Forged in Flames

by Harper Wylde

  Many pet humans bore a mark of the one who had chosen them, though it was not a necessity to mark ownership. Some were possessive of their pets and chose to warn other vampires away from them. Others enjoyed inciting fights amongst their peers by not openly marking their ownership and allowing another vampire to essentially trespass against their pet.

  “No, miss.” His reply was so quiet I could barely hear it, let alone distinguish his thoughts.

  “Look at me, Sebastian,” I ordered, my tone even and calm.

  Eyes of brilliant blue met mine, his head lifting proudly. Neither fear nor resignation were in his eyes, though it was the most common thing I would see in the humans here. Not even worship, which was oddly disconcerting in some of the humans. Instead they were heated, anger flaring in the brilliant blue. That was unique. I wondered how this human had come not only into the castle but into such a high level of service if he contained that much fury inside of him towards my people. Not that he would be a threat, merely an inconvenience.

  “Can you read?” I asked curiously. He blinked, surprise momentarily replacing the anger in his eyes as he considered my unusual question.

  “Yes, miss.” His reply was slower this time, most likely from confusion at my odd question, though it lacked none of the propriety that vampires required from their humans.

  “Can you write?” I asked next, moving past him into my room, letting the towel fall from my now dry body.

  Surprising me with his speed he trailed after me, sliding my clothes from the wardrobe and approaching to lay them on my bed before responding. “Yes, miss. I can write as well.”

  “Why?” Even amongst vampires, literacy was not common. I was sure it was fairly minimal amongst humans.

  His mouth twisted down, his lips tightening, and I was sure he didn’t want to answer me though he knew better than to ignore my question. “My mother was a witch. I learned from her.”

  Interesting, I thought. We knew that the witch gene was not always passed, but if any of my other servants--or meals--had been part-blood I had been unable to tell.

  I slid my shirt into place, letting the silken fabric skim my thighs as I faced him. “You know my next order, Sebastian.” I didn’t bother stating it, merely waiting for him to step in front of me and offer his wrist. While I could smell his blood through the skin, if I chose to take him as a pet I would feed on him regularly, bonding him to me and providing additional sustenance. It would also offer him protection; a pet could not be chosen for a meal unless given up by his owner. His blue eyes flashed again, anger and defiance clear in them, his movements slow as though he was hoping I would rescind the order.

  I kept my eyes on his, arching a brow to let him know I noticed the delay, and the order was not going to change no matter how much he stalled. He was brave, for a human. If he had delayed this way with many of my kind, he would have been the next meal for sure. I appreciated the independent spirit, the fact that he wasn’t completely broken down by this life and able to have that spark inside of him still. I hoped he tasted good.

  He held out his wrist, allowing me to grasp it and draw him closer to me, my ivory skin a contrast to his deep tan. “This won’t hurt,” I assured him, drawing his wrist to my mouth. I didn’t need to actively feed off of him after my meal, but I refused to consider him as a pet until I knew his blood was compatible with my system.

  I kept my eyes locked on angry ones, not looking away as I my fangs dropped and I laved my tongue over the skin of his wrist, allowing the venom numb his skin before I pierced it. He blinked, surprised, as my fangs pierced his wrist right above the small veins, and I let the flavor of him fill me.

  He was hot and salty-sweet, his blood richer than any I had tasted before. There was an edge to it, though, a bitterness that reminded me of the scent of the alcohol the witches enjoyed. Inexplicably I found the taste appealing. I pulled away, laving my tongue across the wound to encourage healing and help it remain numb while it knit back together.

  “There are bandages in with the linens,” I directed as I licked the salty liquid from my lips.

  Sebastian moved to the cabinets, shock having replaced some of the anger in his eyes. “How did…” He trailed off and I wondered if he worried about speaking out of turn.

  “Blood drawing does not have to hurt. It can feel pleasurable for the donor, even.” I shrugged, sliding on the rest of my clothing as he bandaged his wrist. “Most simply don’t prefer it that way.”

  He opened his mouth for a moment before ducking his head, and I was positive he wanted to interject his own opinion, likely on what the prey would prefer, though I pretended I did not see. His blood had sealed the question for me. It was as unique as he was, and I was intent on him not becoming a meal for the others.

  I dug through the drawer of my bedside table, hunting for my seal. I pulled straps of leather from the drawer as well, selecting what I needed with care before turning back to Sebastian, who waited with his hand clasped over his wrist, protecting the bandage. “Come here.” I ordered, sitting on the bed and indicating the space in front of me.

  I grasped his wrist, lifting it to wrap the wide leather strap around his wrist, clasping it with a thin leather band used as a tie. I picked up my seal next, sliding the medallion onto the thinner leather strap I had grabbed, tying it tightly around the leather cuff and threading the knot through the clasp. The angle was awkward and the knots intricate, making the band nearly impossible to remove himself.

  “You know what this means?” I confirmed with him, not expecting any questions in response. Humans brought into the castle were informed of their potential future as pets, and many hoped for this eventual outcome, believing it brought them one step closer to their goal of being turned.

  “I am aware, miss,” he responded, his voice stiff with unchecked fury.

  “Good.” I arched a brow, part of me hoping he would challenge me outright. “Then you don’t need me to go through what the general rules are.” It was a mild relief not to have to deal with the formal aspect, notifying him of his new rules and his higher standing amongst the current humans. “Then my personal rules are all you should concern yourself with.”

  I indicated the chairs and table behind him and he cocked his head, questioning my order. I smiled and he winced, apparently not used to see a vampire’s fangs bared in a smile rather than in feeding. “I am not unaware of the rumors that spread throughout the walls.” I offered as he took the seat I had indicated, his back stiff at the unusual change of circumstances before him. “I am odd for a vampire. I make no qualms about that. Your experience will be different with me than as a pet for another vampire. Most of my time is spent in research, and I will require you to help me once I can ensure that you read adequately and have enough common sense to recognize what is of importance. As my research partner, you will need to speak to me freely, so you may ignore the normal command of only replying to orders.”

  “Research, miss?” His voice was quiet, and I could tell he was uncomfortable with the idea of speaking out to me outside of a direct order. Not that I was surprised--he would have been soundly punished for it in the past if he had made that mistake.

  “My history. Human history.” I indicated the shelves of books, the precarious stacks that dotted the room. “I am not satisfied with the idea that how we live now is how we lived before the plagues took over, nor am I convinced that it is better. I believe that there is always room to learn and to grow.” I waved a hand as his eyes widened in shock, his mouth opening slightly as he gaped at me. “You will learn more about what I am researching in time. I will feed off of you.” I stared straight into his eyes, not allowing him to hide his expression at the words. “I will not make it painful, but I will require sustenance and I prefer to receive it from you rather than at family meals.” Mutual expressions of distaste crossed our features at the thought.

  “Yes, miss.” The words were calm and submissive, though his eyes were anything but. I knew my lip quirked up a
t the corner, amused at the dichotomy of this man.

  “I will not punish you for speaking your mind, as long as you do so in the privacy of my rooms.” I knew he would be skeptical of this, although I meant it. I needed someone who would speak with me, help me to evaluate theories, and I was in need of someone to amuse me as well.

  “I do not intend to take you as a sexual partner.” I studied him closely, expecting a response to that at least.

  “Miss?” The word was choked, a response in expectation to my statement, rather than a betrayal of his actual thoughts.

  I smirked, leaning back onto my palms. “Do you object to that, Sebastian?” At his lack of response I sighed. I saw so much spark in him, but he wasn’t yet willing to let go of the rules he had been trained in and play with me. I really hoped he would come around, as I would hate to have to turn him in to a meal.

  “No, miss,” he replied, his chin lowering as he turned away, preventing me from reading the emotions in his eyes.

  “I have too much work to consider taking on partners,” I explained. “Do not be fooled by anyone claiming to be a partner of mine and stating that they have a say in your ownership,” I warned. “Even my parents may give you no unusual orders, and their needs shall always be deferred for mine. Simply bow and show your wrist, there is no need to speak to them and risk them taking offense.”

  “The witches, miss?” His husky voice was quiet, though I was impressed that he had taken the initiative to ask.

  I scoffed. “Witches will be witches, no matter whether you are a pet or not. They will comply with my medallion, or they will be intensely punished. You do not need to donate to them, and I order that you do not without my express permission--I highly doubt that will ever be granted so it should not be a concern for you.” He nodded shortly, accepting my statement. “Your duties will be attending to me. However, as I said, most of that time will be spent on research. I will clear it so you are not required to be at other chores.”

  A knock at the door had me hissing my irritation. Few intruded on my rooms, fewer still did so more than once. “Open it,” I snarled to Sebastian.

  He was quick to obey, his steps quiet and sure as he strode to the door. He bowed when it opened, his eyes on the floor as he asked, “May I announce you, sirs?”

  “She’s got a pet?” I recognized the scornful voice. “I hadn’t heard of her having one.” The deep, rumbling voice had me growling my frustration.

  “What I have is none of your business, witch,” I called out, letting them know I knew who was at my door. “You have no business at my rooms.” I waved a hand at Sebastian, indicating he should step back, allowing them entrance if they so chose.

  He complied, opening the door enough to show both of the twins as I stood to square off with them. “At least you’re clean this time.” Crowe offered up a twisted grin. “You look far better like that than with the macabre decorations.”

  “As if I care what you think I look like. Why are you in my rooms?”

  “Well, you did invite your pet to let us in,” Draven pointed out. I scowled, resisting the instinctual urge to bite him. Crowe smacked the back of his brother’s head, the two exchanging a meaningful look before facing me again.

  “We were directed to approach you,” Crowe explained. “Your mother suggested you would be the best source of information.”

  “For?” I drawled the words, irritated at his need to drag this out and prevent me from my work.

  “Apparently you’ve been taking all of the history books that have been recovered.” Draven indicated the piles around me with a wave. “We came here for research, and you’ve been hoarding the information. I thought you were a vampire, not a dragon.”

  I hissed, pulling my lip back to show my fangs fully as I approached them. Neither flinched, merely cocking their heads to study me. “You will mind your tongue or I will tear it out. Do not underestimate me. Your status as a guest does not protect you.”

  Crowe held up a placating hand. “My brother does not always think before he speaks.”

  “Then he should learn.” I snapped back, “Or someone less patient than I will prevent him from gaining that opportunity.” I glanced at my pile of books, debating what I would be willing to let leave. “What are you looking for exactly?”

  “We are interested in history,” Crowe explained. “Specifically history before the plagues and the formation of the witches culture.” I blinked in surprise and at the correlation to my own work.

  “Why?” I had my own reasons for my research, and a small piece of me wondered if maybe their reasoning matched with my own.

  Both shrugged, the movement identical and instant, as though they had had the thought at the same moment. “Understanding the past brings us power,” Draven stated. “It allows us to prevent the same mistakes and gives us the capacity to garner spells and other powers that may have been lost with time.”

  I prevented the sneer that wanted to form. Of course, the witches were doing it for power, I didn’t know why I had thought it would be for another reason.

  “I’m not sure that much of what I have applies to the witches, though I admit I wasn’t making note on anything about them I came across.” I considered the stack with worry, not wanting to release anything that I might need at a later date. “You are aware of how to care for books, properly?”

  “Says the woman who tried to drown herself in blood?” Draven muttered, earning himself an elbow in the ribs.

  “We simply want to borrow a few from your collection.” Crowe offered up a smile with his statement. “You won’t even miss them.”

  Torn, I considered my options. I could release my books to them, unsure if I would ever receive them back or what information they may damage or remove from them. Or, I could allow them intrusion into my space, which was not exactly an appealing prospect. The two didn’t move, expecting an answer and unwilling to remove themselves before I gave them the chance.

  I sighed, my frustration evident on my face and in my tone. “You can select what you wish, but they cannot leave these rooms. I won’t risk losing the information. The books are valuable and they stay in my possession.”

  “Really?” Draven’s words dripped with scorn. “You’re going to actually hoard them all?”

  “Not hoard,” I retorted. “Protect.” I warmed to my excuse, crossing my arms over my chest and staring them down. “If I or Sebastian are in this room, you may use it for study purposes unless I find you are damaging any of the books. Anything you see or hear in this room shall be considered private.”

  “We will not be made your pets as well.” Draven stepped forward, his hands sparkling, and I snorted.

  “As if I would take a witch for a pet. Disgusting creatures.” I shook my head, my nose wrinkled. “You all taste terrible. This is a study, nothing more. Think of it as you have private access to my personal library.” I could see that both wanted to object, though after a short exchange, they nodded their acquiescence. “Good. Then let’s all get to work.”

  I headed to my preferred seat, taking back up the book I had been studying before dinner tonight. I was going to find answers to my questions, even if it took my entire lifetime. Now, at least I would have help.

  Coming Soon!

  Also by Quinn Arthurs

  The Jeweled Wings Series

  The Valkyrie’s Princes

  The Valkyries’ Queen

  The Faerie Wars

  The Guardian

  The DeWitt Sisters

  Sliding Into Love

  About Quinn Arthurs

  Quinn Arthurs is an international bestselling author of reverse harem books. She drinks far too much coffee and is a complete nerd - jumping from one crazy fandom to another. She believes in the magic of the written word, which is why her stories tend to involve the paranormal, so she can bring the crazy worlds in her head to life, even if just for a short while. Please stalk her on Facebook by clicking the icon below!

   

  Harper Wylde, Forged in Flames