The dormitory reeked of damp stone, sweat, and despair. Luke sat on the edge of his cot, his muscles aching from the day's labor. The flickering lantern cast jagged shadows across the walls, illuminating the tired, hollow faces of the slaves around him. The air was thick with unspoken fear, a constant companion in this house of nightmares.

Across the room, Jake leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his face hard as he watched the iron door. Any moment now, the guards would bark their orders, and the night's torment would begin anew.

When the door finally creaked open, it wasn't the guards who entered but Michael—a wiry, sharp-featured slave whose every word dripped with malice. Behind him, several other slaves shuffled in, their expressions wary.

"Rise and shine, pigs," Michael sneered, his voice carrying a grating edge. "Big night ahead. Pets need tending, and lucky you, you're the chosen ones tonight."

Luke exchanged a glance with Jake. Neither moved immediately, but Michael's sharp eyes caught their hesitation.

"Don't make me repeat myself," Michael snapped, stepping into the room fully. He kicked the foot of a cot where another slave lay curled, too exhausted to rise. "Up, you useless piece of meat. You think the masters will care if I leave you bleeding on this floor?"

The man scrambled to his feet, his eyes wide with fear. Satisfied, Michael turned his attention to Jake and Luke.

"They're waiting," he said with mock sweetness. "The pretty little pets need their precious dresses, and you two get the honor of playing housemaids."

Jake's fists clenched at his sides, but Luke placed a steadying hand on his arm. They couldn't afford to provoke Michael—not here, not now.

As the group of slaves followed Michael down the dimly lit corridor, he glanced over his shoulder and added, "Oh, and just so we're clear—you screw this up, you're dead. Important meeting tonight. The masters don't want to see so much as a hair out of place. We've got high-ranking bloodsuckers coming in. Arch vampires. Heads of departments. You know what that means?"

No one answered. Michael sneered. "It means you're nothing. Less than nothing. One mistake, and we're all on the menu. So you better make sure those pets shine."

Luke's stomach tightened, and he could feel the tension ripple through the others. An important meeting meant heightened scrutiny, tighter security, and an even greater risk of punishment.

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When they reached the pets' chambers, Michael shoved the door open with unnecessary force. Inside, several pets stood waiting in various states of disarray. Their delicate frames were wrapped in thin linens, their expressions a mixture of fear and resignation.

Maria and another pet—Lexie—stood near the far wall, their fragile forms outlined by the dim lantern light. Lexie's trembling was almost imperceptible, but Luke caught it as she flinched at the sound of Michael's voice.

"Well, well," Michael said, his lips curling into a cruel smile as his eyes scanned the room. "Look at this pathetic lot. You call yourselves pets? More like stray mutts."

He moved to a petite girl with dark curls who stood nervously clutching her linen wrap. "What are you shaking for?" Michael sneered, his voice dripping with mock concern. "Afraid they'll notice you're useless even when you're dressed up?"

The girl lowered her head, biting her lip to keep from crying. Michael laughed harshly and moved to another pet, this one a taller girl with striking blonde hair. "And you," he said, circling her like a predator. "Don't get too comfortable. Just because they like your face doesn't mean you're safe. One wrong move, and you're nothing but leftovers."

Michael grabbed a dress from a nearby rack and tossed it at Lexie, the fabric smacking her in the face. "Here, try not to ruin it with your filth."

Lexie fumbled with the dress, her hands shaking as she tried to untangle the material. Maria stepped closer to her, her movements protective, but Michael was quicker.

"Oh, don't worry, princess," he said, smirking at Maria. "Your turn's coming. I've got something extra special for you." He pulled another dress from the rack, this one a deep red that shimmered in the dim light. He held it up mockingly. "Bet you think this'll make you look like a queen, huh? Hate to break it to you, sweetheart, but no matter how pretty the dress, you'll always be just another piece of meat."

Maria's green eyes narrowed, a spark of defiance flaring in their depths. But she said nothing, her jaw tightening as she endured Michael's taunts.

Other slaves moved quietly around the room, fetching water, combing hair, and helping the other pets into their dresses. The air was thick with tension, each movement calculated to avoid drawing Michael's attention.

Michael lingered near Maria, his smirk growing crueler. "You think you're better than the others, don't you?"

Maria didn't flinch. "I think you're wasting your breath."

The slap came fast and hard, Michael's hand connecting with Maria's cheek in a sharp crack that echoed through the room. She stumbled but didn't fall, her defiance still burning in her eyes even as a red welt blossomed across her skin.

"Enough!" Jake's voice thundered through the room as he stepped forward, his body tense with barely restrained fury.

Michael turned on him, a twisted smile spreading across his face. "Careful, big man. Don't forget your place."

Luke stepped between them, his voice calm but firm. "Let's just get this done. The masters are waiting."

Michael lingered for a moment, his gaze darting between Luke and Jake. Finally, he stepped back, his smirk returning. "Fine. But don't think I'll forget this."

With that, he stormed out, leaving the door ajar behind him.

As soon as he was gone, Jake moved to Maria's side, his hands hovering uncertainly. "Are you—"

"I'm fine," Maria cut him off, her voice sharp but not unkind. She turned to Lexie, helping her with the dress. "Let's just get this over with."

Jake looked like he wanted to say more, but Luke placed a hand on his shoulder, guiding him toward the rack of clothes. "Not here," he said quietly. "We'll deal with him later."

Jake nodded reluctantly, his anger still simmering just beneath the surface.