“Look here,” Xipe said and put a book down on the desk in front of me. “This contains something you might recognise.”

I opened it very carefully and gasped. It was written my language. I looked up at Xipe and smiled. I had missed reading my own language so much.

He softly smiled back and ran his hand over my hair, bending down, kissing the top of my head.

“Enjoy,” he murmured and picked out a book of his own. He sat down behind me in the sofa and basically disappeared to the world.

I turned my attention back to the book. It was interesting at first but then the further I made it into the book I lost track. I didn’t understand the references made and I grew tired of the language used. It didn’t sound like something I’d say or write.

I sighed very deeply and leaned back in my chair. I looked back at Xipe, but he was still completely lost in his book.

“I’m gonna go feed,” I said and Xipe just murmured something incomprehensible.

I left the study and roamed around for a bit before I found my servant. He was lounging on a wooden stool in the kitchen but shot to his feet the moment I entered.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb,” I murmured and offered him a slight bow.

He didn’t meet my eyes but kept his gaze on the floor. He frowned but he didn’t say anything.

“My name is Frej. What’s yours?”

He briefly looked up and then down at the floor again. He gave his head a very slight shake but still didn’t say anything. He knelt down on the floor and held his wrist up towards me.

“Why won’t you talk to me?” I asked.

“Because he can’t,” someone said from behind me. I whirled around and Zitzi had caught me red-handed. I felt heat creep up in my face and I offered her a bow. “Don’t bow to me, Frej.” She came into the kitchen and gently cupped my cheek with her hand. “We’re family.”

“I’m sorry,” I whispered.

She just smiled and looked down at the servant. “They can’t talk.” She gently placed her on top of his head and tipped it down. A symbol was painted in the back of his neck. It looked a lot like a rune, but it still wasn’t one I recognised. It was just a half circle with a line through it. “This symbol prevents them from exposing us to the mortals.”

“It enslaves them,” I said, disgusted.

“They’ll be repaid tenfold, Frej. Feeding you is this man’s privilege.” She took his wrist in her hand and hauled him to his feet. The servant still avoided all eye-contact.

“This isn’t a privilege. Does he know what we’re doing to him?”

“He chose this, yes.” Zitzi nodded. “He’ll get an afterlife only few could dream of for nourishing you. For sustaining you.”

“But… Why does he have to be like this?” I couldn’t look at him anymore and instead settled my eyes on Zitzi.

“Mortals are weak, Frej. They have a tendency to talk. With this symbol on their skin, they won’t have the chance to slip up. We can’t expose ourselves. They outnumber us and have certain ways of destroying us. Some have even devoted their lives to it,” she explained patiently. “I won’t disturb you any longer. Come find me in the sitting room if you want company after.”

I was about to bow to her again, but I nodded instead. She smiled softly and left me alone with the servant.

I turned back to him. He was still just standing there with his wrist turned to the ceiling.

“I’m so sorry,” I whispered.

He finally looked up and met my gaze. He raised his wrist more, so it was in front of my face. I could hear his pulse, but it was revolting how he was treated. How all the servants were treated. Sure, we had slaves back in Dania, but I hadn’t liked that either.

“I don’t know if you understand me. Or if you can even understand what’s going on, but you’re safe. I won’t hurt you.” I bowed my head at him and left the kitchen.

Xipe didn’t have to know I didn’t feed on the servant. I’d just tell him I was.