outburst.
"Not just anyone can be a Noble, Karl. It takes a special mix of genetics. An Elder and a Bride are the only way to achieve it. Also, long ago it was discovered that Nobles are unable to impregnate anyone other than a Vampire's Bride, so we'd die out if we didn't take the Brides as we do. But don't look so worried. I assure you the women are well cared for. We Elders love our brides and look after them well. In time they grow fond of us too. You will understand fully one day, if you are lucky enough to receive your own Bride."
"Yes, Sire."
Toki didn't like the look on the man's face. Karl had cleared his features of all emotion, which was a clear sign he was thinking thoughts he shouldn't be. A glance at the rest of the Guardians showed him his little speech had done the trick and smoothed over their concerns.
Moving back to where the other Elders stood, he made a mental note to keep an eye on Karl. He might need to be further educated. Or be eliminated if it looked like he was going to cause trouble. So far, the police continued to ignore the war between Nobles and Vampires. However, Toki was certain, if they came to learn that women were being held and used sexually, they would soon step in and end their way of life.
~ * ~
Sharon froze as she placed a completed shirt she'd finished sewing into the trolley by her machine. A chill ran up her spine as the workroom door opened.
"All Claimed Brides, follow me."
Somehow she managed to keep the bile down at the sound of that voice which she knew so well. Burke. One of her tormentors. Which meant it was again the eve of the twenty-ninth of February. This would be her seventh leap year. Potentially her fifth pregnancy. She closed her eyes against the agony. So far she'd birthed five sons. Four years ago she had twin boys. She'd been allowed to breast feed them for the first twenty-four hours before Nobles took her babies away. She didn't even know their names, but she would forever remember their sparkling green eyes and their soft downy hair. Her fingers twitched as she remembered stoking their soft skin.
Reluctantly she stood and followed the others out through the door. As she followed the others toward the dorms, she felt Burke's filthy gaze on her. She really hated that man. His touch was vile and his mouth was even worse. She began taking deep breaths and attempted to empty her mind. To get through this night she needed to sever the tie between her mind and body until it was over. She thought of Barret, focused on his face. In her mind, he was as he had been way back in 1985. Neat, short dark hair, passion filled Paraiba Tourmaline eyes. Sharon kept his image clear in her mind, allowing him to take her away from what was about to happen.
Tears blurred her vision as she held her head high and entered the dorm room. She clenched her jaw. No matter how tempting it was to lash out against these Lower Level Nobles, she knew it wasn't worth it. Burke was a sadistic bastard and would slap her down. If, like she did the first time, she kept fighting, Toki would be called in early and he'd use his pain-hold to paralyze her so she could be restrained. As her clothes were stripped from her and replaced with a thin white robe, she held perfectly still and focused on the other Noble helping Burke. Suddenly another image flared to life, Darcy. Her precious daughter, Darcy. Sharon's heart began to ache anew.
Sharon had been so shocked when Darcy had been brought into the workroom all those weeks ago. Getting to meet her daughter again felt like a reward from above for all she'd endured. The fact Darcy had been an unclaimed bride meant she was safe from being raped, which was a massive blessing. Sharon wasn't sure she could have handled Darcy having to suffer like that. It would have surely been enough to send Sharon over the edge into insanity. But shortly after her arrival, she was taken by her Guardian Noble and had not returned since. Sharon hoped her daughter was
"Not just anyone can be a Noble, Karl. It takes a special mix of genetics. An Elder and a Bride are the only way to achieve it. Also, long ago it was discovered that Nobles are unable to impregnate anyone other than a Vampire's Bride, so we'd die out if we didn't take the Brides as we do. But don't look so worried. I assure you the women are well cared for. We Elders love our brides and look after them well. In time they grow fond of us too. You will understand fully one day, if you are lucky enough to receive your own Bride."
"Yes, Sire."
Toki didn't like the look on the man's face. Karl had cleared his features of all emotion, which was a clear sign he was thinking thoughts he shouldn't be. A glance at the rest of the Guardians showed him his little speech had done the trick and smoothed over their concerns.
Moving back to where the other Elders stood, he made a mental note to keep an eye on Karl. He might need to be further educated. Or be eliminated if it looked like he was going to cause trouble. So far, the police continued to ignore the war between Nobles and Vampires. However, Toki was certain, if they came to learn that women were being held and used sexually, they would soon step in and end their way of life.
~ * ~
Sharon froze as she placed a completed shirt she'd finished sewing into the trolley by her machine. A chill ran up her spine as the workroom door opened.
"All Claimed Brides, follow me."
Somehow she managed to keep the bile down at the sound of that voice which she knew so well. Burke. One of her tormentors. Which meant it was again the eve of the twenty-ninth of February. This would be her seventh leap year. Potentially her fifth pregnancy. She closed her eyes against the agony. So far she'd birthed five sons. Four years ago she had twin boys. She'd been allowed to breast feed them for the first twenty-four hours before Nobles took her babies away. She didn't even know their names, but she would forever remember their sparkling green eyes and their soft downy hair. Her fingers twitched as she remembered stoking their soft skin.
Reluctantly she stood and followed the others out through the door. As she followed the others toward the dorms, she felt Burke's filthy gaze on her. She really hated that man. His touch was vile and his mouth was even worse. She began taking deep breaths and attempted to empty her mind. To get through this night she needed to sever the tie between her mind and body until it was over. She thought of Barret, focused on his face. In her mind, he was as he had been way back in 1985. Neat, short dark hair, passion filled Paraiba Tourmaline eyes. Sharon kept his image clear in her mind, allowing him to take her away from what was about to happen.
Tears blurred her vision as she held her head high and entered the dorm room. She clenched her jaw. No matter how tempting it was to lash out against these Lower Level Nobles, she knew it wasn't worth it. Burke was a sadistic bastard and would slap her down. If, like she did the first time, she kept fighting, Toki would be called in early and he'd use his pain-hold to paralyze her so she could be restrained. As her clothes were stripped from her and replaced with a thin white robe, she held perfectly still and focused on the other Noble helping Burke. Suddenly another image flared to life, Darcy. Her precious daughter, Darcy. Sharon's heart began to ache anew.
Sharon had been so shocked when Darcy had been brought into the workroom all those weeks ago. Getting to meet her daughter again felt like a reward from above for all she'd endured. The fact Darcy had been an unclaimed bride meant she was safe from being raped, which was a massive blessing. Sharon wasn't sure she could have handled Darcy having to suffer like that. It would have surely been enough to send Sharon over the edge into insanity. But shortly after her arrival, she was taken by her Guardian Noble and had not returned since. Sharon hoped her daughter was
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