The Vampire’s Servant
Chapter 123

Sean and I headed to Victor's office. I was eager to talk to him about what happened at lunch. The lead with Sean's great-uncle hadn't been the best, but we'd gotten a little bit more. It was something.

I opened the door to Victor's office and smiled at him. Victor got up from his chair and pulled me into his arms. He sniffed and held me away from him.

"You smell like another man." Victor growled.

"I had to hold on to Sean, because the elevator scared me, Victor." I answered softly.

He held me to him tightly. "I'm sorry, princess. Are you alright?"

"Yes. It was shaky at the top and I got scared. I wouldn't have touched Sean like that without a reason. I don't like when you're mad at me, Victor." I whispered.

"It was the curse. I trust you. I can smell Sean and a relative of his on you. That's two men and my brain is having trouble." He replied, kissing the top of my head. "We went to see his great-uncle, remember?" I asked.

"Right. Come in and tell us what you found." Victor said, pulling me into the room.

Sean followed us and was seated on the couch next to Finn. Talia sat in one of the chairs. Victor pulled me into his lap.

"My great-uncle didn't have a lot for us. He was only a baby. He said that his grandfather didn't sacrifice any of his children, they were sent with Grace to her new home. He also thought the Master was killed by his supports. He was adamant that they had staked him out for the sun, not that he had sacrificed himself. We told him everything pointed to him killing himself, but we may want to look into that a little." Sean said.

"Victor, can Sean and Rosario move in with us too? They want to help with the curse and they think they'll be better able to from here. They aren't a threat to your territory, because they aren't vampires, and they aren't a threat to our relationship, because they're gay. Please, Victor?" I asked.

He looked over at Sean, then to Talia. "The house is getting pretty full, Harmony called and told me that your uncles will be coming with them when they move in here. I don't think there's room."

"Finn and I can sleep with you. You have a big bed. That will free up two more rooms. Maybe this is what we need to break the curse. Everyone living together under one roof. There have been worse ideas proposed. Sean, will your parents be okay with this?" Talia asked.

"I'm eighteen. I'll tell them the truth, I will be here until the curse is broken. I want to help fix this. I need to be a part of it. My ancestor did this, I need to help." Sean replied.

Victor sighed. "I suppose we can do it like that. It's not like I'll be having you in my bed until this curse is done, I might as well let Finn and Talia sleep there."

"I'll go tell my parents as soon as we're done here. Echo needs to tell you all what happened at lunch." Sean said excitedly.

"What happened at lunch, my love?" Victor asked.

"I held hands with my sister and brother. There was a breeze that swept through the place and suddenly, the mate bond grew stronger for the wolves and two seventeen-year-old wolves found out they were mates!" I told them. Victor looked shocked. A huge grin spread across his face and he squeezed me tightly. I saw that Talia and Finn were looking at each other with a similar expression.

"Did it seem to go any further?" Talia asked.

"No. It only seemed to affect the cafeteria. We don't know how long it will last, either. Cam is watching the two wolves in question." Sean answered.

"This could help hold off the progression of the curse for Victor." Talia whispered. "It could give us more time!"

"Well done, princess! We'll get them moved in as soon as possible and see what it does." Victor kissed my cheek. "You have amazed me, yet again. My sweet little princess."

I turned and kissed Victor deeply. He responded with hunger. My body craved him so badly. I loved when he was proud of me.

We pulled away. Victor caressed my cheek and I rubbed my face against his hand. I could see in his eyes that it was entirely him. I hoped this worked, because I wanted Victor back.

"You have a lot of work to do, princess. You'll need to get the house ready for three more werewolves and arrange rooms for everyone." Victor said.

"I can do it, Victor. I need to go start cooking dinner. I can work on my plan while I cook. Come on, Sean, I'll walk you out."

I got off of Victor's lap and guided Sean out to the entryway. He held my hand and smiled. I could see how excited he was for a real adventure.

"I'm going to tell my parents and start packing. I don't know if they'll help me move, but I'm hopeful that I'll be able to do this smoothly. I don't want my parents thinking that I'm mad at them or anything." Sean told me.

"They won't. You'll explain and they'll understand. I just know it. Trust me, Sean. Everything will be fine, plus, now that I've been to your house, I can travel there any time. If you need help moving, I can bring you and your things over." I winked. "That's a really useful power." He smiled. "I'll text you and let you know how it goes."

Sean left with a wave and I went into the kitchen to begin cooking. Once I got everything started, I pulled out a notepad from a drawer and started planning where I could put everyone. No matter how I worked it, I had one more person than I had bedrooms. I considered the guest cottage, but I didn't know who I would put in there and I was pretty sure all four bedrooms were taken by the werewolves who guarded the property. All I could think of was rooming someone with someone else. Val would be upset if I had Cam and Harmony together, and Cam wouldn't like Val and Harmony in the same room.

Putting Harmony in my room would work... then I had an idea that made me grin. I had joked about it earlier with Sean, but it would work and still give everyone their space. I put Rosario and Sean in room six. The one I usually reserved for Marius. Quickly, I sent him a text letting him know I needed his room for guests. He told me it was fine as long as they weren't werewolves. I assured him they weren't and solidified my plan.

Trent called as I was pulling everything out of the oven and letting it rest. I turned the stovetop burners to low and gave the pots a quick stir before answering.

"Hello?"

"Echo, Victor told me I should call you, since you're in charge of the house. I talked to my guys in the guest house and they're going to double up in rooms, since two work the dayshift and two work the night. I'm sending over a couple of omegas to help with meals and housekeeping. With a full house, you need support." Trent said, getting straight to business. "Are you sure? Do they really want to work for a vampire?" I asked.

"They want to help their pack. Omegas always want to do what will help their pack the most, we take care of them in some ways, they take care of us in others. I have carefully selected two omegas who are okay with the idea of working for vampires." He told me. "When should I expect them?"

"Everyone is packing up to move in after school tomorrow. I'm having them come first thing in the morning so you have time to go over everything and they can get started on preparing the rooms." Trent answered.

"Thank you, Alpha Padua. I appreciate you sending someone to help. I'll make sure everything is ready for them." I said.

"No problem. If this helps speed up the process of getting rid of the curse and saves Victor, I'm prepared to give anything I can." He replied seriously.

We said our goodbyes and I texted Rosario that he was cleared to move in. As I was serving dinner, Sean texted to let me know that his parents were worried, but otherwise knew he was an adult and could do as he pleased. He said he would move in tomorrow when I told him everyone else was. Wednesday was going to be a fairly busy day.

At dinner, I let everyone know about the changes that would be happening tomorrow. Victor okayed me giving the omegas his debit card to use for the household. Dillon said that he would help oversee everything. Jean-Claude suggested that I not train tomorrow so I could show the omegas around and get them settled. I accepted the suggestion.

I waited up for Gray, so I could tell him everything. He was thrilled that it had all worked out, but was dismayed that Finn's hunch hadn't paid off. I assured him that we were going to work it out. Someone there had to know, Finn had always said that it was someone at the home, not necessarily Fenton himself.

Bedtime was lonely. I stared at my ceiling and tried to keep the positive attitude going, but I just couldn't. I tried to stay quiet as I cried. I didn't know what was about to happen. I didn't know if we were really going to save Victor. I didn't know if any of this was actually going to change anything.

Victor and Gray were probably trying not to come in my room, to give me space and not upset the other. I wished one of them would, though. I felt more alone than I had in weeks. Eventually, I fell into a fitful sleep.

-

The next morning, I could barely open my eyes. It was like they were sealed shut. I got into the shower and scrubbed, trying to get myself moving and thinking. I had a lot to do today. I dressed for school and headed downstairs.

When I arrived in the entryway, Victor was opening the front door. He waved in two pretty young women. One was about my height, the other was taller. The taller one had dark skin and eyes. Her hair was cut very short and seemed to be just a shadow on her head. The shorter one was pale and blonde. She reminded me of Felix with the paleness of her skin.

"Echo, the omegas have arrived." Victor said, turning to me.

I smiled at them and they smiled and bowed a little to me. Victor just turned and walked away. I watched him leave, but shook loose the sad feeling.

"I'm Echo Nightshade. That was Victor, the Master of the territory." I explained.

"I'm Wendell, this is my friend Lisa." The blonde one said.

"Thank you very much for coming to help us." I said. "Let me show you to the guest cottage. You can put your things there and I can give you a tour of the house, followed by what I need done today."

"What should we call you?" Lisa asked.

"Normally, Echo. If we tell you there's something important going on, Mistress Nightshade. Always address Victor as Master Nightshade, just like you always call Trent 'Alpha"." I instructed them as we walked through the house and out the backdoor toward the cottage.

Brandon and Travis were up having breakfast before they took over the watch. They showed the girls up to their rooms. While the girls were putting their bags up, Brandon assured me that all four of them would act like perfect gentlemen, as their Alpha commanded.

I led the girls back to the house and showed them around the main floor. I gave them Victor's card so they could make purchases. When we got to Victor's, closed, office door I stopped them.

"This is Victor's office. I'm the only one who cleans this room. Just let the door stand open during the day so Bobby can vacuum."

"Who's Bobby?" Wendell asked.

"One of my vacuum robots. I have two, Bobby for the main floor and Billy for upstairs." I explained.

"Okay, that's cute." Lisa snickered.

I took them upstairs and explained that no one was allowed to clean Victor's bedroom except for me. I went over what I needed them to do to get each of the bedrooms ready for our guests. I took them back to the kitchen and showed them where the recipes for blood foods were.

They helped me get breakfast ready when everyone came in from training. I told them to have breakfast with us so they would know who most of us were. They were happy to join.

"This should be easy enough to take care of. We're used to working in the pack house where there are easily a hundred wolves living." Lisa said. "Anything else we should know?"

"Stay out of the basement. They're working on putting in cells that even vampires can't break out of and they're on a timeline. Let me, Finn, or Talia know immediately if Victor threatens you. You should have a link with Cam, Harmony, and Gray. Let Gray know if you have a problem with Victor and no vampire is around or you can't get away from him. If you focus on me hard enough, you should be able to get a message to me." I warned. "Is it likely that he might attack us?" Wendell asked.

"I doubt it. Just stay out of the areas I told you to stay out of. If he perceives you as a threat, I may not be able to save you before he does something regrettable." I replied.

They looked at each other and got that distant look, like they were mindlinking. I hoped they weren't rethinking their decision to come help us. They nodded.

"We'll treat him like we would our Alpha and try to stay out of his way." Wendell told me.

I smiled brightly and we finished the meal. They really knew their way around the kitchen and I think it was the fastest I'd put out a meal since Bellamy left. We had everything settled in the dining room before anyone made it in to help set the table. While we ate, I introduced them and they answered everyone's questions. It was very comfortable. Like the calm before the storm. This afternoon, I knew the house would be lively.

After breakfast, I went and got my backpack. I was slipping my shoes on in the entry when Victor came in. I looked up at him and smiled.

"Are you feeling better this morning? I wanted to come to you, but...." He sighed. "I was worried I was part of the reason you were upset."

Gray came in and stood a good distance away. He watched us intently. I'd seen him covered in bruises this morning again. I wanted to go to him, but Victor was there.

"I'm better, Victor. I need to get out to the bus stop." I told him.

He held his hand out and I took it. Victor pulled me to him and kissed me deeply. I nearly melted against him, but remembered that Gray was right there and pulled away. "I'll see you later. Okay, Victor?" I whispered.

"You're mine. I better not smell any other males on you when I wake." He warned.

"Of course not, Victor. I love you. Sleep well today." I replied.

He let me go and I left the house. Gray left a couple minutes later and we went to his truck. He was careful not to touch me until we were standing at the bus stop a few moments later.

Gray grabbed me and kissed me like Victor had. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him to me tighter.

"I'm sorry I didn't come to you last night, angel. I love you so much. It hurt to feel you crying and know I couldn't go hold you. I swear, I'll never let you cry alone again once this curse is broken." He murmured.

"I know. I love you, too. Just try to stay alive until we can break the curse. I don't want Victor to kill you. I need both of you alive and healthy."

I heard the bus coming and pulled away. Gray caressed my face before letting me go and heading to his truck. I felt cold, colder than I'd ever felt before. Turning, I got on the bus and sat in my seat, alone.

Rosario wasn't on the bus. I didn't want to deal with people asking after me. I wondered where he was, but I'd find out later. I stared out the window and let my mind go blank. It was a nice change from the noisy mess it had become.