Master's Vampire (Book 1 of The OutCaste Series)

Chapter 12

He seems a bit more satisfied with my answer so he smiles and pushes me back in the direction of the main castle.

"Well then, if you do, you'd best be on your way. Your human mistress is awaiting you."

"Alvena has ordered me to assist Master."

"Eve, trust me," he says. "You'd be much more wanted prepping her for tonight. It's the third night after all."

"What is happening tonight?" I ask casually, something I shouldn't be doing to a high noble.

Lucien opens his mouth, but closes it as footsteps approach. I greet Master Alek.

"Evelyn, go back to Alvena," he orders. "I will have someone fetch you when it's time."

I turn back towards the castle, this time with an empty feeling, like I'm not satisfied. If Master did not appear, Lucien could have told me something. Now I am anxious to find Mistress and ask.

"Eve~" Lucien calls. I turn around. "You'll find out tonight. If you have questions, you can ask me the next time I visit." He winks with his emerald eyes before Master pushes him along the opposite direction.

Upon entering Alvena's room, Morwenna calls me to assist with final furniture placement.

"Where is Alvena?" I ask, while I add red petals to the new white bedsheets.

"Showering," Morwenna say with a gentle smile as she fixes the candles around the room. "When you're done, close the curtains and fix the bed while you're at it."

I do as told as she opens a tiny bottle the size of her palm. The scent of roses immediately drifts throughout the room. Morwenna twirls a little as she places a few drops atop the oil burner sitting on the table leading into the room.

"Isn't this smell just so romantic?" Morwenna breathes in a few times.

"How can something smell romantic?" I ask. Is Morwenna not recovered from the blood loss?

"Evelyn dear, because roses are romantic," she sighs happily. A strange combination indeed.

"Why roses?" I am not understanding this.

"Master Alek requested for this particular fragrance," Morwenna answers as she goes about to fluff up the pillows once more.

"I do not see Master as romantic," I say plainly. "He just likes roses with a passion." Morwenna tilts her head in amusement, urging me continue. "His study room has roses, he replaces his own roses, his garden has roses, his castle is surrounded by roses, and now he requests his room to smell like roses. In contrast to what Master Niles thinks, I believe roses are Master's true 'kink'."

Morwenna chokes as I give my explanation with a straight face.

"Don't let Master hear you say that," she scolds in her Head maid's authoritative tone with her hands at her hips. Seeing that I am clueless, she gives up and lets out a laugh. "Evelyn...Master Alek has his reasons...He would be upset if you stated it that straightforwardly."

"What happens on the third night?" I change the subject as I retie the bow on the bed curtains. Morwenna looks at me in slight surprise as if not expecting such a question so I calm her down with an explanation. Everyone in this household seems to want explanations. "Master Lucien told me to help Alvena prepare for the third night."

"I see," she answers. "Well, it's tradition for vampires to wed on the day of Hunter's Moon. Although Mistress is not officially married to Master, the Dietrich family still likes to honor the traditions. The third day is the day of consummation."

"I see," I repeat after her.

After setting up the room, Alvena steps out in a beautiful white dress that drapes to the floor. I stand idly and stare at her, not knowing I am making her uncomfortable until she politely tells me. Morwenna smiles and walks toward her with the rose scented fragrance.

All three of us are shocked when I instinctually grab Morwenna's wrist from spraying the rose scent onto the white-clothed human. They look at me and I know I must give another explanation.

"Alvena smells like winter snow. The rose scent will not suit her as well." I shock myself saying this. How can someone smell like winter snow? I must not be recovered yet either.

Thankfully, Morwenna seemed to understand my message and closes the bottle to my relief. She leaves us alone after lighting the candles in the room.

"Thanks, Evie," Alvena says when it is just the two of us.

The room is silent except for the human's soft breathing, but I sense nervousness. My hand reaches for hers and she gladly lets me take it. Upon the slightest contact, her heat radiates to my cooler skin and sits there comfortably like a warm pack.

I take this time to admire her unique beauty—so unlike the vampires and not exactly human-like either. Her glossy eyes have so much life that I'm slightly afraid to look at her. She is young, that much I can tell, definitely no older than seventeen. I wonder why Master took her in as only a mistress.

It's not long later when quiet footsteps break the silence out in the hallway. Before I have time to inform Alvena, Master pushes the doors open.

"Evelyn, stand outside," he says. Master is obeyed and I walk to the door, but the faint scent of a woman's perfume on his clothes isn't unnoticed. He probably sensed my curiosity for he turned around and personally escorted me to the door. "Sometimes, silence is key."

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9/29/17 A/N: Thank you for all your nice comments and votes!!! I enjoy reading each and every one of them!