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“That is what it is to be a Fledgling. However, they wield the power of their blood over humans the way I wield mine over them. This is how it’s been for thousands upon thousands of years. And in two thousand years, those Fledglings you’ve seen in New York this year, the ones who manage to survive, will treat the new vampires of that age the way they were once treated. They’ll manipulate their Fledglings, using them to amass power and prestige while the true Ancients continue to manipulate them. It’s a vicious circle. ”
“Why the hell would anyone want to be a vampire then?”
“Most humans aren’t given a choice, Logan. I can count on one hand the vampires I know who sought an avenue to become what they are, and not a single one did so for any reason other than vengeance. ”
“Okay. So let me be selfish for just a minute. In this warped circle of dysfunction, because that’s obviously what it is, where do Servios fit in?”
“Servios serve their Masters. In all honestly, the life of a Servio varies greatly pending who they serve. Alfred enjoys a very comfortable life here and is nearly as old as my Father. He maintains the castle and all its inner workings, as well as tending to my Father’s personal affairs. He’s also my Father’s closest friend and even his conscience on occasion. But there are many Servios, of varying ages, who are traded and treated like slaves by their Masters. ”
Logan grimaced. That certainly didn’t make her feel good. “How so?”
“I could keep you here for a century recounting stories of the horrors Servios have undergone. Suffice it to say, Servios can be subject to the same atrocities any human could, except endure it for far longer considering their resistance to death. You, no matter which Nelek Child becomes your Master, won’t face such. My Father holds each of us to high standards when it comes to the treatment of our servants. You’ll be trained in our ways and treated with the respect you deserve. Now, that doesn’t mean you won’t be punished for your mistakes, but we only torture our enemies. ”
A shiver ran the length of Logan’s body. The smile that crossed Vouclade’s face as he finished his sentence was inhuman at best, but she wasn’t sure that was the whole reason for the way she felt.
“What was that?” she asked. “Did you do that?”
“Yes. ” He removed his hands from her stomach but caught both of her forearms. “The healing process is complete. However, I have a request of you. ”
She was almost afraid to ask. “What?”
His face took on a more serious countenance. “Your life as nothing more than a street waif is now over. I’m asking that you allow me to remove the final traces of that life. ” She glanced down to where his thumbs brushed over the dark blotches on her arms. “You are more than a drug addict. You are more than sunken eyes, pale skin and colorless lips. You are a beautiful, intelligent woman who sees the world through the eyes of a human, but processes it with the elegant mind of an Elder vampire. You, Logan Ellis, are a rarity in this age, and very much a Nelek. ”
She wasn’t exactly sure how to take that. “Is there something wrong with the way I look?”
“Vampiric society is very brutal and maligning to someone who possesses obvious weakness. Although I’ve healed the internal damage your life on the streets has done, you still have the look of a street waif. I have no doubt that in New York’s society you will face ridicule, which will only reflect on your Master. I have no intention of changing your features, just adjusting your body to what it would be had you been more able to care for it. It truly is a question of whether you wish to look as you do now, for the rest of eternity. ”
She closed her eyes. The concept of eternity was difficult to wrap her mind around. Hell, it was hard to wrap her mind around everything she’d been through in the last three days, let alone forever.
Vampires. Castles. Dragons.
Really, what the hell had she gotten herself into?
“It appears the decision has been made for you. ”
She opened her eyes and stared at Vouclade. “What?”
“Father wishes for your body to be restored completely. He says it is the second step in you realizing you are more than what others believe you are. ”
She arched a brow. “Wait, wouldn’t me staying as I am be saying I’m more than what people think I am?”
He smiled in a most devious way. “No. If someone were to look at you now, they would expect you have an intricate knowledge of the streets. If I restore you, you become extremely dangerous as no one would believe such. ”
“Ooh. I like the sound of that. How long does…” before she was able to finish the question, she felt another tingle, only this time it rippled across her skin.
“It’s done. ”
“Just like that?”
“Yes. ”
She stared down at her arms almost unable to believe her own eyes. The needle tracks were completely gone, as if they’d never been there at all, and instead of a pale, sickly color, her skin was ivory and shimmered in a way she hadn’t seen since…she couldn’t even remember.
Her mouth all but fell open when she looked down. She cupped and squeezed her breasts. “Are my boobs bigger?”
He laughed. “Only slightly. Your bone structure wasn’t meant for anything more than what you already had. However, in my personal opinion, the more womanly curve of your hips compensate for whatever it is you feel your breasts lack. ”
Logan ran her hands over her body. “I have hips!” She tried to look over her shoulder. “I think I have an ass. ” She groped her behind, finding a bit more than she had before. “I do! I have an ass! This is fucked up. How the hell did you do this?”
He simply smiled again. “I’ve reached an age where the power of my blood allows me to accomplish many things. There’s nothing I can’t do to the human or vampiric body with but a thought or touch. ”
“Can you give me more boobs?”
He frowned. “No. I told you I would only return your body to what it would be had you taken better care of it. ” He motioned to a door across the room as a new set of clothes appeared in his hand. “Beyond that door your Master awaits you. I suggest you don’t make them wait any longer. ”
Chapter 14
“Holy shit, you look so good! Not that I didn’t approve before, but damn you’re hot!”
As the door disappeared under her outstretched hand, Logan found herself with the sudden urge to smile and cry at the same time. For some reason she’d believed Kerestyan would be the one sitting in the chair by the crackling fireplace, kicked back like he owned the place.
But instead, it was Trinity.
The vampiress swung her feet down from the dark coffee table. “You expected Kerestyan, didn’t you?”
Logan fought against the wide range of emotions swirling inside her. Tears heated and stung the rims of her eyes but she refused to give in. She forced a smile into place. “I guess I just assumed it would be him. ”
“It can’t be him, Logan. ” She motioned to the chair across from her. “It goes against Nelek decorum. ”
Logan walked over and sank into the soft, maroon leather, silently reminding herself she needed to listen to the forthcoming answer with an open mind. “What’s Nelek decorum?”
“A set of rules my Dad’s placed on all his Children. Kerestyan’s interest in you goes beyond…how can I say this? Screw it. Kerestyan has feelings for you, and because of that he can’t be your Master. It’s one rule I happen to agree with whole heartedly. ” She leaned back in her chair and laughed. “And considering you don’t even know how you feel about him, Kerestyan being your Master wouldn’t be good for you at all. ”
Logan slowly nodded, staring at the table as all her emotions twisted and converged into one. “So now we’ve moved from telling me how I feel to what is and isn’t good for me. ” She raised her head and glared at Trinity. “In this list of rules you have, does it also state as soon as you grow fangs y
ou become a fucking know-it-all? Does it say as soon as your heart stops beating you get to control everyone around you?”
Trinity narrowed her tilted eyes. “You may want to think long and hard about whatever’s running through your mind right now, Logan. ”
“What’s going through my mind? You’re lucky I can even think straight right now. I think I’ve taken everything that’s happened over the last few days fairly well. I didn’t fight. I didn’t run. My human brain didn’t spontaneously combust, as Odin so lovingly put it. I’ve answered all the questions asked of me, and even accepted when I didn’t think mine were being answered with complete honesty. But everybody has a limit, and I’m damn close to finding mine. ”
Trinity kicked her feet back up on the table. “What are you going to do, attack me? I’ll warn you now – that’s against the rules, too. Nelek Children and Servios are forbidden to attack each other while we’re in the castle, and forbidden to kill each other no matter where we are. ”