Chapter 1: one

Olivia

The shrill sound of screaming jolted me awake. The soft glow of the early morning sun seeping through the window was my only hint of time. My world was confined to this room and the snippets of conversation from the customers.

I pushed myself up slowly, my palms sinking into the thin mattress. I shuffled closer to the bars of my cage, the cool metal a stark contrast against my skin.

Through the bars, I watched as the pet shop master and his henchman dragged a struggling girl through the back door.

~The rogue~. ~Again~.

“Let go of me, you filthy bloodsucker!” she spat at the two vampires.

Her courage was admirable, but it was foolish to challenge vampires. They were stronger, faster, and could drain a human dry in seconds.

Brutus, the pet master, was conversing with his henchman. He was the one who “punished” us pets when we misbehaved.

Martin, the pet shop owner, was our master until we were sold. He was relatively kind, as long as you obeyed and didn’t cause trouble. I had been punished once, and that was enough.

I wished I had the courage to endure more, but I wasn’t like the rogue. I had spent my entire life in captivity, born in a breeding camp and then handed off.

I couldn’t remember much, but Martin had told me this was my life, so it must be true. Unlike the rogue who had tasted freedom, I couldn’t fathom the pain she was experiencing, being torn away from her family and everything she knew.

“Take her to ~the room~. Don’t kill her, the auctions are in two days and we’ll be rid of her then,” Martin ordered Brutus.

She fought and screamed as he dragged her downstairs. Going downstairs meant one thing: he was going to whip and torture her until she passed out.

“Don’t touch me you fucking vamp. I’m not scared of you! Puss-” Her words were cut off as the heavy metal door slammed shut. The faint sound of her screams echoed through the room. I sighed and sank back down.

Martin began his morning routine of opening the shop and distributing our breakfast—usually toast and occasionally a piece of fruit. We always had fresh water in our cages, a small mercy.

The shop was spacious. The more unruly and defiant humans were kept at the front. Martin often joked that most vampires enjoyed “breaking in” their pets, whatever that meant.

The more docile and quiet pets, like myself, were kept in the back. I didn’t think I’d ever be bought, but the auctions were in two days and I was finally old enough to attend.

I’m sure most were terrified, but I’ve lived my whole life behind bars, and I just wanted out. I wanted to experience the outside world.

At the auctions, pet shop masters could sell their humans to make money. If no one bought you, you’d be returned to the shop.

There were rules, of course. You had to be a certain age to attend, and you had to be somewhat healthy. The auctions were only held during certain times.

Martin had been preparing for this auction for weeks, the phone constantly ringing.

I was enjoying a juicy red apple when the metal door swung open with a bang. I screamed.

Martin rushed to the back room, his footsteps echoing loudly. He looked annoyed but not surprised, while I was filled with fear and shock.

Brutus stood there holding an unconscious rogue girl. Her shirt was soaked in blood, her arms and legs bruised and battered.

“I thought I said not to kill her?” Martin sneered at Brutus.

“She’s not dead. She’s breathing. She’s a strong little bitch, I’ll give her that.” He chuckled.

“Here.” He pointed to the cage next to mine. “Put her in this empty cage next to Olivia.”

They locked her in the cage, and both headed to the front of the shop, as the vampire customers started to arrive.

It was late afternoon, and the rogue girl still hadn’t woken up. If her chest wasn’t rising and falling, I would have thought for sure she was dead.

I wished she would wake up soon, as I was terribly bored, and I wanted to ask her questions about the outside world.

I glanced toward the window and the sky was turning into a light orange and pink color. The sun must be going down. I let out a sigh of relief.

The pet shop would be closing soon, and I felt like I was on edge all day long. I was getting ready to finally lie down, smoothing my worn-out brown blanket that covered my cage’s floor.

Before I could get comfortable, I heard a bell ring, signaling someone entered the shop. I looked up but I couldn’t see anyone. I heard their conversation though.

“Miss Annabelle! So happy to see you again. Are you needing some accessories?” Martin asked the vampire woman.

“Actually, I’m needing a new pet, Martin. The last one was such a bore.” Her voice was cold and mincing.

“Well, you know I always keep the more entertaining ones in the front here.”

I let out a sigh of relief. We all knew Annabelle was a regular vampire customer, and I never understood what she was doing with all the ones that left with her.

“Fucking leeches. Fuck! Is this my blood?”

I looked over, and the rogue girl was finally awake. We stared at each other for a few minutes before she broke the silence.

“How long was I out for? My name is Raven by the way.”

I looked at her for a moment before responding, “My name is Olivia, it’s nice to meet you. Um, I’m not sure. Brutus brought you back shortly after breakfast. I’m not sure how many hours or anything.”

She gave me a nod, her brows knitting together in confusion. “What do you mean, Brutus? Are you referring to that vile vampire who tormented me? Are you on a first-name basis with those bastards?” Her voice was a low growl, directed at me.

I shrank back slightly, responding in a hushed tone, “I’m not friends with them or anything. I’ve just been here for a long time and I know their names.”

Her gaze softened, but our conversation ended there.

Soon, the sound of heels clicking against the concrete floor echoed through the room. Both Raven and I turned our heads towards the doorway, where Martin and Annabelle were making their entrance.

“Ah, here she is. I know you enjoy a challenge, Annabelle, and she is quite the challenge. Brutus gave her a good thrashing this morning,” Martin spoke to Annabelle as if we were invisible, gesturing towards Raven’s cage.

“Are you sure? She looks rather pathetic and dirty. Even her blood doesn’t smell enticing.” Annabelle’s voice dripped with disgust.

Raven’s chest swelled with defiance, and she yelled, “Fuck. You. Open this cage, and I’ll show you pathetic, you vile blood-sucking bitch!” Her fingers clenched tightly around the bars, knuckles turning white.

I could only stare at her in awe. I wished I had that kind of courage.

Annabelle responded with a laugh, while Martin’s face twisted in anger.

Suddenly, Annabelle was at my cage, causing me to let out a shriek and retreat until my back was pressed against the cold bars.

“Martin!” She screeched, grabbing his attention. “Who is this delectable creature?”

Martin’s eyes widened as he followed her gesture towards me.

~Please no. Please no. Please no~, I silently pleaded in my head.

“Oh, Miss Annabelle, I’m sorry, but Olivia here is not for sale at the moment.” His voice was steady, but I could sense his unease at denying her request.

“And why the hell not, Martin? This is a pet shop, isn’t it? She’s a pet, and I want her.” Her growl was directed at him, but her eyes never left me.

“Get the fuck away from her, you vamp bitch!” Raven’s shout echoed through the room.

I couldn’t look at her, though. I was too focused on the terrifying vampire in front of me.

“Shut up, rat!” Martin sneered at Raven before turning his attention back to the blonde-haired vampire looming over me.

“Annabelle, her paperwork isn’t completed yet. She can’t be purchased until those are ready. You know the laws.” His voice was calm once again.

She finally straightened up and smoothed out her dress. “Fine. I’ll be back in three days, and Martin? Take good care of my future pet.” Her voice was calm, but there was a sinister undertone to her words.