is required. Yours, mine, and Ms. Dunn's."
"Fine. I'm sorry for being so much trouble."
"Very good. Ms. Dunn, according to court records, you purchased Ms. Walsh as your blood slave three years ago, May thirteenth, 2014. Is that correct?"
"Yes, your honor."
"And this is the woman who stands beside you now?"
"Yes, your honor. This is the woman who was delivered to me, and I know for a fact this is Melissa Walsh."
The judge ordered my DNA sample anyway, which confirmed I was who we all knew I was.
"And has she served as your blood slave throughout the entire three years?"
"I was absent for a several month period during this past year. She remained in my home, subject to the rules and restrictions I placed upon her, and continued to serve as blood slave to others as I designated."
I turned to stare at her.
"You have provided a list of public appearances as well," the judge read. He reviewed a sheet of paper then handed it to his clerk. The clerk handed it to Demetria, who reviewed it.
"Yes, your honor. This appears to be the list of events I reported." She returned the report to the clerk.
"I have reviewed the list and see the required number of appearances has been met."
"Required?"
"Oh, she didn't know they were required?" the judge asked.
"I did not tell her, and by her reactions during some of them, I would say no, she did not know."
"I would have thought that was something you could have shared," I said too quietly for the judge to hear.
"I chose not to," she replied.
"Finally, Ms. Dunn, do you believe your blood slave has been rehabilitated through her sentence?"
"No, your honor, I do not."
"What? You think I'm going to do it again? Are you insane?"
The judge banged his gavel. "Ms. Walsh, do not make me warn you again."
"Perhaps I could explain, your honor," Lady Dunn offered.
"Please do."
"This sentence was entirely unnecessary for Ms. Walsh's rehabilitation. She is not remotely a hardened criminal. She is a woman who made a mistake for all the best reasons. I believe she had already decided it would never happen again long before her case came to trial, and I am absolutely convinced she was 'rehabilitated', as you say, well before she came under my care."
"Ah," said the judge. "I am required to ask." He changed his look to me. "Perhaps you can express some regret for your outburst."
"I'm sorry," I said contritely.
"She does not act like any blood slave I have had in my courtroom in the past," said the judge. "Did you coddle her?"
"I nearly killed her several times. No, she was not coddled."
"Are you able to explain this lack of fear?"
"Yes. She's been asking me to drain her for most of her three years with me beginning in the days immediately after her first public appearance. She's not afraid of me. She doesn't care for my temper, but she incites it in an attempt to cause me to lose control."
The judge studied us both for a minute before asking, "Is this why you wish to adjourn to my chambers?"
"It is."
He paused. "Ms. Walsh, I find you have fully served your sentence. I also believe you are rehabilitated and will not break that particular law again. I am troubled you may break a more serious law."
"I wouldn't," I said quietly. "If she refuses to uphold her promises to me, then I'll get a permit for someone else to do it."
"Suicide is illegal, Ms. Walsh."
"Which is why I'd get a permit." I smiled at him. "I've learned my lesson about following the law to the letter. A person can get a permit to bleed to death, but she isn't allowed to take drugs to do the same. I understand. The first is humanity's place in a world ruled by vampires; the second is a waste of blood."
"Do I detect sarcasm, Ms. Walsh?"
"Your honor," Lady Dunn asked, "Perhaps we can handle this in private."
He said. "Thirty minutes." He banged his gavel.
He led us to his chambers himself, unzipping his robe and pointing to a pair of chairs. We all sat, and he made a point to say, "Ms. Walsh, can we keep this civil?"
"Of course."
"All right. One of you, tell me what's going on?"
My vampire explained. When she got done, I said, "She should have killed me last night. Or I guess, if it were still legal, this morning. If she were going to keep her promises to me."
Instead, she smiled. "Actually, I have two more months."
"I don't think so," I replied. "You asked for three years. I gave you three years. You promised to help me get the beauty back or drain me in as pleasant a fashion as you could. You must now do one or the other."
Her smile didn't waver. "When did I make that promise?"
It took me a second or two before I saw her point. "You tricked me!" I screamed at her.
"Ms. Walsh, please," said the judge.
"She tricked me! She knew she was never going to do it."
"When did I make that promise, Melissa?"
"After that horrible party. A few weeks after."
"July 17th, 2014," she said. "I have two more months, Melissa. Two more months to bring beauty back to you."
Home
We fought, Lady Dunn and I. The judge let us, then finally he said, "Ms. Walsh, I am sorry, but as you are not denying her version of events, and indeed seem to be agreeing with her, she's right. She gets two more months."
"You're going to enforce that?" I asked him.
"Mediate. That is all."
"I'm supposed to stay her blood slave for another two months?"
"Not necessarily. I have your paperwork here."
"Fine. You sign it, I'll sign it. And then I'll find someone else. Madame Cathalina told me she'd help me, if I asked her."
The judge frowned. "She would require a permit."
"So I'll get her a permit."
"From me."
"So you won't give me a permit?"
"I will give you a permit for Ms. Dunn if you give her the two months she has asked for. It pains my heart to do so, but I would do it."
"Fine," I said. "Give her the permit and in two months I'll call on her."
"No," Lady Dunn said. "The two months begins the day you move back into my home, and you must obey me the entire time."
I stared at her. "You want me back as your blood slave?"
"You must obey me," she repeated. "It is not the same thing."
"Ms. Walsh," said the judge. "Is it really that you wish to die, or that you want your art back and do not know how to get it back on your own?"
"I don't want to live without it."
"Ms. Dunn seems to believe she can help you get it back. There may be other approaches that are available. Do you not believe you should give them a chance?"
"Why are you taking her side?" I asked. "You d
id this to me. You could have shown real mercy. You knew I wasn't a threat to society. You helped them to destroy me."
"You are asking her to do something she does not want to do. She has agreed to do so, anyway, subject to certain requirements. You have asked me to do something I do not want to do. I have indicated I will do it, subject to those same requirements."
"Do you feel no guilt for your choices?"
"Do you feel none?"
"Of course I do! I made a mistake. You can bet I won't do it again." I sighed. "Sign my emancipation and I'll deal with this myself. Neither of you need ever see me again."
"Melissa," Lady Dunn said quietly. "Please, calm down."
"I am calm. I think I'm acting quite calmly given what I've been through the last three years. Which I know I deserved, being such a threat to society and all that."
"Do you have no remorse?" the judge asked.
"Remorse? Yes. Do I think my punishment was in line with my crime? No. Do I feel I was offered mercy? No. Is there the slightest chance I will ever do it again? No. Mission accomplished. You can be proud for your part. My art is destroyed. The beauty I brought into the world is gone. Now, all I see is ugliness where before everywhere I looked was beauty. The two of you have taken a sweet woman who was kind to everyone and turned her into a bitter addict. Congratulations."
"Addict?"
Lady Dunn flashed her fangs at him.
"Oh. I see."
"Which I will handle cold turkey, thank you very much. Now, my emancipation and the directions to get this undone to my face, which of course will be painful and leave horrible scars for the rest of my life."
Neither of them said anything. The judged collected some papers and passed them to Lady Dunn. She scanned them and signed them, passing them to me. I skimmed through them and signed, giving them back to the judge. He signed them, and then I had my copy.
"Thank you," I said.
The judge slid another sheet of paper to me. "If you call this number, you can make arrangements regarding the body alterations."
"Is this the same place that did them in the first place?"
"Yes."
"Are there other options?"
"Any doctor can remove the piercings and give you a referral for the tattoo," Lady Dunn said.
"They will need advance notice so they can verify with the court that you have served your sentence," the judge added. "If you give them the reason for your appointment when you call and provide your case number, they can check electronically and be ready for you when you arrive."
Blood Slave Page 44