I spent this rainy, oddly peaceful evening in my master's library. Distant thunder, crackling logs in the fireplace and quill scratching on paper filled the massive, dark room. I sat at a mahogany desk stained with old, french ink, and did my best to translate my master's medical notes. Once I got the hang of decrypting his chaotic handwriting, I was amused by his discoveries, although, at times, they disturbed me.

     Master Duke granted me the honour of being present during experiments, disections, I found it both amusing and wicked, for we have been experimenting on living human beings. My boss always chose the victims, and I was in charge of bringing them in. He always told me their sacrifice is in the name of science, and if I only had a tiny hint of doubt in his words, he'd coressed me, he'd reassure me of his love and beliefs, he'd make me feel guilty for not agreeing. Countless times Duke brainwashed me, and countless times I gave into his lies. If I didn't, he'd punish me.

     I've been here for 4 years now. I met my master at a great banquette. I remember it well, I was only 21. I went there with my father, but I wondered off to the balcony to get some fresh air. Completely absorbed in the wonderful view, I listened to wind strong enough to make tree crowns dance, but gentle enough not to completely disrupt my chestnut hair. I suddenly heard a voice. Soft, young, yet a tad hoarse. I turned around, looked up, and for the first time in forever I felt a silimar sensation to as when I find a fascinating book. Passionate, grey eyes gazed into mine. Golden, long hair dancing with the gentle, summer wind. There was only him, and everything else around us disappeared. Little did I know this was a man, who would rob me out of everything I had, and everything I am.

     I looked up from nasty illustrations and documents to let my eyes rest, and gave myself a scare, catching a glimpse of someone in the mirror. It took me a moment, I looked so pale I nearly didn't recognize myself. I readjusted my round glasses, put the dip pen into a silver holder and stood up from my desk, just to fall back onto the chair. I was so weak, my limbs were shaking. I felt as I was about to faint. But who could blame me, if the only thing in my stomach whole day were my own blood and coffee? I attempted to stand up again, and tried to make my way out of the library. As soon as I opened the door, cold breeze coressed my legs. Strolling through dark corridors I could hear master Duke play a beautiful, melancholic lullaby on his piano, like a mysterious phantom, for I could never figure out where the music's coming from. Master's mansion was an enormous building, impossible to memorize by strangers, dooming our victims who managed to escape the lab. If you stop thinking about all the mischief in the dungeons, it is quite beautiful here. Full of antiques, royal goods. Master Duke came from a very rich and powerful family, I felt ashamed  showing myself in his presence in public. Not that we walked far, for his demon appearence scared the peasants. Knowing that, I stayed over at his residence more often. Few months passed by, and I practically lived there, not knowing when all of this even happened. I've been here so long, I don't remember how it was to be free.

I walked into the kitchen and opened the icebox's door, grabbing a cold compress I left inside to cool down earlier today. I gently put it on my swollen, broken nose and elevated myself on my tip toes to sit on the marble counter. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, trying to choke a fade feeling of rage and heartache, like a weak flame on a candle.

- Allan. - Said a familiar, husky voice, that made me gasp, and immidiately jump off onto the checkered floor.

I saw Duke, standing on the other side of the counter. The view of him looking at me so condescendingly, made me back up into cold cabinets, and fear for my life once again. I didn't hear him at all. Was I this deep in thought, or could it be the storm outside the window?

- I'm so sorry, sir. - I said quickly, knowing well I wasn't allowed to sit on the furniture without permission. This rule always made me feel dehumanised, but I could never object. I don't think I could take another punch in the face today.

     Master stared me down for what it seemed for me like an hour, making me claw the compress pack, but I decided to maintain the eye contact, like a scared prey, staring into the eyes of a predator. His shoulder seemed to relax after a while, but mine got even stiffer, continuously being on high alert as Duke decided to walk around the counter to apprach me. I could hear my heart throbbing in my throat, and distant thunders made this whole situation just that more ominous. Suddenly, he spread his arms in a inviting way.

- Come here, dove. - Said blonde, in a honeyed voice. My feet completely ignored my terrified brain's signals and hurried me towards him like a metal nail to the magnet, but once he coressed me, the fear seemed to melt away.
 - You really made me upset today. It hurts me when I have to punish you, you know this. Why do must you disobey me?

- I'm sorry, sir. - I followed quietly, closing my eyes as he put a hand on the back of my head. Slender fingers played with my brown hair, replacing fear with sudden guilt. His gentle touch worked like a drug, making me forget that the same hands bruise my body and kill the innocent. Just for this short moment.

- Did you finish writing the documents ? - I felt his hands slide all the way onto the back of my thighs and elevate me back on the marble counter. My body did protest,  resting a hand on demon's chest in untrusting manner, and lightly pushing him away, but it didn't last long. I gave in, my pale fingers readjusting master's jabot collar. I liked when Duke dressed like this. A beautiful, navy blue suit laced with gold. His long, blonde hair neatly put into a loose ponytail, resting on his right shoulder. A ribbon, matching his outfit, tied the hair together.

- No sir. Just few more pages... I promise you'll have the notes back tomorrow morning. - I stuttered, locking eyes with him. I got worried, awaiting the answer. Duke's silver eyes never told me a thing. Not a single one. He was as unpredictable as a tiger, locking me out of his mind with massive titanium vault and making me await my demise. I could never think straight when he looked at me with such pure void. Blank expression was briefly followed by distaste, then suddenly Duke looked relaxed. He studied my face for a second, before retrieving hands from my thighs, planting a gentle, but unpassionate kiss on my forehead, and heading out of the kitchen.

- So be it. Eat something. You look dead, dove. - Blonde said, before disappearing around the corner.

- I'm not that far off... - I muttered to myself, coressing my nose with a luke warm compress.