Children of Demons Part 2
Mar. 15th, 2005 08:33 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jessara40k_ljI'll be putting parts of two or three fics up today, here's the first.
The human had been stripped to the waist and tied to a whipping triangle in a small, white tiled room. His arms were stretched above his head and spread wide, the muscles in his back taut. I stalked over to stand in front of him, bringing Jean-Claude with me, leaving the rest of my vampires over by the door.
“What is your name?”
“Kevar.”
“Do you know why this is happening?”
“Because I disciplined your arrogant whore. What did he tell you? What lies did he come up with?”
“He told me nothing. You presumed to lay hands on what is mine. Did you really think I would permit that?” I turned my back on him. “Come, my raven.” I wasn’t entirely sure where that pet name came from, but Jean-Claude was so happy that I’d finally chosen a pet name for him. I never thought such a small thing could mean so much to him or I’d have found a nickname for him sooner. We stalked back to where we could watch, and not get any of his blood on us. It was a vampire wielding the whip, nearly three thousand years old and a master, he’d probably had a lot of experience I guess. I nodded to him.
“Go ahead. But I want to see blood as soon as possible, leave him with scars to remind him that it is best not to touch what belongs to me, to any of my kind.”
“Yes Demonkin.” He bowed to me and began to turn to his work, almost reluctantly as if…
“Did you want to say something to me?”
“Forgive my presumption Demonkin, but it is most impressive and very rare that you are so willing to protect what is yours. Most of the Demonkin would feel that so long as their bed-slaves can serve them, and no permanent damage is done it does not matter if humans beat them. That is why he thought he would be permitted to abuse your raven. He was always permitted to abuse any vampires he thought too cocky, meaning not absolutely broken, before.” I got the idea this one had been on the end of the human’s whip a time or two himself.
“No one touches what belongs to me but me. I think I got more of the possessive instincts than most of my kind.” I made a joke of it, shocked that the rest of my kind did not feel that they were obliged to protect what was theirs. “Now, I want to hear him screaming.”
He obeyed with gusto, breaking the skin on the first lash, a line of blood from left shoulder to right hip, the second following just a second after, falling barely half an inch from the first cut. He switched arms for the third lash, crossing from the right shoulder to the left hip, and that was the first time the mortal screamed. When he’d meted out five lashes he stopped and took a step back.
“I’m afraid I’ve been ordered not to cripple him Demonkin, how am I doing so far?”
I walked forward to trail my fingers in Kevar’s wounds, licking the blood from my fingers, and determinedly not thinking of how it must have felt for Jean-Claude when he was the one under the lash. “Very well. Finish the beating and I will be satisfied.”
“As you wish Demonkin.” He returned to his work, varying the frequency and placement so Kevar never knew when or where he would be hit. I smiled to see it and watched as the full twenty lashes were administered despite that Kevar was unconscious for the last five. After I thanked him, and took my vampires back to my quarters.
~~~~~*****~~~~~
“Caspian, that’s your quarters.” I waved vaguely at the door to the left as I walked in. “Get yourself settled, I won’t require you for the rest of the night. But never come into my bedroom without a specific invitation. Jean-Claude, Asher, feel free to enjoy yourselves together. Damian you’ll be attending me tonight.” Caspian went into his quarters while the other vampires followed me into my bedroom, Jean-Claude and Asher hesitated there after the door was closed. I didn’t think vampires would be able to hear through the walls, but I checked just in case. “Will he be able to hear anything in here?”
“No, ma cherie. Did you mean it when you said we could lie together tonight?”
“If you both want to Asher, yes. Jean-Claude, are you alright?” He finally looked up at me, smiling in adoration.
“Yes, ma petite. You claimed me, and you protected me.” That seemed to be all that mattered to him. It wasn’t an attitude I could understand, but I certainly enjoyed the benefits of it in him.
“And it does not upset you that I take Damian to my bed tonight?”
“So long as you still favour me. He is your servant, even by vampire law I do not have any right to complain if you take him to your bed. Belle Morte would never have forbidden Asher to lie with Julianna.” His voice was soft, but he still met my eyes.
“Might we go ma cherie?” Asher seemed to be impatient, not that I could blame him.
“Enjoy yourselves.” I turned to Damian as they left and pulled him to the bed. “Undress me.”
I was wearing blue jeans and a red T-shirt, but before he could get them off Damian knelt to unlace my black trainers. He bowed to the floor and kissed my feet before he continued, I wondered if that was something he’d been trained to do, or if he actually wanted to do it. I realised that there was one thing I hadn’t made clear to him.
“Damian, if there’s something you don’t want to do you don’t have to do it. Just tell me. And you can do anything you want as long as you please me.”
“Yes, Anita. I didn’t think you’d force me into anything.” He smiled up from where he knelt at my feet. He was behaving more assertively than Jean-Claude was at the moment, and even Asher seemed to be submitting to me more than my vampire servant was. Not much more, but still…of course we’d been in public most of the time since I’d explained the situation and then Asher would have wanted to get Jean-Claude alone. I brushed Jean-Claude’s mind with my own to find him just lying on the bed with Asher, both still fully clothed, doing nothing more than kissing. Not that I was much further along, and I pulled Damian to his feet, encouraging him to hurry, which he did, most obligingly.
Once I was naked he knelt between my legs still fully clothed and began kissing his way down my body, until he reached my sex. This time as he brought me I let the illusion I had woven around me fall, and shredded the sheets with my claws. I pulled him to lie beside me and used my claws to cut the clothes from his body, careful not to cut him, I could taste the desire this act aroused and once I could reach his organ I impaled myself on him, riding him for a while until he suddenly rolled us over so he was on top and could thrust into me, hard. I think I lost track of the time then, because when I next noticed things I had shredded his back right down to the bone - and he was smiling!
“Did I please you master?” It felt right that he call me master, the feel of his blood covering me was wondrous, but somewhere deep inside something was screaming that this was wrong.
“Yes, but I hurt you. I am sorry.”
“Do not be, it isn’t serious, I’m sure you can heal me and I’ve had far worse. I enjoyed it while you made the marks.” Yes, I understood about that, and I sent my power into him to heal his wounds.
“You can stay with me if you want.” I crawled over to a fresh area of the bed before lying down to go to sleep and he joined me, spooning his body around mine. I’d managed to grow used to waking up with a corpse on occasion, as long as I wasn’t trapped by the corpse in question it didn’t bother me.
~~~~~*****~~~~~
I must have reached out for Jean-Claude’s mind as I fell to sleep, for in my dream I was an observer in his body, feeling as he did, and acting only as he chose. Asher was taking him, very much in the dominant position, and they had their teeth buried in each other’s throats. Jean-Claude released Asher first after he reached orgasm and lay limp as his lover continued to thrust into him and drink from him.
“Jean-Claude?” Asher shook his lover gently to get his attention after he’d satisfied himself.
“Yes, Asher?” My consort smiled up at his lover, just waiting for his desires to make themselves known.
“Are you alright?” I looked through Jean-Claude’s memories, and even my own from when I was with both of them to realise this was not his usual behaviour when he was taken. Normally he encouraged Asher, rather than just passively submitting to his attentions.
“Yes Asher, but things have changed now. Anita is more powerful than I am, and you know the Council’s training took a stronger hold on me than it did on you.” He’d been slightly less powerful than Asher when they travelled together with Julianna, so the training the Council had given them had made him less assertive with Asher in private - in public they pretended he was the master among them, a game.
“I don’t understand why though mon corbeau,” Asher used the same nickname for Jean-Claude that I did? No wonder he was so happy about it. “you are a sourdre de sang, and I am not. You should be more assertive than I am, even with Anita, one of the Demonkin.”
“You know almost nothing of the Demonkin, and you are linked to her much more loosely than I am. Belle Morte used to tell me stories of the Demonkin, to be more precise their social structure as they interact with vampires. They were old when she heard them, and she didn’t know why she felt compelled to pass them on to me, but I think they were accurate. A Demonkin has one primary consort, who belongs to her totally, and this consort is always a sourdre de sang or equivalent power. The other consorts can be vampires, but are not always and have a little more autonomy. And then there are the servants. Personal attendants, such as Damian share their master’s bed from time to time, but not as often as consorts and bed-slaves, they have the most autonomy of any linked to the Demonkin. The more closely anyone is linked to one of the Demonkin the more submissive they are to those also linked, but less closely so, to the Demonkin. With one exception, the lesser attendants. They have nothing to do with consorts, consorts ignore them, and despite being the least closely linked of all are submissive to personal attendants. They never share their master’s bed either. We aren’t consorts yet, but as a sourdre de sang I think I inherited instincts for being with one of the Demonkin that you don‘t have.”
“You do know this is just a pretence so we won’t be molested while Anita is learning what she has to know, don’t you?” Asher sounded as if he truly believed that, I didn’t, even though I wanted to.
“No, it isn’t. Or it won’t end that way. Anita might try to treat us as equals, we might want, or you might want, to try and remain independent, but by the time we return to St. Louis you will have accepted your place as one of her consorts or personal attendants.” Jean-Claude spoke with quiet certainty. He already had accepted that he’d be my primary consort, he just hoped another sourdre de sang didn’t catch my attention, or he might lose that place. Asher was absolutely horrified at the idea, but Jean-Claude pulled him into a kiss and distracted him into sex before he could come to me and argue about it. “I’m not entirely sure our master realises this herself yet. Please, let her learn about this at her own pace, and come to terms with it the same way. She will not be too cruel a master, that I know.”
I didn’t really want to learn any more, but I stayed in Jean-Claude’s mind as he slid beneath Asher to arouse him with his mouth, then turned and offered himself to the golden haired vampire. I didn’t manage to return to normal sleep until he came, from Asher’s touch.
~~~~~*****~~~~~
I woke up covered by dried blood, Damian’s blood. We were lying on our sides and I was spooning him, pressed up against his cold back. It must have looked strange, but it felt natural, would have even before this happened, he’d been submissive to me for a while. I uncurled from around him and sat up, reaching out to feed the ardeur automatically. Suddenly I caught sight of the sheets I’d shredded last night and it just hit me all at once what I was, what I’d become.
Oh God. I really was a monster. Even now I couldn’t bring myself to regret anything I’d done, but I knew I was truly damned. I collapsed in tears, crying for myself, for becoming one of the monsters in a way I’d never imagined possible, but mostly for Jean-Claude, too scared of me to say anything against me, for Asher, dragged into this against his will and trying desperately to retain his freedom, and for Damian, who worshipped me and could never refuse me anything. And I couldn’t even die or free them from me. They wouldn’t be able to go back until I did, if I didn’t keep them they would end up belonging to someone else, someone who would treat them worse than I would.
I finally came out of it to feel Jean-Claude’s arms around me, trying to comfort me even though he didn’t know why I was upset. When my tears stopped I sat up, putting a slight distance between us.
“What is wrong ma petite? Have you been hurt?” His voice was gentle, he had never known me to cry except when something terrible, emotionally, had happened for me.
“After what I’ve done to you, how can you care if I’m hurt?”
“I don’t understand master. You protected me, and punished the one who hurt me. You care for me and I adore you. Why shouldn’t I care if you’re hurt?” He was genuinely mystified. I’d always thought he’d recovered from the abuse he’d suffered, at least in part, that he’d become independent and self-reliant. After all, he always had an agenda, he always manipulated people into doing what he wanted and he’d fought so hard for independence, for his own territory where he would be safe. And now he was willing to give that all up, to belong to me, body and mind and soul, just because of what I was. He seemed perfectly content with the idea of being dependent on me for everything and submissive to me in every way. There and them I silently vowed to treat him as much as I could the way I would one of my leopards, to encourage him to express his own opinions and never to force him to do anything against his will.
“I’ve enslaved you, you fought so hard against being enslaved, worked for so long to be free, and now it doesn’t bother you?”
“You are Demonkin and I am a sourdre de sang, it is in my nature to submit to you without question.” He was so accepting of the fact that he would be owned, and probably abused. How could he react that way? I never could have done the same. I remembered how Richard had hurt his wolves when he’d been fighting against what he was and decided to do my best to accept and deal with what I had become, never to hurt my vampires because I hated myself. Jean-Claude bit his lip, he wanted to say something, but wasn’t sure how it would be received.
“Tell me what’s bothering you my raven.”
“Might I please you?” I blinked, then I realised that he wanted some proof that he was mine, and pleasing me was the most natural way for me to assert my ownership to him.
“You can drink from my groin, then you can satisfy me.” He obeyed, and we fed our ardeur together, waiting for the others to awaken.
~~~~~*****~~~~~
Damian was the last of my vampires to wake, and almost as soon as he did humans filed in for them to feed on. Afterwards I needed to talk to them.
“Caspian, would it be safe if my vampires walked around the compound by themselves, or do they need an escort of some sort?” Asher bristled at the idea of needing an escort, but Jean-Claude didn’t seem to have any objections where he lay curled against me.
“It depends master. You haven’t claimed us properly yet, so we have less freedom than we would otherwise. There are some areas we can wander around in freely without fear of molestation, and you have been assigned a staff, including guards who could take us there if you gave permission. But other than that, until you know enough to claim us we need to have a guard wherever we go.” I’d been assigned a staff?
“How many are there in this staff, and what do they do? Where are they for that matter?”
“There are about one hundred in total. Twenty guards, they won’t let your vampires feed on them and will escort us wherever you grant permission for us to go. The rest mainly serve as meals for us, you get more whenever you acquire a new vampire, but they also clean your quarters and guide you around the compound if you wish it. They all live in rooms off the corridor.” I hadn’t really thought about who would be providing food for my vampires, they normally dealt with that themselves, but judging from the subtle relief of tension in their bodies my vampires had been worried about that. I needed to speak to at least a representative for my staff, I couldn’t keep making Jean-Claude and Asher wait until Damian woke to feed. And I really missed my coffee.
“I’d rather the four of you stayed here tonight, but I want to speak to the leaders of my staff, including the leader of my guard when I get back from my lessons. Caspian, I assume you’ll be safe to arrange that?”
“Yes master.” I hadn’t really understood what I was to him until I heard the casual acceptance in his voice as I issued my commands. I caught a moment of irritation from Damian and Jean-Claude, at the idea of being confined to my quarters, but they quickly suppressed it.
“Ma cherie, do I still have permission to take comfort in our bodies with Jean-Claude?”
“Yes, of course. As long as you are prepared to please me when I wish it.” My last words were more for Caspian than anything else, and from Asher’s smile he realised that. I wasn’t planning on sleeping with anyone else tonight, although I did want Jean-Claude to give me another lesson in control of the ardeur. Then Damian spoke up.
“I asked for them to bring my sword and your weapons here. I put your weapons in a trunk in your bedroom but might I practise with my sword in there?”
“Feel free. And later if you want I can teach you how to use a gun.”
“I am not sure that I would enjoy that, but if it would please you.”
“Or you can teach me how to use a sword. Come, I’d like to start now.” I dismissed the others and dragged Damian into my bedroom.
~~~~~*****~~~~~
I couldn’t believe how much the lessons had taken out of me. I mean I routinely raise half a dozen zombies a night, so how can learning to control my powers be that hard? It was. I’d always called up as much of my own power as I could, which was why I’d gotten away with raising zombies using nothing but my own blood, now I had to learn to hold back and only call up as much as I needed. The best I managed on that first night was to call it all up then choke back what wasn’t necessary, and pulling that much power through my body caused damage that I had to heal, using up energy.
I was proud that I didn’t stagger into my quarters, that I managed to walk across the room and take a seat on a chair that was almost a throne to speak with the seven people assembled there. Caspian was kneeling beside the throne itself, waiting for me, four people had taken up two couches - they were the pomme de sangs as the other two were all too obviously soldiers. The two women were both six feet tall, one blonde and heavily muscled and the other looked like one of the black long distance runners. She was the commander, her second stood one step behind, watching her back.
“Can you two tell me your names please?” I addressed my two guards first.
“Lieutenant Branere. And this is Ensign Trelain.”
“What sort of organisational structure does my guard have?” I was honestly curious, the ranks brought up an interesting question.
“Three squads of six, four privates, a corporal and a sergeant commanding. Then myself and my second. You have the right to recruit more to your service once you have the power to supply our needs.” I didn’t want a private army, but if they were good enough and would agree to come back home with me and be infected as leopards…I cut off that line of speculation to explain what I wanted of them.
“My vampires have freedom of movement as they wish it. I want them to have a guard of some sort every time they leave my quarters. Jean-Claude and Asher, my two bed-slaves are the more important to me, but I value them all. Make whatever arrangements you see fit.”
“Very well. Is there anything else you require?” She seemed pleased, perhaps that I’d let her make whatever arrangements she felt appropriate to protect them.
“No, you can go now.”
“Yes Demonkin.” They actually marched out and I turned my attention to the others.
“What I want from you is equally simple. I like a cup - or sometimes a pot - of coffee when I wake up. So make sure you can bring me one by the time I’m out of bed. And I’d prefer it if my vampires had the option to feed as soon as they wake up. Jean-Claude tends to wake about four to five hours before dusk, so I’d like four of you waiting here from then. I don’t care how you find out if I’m awake or not, as long as you can do it.”
“Your energy changes when you are awake, there is always an indication of your status in our quarters, we will know Demonkin.” I accepted their assurances and dismissed them as well. Finally I could get to bed. I barely managed to reach the bed before collapsing, and I slept deeply.
~~~~~*****~~~~~
It was about 10 when I woke up, the time here was similar to that on Earth, but the hour was a little longer, and there were 28 hours in a day. I’d adapted quickly, and so had my vampires for that matter, but it did mean it would be at least 5 hours until Jean-Claude woke up. Morion had said that once I’d learned to control my powers I wouldn’t need sleep, but for now I still did and I was glad of it. I did wonder why everyone we met seemed to speak English, then it occurred to me that Morion must have used his magic to teach them the language.
I’d slept in my clothes so I just left them on as I walked out into the living room to collect my coffee. The man waiting with it seemed terrified of me, but I decided to test my theory - after I’d taken a long drink of my coffee.
“How did you learn English?”
“The Lord Demonkin Morion gave it to us with his magic, Demonkin, that we might serve you.” He knelt as he spoke, awaiting my command. So I’d guessed right.
“You can go if you want. But show me where there’s a pen and paper first.”
“Yes Demonkin.” He showed me how there were pens and paper stored in a desk towards the back of the room then walked out. I scribbled a note for each of my vampires, telling them if they wanted to leave my quarters to explore they could, so long as they had returned by the time I finished my lessons.
I showered quickly, then I went for a run, stopping after an hour when I fed the ardeur on a nearby orgy. I spent another hour running followed by a second feeding - then I just had to find my way back. I hadn’t paid that much attention to where I was going while I ran. I’d been far more interested in the fact that I could outrun a lycanthrope effortlessly now. In the end I reached out to find my vampires and moved towards them as directly as I could.
Once I got back I indulged myself with a long bath, followed by more solo practise in Kenpo, until one of my servants interrupted me.
“Forgive me Demonkin, but a man who says he is one of your teachers is here to speak with you.”
My teacher was a short man, about my height, with black eyes and red hair.
“I take it you’re here to teach me martial arts?”
“Yes Demonkin. I thought it would be as well to make arrangements now.”
It was about noon, I didn’t expect to be awake this early every day, not with my vampires.
“I’d like an hour teaching every day, but I won’t always be up so early. How do you feel about three in the afternoon?”
“That sounds entirely reasonable. The group classes I teach are all in the morning or evening, and one on one lessons are always more effective. Do you wish me to give you a lesson now as I am here?”
“Very well.” I didn’t try to hold back and used my new strength and speed at full level, because if I didn’t I’d be wasting my time, but he still managed to put me through quite a workout and when he offered me a massage afterwards I gratefully accepted - then I fell back to sleep for an hour.
~~~~~*****~~~~~
Jean-Claude woke me as he walked through my bedroom on his way to feed. He froze as soon as he saw me stir and knelt by the time I sat up in bed. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“You only need to kneel to me in public, not when we are alone.”
“But if I do not maintain the habit I might fail to kneel in public when I must. I do not wish for you to be in the position of having to punish me.”
“All of us give our pets different privileges, that’s why you are allowed to use a nickname for me in public. They won’t expect me to punish you unless you really get out of line. And I don’t like it that you kneel to me so often.”
“As you prefer ma petite. When do you wish me to kneel then?”
“Kneel at my feet if we’re settling down together in company, other than my staff and guards. Caspian doesn’t count as company though. The way Damian greeted me at the banquet we held for Musette is acceptable if you enter a room when I am speaking with one of the Demonkin, but otherwise go about your business unless I command you otherwise. You can share these rules with Asher, they apply to him as well. Damian and Caspian will be following different rules.”
“Yes Anita.”
“Then get up and come over here.” I patted the edge of the bed and refused to speak further until he sat as indicated. “I’ve spoken to my guard, so long as at least one of them accompanies you whenever you leave my quarters you all have freedom of movement. This applies to all of my vampires, but accept whatever guard they deem necessary.”
“As you desire ma petite. Thank you for granting us more freedom.” He crawled over the bed towards me and lowered his head to nuzzle at my groin, hinting at sex and the delights of his body. I wanted him, and I know that he could have made it wonderful for me, even using only his tongue and fingers, but he could not gain true release from this, although he might obtain some pleasure. He offered himself only because he had been trained to do so when his master granted some gift or boon to him.
“No, not now. Later perhaps, if you need to feed the ardeur. Go and take blood now, then you can return and show me what skills you have at massage.”
“Yes ma petite, Belle Morte said I was skilled, I learned it to satisfy one of my previous masters.” He left and I spread myself face down across the bed, pooling my hair on the pillow beside me, waiting for him to return. I could feel his hunger through our link and I felt it as his teeth sunk into her neck and blood flooded into his mouth.
Apparently the massage oils are always kept warm, his hands were strong but sensitive to what I needed, they relaxed the muscles I’d tensed during my sleep. When he was finished I felt content and almost serene. I also wanted to lie with him, but without any of the dominance games that sprung to mind since I’d encountered the Sweet Dark. He bent to lay a light kiss on the nape of my neck and whispered a quiet inquiry. I rolled over and pulled him down to me, granting permission wordlessly - he was asking because he wanted to be with me, not because he felt he had to and that made all the difference. It was slow and leisurely, I knew that he was feeding his ardeur on me and I had no objection but I did not feed on him, I did not need to. And afterwards we discussed what methods he had learned from Belle Morte to control it.
~~~~~*****~~~~~
This time I wasn’t totally exhausted when I returned to my quarters, just frustrated at how hard I was finding it. Morion told me I was doing well, particularly as I was so powerful, but still I felt like screaming at how much effort it took for me to hold my power back. I’d given up on pretending to be human, and decided to just wear my Demonkin form, to remind myself just how alien I was. If I forgot and began reacting like a human someone could get hurt, possibly fatally so.
My vampires were waiting for me together in the living room, Jean-Claude and Asher were sitting on the floor, playing chess in one corner, while Damian was questioning Caspian on how to survive here. Asher was the only one who did not immediately drop what he was doing to watch me as I entered, I waited until he also turned his face towards me. Then I spoke.
“Asher, Jean-Claude, you can go back to your game. Join us in my bedroom when you’ve finished. Damian come with me.”
“Yes Anita.”
“Oui ma petite.”
“Yes ma cherie.”
Damian followed me in and stood waiting for instructions just inside the door.
“Go and run me a bath Damian. Then I’d like to find out if you’re any good at massage, once I’ve bathed.” He moved to obey and while he did I took my time undressing and ran a brush through my hair. When I moved to the bathroom I found him standing beside the full bath, water steaming hot and filled with bubbles. He was still fully dressed though. Not that I minded having an excuse to undress him myself. I pulled him into the tub with me and ducked under the water to soak my hair.
“That feels good. Wash my hair for me.” I leaned back into Damian’s body as he rubbed shampoo into my hair and lathered it up. Then he pushed lightly on my shoulders and I slid down his body to lie with my head fully beneath the water.
“Do you want me to put the conditioner on now?” He waited until my head was above the surface before asking the question.
“No, wait for a while. I want to wash you now.” I turned around and matched actions to words, running my hands over his body, playing gently with his nipples. When I ventured below the waist I found that he had hardened and I took a firm grip on him, twining my other hand in his hair.
“Can I feed on you?”
“Oh yes.” He barely had time to breathe the words before I kissed him and slid onto him. I was in control, and I refused to give it up, not that he would expect me to. I was in the mood for something fast and hard, so I set the pace appropriately, scratching down his back as I came. We separated and he reached for the conditioner, to finish my hair. I returned the favour before we got out and dried ourselves off. We each had a robe in the bathroom, by my orders all three of the vampires I brought with me left a robe here, so we wore those as we walked through to my bedroom. Damian wore a pale green silk robe while mine was black velvet.
Jean-Claude and Asher were waiting for us sitting together on a couch in my bedroom, I must have let my surprise show on my face because Asher laughed and explained.
“Caspian glared at us so much that we decided to abandon our game and wait for you in here.”
“I don’t blame you. All I wanted was to check if you’d met any of the local vampires and what you thought of them. But there is something else, I want one of you waiting for me every time I get back from my lessons. I want a bath ready for me. You don’t all need to be here, just one of you - and expect sex when you are here.” I would need to feed after all, and I needed the energy replenishment more after my lessons than before.
“Yes, we met them.” Asher spoke for himself and Jean-Claude, pulling his lover closer to his body. “It was unnerving, they seem to be treated as, and even think of themselves as helpless and charming playthings. Not one of them was willing to talk about anything but the best way to deal with hair, or dress, or how to please their lovers. We left that sort of life a long time ago. I don’t want to be owned again.” There was almost despair in his voice, as if he finally realised that when I claimed him properly it wouldn’t just be a pretence to keep him safe, it would be a permanent commitment.
“I promise that when the time comes I will give you the choice. But that’s all I can promise.” I glanced at the other vampires, so far silent. “What about you two, anything to add?”
Jean-Claude shook his head, then spoke. “Non, I was with Asher, but I think most of the vampires we met were classed as bed-slaves or consorts. We just asked our guards to take us somewhere we could speak with other vampires.”
“I didn’t bother going Anita. I thought it would be more practical to pick Caspian’s brain about how we’re supposed to behave here. Your rules are exceptionally generous, and a way of flaunting your power to the people here.”
“I think I see that. But I want to add one more rule, knock and wait for permission before coming in here - I don’t like having an audience. Damian, I’d like a lesson in sword fighting now, you two can do whatever you want.”
They went through to their quarters, I suppose Caspian isn’t good company, and I sparred with Damian until I got tired.
“You can stay here if you want.” I left the invitation open as I slid into bed, but I didn’t fall asleep until I felt him lying in my arms.
~~~~~*****~~~~~
It took three months for me to learn how to limit my power use to what I needed and by that time we’d almost established a routine. I woke about 10 and went running until 12, stopping to take the edge off my ardeur at 11, and then I spent the two hours until noon doing solo katas, both with the sword and for martial arts. That was followed by a bath and meditation, something I wasn’t too fond of, but that seemed to help me focus my powers and allowed me to practise what I’d learned of witchcraft from Marianne. I was usually in a tranquil mood, strangely enough for me, by the time I had my lesson in martial arts. I’d made it clear that I wanted to be able to fight and win, not to stick to any one style, so he wasn’t rigid in that respect.
Jean-Claude and sometimes Asher were awake by the time I’d finished the lesson and I always got one of them to give me a massage afterwards. It was usually Jean-Claude, even when Asher was awake, he seemed to regard it as a privilege and right of being my intended primary consort and could get quite possessive about it. I only realised that after two weeks, before that I’d had Asher give me my massage on the five occasions he was awake early enough, then I realised that Jean-Claude seemed to avoid Asher until I got back from my lessons with Morion on those nights, and he was always the one waiting for me then. He also tended to be a bit more insistent on sex as well, which I didn’t mind at all. Once I’d recognised Jean-Claude’s jealousy I made sure to spend more time just with him, more than the two hours I spent learning control of my ardeur with him from about 5 in the afternoon, and I didn’t specify who I wanted when the two of them were awake in time to give me my massage.
By the time I’d finished my lessons with Jean-Claude all four of my vampires were awake and fed, we’d usually spend an hour or two exploring the compound together, then come back. What happened then varied, sometimes I got Jean-Claude to read plays and old poems with me, then we’d discuss them, other times I’d spar with Damian, or one of my other vampires, and on occasion I’d insist they have a lesson in using guns.
When I returned from a lesson with Morion a bath was the first order of business, followed immediately by sex with whoever was waiting for me. I didn’t always let them spend the day with me, but sometimes I did, and they’d started almost to regard it as a special treat, even Asher and he was the only one who fought against what was happening.
Asher and Jean-Claude were waiting for me together when I came back after I’d mastered the art of limiting the power I drew. I virtually ran to Jean-Claude, wrapping my arms around him and kissing him hard.
“I’ve mastered the first lesson, I don’t draw too much power anymore, just what I need. And I’ve got a week off lessons with Morion!”
“That is wonderful ma petite. What were you intending to do with your time off?” I recognised a slight plaintive tone to Jean-Claude’s voice as he spoke.
“Spend it with you three. Was there anything in particular you wanted to do?”
“I know you don’t need to eat now, but you still can, and I miss watching you eat.” For once Jean-Claude was taking the lead in conversation with me, rather than letting Asher speak for the both of them, he’d been reacting more and more as my primary consort would since he got here, although he only deferred to Asher at the moment, not to Damian. And he tended to ignore Caspian as much as he could apart from picking his brains about the Sweet Dark. I fully intended to encourage this, Caspian didn’t appeal to me sexually, only his knowledge about Mommy Dearest and his unobtrusiveness did, but I did like it when Jean-Claude spoke up for himself.
“Well then, before you need to sleep go to my staff and arrange for them to bring a meal of whatever you choose to my quarters at 7 tomorrow night. If you want you can make similar arrangements for all of my week off. But for now I want both of you in that bath with me.” I finished by teasing them and chasing them both into the bathroom.
~~~~~*****~~~~~
“Any requests?” The question was almost a joke, but not quite. Jean-Claude had returned to his now normal deference because Asher was the one who answered.
“I want Jean-Claude to take me.” Somehow I knew that he hadn’t for a while. But there was something else, I knew it.
“What else do you want Asher?”
“I want him to be in charge.” Oh, that would fit with what I’d seen, but he hadn’t changed too much with me sexually, so I’d assumed he hadn’t changed with Asher either. A mistake apparently. Then, he’d always let me set the pace and indulged my hang ups and preferences so I wouldn’t have seen any difference.
“If you both please me well enough while we bathe I’d like to just watch you together, and yes I would like to see Jean-Claude taking charge.” Jean-Claude didn’t say anything, just looked at me wide-eyed, then slid to his knees to remove my boots while Asher helped me off with my shirt. Once we were all in the bath together they bent all their efforts towards pleasing me, Asher sitting behind me and playing with my breasts while Jean-Claude licked low on my stomach and then worked down into my groin.
One benefit of vampires not having to breathe is that they can give oral sex even under water, and they have incredible stamina. I was careful not to do too much damage when I came, clawing at the air rather than at either of my two lovers, then I raised up and slid Asher into my body. He knew enough to let me set the pace and Jean-Claude continued using that clever tongue of his on the both of us. After I pulled him to me and began to wash his beautiful hair while he leaned passive against me.
“Ma petite, might I cut my hair shorter? I know you love it, but it would be awkward if it grows much longer.” By now it fell to his hips, I couldn’t blame him for wanting it a little shorter, I’d seen how much trouble Nathaniel had with hair past his knees.
“How much shorter?” I wouldn’t let him cut it anywhere near as short as Richard had, I just hoped he was healthy enough not to want to.
“To my shoulders?” He was asking, and even though I preferred it longer I agreed.
“Providing you let it grow back out to waist length again.”
“If that would please you.”
“Very much so. Asher do you want to cut your hair as well?”
“No, I would not lose one of the few beauties remaining to me.” I wanted to argue, but didn’t know how to, it was his hair that had drawn me to him first, that and his eyes.
“Then wash my hair for me.” We finished bathing almost in silence before moving to the bedroom.
“What is your wish Anita?” Jean-Claude looked to me as Asher asked the question. “Did we please you sufficiently to grant my request?”
“Most certainly, but I might choose to join in later.” That brought a smile from Asher and he turned to Jean-Claude.
“Well, mon corbeau, what do you desire?”
Jean-Claude seemed startled, but he quickly recovered and tossed a bottle of massage oil to Asher. “Prepare yourself then.” he turned to me and pulled me into a kiss, deliberately ignoring Asher to arouse my senses - once he’d obtained permission mentally that is. At least he was still capable of taking the dominant role, even if it was only at my command. Jean-Claude must have known how long it would take Asher to prepare himself, because he broke our kiss just as Asher was pulling his fingers from inside himself and lying back with his legs wide open. Jean-Claude reached to take the bottle of oil from Asher, slicked himself with it then issued a single order.
“On your hands and knees.” Jean-Claude seemed to be almost disassociating himself from his actions and he took Asher swiftly, almost brutally. He set up a slow rhythm that seemed to torment and arouse Asher even more, and when Asher reached between his legs Jean-Claude grabbed him by the wrist. “From me inside you, mon chardonneret, nothing else.” I finally decided to get in on the action myself and, kneeling in front of them, pulled Asher’s head down to my aching groin.
“Use your tongue on me.” I think I must have conveyed my pleasure along our links because when I came they climaxed with me and collapsed, Asher’s head still in my lap, Jean-Claude still inside him. Jean-Claude rolled to the right and off Asher, pulling out as he did and Asher rolled onto his back in the opposite direction.
“Was that what you wanted?” I couldn’t resist the temptation to question him.
“Oh yes ma cherie. I am grateful.” His eyes shut and a smile played on his lips.
“Go get cleaned up then we can play some more, that is if you’re both up for it.”
“As you wish.” They obeyed and we played until dawn, I was the main focus of their efforts, although I had enjoyed watching them together. I let them stay rather than sending them back to their rooms as dawn approached, for once I was willing to let them both share my bed during their daytime slumber.
~~~~~*****~~~~~
I had a lie in the next day, staying in bed with my vampires until 12 and I decided to skip my daily run during my holiday. I’d gotten down to one feeding a day for the ardeur and it was a relief to be honest, now I could supply my needs from my vampires, as Jean-Claude could, if he needed to, supply his from me and from Asher. Later, as I came fully into my power I wouldn’t need to feed the ardeur at all, just as I wouldn’t need to sleep, and I’d be able to supply energy and power to my vampires so they didn’t need to feed unless they wanted to, but that wasn’t a skill I could simply learn.
The servant waiting for me with my coffee was a young man I hadn’t seen before, he was about 5’ 6” with brown hair and blue eyes, he knelt as soon as I entered the room, raising the tray with the coffee on above his head like a living table. I took the tray from him and put it on the table.
“Get up.” He obeyed standing with his head lowered submissively. “What was that about?”
“I feared you might be angered by the question I need to ask.”
“What do you need to know then?”
“Your bed-slave, Jean-Claude, he said we were to prepare a meal for you, and told us what to prepare. It isn’t conventional, so we need confirmation from you.”
“Yes, whatever he told you to prepare is fine. I’ll be eating one meal a day for the next week and he’ll be selecting the food. It is a special treat for him.” An unusual thing to use as a treat, but my will would be accepted. “Don’t ask about this again.”
“As you desire Demonkin.”
“One more thing, are any of my staff hairdressers?”
“Yes Demonkin, it is one of the skills that was selected when we were chosen.”
“I want whoever knows how to cut hair to come in after I’ve eaten, I want my raven’s hair cut shorter, and perhaps mine as well. I haven’t decided about my attendants either, and we’ll all have our hair at least trimmed, so make sure whoever it is comes prepared for five people. You may leave now.” I’d learned that the more nervous ones wouldn’t go without permission, so I gave it.
I spent the time until my teacher arrived practising drawing power as I needed it and dissipating it in my workroom. I turned to Jean-Claude once we’d finished.
“The hairdresser will come in once I’ve eaten, so decide how you want your hair cut. And I’ll be eating a meal for you once a day, at seven for this week. Now I want to feel those talented hands of yours on my body, and Asher, go run a bath for afterwards.”
Jean-Claude had tended to make the massage sexual at first, but he’d learned not to when I told him that I didn’t want him to, all it had taken was a single command. I made it clear when we bathed that I didn’t want anything sexual just then, and his instant response was fear.
“My raven, I just don’t want to start anything yet, not when I need to find out whether Damian or Caspian want their hair cut. And Asher, you are having your hair cut after all, just a trim to make sure it doesn’t get untidy.”
He hesitated, wanting to challenge me for making arrangements without consulting him, but knowing that what I said was right, no one had been willing to cut his hair for him without my permission and it was a little uneven at the bottom. “Oui ma cherie, merci.”
I finally decided that now was the time to experiment with how I looked and that I would have my hair cut really short. Damian wanted to keep the length of his hair, he’d grown up in a culture where warriors all had long hair, only slaves had short hair and he wanted some connection to the warrior he had been. Caspian kept his hair in the same cornrow plaits that Jamil used and he was reluctant to undo them, but accepted my authority without question, asking to keep as much length as possible when I gave him the choice.
I’d know I was asking for trouble when I told Jean-Claude to choose my meal, but I felt he needed the treat, the reassurance that he was important to me, and I hoped giving him control, even in such a small matter would help counteract his submissiveness. He’d chosen a full meal, first of all there was the appetiser, caviar on little crackers, then wild mushroom soup. The main course was rare steak, a four ounce cut, with lightly cooked vegetables, and for desert he chose blackberry pie with real whipped cream. By the end of the meal I was absolutely stuffed and Jean-Claude was swooning at my feet - he’d insisted on sitting there while I ate, felt it was appropriate. I didn’t like it, but…he was willing to insist, and that meant a lot, that he was willing to stand up for what he wanted, even if it was something so…submissive, and in a quiet way.
“Demonkin, how did you wish your hair and that of your vampires to be cut?” The hairdresser turned out to be a tall, muscular man who looked more like one of my guards than one of my staff, he gave off the same aura that Merle did, a killer, even though he looked about twenty with blond hair and green eyes.
“Asher, Damian and Caspian just need enough off to make it look tidy, you can do them first, I want Jean-Claude’s hair cut to his shoulders, but I don’t care how you style it. I also want mine cut as short as you think would look good, and in whatever style you think would suit me. I’m going last.”
“Yes Demonkin. If whichever vampire is first would go and wet his hair while I prepare?”
Asher immediately stood from his seat on one of the couches and walked off to his and Jean-Claude’s bathroom. It took two hours but we were all done, the others didn’t look too different but Jean-Claude looked the way he had when I first met him, and I had a halo of curls around my face.
Jean-Claude wouldn’t look directly at me afterwards until I finally commanded him to.
“What’s wrong my raven? Why are you so disturbed?”
“Do I still please you?”
“Of course you do, you always have, always will. And what do you think of my new hairstyle?”
“I don’t have the right to comment on your appearance.” I could feel that he didn’t like it, but he would never say anything that he thought would displease me.
“It’s alright, I don’t really like it either. This is probably much more practical, but I love the feel of long hair, mine or anyone else’s, on my skin. I just wanted to experiment for a little, now come here and please me.”
“Yes Anita. You haven’t pinned me since the first time, do you wish to?” He sounded uncertain, but it had taken him this long to muster the trust and courage needed to make the offer – I refused to ask it of him. I accepted, but I was careful about how I dominated him and made damn sure he enjoyed it too. Towards dawn I sent him to tell the staff what I’d be eating tomorrow, making sure he returned to sleep trapped beneath my body, satisfying a primitive urge to know where my consort was, protect him, even as we slept. We’d received twenty or so invitations to parties or other entertainments during my holiday, but I wasn’t sure how many I’d attend - except I knew I wouldn’t go unless I could take my vampires with me.
~~~~~*****~~~~~
The human had been stripped to the waist and tied to a whipping triangle in a small, white tiled room. His arms were stretched above his head and spread wide, the muscles in his back taut. I stalked over to stand in front of him, bringing Jean-Claude with me, leaving the rest of my vampires over by the door.
“What is your name?”
“Kevar.”
“Do you know why this is happening?”
“Because I disciplined your arrogant whore. What did he tell you? What lies did he come up with?”
“He told me nothing. You presumed to lay hands on what is mine. Did you really think I would permit that?” I turned my back on him. “Come, my raven.” I wasn’t entirely sure where that pet name came from, but Jean-Claude was so happy that I’d finally chosen a pet name for him. I never thought such a small thing could mean so much to him or I’d have found a nickname for him sooner. We stalked back to where we could watch, and not get any of his blood on us. It was a vampire wielding the whip, nearly three thousand years old and a master, he’d probably had a lot of experience I guess. I nodded to him.
“Go ahead. But I want to see blood as soon as possible, leave him with scars to remind him that it is best not to touch what belongs to me, to any of my kind.”
“Yes Demonkin.” He bowed to me and began to turn to his work, almost reluctantly as if…
“Did you want to say something to me?”
“Forgive my presumption Demonkin, but it is most impressive and very rare that you are so willing to protect what is yours. Most of the Demonkin would feel that so long as their bed-slaves can serve them, and no permanent damage is done it does not matter if humans beat them. That is why he thought he would be permitted to abuse your raven. He was always permitted to abuse any vampires he thought too cocky, meaning not absolutely broken, before.” I got the idea this one had been on the end of the human’s whip a time or two himself.
“No one touches what belongs to me but me. I think I got more of the possessive instincts than most of my kind.” I made a joke of it, shocked that the rest of my kind did not feel that they were obliged to protect what was theirs. “Now, I want to hear him screaming.”
He obeyed with gusto, breaking the skin on the first lash, a line of blood from left shoulder to right hip, the second following just a second after, falling barely half an inch from the first cut. He switched arms for the third lash, crossing from the right shoulder to the left hip, and that was the first time the mortal screamed. When he’d meted out five lashes he stopped and took a step back.
“I’m afraid I’ve been ordered not to cripple him Demonkin, how am I doing so far?”
I walked forward to trail my fingers in Kevar’s wounds, licking the blood from my fingers, and determinedly not thinking of how it must have felt for Jean-Claude when he was the one under the lash. “Very well. Finish the beating and I will be satisfied.”
“As you wish Demonkin.” He returned to his work, varying the frequency and placement so Kevar never knew when or where he would be hit. I smiled to see it and watched as the full twenty lashes were administered despite that Kevar was unconscious for the last five. After I thanked him, and took my vampires back to my quarters.
“Caspian, that’s your quarters.” I waved vaguely at the door to the left as I walked in. “Get yourself settled, I won’t require you for the rest of the night. But never come into my bedroom without a specific invitation. Jean-Claude, Asher, feel free to enjoy yourselves together. Damian you’ll be attending me tonight.” Caspian went into his quarters while the other vampires followed me into my bedroom, Jean-Claude and Asher hesitated there after the door was closed. I didn’t think vampires would be able to hear through the walls, but I checked just in case. “Will he be able to hear anything in here?”
“No, ma cherie. Did you mean it when you said we could lie together tonight?”
“If you both want to Asher, yes. Jean-Claude, are you alright?” He finally looked up at me, smiling in adoration.
“Yes, ma petite. You claimed me, and you protected me.” That seemed to be all that mattered to him. It wasn’t an attitude I could understand, but I certainly enjoyed the benefits of it in him.
“And it does not upset you that I take Damian to my bed tonight?”
“So long as you still favour me. He is your servant, even by vampire law I do not have any right to complain if you take him to your bed. Belle Morte would never have forbidden Asher to lie with Julianna.” His voice was soft, but he still met my eyes.
“Might we go ma cherie?” Asher seemed to be impatient, not that I could blame him.
“Enjoy yourselves.” I turned to Damian as they left and pulled him to the bed. “Undress me.”
I was wearing blue jeans and a red T-shirt, but before he could get them off Damian knelt to unlace my black trainers. He bowed to the floor and kissed my feet before he continued, I wondered if that was something he’d been trained to do, or if he actually wanted to do it. I realised that there was one thing I hadn’t made clear to him.
“Damian, if there’s something you don’t want to do you don’t have to do it. Just tell me. And you can do anything you want as long as you please me.”
“Yes, Anita. I didn’t think you’d force me into anything.” He smiled up from where he knelt at my feet. He was behaving more assertively than Jean-Claude was at the moment, and even Asher seemed to be submitting to me more than my vampire servant was. Not much more, but still…of course we’d been in public most of the time since I’d explained the situation and then Asher would have wanted to get Jean-Claude alone. I brushed Jean-Claude’s mind with my own to find him just lying on the bed with Asher, both still fully clothed, doing nothing more than kissing. Not that I was much further along, and I pulled Damian to his feet, encouraging him to hurry, which he did, most obligingly.
Once I was naked he knelt between my legs still fully clothed and began kissing his way down my body, until he reached my sex. This time as he brought me I let the illusion I had woven around me fall, and shredded the sheets with my claws. I pulled him to lie beside me and used my claws to cut the clothes from his body, careful not to cut him, I could taste the desire this act aroused and once I could reach his organ I impaled myself on him, riding him for a while until he suddenly rolled us over so he was on top and could thrust into me, hard. I think I lost track of the time then, because when I next noticed things I had shredded his back right down to the bone - and he was smiling!
“Did I please you master?” It felt right that he call me master, the feel of his blood covering me was wondrous, but somewhere deep inside something was screaming that this was wrong.
“Yes, but I hurt you. I am sorry.”
“Do not be, it isn’t serious, I’m sure you can heal me and I’ve had far worse. I enjoyed it while you made the marks.” Yes, I understood about that, and I sent my power into him to heal his wounds.
“You can stay with me if you want.” I crawled over to a fresh area of the bed before lying down to go to sleep and he joined me, spooning his body around mine. I’d managed to grow used to waking up with a corpse on occasion, as long as I wasn’t trapped by the corpse in question it didn’t bother me.
I must have reached out for Jean-Claude’s mind as I fell to sleep, for in my dream I was an observer in his body, feeling as he did, and acting only as he chose. Asher was taking him, very much in the dominant position, and they had their teeth buried in each other’s throats. Jean-Claude released Asher first after he reached orgasm and lay limp as his lover continued to thrust into him and drink from him.
“Jean-Claude?” Asher shook his lover gently to get his attention after he’d satisfied himself.
“Yes, Asher?” My consort smiled up at his lover, just waiting for his desires to make themselves known.
“Are you alright?” I looked through Jean-Claude’s memories, and even my own from when I was with both of them to realise this was not his usual behaviour when he was taken. Normally he encouraged Asher, rather than just passively submitting to his attentions.
“Yes Asher, but things have changed now. Anita is more powerful than I am, and you know the Council’s training took a stronger hold on me than it did on you.” He’d been slightly less powerful than Asher when they travelled together with Julianna, so the training the Council had given them had made him less assertive with Asher in private - in public they pretended he was the master among them, a game.
“I don’t understand why though mon corbeau,” Asher used the same nickname for Jean-Claude that I did? No wonder he was so happy about it. “you are a sourdre de sang, and I am not. You should be more assertive than I am, even with Anita, one of the Demonkin.”
“You know almost nothing of the Demonkin, and you are linked to her much more loosely than I am. Belle Morte used to tell me stories of the Demonkin, to be more precise their social structure as they interact with vampires. They were old when she heard them, and she didn’t know why she felt compelled to pass them on to me, but I think they were accurate. A Demonkin has one primary consort, who belongs to her totally, and this consort is always a sourdre de sang or equivalent power. The other consorts can be vampires, but are not always and have a little more autonomy. And then there are the servants. Personal attendants, such as Damian share their master’s bed from time to time, but not as often as consorts and bed-slaves, they have the most autonomy of any linked to the Demonkin. The more closely anyone is linked to one of the Demonkin the more submissive they are to those also linked, but less closely so, to the Demonkin. With one exception, the lesser attendants. They have nothing to do with consorts, consorts ignore them, and despite being the least closely linked of all are submissive to personal attendants. They never share their master’s bed either. We aren’t consorts yet, but as a sourdre de sang I think I inherited instincts for being with one of the Demonkin that you don‘t have.”
“You do know this is just a pretence so we won’t be molested while Anita is learning what she has to know, don’t you?” Asher sounded as if he truly believed that, I didn’t, even though I wanted to.
“No, it isn’t. Or it won’t end that way. Anita might try to treat us as equals, we might want, or you might want, to try and remain independent, but by the time we return to St. Louis you will have accepted your place as one of her consorts or personal attendants.” Jean-Claude spoke with quiet certainty. He already had accepted that he’d be my primary consort, he just hoped another sourdre de sang didn’t catch my attention, or he might lose that place. Asher was absolutely horrified at the idea, but Jean-Claude pulled him into a kiss and distracted him into sex before he could come to me and argue about it. “I’m not entirely sure our master realises this herself yet. Please, let her learn about this at her own pace, and come to terms with it the same way. She will not be too cruel a master, that I know.”
I didn’t really want to learn any more, but I stayed in Jean-Claude’s mind as he slid beneath Asher to arouse him with his mouth, then turned and offered himself to the golden haired vampire. I didn’t manage to return to normal sleep until he came, from Asher’s touch.
I woke up covered by dried blood, Damian’s blood. We were lying on our sides and I was spooning him, pressed up against his cold back. It must have looked strange, but it felt natural, would have even before this happened, he’d been submissive to me for a while. I uncurled from around him and sat up, reaching out to feed the ardeur automatically. Suddenly I caught sight of the sheets I’d shredded last night and it just hit me all at once what I was, what I’d become.
Oh God. I really was a monster. Even now I couldn’t bring myself to regret anything I’d done, but I knew I was truly damned. I collapsed in tears, crying for myself, for becoming one of the monsters in a way I’d never imagined possible, but mostly for Jean-Claude, too scared of me to say anything against me, for Asher, dragged into this against his will and trying desperately to retain his freedom, and for Damian, who worshipped me and could never refuse me anything. And I couldn’t even die or free them from me. They wouldn’t be able to go back until I did, if I didn’t keep them they would end up belonging to someone else, someone who would treat them worse than I would.
I finally came out of it to feel Jean-Claude’s arms around me, trying to comfort me even though he didn’t know why I was upset. When my tears stopped I sat up, putting a slight distance between us.
“What is wrong ma petite? Have you been hurt?” His voice was gentle, he had never known me to cry except when something terrible, emotionally, had happened for me.
“After what I’ve done to you, how can you care if I’m hurt?”
“I don’t understand master. You protected me, and punished the one who hurt me. You care for me and I adore you. Why shouldn’t I care if you’re hurt?” He was genuinely mystified. I’d always thought he’d recovered from the abuse he’d suffered, at least in part, that he’d become independent and self-reliant. After all, he always had an agenda, he always manipulated people into doing what he wanted and he’d fought so hard for independence, for his own territory where he would be safe. And now he was willing to give that all up, to belong to me, body and mind and soul, just because of what I was. He seemed perfectly content with the idea of being dependent on me for everything and submissive to me in every way. There and them I silently vowed to treat him as much as I could the way I would one of my leopards, to encourage him to express his own opinions and never to force him to do anything against his will.
“I’ve enslaved you, you fought so hard against being enslaved, worked for so long to be free, and now it doesn’t bother you?”
“You are Demonkin and I am a sourdre de sang, it is in my nature to submit to you without question.” He was so accepting of the fact that he would be owned, and probably abused. How could he react that way? I never could have done the same. I remembered how Richard had hurt his wolves when he’d been fighting against what he was and decided to do my best to accept and deal with what I had become, never to hurt my vampires because I hated myself. Jean-Claude bit his lip, he wanted to say something, but wasn’t sure how it would be received.
“Tell me what’s bothering you my raven.”
“Might I please you?” I blinked, then I realised that he wanted some proof that he was mine, and pleasing me was the most natural way for me to assert my ownership to him.
“You can drink from my groin, then you can satisfy me.” He obeyed, and we fed our ardeur together, waiting for the others to awaken.
Damian was the last of my vampires to wake, and almost as soon as he did humans filed in for them to feed on. Afterwards I needed to talk to them.
“Caspian, would it be safe if my vampires walked around the compound by themselves, or do they need an escort of some sort?” Asher bristled at the idea of needing an escort, but Jean-Claude didn’t seem to have any objections where he lay curled against me.
“It depends master. You haven’t claimed us properly yet, so we have less freedom than we would otherwise. There are some areas we can wander around in freely without fear of molestation, and you have been assigned a staff, including guards who could take us there if you gave permission. But other than that, until you know enough to claim us we need to have a guard wherever we go.” I’d been assigned a staff?
“How many are there in this staff, and what do they do? Where are they for that matter?”
“There are about one hundred in total. Twenty guards, they won’t let your vampires feed on them and will escort us wherever you grant permission for us to go. The rest mainly serve as meals for us, you get more whenever you acquire a new vampire, but they also clean your quarters and guide you around the compound if you wish it. They all live in rooms off the corridor.” I hadn’t really thought about who would be providing food for my vampires, they normally dealt with that themselves, but judging from the subtle relief of tension in their bodies my vampires had been worried about that. I needed to speak to at least a representative for my staff, I couldn’t keep making Jean-Claude and Asher wait until Damian woke to feed. And I really missed my coffee.
“I’d rather the four of you stayed here tonight, but I want to speak to the leaders of my staff, including the leader of my guard when I get back from my lessons. Caspian, I assume you’ll be safe to arrange that?”
“Yes master.” I hadn’t really understood what I was to him until I heard the casual acceptance in his voice as I issued my commands. I caught a moment of irritation from Damian and Jean-Claude, at the idea of being confined to my quarters, but they quickly suppressed it.
“Ma cherie, do I still have permission to take comfort in our bodies with Jean-Claude?”
“Yes, of course. As long as you are prepared to please me when I wish it.” My last words were more for Caspian than anything else, and from Asher’s smile he realised that. I wasn’t planning on sleeping with anyone else tonight, although I did want Jean-Claude to give me another lesson in control of the ardeur. Then Damian spoke up.
“I asked for them to bring my sword and your weapons here. I put your weapons in a trunk in your bedroom but might I practise with my sword in there?”
“Feel free. And later if you want I can teach you how to use a gun.”
“I am not sure that I would enjoy that, but if it would please you.”
“Or you can teach me how to use a sword. Come, I’d like to start now.” I dismissed the others and dragged Damian into my bedroom.
I couldn’t believe how much the lessons had taken out of me. I mean I routinely raise half a dozen zombies a night, so how can learning to control my powers be that hard? It was. I’d always called up as much of my own power as I could, which was why I’d gotten away with raising zombies using nothing but my own blood, now I had to learn to hold back and only call up as much as I needed. The best I managed on that first night was to call it all up then choke back what wasn’t necessary, and pulling that much power through my body caused damage that I had to heal, using up energy.
I was proud that I didn’t stagger into my quarters, that I managed to walk across the room and take a seat on a chair that was almost a throne to speak with the seven people assembled there. Caspian was kneeling beside the throne itself, waiting for me, four people had taken up two couches - they were the pomme de sangs as the other two were all too obviously soldiers. The two women were both six feet tall, one blonde and heavily muscled and the other looked like one of the black long distance runners. She was the commander, her second stood one step behind, watching her back.
“Can you two tell me your names please?” I addressed my two guards first.
“Lieutenant Branere. And this is Ensign Trelain.”
“What sort of organisational structure does my guard have?” I was honestly curious, the ranks brought up an interesting question.
“Three squads of six, four privates, a corporal and a sergeant commanding. Then myself and my second. You have the right to recruit more to your service once you have the power to supply our needs.” I didn’t want a private army, but if they were good enough and would agree to come back home with me and be infected as leopards…I cut off that line of speculation to explain what I wanted of them.
“My vampires have freedom of movement as they wish it. I want them to have a guard of some sort every time they leave my quarters. Jean-Claude and Asher, my two bed-slaves are the more important to me, but I value them all. Make whatever arrangements you see fit.”
“Very well. Is there anything else you require?” She seemed pleased, perhaps that I’d let her make whatever arrangements she felt appropriate to protect them.
“No, you can go now.”
“Yes Demonkin.” They actually marched out and I turned my attention to the others.
“What I want from you is equally simple. I like a cup - or sometimes a pot - of coffee when I wake up. So make sure you can bring me one by the time I’m out of bed. And I’d prefer it if my vampires had the option to feed as soon as they wake up. Jean-Claude tends to wake about four to five hours before dusk, so I’d like four of you waiting here from then. I don’t care how you find out if I’m awake or not, as long as you can do it.”
“Your energy changes when you are awake, there is always an indication of your status in our quarters, we will know Demonkin.” I accepted their assurances and dismissed them as well. Finally I could get to bed. I barely managed to reach the bed before collapsing, and I slept deeply.
It was about 10 when I woke up, the time here was similar to that on Earth, but the hour was a little longer, and there were 28 hours in a day. I’d adapted quickly, and so had my vampires for that matter, but it did mean it would be at least 5 hours until Jean-Claude woke up. Morion had said that once I’d learned to control my powers I wouldn’t need sleep, but for now I still did and I was glad of it. I did wonder why everyone we met seemed to speak English, then it occurred to me that Morion must have used his magic to teach them the language.
I’d slept in my clothes so I just left them on as I walked out into the living room to collect my coffee. The man waiting with it seemed terrified of me, but I decided to test my theory - after I’d taken a long drink of my coffee.
“How did you learn English?”
“The Lord Demonkin Morion gave it to us with his magic, Demonkin, that we might serve you.” He knelt as he spoke, awaiting my command. So I’d guessed right.
“You can go if you want. But show me where there’s a pen and paper first.”
“Yes Demonkin.” He showed me how there were pens and paper stored in a desk towards the back of the room then walked out. I scribbled a note for each of my vampires, telling them if they wanted to leave my quarters to explore they could, so long as they had returned by the time I finished my lessons.
I showered quickly, then I went for a run, stopping after an hour when I fed the ardeur on a nearby orgy. I spent another hour running followed by a second feeding - then I just had to find my way back. I hadn’t paid that much attention to where I was going while I ran. I’d been far more interested in the fact that I could outrun a lycanthrope effortlessly now. In the end I reached out to find my vampires and moved towards them as directly as I could.
Once I got back I indulged myself with a long bath, followed by more solo practise in Kenpo, until one of my servants interrupted me.
“Forgive me Demonkin, but a man who says he is one of your teachers is here to speak with you.”
My teacher was a short man, about my height, with black eyes and red hair.
“I take it you’re here to teach me martial arts?”
“Yes Demonkin. I thought it would be as well to make arrangements now.”
It was about noon, I didn’t expect to be awake this early every day, not with my vampires.
“I’d like an hour teaching every day, but I won’t always be up so early. How do you feel about three in the afternoon?”
“That sounds entirely reasonable. The group classes I teach are all in the morning or evening, and one on one lessons are always more effective. Do you wish me to give you a lesson now as I am here?”
“Very well.” I didn’t try to hold back and used my new strength and speed at full level, because if I didn’t I’d be wasting my time, but he still managed to put me through quite a workout and when he offered me a massage afterwards I gratefully accepted - then I fell back to sleep for an hour.
Jean-Claude woke me as he walked through my bedroom on his way to feed. He froze as soon as he saw me stir and knelt by the time I sat up in bed. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“You only need to kneel to me in public, not when we are alone.”
“But if I do not maintain the habit I might fail to kneel in public when I must. I do not wish for you to be in the position of having to punish me.”
“All of us give our pets different privileges, that’s why you are allowed to use a nickname for me in public. They won’t expect me to punish you unless you really get out of line. And I don’t like it that you kneel to me so often.”
“As you prefer ma petite. When do you wish me to kneel then?”
“Kneel at my feet if we’re settling down together in company, other than my staff and guards. Caspian doesn’t count as company though. The way Damian greeted me at the banquet we held for Musette is acceptable if you enter a room when I am speaking with one of the Demonkin, but otherwise go about your business unless I command you otherwise. You can share these rules with Asher, they apply to him as well. Damian and Caspian will be following different rules.”
“Yes Anita.”
“Then get up and come over here.” I patted the edge of the bed and refused to speak further until he sat as indicated. “I’ve spoken to my guard, so long as at least one of them accompanies you whenever you leave my quarters you all have freedom of movement. This applies to all of my vampires, but accept whatever guard they deem necessary.”
“As you desire ma petite. Thank you for granting us more freedom.” He crawled over the bed towards me and lowered his head to nuzzle at my groin, hinting at sex and the delights of his body. I wanted him, and I know that he could have made it wonderful for me, even using only his tongue and fingers, but he could not gain true release from this, although he might obtain some pleasure. He offered himself only because he had been trained to do so when his master granted some gift or boon to him.
“No, not now. Later perhaps, if you need to feed the ardeur. Go and take blood now, then you can return and show me what skills you have at massage.”
“Yes ma petite, Belle Morte said I was skilled, I learned it to satisfy one of my previous masters.” He left and I spread myself face down across the bed, pooling my hair on the pillow beside me, waiting for him to return. I could feel his hunger through our link and I felt it as his teeth sunk into her neck and blood flooded into his mouth.
Apparently the massage oils are always kept warm, his hands were strong but sensitive to what I needed, they relaxed the muscles I’d tensed during my sleep. When he was finished I felt content and almost serene. I also wanted to lie with him, but without any of the dominance games that sprung to mind since I’d encountered the Sweet Dark. He bent to lay a light kiss on the nape of my neck and whispered a quiet inquiry. I rolled over and pulled him down to me, granting permission wordlessly - he was asking because he wanted to be with me, not because he felt he had to and that made all the difference. It was slow and leisurely, I knew that he was feeding his ardeur on me and I had no objection but I did not feed on him, I did not need to. And afterwards we discussed what methods he had learned from Belle Morte to control it.
This time I wasn’t totally exhausted when I returned to my quarters, just frustrated at how hard I was finding it. Morion told me I was doing well, particularly as I was so powerful, but still I felt like screaming at how much effort it took for me to hold my power back. I’d given up on pretending to be human, and decided to just wear my Demonkin form, to remind myself just how alien I was. If I forgot and began reacting like a human someone could get hurt, possibly fatally so.
My vampires were waiting for me together in the living room, Jean-Claude and Asher were sitting on the floor, playing chess in one corner, while Damian was questioning Caspian on how to survive here. Asher was the only one who did not immediately drop what he was doing to watch me as I entered, I waited until he also turned his face towards me. Then I spoke.
“Asher, Jean-Claude, you can go back to your game. Join us in my bedroom when you’ve finished. Damian come with me.”
“Yes Anita.”
“Oui ma petite.”
“Yes ma cherie.”
Damian followed me in and stood waiting for instructions just inside the door.
“Go and run me a bath Damian. Then I’d like to find out if you’re any good at massage, once I’ve bathed.” He moved to obey and while he did I took my time undressing and ran a brush through my hair. When I moved to the bathroom I found him standing beside the full bath, water steaming hot and filled with bubbles. He was still fully dressed though. Not that I minded having an excuse to undress him myself. I pulled him into the tub with me and ducked under the water to soak my hair.
“That feels good. Wash my hair for me.” I leaned back into Damian’s body as he rubbed shampoo into my hair and lathered it up. Then he pushed lightly on my shoulders and I slid down his body to lie with my head fully beneath the water.
“Do you want me to put the conditioner on now?” He waited until my head was above the surface before asking the question.
“No, wait for a while. I want to wash you now.” I turned around and matched actions to words, running my hands over his body, playing gently with his nipples. When I ventured below the waist I found that he had hardened and I took a firm grip on him, twining my other hand in his hair.
“Can I feed on you?”
“Oh yes.” He barely had time to breathe the words before I kissed him and slid onto him. I was in control, and I refused to give it up, not that he would expect me to. I was in the mood for something fast and hard, so I set the pace appropriately, scratching down his back as I came. We separated and he reached for the conditioner, to finish my hair. I returned the favour before we got out and dried ourselves off. We each had a robe in the bathroom, by my orders all three of the vampires I brought with me left a robe here, so we wore those as we walked through to my bedroom. Damian wore a pale green silk robe while mine was black velvet.
Jean-Claude and Asher were waiting for us sitting together on a couch in my bedroom, I must have let my surprise show on my face because Asher laughed and explained.
“Caspian glared at us so much that we decided to abandon our game and wait for you in here.”
“I don’t blame you. All I wanted was to check if you’d met any of the local vampires and what you thought of them. But there is something else, I want one of you waiting for me every time I get back from my lessons. I want a bath ready for me. You don’t all need to be here, just one of you - and expect sex when you are here.” I would need to feed after all, and I needed the energy replenishment more after my lessons than before.
“Yes, we met them.” Asher spoke for himself and Jean-Claude, pulling his lover closer to his body. “It was unnerving, they seem to be treated as, and even think of themselves as helpless and charming playthings. Not one of them was willing to talk about anything but the best way to deal with hair, or dress, or how to please their lovers. We left that sort of life a long time ago. I don’t want to be owned again.” There was almost despair in his voice, as if he finally realised that when I claimed him properly it wouldn’t just be a pretence to keep him safe, it would be a permanent commitment.
“I promise that when the time comes I will give you the choice. But that’s all I can promise.” I glanced at the other vampires, so far silent. “What about you two, anything to add?”
Jean-Claude shook his head, then spoke. “Non, I was with Asher, but I think most of the vampires we met were classed as bed-slaves or consorts. We just asked our guards to take us somewhere we could speak with other vampires.”
“I didn’t bother going Anita. I thought it would be more practical to pick Caspian’s brain about how we’re supposed to behave here. Your rules are exceptionally generous, and a way of flaunting your power to the people here.”
“I think I see that. But I want to add one more rule, knock and wait for permission before coming in here - I don’t like having an audience. Damian, I’d like a lesson in sword fighting now, you two can do whatever you want.”
They went through to their quarters, I suppose Caspian isn’t good company, and I sparred with Damian until I got tired.
“You can stay here if you want.” I left the invitation open as I slid into bed, but I didn’t fall asleep until I felt him lying in my arms.
It took three months for me to learn how to limit my power use to what I needed and by that time we’d almost established a routine. I woke about 10 and went running until 12, stopping to take the edge off my ardeur at 11, and then I spent the two hours until noon doing solo katas, both with the sword and for martial arts. That was followed by a bath and meditation, something I wasn’t too fond of, but that seemed to help me focus my powers and allowed me to practise what I’d learned of witchcraft from Marianne. I was usually in a tranquil mood, strangely enough for me, by the time I had my lesson in martial arts. I’d made it clear that I wanted to be able to fight and win, not to stick to any one style, so he wasn’t rigid in that respect.
Jean-Claude and sometimes Asher were awake by the time I’d finished the lesson and I always got one of them to give me a massage afterwards. It was usually Jean-Claude, even when Asher was awake, he seemed to regard it as a privilege and right of being my intended primary consort and could get quite possessive about it. I only realised that after two weeks, before that I’d had Asher give me my massage on the five occasions he was awake early enough, then I realised that Jean-Claude seemed to avoid Asher until I got back from my lessons with Morion on those nights, and he was always the one waiting for me then. He also tended to be a bit more insistent on sex as well, which I didn’t mind at all. Once I’d recognised Jean-Claude’s jealousy I made sure to spend more time just with him, more than the two hours I spent learning control of my ardeur with him from about 5 in the afternoon, and I didn’t specify who I wanted when the two of them were awake in time to give me my massage.
By the time I’d finished my lessons with Jean-Claude all four of my vampires were awake and fed, we’d usually spend an hour or two exploring the compound together, then come back. What happened then varied, sometimes I got Jean-Claude to read plays and old poems with me, then we’d discuss them, other times I’d spar with Damian, or one of my other vampires, and on occasion I’d insist they have a lesson in using guns.
When I returned from a lesson with Morion a bath was the first order of business, followed immediately by sex with whoever was waiting for me. I didn’t always let them spend the day with me, but sometimes I did, and they’d started almost to regard it as a special treat, even Asher and he was the only one who fought against what was happening.
Asher and Jean-Claude were waiting for me together when I came back after I’d mastered the art of limiting the power I drew. I virtually ran to Jean-Claude, wrapping my arms around him and kissing him hard.
“I’ve mastered the first lesson, I don’t draw too much power anymore, just what I need. And I’ve got a week off lessons with Morion!”
“That is wonderful ma petite. What were you intending to do with your time off?” I recognised a slight plaintive tone to Jean-Claude’s voice as he spoke.
“Spend it with you three. Was there anything in particular you wanted to do?”
“I know you don’t need to eat now, but you still can, and I miss watching you eat.” For once Jean-Claude was taking the lead in conversation with me, rather than letting Asher speak for the both of them, he’d been reacting more and more as my primary consort would since he got here, although he only deferred to Asher at the moment, not to Damian. And he tended to ignore Caspian as much as he could apart from picking his brains about the Sweet Dark. I fully intended to encourage this, Caspian didn’t appeal to me sexually, only his knowledge about Mommy Dearest and his unobtrusiveness did, but I did like it when Jean-Claude spoke up for himself.
“Well then, before you need to sleep go to my staff and arrange for them to bring a meal of whatever you choose to my quarters at 7 tomorrow night. If you want you can make similar arrangements for all of my week off. But for now I want both of you in that bath with me.” I finished by teasing them and chasing them both into the bathroom.
“Any requests?” The question was almost a joke, but not quite. Jean-Claude had returned to his now normal deference because Asher was the one who answered.
“I want Jean-Claude to take me.” Somehow I knew that he hadn’t for a while. But there was something else, I knew it.
“What else do you want Asher?”
“I want him to be in charge.” Oh, that would fit with what I’d seen, but he hadn’t changed too much with me sexually, so I’d assumed he hadn’t changed with Asher either. A mistake apparently. Then, he’d always let me set the pace and indulged my hang ups and preferences so I wouldn’t have seen any difference.
“If you both please me well enough while we bathe I’d like to just watch you together, and yes I would like to see Jean-Claude taking charge.” Jean-Claude didn’t say anything, just looked at me wide-eyed, then slid to his knees to remove my boots while Asher helped me off with my shirt. Once we were all in the bath together they bent all their efforts towards pleasing me, Asher sitting behind me and playing with my breasts while Jean-Claude licked low on my stomach and then worked down into my groin.
One benefit of vampires not having to breathe is that they can give oral sex even under water, and they have incredible stamina. I was careful not to do too much damage when I came, clawing at the air rather than at either of my two lovers, then I raised up and slid Asher into my body. He knew enough to let me set the pace and Jean-Claude continued using that clever tongue of his on the both of us. After I pulled him to me and began to wash his beautiful hair while he leaned passive against me.
“Ma petite, might I cut my hair shorter? I know you love it, but it would be awkward if it grows much longer.” By now it fell to his hips, I couldn’t blame him for wanting it a little shorter, I’d seen how much trouble Nathaniel had with hair past his knees.
“How much shorter?” I wouldn’t let him cut it anywhere near as short as Richard had, I just hoped he was healthy enough not to want to.
“To my shoulders?” He was asking, and even though I preferred it longer I agreed.
“Providing you let it grow back out to waist length again.”
“If that would please you.”
“Very much so. Asher do you want to cut your hair as well?”
“No, I would not lose one of the few beauties remaining to me.” I wanted to argue, but didn’t know how to, it was his hair that had drawn me to him first, that and his eyes.
“Then wash my hair for me.” We finished bathing almost in silence before moving to the bedroom.
“What is your wish Anita?” Jean-Claude looked to me as Asher asked the question. “Did we please you sufficiently to grant my request?”
“Most certainly, but I might choose to join in later.” That brought a smile from Asher and he turned to Jean-Claude.
“Well, mon corbeau, what do you desire?”
Jean-Claude seemed startled, but he quickly recovered and tossed a bottle of massage oil to Asher. “Prepare yourself then.” he turned to me and pulled me into a kiss, deliberately ignoring Asher to arouse my senses - once he’d obtained permission mentally that is. At least he was still capable of taking the dominant role, even if it was only at my command. Jean-Claude must have known how long it would take Asher to prepare himself, because he broke our kiss just as Asher was pulling his fingers from inside himself and lying back with his legs wide open. Jean-Claude reached to take the bottle of oil from Asher, slicked himself with it then issued a single order.
“On your hands and knees.” Jean-Claude seemed to be almost disassociating himself from his actions and he took Asher swiftly, almost brutally. He set up a slow rhythm that seemed to torment and arouse Asher even more, and when Asher reached between his legs Jean-Claude grabbed him by the wrist. “From me inside you, mon chardonneret, nothing else.” I finally decided to get in on the action myself and, kneeling in front of them, pulled Asher’s head down to my aching groin.
“Use your tongue on me.” I think I must have conveyed my pleasure along our links because when I came they climaxed with me and collapsed, Asher’s head still in my lap, Jean-Claude still inside him. Jean-Claude rolled to the right and off Asher, pulling out as he did and Asher rolled onto his back in the opposite direction.
“Was that what you wanted?” I couldn’t resist the temptation to question him.
“Oh yes ma cherie. I am grateful.” His eyes shut and a smile played on his lips.
“Go get cleaned up then we can play some more, that is if you’re both up for it.”
“As you wish.” They obeyed and we played until dawn, I was the main focus of their efforts, although I had enjoyed watching them together. I let them stay rather than sending them back to their rooms as dawn approached, for once I was willing to let them both share my bed during their daytime slumber.
I had a lie in the next day, staying in bed with my vampires until 12 and I decided to skip my daily run during my holiday. I’d gotten down to one feeding a day for the ardeur and it was a relief to be honest, now I could supply my needs from my vampires, as Jean-Claude could, if he needed to, supply his from me and from Asher. Later, as I came fully into my power I wouldn’t need to feed the ardeur at all, just as I wouldn’t need to sleep, and I’d be able to supply energy and power to my vampires so they didn’t need to feed unless they wanted to, but that wasn’t a skill I could simply learn.
The servant waiting for me with my coffee was a young man I hadn’t seen before, he was about 5’ 6” with brown hair and blue eyes, he knelt as soon as I entered the room, raising the tray with the coffee on above his head like a living table. I took the tray from him and put it on the table.
“Get up.” He obeyed standing with his head lowered submissively. “What was that about?”
“I feared you might be angered by the question I need to ask.”
“What do you need to know then?”
“Your bed-slave, Jean-Claude, he said we were to prepare a meal for you, and told us what to prepare. It isn’t conventional, so we need confirmation from you.”
“Yes, whatever he told you to prepare is fine. I’ll be eating one meal a day for the next week and he’ll be selecting the food. It is a special treat for him.” An unusual thing to use as a treat, but my will would be accepted. “Don’t ask about this again.”
“As you desire Demonkin.”
“One more thing, are any of my staff hairdressers?”
“Yes Demonkin, it is one of the skills that was selected when we were chosen.”
“I want whoever knows how to cut hair to come in after I’ve eaten, I want my raven’s hair cut shorter, and perhaps mine as well. I haven’t decided about my attendants either, and we’ll all have our hair at least trimmed, so make sure whoever it is comes prepared for five people. You may leave now.” I’d learned that the more nervous ones wouldn’t go without permission, so I gave it.
I spent the time until my teacher arrived practising drawing power as I needed it and dissipating it in my workroom. I turned to Jean-Claude once we’d finished.
“The hairdresser will come in once I’ve eaten, so decide how you want your hair cut. And I’ll be eating a meal for you once a day, at seven for this week. Now I want to feel those talented hands of yours on my body, and Asher, go run a bath for afterwards.”
Jean-Claude had tended to make the massage sexual at first, but he’d learned not to when I told him that I didn’t want him to, all it had taken was a single command. I made it clear when we bathed that I didn’t want anything sexual just then, and his instant response was fear.
“My raven, I just don’t want to start anything yet, not when I need to find out whether Damian or Caspian want their hair cut. And Asher, you are having your hair cut after all, just a trim to make sure it doesn’t get untidy.”
He hesitated, wanting to challenge me for making arrangements without consulting him, but knowing that what I said was right, no one had been willing to cut his hair for him without my permission and it was a little uneven at the bottom. “Oui ma cherie, merci.”
I finally decided that now was the time to experiment with how I looked and that I would have my hair cut really short. Damian wanted to keep the length of his hair, he’d grown up in a culture where warriors all had long hair, only slaves had short hair and he wanted some connection to the warrior he had been. Caspian kept his hair in the same cornrow plaits that Jamil used and he was reluctant to undo them, but accepted my authority without question, asking to keep as much length as possible when I gave him the choice.
I’d know I was asking for trouble when I told Jean-Claude to choose my meal, but I felt he needed the treat, the reassurance that he was important to me, and I hoped giving him control, even in such a small matter would help counteract his submissiveness. He’d chosen a full meal, first of all there was the appetiser, caviar on little crackers, then wild mushroom soup. The main course was rare steak, a four ounce cut, with lightly cooked vegetables, and for desert he chose blackberry pie with real whipped cream. By the end of the meal I was absolutely stuffed and Jean-Claude was swooning at my feet - he’d insisted on sitting there while I ate, felt it was appropriate. I didn’t like it, but…he was willing to insist, and that meant a lot, that he was willing to stand up for what he wanted, even if it was something so…submissive, and in a quiet way.
“Demonkin, how did you wish your hair and that of your vampires to be cut?” The hairdresser turned out to be a tall, muscular man who looked more like one of my guards than one of my staff, he gave off the same aura that Merle did, a killer, even though he looked about twenty with blond hair and green eyes.
“Asher, Damian and Caspian just need enough off to make it look tidy, you can do them first, I want Jean-Claude’s hair cut to his shoulders, but I don’t care how you style it. I also want mine cut as short as you think would look good, and in whatever style you think would suit me. I’m going last.”
“Yes Demonkin. If whichever vampire is first would go and wet his hair while I prepare?”
Asher immediately stood from his seat on one of the couches and walked off to his and Jean-Claude’s bathroom. It took two hours but we were all done, the others didn’t look too different but Jean-Claude looked the way he had when I first met him, and I had a halo of curls around my face.
Jean-Claude wouldn’t look directly at me afterwards until I finally commanded him to.
“What’s wrong my raven? Why are you so disturbed?”
“Do I still please you?”
“Of course you do, you always have, always will. And what do you think of my new hairstyle?”
“I don’t have the right to comment on your appearance.” I could feel that he didn’t like it, but he would never say anything that he thought would displease me.
“It’s alright, I don’t really like it either. This is probably much more practical, but I love the feel of long hair, mine or anyone else’s, on my skin. I just wanted to experiment for a little, now come here and please me.”
“Yes Anita. You haven’t pinned me since the first time, do you wish to?” He sounded uncertain, but it had taken him this long to muster the trust and courage needed to make the offer – I refused to ask it of him. I accepted, but I was careful about how I dominated him and made damn sure he enjoyed it too. Towards dawn I sent him to tell the staff what I’d be eating tomorrow, making sure he returned to sleep trapped beneath my body, satisfying a primitive urge to know where my consort was, protect him, even as we slept. We’d received twenty or so invitations to parties or other entertainments during my holiday, but I wasn’t sure how many I’d attend - except I knew I wouldn’t go unless I could take my vampires with me.
