Chapter 8

Anticipation

Juniper awoke with the screeching of metal against metal as the cell door opened. A fresh draft of chill air cut straight through his too-thin blanket. He jolted upright, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. The circumstances of where he was and why he was there struck his mind like a bolt of lightning. He was wide awake.

A soft laugh came from the doorway.

“I apologize for startling you.”

Jun could tell that it was Ian, the prince’s secretary. He relaxed a little. Ian wasn’t as scary as the other vampires. He still had a powerful presence but an understanding nature beneath—as if he would at least wear a look of pity while draining one’s blood. Was that reassuring? Maybe as reassuring as a vampire could be.

“I am to get you presentable for His Highness.”

Jun would see Prince Isaac again? This surprised him. He thought the prince would be done with him—much too important and busy to have time for a flawed slave. Had his blood test results arrived?

“I will take you to the showers and then get you a fresh set of clothes—Oh! You barely touched your food,” Ian said, noticing the nearly full plate left on the side table. 

Jun thought that it was kind that the vampire seemed so concerned. Or perhaps, they wanted him well-fed so they could drink from him.  

“I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t have much of an appetite.”  

Jun kept his head lowered while talking to the vampire. He wasn’t sure how to appropriately interact with the supernaturals, but he presumed appearing submissive was a safe way to go.

“No matter. I suppose it’s understandable. We will get you something to eat soon. Come. Let’s get you cleaned up.”

Ian guided Juniper out of his cell and into the cool hallway. As they walked, Jun wondered if his family was held nearby. Perhaps they were even passing right by them… he squashed his thoughts. He couldn’t afford to fall into despair right then. A whole new day of unknowns lay ahead of him. Jun decided that he would try to be brave like his brother Ash. When he felt he could, he would inquire about his family.

They hadn’t been walking long when Ian led them to another metal door. Moisture-filled air encased them as they entered. This must be the shower room.

Would he have to undress and wash himself in front of the vampire? He’d already felt so exposed yesterday.

Ian pressed two bottles into his hands.

“Here. The taller one is shampoo, and the shorter one is soap. You can leave your clothes on the floor outside the curtain. I’ll hang a fresh towel on the hook—it will be immediately to your left, on the wall, outside the curtain.”

Tears sprang to Juniper’s eyes. Ian was so considerate. In his current state, simply being allowed to shower alone felt like a generous gift.

“Thank you,” he softly replied.

Ian gave Jun a gentle pat on his head. “I’ll wait out here until you are finished. Let me know if you need anything.”

* * *

Freshly dressed, in clothes of the same style as the day before, Ian walked Juniper through a long stretch of hallway. The vampire didn’t say where they would meet the prince, but Jun hoped it was somewhere outside the overseers building. He didn’t like how oppressive it felt.

Then, to Juniper’s relief, a warm breeze gusted over his skin as Ian opened yet another set of heavy doors. He was so glad to be leaving the cold and monotonously concrete building.

Ian stopped him just outside the door.

“Here—to protect your eyes. Prince Isaac seems quite taken with them. We wouldn’t want them damaged.”

Ian slid a silken cloth over his eyes and tied it neatly in the back. It wasn’t the same sash Jun had lost to the vampire prince. The material was luxurious and smooth against his skin. It was nice, but Jun missed the comfort of familiar things.

Ian stopped them at a vehicle and opened the back door. He guided Juniper into the seat and then secured a belt around him. Jun was puzzled by it. He hadn’t been restrained by such a device yesterday. Although, it may not have worked while kept on the vampire prince’s lap.  

The memory of straddling Prince Isaac summoned uncomfortable sensations.

The secretary got into the driver’s seat. This time, when the car started moving, Juniper was prepared for it. The unfamiliar motion still made him uneasy, but at least he hadn’t nearly jumped out of his seat—not that he could, with the belt around him.

The ride was silent, and it wasn’t long before they reached their destination. Ian helped Juniper out of the car.

He immediately caught a sweet scent on the breeze. Blooming crabapple trees were somewhere nearby. Jun thought about the crabapple tree in the front yard of his home. He loved the way the alluring fragrance would blow in through the windows—one of the many reasons he loved the spring season.

Despite the circumstances, Juniper couldn’t help but enjoy being outdoors. He had spent more time outside these past couple of days than he had all of last year. It was an automatic response for him to take in all the sensations he could in the limited time he had.

“We are at the head overseer’s house. Prince Isaac is staying here.”

The house was a well-maintained two-story with stately white siding and black shutters. Ian guided Jun up the porch steps, and the front door opened for them.

“Welcome, sir. His Highness is expecting you in his room. This way.”

They followed a slave woman into the house. Jun detected the activity all around as slaves performed their varying jobs: sweeping, polishing, cooking… He had never been around such hustle and bustle before.

Juniper let his senses reach out to the slave woman. There was a wariness from her but no fear and also the same pride that he’d felt in the driver yesterday—almost an arrogance.  

It seemed these slaves felt honored in their positions. Being a driver and housekeeper to vampires of high standing awarded them some amount of respect.

Farmers didn’t feel that way, though they appreciated the relative freedom that came with their work. Jun suspected that the other labor-intensive jobs he’d heard about—factory workers, cleaners, builders, and the like—didn’t feel that way either.  

It hardly seemed fair to him. Some slaves held positions worthy of pride and prestige, while others toiled away to survive. Juniper found that the more immersed he was in the outside world, the less he could understand.

While Jun dwelled on his thoughts, the woman led them up a flight of stairs, down a hallway, and to the door of the room containing the enigmatic vampire prince. Juniper could feel his overwhelming presence on the other side.

The slave left, and Ian gave a few firm raps on the door.

“Enter.”

The secretary ushered Juniper into the room, which was spacious and airy, brightened from the natural light coming through sheer curtains draped over the windows.

Jun’s heart rapidly beat as if trying to escape his chest. He was sure the vampires could hear it.

“Sit.”  

Prince Isaac had the uncanny ability to compact such indisputable authority into single words.

Ian took Juniper through the room and deposited him into a chair. It was wooden with a small amount of padding on the seat—hard but not uncomfortable. He sat rigid and upright, his muscles refusing to relax.

Next to the chair was a small, round dining table. Jun smelled an array of foods—mixed scents from savory to sweet wafted in the air.

“You may leave, Ian.”

“Yes, sir. Have a good meal.”

He heard the soft snick of a solid oak door closing as Ian exited the room. Juniper had been left alone to dine with a vampire.