The guards don't speak as they lead me off stage.
Their hands don't grip as hard as they did before. They avoid yanking my chain connected to my collar as I am guided off stage. For the first time, they seem nervous. Nervous to hurt me.
The air shifts as we leave the auction area. More slaves pass by me with their numbers on, hoping they are going to be chosen as well. Their future uncertain. Heck, my future is as well. We come upon the prep room for new slaves who have an owner now.
Apparently, all slaves are required to get a makeover to look presentable to their owners.
This includes a shower, which feels amazing. Makeup. As well as trying on several dresses until one of them is approved by the stylist. Once they are done transforming me, you would've never guessed I was in the holding cells down below.
I am then led out of the room into the actual halls of the Blood Palace.
The vampire guard who is escorting me tells me I am going to be seeing the Grand Duke face to face now in a private lounge. Our footsteps echo against the marble floor as we make our way to the private lounge area for high-ranking vampires. The vampire guard knocks on one of the doors.
I feel his presence before I see him. Like static against my skin. My stomach is in knots.
The door swings open and I am gently pushed forward by the vampire guard. The door shuts softly behind me. Suddenly, I am in the room alone with the cold vampire himself.
Grand Duke Xavier Bloodstone.
He stands with one hand behind his back, the other holding a glass of what appears to be red wine. Emphasis on appears. He turns to face me when he hears the door shut behind my back. Like he already knew I was there the entire time.
His eyes lock onto mine.
They're silver. Cold. Like a predator studying its prey.
I take an involuntary step back.
He smiles.
It's not a cruel smile. It's not fake either. It's calm, that's the scary part.
I straighten my back. My chin held up high. I don't break his gaze.
He takes a single step forward.
"I was watching you," he says. His voice deep and velvety. "You don't look like the others."
I don't answer.
His gaze drops slowly and deliberately from my eyes, trailing down my body. He looks up at me again, pausing at my collar. The number tag still dangling from my neck. He walks around me once, like he is inspecting a piece of art.
"You carry yourself like a queen," he whispers in my ear. "But you wear that collar so obediently for me. That's my good girl."
I don't turn. I don't react. But the goosebumps rising along my skin betray me.
He steps in front of me and lifts one of his gloved hands. His rough fingers brush the edge of my collar, making my number tag dangle in the air. I attempt to lower my gaze, but he prevents me by lifting my chin with a single finger.
"Who were you before they took your name, little one?" he asks. "There's still fire in your eyes."
His touch is gentle, but there is hardness underneath. I can feel it. He could crush my throat if he wanted, but he doesn't. The Grand Duke wants to let me know he is choosing not to crush me.
"I was no one," I reply.
His eyes narrow as he senses the waver in my reply. "Liar."
I don't say anything in reply.
Xavier drops his hand and turns away from me as he moves toward the table. He sets down his glass of wine on the black marble table. He slowly sits on the red velvet couch as he studies me.
"You may join me, if it suits you."
I stay standing.
He watches me. He doesn't seem annoyed, rather amused. I guess that didn't work.
A moment passes. Then two.
"You'll learn," he says softly. "Obedience isn't a weakness, Aurora. It's survival."
My name on his tongue does something to me. He says it like he already knows me. Like I didn't just have it erased by the other vampires and be given a number.
"How do you know my original name? Are you going to replace it?"
Xavier smiles while shaking his head. "I know it because I ask for all the original names of slaves I consider getting for myself. I am not replacing it. Aurora is a beautiful name, for a beautiful slave."
My pulse quickens.
He stands up from the red velvet couch. He walks past me, close enough for his shoulder to brush up against mine. "I have no interest in simple fragile things. If I wanted something simple, I would've taken one of the others."
He pauses at the door to turn to look at me.
"But you... you'll be interesting to break."
I grit my teeth.
"Then you'll be disappointed if you think you can do that."
He looks at me as his eyes seem to change into something primal. His expression turning hungrier.
"No," he whispers. "I don't think I will."
As the door of the private lounge swings open, vampire guards approach the Grand Duke. He tells them to prepare me for departure. I overhear him say that he is taking me directly to Bloodstone Castle, which is his primary residence within the Grand Duchy of Bloodstone. He tells them to take good care of me, and that if anything happens to me, there will be consequences.
I stay silent as I listen in to the conversation going on outside beyond the door. In the meantime, I walk over to the black marble table and pick up the glass of wine. I study it curiously. The Grand Duke walks back into the private lounge for a moment, which startles me. He grabs my wrist.
"There will be time to study blood later, darling. For now, follow me. You're mine now."
I feel like this is the beginning of something I can't control.