Authors Note-This chapter contains lesbian sex. If that's not your thing, you might want to move along. If it is, enjoy.
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For the first time I woke up alone. How many days it had been since my turn I wasn't sure. All I knew was the hunger, and the headache it brought. Nezrah promised it would get better once my body got acclimated to the change. When that time would come he couldn't say. It was different for all of us. Lu heard of it taking months for some vamps. I hoped that wouldn't be the case for me, all the love in the world wouldn't stop me from barreling into a stake chest first.
By the eerie glow of the room I could tell I was in complete darkness as I stumbled out of bed on weak legs. There were three doors that led out of the bedchamber and all of them were locked from the outside. I pressed my ear to the one that led out to the hall, unnecessarily. I could hear people moving around outside without putting my face to the wood. Could smell them even. A few humans, their various pulses beat loudly in my ears. I felt my body changing as their scents intensified in my nostrils, nearly blocking the aroma of the few vamps I had encountered since my turn. Lu was among them, as was Yuri and Tybor, Nezrah's advisor of all things related to court. I had the pleasure of all their flavors and was treated to the side effects of over a thousand years of collective life experience. As Lu put it, I was a force to be reckoned with. And Tybor assured me that the day of reckoning would come.
"So you best be ready to keep your seat lass," he told me in his thick Irish accent once he recovered from my feeding. Even added a condescending pat to my head. I broke that hand before he could pull away and he smiled at me like a proud father might as his mangled bones mended before my eyes. "Yes lass, you will do."
He didn't have to tell me. I could hear the whispers now, could feel the envy. No turnling had been afforded the level of acceptance I had received in Nezrah's court so quickly. He had discerning tastes, it wasn't my fault that he so enjoyed my flavor. But I'd be damned if I allowed a little jealousy put fear in my heart. I may have been very recently mortal but as a human I was far from a slouch. My father was the type of man to teach his babygirl to defend herself, not hope she would find a man to do the job for her. When most little girls were putting on ballet slippers, I was learning to dance around a boxing ring. I didn't compete, I wasn't interested. It was purely for defensive purposes. Didn't mean I wasn't any good. By the time I was in middle school, I was sparring with the boys. And winning. As I got older my tastes for martial arts broadened to include capoiera, Krav Maga, and muay Thai. With all that training I wasn't one to go looking for a fight but if one found me I had little doubt in my ability to end it. Super speed and strength only added to my prowess. I hadn't asked but I was almost certain all that factored into Nezrah's choice. He followed me long enough to see me emerge sweaty from more than a few classes. He probably kept that little tidbit of my back story to himself.
"She's awake," I heard someone say, well whisper, from the other side of the door. A woman, human but I didn't much like the smell of her. There were notes of bitterness in her scent that made me snort and step back from the door.
"I'll get Yuri. Father said she can't be let out until he gets back," said another woman and now I was angry, which translated to fury in vampire terms. I took a few steps back from the door, then took a few more. The air snapped around me as I took off at a full sprint. My shoulder low, I collided with the door and heard wood split. The walls shook too, I may not have gotten it open but I was impressed enough to give it another go. I thought maybe I needed a little more distance so I backed up to the opposite wall and took off again.
The sound of the lock turning brought me to a skidding halt just as the door opened. Yuri stood in the way of my escape, his thick arms folded across his barrel chest. A small smile lay on his thin lips as he looked down at me. "You scare the help," he said with a shake of his head as he stepped inside and closed the door behind him. "How you feel?"
"Terrible," I said and he let out a little chuckle as he put his arm around me and led me to sit on the chaise in front of the fireplace. "Where is he Yuri, and why can't I come out?" I asked him desperately and he sat down beside me.
"Chief go get you gift... Can you keep secret?" He asked in hushed tones and I nodded. "I like you Smitty. You like my sister. Do what you want and not care of what world thinks. Strong and bullheaded. I know why Chief pick you for his..."
"That's real sweet Yuri. I appreciate it, really I do, but what the fuck does that have to do with why I'm being kept prisoner. " I started to get up but he held me firm with his arm around my shoulders.
"You not let me finish," he said with another chuckle and ran his hand down my back. Soothing. "You not in mood for story. I get to point."
"Yes, please," I said as I lay my head on his shoulder and he rest his head in mine.
"A test of will," he said quietly and I felt him glance around behind him. "Chief not like killing humans. We can learn feed fresh without death. He think this only way we survive. Is why we have so many familiars. Most clans treat them like cattle. Breed them like animals. Keep them in cages. Not us..."
"Geez Yuri you're about as bad as him," I said with a heavy sigh as I collapsed on the floor at his feet. Albeit exaggerated, I was actually feeling weak from the lack of sustenance. He laughed and rolled his eyes.
"A twin for Katya you are," he said with a hand on the back of my neck. He squeezed a little and pull me back up to face him. "You must be strong. Resilient. Not let hunger consume you. Is only way Chief will trust you alone. You not belong in cage Smitty but you must prove you feed without kill..."
