Self
Chapter 1 II
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Part II
Damien
Chapter 1
From my
conception my fate had already been decided.
Raised to be a pleasure slave I discovered that I had a knack for the
skills in which they trained me. But I
did not like it. Don’t get me wrong; I
did enjoy it, at least physically. They
overworked my body, my mind. Pushed me
further than anyone could go, than any normal person could go.
treated me as though I were not. The
trainer in charge of me when I was a teenager, Cyrus Lyons, made sure that I
performed in the manner in which he pleased, unlike my previous trainers, if I
did not do as instructed he would turn me over to the ones who punish.
subject me to sensory deprivation, attempting to draw me under their
control. No matter what they did I
continued to fight back, I refused to remain.
Every
slave’s hair was cut short; I do not know the reason why, and every slave was
well taken care of, if you could survive the training.
white robe. They wanted to be sure that
if I somehow found a way to escape I would freeze to death.
free. Finally, after eighteen years, I
escaped. I remember it like it was
yesterday, running through the pouring rain, water splashing up around me as my
bare foot hit a puddle, then slamming into a solid form.
man getting to his feet, I had apparently knocked him over.
onto his expensive cloak.
“Please
help me.” I sobbed, shivering on the hard ground, “I beg of you, I can’t go
back, please.”
Slowly he
removed his cloak and kneeled beside me.
Gently he wrapped me in the warm fur and velvet, “Why can’t you go back
child?” He asked softly, gently drying my face. We were under an overhang, water poured down in sheets outside,
“What is it that you are running from?” His voice was kind, his manner caring.
softly, “Hush, take a deep breath and answer my questions.” He said quietly.
I did as
he said and was finally able to speak, “I can’t take it anymore.” I said
softly, “They want me to be a pleasure slave.” I sobbed, “Please, I can’t go
back. I’ll do whatever you want.” I
began to cry again, whimpering in fear.
“Hush
child.” He whispered soothingly, drawing me against him and gently stroking my
head, “I will not give you over to them.” He said softly as he gently picked me
up, “Let’s get you someplace warm.”
He took
me to his home, bathed me, clothed me.
I wished there was someway I could repay him, little did I know but he
had something in mind already. When
first he saw me he decided that I was going to be the first slave for his
son. He knew what he wanted me for,
that is why he helped me, why he saved me from a fate worse than death only to
draw me into a world of death. Now I
stand on the ppicepice of this world, preparing to plunge into a sea of nothingness,
hopefully to come out the other side safely.
I sit bound and gagged in a cell of my master’s design, reminding me
what it was like in life. He had
received the design for it from Cyrus, his second and my trainer.
in for punishment, except this time I could see. Light was allowed within, dappled sunshine danced on the walls of
my prison. I couldn’t tell what time of
day it was but it didn’t matter, I knew what would happen when the sun
descended into the west. Closing my
eyes I leaned back, my arms ached as did my chest and back.
me. My torso was covered in dried
blood, which would be scrubbed away before nightfall. As the sun began to set Sylvia walked in with a rough sponge and
a bowl of icy water. Without a word she
removed my gag and began to scrub. It
hurt as she cleansed my torso but I said nothing. When she was finished she turned and left.
in. Hauling me to my feet he pulled me
towards my destiny. As we walked my
thoughts traveled back, as thoughts are wont to do. I could remember my transformation the pain, the blood, and then
nothing. I could remember waking up for
the first time and realizing that my life was no longer mine and wondering if I
was really alive in the first place. My
thoughts were ripped from me as my arms were bound above my head.
“We have
come to bare witness to Damien’s final test.
Should he survive he will no longer be what he is today but should he
falter, even for an instant, he will be dead.
It would be a great loss if he fails, but he has given himself over,
decided that now was the best time for this.” He looked back at me, “Are you
prepared?” He asked, looking into my eyes.
I looked
around, gazing at each person in turn.
Eva was there, Cyrus beside her, acting in his role of guardian instead
of as second. His hand was on her
shoulder, keeping her in place. I could
tell by the look in her eyes that she wanted to help me.
she had paid for it time and again.
Sylvia was there, acting as a witness for the other slaves.
proceedings. Hunter stood off to the
side, head bowed, he was still unused to the vampire’s ways.
waiting for my response.
I took a
deep breath, “Yes master, I am ready.” I replied, meeting his gaze.
A half
smile spread across his face. With a
flick of his wrist he drove the dagger into my heart. I screamed as he tore it from my body. Hot blood poured from the open wound, dripping to the floor.
essence drain, that which made me immortal was falling to the floor with my
life’s blood. My heart struggled to
beat, fluttering in my chest. I saw
everything and yet nothing, my life flashing before my eyes, the trainers
coming for me, tearing me from my mother’s breast. I struggled to hold onto that last shred of life, of existence.
“Damien.”
Dante said softly. My eyes feredered
open, “Damien, if you hear me, if you yet live, then respond to my voice.
“Master.”
I said weakly. I was dieing, “I am not
dead yet but I soon will be.”
“Then we
shall finish this.” His voice was distant, I could hardly hear it.
There was
a sudden burning in my chest; he had placed his blood into the wound so that I
would heal. Slowly I opened my eyes, I
was barely alive, teetering on the brink of nothingness.
alone. I watched as Dante tore into his
st bst before holding it to my lips. I
moved involuntary, latching onto him, pulling the blood from his body.
mattered, all that was important. It
wasn’t long before he pulled away, I wanted more, craved
chest.
“More.” I
growled, demanded.
“What did
you do to him?” Eva asked, I could feel her life, see her blood.
“Please
master, I need it.” I looked at him, met his eyes.
“Cyrus,
bring her. Hush, you shall have the
blood you crave. You are no longer my
slave but I find it necessary to share a bond with you, that shall come in
time, for now you must feed.” He smiled and spoke so that only I could hear.
“Yes.” I
whispered.
Cyrus and
Eva walked forward, Eva looked at me in fear as Dante pulled me from the
wall. I felt a new strength coursing
through my veins, power beyond my wildest dreams. As the ropes were removed I had to keep myself from taking her
against me, tearing into her throat. Dante
brushed a hand down her cheek as Cyrus held her in place.
she was ignoring her training.
“Take
from her what you desire, just as you have before.” Dante smiled.
I ran my
tongue over my teeth, my canines hung like daggers; they would always be
there. Without a thought I grasped the
back of her neck with my left hand, gently massaging her flesh with my
fingertips. Tipping her head to the
side I forced myself not to rip into her.
Gently I ran my tongue up her throat, feeling the blood quicken its
flow. She was afraid, was beginning to
panic. Gently I sank my teeth into her,
easily catching the first bubbling jet of hot blood. I swallowed it down, pulling it from her, drawing it from her
warm body. It filled me, brought life
to me, filling my corpse. I knew that
this wasn’t the end, I would soon die fully.
As I pulled away I felt my muscles contract, my body cave in on itself.
wrapping my arms around my stomach.
Doubling over in pain, I pressed my forehead to the cold stone.
came, tiny spasms followed, pain spread through my body.
floor, rolled into a ball. Closing my
eyes I wished for sleep, to be clean, and to be in darkness.
“Come on
Damien, get up, you need to shower.” Dante said, looking down at me, “After
that you may sleep if you so desire.
You have survived, just as I knew you would. I expected nothing less from you.” He said, offering me his
hand. Slowly I took it and he helped me
to my feet, wrapping his arm around my shoulders, “You are now my child but
still my friend.”
He took
me into a small anteroom where I could strip.
Through another door was a shower. He helped me within, gently washed my body.
dried me and his hands applied sweet smelling lotion to my freshly bathed skin.
“Are you
prepared to be bound?” He asked softly.
“Yes.
He nodded
and slit his wrist, “Then drink.”
The
gaping wound called out to me, the rich liquor of life that oozed from the
gash. Kneeling before him I took his
arm in hand and wrapped my lips around the wound. Closing my eyes I swallowed twice before pulling away and bowing
my head, “I will serve you, just as I have for hundreds of years.” I whispered,
“I will do so without question. I bind
myself willingly to you, master.”
Gently he
laid a hand on my head, “I am pleased with you. You have exceeded my expectations.”
I closed
my eyes, “Hearing you say that makes me happy.” I said softly, “All that I have
strived for…” I paused, attempting to find the words to go with my feelings,
“All I’ve wanted is to make you happy, to please you.” Slowly I got to my feet
and wrapped my arms around him, “I love you.” I whispered, almost hoping that
he didn’t hear me.
Gently he
stroked my head as blood stained tears began to gather in my eyes, “Hush.” He
whispered, holding me against him.
“Please.”
I sobbed, “Please…” My voice hitched in my throat as I began to cry.
He
slumped to the floor with me in his arms, gently he began to rock me back and
forth, “Hush Damien.” He said softly in my ear, “Everything will be
alright. You have survived.”
“Why?” I
asked softly. I couldn’t fathom how I
had survived that experience. It had
just hit me that I was dead, that my heart pumped stolen blood, “Why is it that
I survived?”
“You
wanted it.” He replied quietly, “You asked to take the challenge, you felt you
were ready, and I agreed.” He stroked my head tenderly, his fingers brushing
through my hair, “You know almost everything that you need to, you have been
groomed for this. I knew that one day
you would wish to undergo this challenge and I knew that you had to be prepared
if you were to survive.”
I took in
a deep, shaky breath, “I’m alive.” I said softly, Dante laughed.
“Not
exactly.” He smiled, “I wouldn’t say that you’re alive.
child.” I snuggled into his arms, feeling like a small child.
into his chest, “I love you child.” He said softly, “Come, time to get
dressed. Sylvia or Alex will be your feed
for the night, you must be hungry.” I nodded, “It’s your choice as to who you
wish to feed from, after all, who wants to eat something they don’t want.” I
laughed weakly, “Indeed. It’s good to
see that you’re getting your sense of humor back. You may feel this way for a few days. It is to be expected; I remember when I was young.
survived the process. I did not take
the challenge like you did but I do remember how it feels after your creator,
your father, is finished. The pain of
death, the pact, although not painful, comes with it’s own feelings.
how it feels to share a pact with their creator.” He said, helping me to my
feet.
As we
began to walk out of the anteroom a scream echoed through the halls.
softly.
“Get
dressed and meet me in the den.” He said before breaking into a run.
He was
gone in an instant, leaving me to find my way through the halls to find a
closet. It wasn’t long before I found
one, the same one I had taken Eva to the day we left with Xavier.
black silk shirt, which I didn’t bother to button before making my way to the
den. Dante was waiting, sitting on the
couch with his face buried in his hands.
I sat next to him and laid a hand on his back, telling him that I was
there. I had almost fallen to my knees before
him and waited for him to acknowledge me, but I wasn’t his slave any longer and
that was not the way things were done.
“Dante,
what happened?” I asked softly.
He was
silent for a moment, “They took her.” He replied, his voice quiet, filled with
rage, “They dared to take her from me.” He looked over at me, “Damien, they
took Eva. I told Cyrus to leave her
with Sylvia if he had to attend to something.
She’s almost dead and my pet is gone.
Once Sylvia recovers we will know who did this but as of right now we
know nothing.” He growled, “They will pay, no one crosses me and lives.”
As he
spoke Cyrus walked in, “Dante, Sylvia is resting, her wounds are nearly
healed. If you wish to wake her now
Terri says that you may do so, only for a few minutes though, she needs her
rest.”
Dante
took a deep breath, “Let her rest. Tell
Terri that when she has recovered enough to inform me.
their wishes by then we shall discover their identities and deal with the
problem.”
“Of
course.” Cyrus bowed deeply, “I shall tell her.”
I closed
my eyes, “If only I had…” I started but he cut me off.
“No, we
did what had to be done. Sylvia nearly died trying to stop them.
anything?”
I bowed
my head, assuming the position he was in when I entered, “I don’t know.” I said
softly, “Now I believe that I could but before, I don’t know.”
“Leave me
child.” He said softly, “I need to be alone.”
I stood
and bowed, “Of course master.” I replied, my voice as quiet as his.
With head
bowed I left the room, leaving him to brood.
I would go to Sylvia myself and discover from her exactly what
happened. I would find Eva and bring
her back. I walked the halls, making my
way to the infirmary, which was located near the slave’s quarters.
for myself or to visit a younger slave.
They had looked up to me, all of them, but they had also feared me.
her. It was a very human gesture, even
if they couldn’t hear you, you still spoke to them. On silent feet I walked behind him and gently laid my hand on his
shoulder. He jumped, startled, and
looked back at me. His eyes grew wide
and he quickly got to his feet, knocking over his chair.
“You
survived.” He whispered, poking me to see if I was real, “Damien, you’re still
alive. I-I didn’t know what to expect.”
A half
smiled spread across my face, “Yeah, I survived. Did she tell you anything about what happened?” I asked softly.
He
nodded, “She was delirious when I found her.
She said that it was Mercury, Alistair, and Aki.
to.”
“I know
them.” I said softly, “They’re rogue vampires, sell their skills to the highest
bidder. They always work together.
He
smiled, “No one asked.”
I laughed
and embraced him, “Good attitude but sometimes it would be better to tell
someone, especially in this case.”
“Are you
going after them?”
I looked
away from him, “I have to.”
“You
can’t do it alone…” He trailed off.
I was
silent for a moment, “You’re right, I can’t tell Dante though, I need to do this
myself.”
“Don’t go
by yourself.”
I sighed,
“I’ll tell Cyrus.” I said, turning away from him, “It’s good to see you
Alex. I’ll talk to you later, once I’ve
brought her back. It was probably
because of Areval and what happened with him, I don’t know, but I can’t just
let her remain with them or whoever hired them. Don’t tell Dante what I’m doing, please.” He nodded, “Thanks
Alex.” I said before walking out.
I began
to look for Cyrus; I needed his help, if he would give it.
from his book as I walked in, “I take it you heard what happened.” He said
softly.
I nodded,
“Yes, I know something else though and I need your help.”
He closed
his book and laid it aside, “Well then, I suggest you start talking.” He smiled.
“I know
who took her, I need your help in going after them. I don’t want to tell Dante, I feel as though I need to take care
of it myself.”
“If you
need to take care of it then why are you asking for my help?” He raised an
eyebrow as he spoke.
I bowed
my head, “There’s three of them, all vampires.” I said softly, “I don’t have
full control of myself yet, I can’t do it alone.” I hated to admit that,
especially to him.
“Who are
they?” He asked simply.
I took a
deep breath, “Mercury, Alistair, and Aki.” I said softly.
He closed
his eyes, “I see and I understand. It
was a good thing that you didn’t go after them yourself, thank you for at least
coming to me.”
“I felt
as though I could trust you.”
He
laughed, “I never thought I’d hear that from you of all people.
“You did
what you were trained to do.” I said softly, “You did what you had to do.”
“I never
did thank you for running away.” He smiled, “This is what I will do, I will
help you but,” He paused, “we need at least one other to accompany us.
I bit my
lip causing a trickle of blood to flow down my chin, “Why?”
Gently he
wiped it away, “You can’t do that anymore.” He laughed, lapping the blood off
his finger. I laughed, “The reason why
we need him is this, he is an excellent fighter and a powerful ally.”
I closed
my eyes, “Alright, if you think that would be best.”
“Let’s
get him then.” He said, getting to his feet.
Cyrus
threw on his jacket before leading the way out of the house.
apartment a scarce few blocks away. I
had never been there before but Cyrus knew the way. As we stood before the shoddy red door with pealing gold numbers
that at one time read 5, I buttoned up my shirt. With the back of his knuckles Cyrus rapped on the door.
waited. The door opened and Hunter
stood there, he still made his rounds, culling the vampire herd.
“What do
you want?” He asked gruffly.
As I was
about to speak Cyrus opened his mouth, “We need your help.
will involve the destruction of three rogue vampires. Are you willing to help us or not?” He said quickly, “We do not
know where they are so we will need your assistance in that as well.”
He was
silent for a moment, we stood there patiently awaiting his response, “Alright
Cyrus, I’ll help you.” He smiled at me, “I see you’re doing better than when I
left.”
I
returned the smile, “I’m getting used to it.”
He closed
his eyes for a moment, “Let’s get going.
I think I know where to start looking.”
“Let’s
just hope Sylvia isn’t well enough to tell him before we get there.” He said
softly as we began to walk.
“Damien,
they may not be there.” Hunter said softly, “I don’t want to give you any false
hopes.”
“I have
none, I just hope that we find her before daybreak.”
“That is
highly unlikely. Do you remember Aki?”
Cyrus asked softly.
I nodded,
“I remember her. I just never knew what
happened. It wasn’t important to me, I
didn’t care about her.” I sighed, “You must understand, I didn’t care about the
others.”
“She was
a wretched girl, younger than you, than us.
She actually wanted to be a pleasure slave. Sickening, isn’t it?” He laughed.
“Indeed.” I
replied.