As the Vampires split their attentions between their captive women and the responsibility of a vigilant watch over their captive men, the Slave-master, Paul and Zippo re-distributed and prepared the packs for the on-coming nights' journey. Travel across the cliffs at night would be more difficult for the humans, not having the keen eyesight of the Vampires, and the Slave-master didn't want to risk injuries.
Because of the bountiful haul at the campsite, the Slave-master asked Paul and Zippo to carry packs over the cliffs so they wouldn't over-burden the new men. Even though Lucien had told them they wouldn't have to, it wouldn't benefit anyone if one of the new captives were hurt so they readily agreed to the request.
Ariel and the other women were relaxing for the first time in days. They washed themselves off in the cavern stream. Lucien looked over and noticed everyone but Ariel had crossed the deeper water to the ledges on the other side where they were playing under a small waterfall. He remembered the first time he'd seen her sunning on the rock while her friends swam in the lake. She can't swim, he noted.
The captive men sat in an uncomfortable silence on their blankets not noticing they were being observed by the Clansmen.
"Okay," Allen began, Doug sitting beside him, "We might as well get this out in the open or we won't be able to look at each other again. Obviously, these guys want us together. I guess because they took our girlfriends."
"I don't give a shit, Allen. The stuff we did…" Doug didn't finish his statement.
"It's obvious they're using that hypnosis, or whatever it is, on us like they did on the girls at the beginning. We can't block it anymore than they could," Allen went on. "Even if one of us could, the other guy would still be under their control."
Dave, who was so easily enthralled by Damon, felt desire for Ed whenever the Vampire was near him. As Damon walked by to talk to Justin, Dave reached out an arm and pulled Ed close. Ed looked up scared, uncomfortable sitting so near to him, but worried the Vampires might make him do something worse if he moved away. He did notice the Vampires were watching them.
"Ethan said, I mean the Slave-master said the guys in the settlement are all this way. He says it's no big deal." Dave was distracted wondering why Ed was shivering. He leaned down and whispered "It's okay, Ed. Long as your with me, no one's going to mess with you."
Ed felt like screaming, 'You're the one who's messing with me, you idiot!'
"Like, take Paul and Zippo. They've been together so long now, that even though the Vampires are letting the women go that came with them, they're still staying together. They're just adding one of the women," he said reasonably. "I know I don't want to be here alone, even with the Slave-master being my friend and all," Dave said miserably, laying his head on Ed's shoulder.
Ed looked just as miserable, for different reasons. He looked for Nicholas, already making the connection between who was controlling whom. He was embarrassed by Nicholas' interference, but obviously the hold Damon had on Dave was incredibly strong. Ed was either going to constantly fight off the big man's attentions or ask for Nicholas' help with his acceptance. Ed was surprised, being of such a conservative nature, that he would rather submit to the Vampires' wishes than fight, knowing the mountain men would ultimately get their way. Especially if he was going to have to fend off Dave the whole time.
Embarrassed, he said quietly, "Allen, Doug, you guys might want to consider this. I believe, and I think you guys know it too, the Vampires are going to get what they want no matter how we feel about it. Take a look at him," he indicated Dave with a small nod of his head. "I can't deal with this forever, not with everything else. The worse part of it is, if it had to be this way, I don't mind it being Dave."
Dave was listening. Part of what Ed was saying was sinking in and the big man's tears began falling. "I feel like I was a real shit to him before. He's scared. Even though they seem to have taken him in, I think he needs me. I can't have Christal, and I don't want to face this alone either. I'm going to talk to Nicholas. I don't know how to do this, and everything inside me wishes it wasn't this way, but I think if this is what they want, they'll help. I'm sorry if it disappoints you, and I hope we can remain friends. We're all going to need each other."
Allen and Doug listened in silence. They knew what Ed said was true. Allen still remembered Doug servicing him the night before. He was as gentle and passionate as Shawna had been. He could do this. Doug, destined to be the submissive, would probably fight it.
Allen caught Ed, finally free of Dave, and told him his problem. Ed felt better that at least Allen understood. He suggested they talk to Nicholas and Justin together and ask for their help. They also wanted a better explanation for why this was happening.
A few hours later, the Vampires met with them. To the captive's relief, they were very forthcoming about their desire to see the men content.
Justin said, "Loneliness would be the cruelest punishment we could give you. Uprooted from everything, everyone you know, tossed into a new unfamiliar life … and alone … unbearable."
Ed and Allen realized the Vampire was talking about his own experience. How sad to have to start everything over, forever.
"Lucien's settlement has given us a home for three hundred years. We've had many families over that time. There were no guarantees for you, for any of us, that you would have been content in the flatlands. We do take care of you in the valley. The work is hard, but it is a family. We don't want you to be lonely. Not when we can prevent it," Justin finished.
It was more than Ed or Allen could have hoped for. A connection with the Vampires, a beginning. They knew their anger toward their captors, still simmering in the background, was futile. They had to find a way to survive. They explained their reluctance to their forced relationships. They asked for help until they could adapt. Allen explained the problem with Doug.
Nicholas told them that with Ed and Allen not fighting it, their acceptance would be easier, with little pushes along the way until they weren't necessary. The men may not even notice when they were acting on their own. He said not to worry about Doug, Nathan would be able to influence him. It would be less traumatic with the other three men in agreement. No one questioned Dave's feelings on the matter.
The Slave-master had already talked to Lucien about the 'new, improved Mike attitude' that morning. As Lucien made one of his many trips past the captive, he noted each time Mike would try to scoot back into the rock wall he was leaning on and look down.
Just before noon, as Lucien was passing by again, he stopped. He squatted down in front of Mike. "We got an understanding?" he said sternly. Mike tried to gulp with the gag in his mouth and nodded quickly. Lucien started removing the gag. "I don'ot want to hear a word, not a sound." Mike nodded again.
As the gag was removed, his hoarse throat managed, "Thank you, sir."
CHAPTER 10
CROSSING THE CLIFFS
Supper was finished just before sunset. The dishes were washed and put away. The captive men, Paul and Zippo had packs strapped to their backs. The Slave-master spoke to the captives paying particular attention to Mike, who finally had his hands unbound from his testicles. "The path we take up the cliffs is pretty even most of the time. You still have to be careful of loose rocks and it's steep in some places."
Looking directly at Mike, "We're not tying you off to the horses. It's too dangerous. You'll need your hands if you fall. Do not make this a regrettable decision!"
He went on, "There are a few narrow ledges. They're wide enough for the horses so you can make it. Anyone got a fear of heights?" the Slave-master asked.
Ed looked around dismayed as he was the only one to raise his hand. Dave patted his shoulder and looked at the Slave-master with concern. "He the only one?" No one else raised their hand. "Okay. Paul, walk beside him so he's next to the wall until we hit the high pass." Dave looked a little jealous so the Slave-master added for his benefit, "Dave, you walk behind them and make sure Ed's all right." Dave looked pleased. The Slave-master l
ooked at Ed. "I'll let you ride with me over the pass. If you have a problem before that, let Dave know." Ed appreciated he wasn't made to feel like a wimp.
The group headed up the cliffs. The Clan had planned the trip so they would be crossing back up during a full moon. The way down it didn't matter. The Vampires could see fine and tied the Slave-master's horse off to Justin's, letting Paul and Zippo ride double with Nicholas and Damon.
The flat grey rocks reflected the moonlight off their gradual ascent. "Oh, Lucien, it's beautiful!" Ariel said breathlessly. Lucien loved to hear her say his name.
He was adjusting her shirt over the saddle horn. "Please, don't Lucien. Not yet. I want to see this." She leaned back against his chest. He kissed the top of her head and let her enjoy the scenery she seemed so enthralled with.
The captives were walking in one's and two's behind the horses. The men were speaking to each other quietly. Some were even talking to the riders, not the women though. Most of the women were already squirming. The captive men had no idea why the horse's gait should affect them that much. Of course, they didn't know about the little clit-strips on the saddle horns.
Allen and Ed were talking to Zippo about the settlement. His information was cryptic. The way he spoke was entertaining and made the walk a little more enjoyable. "It's pretty cool, man. I mean, Hannah," he said in a hushed tone, "she's like Mother Nature herself. Chick took a few pot seeds I managed to stash, had to wait five friggin' years to find a place to plant 'em. Had to get sun, water, and stuff and get 'em where the Vamps couldn't see 'em growin'. Mr. L. would be pissed off. She is so cool! She gives it away in exchange for a little work."
Apparently, at least in his mind, this was the most important thing to fill them in on as he mentioned it first. "Work's a bitch. I mean, you guys will get stuck with most of it now. But it's fair enough. Days off now and then, a place to live. The food's good, too. I used to miss the twinkies and shit when the munchies hit, but you get over it." He said this like the almost doctor and politician were pot-heads.
"Um, guess that's about it," Zippo finished.
Allen and Ed looked at each other and started laughing. The only information Zippo had given them for their new lives, after living in the settlement for twenty years, was a connection for dope and not to worry if you got hungry while you were stoned.
"Zippo, dude," Allen began, "I guess you're used to it there. Can you tell us what kind of work we'll be doing?" He figured out this was definitely going to be a question and answer type of discussion.
"All sorts of stuff. Whatever the Vamps and the Slave-master tell you to do," he replied, not telling them anymore than what they already knew.
"Is it plowing fields, mending fences, fixing things kind of work?" Ed prompted.
"Sometimes," Zippo stated.
Allen and Ed were making a game out of who could actually get some useful information from the helpfully, unhelpful man. Zippo seemed happy. He got to talk to the new guys first. He could fill Carl and Mason in. Of course, Carl and Mason would listen to Zippo and come away with the very important tid-bit 'They're okay guys, man.'
Eventually, Allen and Ed gave up. Zippo walked away to debrief another captive, and Nicholas rode up beside them. "Isn't he a trip? I mean, he's definitely on a 'never ending trip' but, geeze he cracks me up!"
"He was very helpful," Ed lied.
"Oh, he told you about Hannah, huh?" Nicholas said. The three of them laughed.
"You know he thinks you guys don't know about that, right?" Allen said.
"Worst kept secret in the settlement for the last fifteen years." Nicholas agreed. "Actually, the stuff she grows is damn good. You should try it." He grinned.
Christal was starting to moan and Nicholas stroked her side. Ed looked at her passionate expression as she leaned against Nicholas' shoulder. Why doesn't this upset me more? Maybe because she looks so happy and Nicholas actually seems kind of nice.
Nicholas let his horse drop behind as it occurred to him what was happening. He didn't mean to upset Ed.
A few hours later, the path was getting steep and narrower. Small rock slides had dislodged some stones and even the horses stumbled once in awhile. The captives were holding onto the wall at times trying to keep their footing.
Ed almost tripped and Dave immediately caught him under his arm and helped steady him. "You alright? You didn't twist your ankle or anything did you? Can you walk?"
The barrage of questions from his overly concerned new partner made him inwardly groan. "I'm fine, Dave. Thanks for catching me."
"Do you want me to carry your pack? I'm a lot stronger than you. It won't be any problem," Dave continued.
There was no way in hell Ed was going to be the only man not doing his job. It was bad enough he wasn't going to make it over the pass on foot. "I'm good, Dave. I'll let you know if it gets to be too much."
Satisfied, Dave walked silently behind him carefully watching to make sure he didn't fall again. Paul dropped back and got on the outside sandwiching Ed between the wall, Dave and himself. He realized Dave was a little over-protective of his friend and looked back at him. "That was a good catch, Dave. I'll get the side here so he doesn't get nervous but you'll have to grab him if he slips again."
Dave beamed. Ed groaned and thought, Yo, Nicholas. Little push would be nice, here. Like maybe off the cliff.
Mike was walking in front of the Slave-master's horse. No one wanted to talk to him. No one wanted to joke or be concerned or any of the other shit he heard going on up ahead. How the hell had he ended up so alone? He was the popular guy. The one everyone wanted to hang around with. This sucked.
It was obvious something different was planned for him. The evasiveness of the Slave-master's answer that morning convinced him of that. He used as much charm and submissive acceptance as he could stomach at the guy and still couldn't get results. Trying to argue or fight, at least for now, were ineffective at best. He was tired of being Lucien's personal whipping boy. He no longer trusted his friends to assist him. The way the girls had sacrificed him, using him as a diversion for their own plans of escape left him bitter. How dare they do that to him? Couldn't they see if they'd worked together, if the girls had kept their men occupied instead of trying to run themselves, Mike could have gotten away? When he made it out of this he wondered if he'd even bother to send help for them.
The Slave-master noticed the slumping of Mike's dejected shoulders. Several times he stumbled, not paying attention. Too much thinking is not a good idea for that young man. He brought his horse up alongside the sullen man. "Want some water?" he asked, pulling the canteen out of a side-pack.
Mike was relieved to have someone speaking to him, "Yes, Slave-master. Thank you, sir." he reached for the water.
"Pretty up here, isn't it? Awesome view in the daytime. Of course, I don't get to see that too often," the big man said conversationally.
Mike stepped on a sharp stone. "Shit!" he automatically reached out, inadvertently grabbing the rider's leg. He let go immediately. "Sorry. Damn!" he winced.
The Slave-master stopped his horse. "Is it cut? Any blood?"
Mike crossed his leg in front of him and checked the bottom of his foot. "Yeah, damn! I don't think it's too bad."
"Get some water on it. Let's see what's going on."
Mike rinsed the dirt away and they could see a small gash. It wasn't too deep but it was still seeping blood.
Justin, riding in front of them stopped as well when he realized they weren't following. This late in the trip it was unlikely anyone would try anything foolish, but with Mike involved Justin wasn't taking any chances. "You guys alright?"
"He cut his foot. Doesn't look too deep, but it's bleeding," the Slave-master informed him.
As Shawna was preoccupied, Justin called ahead, "Allen. Mike's cut himself. Go take a look at it."
Allen was surprised they knew he had medical training. He walked back down the line of travelers until he reached Mike. "Hey, what's up, Mike?"
"Stepped on a damn rock. Sliced it."
Allen cleaned it off with more water. "Doesn't need stitches. It should be bandaged, though. Antiseptic wouldn't hurt if you have some."
The Slave-master smiled down at Allen. "I don't have any, but you do."
He got off his horse and walked behind Allen. He opened his pack, dug around and pulled out a small emergency kit retrieved from one of the vehicles.
Allen recognized it. "That's fucked up, you know that?"
"Yeah, well. They were going to grab that pretty little red car too, but we needed Dave to carry other stuff," the Slave-master chuckled as Allen bent down to tend to Mike's foot, regretting the loss of his cherry red Mustang.
Securing the bandage, Allen asked Mike if he could walk on it. He'd added an extra pad of gauze over the cut. It wasn't comfortable, but what was anymore? "Yeah, thanks Allen."
"No problem. I'll check it again when we stop, it that's okay." Allen glanced at the Slave-master.
"That's a while away yet," the big man answered, putting the kit back in Allen's pack.
"You should check it about every fifteen minutes or so to make sure the bleeding's stopped," Allen informed them.
"Will do," the man answered getting back on his horse.
The procession continued with the group in the back speeding up to catch the others.
Ariel's head started rolling against Lucien's shoulder. He lifted her shirt and urged her forward with his hips. At first contact, she started coming awake. "Lucien!" she complained.
"You're done watching the scenery," he stated.
She stifled a yawn, trying to scoot back. "I'm tired, I need sleep."
"When we make camp." His hand was undoing her buttons.
"You can't possibly make me. I'm going back to sleep," she complained.
"Oh ... I do love a challenge." He smiled as his hand rubbed along her ribs, heading for her breast.
Ariel's Desire: A Novel of Vampirism and Submission Page 13