Chapter 5 Arriving in New Orleans

Arriving in New Orleans to start my new adventure, I have no idea exactly how I should feel. As we drive across the bridge into the city, I feel so many different emotions. The bridge we are crossing is enormous. It is like nothing I have ever seen before. As we travel into the city, I feel this feeling, a new vibe. The feeling that maybe I belong here. I have not been here before, and I am unsure why I feel this way, but I almost feel as if perhaps I am glowing as we drive into New Orleans, my new home.

I knock on the glass separating me and the driver, "Sir, may I ask how much further until we are home?" I ask.

He rolls down the divider. "We are almost there. Traffic might hold us up some, but we should be at the mansion soon. You are going to love New Orleans," he responds.

"Thank you," I reply.

I sit back in my seat as he rolls the glass back up. He has not been very friendly or talked much during the ride, but I have enjoyed the quiet ride. I have not even been that nervous. Honestly, this overwhelming feeling of belonging is putting me at ease. I am just happy to have the auction behind me. Now to move onto the next part.

I can see the massive traffic coming ahead as we drive further into the city. There are a lot of cars. I have lived in the country most of my life, and this is very different. The driver pulls off the main road onto our exit. The homes are multi-colored and beautiful. I cannot wait to walk around and exam the homes closer. I hope to have some freedom.

As we pull into a residential area, I see the most prominent homes I have ever seen in my life. I have never lived in anything big. We lived in a shack. My dad could have easily provided for us, but he made his choice to gamble and lose everything to the vampire authority. This will be my first time in a mansion and I am excited to see what it looks like on the inside, what my room will be like, and how I will live.

The driver pulls into a blacktop driveway. The driveway is long and circles around the back of the house. Three women are waiting for me. The home is enormous. How many stories is this? It has to be more than three. There are balconies and huge windows. I bend my neck to see as much as I can of this magnificent home.

The driver comes around to my door and opens it. He doesn't say anything, just opens the door. A small woman comes up to greet me. "Tatina, welcome," she says.

"Thank you. I am excited to be here," I respond.

"Austin will get your things. I will show you around. You will meet Mr. Craig this afternoon," she says.

"Okay. That sounds great. I am exhausted, to be honest. Can I freshen up? I could really use some water," I say.

"Sure. My name is Lila. I will be your personal assistant while you are here with us," she says.

"Lila, what a beautiful name. Why would I need a personal assistant?" I ask.

"Well, dear, you will be busy and it is up to me to keep you on track at all times. Mr. Craig does not like it when we are tardy or behind schedule," she says.

Lila leads me into the house. We pass two other women she does not introduce me to either of them. The house is like something out of a movie. There is a giant staircase as soon as I enter the home I feel like a princess all of a sudden. Maybe I am a princess and this is my fairytale.

"Tatina, if you will follow me up the stairs, I will show you to your room. You can shower and change. I need to go over the rules of the house with you also. Mr. Craig had clothes delivered for you this morning. One of the maids placed the clothes in the closet for you. You are only to wear the clothes he purchased you. You are free to go out, but you have to be back in the house by dark every night. You are to be in your room every night, and you are to lock the door. Do you understand the rules as I have stated them or did I need to explain each rule to you?" she says, sternly.

This is strange but okay. I understand that I am in a new place, and they are just looking out for me, but why do I have to be in my room with the door locked.Why do I have to be back before dark? Strange does not even begin to cover it, but I do not want to upset Mr. Craig, after all he saved my life.

"I can tell that brain is working behind your eyes. Tatina, we have vampire guests, and you would be a treat to them. We have to keep you safe. You are a virgin, right?" she says.

“Yes, I am, but what does that have to do with anything?" I ask.

"Tatina, when you were being auctioned, vampires wanted to buy your virginity. Do you understand that Mr. Craig wants to protect you and keep you safe? A vampire or a wolf for that matter could do a lot of harm to a hybrid like yourself," she says. There is not a lot of emotion in her words. She is almost stoic. I bet she is a lot of fun.

"I understand and I will obey the rules," I respond.

"Listen to me. We will protect you. You are very valuable. You have no idea. A vampire baby with a hybrid would fetch a big payday for someone. Hybrids are slaves to vampires and treated terribly. You are one of the lucky ones,," she says.

"Wait. Why does he want to protect me? He does not even know me. Why would he care?" I ask.

"My dear, you are from the same clan as his wife, and he wants to protect you. He is a kind man. Just be kind to him. He has had a hard time since she died. You will be his in every way so be prepared to give yourself to him in return for his protection," she says.

At the top of the stairs, we come to a yellow door, "This is your room. You have a private bath. You can use your phone to call down to the kitchen if you get hungry. You have a new cell on the desk. I have already charged it and programmed Jayne's, mine, and Mr. Craig's number in it. You should be all set. Freshen up, and I will come back later. We can see the rest of the house. There is a mini-fridge with water and soda in it," she says.

"Thank you," I say.

Lila leaves, and I go into my new room. I am not sure if I should be thankful or terrified or maybe both. I look at my room. This is my life now.