Fire Night

Ok, so not really a great response but hey, I got a review, I guess that deserves another chapter. I'm kinda sad this hasn't gotten a turn out like I hoped, I really hope it's not the story being crap. *fret* *worry* Anyway, chapter one, enjoy!

Chapter 1


"Saori, Lord Night has sent for you this morning."

Her mother's voice was soft and happy in the early morning sun. Ten years after her rescue, her mother seemed pleased when her Master called on her. Saori was already out of bed and dressed in a plain cream-colored cotton dress. She had planned to leave her long black hair loose about her shoulders, but it was always Master Night's request that she pull it back. She quickly braided her hair down her back, washed her face and stared at herself in the mirror. She was fair skinned and slender. Her high cheekbones complimented her round dark eyes, gifted with lashes any girl would kill for. She thought to paint her cheeks with pink powder, but decided against it. She blushed her fair share around Master Night; she didn't need to paint any on herself. He was always so formal with her, so kind, she couldn't help but blush, and it always makes him smile. But she had another reason to be excited this morning. Master Night had been away for a week now; she had been called upon rarely by her caretaker, Lord Mandagoran, Master Night's brother. He was rude, but was sure not to cause her too much grief. He was the keeper of their enormous mansion on the mountain, but his brother was far stronger. His brother was pure. Saori slipped on her simple white shoes, a gift from Master Night, and hurried into the kitchen. Her mother was smiling, a small folded parchment in hand, the wax seal carrying an ancient vampire crest. She had asked Master Night once what it meant; he only told her that it was very old.

"It came by bird."

Worry filled her as she took the parchment; the falcon belonged to Lord Mandagoran. Maybe Master Night hadn't returned yet. She carefully broke the seal to find a list in perfect familiar scroll.


Good morning my sweet Saori

Bread
Soap
Butter
Plumbs
Pork
Rice
Whole chicken

See you soon…

Saori fought the urge to smile in front of her mother as she went to the cupboard and pocketed the small bag of silver Master Night had left in her care for such an occasion. She also picked up a metallic disc of surprisingly lightweight, branded with the vampire crest. She slipped the string about her neck, letting the disc fall against her chest. Everyone knew what it meant; only the finest foods went to the keep. Her mother handed her a large basket as she headed out onto the street. It was busy, as is expected from any bright morning. Women were out doing the wash or heading to market as she was. Children played soccer, or tag, or simply ran about the legs of elders. Chickens pecked the ground around their coops, dogs lying lazily in the shade but ever watchful. The small town was alive. She hurried down the busy street; headed to the only market she could find all she needed. A smiling dancing pig greeted all who entered below the Wiggly Pig sign. A few women filled their baskets inside, but the shop was oddly empty. Maybe it was early yet.

"Hello there Saori, you're out early."

She smiled to Mr. Strop kindly. He was a large man with a full belly, no hair and a stained apron.

"Master Night sent for errands."

She handed her list to him; he glanced over it briefly before disappearing into the back of his storeroom.

"You haven't been by for a while, was your Master away?"

She lifted her basket up onto the counter for him to fill as he returned, arms full.

"For a short time yes, on business I think."

"I noticed Lord Mandagoran sent his little girl down, the Jenson girl."

Saori organized the things in her basket for the walk home, trying to avoid his eye.

"Yes, Tori is his girl. I belong to Master Night, Lord Mandagoran wouldn't call on me."

Saori placed three silver into the mans palm before taking her basket to leave.

"Thank you for your help."

She didn't like the way he questioned her, it wasn't right. He had never done that to her before, he had almost pried his way in, and she felt she had said too much. She shook the feeling away as she went home for her horse so graciously given to her by her master, as so many things were. He was already tied out front of her home, her father just finishing with his saddle; her mother gave him water as they waited. Her father took her basket so she could climb into the worn saddle. The horse was slowing in his age, but he was trusty and knew the path up the mountain well.

"Do you have all you need?"

Her mother gripped her reins tightly, she was nervous, but why?

"Yes, I'll be home as soon as I can."

Reluctantly her mother let her go, handing her a bundle of food for the trip.

"You didn't eat breakfast this morning."

She took it with a sigh, her father handing her the basket to set awkwardly before her.

"I'll be fine, don't worry."

She turned and urged the horse into a trot towards the thin trail a few yards away. It was narrow, over grown, and traveled by few. It twisted ever upward, but was nowhere near dangerous. The path was well beaten and flat, with little to no rocks to make the horse unsure. She pushed the steed a little harder than she normally would have, she wanted to get to the keep, she wanted to see her Master put Lord Mandagoran back into his place. The trip that usually took half an hour only lasted a mere fifteen minutes before the thin trail gave way to a large gated yard. A flat expanse of green stretched out beyond the wroth shadowed by the impossibly huge mansion. Two wings, larger than anything she had ever seen stretched from either side of a door as thick as she was. Before she could take another step a boy took the reins, a smile on his face.

"Hello Jacob."

She handed down the full basket before sliding carefully out of the saddle.

"Master Night is back."

Saori smiled, he was just as happy about that as she was, one of Night's five servants.

"I know Jacob, do you know if he only called for errands?"

Jacob shook his head, opening the gate for her, leading her horse towards the back where the stables stood.

"I think he's waiting for you, he's moving the furniture again."

Saori sighed, Master Night liked to change things from time to time, he said it made him feel fresh. Really she thought he just wanted something to do. It had to be dreadfully boring being alive for so long, unchanged with nothing to do with your time. Saori walked though the gate and up the yard towards the large house. Jacob would take care of her horse and the basket of things she'd bought. It looked quiet enough on the outside, the soft breeze carrying the scent of roses from the thousands of flower gardens around the mansion. But she knew once the great doors were opened chaos would strike her, shattering the calm ravine of spring. She walked up the wide stone steps to the door, but knew she didn't need to knock. It swung open easily to reveal exactly what she expected. Zoren, an oddly dark young vampire of Lord Mandagoran's, held the door open. Past him every hand in the mansion held some sort of furniture. The familiar pieces were scattered, all of fine red wood and an array of fabrics. All the pieces were carried to protect the white marble floors, putting the perfect wine colored walls at risk of being scratched. Most were servants, or changelings of Lord Mandagoran, only a handful belonging to Master Night, who prided himself on keeping only fine pets. It also allowed him to keep finer control on those who were sworn to him, rather than being blind to the fact that his slaves were off where they shouldn't be. As Lord Mandagoran's servants often were. Her gaze fell to a pair of tall individuals. Lord Mandagoran sat comfortably in a chair at a large red table that was sure to be moved, given it was in the middle of the room. His white button up shirt wasn't tucked in, and the sleeves were rolled up to show his stone forearms. His dark hair was cut short, his wide smile hidden behind a glass of wine the color of his eyes. She had never seen his eyes turn dark; with so many servants his eyes were always red. He wore dark pants, a thick leather belt about his waist and the most beautiful black shoes she had ever seen, he didn’t hold her attention long. Master Night sat beside him in a chair that didn't match his brothers. A wine glass sat easily in his hand, his sleeves also rolled to his elbows, his gray shirt partially unbuttoned allowing his tight cotton undershirt to peek out. His shirt was tucked in however, unlike his brother, into a fine pair of black pants, fair black shoes on his feet greatly outdone b his brothers. His long black hair fell in smooth lines in his eyes and down the nape of his neck. The lustrous strands looked smooth as silk, but her hand was never brave enough to test that theory. His usually auburn eyes were closer to a deep burgundy that alarmed her. He hadn't fed while he was away. She stood dumbly sill near the door, sill in the chaos until her Master beaconed to her. He knew of her presence even before he locked gazes with her. He was attuned to hear heart beat, he knew she was near the moment she came to the gate.

Come here…

His velvet soft voice brushed against her mind, a small talent of his he used very rarely. She closed her eyes at the familiar sensation, her body obeying the soft command. Saori moved carefully thought all the confusion of the room, stopping only feet away from him, across the table from where he sat. He took a small sip of wine, his eyes scaling her. She kicked herself for not dressing better as she blushed, something she did often under his heavy stare. A small smile touched his lips as he stood.

"You brought what I asked for?"

Saori smiled and nodded, unable to fully meet his stare. Something was underlying in his eyes that day, she wasn't sure what to make of it.

"I did, I gave the basket to Jacob."

Approval showed in his features as he walked around the table, his wine glass forgotten.

"Come, walk with me Saori."

She obeyed, staying where she was until he was at her side, moving gracefully towards the stairs. She stared about all the confusion around her while Lord Mandagoran shouted commands behind them.

"Will I be helping with the move today?"

Master Night didn't look at her, only stared ahead as they ascended the marble stairs.

"Not today, I have a special job for you to do instead. Unless you prefer I have Jacob do it?"

This was odd, he never gave her a choice when it came to her chores he wanted done. What was he planning?

"I'll do it for you Master Night, Jacob would be better lifting heavy things than myself."

He smiled then and she was glad to see the tension leave.

"Jacob would be less prone to break something."

He peeked at her from the corner of his eye that she was fully aware of, a small smile pulling at his lips, threatening to show his teeth at her blush. He never missed it. They took a left down a hall leading to Master Night's wing. It was familiar and strangely warm to her save one room she had seen only a handful of times since being saved by her keeper. His private bedroom was completely unchanged in ten years, the only room not touched by his furniture moves and the hands of servants. He always cleaned it himself, or very rarely asked one of his changelings to clean it. She couldn't remember a time when he let a human touch his things. But he paused at his door and unlocked the dark old looking knob. He pushed the door open into the darkness and walked in easily. She knew he could see perfectly, it didn't startle her when he lit a lamp across the room, letting light spill across the floor. She lingered in the doorway, not sure if she was allowed to enter his sanctuary. In her nervousness she flexed her fingers in the fabric of her dress, an endearing trait that Master Night never missed. Even if it did come from ill roots.

"Come in Saori."

She swallowed, her face falling a little before she forced herself to take a step into the room. The walls were the same wine color as in the rest of the house, but the floor was carpeted with a thick lush red thick enough to sleep on comfortably. The walls were filled with shelf after shelf of books, some older than others but all very worn looking. A window cast a red glow though thin silk curtains behind a large, almost plain looking wood desk. He sighed, realizing that she wasn't going to move any closer on her own and walked back to her, closing the door behind her with finality. His hand found the small of her back, guiding her towards his desk gently. This was wrong, he rarely was alone with her, let alone lead her away from the eyes of others into his private study. A cold knot rested in the pit of her stomach as he walked to the front of his desk, leaving her to stand alone a few feet behind him. He leaned against the worn wood, a sigh on his lips. Was she in trouble? Had she done something wrong? Forgotten something?

"Saori…"

He turned to face her then and she almost flinched, but his face didn't hold anger or contempt. In one long stride she was wrapped in his arms, his hand stroking her hair.

"I missed you."

She relished in his affection, it was something he rarely did. He always held her at arms length, keeping her close for company's sake. She knew she didn't suit him at all, that she couldn’t let herself become attached to him in that way, but it was hard to remember that when he was so close to her, his scent making her drunk. She had seen him partake from the throats of his few changelings, even his bloodlings at times to sate his thirst, but never her. He wanted her for cleaning and company, nothing more.

"Is something wrong my Master?"

He sighed heavily against her hair and released her, moving away from her as he's done so many times before.

"I wish you wouldn’t call me that any longer."

Saori stared at him in confusion as he sat in his large high backed chair behind his desk.

"I don't understand."

He knit his fingers together under his chin, his elbows resting on his desk as he stared at her.

"I wish you would call me by my name. I feel we're past calling me 'master'."

"You wish me to call you Ayden?"

A small smile touched his lips as he stood, he was restless.

"I'll discuss things further with you over dinner. But for now, please clean my study for me. It seems my brother requests a private lunch with me soon."

She nodded to him as he took his leave, closing the door lightly behind him. She sighed and looked about herself a second time. The small room would take her a while, and give her plenty of time to think about why…Ayden…would be keeping her for dinner. Something odd was going on, and she didn't like it.


ok so plz R&R pwetty pweeese!!!