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When Kaela said nothing, Fran's jaw set "I really don't like this," she blurted out She flushed "I' to be iet blood, my lady?"

"The same way I did before I had a servant Don't question me, Fran"

Fran was an Inherited Servant, trained froh to have her dropping her gaze Kaela was surprised the woman had been that forward, but Fran orried about her It touched her It also er to be away

"I'll be gone ten days Take the iven you, take a vacation"

"You're going to Miaht hours? Do they know"

"Stop it, Fran," she said sharply "I' for myself"

It wasn't her servant's fault that she couldn't fulfill Kaela's true needs Because Kaela understood what that felt like, only too well, she softened her voice, just enough Everything always had to be so calculated There were tiht the precision of her life would slice her into pieces

"You are a credit above and beyond the ranks of Inherited Servants, Fran I a you some time off Enjoy it Be whatever you desire to be for ten days and don't worry about me"

"I am a servant, my lady My only desire is to serve you"

That Kaela would think anything different obviously puzzled Fran Kaela cursed herhadn't unsettled her in a way that could affect her judg different But she kept her mask in place

"I know that Which is why I'o enjoy yourself Find a handsome Master in one of the clubs and offer hiive You'll ruin hilitter "Come back with all sorts of lovely bedroom stories for your Mistress We'll experience the pleasure of theether"

Fran had been an active Inherited Servant for nearly thirty years She'd served at the Council headquarters for twenty years, and been Kaela's second- ten Kaela understood Fran had been placed with her initially as eyes and ears for Lyssa So when Lady Lyssa granted her perive her the third mark that would make her Kaela's full servant, all hers, a pern of Lyssa's approval and trust Inherited Servants were highly valued, trained to serve high-ranking vampires

Kaela had treasured the honor, but indicated she was satisfied having Fran in her household as a secondthe years since, Kaela had made it clear as often as appropriate that she was very satisfied with Fran's services, yet willing to let her go if Lyssa wished to assign her to another vampire anted to fully mark her

Lyssa had not yet reassigned Fran, so that here the situation stood Kaela knew she was unusual, a hundred and seventy-five year old female vampire who hadn't taken her first full servant The Council head had never questioned Kaela about that, so Kaela assumed Lady Lyssa understood the solitude and self-discipline a female vampire in a leadership position faced in their world Perhaps Lyssa leaving the Inherited Servant with her this long, even as a second mark, was yet another statement of her support of Kaela in her overlord appoint Fran what every InhServ wanted most A vampire who claimed her fully, all the way down to her soul

Fran was a treasure and an asset, no question An excellent assistant, intelligent and infallibly courteous, she was also passionate and well-trained in the sensual arts She was beautiful as all InhServs were, with soft skin, a lush body, curling copper-colored hair and eyes brown like polished creek stone She responded with enthusias her Mistress offered her The second mark allowed Kaela access to Fran's mind, and the few times she delved there, she saw the shadows, indications that Fran knew there was soto Fran's training, it was just aherself worthy, but Kaela knew the InhServ was more than worthy

The probleenerous gift

Kaela often enjoyed Fran's body when she took blood froirl pleasure when she did She was able to do that most successfully when Fran told her "bedtime stories" about her sexual service for past Council functions, describing in detail the creative performances that had been demanded of her and other servants, a part of al

Fran probably thought what aroused her Mistress soherself as one of those va Fran with use of rope, chain, cloth, doling out stinging or thudding punishas But it wasn't the vampire's point of view that captivated Kaela

Fortunately, Kaela's suggestion that Fran bring her back more "bedtiht at the ih she couldn't conceal the wistful note in her

voice "Very well,I am yours"

No you're not, dear girl But hopefully one day you will belong to someone the way I wish I could, but never will

SS

Ten days She was free for ten days Or she was est mistake of her life

At a little after one am, Kaela made the transition from the jet in Miami to the puddle jumper that would take her to the Eden resort, located on an island in the Berh the female pilot had looked surprised by her nonchalance, as if used to passengers ere nervous about the dragonfly-sized plane with its buines

For her, crashing in a plane et ho to fear

Kaela eine provided She just wished it could drown out her thoughts At least she didn't have to converse with the pilot The absurdly young wo the plane wasn't intrusive, however She'd picked up on Kaela's unwillingness to chat and matched it with a co, she could so to herself She didn't know the tune, but it was pleasant, a good ood as well Engine oil, soap and cotton A light perspiration odor, fe Her blood would probably taste like her personality Corace, with a trace of poignant anguish beneath the surface A daisy

Kaela needed to feed, but it wasn't critical yet She'd been told that need would be amply met when she reached the island The invitation she'd received weeks ago had pros

There's no such thing as vampires That hat most humans believed

There's no such thing as a vampire submissive That hat all vampires knew

The huht vampires were a supernatural fantasy that happened in reat measures to ensure the most prolific species on the planet other than insects believed But whatever species one happened to be, whether unicorn, fairy, vampire or cockroach, one tended to trust one's reality A vaic as a human The reality was she really shouldn't be on this plane, believing in a fantasy that could get her killed Or worse