by Claire Marta
He seemed pleased with her answer. “That is acceptable.” The deepness of his voice rolled through her making her toes tingle.
Remaining where he was, he watched her move to the bathroom. Jasmine got the impression he didn’t want to go. Closing the door, she had a quick wash. All her things had been laid neatly out, toothbrush, hairbrush, lip-gloss. She didn’t waste too much time getting dressed.
Eagerness was racing through her. This was her chance to learn what she could from the humans who lived here. Finally this was her big chance to prove herself to her team. In their eyes, she was just a rookie. This was the break and experience she needed. She slipped on the glove Twitch had given her. This made her feel closer to him. She still missed their normal contact. You were never lonely with him whispering in your ear. It was comforting.
Eric was still waiting when she emerged. His expression was brooding. Was he really that worried? Jasmine felt warm inside knowing he kind of cared. She was a big girl though and could take care of herself. This was her job.
“I guess I’ll go find the other human pets then. Maybe their having kibble in the kitchen.” Her joke seemed to fall flat.
The vampire did not look amused. With a sigh she turned to the door.
“Wait.” His commanding tone stopped her mid-step.
With confusion she turned back. Now what was wrong? Eric retrieved something from on top of the dresser. The collar. She recognised the red and black of the leather immediately. He stalked towards her, his expression coldly severe. Coming to a stop, he towered over her.
Carefully he fastened it around her neck. “You must wear this, while in the building Kitten. Without it you risk the attention of others.” He warned softly. “Never forget.”
JASMINE FOUND THE COMPANIONS IN the kitchen. The sound of laughter had steered her in the right direction. It was a large modern white room and had been built with the humans living in the mansion in mind. Stainless steel appliances decked the counters. Two large refrigerators stood next to a double stove.
The smell of something spicy and pleasant was woven in the air. Jasmine’s stomach gurgled at the appealing aroma as she followed her nose. Fifteen women were sitting at a long table smiling and laughing. Even though they were all dressed casually, six of them still wore the collars, which marked them as a vampire property.
Jasmine still thought the whole thing bizarre. The women here all seemed happy and animated. This was a far cry from the silent obedient submissive girls she had witnessed the night before. Confusion swamped her all the more. Jasmine hated to admit it, but part of her had enjoyed the horny vamp dinner party. It had been kinky as hell. Doing it all the time though was something she was not sure she could do.
These women had given up control to the vampires’ here completely. Every aspect of their life was dictated to them by someone else. She was still not one hundred percent sure how it worked. Her knowledge of BDSM was limited. Then again the vampire’s version was probably a lot different, especially as fangs were involved.
Nervously Jasmine toyed with one of the buckles on Twitch’s glove, as she moved into the room. The feel of it was reassuring.
“Hi.” She gave a little wave when two of them noticed her. This felt so fucking awkward. Last night she had seen these women naked, heard the vampires pleasuring them and doing a shit load of other kinky stuff. Now she had to talk to them like it hadn’t happened.
The smiles they returned were curious yet open. No one seemed embarrassed at all.
“Hey there, you’re the new girl right?” The smaller of the two asked.
She had long platinum blond hair, which swung in a pony-tail. With her peachy glowing skin and big blue clear eyes, she had a country girl look to her. Petite and slim, she was a shorty too. Jasmine instantly liked her.
“That’s me.” Jasmine smiled nervously back.
“I’m Mel. This is Sonia.”
The other woman was curvy. Her hair fell to her shoulders in a sleek, smooth wave of light brown. Features more exotic, Sonia had dark eyes and a pouty mouth. Jasmine noted she was without a collar. This had to mean she didn’t belong exclusively to one vamp.
“Are you hungry?” Sonia asked, her accent sounded Spanish. “I made some goulash. There’s plenty left if you want some.”
“Thanks.” Moving to the counter Jasmine grabbed a plate. Then she helped herself to some steamed white rice. Using a ladle, she scooped up a generous helping of goulash. Everything smelled mouth-watering.
Turning back, she found the women had made a space for her. Nodding her thanks, she plonked down between them. The other women at the table seemed to be just as welcoming. They greeted her warmly before continuing to chat. Most of it seemed to be about the weather, clothes and reality T.V.
This all felt so – normal.
Picking up a fork Jasmine tucked in to her food. Hunger pangs were knotting her stomach. She knew she needed to eat. Eric had been right when he had reminded her she didn’t always do so. The cuts of beef were tender. A thick rich spicy sauce coated the meat, mixed with slices of onions, tomatoes and garlic.
“This is fantastic.” She groaned between hearty mouthfuls.
“It wasn’t hard to whip up and I like cooking.” Sonia happily told her. “We take turns to cook here.”
Mel pushed the plate of rolls in Jasmine’s direction. “The bread is good for soaking up the sauce.”
Eagerly Jasmine helped herself to two. They were soft and crusty. Tearing them in half, she dunked them into her food.
“So how long have you guys been here? I’m really new to this and don’t have a clue how it works.” Jasmine asked before popping a piece into her mouth.
“I bet you’re full of questions then.” Sonia replied. “I’ve been here over a year now.”
“Me six months so far and still enjoying it.” Mel responded with a smile.
Jasmine’s eyes skimmed over the rest of the females. Had they all been here that long too? They all seemed relaxed, content. Even dare she say happy? This really wasn’t what she had been expecting. To be honest she had expected them to be quiet and subdued. They were after all letting someone else control their lives.
Empty bowls littered the table. Several bottles of red wine had been opened. She took a second to note the entrances and exists to the room. Then her gaze skipped over anything that could be used as a make-shift weapon. This was a habit. One which sometimes came in useful. Mel lifted one of the bottles and filled up her glass. Jasmine declined when it was offered her way. She wanted to keep a clear head.
“Why do you do it?” She asked instead. For some reason, she really needed to know. Jasmine wanted to understand.
“The pleasure bite and the fucking awesome sex.” Mel had a huge excited grin over her face. “They take care of us too. We get a place to live and anything we want within reason. All they want is our submission, blood and bodies. We even had a medical exam a few months ago to check we were healthy. A private nurse came in and ran some tests.”
“If your vampire likes you, he will probably take you back to London with him.” Sonia explained calmly. “Then you become part of the nest he lives in.”
“You’re lucky to have snagged yourself a city Master.” Mel was staring down into her wine glass. “Usually they already have a companion, sometimes even more than one.” Raising her glass she sipped at the contents.
Mel seemed eager to gossip. Jasmine was happy to listen and let her new friends talk. They seemed happy to point out who was who.
“Carly is Simon’s new girl.” Mel whispered nodding towards a dark haired woman. “She’s a little bit snooty, but don’t mind her. She’s been here about two months now.”
Jasmine recognized her as the woman who had sat in front of Simon at dinner. She was chatting to another companion and drinking wine. Carly looked confident and poised. This was a completely different image from the woman she had first seen.
Jasmine frowned. “But she’s well trained; she can’t
be new like me.”
“I meant new to him, apparently she used to belong to another vamp.” Mel continued. “Simon used to be with a woman named Margaret. She was so nice and I really thought they were happy. Then she just left and he hooked up with Carly.”
Jasmine absently stirred the food in her bowl. “Who did Carly belong to...before Simon?”
Mel shrugged. “A vamp from another city, no one from this nest. That sometimes happens. I don’t know if Simon got bored with Margaret or if she left him. He doesn’t mention her at all.”
“Do you think she was one of the serial killer’s victims?”
Silence suddenly filled the kitchen. So quiet you could have heard a pin drop. Several women looked their way at her question. Fear. It was written across their faces. She couldn’t blame them. The bodies that had been found had been mutilated almost beyond recognition. Jasmine’s appetite vanished.
Sonia shook her head. “No. They would have found her body by now.”
“Oh my gosh, you must be worried sick about that.” Mel suddenly gasped. “Don’t worry, they’re hunting the killer down.”
“They are?” Jasmine pushed the bowl away half eaten.
Reaching over the blonde patted her hand. “My vamp’s assured me of it.”
Jasmine met Mel’s gaze with curiosity. “Which one is yours?”
“I’m with Jakul. He looks scary as shit, but he has one wicked sense of humour.”
Jasmine raised an eyebrow warily. “He’s one of the twins right? How can you tell them apart?”
Mel’s smile turned into a mischievous grin. “Their personalities are completely opposite when you get to know them. Vilem also has a few flecks of gold in his brown eyes, which Jakul doesn’t have. They’ve tried to swap on me several times and they still can’t work out how I know the difference.”
“That’s Tina. She’s been here three months and belongs to Andel.” Sonia murmured to her left.
Jasmine glanced down the table. The woman looked pale. A haunted look dulled her big brown eyes and she seemed to be a little withdrawn.
“Andel?” Jasmine’s skin crawled just at the thought of him. There had been something unnerving about that particular white haired vamp with his cold killer like stare. He was someone you probably wouldn’t want to find yourself alone with.
Jasmine made a mental note, never to find herself in that situation. This was something she was sure she wouldn’t enjoy. If anyone was the Ripper, Jasmine’s money was on Andel. Just looking at Tina hardened her certainty.
“Yeah I know, he’s creepy as fuck, and to be honest I don’t think she’s going to stay. He never keeps companions long.” Mel continued to gossip whispering to her right.
“Why’s that?” Jasmine whispered back.
“He doesn’t like woman.” Sonia responded quietly. “Lida won’t allow anyone to take a male companion though, so he takes it out on the female companions he takes.”
Surprised Jasmine turned to face her. “That’s not fair. Why the fuck would any of you agree to be with him then?”
“Andel is very charming when he wants to be. The new companions never stand a chance even when we warn them.” Sonia shrugged. “Lida’s the Mistress of the City and what she says goes. Even if it pisses off her second in command.”
No wonder all the vampires hadn’t seemed happy last night. Maybe it wasn’t just having Eric and Asier here. Had they stumbled onto something more?
“What about Vilem?” Jasmine enquired glancing back at the other women.
“He doesn’t have a companion at the moment. The rest of the women here are unattached.” Mel told her before sipping at her wine.
Jasmine frowned. “How does that work?”
“If a vamp needs blood, we provide it.” Sonia explained. “And anything else they want, like sex.”
Jasmine suddenly realised what might have happened if Eric hadn’t been there. She or Gemma could have ended as anyone’s. The thought was unsettling.
“So you don’t belong to a vampire?”
Sonia shook her head. Her expression was wistful. Maybe she wished she did.
“What are they planning tonight for us?” Jasmine asked fiddling with the spoon that lay in her bowl. Were they going to have a repeat of last night’s dinner?
“It’s our night off.” Mel informed her. The glass she held was cradled against her chest, as she sat back and observed the others at the table.
Jasmine’s surprise showed plainly on her face at her words. “Night off?” She echoed. The vamps gave their pets time off?
Sonia laughed. “Yes. They do give us time to let our hair down and relax. We’re not prisoners.”
“Were hitting some bars, why don’t you come too?” Mel asked eagerly.
Jasmine nodded. “Sure, it sounds like fun.”
“Great if you’re done we can head out.” Mel grabbed her bowl of half eaten food and slipped from her chair.
The other women must have also heard. They were already rising from the table. The chatter of excited voices began to increase, as everyone began to clear away their dishes and cups.
“Let me go get my coat.” Jasmine said hastily leaping up.
Sonia turned from the dish washer, where she was cramming the dirty bowls inside. “Ok. Meet you by the front door in a few minutes then.”
Hurrying back into the bedroom, Jasmine found it empty. Eric had obviously left for his meeting with Lida. Someone would still need to know where she was going and with who. Jasmine snatched up her bag from the chair. Rummaging through, she grabbed the mobile phone, her fingers caressing it.
Guiding her fingertip across the smooth touch screen, she whirled it in a figure of eight. Glowing blue the surface pulsed to life as it lit up. Runes instantly began to stream over the exterior as it recognized her fingerprint and synced. The light glowed brighter. A faint whisper of familiar magic tingled along her finger. Jasmine smiled.
“Hey Jazzy, you ok?” Twitch’s soft disembodied purr abruptly enquired inside the room with worry.
Leaving the phone on the bed, she pulled on her jacket. “Twitch I’m going out with a few of the other women.”
“Mark’s going to follow you.” The mage murmured quietly back. “Try to keep them together.”
Jasmine rolled her eyes, she knew her damn job. “I know what to do.” She responded slipping on the tracking ring she had left on the bedside table.
“The killer might make his move.” Twitch continued pointing out the obvious. “Be careful Jazzy.”
Leaning down she retrieved the phone. “Always Twitchy.”
Swirling her finger in a backwards figure of eight, the magic ebbed. Opening her bag she dropped the phone back inside. Jasmine could feel the weight of the collar around her neck. Using her index fingers she stroked the leather. She decided to remove it. They were leaving the nest. Eric had told her to wear it in the building, yet now they were going out. She would not feel comfortable wearing it outside. Unbuckling it clumsily, she carefully placed it on the dresser.
She stared at it for a heartbeat. Then turning she headed out.
BOUNCING DOWN THE STAIRCASE, SHE found the companions by the front door. They were chatting happily. All of them were wrapped up well against the cold wet weather. Jasmine was relieved to see the other women were not wearing their collars either.
Tugging up her zipper of her black leather jacket, she headed for Mel and Sonia. They were standing talking to another woman. Carly. She was Simon’s pet. Not far behind her Jasmine could see Tina. She seemed pale and subdued.
“I thought someone…a vamp might come with us as there’s a serial killer on the loose.” Jasmine commented as she reached them.
The women were alone. Weren’t they worried? If the companions were as precious to the vampires as Eric had said, then why were they unguarded?
“They were supposed to yes...Lida’s got some kind of party going on, so no one can come.” Sonia replied. Even though she was smiling, Jasmine could se
e the woman’s worry. She frowned. Lida had expressed worry about the killer at dinner, yet she couldn’t spare one vamp this evening? That felt a little weird.
“Lida said if we stick together we’d be fine.” Carly’s words seemed almost carefree. “Safety in numbers and all that, she said not to worry. Come on we need some fun.”
As they left the house, Jasmine felt a familiar tingle up her arm. Frowning, she glanced down. The mage’s glove was snug against her skin. Had Twitch imbued it with magic? She was used to the touch of it by now and it had felt as if something had been activated leaving the nest.
Mark had warned him about giving her too many enchanted objects. Yet it looked like Twitch had disobeyed him. Jasmine wouldn’t say a word though. She had no wish to get him in trouble. Anything extra was a bonus.
The shower had passed leaving the streets rain washed and empty, but a chilly gust of wind made Jasmine huddle in her jacket. They strolled quickly across Charles Bridge, which connected them to old town. The full majesty of the structure stretched before them. Even in the dark you still got a sense of the time-worn atmosphere of the place.
Jasmine glanced left at the expanse of river below. Lights were reflected across it and the water looked dark and murky. The women were chatting animatedly. Only Tina was silent. Her expression was closed and she seemed to be lost in her own troubled thoughts.
Was Andel treating her badly? If he was the serial killer did Tina know? Maybe that was why she was so withdrawn. Could she be frightened of what he might do to her?
“There’s a place we always go.” Sonia told her, breaking into her thoughts. “It’s small, but nice.”
“How are you getting on with your vamp?” Mel suddenly asked.
Jasmine blinked surprised at the question. “Fine – why?”
“Well I heard he picked you from the blood donors that were requested in from an agency for Lida’s guests. You have to be a little nervous about agreeing to be a vampire’s companion. I know I was at first.”
Jasmine’s fingers tightened on the strap of her flowery bag. “Yes, I am a little bit, but Eric’s very nice.”
