I remember being puzzled when my aunt first brought out that potion. There was no way I could have worked as a human on the castle premises. I knew that. But to my amazement, she revealed I would have to work here as a vampire… like she had done.
Such deception was possible.
Potions strong enough to deceive even the powerful vampire Lords themselves.
With each carefully measured sip, their effects would last for no more than five days.
Her revealing this discovery distressed me… along with the strange look in her eyes. Of course, there was no way she was helping me with such a huge favour just like that. At that moment, I asked her what she needed in return and her answer had been ominous.
'You will know when the time comes.'
My tongue felt heavy as I glanced at the spot where the potion was hidden. The weight of this gift, both a blessing and a burden, settled upon my shoulders once again. Every day I had to reuse it.
'Everything is fine. At least father is getting treatment.'
I dressed up in the muted grey hues of the servant's uniform and stepped out of my chamber.
We had to prepare food for the human pets. Especially the new ones. The bitter taste of betrayal against my own kind clung to each action I made. But I had no other choice. After all, I was certain they would look the other way if our roles were reversed.
I made my way past Becca's door and turned a corner to see the flight of stairs that led into the deeper bowels of the castle. Becca stood at the bottom of the staircase, waiting as she had promised. She grabbed my wrist the moment I joined her and we both made our way to the kitchen.
The air was thick with the warmth of crackling fires and the fragrant spices. Two fellow servants darted back and forth across the chamber, setting up trays just as we entered.
"When will the others be coming?" I asked out loud. My voice came out as merely a whisper against the bustling noise.
Becca's smile faltered. The others paused.
Since the other servants were yet to arrive. This meant I might have to take one of their places.
"Ion and Tomi are busy cleaning up the pets." Tori, Tomi's twin sister, glanced up from the arrangement of plates and bowls. Her eyes met mine with a flicker of sympathy. "It falls upon you and Becca to…" She closed her eyes and leaned against the cluttered slab, taking a breath to steady herself.
Becca seemed to deflate, her giddiness slowly draining from her small frame. It was about time she finally came to her senses. Everyone was on edge whenever all the Lords gathered together, and it was even worse that all the servants weren't here.
"Pardon me." Tori shook her head and stood straight, her voice laced with resignation as she continued, "You and Becca will have to take the food to the Lords' quarters."
'The Lords' quarters?'
A cold sweat broke out on my skin.
May, the other servant, glanced between all three of us and returned to cleaning. Her head hung low as she wiped away.
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My grip tightened around the edges of the heavy tray. Harsh tremors ran through me and my knuckles turned white as I fought to suppress it.
Why can't I stay calm?
Becca walked beside me, seemingly immune to the gravity of our task. She hummed under her breath as she pushed the metal cart ahead. I wish I had a similar coping mechanism. Even if I did, nothing would stop the violent turmoil within me.
My aunt had given me precise instructions regarding the workings of the potion, along with how I was to work my way around its capabilities. It possessed the power to deceive even the highest-ranking vampires.
But there was a note of caution: I shouldn't spend too much time around them.
A few minutes, an hour, or maybe even a day could be managed, but the hours before the potion's effectiveness wore off were dangerous. My heightened senses would wane and falter before decreasing to my 'normal' state. In other words, various essence of what made me human could slip through.
I never had to worry about this around most of the servants as they were lower-ranking vampires and not as perceptive.
But the nobles.
The aristocracy of the vampire world, were an entirely different breed.
Their senses were finely honed, their powers immense. Each noble boasted a unique ability. While the potion could mask my humanity from their intense scrutiny, there were strict rules I still had to follow in their presence.
Even if the potion was in full effect.
Foremost among these rules was the imperative not to bleed or sneeze. Any bodily fluid that escaped my system would be susceptible to their acute senses. And with thorough investigation, they could unravel my disguise.
'Stay calm. Please, stay calm.'
Becca and I were to simply serve the pets, and we couldn't leave until they were done eating. This would go on for the next few days of the new arrivals, seeing to them and assisting in their feeding and care. Thankfully, the other servants responsible for this role would return tomorrow.
We crossed the threshold into the grand wing reserved for the Lords, and Becca's melodic hums ceased.