Erik was downright confused. If he had not known better, he would have thought that perhaps his new “master” was simply crazy. But no, this strange little man had a plan, it's just Erik had absolutely no idea what it was, and his infuriating references to it made no sense. This wealthy man was already an enigma, and he had disappeared into the restroom before even bothering to tell Erik his damned name.

The idea of just sitting here, staring at the walls, and doing nothing threatened to drive him mad. So he moved to sit on the edge of the bed, just at the end of the reach of the chains. Carefully, he positioned himself so that he had leverage on the side of the bed, and then pulled on the weighted chains holding his wrists. It was less because he thought he would break free, and more as something to keep his mind and body working on strength training. This continued for about ten minutes, as he simply wanted to keep himself occupied. He had to keep his strength up if he was ever going to get out of here.

But finally Erik stopped and lay back down on the bed. He was tired much sooner than he should have been. What had that tranquilizer done to him? He had drank some animal blood before the mission, so it would be a few hours yet before he was in need of more sustenance, but then why was he so weak?

~*~*~

Joseph had been working with three other slaves, tending to starting Alexi's and Mois' supper in the main kitchen, when he received word requesting his presence in the elder brother's cottage. Immediately upon hearing the call, he himself called another slave to take over his role in cooking. 

“Veroni, take over for me here. As always, make enough for all of the creatures who eat or enjoy human food. There's nothing wrong with leftovers, and Master Alexi want his servants to be well-fed.”

Working quickly, he prepared a delectable turkey salad sandwich just as Mois had enjoyed since he was a child, wrapped it up, and traversed the tunnel to the cottage out on the grounds. It was a useful addition for those creatures who could not stand sunlight. The daylight would not kill Vampires, but it did burn their skin, giving them something similar to a bad sunburn with only a few minutes of exposure, and second degree burns within an hour. All of this was treatable, but it was unpleasant. It had been one of Joseph's few requests in his time with Alexi for him to add this underground entrance. 

Sighing, the vampire butler rang the doorbell attached to the cottage door at the end of the tunnel. It was connected to the doorbell system, but the chime was a slightly different pitch. Ingenious really.