ANDREA'S OVERLORD (2 page)

“Might what?”

“Might be contacted by the
wrong
people. You know, the human resistance.”

“I see. All the more reason why Mikel is your man. He’s not deflowered a new prospect in over a year. This new duty will do him good.”

“Do you think he’ll agree?”

Bryce tossed his cigar on the floor and crushed it out as he stood. It burned a tiny black mark into the rug. “Agree? He’s a predator just like the rest of us. I think he’ll jump at the chance.”

Chapter 2

“I got my referral from the Vampire High Council today,” Andrea said as she took a seat with her usual lunch group in the school cafeteria. There was Candy, who’d dyed her hair a shocking shade of bright pink, George, the skinny first-year student, and Jose Sanchez ,who was such a brain he never had to study.

They all stared at her. Candy was the first to speak. “Are you scared?”

Andrea shrugged. She thought about that for a moment. Up to this point everything in her life had been planned and controlled by the Council. Like all her friends, she’d been raised in a breeding camp, educated by the vampire elders, and finally chosen to attend this coveted Red League school. The school trained students to be medics and administer blood transfusions in a world where a vampire could unintentionally drain a human if they weren’t careful. She knew what the Council expected of her and always did her best to do it. But the referral meant she’d be graduating from her protected life to one of service in the vampire world. She guessed it was exciting and scary all at once.

She speared a few French fries with her fork and chewed them thoughtfully. “I don’t know. I suppose I’m excited.”

“Are you still a virgin?” George asked.

“No, there was that incident with a vampire instructor a few years ago. He used me then got bored. I was thinking what happened might get me bypassed for my first referral and I’d go straight to my new master. Luckily it didn’t. Even though it sucked, I guess I’m glad what happened didn’t ruin everything for me. I want to be like everybody else.”

Jose shoveled a few generous mouthfuls of chili macaroni into his mouth and swallowed. Andrea didn’t think he bothered to chew. He was always like that. No table manners whatsoever.

“Who’s your first referral with?”

She took the folded paperwork from her pocket and spread it out on the table. “A vampire overlord named Mikel Hellborne. Anyone hear of him?”

“I’ve heard of him. Real bad dude. He’s a Council assassin,” Jose said.

He took the paper from her.

“It says here you have to report to the main office after graduation today. Wow, that’s fast.”

A knot of fear tightened in her belly. “Yeah, tell me about it.”

Candy smiled trying to look happy for her but Andrea knew it was all for show. Overlords were rumored to be mean and domineering, two things Andrea really didn’t like in a man she was about to have sex with. If only she had a choice in the matter.

“An overlord seducing you for your first time is quite a compliment. You must have impressed someone,” she said.

“I told you nothing good would come from getting good grades,” George said, pointing his fork at her for emphasis.

Andrea’s chest was tight and her stomach had turned to ice. “It’s not exactly my first seduction.” It came out stiff and awkward. She was trying to sound more nonchalant than she felt and was failing miserably.

Jose leaned across the table and cast a nervous look around. “I don’t want to freak you out, Andrea, but that overlord is going to tear you up.”

Now Andrea was pissed. Was he
trying
to panic her? “Shut up. I really don’t need this from you, Jose.”

Jose leaned back with a shrug. “I’m just saying you need to make sure you do
exactly
as he says. Those bad boys don’t mess around.”

They all fell into a tense silence. Andrea pushed her food around with a fork. One of the instructors came by. He was tall and thin with a face that reminded her of a hatchet. He wore a long black robe that dragged on the floor as he walked. He paused by Andrea’s table.

“Is there something wrong with your food, young lady?” he asked her.

“No, my Lord. I…um…just got my first referral and I’m a little too excited to eat.”

The instructor smiled flashing long, sharp, white teeth. “May I see it?”

Andrea gingerly picked up the paperwork and handed it over. The instructor read quickly then folded it back up and handed it to her. “You’re a very lucky girl. An overlord is quite prestigious for your first.”

“I know, my Lord. I’m grateful to the Council for granting me such an honor.”

“Have you met your seducer yet?” the instructor asked.

“No sir.”

“Ah, then you are fortunate indeed. I just received word a few minutes ago that he has come early for you. He waits at the office to escort you home with him.”

Andrea’s mouth dropped open. She’d told herself she was ready, but the truth was, she certainly wasn’t.
How bad can this be? He’s bound to be better than that fumbling idiot who took your virginity behind the school. Don’t be scared. He’s not allowed to damage you for your new master. He’s only supposed to give you a quick lesson on how to give and receive pleasure.

She could feel her friends staring at her. It felt like their eyes were boring tiny holes into her skin. She wished for a fleeting moment that she was any one of them and not herself.

“Are you ready?” the instructor asked. “All your things will be sent to the home of your new master, so you needn’t worry. When the overlord is done with you, he’ll send you to your new home.”

Andrea stood and her knees buckled slightly. She gripped the table to steady herself. “I’m ready and eager to serve, my Lord.” That was the
right
response. She wasn’t allowed to utter any other.

“Excellent. Come, I will take you there.”

The instructor took her hand in his cold, boney one and squeezed. She shivered at the contact. He leaned in close to her ear.

“Congratulations.”

Andrea forced a smile. “Thank you; you’re very kind.”

* * * *

Andrea walked down the hall to the office feeling like a rock had replaced the ice in her stomach. She was lost somewhere between slight happiness and total, all-out terror.

Not a fun place to be.

Mikel Hellborne didn’t look like she expected him to. Oh, he was tall and commanding like she thought he’d be but instead of the black clothes she expected, he wore a brown T-shirt, faded blue jeans and snakeskin boots. His face was long with hollow cheeks and full lips, and his eyes were a cold, steel blue. His well groomed dark hair was cut short around the collar but left long on top giving him a tousled ready-for-bed look. A hungry sexuality clung to him and made her sweat even before she met his penetrating gaze.

Andrea stopped in front of him feeling small and insignificant. “Hi. I’m Andrea and I’m ready.” The minute the words escaped her she wanted to slap herself in the head.
Who says that, anyway?
She prayed he wouldn’t say anything about the heat spreading across her cheeks

A slow, lazy smile spread across his lips. He held his hand out to her. “Hi. I’m Mikel. I presume you know why I’m here.”

Andrea’s heart was beating a hundred miles an hour. She nodded then blurted out, “Yeah.” It came out rushed and breathless like she’d just run up a flight of stairs. She wished she’d just shut up. She must sound like a complete idiot.

Without another word, Mikel turned and stalked out of the building. Andrea followed close behind. She jogged to catch up to his long strides. “Um…my Lord, sir?”

Mikel stopped. “You don’t have to call me that. Just use my name.”

“Oh, okay. Um…Mikel, I have a jacket and some personal items in my room I’d like to take with me.”

“I thought they told you about that. You don’t need to worry about anything. All your possessions will be taken to your new master’s house. When you and I are done, you’ll be taken there to begin your new life.”

“I’m just afraid they’ll miss something.”

“You need to relax. They won’t.”

Mikel went to his car which was parked down the road and opened the door for her. The car was a red mustang convertible with a black racing stripe down the middle. It was a really nice ride. Andrea obediently got in.

He drove the speed limit which surprised her. She’d expected him to be skidding around every corner.

“Are you nervous?” he asked.

“I’m really nervous, yeah.”

“I understood from your school records that you aren’t a virgin.”

An unpleasant memory tried to come into her head but she forced it back into its dark corner. “I’m not but that was the only time.” She watched the scenery as it passed by and wished she could spend the day shopping or sitting on the beach. The last thing she wanted was to be seduced by this man. “I don’t really like to talk about what happened much.”

“Was your experience painful?”

“Yes it was. And it was frightening.”

He glanced at her then returned his focus on the road. “I’m sorry. That shouldn’t have happened to you.”

“Don’t be sorry. It was a while ago. I don’t really think about it anymore.” She decided it was time to change the subject. “Have you seduced a lot of women?” He smiled and Andrea was suddenly struck by how very handsome he was.

“Quite a few. Yes.”

“Did you ever sleep with the same woman twice?”

“On occasion.”

She nodded. It was hard not to feel sorry for herself knowing she was one in a long line of meaningless sexual partners. It was silly to feel cheated but she did. Certainly there had to be more to one’s existence than just being a pleasure toy for some vampire overlord.

“Does that bother you?” he asked.

“It’s not really my place to say.” As soon as her words escaped her, she regretted them. Mikel pulled the car over
. Oh crap, I’ve offended him.

Mikel turned to face her and she shrank back. She’d been slapped around before for speaking her mind too much. She sure hoped he just hit her once and got it over with.

“You can speak freely. Answer the question. Does it bother you?”

What the hell?
She was probably going to get slapped around by him during sex anyway. She shrugged trying to play it off. “Yeah. I mean, it would be nice to have sex with someone who cared about me and didn’t just want to get off.” There, she’d said it.

His eyes studied her face. She tried to read his expression but it was impossible. He was the ultimate poker player.

“It won’t be like that, Andrea. I’ll make this enjoyable for you.”

She forced a smile and swallowed the lump forming in her throat. “That would be nice. Thanks.”

He seemed genuinely puzzled by her response.

Andrea took a deep breath and it lifted some of the tension. “Are you pissed at me?”

He pulled back onto the road. A muscle moved in his jaw. “No. I find you…different and interesting.”

Great.
That probably means he’s going to beat my ass for talking like that as soon as we get to a private place. Good going, Andrea.
What a wonderful way to start her new life outside of the camp. She wondered if she could make this first referral any better.
Oh wait. I know. I’m sure he’ll love it when I can’t reach orgasm because I’m too nervous.

Chapter 3

Mikel’s condo was on the twenty-fifth floor of a modern high-rise. Floor-to-ceiling windows gave the impression that she was walking on air. The city lights stretched out as far as the eye could see. They twinkled and beckoned like distant stars promising limitless adventures.