Free Reign of the Vampires by Rebekah R. Ganiere Page A

intention of going in today. The best thing to do was show him around the house.
    “Come, Whitey, let us take a stroll, and I’ll show you where everything is.” He rubbed his wrist where Doc had put his bracelet on. “You’ll get used to it,” she said. “And hopefully you won’t need it for too long.”
    Whitey nodded.
    Danika walked out into the corridor and toward the room that had been Xenock’s. Her throat went dry as she unlatched the lock. Taking a deep breath, she pushed it open, ready to see, yet again, an image of Xenock. She sighed when she didn’t see him.
    “This will be your room. You may do with it as you wish.”
    She swallowed back the dryness, remembering the last time she’d been in it. Whitey inspected everything in turn. A full-size bed waited in the middle, with many pillows and a plush, dark comforter on top. There was a honey-colored nightstand with gold inlay, which her father had brought over from Russia, and a dresser and wardrobe to match. Heavy drapes framed a large picture window, but they’d been opened to let in the moonlight. A bathroom stood off to the side.
    After several minutes, she continued with the tour, through the dining hall, study, library, kitchen, game room, and Doc’s office. Whitey’s eyes stayed wide and his mouth hung slightly open by the time they finished.
    “Since you’re my personal slave you won’t be in the barracks with the rest of the house slaves. The bracelet on your wrist will prevent you from leaving the grounds. Should you try to run and escape, the bracelet will emit an electrical charge that will intensify the further away you get from the receiver I carry on me. Up to ten miles.”
    “What happens at ten miles?”
    “Your heart explodes. Or so I am told.” She shrugged. “I cannot know what this is like for you. But I’m a fair person. I do no ill to those who do me none. As long as you are in my service, I will treat you with respect. But in return, I expect your complete loyalty, as well as your willingness to learn and be the best you can. Will you do this for me, Whitey?”
    “William.”
    “I’m sorry?”
    “My name is William. They called me Whitey as a nickname because I am so pale. But my real name is William.”
    “Very well.” She nodded in approval. “William, will you do this for me?”
    “Yes, Lord Danika, I will do my best.”
    “I have some work to finish up, and I’m sure that you’ve had a stressful few days. Why don’t you take a shower, pick out something to wear. Grab a bite to eat if you’re hungry, then come and meet me in my rooms. I have a few phone calls for you to make.” She headed to her room. When she reached her door, she turned. He hadn’t moved. “Are you all right?”
    “Aren’t you going to... I mean... Aren’t there any guards?”
    Danika pointed to his wrist. “The bracelet, remember? Unless you give me a reason not to trust you, I do. Now, go, I’ll see you in a little bit.”
    “Yes, my lord.”
    She watched William disappear into his room. The bands of tension about her decision loosened. She stood in the hall waiting for Xenock’s mocking smile, but he didn’t appear.
    She turned the knob to her room. Now she just needed to find out the fate of her more expensive prize.
     
     

Chapter 6
     
    Mason sat on his bed, changed and washed, when three Vampires led by a vampyr dressed in black approached his cell. They stood between six foot two and six foot four. The tallest was an inch or so shorter than Mason and he easily had fifty pounds on all of them. Mason and the squad sized each other up. Their faces were calm and unreadable, but their eyes said volumes. Mason’s beast roared at the nearness of them. He wanted out and he wanted to exact revenge for the things that had been done to him. Mason squeezed his fists shut trying to stave off the mounting anger.
    “Oh wonderful, you were able to make it.” Clive sauntered across the courtyard, his shoes clicking on the cement