From Slave To Queen (Athena and Michael) novel Chapter 8

Chapter 8

“My name is Narkissa.” She doesn’t say it in a friendly tone. “I’m in charge of preparing the new ones. I’ll take you to your quarters and explain what you need to know.”

She lifts her skirts as she begins ascending a new staircase. This one is covered with a red carpet, and at the top hangs a portrait. As we approach, I begin to distinguish Cassian’s features in it.

“Are you coming?” the vampire prompts me.

We move quickly through corridors lit by candles resting on ornate, jeweled sconces. We stop in front of a double black wooden door with the same fanged design from outside. She enters the room, lifting the white sheets that cover the furniture as she passes.

“Honestly, we didn’t expect Cassian to take on another bloodmaid.”

“Why?” I dare to ask.

She moves forward and pulls open the curtains. I walk through the room with heavy steps, venturing into the wolf’s mouth.

“We were returning from a trip, we weren’t supposed to attend any Red Auction tonight.”

So fate had a lot to do with this. She turns with her hands on her hips.

“Let’s see.” She exhales a breath. “You already know your job is to feed the master. She points to the side of the large bed. “That bell there will ring when he needs you. There will always be someone outside to take you to him, though he usually feeds in the grand hall.” I swallow hard as my head tries to process the information. “Also, it’s your duty to stay healthy–we don’t want low–quality blood. You’ll receive regular medical checkups, be fed a rich and balanced diet, and have access to all the gardens for walking. Always accompanied by the guard posted outside the door.”

“I didn’t see any when we came here.”

“This wing of the castle is empty, but don’t worry. Now that you’re here, you’ll see them.”

Her face is expressionless as she waits for me to say something. I twist my fingers in front of me.

“How… how am I supposed to feed him?”

One corner of her mouth curves into almost a smile. She approaches and takes my wrist.

“Generally, you’ll cut here.” She points at my bluish veins. “And pour your blood into his cup. It’s simple.“.

I narrow my eyes, confused, I didn’t expect something so…

“Disappointed?” she replies with amusement. “Cassian doesn’t sink his fangs into just anyone.”

“I thought for them…” I look at her. “Well, for you… feeding directly was more…

..pleasurable.”

“It is.” She walks to the wardrobe, opens both doors, and runs her fingers across dozens of dresses–I can see from here how majestic they are. “Most feed directly by sinking their fangs in. Cassian is special. He feels a greater aversion to humans than the rest.”

The spark of anger lights again. He feels aversion toward us? Him? Aversion is what we feel–they’re the unnatural ones. Their hearts don’t beat, their bodies are suspended in time, they don’t even have a soul. The one who should feel disgust is me, not him.`

“Only his favorites have that privilege,” she adds.

So Cassian has his favorite little lambs. I’m not surprised.

“I see.”

*You must always be available,” she continues. “Cassian handles most of his duties and pleasures during the night, so I recommend you adjust your lifestyle to his.”

“Anything else?”

1 sound irritated without meaning to. Narkissa raises an eyebrow in my direction.

“Cassian may sometimes take you with him, outside the castle.” She points with her chin toward the outside. “You probably know his reputation- he’s never satisfied. His thirst is never quenched. So it’s not unusual for him to take a bloodmaid with him.”

I’m not going to contradict her, even if the truth is I’ve spent my whole life running from them to the point that I don’t even know the names of the most important ones. And apparently, Cassian Draven is one of them. Just look at where he lives.

“Although I wouldn’t worry about that. He always takes his favorite on those occasions.”

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12:18 PM

Chapter 8

I narrow my eyes slightly. Why does that sound like provocation?

“How many bloodmaids does Cassian have?”

Her chest swells like a peacock’s, her chin lifts even higher–if that’s possible–and she smiles at me with arrogance, showing me her fangs for the second time.

“Twelve.”

A heavy weight settles in my stomach along with the information. It expands and twists. Twelve bloodmaids

“Are that many really necessary?”

is a

for

one man. It’s not fair.

“Of course,” she replies. “Without that many, you would all fall ill quickly because you’d be too weakened. That’s why Cassian keeps so many–to rotate and prevent your lives from ending sooner than expected. Even so, many still die. I suppose it’s hard to keep with him.”

up

“I thought the rules said our buyer must take care of us, not end our lives.” I cross my arms beneath my chest. “Besides, twelve bloodmaids is… excessive.”

“The rules are rewritten if they have to be applied to Cassian.”

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