The Vampire’s Servant
Chapter 111

Opal was waiting in the entryway when I arrived home. She was a little early, but I didn't mind. I had her wait in my room as I took another shower. I didn't want to go into a building full of vampires smelling like a dhampyr and like fae all at the same time. It was like chumming the water for sharks. They wouldn't be able to resist and it could put them into a frenzy, at least, that's what Victor and Talia said. I wasn't going to risk it and washed myself diligently.

I called Gray into my bathroom to sniff me and tell me if I smelled like fae. It was a little bit of a mistake, as I ended up on the vanity with my legs around his head as he licked and sucked my body into a ball of pure bliss. Then I had to take another shower because I smelled like werewolf.

Eventually, I was able to make it to my computer chair and a smirking Opal started on my nails. She said blood red nails would go perfectly with my forest green dress. She stripped the fading color off my nails and cleaned them up to be repainted.

While she was working, Opal chattered about her master. Gareth was excited for the ball tonight. He was certain he'd garnered enough good will from Victor that he would be rewarded.

"Gareth is talking way more than he normally does. He's downright chattery." Opal giggled. "He keeps talking about the calls from Victor thanking him and how he's sure it means that he's going to be among the trusted vampires in the territory. Seating tonight has meaning. I really hope he gets a trusted seat. It would make him so happy."

"I don't know about the seating. Talia took care of all of that. I'm sure Victor let her know who to put where, though." I smiled.

"You don't seem as nervous as you did last weekend. Is it because you're going to be around vampires instead of humans?" She asked.

I shuddered. "No. Actually, being around vampires is the worst part of this. Being with Victor makes me happy. Knowing that I'll make him proud tonight makes me happy. Being around all the vampires actually scares me a little. I know I'll be safe, but some part of me is terrified."

"Gareth will watch out for you. I told him what a good and sweet girl you are. I also told him how much all the vampires in the house seem to like you. You know, other than Victor. I know you're not feeding them, because I haven't seen a single mark on your skin. It has to just be a part of who you are." Opal smiled.

With a nod, I turned my attention to her painting my nails. They looked just like the bags of blood in the fridge, but glossy. I liked how pretty they were.

She moved on to my makeup. Opal drew a cat eye on my lids. She used some mascara to bring out my lashes and added a little blush to my cheeks.

"We want to play up your paleness tonight. The more you look like a vampire, the better. That was the message I got, at least." She said.

Opal went over my lips with a lip pencil and gloss. When she showed me in the mirror, it was perfect. I didn't look as innocent as I normally did. The dark lip pencil and heavy eye makeup made me look almost imperious.

I mimicked Victor's cold expression and gave myself chills. It was like a whole other person was looking back at me. She was serious, solid, sure of herself, and absolutely not anyone's snack.

After I was done admiring myself, Opal started in on my hair. She straightened it until it was a glossy black mirror. I was amazed by it and kept touching it until she threatened to use the straightener on my fingers if I messed it up again.

She pulled a layer of my hair back and put it into an intricate knot. The lower layer was brushed down over my neck Opal helped me get the necklace Victor had given me on. She smoothed my hair back into place.

"Go get your dress on. I can help zip it for you." She offered.

"Could you help me with something else?" I asked.

"What do you need?"

"I have stockings to go with this and they attach to a belt thing. I've never used anything like that." I admitted.

"Go get the pieces on and I'll help you hook them up." Opal winked.

I went to my closet and pulled out a strapless bra, matching panties, the garter belt, and the stockings. Bellamy told me if I wore all of these under my clothes I'd have a lucky night. Or I'd get lucky that night. She worded it weird and I didn't fully understand, but I'd take all the luck I could get.

When I was finished putting them on, I went back into the bedroom. Opal looked at me with a smirk.

"Damn. No wonder all these guys are so hot for you. You have a killer body. Let me show you how to do this so you can wear it for them sometime. My Gareth loves when I wear nothing but stockings and a garter belt." She laughed.

Opal showed me how the straps hooked into the tops of the stockings. She showed me how to unhook them as well so I wouldn't have trouble at the end of the night. When I was all strapped in, she took a step back and looked me over.

"You know, with that makeup and hair, you look like you're about to dominate some naughty sub." Opal chuckled.

"I don't know what that means." I said as I turned back to the closet to get my dress.

"Oh, honey. I need to teach you a thing or two." She grinned and followed me.

While she helped me into my dress and got it zipped, Opal told me about men who like to be treated poorly by women and women who punish these men by stepping on them, forcing them to do things, and even spanking them. She said she had a friend who had a man that liked to lick her shoes while she spanked him with a riding crop.

I was stunned into silence. I didn't think I could ever do something like that. Though, the idea of Gray on his hands and knees doing whatever I told him to appealed to me. I couldn't imagine Victor doing anything like that. I could imagine tying him up and doing whatever I wanted to him, though.

"You're going to chew your lip gloss right off if you keep chewing your lips like that." Opal warned.

"Sorry." I blushed.

"You're all set. Master Nightshade should be ready by now. I'll just pack up my things and we can head down." She smiled.

I nodded and put things into the little handbag I would be taking with me. I had some extra gloss and a pencil for touching up my lips, some tissues, my phone, and a little cash. Victor insisted that I always have some on me in case of an emergency. Once Opal was all packed up, we went downstairs. Gray was in the entry with Victor. Victor was wearing a suit that looked far more stately than Gray's had for the prom. His hair was styled nicely and he was looking at his watch. I hoped I wasn't late. When I reached the entry way, Victor smiled.

"You look like a real vampire princess, my Echo." He murmured and swept me into his arms.

Victor danced me around the entryway. I could see Gray watching us with a smile on his face. I loved them both so much in that moment. Neither one was angry or jealous. They were just happy to be with me and see me grow. "May I cut in?" Marius asked.

I hadn't seen him. He must have just arrived. I smiled at him. Victor bowed and handed me off.

Taking a breath and refocusing, I followed Marius' movements around the open entry. He moved quickly and with purpose. I didn't lag or drag behind him, keeping up with each step, even in heels.

"Where did you learn to dance?" Marius asked.

"I didn't. I just follow where you go." I answered.

"You should have stepped on my toes at least a few times by now if you hadn't had any training. Not that I'm complaining. I had these shoes shined specially for this occasion." He chuckled. "Have you always been able to do this?"

"As far as I know. I can do it in training too. When I'm watching the boys spar, I know who is going to strike and how." I told him.

Marius stopped. He stared at me and a grin started spreading across his face. I didn't understand why.

"Dillon, tomorrow I want Echo to spar in training. I think she may surprise you."

"Got it. Is this a vampires only dance, or can I take over?" Dillon asked.

"If any wolf is going to dance with Echo, it's gonna be me." Gray growled.

"No wolves. She already holds the light scent because of her wolf blood, no need to make it worse." Marius replied, wrinkling his nose.

"The car is here to take us to the ball." Victor said.

"Then I shall let you go. I will be traveling with Talia. We need to pick up the other Masters from the Council. Go with you Solus Amor. I shall see you soon, daughter." Marius told me.

"Travel safely, papa. I want to see you at the ball having fun." I smiled.

"Ah, sweet Echo. Fun for papa isn't really fun for anyone else." He laughed and handed me off to Victor.

We said goodbye to everyone. I gave Gray a little kiss, since I wouldn't see him for hours. Victor led me out to the car. It was the same limo, with the same driver, as last weekend.

"Thank you, Hugh." I said as I got in the limo.

"No problem, ma'am." He replied.

Victor settled in next to me. He looked a little grumpy. I didn't know what had changed.

"What's wrong, Victor?" I asked.

"You know the driver. I didn't like the way he spoke to you." He growled.

"He was the driver from last weekend and he was only being polite. Please calm down. I'm only yours tonight." I told him.

"We should just go back home. This was a bad idea. I don't want any other males looking at you. I only just managed to hold myself together just then." Victor admitted.

"Victor. We need to do this. No one is going to touch me, no one is going to take me from you. Everything will be alright. Talia says this is a good way to ensure that vampires know and respect you. I want that. Our territory needs to be safe for me. It's the only way you and Gray will relax." I explained.

"My territory." He growled again.

I froze for a moment, then looked at him. His eyes were glowing and he looked really angry. I couldn't help the fear that ran through me.

Part of me was actually afraid he might hurt me. No matter how much I told myself I was safe with Victor, in this moment, I didn't think I truly was. I moved away, and he grasped my arm, pulling me against him.

"My Echo." Victor snarled, lowering his head like he was going to bite me.

"Please, Victor. You're hurting me." I whimpered.

It was as if a switch had been flipped and my Victor flooded back into his body. He released me and looked at his hands like they had betrayed him. I reached for his face, but he pulled away.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry, Echo. Please forgive me." He whispered.

"Of course I forgive you. That wasn't really you, Victor. It was the curse. It was just a little bruise and it's fading already. I'm fine." I assured him.

"What if I don't come back next time? The urge to feed on you was overwhelming. I would have bitten you if you hadn't snapped me out of it." Victor said solemnly. "It's not safe for you to be with me. You need to go to Grayson's packlands. You need to be safe, Echo." "I am safe. Now I know you aren't just possessive over me. I won't make that mistake again." I said.

"You were right, though, this is your territory as well. This is how the curse is going to try to kill me. It's going to drive you away and make me possessive over everything that I perceive as mine until I make the wrong choice and end up dead." He sighed. "If I'd hurt you over you saying this territory is ours, Marius would have hurt me. If I had killed you, he would kill me slowly and painfully."

"You wouldn't have killed me. When I tried to move away, you stopped me. I think the spell is conflicted. You love your territory as much as you love me. It can't figure out how to make this work. That's good. It means it could take longer to work." I told him. "You're always so positive, Echo. I don't know what I did to deserve you in my life."

"I used to think I couldn't fight the future, I could only try to make it bend the way that would help me most. Now, I'm fighting the future every day. You made me strong enough to fight the future that keeps trying to take you from me. I believe I can fight the future and win, Victor. I will win. I'm never going to lose you, I refuse." I promised him.

"I love you, Echo. I'll fight harder, too. We can win together." Victor said and wrapped his arms around me.

I didn't care if my hair or my dress got a little messy. Victor needed comforting from me. I would never let him suffer alone. I was his only love. I would always make sure he felt that love. No matter what it took.