Lessons

Kya spent the night with Luca wrapped around and holding her tight.

"Stop squirming."

She looked into his face, so close to hers, that she studied it a long moment before answering. She drank in the angular cheeks, piercing eyes, red lips, chiseled jaw. Handsome, as all of the Vampire Tribe were. Still, in the hierarchy of things, as a human... well, human Singularity, she was but prey. "You're too close."

Luca chuckled. "I paid a fortune for you. I'm entitled to cuddle with my pet."

"Stop calling me that."

He cocked an eyebrow. "What, pet? You don't like being my special pet? Would you rather I call you my toy?"

Kya narrowed her violet eyes. "I'd rather be free."

The mirth on his face faded away to austerity. "That simply cannot be. Even before the auction house, you weren't free. You were kept caged in your room. Did your father not care? Or was it by his orders?"

"Father left my rearing to his wife. He supposedly had final say, but all the decisions were made by her. You're right. I was never free. But that merely underlines the importance of it for me. Were you in my position, wouldn't you long for freedom as well?"

He didn't reply, instead choosing to gaze deeply into Kya's amethyst eyes. Her impatience grew. "Well, my lord?"

"Were I in your position, I would work on endearing myself to my new owners and start plotting revenge against those who put me in the position to be sold." Luca paused for a moment, his sapphire gaze focused on her lips. "I understand the want to be free. But circumstances simply do not allow for it. Once it's know you are a Singularity, I have no doubt the Munros will try to claim you, saying they were duped or some such nonsense. We will help you revenge yourself upon them, if its what you wish. But there will be a price to pay."

"What is the price?"

A tender smile emerged on Luca's lips. "A Singularity's love is a potent weapon, or so the myths say. We want access to this power."

Kya frowned and tried pulling away from Luca's steely grasp. "I don't understand."

Luca trailed a manicured fingertip from behind Kya's ear, down her throat, to where her pulse pounded. In his eyes, her blood was like candlelight, illuminating her body in a way sunlight never could. "We want your love. A child would be nice, although I would prefer no Singularities born into the Baden clan, lest they be used against us. Ah, I see the confusion in your eyes. How about this... you rest tonight and tomorrow, we shall answer every question you can think of."

With a deep sigh, Kya frowned and replied. "Fine." A pet she may be, but one cannot order someone to love them and expect it to happen just like that. What idiocy he speaks.

"Is it, though? Tell me true, Kya. I am no mind reader, and I request that you never hold back your true thoughts from me."

"If my questions will be answered tomorrow, then it's fine. Gives me time to think of things to ask. That said, I'm tired my lord. Good night." She tried to wiggle onto her side, facing away from him. He allowed it, spooning her from behind, every breath of his puffed upon the back of her neck. Exhaustion took over and she fell into a deep, healing sleep, unaware that she was studied in her slumber.

Luca took in her curves, her hair, her face, and the charming way she tried to defy him. Revenge against the Munros would be the carrot on a stick he would use to keep her focused on achieving his wants. He smiled as he whispered into the cloud of her hair, "I hope you're bloodthirsty like me."

Upon waking the next morning, the bed was empty of Lord Luca, and a petite maidservant in black wool and white lace stood at the foot, smiling at Kya.

Once Kya sat up, the maid dipped into a curtsy. "Good morning, my lady. I am Aneth, your lady's maid. I have brought some clothing more suitable for entertaining the dressmaker than a man's over-sized shirt. Would you like a bath?" Aneth's copper braids swung as she spoke animatedly. "I have also been tasked with aiding you with your lessons. The tutor will arrive around three, and the dressmaker is now on her way. Come, my lady! It shall be a busy day." Her teal cat's eyes glimmered.

Kya arose from the bed and stretched. "I'll take a bath later, if we're on a schedule for today." Two baths in as many days? Such a change from the once-a-month scrubbing she would get with cold water and a worn boar-bristle brush at Lady Munro's direction.

While Aneth busied herself wiping Kya down with a warm washcloth, Kya's mind swirled. Yesterday, her life consisted of mostly staying in her chamber and out of Lady Munro's way. Up until his illness preceding his death, Father stayed in the city while his wife traveled between their country home where Kya lived and their townhouse in the city.

The thought of Jyla Munro brought a frown to Kya's face. Aneth, unaware of Kya's thoughts, supposed her new lady was already upset with her and sought to derail that train of thought.

"Are you hungry, Lady Kya? Care to break your fast?"

Shaking the thoughts of revenge from her mind, Kya answered Aneth. "I am."

"Here, the skirt isn't the best quality, but it should fit you well enough. And here's a bodice you can wear over that shirt." Aneth styled the clothing so the shirt bared Kya's shoulders, while the corset-like bodice held it in place and prevented the neckline from slipping down further. In shades of blue and green, the fabric was more color than Kya was used to, having always dressed in browns. That was also Jyla Munro's doing. Kya sighed. She had been so excited when Lady Munro told her to ready herself, that it was time Kya had a proper gown to reflect her status and that they were heading into the city.

Only, there was no visit to the dressmaker.

"Are you not pleased with the clothing? Its the best I could arrange for now. Here, some slippers. Allow me to guide you to the dining room."

"I am not to eat here?"

"Not unless you wish to. Are you feeling ill, my lady? I can summon a doctor if you aren't feeling well."

"I'm fine. It's just... different... from how I was raised." She tried to not feel mortified at revealing such a thing but failed.

Aneth frowned before giving a blazing smile. "If I can assist in acclimating yourself, please let me know. I live to serve."

"I shall take you up on that."

Aneth grinned and opened the chamber door leading to the corridor. Down two sets of stairs, through the great hall, and finally, to a room furnished with a long table and surrounded by chairs. Lord Luca sat at the head of the table with Arcen on his right. Aneth lead Kya to the seat on Luca's left.

"Good morning, my lady. Did you rest well?" Luca spoke with a smile.

"I did, thank you."

"The dressmaker shall arrive in an hour or so. Please, eat. Does Aneth please you? Or would you prefer a different lady's maid?"

"Aneth is fine." Kya looked to the table, laden with more food than she's ever seen in her lifetime. Ham and soft boiled eggs, bread still warm from the oven, strawberries with sweetened cream, even a delicate cup of chocolate awaited a taste.

"I didn't ask if she was fine. I asked if she pleased you." His tone went from gracious to tinged with anger.

"She does, my lord. I find her friendliness and willingness to help very endearing." Kya lowered her

gaze. Lady Munro would growl like that whenever in a foul mood.

"You scared her, Brother. Be gentle with our Lady Kya." Arcen turned his attention to her. "Aneth grew up here and can guide you. We trust her with your well-being." Arcen's gaze heated as he watched Kya pick at her food. "Not to your taste?"

Kya looked up, startled. "It's good. I'm just not used to eating much."

"Well, eat up, you will need stamina for what is to come." Luca gave a slow smile. "Although it galls me to hire a male dancing master to teach you, so be it. Alas, I haven't the time to teach you myself."

"We do have a request of you, however. Please report any wounds to us, immediately, and allow no other to tend them. Your well-being is our concern. Not many have our restraint when it comes to freely flowing blood."

Kya held Arcen's gaze. "Will all future wounds be tended in the same manner as my knee?"

Luca and Arcen both smiled. Then Arcen spoke. "Absolutely. None other may taste you. And should any do so, they will die a miserable death for daring to touch what is ours alone."

Lord Luca spoke low. "We shall not bite to feed off you, however, we will sample and quell the blood which flows freely. It is compensation for our tolerance."

"Tolerance, my lord?"

"Of restraining ourselves. We were mindful of consent last night."

Kya gulped and focused her attention back on eating, wishing with all her might that the memories, fuzzy as they are from last night, would fade away into nothing more than a fever dream. "I see."

Luca waved his hand and ordered those present. "Vacate the room please. Level four barrier will be enacted for the foreseeable future. Consider yourselves warned."

"What's a level four barrier?"

"Those without the proper resonance will be electrocuted if they draw too near. And should they try to eavesdrop, the zap goes straight to the ear. It's a harsh lesson for privacy." As Luca answered Kya's question, all the servants left silently, gently shutting the doors behind them.

A glow of blue emerged from Luca's hands, to form an orb which rapidly expanded to engulf the room.

"Have you compiled your list of questions, my dear?"

"I do have a few."

"Ask away. Let us come to an understanding."

Kya drew a deep breath and prayed that her words do not anger the Baden brothers. "Tell me in specific detail what being your pet entails."

Arcen smirked. "Concerned?"

"I dare not make assumptions based off last night being applied to other pets, such as dogs."

That wiped the smirk off Arcen's face. "Foul, my little enchantress. Never again make such comparisons."

"I am defining pet, specifically in regard to you, to mean that we have ownership of your companionship; that you are ours to tend and care for. We will treat you well. All we want in return is your affection."

Kya tilted her head and frowned. "Just my affection?"

"Physical, mental, emotional. We want it all."

"So you can benefit from my ability as a Singularity?

Luca smiled. "Yes. We will spare no expense in securing your affection,"

"What if I can't be bought?"

"I'm sure we can come to a mutually beneficial arrangement. Earning your ire is detrimental to our end goals. We're willing to be tolerant with you. To a point."

"And you won't feed off me?"

"Only to tend your wounds, Lady Kya. Our saliva has a healing factor. Did you notice your knee is completely healed this morning? Not even a scar?"

"No, I didn't notice, sorry. Um, I have an embarrassing question." Her cheeks flamed as she considered her new reality. "I'm a human female... there's moonblood every month. How am I to handle that in a castle full of Vampires?"

"Moonblood is the Wolf term. We call it the Maiden blood. Luca will tend you, then I. We count that as a perk of owning you; such blood is magically potent, full of the potential of life. It's a delicacy."

Her jaw dropped in shock. Were they implying what she think they are? "What d-do you mean?"

"We will feast upon free flowing blood. No matter where it comes from." Luca answered. "Every last drop."

A curious mixture of disgust and excitement welled up, fueled by the memories of last night and Luca's probing tongue.

"As stated earlier, you are expected to report to us when blood flows. We will tend you well."

The sound of thunder and shattering glass poured forth to pollute everyone's ears.

"There's few who can shatter that kind of barrier."

"Brace yourself, Lady Kya. I have no doubt things shall get awkward. Just remember, we shall protect you, no matter what is said."

"What's going on, my lord?"

"The King has arrived."