In the game of life, you never know how the game will end. Being dealt a poor hand doesn't mean you'll lose. It doesn't mean you'll win either. Sometimes, it's best to go with the flow even if you have a few really bad hands. I was dealt some piss poor hands. But it could be worse. It could always be worse.
Growing up, I only had my mother. She told me she was an only child and her parents died when she was young. She told me they had also been only children and were not close to their respective extended families. That's fine by me. A kid truly does not care when they have no idea how strange that is. I didn't know anything about my father either. I only asked about him a handful of times. I had seen kids with their dads, and I innocently asked why I didn't have one. My mom said he died when I was still young. She never like talking about him. It was likely very hard for her to talk about him. From what she told me, we were homeless for the first few years of my life. Odds are, we became homeless after my father died. No one wanted to employ my mother because of her status as an Omega. Omegas of all genders were not seen as equals. She couldn't even work for Castle Dimitrescu, who famously employs women only and hires any that apply. She didn't want to work there. She told me it was a death sentence to work there. It was strange to think about. A place to guarantee employment to women didn't accept all dynamics. To be fair, I know Castle Dimitrescu only hires Beta women so they're excluding other Alphas as well.
When I was about five years old, she found stable employment. Lord Beneviento needed a maid and agreed to accept me as well as long as I worked. Fortunately, due to my age, my "work" was playing games with the doll, Angie. I don't remember how my mother found Lady Beneviento, but I still remember the first time I slept on a real bed. As I grew, my duties changed. Lady Beneviento was kind enough to teach me to write my name and to read some. I started learning later than I probably should have so bigger words deeply frustrate me. Around fourteen, my mom and Lady Beneviento waited for me to come into my rank. We all waited. Fifteen. Sixteen. Seventeen. Four long years of nothing. We were all convinced I was a Beta. My father had been a Beta. It wouldn't have been weird. Being seventeen ended up being very traumatic for me. On a rare trip to the village, a pack of wild animals found us. They were disguised as men, Alphas. They tried to pry my mother away from me. They kept saying how much I'd be worth if they sold me to Castle Dimitrescu. I felt sick and gross. A stray lycan came as a glorious distraction. I watched as it gutted one man and went for another. I can't recall much of what happened after that. More came and I think I was the only one to make it out alive. I know because we had to bury my mother later. Lady Beneviento said I had run the whole way back to her house, smelling of preheat, a less severe precursor to a heat. I was an Omega. She said I looked horrible, as if something had dragged me away. It was a weird thing to say.
The doll maker was a little odd, but who wasn't? She had grown very close to my mother and there was a certain type of companionship between them. I don't believe it was romantic or sexual but as a young girl, I was often busy entertaining Angie. Such advances would probably be made in private. Over the years, she had taken off her veil and shown us her true self. She was beautiful. Scars ran down half of her face and such scars mutated if she was using her strange abilities. My mother often told me women were a gift no matter their dynamic. Lady Donna and I only grew closer after my mother's death. I took her place and cared for the house. It never made sense to me why she needed a housekeeper, especially a live-in one but it was something that was discussed when my mother first started. At this point in my life, it felt more like we were two friends living together. I dare not say it out loud, fearful of the response she may give. After all, she was still my employer.
That brings us to today. Angie had come up to pull me away from cleaning the kitchen to help Donna in her workshop. The little doll claimed her maker needed help packing away finished dolls. She didn't even wait for me and rushed ahead to the workshop. Donna was finishing custom dolls for a very high-end client. Even though I was allowed to come down here by myself, I was always instructed to knock. It was common courtesy.
"Donna?" I called out, tapping my knuckles on the door. She had given me permission to call her by her first name on my 19th birthday. It had taken time to get used to but now it came out effortlessly.
"Luci! Get in here!" Angie called from the other side of the door. I could hear Donna scold her for the attitude the doll had. She must be bored of watching us work and will demand some games after this.
I carefully opened the door, and the smell of paint and wood flooded my senses. I truly never understood how Donna could be in here for days at a time. The weird egg smell from the paint nearly had me on my ass the first time I had come in here. The soft limewood had no scent compared to the polish she uses. The sweet scent of beeswax almost covered the paint. Almost. The dollmaker was hunched over her worktable, painting tiny details on a tiny face. She looked like she hadn't slept in days, which is probably true. I've not really seen much of her since she had received this job. She was to make seven detailed dolls, all tiny versions of the man's grandchildren. It was demanding.
Angie floated over to me and stood on the ground next to me by the door. "She's not fucking moved in weeks!" she said, stomping her little foot.
"Language," Donna scolded. Her voice lacked the edge, the true disappointment that Angie had said a swear. She must be exhausted.
Angie wildly threw her arms up and towards her maker's general direction. "You hear that? She ain't slept in weeks either! Help me get this bitch outta here before she passes out!" The doll loved exaggerating but maybe her words held some truth.
I walked closer and looked at her. Donna looked exhausted. Her veil was off, sat somewhere else in the house. She never liked asking for help or admitting she needed it. I understand why. She told me she's always under some huge amount of pressure to perform her duties well and it had taken a long time to do so. She said mean things were said to her and about her while she was still improving. I'm not exactly sure what she does outside of making dolls, but I was always told it'd be better if I didn't know.
"I'm not much of an artist like you are but I'm good at following directions." I was standing in front of her now. "I can help you, my Lady," I said. I only use the title when she needs the reminder that I still work for her, and she can make me do things outside of my normal tasks.
The dollmaker let out a deep sigh. Her gray eye avoided mine. "Fine, if you wish to help, I suppose I cannot stop you," she said, giving in.
"About fucking time! Let's get to work! I hate being stuck in here!" Angie yelled.
Donna glared at the doll but said nothing.
We started working right away. I was to finish sewing smaller details on the outfits of the dolls and then ask Donna for my next task. All the designs were drawn out on paper, so I was able to follow it with ease. I had to hand sew it which was not as easy. I pricked my finger a lot. Donna hand painted the rest of the faces on the dolls. We didn't talk much while we worked. Even Angie was quiet besides a few comments here and there. It was easy to mess up. If I messed up, I would have to pull the thread out and start over. If Donna messed up, I'm not sure what would happen, but I know she'd be incredibly upset. When I came down here, it was right before 9am. It was shortly before 3pm when our stomachs started growling.
"I suppose this would be a good time to stop," I said with a little laugh. "But I can help you again after lunch!" I added quickly. I didn't want her to be stuck down here any longer than needed.
Donna sat up straight and I could hear her back pop. "I think we should stop for the day. I'm getting behind on my other duties and I can't afford that luxury," she said softly as she stood.
Angie floated around Donna before perching herself on the back of her chair. "Watching y'all work is exhausting! We should celebrate how far you bitches got!" Angie happily exclaimed.
Donna gave her a stern look. It really makes me wonder where she picked up that kind of language since Donna and I don't swear. "I can bake us a cake. I know how much you enjoy my cooking," she said, giving me a warm smile.
"I will literally clean the entire workshop if you make tiramisu!" I offered quickly. I would rebuild the house from scratch if it meant she'd make it. The last time she had made it, it was my eighteenth birthday. It was my first birthday without my mother, and I had not been myself. Tiramisu was my favorite, but it was such a long process. If Donna started making it now, it would be ready after dinner, and I was willing to help.
Donna only laughed to herself. "It has been a while since I've made that. Clean the workshop and then go back to your regular chores. Angie can help you figure out where to put some of the tools. And don't hurt yourself on anything down here," she added sternly.
"Yes, ma'am," I replied quickly.
Donna turned and walked out of the workshop.
"Come on! If we hurry, she might let you lick the spoon!" Angie said as soon as the door was shut behind her owner.
Nothing went as planned because not even a minute after cleaning, the phone rang. It was in a small room attached to the workshop. I wasn't allowed to answer it. The dollmaker doesn't even like having me in the same room as a ringing phone. It has made me subconsciously fearful when it rings. Its forbidden, different. Donna must be in the main part of the house by now. She will grab it on one of the other lines. I looked up and met the doll's little eyes.
I know she is able to talk to Donna when apart, but I wasn't sure on how. "Donna said you can answer it! She's in the bathroom. It's most definitely the dude calling about the dolls," she said confidently.
I swallowed hard and went to go answer the phone, the doll on my heels. It looked old and dusty. I wouldn't be surprised if I felt cobwebs when I reached for it. I felt nothing but the smooth handle of the phone. I took a deep breath. They said it was Mr. Broz, the man who commissioned all of these dolls. He was most likely calling for an update. I have spoken to him before. I gathered his information as Donna had done an inventory check to make sure she had enough material for all of them. He was a sweet old man. It will be fine.
The smooth plastic of the phone touched my ear, and I felt the nerves ease. "Hello, Beneviento residence," I spoke into the line. I was ready to give the old man an update. Maybe a few more days before we ship them out. He'll be very happy with them.
"Well, you're new," a feminine voice said over the line. My brow furrowed in confusion. This was not the man with the commission. "Tell me, who are you?" Her voice was calm but unsettling. As if it was the killer scouting for a new victim, careful to ask questions.
I felt a lump in my throat. Something about her voice put me on edge, as if my life was in danger. She was no threat to me. She couldn't be. No, Donna said I would be safe here. "I'm just the maid," I said, feeling violently uncomfortable. Her tone made me feel physically sick. Who the fuck is this?
Her displeased growl engraved itself into my memory. I can only compare it to a rabbit remembering hawk's cry. "That is not what I asked, now is it?" She snapped.
What could I tell her? I couldn't tell her shit. Donna made me follow strict rules when I had to talk on the phone. I think this is the second time I had ever done it. I wasn't allowed to say my name, mention the Lords, especially Donna, or say anything about myself unless it was super vague. I was dumbfounded, unsure what to do.
I looked to Angie, hoping she would take the phone from me. She did, very forcefully. With the phone in her tiny hands, she began talking. "HEY! GET OUT OF HERE! Sorry, she escaped," the doll yelled.
The conversation had me uneasy. I need to find Donna. I rushed out of the room and the workshop. She was in the bathroom before. Perhaps she is out, and I can catch her before she gets on the lift. I ran through the halls, hoping she got distracted by something. Who was that woman? Did Donna know this mystery woman? I could only assume so since she had called. Just thinking about her voice made my skin crawl. I checked a few of the open rooms to see if she had gone in and they were all empty. I thought about checking the doors that were closed and thought better of it.
Once I got to the lift, Donna was patiently waiting for it. She turned to look at me as I ran closer. Her brow furrowed together, and her lips were pressed in a frown. "Luci, what are you doing here? Did Mr. Broz want to speak to me?"
I shook my head. "It was a woman. She asked who I was. I didn't tell her but then she got upset. Angie took the phone from me before I could say anything else," I said softly, a bit out of breath. Angie said I escaped. What does that even mean?
I could practically taste the tense in the air. It definitely didn't make me feel better. The dollmaker wasted no time running past me. I called after her and she didn't answer. I quickly rushed after her. It almost felt like the halls were longer, with more twists. It had to be the anxiety. Yeah, that was it. Donna was already in the workshop when I got there. I caught a glimpse of her face and she seemed furious.
I could hear Angie now that I was also in the room. "No! You got it all wrong! Ya gotta believe me!" Angie said to the woman on the phone.
The doll didn't fight when Donna snatched the phone from her. It was very out of character for her. "Mother Miranda, I am so sorry you had to speak to Angie. I know how much you hate talking to her over the phone," Donna said coolly, as if she didn't look like she wanted to throw the phone out a window.
The doll grabbed me by the arm and started pulling me to the elevator. "Come on, we're leaving," she said quickly, floating beside me.
"Am I in trouble?" I asked meekly. I let her drag me along. My stomach was doing flips, anxious for what was to come.
"Relax, will ya? We won't let anything happen to you," the little doll said, gently shoving me into the elevator.
She wouldn't answer any of my questions. She avoided even looking at me if I asked about Mother Miranda.
Angie did her best to keep me distracted. I'm unfortunately an anxious individual. Like my mother, I was prone to stress heats. I've only had two, but Donna had said she could tell when I was about to have one if she was nearby. The very first one was when my mother died. The second one was when I woke up to find the house empty. Donna had taken Angie to a meeting with the other lords, and they forgot to tell me since it was an impromptu meeting. It took hours to get the smell out of the house since I had frantically been searching for them. I've never had a heat or stress heat while she was nearby. I know it has everything to do with her abilities. She had told me it keeps her own heats at bay.
Three hours. Donna had a three-hour phone call with Mother Miranda. I'm no fool. I know who Mother Miranda is. I just thought she was fake like Santa. Why would she react so furiously at me? I've not done anything wrong. I've always been good and stayed out of trouble. There was a point in time Angie avoided me because I no longer liked causing mischief with her. I was good. I did everything I was supposed to do.
Half an hour into the three, Angie pulled out some board games. We shuffled through a few of them before landing on Scrabble. We actually played for maybe twenty minutes before making up our own game. The doll started spelling swear words and now so was I. There are so many of them. She then decided she wanted to make a new bad word. It was fun and it kept my mind busy. We were laughing over the word 'slickalicious' when Donna came into the living room.
The giggles faded when I saw her face. She looked as if she had been crying. Her lone eye looked puffy and a bit blood shot. This wasn't going to be good. She sat on the couch, opposite of me and next to Angie. The doll went limp and slumped into the cushions. Oh, this was going to be so bad.
"You wanna play?" I innocently asked.
She shook her head.
I looked at the Scrabble tiles in front of me, trying my best to hold it together. "What does Mother Miranda want from me?"
"I don't know. But there are some things you need to know. I don't know what she wants from you, but I can make a decent guess," Donna said slowly. She moved to sit next to me. "Mother Miranda has kept all of the village's Omegas somewhere secret. She does experiments on them. They are her test subjects. Your mother escaped and she had been on the run since before you were born. Since she had been so sick before, Mother Miranda just let her escape. She had hunters trying to find her, to kill her. Your mother was deemed worthless and was to be killed. She told me that horrible things happened to Omegas in Mother Miranda's care. Finding your mother was the first time I had ever heard of such a thing. I never knew. But Luci, if she comes here and demands you go with her, I can't stop her. I'm not as strong as she is," she said, placing an arm around me.
Yep, this was awful. My mother was a human lab rat and Mother Miranda probably just wants me so she can run experiments on me. This is so screwed up.
"Is there nothing we can do? Is she just going to come take me? Am I, are Omegas not seen as human?" I asked, my throat tightening as I held back a sob.
The dollmaker sighed. "She doesn't view anyone in the village as human. The Lords are the only ones she sees as equals. But I'm afraid that since she has taken all of the Omegas, they are viewed differently. Like animals to be sold off to slaughter."
"Isn't there anything we can do? Can't I hide somewhere else?" I asked. I didn't want to die. I knew death would be waiting for me if Mother Miranda got me.
"Well, there is. I told her you were a gift to Lady Dimitrescu. We had just finished a project together and I told her you were a gift because of all the help she gave me. She has given me a week to finish 'training' you. So, we have a week for me to teach you a few things and pack your bags," Donna said, looking a bit anxious.
"I don't have a choice, do I?" I sighed.
Donna pulled me in for a hug. "No, you don't. I would rather you be alive in Castle Dimitrescu than dead in Mother Miranda's lab."
"I have to live there forever too, right?" I whimpered. I couldn't hold back the tears anymore.
"Luci, I know it's hard, but this is going to keep you safe. You will be hiding in plain sight. Lady Dimitrescu will most likely make you her handmaiden and you will work just like you work here. And I plan on staying with you for your first month there or so. I'll visit often as well," she said, also crying. "She'll treat you so well. I promise it's going to be okay."
After we cried ourselves out (and Donna woke Angie up), the dollmaker excused herself to call the other female lord. Angie told me that she had blown up at Donna before she had a chance to explain herself. When she was able to explain the situation, Lady Dimitrescu had apparently calmed down considerably. She asked to many questions about me that I had to sit nearby to give the answers to Donna. They talked about so many things. My heats did come up. Without Donna, I would start to have them regularly. The dollmaker assured me that she will have suppressants ready for me to take daily. Listening to the women talk made me feel better.
Over the course of a week, I learned as much as I could about Lady Dimitrescu and Mother Miranda. Lady Dimitrescu was an Alpha, the first lord and the only lord for nearly fifty years. She was Mother Miranda's favorite, and she can't afford to lose her trust or power. I learned about the Lady's three daughters as well, but I was told I'd learn more about them when I was there. The same was not said about the male lords. They were not to be trusted. Lord Moreau would do anything to get Mother Miranda's approval. Lord Heisenberg was the opposite; he'd set fire to the priestess himself if he could. His mouth and his rivalry with Lady Dimitrescu makes him untrustworthy. Since he strives to make Lady Dimitrescu annoyed, he would likely try something if I was to meet him. I hope I never do. I was assured that I would be kept far away from everyone if they had to come over. Scent proof rooms exist for the ladies of the castle since they are all Alphas. There is even a spare one for Lord Heisenberg just in case. Donna told me Lady Dimitrescu was going to turn a spare room into a heat room for me, just as a precaution.
In-between the learning, I was also taught how to act. I have to call Donna and Angie using the title of Lady. I would also do the same for the Dimitrescu women, especially in a formal setting or when Mother Miranda was around. It didn't matter if I was given permission to drop titles down the line. It was always safe to just use the titles. I had to stay out of the way and be invisible for this to really work. The maids in the castle do not have titles obviously but it was still common courtesy to use ma'am and miss for them. Another thing regarding the staff, I was supposed to play stupid to any deep questions. I was an orphan that grew up with no place to live and then Donna found me trespassing on her property and she cleaned me up and gave me as a gift to Lady Dimitrescu. That was the story I was supposed to tell. Nothing more, nothing less.
I also had to pack my things. I couldn't take everything in the one trip, but Donna said she'd bring the rest of it after I'm a bit more settled. Every day, I had to fold my clothes and pack them away. I had my clothes laid out for the week. My last week home. I cried more than I should have. Donna was trying to protect me. She said that if Mother Miranda barged in here to take me, she would be powerless. Lady Dimitrescu would protect me and treat me well. I was leaving everything I knew and loved behind. So many memories were here. The portrait in the main part of the house was covered for the longest time. When I was about six years old, I had accidentally uncovered it and asked who that was. It laid the groundwork for Donna to show her face to us a couple years later. She claimed I was too young to see 'the horrors' of her face. When I was twelve, I had gotten stuck on the roof of the house. I had been determined to find the best hiding spot. I was tired of losing. It was a spot so good my mother and Donna started looking for me. When the year anniversary of my mom's death came around, I was in the same spot. Donna was able to find me. We sat and talked all night. And we cried. We cried so much. All of my memories of my mother were here. And I'm supposed to just leave them all.
I didn't sleep well the night before. I was tired and anxious. I cried as I walked out of my now bare bedroom. It was my room for nearly twenty years. I had to compose myself. I had to put on an act. Donna said Lady Dimitrescu wouldn't make me work for the first week so i could get adjusted. I'm not sure if I will ever adjust. We took a carriage Lady Dimitrescu had sent. It was large. I know she was supposed to be very tall, but this was just too big. Ten people could fit comfortably in here. The ride through the village wasn't anything special. I didn't know anyone. I stopped going when my mother died, and no one really talked to us anyway. People stared at the carriage though, like Death was riding in it. The castle was huge. It felt familiar even though I had no memory of being here. The towers were so tall. Why anyone would need a place to large was beyond me. I can't imagine how many employees work there to keep the place clean. I helped Donna out of the carriage when we arrived. Donna held Angie who held on to the leash. Maids escorted us from outside in. Some stayed behind to grab our bags. All of my belongings were condensed to two bags: one for clothes and one for other stuff. Donna had brought a bag so she could stay with me comfortably. I couldn't walk next to Donna since she was my Lord, my superior and this act had to go flawlessly.
I nervously fidgeted with the hem of my shirt. I had convinced Donna at the last second to let me wear pants and a dress shirt. My hair was left down, and she spent hours making sure I looked the part. I thankfully convinced her to not paint my face with makeup. I am wearing some but only enough to accentuate my features. I was trying not to touch my face too much. I didn't want to accidentally smear anything. I wanted to do something, anything with my hands. I needed the distraction. I could only find comfort in fiddling with the bottom button of my shirt and staring on Donna's shoes as we walked. I didn't make eye contact with anyone.
The maids led us to massive doors. They excused themselves and left us alone. I could feel my heart pounding in my throat. "Just remembered what you learned," Angie said as we approached a pair of doors. The doll spared a glance at me. What was behind those doors would seal my fate. It was perfectly reasonable to be scared.
"Yes, do tell. What did you learn?" A voice came from directly behind me. She sounded cold, as if she knew I was going to answer wrong, and she was already thinking of some way to dispose of me.
Dread washed over me. I always thought Betas were supposed to have soothing scents. She smelled sterile or too clean. It was as if she had been kept away from scents and did not have one of her own. Perhaps it was the fear that made it seem like that. I didn't need to turn around to see who it was. Hearing her voice once was all it took to engrave it into my mind. I turned to look at Mother Miranda, finally pairing a face with the voice. It made my stomach flip as I looked at her. She was beautiful. The priestess wore a long, feathered gown that was as black as a moonless night. The feathers were the most noticeable on the long sleeves of the dress. The feathers were large enough for me to see the individual ones. Was there even a bird that large or did she painstakingly hand make fake feathers? Gold fabric covered her shoulders, and the same shade of gold was also on her face and behind her head in the form of a mask and head piece. The gold mask was verry obviously a bird mask, which did fit with the feathers. Pale blonde hair was slicked back under a feathered hood that was barely covering her head I couldn't see how the head piece was attached to the rest of her outfit, but it didn't matter much. I was trying to absorb as much about her as I could. I truly hope this will be the last time I will see her for a while. Donna mentioned the priestess liked to shapeshift into other people or animals to spy on everyone. She must be a motivated woman.
I wasn't paying much attention after I turned around. An angry expression peeks out from behind the mask, and she was suddenly holding my face. Golden claws threatened to break the skin on my face. "Have you gone mute since we talked on the phone?" She barked. I couldn't avoid her eyes if I wanted to. I was forced to hold my gaze. Her eyes were a delicate light blue. It was weird to see such a light shade on someone who will kill me. The shade of blue made me think of clear skies and summer air.
The tips of her claws dug into my skin. They snapped me out of my daze. "M-my apologies! Mother Miranda, I didn't mean to stay silent. I didn't think I'd have the opportunity to look at your glory from so close," I said, feeding her ego and playing into the part of a humble religious girl. Donna had said she'd like that.
Mother Miranda forced my head to move side to side, examining my face. She still looked angry. Maybe she was trying to snap my neck. "You look like her," she sneered. The feathered woman let me go. I rubbed my face, hoping there were no marks. "It seems your mother turned her back on her heretical ideals when she had you. What a delightful development," she said, not sounding as pleased her words suggested she'd be. "I still must examine you. I have no idea who your father is, and such a thing is important for my studies. I suppose I'll let Alcina meet you first," she stated plainly before vanishing in a cloud of feathers.
I let out the breath I didn't realized I was holding. "What the fuck," I whispered, turning back towards Donna and Angie.
"At least you're still alive?" Angie said with a shrug. Donna turned her head towards the doll but remained silent. "Come on, it's this room over here. Don't want to keep them waiting."
Large wooden doors led me into the belly of the beast, so to speak. Donna and Angie kept insisting that nothing bad would happen to me while I was here. All the rumors I had heard were true, but Lady Dimitrescu was family to Donna and the favorite among their false siblings. She had promised to protect me as a favor for Donna. I didn't feel better about that. Maids were standing in front of the large doors. As we got closer, the maids opened both doors for us. No going back now. Giant walls covered with books were the first thing I saw. The ceiling set higher than necessary, but the library had those ladders attached to them that rolled. Perhaps that's why. I could tell a lot of these books were old just from the smell of the room. I allowed myself to look at the women before me. I could tell who was who based on the physical descriptions and the photos I've seen. To the right, I saw Mother Miranda. She was dressed the same as I saw her in the hall, but she seemed relaxed. Her legs were crossed, and she sat up too straight to be comfortable. I couldn't see her expression. To the left, three women about my age or possibly younger sat. They were dressed identically, and I knew they were Lady Dimitrescu's daughters. I'm sure they have other defining features besides their hair, but that's the only way I was able to tell them apart. Donna told me their names but not who was who. It didn't help that they were also all Alphas. I couldn't even use that as a defining trait. Sitting in between the daughters and Mother Miranda was Lady Dimitrescu. She really was tall. The Alpha Lord was nine foot six inches tall, but I guess that didn't process until now. Her daughters also seemed tall compared to Mother Miranda's height. She was only slightly taller than me.
As we walked closer, I could really pick out their scents. Donna said her ability had muffled my sense of smell. I wasn't able to pick up on slight scent changes. It was just a side effect of always being in the presence of her powers. Leather, chocolate, coffee, and tobacco were the strongest scents I was able to pick out. I couldn't tell if I was smelling the room or if the Dimitrescu women just smell like this. It had to be the room.
Angie struggled in Donna's hold. The dollmaker went to sit in a chair, opposite of where everyone was sitting. I didn't dare sit down. Donna let her go and the doll went to stand in front of me, bringing me closer to the most dangerous women in the village.
Lady Dimitrescu uncrossed her legs and sat up straighter once we were an arm's length away. "How thoughtful of you, Donna. She's leash trained and she doesn't even look uncomfortable. I do hope you haven't broken her all the way. You know how much I like it when they fight back," she grinned. Her smile was so unsettling. Did she lie to Donna? She seems a bit too happy to have me here. No, Donna said she wouldn't hurt me. My eyes darted to Donna then back to the taller woman. She had to be acting. I had my part to play and so did she. I clenched my jaw to keep myself grounded.
Angie gasped and jerked her hands around while she spoke. "We like you, dumbass! What kinda friend would we be if we gave you a virgin who was broke all the way in?! She wouldn't even be a virgin!" Thankfully, the leash was long enough for me to stand comfortably. I would've hated it if it was too short. This was already kind of humiliating and that would've been worse.
The Alpha laughed. "No, I suppose she wouldn't be. Bring her here. I want a good look at her before her physical," the lord said, snapping her fingers. Her palm laid open, waiting for the other end of the leash.
"Of course! She's a bit funky with touch cuz it's just us," Angie said, her tone slightly betraying the role she was supposed to play. We took a few steps closer, and the leash was out of Angie's little wooden hands.
I could feel my heart race. Her hands were so big. It looked like she was holding a bit of string. If circumstances were different, perhaps I would've laughed at how silly it looked. This was no time for laughter. I held my breath as her large hands slowly went for my waist. I stood as still as I possibly could. I was lifted up and placed on her lap, facing her. I'm so glad I was wearing pants instead of the dress they tried to put me in. My legs were on either side of her lap. If I was wearing that dress, I would have been exposed in a way I was not comfortable in. Being in her lap really made it click how large she was. I was eye level with her breasts. I couldn't hear anything over the sound of my own heartbeat. I looked down, scared of meeting anyone's eyes. Her dress felt soft. Slowly, she reached down and tilted my head up with the same gloved hand that held the leash.
She was beautiful. Of course she was but my heart seemed to race for a different reason since we were so close. Black hair was curled and framed her pale face so beautifully. Is this what my mother meant when she said women were to be treasured? Red lips pursed as she moved my head. She was looking at me? Gold eyes bore into mine. It was as if she could see right through me. I swallowed as she got a lips distance away? Was she going to kiss me? Would it be nice? My mother always said kissing a woman was different from kissing a man. That her lips would be soft and sweet. Would Lady Dimitrescu's lips be like that?
Wait, what am I doing? Who thinks about kissing a stranger? Not me. It was just a strange train of thought. That's exactly what it was.
I wanted so desperately to hide or close my eyes, but I couldn't. The larger woman's hand left my chin, and I could've looked away. I didn't.
"Such an obedient thing. Good girl," she cooed, as she leaned back in her chair.
I felt my face heat up and my jaw go slack. I felt warm? no, that felt like the wrong word. She seemed to be staring at me as if this was the last time, she'd ever see me. It was like she was staring at a painting she adored in person for the first time, taking it all in and committing it to memory. No, that can't be right.
An obnoxious laugh pulled me out of my head. "Seems like she liked it when you called her that!" One of the daughters laughed loudly. I could see red hair poking out from her hood.
I felt Lady Dimitrescu's body move as she laughed. My eyes instantly went back to hers. "Such an eager thing. You say she's in her mid-twenties with no sexual history? I plan on changing that once I have her to myself," she said, sitting up.
She slowly got closer and closer. I felt so surrounded by her. Under the base scent of tobacco and iron, there was a third scent that was so much stronger since she was so close. I wanted to bury my face in her neck. I wanted it all around me. I wanted to grab her dress and keep her close. I could feel her breath on my neck. It sent a shiver down my spine. If I could smell her, she could smell me. Did she like my scent? I felt her lips press so gently against my neck, right where my scent glands were. A wild thought crossed my mind: what if she bit me? What if she truly claimed me in front of everyone? My insides felt so warm and tingly.
"Such a sweet little thing," she rumbled. "If you weren't a gift, I would make you into the finest bottle of Sanguis Virginis I've ever made. I think keeping you as a little cock sleeve and blood bag is just as good." I couldn't focus on anything else besides her. Her lips left my neck, and I was face to face with her again.
I've never been one to act on impulses. I was always taught that impulses can get you killed. I figured dying like this, leaning forward to kiss Lady Dimitrescu, would be the best way to go out.