Faline

Fidgeting for a moment, I open my bag. Not entirely sure why, just coming up with more reasons to procrastinate. Going through the clothes, I feel something hard.

Frowning, I pull it out. A smile forms slowly as I look at the item in my hand. One of my sister’s switchblades. Not sure when she slipped it in.

I slip it into my pocket and hope I won't have to shift anytime soon. If the kitchen crew is different, I'll ask Lady about getting back the others I had before. Them I'd trust a little more with my clothing than anyone else. Same for the blade.

"Alright, how long do you plan on staying? Want to ask before I assume anything."

Orion tilts his head, eyes directed at my pocket.

"For a while yet. I need to have a meeting with the Mistress."

Nodding, I put my backpack under the table. Shoes and socks come off and get slipped under too. Should probably put them in the bag, but then they'd get the clean clothes all dirty.

“Okay, I'm going to go see how bad my kitchen is."

"Want me to stick around?"

I shake my head. Actually do want him around but I don't want to depend on that. Have to know I can do this on my own. Did it before, can do it again.

Stepping out, he goes one way, I go the other. He pats my head before he goes though, which has me swatting at him. Smiling, he turns and heads away. Have to hide my own grin as I walk off, the knowledge that I'm not in this mess all by myself like before, very comforting.

Snug jeans and a simple T-shirt is all I'm wearing now, with the added weight of the knife in my pocket. Have the urge to put my hands in my pockets, but I keep them at my sides and loose. Would be pretty pathetic if I got sideswiped right off the bat because my hands got caught in my pants.

That's one problem I didn't think about when putting them on. Form-fitting may be nice, till it screws you.

Only takes me a couple more minutes to reach the very large room. I come in on the side entrance, the same one I'd come through when first finding it. It's really quiet as I step in lightly, word must not have gotten this far yet about my return.

A grin creases my face as I see my kitchen crew working. The island counters I had put together as my work station are still together, but empty. Kerry had her own since she usually worked on desserts and sweets. Salem, Joey, Scarlett, Lex, Marie, and Ty. I've missed them, believe it or not. We'd all become close in this weird place that has become its own little world.

None of them have seen me yet, or scented me. Bad animals. No cookie.

"Well, will you look at that; my kitchen is still in one piece. So happy to see that."

Think I startle every person in the room when I raise my voice. Didn't yell, it's just that quiet in here.

"Didn't I teach you guys that you have to talk to each other when making food? Makes things so much less boring."

When they stop gaping at me, they all smile. Kerry runs up and wraps her arms around me, so happy she can't speak. The others follow a little hesitantly.

Remembering animals and touching, I hold my hand out to each one and bring them in for a hug. All are wearing the typical uniform of loincloths, nipple clamps, and collars, the hug with Ty and Joey is a little awkward; they being the tallest of the group. Ty exactly six-foot and Joey a couple of inches taller than that.

A range of tears, smiles, and small cries are made. It's for these people here that I came back. I want to make things better for them, and I know just where to start. It'll just have to wait till I talk to the Lord of the Castle first.

"You came back? Why?"

Kerry asks, looking scared that I'll be leaving again right that second.

"Came back for you guys. Told you all that I'd watch out for you. Hard to do that if I'm not here, don'cha think?"

Their looks of surprise I don't think I'll ever get used to. Someone caring - a Vampire at that - being nice to them, and treating them like living beings instead of cattle or a sex doll.

"Besides, I missed stirring up trouble."

My mischievous grin has them all smiling and laughing with me. The serval Shifter still looks a little unconvinced, confirming it when she asks another question.

"But your sister...she came for you. We all heard of the bloodbath that happened. It was said she was killing everything in sight till she got to you."

My mouth can't drop any further right now. It's my turn to be surprised.

Seriously?

Damn rumors are out of control. Closing my mouth and blinking rapidly, I shake my head, small scowl forming.

"Don't know who told you all that. The only ones to get hurt were Nicolaus, Anthony, my sister, and a couple of friends she had with her. The only one that died was Anthony. She killed him protecting herself and almost died herself."

My brows draw together as I think about it.

"If anyone else was killed, it wasn't from her. Is someone missing? I saw some Vamps licking at her blood that had landed on the walls...there any word about what happened about that?"

They all look away and down, faces sad. Now I'm worried. It's Scarlett, the very shy one, who speaks up.

"Maii. She killed Maii."

I burst out laughing, startling them all. Clapping a hand over my mouth to choke back any more, I need to explain before they take it wrong.

"No. Guys, she didn't. He came home with me. The Mistress had stuffed him into my arms as we were leaving. He's with my sister right now, and he’s perfectly safe with her."

They had started to take my outburst wrong, but my explaining has them giving small uncertain smiles.

"I asked him not to come back with me, knowing I'd be putting him in danger. You can ask Orion when he comes around, he's been to our house."

All relax finally. Never got an answer to the blood question, so they probably haven't heard anything. I get them moved back to their stations so they keep working and don't get into trouble.

We talk the whole time about what happened and how, and I ask what happened after I left, but none of them really know since they were told to stay working in here. Looking around, the other submissives in the room are looking very nervous.

Now I know why though, so I stand in front of my counters and call out to them all. Most are human but a few are animals. It's the animals that look the most upset.

"I've been told that a rumor going around is that my sister killed Maii, I want you guys to know and let the others know, that it isn't true. I took him home with me. He's safe and very alive. The only one my sister killed was the Werewolf Anthony."

Up to them whether they believe me or not, but hopefully it gets spread around. Who knows how it will get twisted in the telling though. One thing at a time.

Kerry follows me while I walk around and check the various machines, making sure they're working and not broken. Have to smile when seeing that not only are they working, but have been kept clean as well. No gunk build-up. Sweet.

"You kept everything in great shape, I'm proud of all of you. I'd meant to grab a couple of cookbooks before I came back, but forgot to. Since I'm here willingly this time, I'm sure I can go and get some."

The woman smiles when asking if I plan on staying long. I give a small nod and look away. I love my sister and I'm happy with what she's accomplishing, but I can't stay with her anymore.

Our worlds are the same, yet they also clash. Working at accommodating me, she's changed several things. Kie will be needed more and more, and I don't want to feel trapped within a small house for half the day.

I'll go back for short visits, but I think I'll be spending most of my time here. The upcoming holiday will most likely take place over at Ava's like it has a few times before. Best place for the kids, too.

The effort put in to get Maii and Bastion set up with some schooling, identities made... Adopted. She'll have her hands full for a while. Raising them while doing all the other stuff she has planned will require all her attention.

Not that I feel like I'm being forgotten about, but lifestyles have become so much different than what they were before. Both of us were very big night owls, so it meshed, but now she's needed more during the day while I can only be effective at night. Granted I can do things while the sun's up, but not with feeling like I'm trapped in a small basement.

Don't see how Benjamin can do it and not go crazy. Then again, he's kinda loopy so maybe he's already gone nuts. Wouldn't be too surprising since he's friends with Kie, all her friends are weird. Even before learning about what they are.

Glancing up, I smile at the painting still hung up that she'd done. Damn thing may have contributed to a whole lot of mess going on right now, but I can hardly be mad at something inanimate. Well, I can, but it's pointless. Not like I can throw it or anything either.

I look back down when I catch a familiar scent. Avina. Her bird-like frame is walking towards me uneasily. Sighing, I cross my arms and glare at her. Speaking fast before she drops.

"Now I know you don't believe those ridiculous rumors too. Didn't you and I have a talk before about this? More than likely everything you've heard is bull, so please don't treat me as a monster here."

She looks upset, but my words do annoy her enough that she eventually relaxes. When she gets close, I pull her into a hug. She stiffens at first, then returns it.

The girl has been in the solarium recently, she smells of greens and dirt. I pull away when her clamps start digging into me. I really need to talk to Lady about changing things up around here. Make things classier or something. I can understand seeing something before it's bought, but still. That's one thing I'd been thinking about at home, and have an idea to try and bring up.

She still looks nervous when she pulls away, so I ask her why.

"I've been sent to fetch you; my Mistress wishes to speak with you. It's customary that when someone visits, they go right to her first."

Oh. Whoops. Oh well. I roll my eyes at her, which almost makes her panic. Patting her shoulder, a nod is given. I motion her back the way I came through.

"I brought something for her, we need to go grab it first."

Confusion reigns over her face, but that's fine. A few Vampires had come in while I'd been talking with the crew, they all stay silent and expressionless. Don't know which side of the fence they're on, but it really doesn't matter.

"You guys keep looking like that and your faces will stick."

Highly doubtful being undead an all, but it's still amusing to watch their faces change. Or would be if they did. Got a bunch of British royal guards here, all they need are those weird hats.

Shrugging, we keep going, I keep my ears strained behind me though, making sure that if any follow, I'll hopefully be able to hear them. Again though, highly doubtful. Bare feet and carpet together don't tend to reveal much sound.

We get to the room with no trouble. I point out my pack to the girl and ask her that if she sees it anywhere else to let me know. Head bobbing, we go back out with plant in hand.

Didn't really stop to think that most if not all the Vamps here are feline based, but the only one I pass doesn't even look up. That in itself is suspicious to me, so I keep a wide berth around him. Avina follows my lead and does the same.

After we go by and forward a few feet, I look back. Now he's looking up at us. A glint in his yellow eyes has me clenching the pot in my hands. He looks back down though, focusing on the papers in his hands. Creepy dude. When we get a few hallways down, I ask Avina if she knows who he is. She shakes her head.

"Not personally but he is a newcomer. I don't have the nose that many others have but I've heard it said he isn't from the feline bloodline."

Hmm. Curious. The only other people we see are slaves working. Either in the position outside a door or cleaning. I keep my eyes focused on the plant in front of me to keep from having any eye contact. Doubt if these guys have heard the truth yet and I really don't feel like telling every single person, one by one.

It takes a few minutes to get to Lady's wing, the kitchen pretty much on the opposite side of the building and on a lower level. Ground-level to be more specific. The Mistress's wing I think is purposefully confusing to get to, makes attacking all the more difficult I would think. Who knows with Vamps these days.

Avina knocks at the door, waits a moment, then opens it. Stepping back to the side of the double doors, she assumes the position submissives take when 'working but not needed'; on her knees with head bowed, hands on her legs palm up.

Granted I'm sure it's better than constantly on your feet, but legs do go numb, you know. The constant position is a punishment in and of itself. Giving the girl a small apologetic look, I go in and close the door.