Faline

We get into the motions rather quickly. Even though Maii doesn't talk aloud, he can still learn to read and write. It'll be a slow process but, what else have I to do? Least I'm being productive.

Some of the others listen in here and there, but it isn't too often a 'whore' is asked to read or write something. While waiting for my assorted doughs to rise, I teach some of the others who seem to be in here often how to use the different appliances, from toasters to the fryers. I don't get into anything too technical, don't want to confuse them, but knowing how something works and how to turn it on or off tends to be good info to have. Especially if you want to keep injuries down.

While doing the many assorted tasks, I catch her Lordship walking through. Once I see her, my head inclines to her, thanking her for all the equipment, then turns away to ignore her. Getting some fresh fruit out, prepped, then put into some of the metal bins in the cooling counter is much more important.

Since I'm slicing strawberries, I warn Kerry that I'm about to do something probably stupid. She raises an eyebrow and smirks. Well geez.

"This shall be an epic moment. I'm technically testing tricky tastebuds."

They all look at me as if I've grown another head, so I just laugh. Grabbing up a sliver of strawberry, I inspect it, then touch the tip of my tongue to it. My face scrunches up immediately from the tartness. Feels like I just put a box full of lemon-heads in my mouth.

Everyone laughs or smirks at my pucker face. I'm sure I look all sorts of sexy doing it, but I'm determined, as seen when I put my tongue to a spoonful of sugar. That, remarkably, stops the sour tart-tingling. It doesn't taste amazing, less so when I touch the sugar to the roof of my mouth. Altered taste buds are weird. It's like taste is enhanced to the point that food becomes overwhelming. Hmm.

"I will figure this out, dammit."

I'm sure the face I'm making as I dissolve the rest of the sugar against my cheek is all sorts of all over the place.

Alright.

So sourness is way too much, and sugar isn't sweet. More like grainy...something. Can't think of a taste it resembles, but definitely grainy.

Grabbing a slice of paper, I make notes. Remembering the horrid experience of the jalapeno, hot flavors also overwhelm to the point of burning. Looking around, Kerry hands me a small bag.

Curious, I open it and start laughing immediately. Another random item I had put on the list was refrigerator magnets. So now I have a bag of them. Never realize how much pleasure you can get from such small innocuous things.

I start putting several on all the magnetic surfaces. Many are flat squares with random pictures. I keep the one of a colorful rising sun on the fridge that is behind me when I'm at my counters.

Others are either plain nobs or small animals. A wolf and an orange cat get put on my fridge as well as one that has a clip on it, the wolf is white and the cat is a domestic tabby.

Small symbols of home. The wolf standing for my sister of course, and the orange feline representing her cat, Tigger. Touching both tentatively until I have them in a spot I want, the clip goes in the middle of the metal-like door with my tasting paper gripped in it.

I look up at the painting my sister did so long ago. Wolf made of light with a cat born of shadow. The name of the painting; 'Shy Walking Shadows', could she have dreamed all this? Dreamed herself or sent to her? Is that possible? I have more questions than answers anymore it seems.

Putting my mind back on task, I finish putting sliced fruit into bins and whip up a rub for the chickens as I get them put in. Each oven can hold at max a total of thirty birds. I fill them both up.

Once they really get going, this place is going to smell like juicy poultry. The fryers are ready, so I show Kerry how to make doughnuts, then dipping them into the icing after they're cooled enough, as well as the sugar-covered ones. All the kitchen staff get one before the others are set out with the fruit.

I check on the stew, meat still has some cooking to do but it's ready for the veggies. Maii is given a break on practicing his words to cut them up and put them in.

Finally getting back to my pizza dough that I'd made a couple of dozen batches of, it still needs a little time, so I get the regular ovens turned on. Hope the Lady is in real good with her utility bills, 'cause all this new stuff is gonna eat up a whole lot more energy.

Of course, I'm sure she saves on the fact that not much lighting is needed for the people of this place. Since I started working here in the kitchen, I've kept the overhead lights on and bright. Her bill will steadily go up. That thought alone gives me a sick kind of satisfaction.

While I make up the sauce, I have the others who are normally in here cutting veggies, assorted meats, and shredding cheeses. Pizzas start coming along quite nicely, making both thin crust and deep dish. Once they're in, I look around.

Many looks of concentration, yes, but their faces are alight, not pointed down and expecting to be punished. I step back quietly and lean against a wall. Now this is how a good set up is supposed to look like.

Conversation, small smiles, and laughter. I'd finally gotten it into many of the submissives that I don't want them bowing to me. No falling to their knees and lowering their eyes. No assuming the position whenever I walk in.

Over the course of my time working in here, I've seen many come and go with bruises, pale skin, bleeding bites or cuts, malnourished and thin bodies. A lot of them won't look at me when they come in, but I've let them all know that they're welcome to come in at any time and get something to eat. If those who 'want' them won't take care of them, I will.

Not much different than what I'd done at home with my sister, aside from the rough usage and sex. When they come in bleeding, I clean their wounds when I can. Most don't want to be touched, and that I can totally understand.

Doing what I can when offering food and drink, being a Vampire comes in handy when they try to refuse. It may sound mean, but when I have to order them to eat or drink something after coming in, I do so.

Both male and female, young and, well, older young. I've even seen the healer sneak in here a couple of times to snag something. Speaking of which, should probably make that woman a goody basket or something. She deserves it.

Too soon yet to see much of a difference, but all are starting to look a little better in one way or another. More alive, less dead and dying. Can't help but feel accomplished at that.

I about jump out of my skin when I see the Lady standing next to me from out of nowhere. Like, really close, fabrics actually touching along arms close.

"You need a bell. I should put that on the list next time. Assorted colored bells for those of you who find it enjoyable to sneak up on me."

A black arched brow rises, her mouth twitching before she looks out over the room. Watching the faces of those who haven't noticed her come in. They may all feel beholden to this woman, but they all go quiet and keep their eyes down when she's around.

"Thank you for all the new stuff, although much of it I was being an ass about, you didn't need to get the big stuff."

"I know."

Folding my arms over my middle, I look over, studying her. This woman makes no sense to me. All the back and forth is starting to hurt my head.

"If you knew, why'd you do it? This stuff isn't cheap. Not to mention the amount of food that gets used now and needs to be restocked. Or hell, even the energy needed to power them."

Her hands are in her pockets, standing as straight as a soldier at attention. Dual-colored eyes point back to me when everyone goes quiet, finally noticing her. Don't think I'll ever be able to read her face, she's very subtle.

"I may be a sadist, but that doesn't mean I have to always be cruel. You were right on what you said about those I take in. I'm sure I will make more from them when they look healthier."

Not only did that not really answer my question, but it puts a harsh scowl over my face as I look at her.

"I am not fattening up pigs for a damn market to be sold."

My fists clench hard against my belly as her eyes fall from mine to my neck. I may be Vampire, but that clearly doesn't take me off the menu with her.

"Are you not? What do you think goes on here? This is a whore house, my pet. A flesh market. I sell flesh, blood, and sex. Auctions get held regularly for those very things. Do you know how many have asked for you? The fact that you are Vampire and belong to Nicolaus is not what saves you, my dear."

I didn't know it was possible for Vampires to be sick, yet my stomach is twisting hard. Don't even know which of what she said is the worst. I look away before she can see the raging storm in my eyes, but I'm sure she catches some of it.

Have I mentioned I hate Vampires? Every single one I've met has been so fucking screwed in the head I begin to fear for my own sanity. My queasiness turns hard in my gut, then flares hot as it turns to rage.

"What the hell is wrong with all of you? Every single Vamp I've met or come across has been mad, sick, or insane, I think you're all three. Will I become the same way? Because if the answer is yes tell me now so I can go get a last look at the sun."

With my eyes directed away, I don't see her coming at me, not like it would matter anyway. A steel hand goes around my neck and pulls me to her. I grab hold of her arm, glaring my defiance at her, daring her to kill me. She pulls me close and whispers to me.

"Careful Pet, wouldn't want a repeat of what happened earlier, now would you? I know I'd enjoy it."

She ducks her head down and into my shoulder, inhaling the scent of my skin before pressing small kisses along parts of my throat that she isn't holding. A shiver runs through me, panic filling my head.

My nails dig into her arm as I try pulling away with a cry of anger. She lets go instantly, causing me to stumble back. Before I can even think about it, I launch myself at her. Filled with a black rage that doesn't even feel like it's mine.

I'm grabbed from behind and pulled back. A hard chest gets pressed to my back, a thundering heart loud in my ears. Not my heart. The scent filling my nose does not help my rage at all.

Nicolaus wraps his arms around me, I catch the scent of fear coming from him. That's new. I couldn't smell that before. I roar at them both. My nails become claws and shred the arms holding me, eyes intent on the woman in front of me as everything narrows down.

Some kind of powerful strength comes from within me as I throw the male off, blood flies as I leap for her again, once more being stopped as I'm grabbed. Scent grabs my eyes, pulling them to Anthony as he grabs my arm. My other arm comes up hard, delivering a powerful backhand. His head snaps to the side as he falls back, his scent calling forth more fury from memory.

Pain, fear, rage, and despair.

Kierra. I'm channeling her black rage.

Tearing into another who tries to stop me from getting to my target, I can't even remember why I'm going after her, just that she's the focal point of it all.

Screams and shouts echo around me.

Nicolaus comes at me again, that's no good.

I don't even know what I'm doing, slashing and biting at everything that touches or comes near me.

The last yelped scream stops me dead. The cry is from Maii's coyote. Before I can turn to him, everything goes black.