It was dusk as Alexandria and Lucian walked together through the woods. They had just fed. Alexandria felt the warm zing of human blood coursing through her veins. Lucian threaded his arm through hers. The moon glittered through the trees. Distant cries told them that they were not the only predators out tonight. The wind whipped through Lucian's hair as he smiled into it.
"Why are you so happy?"
"I'm with you." Alexandria looked up sharply. Her pace picked up and soon she was sprinting through the woods. She leapt and raced over the rocks and roots like a wild deer. Lucian struggled to match her pace as he stumbled along after her.
"Alexandria, wait!" Lucian was suddenly showered with dirt, plants and rocks. Her soft voice echoed around the suddenly empty night.
"Lucian," Alexandria's voice caressed his name. "Lucian, it's late. Time to sleep."
"But Alexandria, we've..."
"Sleep Lucian." Lucian began to yawn.
"But, can't I..."
"Lucian!" Alexandria's voice was no longer soothing and now held an edge. "Lucian..."
"Goodnight, until tomorrow then." The soft crunch of leaves heralded Lucian's departure. Alexandria closed her eyes. The smell of the damp earth soothed her and reminded her of another time.
"I'm with you," she whispered to herself, "I'm with you." Sleep wrapped her arms around Alexandria as Somnos blessed her dreams.
Blazing hot sun, the smell of sweat, clay and paint...
"Worthless! Do you do anything right? Amon curse the day that I bought you!"
Nephra's jaw tightened in anger. She grabbed the closest thing to her, a clay pot that she had been painting.
"Put it down or feel the sting of the whip." Nephra slowly put own the pot.
"Very good slave." Nephra glared up at her master, Arun. His dark hair sharply contrasted his bright blue eyes. His eyes narrowed as he pulled her up, his fingers digging cruelly into her skin. Nephra jerked her arm out of his grasp. Arun smiled as Nephra walked away.
"Nephra!" Arun smiled reproachfully. "Did you turn your back on your master?" Arun grabber her arm and pulled her closer. The handle of his whip brushed against the side of her face.
"Let me go."
"Nephra, what am I to do with you? That's at least 3 times that you have disrespected your master."
"I have no master."
"Worthless," Arun snarled, his eyes slitting angrily, "but I cannot say that I do not enjoy beating you." Arun's vicious smile returned as he rubbed the handle against her lips.
"Yield to me."
"No."
"I'll beat you again."
"It doesn't matter." Nephra's nonchalance seemed to ignite Arun's temper. He raised his arm and brought the whip down hard against her shoulders.
"What do you think, Nephra? Three more lashes?"
"Whatever makes you happy...master." Nephra spit the word at Arun. Arun grinned down at her. The sun was beating down on them both, causing sweat to sting the fresh welts on her shoulders and back.
"I see your game..." Arun trailed off as Nephra lifted her head and met his gaze. Dark brown eyes peered out at him behind a curtain of red-black hair. Nephra's pale skin was now bronzed from the sun. She shook her hair out of her face, as she did, her strange pointed ears showed through her hair.
"So strange," Arun stared at her as all people had stared at her. "You must be some kind of demon."
Nephra didn't bother to reply. She stood up and dusted the dirt off of what was left of her simple sheath. Arun stared at the swell of her breasts. A soft breeze ruffled her hair, bringing the earthy smell of the clay and the Nile. Quite suddenly, Nephra pressed herself against Arun and kissed him deeply. Arun roughly pushed her away.
"Stay away keft-maiden." Nephra smiled and began to work again on the clay.
"One day we will see who is master." Arun walked away to find easier prey. Alexandria always seemed to confuse him.
Later on, Arun sent for Nephra. She came to his chamber very calmly. Torches and lamps lit the room brightly. All around Nephra were riches from around the world: silks, furs, incense...Her eyes darted around the room, but Arun had his eyes on one thing only. With the speed of a striking snake, Arun ripped the dress away from Nephra's body. Nephra stared at Arun curiously. His hand went to his whip.
"That's enough. Let her go." A tall stranger was standing in the doorway. "You heard me, let her go." The stranger's face was covered by a dark cloak that hid his body as well as his face. The light in the room took on an eerie glow.
"How dare you come into my house and tell me how to treat my slaves."
"This girl is no slave." The stranger threw back his hood. Standing before them was a tall man with golden colored skin. His long dark hair was gathered at the base of his neck, tied by a think leather thong. His face was Asiatic with a hard jaw line. "I believe that I told you to..." CRACK! Arun's whip had slashed across his face.
"Stupid fool." The stranger clutched at his bloody face. In a few seconds the bleeding stopped and then the wound healed.
"But what...who...are you..." stuttered Arun.
"I did not com here looking for a fight." The strange flung gold at Arun's feet. "That should be enough to buy this 'slave.'" Arun's greedy hands snatched up the money.
"Take her she's nothing but a nuisance." The strange bundled the naked Nephra into his arms and walked steadily from the room.
"Ahh, my Nephra. How I have longed for you."
"What...what...do you want with me?" Nephra's cool reserve was finally broken by the incomparable joy that flooded her.
"I want you. You are one of great power."
"No...I...I'm but a simple..."
