A Violet Fire (Vampires in Avignon #1) - Kelsey Quick Page 0,29

The pins of the tag go all the way through the flesh while the brackets secure and shorten them. I look away, heat swelling in my chest at the thought of what it means. Officially branded. This permanent tag forces every vampire to recognize me as Lord Anton Zein’s property. I scowl at the thought.

Blood and raw pain pulse out of the wound, making me grit my teeth. The vampire attendant reaches for me and wraps my wrist, tag and all, with a salve-laden arument bandage. The power of vampire-engineered salve is an amazing alleviator. Although any movement or tightening of my joints sends waves of discomfort up and down my arm, more or less it feels simply burdened, numb.

“Now that yer done whining, would you like to come in?” the scurvy, overly-hairy vampire asks, opening the passage gate directly next to him.

I cradle my throbbing arm and eye him coldly while side-stepping through the gate. On the other side, Emi stands meters away, waiting. She calls me over.

“This way, before you miss too much. Anaya is speaking,” she whisper-yells. Clutching my arm and wondering if I can even handle hearing Anaya’s voice again, I force myself into a trot.

When I reach her, she wastes no time ushering me through the doorway and closing it promptly. Anaya pauses her current topic and turns to glare at me from the makeshift stage. Her expression is that of a strangely satisfied look of disappointment.

Of course.

The new supply units in the back, as well as all of the experienced supply units at the front shift their unamused gazes toward me—and the walls instantly go up. Savvy and Katarii acknowledge me with pity from the back of the room, following up with hand signals that beckon me to sit with them. My mouth dries as I try to ignore every pair of eyes that remain locked on me. Carefully, I maneuver down the main aisle, trying to locate my care-less attitude, as well as any potential obstacle that might cause me to trip. With how things have been going for me lately, I wouldn’t be surprised if a rock popped up out of nowhere to sabotage my footing.

Step by agonizing step echoes against the walls until dead silence finally rings about the room. It’s only when I have completely sat cross-legged on the floor alongside Katarii and Savvy does Anaya continue on, redirecting everyone’s attention from me, back to her. Oh, what I wouldn’t do to see that woman catch on fire right now.

I’m distracted from my loathing by sharp throbs of pain shooting up my arm. I glance downward, moving the arument bandage slightly to run my fingers over the inscription of the tag’s face plate. My identification number, blood type, and owner are all nestled within the grains of the stainless-steel band. I force myself to pay attention to Anaya in hopes she’ll say something worthwhile for my developing plan of escape.

“The seraglio is five stories deep with each floor serving a unique purpose for the supply unit. The first Standing—where we are at this very moment—is the check-in, check-out, and meeting rooms. Most of you will have no business on the first floor unless you are tending to servants or have been summoned. Which, depending on our lord’s fancy of your blood, could be very rare, or not at all.” Her eyes fall on me for a brief moment and I scowl.

“The second Standing is where we all are stationed for overflow work from the castle’s servants. Laundry washing, food cleaning, blood compounding, and donation. Overflow work may also require the supply unit to leave the seraglio, which is only allowed by servant escort, and by permission from master Gemini, madam Coffet, or madam Seriesa, the caretakers of the seraglio. The dining hall is on the third Standing and holds all rations earned by every supply unit. The quantity of rations that you are given coincides with how much work you complete. So, should you slack off all day, your skimpy meals will show for it.”

That’s alright. I’d rather starve, anyway. I lie to myself out of spite.

“Now, the fourth Standing is devoted solely to blood quality, meaning that it is meant for leisurely and self-pleasing activities. I would highly recommend not to spend the entire length of your days there, but care for your blood as our wonderful Lord Anton Zein’s satisfaction with you is dependent upon it.” I roll my eyes as everyone lights up at the sound of