The Vampire’s Servant
Chapter 27

After breakfast, Val asked Echo if he could stay for a few hours. She looked a little nervous at the idea. I can imagine she didn't like the idea of people being here while her master slept.

The more time I spent with her, the more I could feel our bond grow. I was understanding her a little more. She liked things a certain way and when things upset her plans, they upset her as well.

I convinced him to make a plan for staying over next weekend. It gained me a grateful smile from Echo. Just one of the ways I was planning to convince her to love me. I would make sure she was always comfortable and in control. She'd spent most of her life under someone else's control. I should have seen it earlier. She wouldn't see the goddess choosing her for me as a gift. She would see it as yet another being who had more power controlling her life. The goddess had chosen me for a reason. I needed to figure out all the ways I could give Echo the life she deserved. I would start small and work my way into her life as gently as I could.

"Do you have your class list?" I asked Echo as I helped gather up dirty dishes.

"Yes. It's in my room." She replied, not looking at me.

"I can wash these, why don't you go grab it. Val and I can tell you what classes you have with us, Harmony, or Cam." I smiled.

"Are you sure? It's kinda my job."

"I work in a restaurant. I can wash a load of dishes, Echo. I'm not completely useless." I groaned.

She laughed and left the room. Making her laugh was definitely one of the highlights of my whole week. I would cherish the sound until I could make it happen again.

Val came over and helped with cleaning up. He had a slight smile as we worked to load the dishwasher and put away the juice and stuff. It reminded me of Echo's smile a little.

"I always wanted to take over her work and let her rest when we were kids. I was hoping to help her clean the house today so she could have more time to play." He said.

"Echo has things the way she likes them. I bet she was thinking you might be a distraction. Making a plan ahead of time will give her a chance to figure things out, then you can offer to help while you're here."

"When did you become so patient and wise?" Trent snorted.

"When I fell in love with someone who needed more understanding than I had in me up to that point. I'll grow and change like Echo needs me to. I'm not going to lose." I grinned.

-

Echo came down, roughly, when we'd finished cleaning and putting everything away. She looked around and checked our work before smiling, then took us to the living room. It was a bit of a mess from the night before, but she told us to leave it and she would take care of it after we were gone.

Val and I reluctantly agreed. Neither of us wanted to upset her by stepping out of line. The place was under her rule now that Victor was sleeping. Instead, I'd work on a way to win her during the days we'd have together.

Looking at her class schedule, I saw that she had English and Science with me. She had Math with only Val, History with Val and Harmony, Creative Writing with Harmony and Cam, and Gym with Harmony in the afternoon. She had Home Room alone, though. It was too late in the year to try and change any of our schedules. So, she would just have to be alone.

"I guess the positive is that I'll know someone in most of my classes." She said softly.

"You'll have a chance to make friends in Home Room. It's only a thirty-minute class for announcements and stuff at the beginning of the day. You have first period free like me and Harmony." I told her. "We can show you around the school." "Thank you, Gray." Echo smiled. "I really appreciate it. Unfortunately, I have to ask you all to leave now. My master is sleeping and I have cleaning to do."

"Okay, Echo. We'll head out and see you tomorrow at school. Have a good day." I replied.

"See you tomorrow, Echo. I love you." Val said, pulling her into a hug.

I tried not to be jealous of him getting a hug. He was her brother, after all, and I was just her friend. One day it would be me getting hugs, I knew I'd get there. I had the drive and the desire. I wouldn't lose to Victor.

"I love you, too, Valley. Tell Harmony I'll see her tomorrow and that I love her as well. Oh! Before I forget, Rosalynn wants to test you and Harmony. Maybe we can do that when you come over next weekend."

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"I have a lot of vampire blood in me. They want to see if you're a low level dhampyr or a higher level, like me. Marius says we'll be protected as descendants of his sire. We'd get you vampire last names. Probably Marius', actually." She told him. "What's his last name?" Val asked.

"Aconitum." Echo smiled.

I looked at my brother with wide eyes. He bit his lips together to stop himself from laughing. That was the weirdest coincidence.

"So... Harmony would be Harmony Aconitum?" I asked.

"Yes." She responded curiously. "Why?"

"Do you know what plants are in the genus Aconitum?" Trent snickered.

"No."

"Wolf's Bane. It's severely toxic and one of the few poisons that can kill a werewolf. It would definitely be an interesting name to add to our rolls." Trent chuckled.

"Wow. That is pretty funny. Anyway, I have work to do. You guys should go. We can plan for next weekend at lunch tomorrow. I just need to run it by Victor." Echo said, ushering us out to the entryway.

We said our goodbyes and headed to the car. Val quickly decided to give Echo his cell number and made her promise to text him. I would get her number from her at some point. It would be a sign that she was accepting me.

The drive back home was quiet. Trent was pleased with himself. I was a little mad that he'd lied to me, but I understood. He was trying to do something good for the pack. That was his priority, not my heart.

"Do you think she's really happy?" Val asked softly.

"She seemed happy. I talked to Victor and he said she smiles and laughs often. She has a lot of freedom; a lot more than she would have had if anyone else had bought her. His home is the best place for her. Your sister would be in a lot of danger anywhere else." Trent assured him.

"I'm glad someone saved her. I just wish it wasn't a vampire. Can we even trust him?" Val wondered.

"Trusting vampires isn't something that comes easily to werewolves. He seemed sincere when we talked. He might just be the most trustworthy vampire I've ever met. If it seems like she's in danger, we'll contact the Werewolf Association. One of them has connections in the Vampire High Council. Until then, let's see where it goes." Trent said.

I thought about it. Vampires would be after her all the time if she weren't claimed by Victor. Once I won her, I'd let her keep his name so she'd be safe. I could live with that. Nothing would make me give her up.

-

[Echo]

-

I was relieved when they left. It felt like they were looking for reasons to stick around, and I had work to do. Even though it was nice to see Val safe, I couldn't let my work fall by the wayside. Taking care of Victor was important to me.

It was nice that Gray was trying so hard to be my friend. Maybe he realized that was all I was able to give. Whatever it was, it was exactly what I needed. Having Victor at home and Gray at school, would make me safer in general.

The cleaning in the living room, game room, and all three bedrooms took most of my morning. I didn't mind it too much, though. The idea of being able to have Val, and maybe Harmony, stay the night next weekend was exciting. I missed them terribly. Once I finished my lunch, I moved the laundry to the dryer and put together snack trays for whoever would be coming to feed Victor and Rosalynn. I hoped it was someone other than Ms. Helen. I really didn't like her. I'd rather feed him myself than let her anywhere near my master.

.... Where did that thought come from?

Ever since Drew talked about having a very intimate relationship with his master, little things like that had been creeping into my head. Like last night, when I thought of what it would be like to have his babies. I didn't want any of that.

I didn't want Victor to bite me, I didn't want him to breed me, and I didn't want our relationship to grow any further than a friendship. He was my master. Not my boyfriend, mate, or whatever it was vampires had. My teeth itched just thinking about it.

Before I realized it, I was in front of his room, unlocking his door. I shook my head and decided it was because I needed to wash his clothes and get him fresh towels. Once I had everything, I locked his door again and went to gather clothing items from Rosalynn's

room.

After the laundry was started, I focused on making sure I had everything for school. My backpack was packed up, I made a lunch and put it in the fridge to take with me, and I pulled out the clothes I would wear. I was finally going to go to a real school for the first time ever, and I was more excited than I could even explain.