The Master

When I stepped into the shower I had made sure to leave at least a lamp in the living room on. It was 7:30 pm and the sun set sooner each day. My parents were also out (working late) and I was left by myself. I didn’t like showering in the house by myself but there wasn’t much I could do against that. I needed to shower and despite the tense bubble residing in my gut I needed to get over it. It was just a senseless fear.

I locked the door behind me, just in case.

I started the water, steam filling the room and stripped. Before long the mirror was fogged and I climbed into the shower, my worries playing at the edge of my consciousness.

The dark house was an inviting scene. With only a lamp on in the living room and one bedroom blazing with light it took the intruders only a minute to find the sole resident. The beam of light under the door signalled they had found her at last. The intruders crossed the open layout each seemingly made of darkness. Each time they passed light they blocked it out with their forms and once they had passed it blared once again. Swiftly, they made their way to the unsuspecting resident, only their eyes glinting in the darkness.

I was washing the conditioner out of my hair when the hair on my arms stood on end. I felt reasonably colder and my gut clenched uneasily. Something didn’t feel...right.

The smaller of the two was quietly and quickly picking the lock to the bathroom while the other looked around the room. He smirked but didn’t say anything. When the lock was completely picked the smaller stood up and nodded. The taller placed his gloved hand on the doorknob-

I felt a slight breeze and brushed it off as the fan

-and turned.

I closed my eyes and let the warm water wash over my body, humming lightly as I did so. It was on days like this I usually sang in the shower, but because my nerves were still on edge I didn’t want to alert anyone I was here.
SLAM
I jumped and nearly fell out of the shower if I hadn’t gripped onto the shower curtain and the rings popped off as I stabilized myself. I came face to face with two dark entities entering the small, cramped bathroom I was currently having a shower in. I swallowed as they passed the light and it flickered, dimming and bathing the room in a menacing aura. The taller of the two was wearing a dark coat, gloves, a bowler hat and I could only see his eyes glinting in the dark. The smaller one I barely paid any attention as this-this thing gripped me by my arm and pulled me close to him, sniffing.
“Ah, I knew I smelled untasted female.” His voice was barely a rumble, so deep I thought it was in my head. I didn’t see his lips move but I felt his breath against my face. My heart hammered away in my chest as his grip changed from my arm to my throat. There wasn’t any pressure but it was highly intimidating. I felt his eyes run the length of me and he chuckled. “Female, are you scared?” I felt my heart race just at this question. Of course I was afraid! Two unknown people had burst into my house! “Good.” His voice was smooth as chocolate. “I suppose that she should do. She looks healthy and smells healthy.” He inhaled. “Not to mention she is untouched. We will put off the ritual until I decide so. We need more recruits, but she is such a delicacy we shall wait.” He wasn’t talking to me at all and my eyes flared with anger. If he wasn’t holding onto my neck and I didn’t feel like he could crush it without a second thought I would’ve been kicking and screaming. There was also something enchanting about his eyes that gleamed under his hat. He chuckled, amused. “She’s going to give us a hard time. Go grab the rope and a dressing gown.” He ordered the second man and he ducked out. Then we were alone and I raised my head slightly, glaring at him. I was going to be kidnapped and I wasn’t able to fight back at all. I was naked, wet and being held up by my throat. “You are quite the pretty little thing aren’t you?” He mused as we waited for the second one to come back. “And those breasts are supple, you shall be a good addition to the herd.” My anger flared again along with my nostrils and he chuckled. “Fiery little thing. Hmm.” The second man came back and moved around us, turning off the water and picking me up out of the tub. As soon as his fingers touched my skin I shivered, unable to fight as the bowler hat guy released his hold on my neck. I glared bullets at him as the second raised my arms and slid a flowing white dressing gown over my head, pulling my long hair out of the fabric before bringing my hands behind me and tying them there. Then his breathed against my ear and I shivered. My feet began to move, following the bowler hat man into my house. The darkness was far more prominent now as time had passed since I stepped into the shower. About 40 minutes? An hour? It didn’t matter now, I was currently being taken from my home by two cloaked men, like something from a terrible nightmare.
“Let me go.” I finally rasped and the first stopped. He turned around, a look of shock on his face.
“Did you just...speak?” He asked and I glared daggers at him.
“Let me go.” I repeated, working the words in my mouth. He glanced to the man behind him before putting his right hand on his stomach and laughing.
“My dear child, I simply cannot do that. You were on the list. You had to be taken.” He came forward, gripping my chin in his gloved hand. “But do not worry, I make a loving Master.” I wanted to spit at his feet.
“What list?” I hissed. “I have nothing I could give you.” I told them honestly and this time both of them laughed.
“Yes, yes you do sweetie.” Suddenly, the silver glint from his eyes changed, but only for a moment and I blinked. I must have been seeing things, but I swear I thought his eyes had turned blood red. “You have something far more tantalizing than you know.” I heard my blood racing in my ears, an unquenchable fear rising throughout my body. What the hell did that mean?
I only paused our movement forward for a mere few minutes, but those moments gave me somethings to chew on. So this wasn't a random attack. This had been planned (and that only terrified me more). Heart racing at the situation I had somehow gotten myself into I followed the men out of the safety of my own home (was it really safe?) and down the steep steps to where a long, black car lay waiting. Every inch of my body told me not to get in the car but it was like my body was entranced. Struggling was out of the question but talking, I could still do that.
“I am not getting in the car.” I proclaimed majestically and the bowler hat guy chuckled.
“Oh really? Octavius, you made sure to bind her?” He asked and the man behind me, presumably Octavius answered.
“Of course sir. She can’t run away.” Both men chuckled while I glared heatedly at bowler hat guy.
“Well my dear, your threat is very much empty then. Octavius, put her in the back.” He glanced over his shoulder as he walked around. “I wish to...speak to her.” My palms started to sweat and my brain raced, trying to think of any way to get out of this. I was still thinking of a way out of this when the door opened and my head was pushed into the interior of the car. I was still trying to escape when I slid onto the plush interior of the car. Still trying to get out of this mess when my hands were arranged comfortably behind me for a long ride. I glared at any set of eyes I could, meeting each with deadly intent but only got chuckles out of those I met. A third man had join our ranks. He, unlike Octavius and bowler hat man had facial features and eyes that didn’t glint silver. They were pale blue instead, his skin delicately white as porcelain I thought he would shatter if I breathed at him the wrong way. His super fine blonde hair left me thinking that I was sitting in front of a blonde god. That didn’t make me any happier though. If he was a god, I dreaded my fate even more. Gods were not known for...understanding. Or kindness.
“This is the girl we drove all the way out here to pick up? Are you sure Master?” I bristled and hissed at him and a smile played at the corners of his mouth.
“You will speak kindly to her Darian. She plays a very important role to us.” Bowler hat spoke with quiet authority and Blue eyes smirked.
“Of course Master. Whatever you say. She just...isn’t what I would expect us to come all this way for.” Bowler hat chuckled and cast me a glance. I glared bullets at him and he snorted.
“Oh really? Not the fiery, quick to bite personality you were complaining we didn’t have in our family earlier hmm?” Blue eyes scowled and cast his gaze to the side but I felt it flick to me every once in a while.
“Where is she from?” He asked curiously and bowler hat chuckled once more.
“Why don’t you ask her that?” Blue eyes pondered that for a moment.
“Alright. Woman. Where are you from?” I hissed at him as the car started and Octavius slid in next to me.
“Bite me.” I stated coolly and Octavius and Bowler hat erupted in laughter. Blue eyes jaw worked viciously.
“That can be arranged human.” I would have spat at his feet if it wasn’t for the fact that this car was so fancy.
“Oh I am sure you can.” We glared at each other heatedly until he broke our little stare off and I snorted. I shifted my shoulders slightly and sighed, turning my head to the darkened window. I wonder if Mom and Kent were home yet? Maybe they weren’t, but when they did get home...I felt my heart climb up my throat and sit where my voice box was. Oh god, Mom was going to be in some state when she found out I was gone. She was going to be so upset and angry and if I never showed my face ever again I-
I gasped, pulling air into my weakened lungs and tried to force my heart back down my throat. No, I couldn’t think like that. I was going to get back. I was going to get home. That wasn’t an option here. I turned my gaze back to the men filling the cabin with me and found all of their eyes on me. Bowler hat seemed almost...fond of me and I felt a bubble of disgust well inside me.
“What?” I snapped moodily and he laughed again, reaching his hand out to grip my chin in his hand.
“I am just thinking about how good of a find we made tonight. You are deliciously rebellious. I am looking forward to breaking you?” I raised my eyebrows, stunned. Break me? This man was speaking about breaking me? Did he not know who was sitting before him? I snorted and tore my face away from his hand, baring my teeth the slightest bit.
“Oh, I bet you would just love to try wouldn’t you?” I murmured and the man right beside me, Octavius, shifted.
“Master.” He said lazily. “This human has no respect for us. Why should we keep her?” He asked and ‘Master’ answered Octavius gleefully.
“Because she amuses me and she was on the list. I think she is the little bit of flame our family has been looking for and if the council has called for her introduction I see no reason why we shouldn’t bring her in. Besides, I quite enjoy those grey eyes of hers. They remind me of an angry storm about to smite all those within reach.” Damn right they did because that is exactly what I intended to do! “And besides that Octavius, it is not like she will remain human forever. Give her a taste of immortality and she will be a different woman. They always are.” They shared a chuckle and my blood boiled beneath my flesh. I didn’t register the word ‘immortality’ until I got over the anger of being insulted. Like the rest? How dare they! I don’t want to be grouped up with the other females they had kidnapped and forced into their cult! I had no idea who they were but I was not going to be treated like-like being human was bad! I was about to throw an angry retort at them when I finally processed exactly what they had said. Immortality? Oh jesus christ. No, no no no no no no. This could not be happening right now. I couldn’t be in the presence of immortal beings! This was not the future I was supposed to have. I mean, I just-I swallowed heavily.
I looked around the cab of the car with a bit more understanding.
They seemed to notice my change in behaviour and Blue eyes gave an appreciative nod.
“Ah. She seems to have noticed our slip. I quite like the change.” I growled at him still, not caring about his immortality.
“Do not treat me like an idiot. Anyone would notice the difference in humanity of you three. You Blue eyes look like a god.” A cocky smile crossed his face and I gave him a look. “That was not a compliment. Gods are not the kind of creatures I like to spend my time with. And you, Bowler hat-”
“Bowler hat!” He exclaimed. “I beg your pardon?” He demanded but I continued.
“I haven’t seen either your face or Octavius’. Nor have you graced me with the pleasure of knowing your name. Though you act as a figure of authority and Blue eyes calls you ‘Master’ and since you carry yourself in a cloak and dagger kind of way I can only assume a few creatures that come to mind. And no, I am not going to tell you what ones I think you are.” I gave a haughty snort and turned to look out the black window. I knew there was nothing to see through it and even though I wanted to keep my eyes on these creatures I decided it was best not to make eye contact with them. It was far more interesting to have them in my sights but if I wanted to keep my sanity I shouldn’t pay them too much attention. They were murmuring to each other and I bit the side of my cheeks, making sure I didn't say anything.
"....yes, it seems like the council..."
"...recent decision crossed the line. I think..."
"...the werewolves have gotten full of themselves..." I stiffened at hearing that word. Werewolves? What did werewolves have to do with this, unless...I turned my head and looked over each of them with new eyes. Octavius and Bowler hat who had shadows covering them, cloaking them in darkness. Blue eyes with his unnatural beauty. The only real enemy of werewolves I had ever heard of were...
"Vampires?" Bowler hat mused, turning his gaze to me. "I'm sorry for invading your private thoughts but you left yourself so unguarded that it was too easy. Yes, you have guessed correctly. We are vampires." I swallowed the rising panic in my throat and looked them over again.
"Then what do you want with me?" I asked, images going through my head and I tried to shake them off. Just folklore. Get it out of your brain.
"Well, that is a very interesting question. I am most interested in those images of yours. Few humans we have picked up have known much about us besides what the movies say of us. And if I am to be honest with you, I do hate those movies of us." My mouth was dry but I tried to speak.
"I am ah, h-historical researcher. I have a main focus on folklore of ancient cultures and the supernatural." Blue eyes whistled.
"Well, we know why the council put her on the list. She knows too much." I glared at him again and sniffed.
"I never did anything with my knowledge! The supernatural side was something I did for fun. If we went to my office you wouldn't be able to tell right away that I was looking into that history. You'd only find, for the most part old aztec ruins, egyptian cats etc. There are occasionally ancient symbols of some creatures but not enough to know that I know anything." I puffed my cheeks out. "I only speak about my research with two of my friends. One is a history buff like me and the other is working with animals." They stared at me for a long moment.
"And where are they?" Bowler hat asked and I bristled.
"Oh no you don't! You are not going to grab them too!" He sighed and placed a hand on my shoulder and I felt a coldness spread through me.
"You will tell me where they are woman." My body started to go numb but I knew he was just trying to get me compliant and I tried to shake off his arm.
"No! I will not let that happen! Let me go you creep!" I hissed. I was frantic. I was NOT going to let my friends have the same fate. Never. They deserved much better than I did. I didn't want them hurt. Alex was- I gasped and tore my arm free from him. "Stop reading my mind! I am not going to betray them!" Blue eyes looked impressed.
"Impressive. You didn't break." Bowler hat didn't seem as pleased.
"This Alex character. Is she one of your friends? I think there is an Alex on the list." I didn't want to let the panic show on my face but I knew it was in my eyes. Bowler hat frowned.
"L-Let me see the list." I whispered and all three of them gave me a startled look. "What? You said she might be on the list. I want to make sure she isn't." I bit my lip. "If either of them are, I will you tell you. I promise." I sat looking between them aggressively. Daring them to question my honour.
"Alright." Bowler hat finally said as we took a sharp turn and I smacked my head against the window with a terrible crack. I hissed and I felt fingers prod at my temple.
"You should be fine. I see no scratch and I smell no blood." I nodded at his analysis.
"A-Alright. Thanks." Octavius said nothing while Bowler hat rustled around in a bag until he found what he was looking for.
"I'll hold the list. It has two pages. Tell me when to flip." I nodded and began scanning the names.
No...
Not there...
Melony? Well, she deserved to be kidnapped forever...
No...
Alex...Foley.... I gave a sigh when I saw that and continued reading.
No...
Not her...
She didn't seem to be here...
No...
"Flip please." The paper rustled as it flipped and then, at the top of the page...
"No." I felt the words sucked out of me with terror. There, at the top of the page sat the one name I really didn't want to see. Char Hamleton, Giza, Egypt. I shook my head as I stared at the paper in horror.