The Vampire’s Servant
Chapter 25

Trent was a good leader. I liked that he put all of his people ahead of his own brother. It showed a lot of responsibility and dedication.

Victor was the same sort of leader. I knew he wouldn't accept terms that had anything to do with my siblings. He needed to do what was best for his people, not what would make me happy.

"Echo, why don't you take the boys to see your video games. I think this is a conversation for leaders. Rosalynn is a member of the Vampire Council, Alpha, I'd like her to stay so she can make record of whatever agreement we come to. Is that acceptable?" Victor asked. "More than acceptable, Master Nightshade. Gray, behave yourself and go with Echo." Trent ordered.

I stood then led Gray and Val down the hall to the family room. At least I'd straightened up a little before the meeting. Val's eyes went wide when he saw the big TV and all the systems hooked up to it. He walked over and started looking through the games, which I had organized by name and system on the shelves below the individual consoles.

"Nice set up, Echo. Have you had a chance to play much?" Val asked.

"I played all day. I would've still been playing, but I had to work." I sighed heavily.

"Maybe I could come over some time and we could play together." He suggested.

"That would be great! I have Saturdays off and my work load is pretty light during the day. The house is easy to care for. Vampires don't make many big messes and only eat a couple times a week when they're as old as Victor and Rosalynn. Master Marius eats even less when he comes. He told me the tea I make for them has enough blood for him." I smiled.

"So you feed them a couple times a week?" He asked softly.

There was a pained look on his face, like he understood what that meant. I didn't want him to worry. He needed to know I was safe.

I laughed. "No. Victor said I never have to feed anyone ever again. As long as I have his name, I'm safe."

I sat on the couch and laid my head back. I didn't realize that relaxing could be so exhausting, but I just wanted to sleep. Maybe it was the adrenalin spike and drop from seeing Val with the werewolves. It made sense.

Someone sat beside me, I opened my eyes tentatively when they took my hand. It was Val. That was reassuring. If it were Gray, I would've hit him.

"You're really safe? You aren't saying that because he told you to or because of mind control or something?" Val asked.

"I'm immune to mind control and hypnosis, Val. Even from very, very old and powerful vampires. I wouldn't lie to you or to Harmony unless it was to save you from something." I admitted.

"What were you saving us from on Saturday? You sent us away, knowing you wouldn't be there when we got back. You left us with only that note on the door and no explanation. We didn't even get to hug you that day." He said sadly and put an arm over my shoulders.

"I was saving you from whatever Mom and Dad had planned if you guys didn't leave. I didn't know what they'd do, I didn't want to find out. I wasn't even aware I was for sale until they told Victor someone offered one and a half million dollars for me. I was sold, yes, but it was like when an undercover officer buys drugs... except Victor kept me after. I was relocated to his care until I turn eighteen. The council gave Mom and Dad a warning not to try and sell you or Harmony or they'd die. Vampires don't like repeat offenders." I chuckled.

"You think that's funny?" Val sounded disgusted.

"Yes. I think it's very funny. They thought they were so clever because of what they did, but they weren't clever enough and I was saved from a truly horrible future. Mom and Dad didn't love me because of something I couldn't control. I can't forgive what they did because of it.

You don't know how painful it is to feed vampires when they're only interested in their meals and not in making it easier on their donor. Mom was standing right there, holding me down until I finally learned how to keep myself from running away or fighting them. She watched me with disgust while vampires did whatever they wanted. All the way until I was fourteen. Then I was sent into the study with them.

That's when the vampires started doing other things to me. Kissing, pinching, groping, one would grab me really rough and jerk my head to the side so hard, it felt like my neck would break, another would rub himself between my legs and tell me he was going to take my virginity as soon as he got the money together. I don't know how much they wanted for that, but I hoped it was a lot, because it wouldn't have been pleasant. Not for me, at least." I'd started crying at some point.

"Echo. I didn't realize. I'm sorry. Don't be sad. You're safe now, right?" Val whispered.

"Victor killed all the vampires who hurt me, Val. He's my friend. Why does everyone want me to leave my friend?" I sobbed.

"I want you to be happy. We didn't know if you were. I didn't think you really could be without me and Harmony. I thought, maybe they'd made you think you were." Val confided.

"I am happy, Val. I get you see you and Harmony at school. I can do what I want. I love taking care of Victor. Please, trust me." I asked, sniffling.

"Then you stay here. I love you and I want you to have whatever makes you happy." He said.

"No. Come to the pack lands with us. You aren't safe here. My brother told me what they do with female dhampyrs. He's just trying to get your loyalty so you'll let him breed you with whoever he wants. Or even just for himself. I bet he's planning to make you fall in love with him and start having babies with you as soon as he can." Gray asserted.

I thought about what it would mean to have Victor's babies. We definitely couldn't be friends after that. The things Mr. Caine used to whisper before he bit me, flooded into my mind. I had to push it away. Victor was my friend. I couldn't do any of the things that were racing through my mind. Even if they made me feel tingly.

Gray sneered. "Did you just get aroused from me saying he was planning to breed you? Your parents really did mess you up." He knelt in front of me. "Why do you want a vampire, but not me? What did I do wrong? Is it because I'm a werewolf? Can I change your mind? I can fix you. I want to make you whole. Please, Echo. Come home with me."

"You were disgusted by something I couldn't control. Then you insulted me. When I do something that confuses or upsets Victor, he talks to me. He doesn't call me 'messed up'. You get too close too fast. You expect me to jump on board with this matchmaker goddess business without any thought to my life. And you seem to think I don't understand what does and doesn't make me safe. Victor told me he doesn't want to have babies with me. He told Rosalynn, he doesn't want to marry me. I know a lot better than you what happens to female dhampyrs. I was already saved. I don't need you." I glared.

"Give me a chance, Echo. You're always running away from me. I thought it was because you were afraid of them getting mad. I messed up. I got upset. Just, be my friend, too. Please?" He pled softly.

I looked into his eyes. They were so sincere. Dang it. I wanted to tell him no and be mean, but he was asking for friendship, not marriage. I wanted friends. I wanted friends more than anything.

"I can agree to be your friend. You try to make it more and I'm done. You try to hurt my master or my family, and I'll get my sire then we'll come after you in a way you really don't want." I warned.

"If your master hurts you, I'm going to hurt him. It's my nature to protect my friends. Like Val and Harmony. I'll keep them safe, too." He promised.

"Okay, then. Can you back up? You're too close." I muttered.

Gray smiled and moved to the couch on the other side of Val. We all sat quietly. I didn't know what to talk about. I just wanted to go to bed or eat something.

My stomach growled, giving away my secret.

"I thought you said you had a lot to eat." Val said sternly.

"I got wrapped up in my game and forgot about dinner until eight. Then I had to change and get things ready for the werewolf issue, so I didn't have a chance. I don't eat in work mode or in front of guests of my master. I'll have something once you all leave." I assured him. "Don't be mad. I'm already going to have a lecture from Victor about this."

"Come on. We're getting you some food. I'll let your master know and we'll take you to get some burgers or something." Val said, pulling me from the couch.

I followed them down the hall. Would Victor be mad if I let them interrupt? I needed to take control of the situation.

"You guys wait here, I'll let Victor know. It's better if I do this." I told them.

Peeking into the living room, I saw everyone deep in discussion. There was a map pulled out and a pile of papers stacked on the table. I really didn't want to bother them.

"Echo. What's going on? Are you alright?" Victor asked, turning to me.

I forgot that he could smell me. It was embarrassing to be caught sneaking around, even though I was planning to talk to him. I stepped into the room.

"Val and Gray would like to take me to get dinner, since my meal was delayed, master. May I go, or will you be needing me?" I asked.

"Is this a trick to get my servant out of my house, Alpha?" Victor said coolly.

"I haven't authorized anything like that. As I said, she's safe here, there's no reason to try and remove her from your care." He shrugged.

"Go ahead, Echo. Make sure you have your phone on you and call if there's a problem." Victor ordered.

"Yes, master. We'll return as soon as possible." I said and bowed before leaving.