Nightmaster

“Everything runs like clockwork in this Household,” Levi said, checking Trinity’s pulse against the watch he wore on his wrist. “Ares likes peace and quiet. We’re rather used to it.”

A Household that ran like clockwork, where everyone knew their places and no one caused trouble. The perfect cover for members of the Underground.

“Who is Cassandra?” she asked.

“Oh, dear,” Elizabeth said, masking her obvious relief with a look of chagrin. “Didn’t I tell you? Cassandra is the master’s Favorite. Whatever blood he took from you at the Claiming wouldn’t have been enough to satisfy his needs.”

“But he didn’t bite me,” Trinity said.

“He didn’t?” Levi asked, his unflappable demeanor giving way to genuine surprise.

Trinity touched her lip again. She didn’t know if she was telling the full truth or not, but she wanted to gauge the others’ reactions.

“When he does,” Abbie said, “he won’t hurt you. He’s very careful about that.”

“Have you ever been with him?” Trinity asked.

Abbie almost jumped. She recovered quickly and wrote out another note. “He has Cassandra for that,” she said, “though technically he can take blood, or anything else, from any of us whenever he wants to.”

“But he doesn’t,” Elizabeth said. “He doesn’t even keep a harem for variety.”

That was unusual, Trinity knew. Almost unheard of. A Bloodmaster relying on only one human for his blood? He must drink very sparingly, yet he showed no signs of weakness.

“Don’t worry about anything for now,” Elizabeth said. “You have the potential to rise high in this Household. Make the most of it.”

She and Abbie left the room, and Trinity closed her eyes for a while. When she opened them again, Levi was standing at the foot of her bed.

“You can shower now,” the physician said, indicating a door inside the room. “And you must be hungry. I’ll have someone bring you a tray.”

“Thank you,” Trinity said.

“I’m stepping out for a few minutes,” Levi said. “If you need anything, use the buzzer just inside the front door and someone will come.”

In a moment he was gone. Trinity sat on the edge of the bed, repeating Elizabeth’s final words in her mind.

Make the most of it. Could that possibly be some kind of code, letting her know that Elizabeth suspected her true purpose here?

That, too, she would learn in time. She was just heading for the shower when a stunning young woman walked into the room.

She wore a deep red gown of a fabric that caught the corridor lights and accented every lush curve of her figure, the neckline plunging in folds that opened just above her nipples. Her face was striking, her blond hair falling in glorious waves around her shoulders.

“So you’re the new one,” the woman said, smiling as she draped herself against the doorframe. “Elizabeth tells me you’ve been a little sick. The Claiming can be difficult for novice serfs.”

“Thanks for your concern,” Trinity said, keeping her expression neutral. “I’m fine now.” She offered her hand. “You must be Cassandra.”

The other woman ignored Trinity’s friendly overture. “How did you know?” she asked.

“You’re too beautiful to be anyone else.”

Cassandra’s smile flickered as if she suspected Trinity of a backhanded compliment. “I’ve heard a great deal about you, too,” she said. “You’re as lovely as they said. Or you will be, once you’re cleaned up.”

“Thank you. I didn’t expect to be so...warmly welcomed.”

“We’re all family here,” Cassandra said, her body relaxing. “But your arrival has created quite a stir, what with Ares Challenging for you and all.”

“So I gathered,” Trinity muttered.

“Well, I’m sure everyone will get used to the change. You are fortunate to have been claimed by Ares, but here’s a friendly word of advice—don’t expect too much.”

“Why should I expect anything?” Trinity asked.

Cassandra tossed back her hair. “You tell me.”

“You were just with him, weren’t you?” Trinity asked, feigning naive curiosity. “Was he different than usual?”

Ares’s Favorite almost permitted a scowl to twist her full red lips, but she covered her anger quickly. “He was...very energetic, shall we say,” she said. “Hot-blooded, to use a human expression.”

“I always heard Nightsiders were insatiable,” Trinity said, swallowing nervously for effect.

“Ares is a good lover. Very considerate for an Opir. Enjoy it while you can.”

Elizabeth had said nearly the same thing earlier, but somehow Trinity didn’t think that Cassandra meant it in quite the same way.

“You mean he’ll get tired of me?” she asked.

“It depends on what he wants you for. I’ve been his Favorite for three years.” She smiled unpleasantly. “I don’t expect that to change anytime soon.”

“Then why are you worried about me?”

“Worried?” Cassandra stroked her long, graceful neck, running her perfectly manicured nails over a set of small red marks that had almost healed. “Did I give you that impression?”

Trinity knew she’d made a mistake in resorting to sarcasm. “No,” she said. “Not at all.”

“I’m sure things will settle down again very soon,” Cassandra said, favoring Trinity with another false smile, “and once Ares is done with you, you’ll be given some task in the Household that will make you content, like everyone else here.”

“I hope so,” Trinity said. She gazed up at Cassandra like a lost puppy. “Maybe you could show me around when you’re not busy.”

Cassandra yawned behind her hand. “I’d love to help you, Trinity, but I’m on call twenty-four hours a day. I doubt I’ll have the energy.”

In spite of herself, Trinity felt a little sorry for the woman. She suspected that Cassandra’s sense of self came entirely from being the Favorite of Ares’s Household.

But pity couldn’t distract Trinity from her mission, and she quickly brushed it aside. “I understand,” she mumbled, looking down at the floor.

Cassandra placed a slender hand on Trinity’s shoulder. “Just give yourself a little time to adjust, and don’t be too hard on yourself.”

“Thank you,” Trinity said, laying her hand on top of Cassandra’s. “I think I won’t find it quite as difficult now.”

“I’m glad my little visit was of some help to you.” Cassandra glided to the door and turned around again. “Just remember, Trinity...it’s very important to remember your place. It won’t be so easy if you make enemies of your fellow servants.”