Page 13 of Master Bistrita

He gives me a nod of agreement. “You’ll be the first to know. Try to get some sleep. There’s about four and a half hours of darkness left before sunup. The masters and their mates will be busy hunting for the duration of that time.”

Taylen averts her eyes in the hall as she passes Gregor, then steps into the room before closing and locking the door. She doesn’t even look at me as she walks to the refrigerator and pulls out a bottle of what looks like red wine, but I recognize it for what it is.

Descallia Red, the vampires’ drink of choice. And by the look on her face, she needs what it offers.

Taylen pours herself a generous glass, downs it, and then pours another. She wipes the trail of blood and wine mixture from her mouth on the back of her hand. “Nerves, I’ve burned through the meat and cheese. Now it’s just nerves. All of us should be out there helping the masters find the rogues. Defending our way of life, yet the vampires and vampiresses who aren’t purebloods or their mates are left to sit it out and wait, just like the humans. It’s hardly fair.

“That’s the first time I’ve ever heard you say something like that. I thought you were all pretty tight and got along.”

Her eyebrows raise. “I don’t mean to give you the impression that we’re not. It’s just that I’ve trained so hard. I thought one day, I might make it as one of the warriors, but then the whole group got deep sixed when Overmaster Descallia found out some of them were helping Isala.”

My heart aches for one of my dearest friends. I’ve barely seen a minute of the savages of her world, and still, I’m conflicted, feeling like I’m being lured into its dark web, little by little by the vampire master who causes me to want more of it instead of less. “I certainly don’t know what it’s like to be on the inside but feeling like I’m not. I very much feel like the outsider that I am right now. I’m trying to figure out how to fit in, while still being me.”

Her eyes silver around the edges, something I’ve seen time and time again for a variety of reasons. “Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be a vampire to fit into our world. You fit because your heart is pure, which is the only reason you work here. Otherwise, we wouldn’t allow it. But I am very much a vampire, yet the skills and dedication are cast aside.”

“I’m sorry.” It feels so insignificant, like saying so little, but it’s all that I can offer.”

Taylen pours another half glass. “Good thing we don’t have customers to take care of. They gave everyone the next few days off.” She takes a long swig and somehow, I don’t think two and a half glasses in she’s gonna just stop. “Now I learn they have this team called Special Ops. Embry is part of that. She probably got in because of her in with Lucas. If you’re Overmaster Descallia’s right hand man and you want your girl on the team, she’s a shoo in, right?”

I walk into the kitchen and pour myself a glass of wine. “I don’t know too much about her, but from what Natalia told me, the lady can fight. They just don’t know whose team she’s on right now, but she said that it doesn’t look good for Embry.”

Taylen growls, a deep in her throat growl.

I turn to look at the now very red eyes and fangs of my friend. “Taylen, I didn’t mean to upset you, I’m just saying. They didn’t just hire her because of Lucas. She fought hard for that position. I heard the story.”

She takes another sip and licks her lip, while her fangs ascend and her eyes go back to their bluish hue, when not silver. “Well, maybe, just maybe, they need another kick-ass special ops on their team to take her place?” she relents.

I quirk an eyebrow at my overzealous friend who usually has her heart in the right place but seems to be a wee bit jealous of the notorious Embry. “And what if Embry isn’t guilty? What if she isn’t a traitor?”

“Killjoy! I’m going to bed.” She walks to the master and peeks in. “Since you’ve already taken over the master bedroom and its bathroom, I’ll take the small room.”

I grimace. “Sorry, that tub was just calling my name.”

She laughs. “Not a problem. I want to go down to the lower-level gym early tomorrow before any of the others get the same idea. I just wish I had gotten a chance to prove my skills today. Those shifters were just too damn fast. I’ll be ready for the shifters next time. I’ll show the masters when they return,” she vows.

If they even return…

Taylen turns and gives me a look. “Stop worrying. They have survived centuries and will survive for centuries in the future. I have faith in our overmaster and the masters. You have to think positive. Just because I’m a piss pot full of jealousy does not mean I don’t respect each and every one of them.”

I stick my tongue out at her. “I hate that you can read my mind.”

She laughs. “Good night, human.”

I top off my glass of wine and head to the master bedroom, setting the glass on the nightstand and slipping off my robe before getting into the spacious bed. I tilt the pillows to sit up against them, put my phone next to me, and take another long drink before finally opening the envelope that’s been on my mind since it was first placed into my hand.

Dominant/submissive

In this contract, we will focus on the Dominant/submissive roles versus that of Masters/slaves and the very specific rules that I will advise you to research and fully understand before committing. The role of the submissive is to please your Dominant. The following rules are a general guide, to be used as a basis to begin the relationship, and to be adjusted as the relationship grows.

Rules

1. When in public, or outside of play, you will always address me by my first name, or the agreed upon pet name chosen together. In the bedroom, playroom, or any other area where sexual activity is in play, you will address me as sir.

2. Wellness and health are essential to the well-being of a submissive. You will adhere to a healthy diet (prepared by the resident chef), engage in a regimen of approved physical activity, and spend time discussing your day with your Dominant.

3. Ownership

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