Frank Today there’s something wrong with our Keeper. He hasn’t even spoken to us like he usually does. All I’ve ever known was insults and abuse from his mouth, but today, he isn’t even speaking to us. We’re kept in one big room in the day and at night we’re separated into our own room. They have a bed inside and that’s it. There are separate bathrooms for the men and women and we have to wash every day. The humans below us are washed once before they’re sold and the humans below them have never even seen soap. There’s no need for them to be clean in the eyes of the vampires. They just want blood. Our Keeper marches in whilst we’re eating and we all stop and look down at the floor. “The King and Queen are here today. They’re browsing for their next pet. They want to see you and that means you’re going to sit there in complete silence and not look at them. If they address, you may look at them. If they ask you to speak, you may. But I want no misbehaviour from any of you. One slip up, and you’ll have me to answer to,” he barked out in a sharp, commanding voice. He left then and returned a few seconds later. Accompanying him were the King and Queen. Our Keeper smiled brightly at them. “Well, here they are. These lot are some of our youngest. Personally, I believe they’re some of the best behaved. I’m stricter than the other Keepers. I think some of the other have grown soft with them and have started treating them better than they deserve. I’m strict my group Your Majesties. I keep it simple with them and they’re turned out very well,” our Keeper told them. The Queen smiled. “I’m pleased to hear that. We’ve had a rather unfortunate streak with our last couple of pets. They’ve all been extremely disobedient and we’ve had to have many of them disposed of. Prince Michael has been going through his pets so quickly over the past couple of months. He can’t seem to find one he likes.” The King’s face turned sour. “At least Michael knows how to treat pets. Gerard on the other hand, is somewhat of an oddity when it comes to his pets. We very rarely have to buy him new ones because his pets live for so long. He barely uses them at all and treats them far better than they deserve. I hate to admit it, but he tried to let one go the other month. Can you imagine that? Trying to set your pet free? I don’t know what goes on in his head.” “I’m sorry about your other pets Your Majesties. I hope one of these ones will make up for it.” “You have some very well bred ones in here. That one, what’s his name?” the King asked. “He’s called Frank Your Majesty,” our Keeper answered. “I want to look at him,” the King stated. “Are you sure? Wouldn’t you rather look at some of the others I have? He’s the youngest one I have Your Majesty and I’m afraid he’s the perfect example of the runt of the litter,” Our Keeper stammered, shocked. “No. I want to look at him.” I felt my Keeper’s hand guiding me up to a standing position. “Look up Frank.” I raised my head obediently. I was met with the observant eyes of the King. He stepped forwards and lifted my chin up with one cool fingertip, his eyes studying me intensely. “I like him,” the King stated. “Oh, you don’t want that scrawny thing dear. Look at some of the others instead,” the Queen sniffed. “I don’t think there will be any need to look at the others. I want this one,” the King answered. I gulped nervously. “Tell me how old you are Frank,” the King ordered. I blinked, looking at my Keeper. His jaw tightened but he nodded and I glanced back at the King. “Fifteen Your Majesty.” His face was a little disappointed. “Only fifteen? What a shame. I’m going to have to wait to buy you now. When does he turn sixteen?” “Next month Your Majesty. He starts his training this week.” “A month…” the King mused and then sighed. “I suppose it’ll be worth the wait.” “Are you sure Donald? I think there are much better pets here,” the Queen sighed. “I’m sure. I want to get rid of Gerard’s current pet. I don’t like her at all and he’s become far too attached to her. I think this one will suit him perfectly, don’t you?” the King said. The Queen sighed. “I don’t think he’s the best choice, but if you have your heart set on this one I suppose we’ll buy him.” The King hummed in satisfaction. “Good. I think Frank will be perfect for Gerard. We’ll be here when he’s sent to auction and I’ll pay whatever price for him.” The Queen shook her head. “You have such odd tastes in pets Donald.” The King just smiled. “I have a good feeling about this one.”