Chapter Two #2
The way he controls me — a bonded werewolf blood slave — is different than the way he’d control a human.
I’m a magical creature and humans are not.
He owns me, and the blood bond is like a leash around my willpower.
In some ways, it isn’t wound as tightly as I’m used to, but in other ways it feels more like steel than leather.
However, the point is, the way I’m bound, my thoughts are my own but I have to do as he orders — or even asks.
He’s more likely to put ideas into a human’s head so he can control the direction of their thoughts.
My old Master had put thoughts into my head when it suited him, but most of the time it was about breaking me. Humiliating me.
Abbott’s leash so far only pertained to the four orders he’d given me when he’d first exchanged blood with me: I’m not to harm anyone important to him politically, financially, or socially, including myself.
I’m not to share supernatural secrets. I’m not to try to escape.
The fourth order was more to my wolf than me — a command to stay in the background.
I heard the directive but it didn’t seem to apply to me.
I could sense the leash, but I didn’t feel it constraining me.
My orders from that morning were different — more request than command. I was still obligated to do as he’d asked, but it didn’t feel the same.
I hadn’t argued when he’d said we’d wake the girl at four. My old master didn’t awaken until around six at the earliest this time of year, but I’d heard Abbott was much stronger.
A guard had knocked on the wall beside my open door this afternoon, and waited until I looked up from my Chromebook to step inside and ask me to walk with him to the observation room.
This, too, was a new experience. Slaves don’t get to do things in their own time.
Guards grab you and march you to your assignment, or order you to follow them, turn and leave, and if you aren’t right behind them, you’re punished.
I wasn’t used to clothes, either. I was always naked at my former Master’s home.
The guard pointed me into a room, and I saw Master Abbott from the back, observing a wall packed with video monitors. He was looking at two screens, both of Holly’s room but from different angles.
Master Abbott is breathtakingly handsome. Tall, black hair, and a chiseled face more beautiful than any master sculptor could possibly create.
“Ah. I’m about to wake her,” he said with his back to me. “Will you tell me about your day while we watch?”
“Of course, Master. Thank you for allowing me the freedom to talk to your flock. They adore you, but not as humans would who’ve been mind-controlled into it.
They see the good and the…” Not the bad.
I searched for the right word and said, “Quirks. The archaic words you use when you’re relaxed.
Foreign phrases you mutter when you’re really pleased or terribly aggravated.
Also, you make them feel as if you value them.
Birthdays, painful anniversaries when they need emotional support.
Favorite meals.” I shrugged. “What do you want to hear, Master?”
“I don’t want you to fear me when you haven’t done anything wrong.
You’re still a blood-bonded slave for two reasons.
It would be cruel to release you when you have few skills and no way to make your way in the world as a free man.
We could get beyond that, eventually, but unfortunately there’s no way to get around the fact you need me to control your wolf.
You’ve never met him and he’s quite feral.
This means you’ll likely belong to me the rest of your life, but it doesn’t mean you have to live the life of a slave.
You’re mine and I’m responsible for you.
We’ll determine what you’re good at and what you enjoy doing.
With any luck, the answer to both will be the same. If not, we’ll figure it out.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond. He wanted to give me freedom to be who I wanted? “Thank you, Master.” It wasn’t enough, but it was all I could come up with.
“Tell me about your day with Holly. What did you learn?”
“The blonde is natural but it’s been chemically treated a while back, Master.
Probably two years? Hard to say, but I’m guessing she had highlights, lowlights, or both.
Her nails were in terrible shape. She’s had a whole lot of sex in the previous days — anal and vaginal.
Both are raw. I observed and cleaned the external areas but didn’t do an internal exam.
Your housekeeper had one of the guards help move her around so I could get her clean without unintentionally injuring her.
I didn’t have a camera, so I sketched moles and freckles.
I also sketched her teeth, to give us a record of how they looked upon arrival.
” The guard hadn’t been willing to answer any questions about Abbott’s expectations, but I didn’t mention his unhelpfulness to Master Abbott.
“I’m impressed with your thorough approach. We don’t take pictures of people when they’re unconscious if it can be helped. A doctor will see her once she’s awake. He’ll handle the pictures.”
We watched her awaken in silence. I cringed when she fell, and Abbott put his hand on my shoulder.
“So compassionate. She’s put herself in this position. How much help should we give her?”
“One of your flock told me she was an addict when you found her, Master, and said you held her prisoner for six months before you gave her the option to stay or go. Is that what you intend to do with Holly?”
“It is.”
“Then we do what we can for her, Master.”
You know I can speak to you like this, yes?
I froze at the sound of his voice in my head, but tried not to react with fear. He’s a powerful Strigorii. Of course I’d known.
I do, Master.
Feel free to take the initiative with Holly when we go in. If I need you to do something, or to back off, I’ll speak with you this way. I’d like Holly to see you as safe, and me as a bit of a mystery for now.
“As you wish, Master.”
He’d watched her a few more seconds, her head completely in the refrigerator, her body sprawled on the floor.
“Let’s go, then.”
I’d hated reassuring newly captured humans before, but this was different. I could take care of her knowing she wasn’t destined to a life of hell. If she kept up with the drugs, she was, but it’d be her decision. Abbott was giving her another chance, and I got to help facilitate the chance.
She let me help her up off the floor, but she pushed me away once we were in the hallway and she’d found her balance.
“You never told me where I am.”
“You’re in my home,” said Abbott. He motioned us into a small dining room with the table set for two, though six could sit around it. “Let’s sit so you and Spencer can eat.”
I would be honored to nourish you, Master.
Master Abbott had bitten me and had me drink from him every day for nearly a week, but it’d only been to form and ensure the blood bond.
He’d never taken more than a few sips. However, those days had made me want to feed him.
I wanted his hands on my body, his lips at my neck.
And more. I knew the blood bond made me want him, but I didn’t care. I wanted him.
I wanted to serve him. I wanted to please him. I wanted it to be my blood coursing through his body.
Your feelings aren’t from the bond, Spencer. We’ll speak more of it later.
“As you wish, my Master.”
Holly had been wary, but now I smelled fear rolling off her in waves.
“That master stuff is danged creepy.” Her country accent was so thick I had to run the sentence through my head twice to understand her.
Master and danged were both said with a long a, and no one spoke like that in Maryland.
I’m not sure the vowel she used in creepy is even in the English language.
The dining room was decked out as if for a fancy dinner party. Or, breakfast party. Fine china, heavy crystal drinkware, cloth napkins, and candles instead of electricity.
“Whoa. Fancy.” Again, I had to translate FAIN-see in my head to fancy.
Abbott lifted the domes from both our plates, set them on a side table, and motioned for us to sit.
“Holly, you have the toast and eggs, should you change your mind. If not, the smoothie you requested should arrive shortly.” He lifted the domes from several serving dishes in the center of the table. “Spencer, feel free to load your plate.”
Someone had put a half-dozen fried eggs and at least a pound of bacon on my plate. The serving dishes held biscuits, sausage gravy, and fried potatoes. An assortment of jams was in a little metal stand.
Thank you for the food, Master. I didn’t want Holly to freak over me calling him Master again, but I couldn’t speak without using an honorific. This seemed the best option.
You’re welcome. We’ll discuss when it’s appropriate to thank me. I’m responsible for taking care of you, so breakfast is something I’m obligated to provide.
Not like this, Master.
“What time is it?” Holly asked.
“Time is immaterial to you, for now,” Abbott answered. Someone entered with the smoothie, settled it in front of Holly, and left.
“Is it day or night?” Holly asked. “How much time did I lose? Why are there no windows?”
“Drink your smoothie, and I’ll give you information on my terms. Sit and stare at it, and I’ll converse with Spencer.”
I was about to lean in and help her, but Abbott spoke in my head. Give her a little more time to make a decision.
As you wish, my Master.
I’m pleased with the attention you gave her while she slept. The nails were a nice touch. They’ve lessened her fear a little.
Thank you for your kind words, Master Abbott.