If I Knew Then....

Calm Before the Storm-

I couldn’t help but just stare at the squat little fucker in front of me. Had he really just hit me with a whip?! This had to be a joke. He whacked at me again as I attempted to dodge the damn thing. “I asked you to try again, Slave.”

“Who the fuck are you asshole? Isn’t Bram and his island of misfit toys enough?!” Another whack with the whip that connected very hard with my side. ENOUGH!  He raised the whip up again only for it not to fall.

“George….that is enough….” His high lord of full assholeness stepped  into the hallway. “Kitten….behave. George is here to help you learn some key lessons that should help ensure your survival around me and other vampires.”

I raised an eyebrow and sized up the squat little fucker in front of me. What was he? A vampire or what? I almost wanted to laugh. I’d love to have just a few moments of George without the little whippy thing and without another vampire around. I could totally stomp his a-

“Do you understand what I just explained, kitten?” Oh fuck. Bram had been talking. Honestly I didn’t want to hear it. Who cares if he had rescued me if you could call it that.

“No…..”Eyebrow raise…oh c’mon….”Master….” He sighed and his body language reeked of exasperation. Good. Let me go already and the exasperation could end. George slapped his whip against his thigh.

“Try again, without the sarcasm slave.”

Like I could turn it off? Hadn’t they all realized already that the whole sarcasm, brain-to-mouth filter type parts of people’s personalities so didn’t apply to me? Apparently not.

“No, Master.”  The pancake I had inhaled before opening the door was sitting quite heavily like a lead  brick in my stomach.

“George is, as you may have ascertained, not a vampire…He is in fact another Were such as yourself. “ Oh well isn’t that just dandy…. “It is his duty to make sure you understand all of the vampire court rules. It is for your protection and safety. “ Oh yeah? Really? I had my most sincere doubts. If Bram could just get over this stupid I’m your lord and master BS I’d totally be up for almost anything with his hotness. A slap brought me back out of my thoughts.

“Are you really this stupid slave? Your Master was speaking and you can’t seem to keep your head from wandering, Focus! Or shall I help you to focus?”

“No I’ve got it.” SLAP! “George.” SLAP! “Fuck, stop it?!” SLAP! OK enough! “Sir?!”

“Wow…he can figure things out. My lord, I’m pleased to report that he is not in fact stupid no matter what he  exudes.” Ha freakin ha!

“Thank you George for your professional opinion. Now, kitten, as I was explaining, this is to help act as a part of your protection for while in the presence of other vampires.  Do as George tells you and learn well;  in doing so, you shall earn more privileges and freedoms within our family.”

“How about you let me go? Master?” I really needed to have things just ingrained. Maybe this training thing wouldn’t be sooo bad.

“Nice try…but for your safety…No…and the answer shall remain as no.” He smirked a bit. “George, he is all yours. I shall be checking in quite frequently.”

The squat little toad saluted with the freaking whip as if it were his greatest privilege. “You will have nothing to worry about Sir. We’ll get him whipped into shape very soon.”

Bram nodded and handed George something. I couldn’t tell what it was. Damn…he left without another word.

As soon as Bram left, George couldn’t smirk much more. “Well….slave, ready for your first lesson?”

“What do you think?” Pain flashed as he lifted up his hand holding whatever it was that Bram had passed to him. I couldn’t control my muscles and just kind of collapsed in a heap.  If you’ve ever seen the Wizard of Oz when the scarecrow first starts walking and all, yes, it was exactly like that.

“Care to try that again?” The pain abruptly stopped and I felt as if I had just shifted about one billion times in a row. I sat up gasping slightly.

“No Sir, but” gasp, “I will”.

“Good answer.” Now get up on your hands and knees. I tried but my arms were shaking to badly and every muscle ached. I dropped back down.

“Do you think the vampires are going to give you a moments rest, slave?” He grabbed my hair and forcibly pulled my face up to look at him. “Let me clue you in on something….they won’t give a damn. Bram has been too nice to you so far in my opinion…but then I can’t stand Were-leopards…”

He dropped my head. “Now get up on your hands and knees now.”

This was going to be a long evening….