Disclaimer: I do not own at of Rowling's characters. Only Audra and Trappe are mine.
The steam rose of the bath water's surface, by-passing the bubbles to hang as a haze in the air. Some clung to the mirror and walls, condensing back into liquid on the cold surfaces. The candle flames flickered as the moisture threatened to extinguish it. A sharp intake of breath cut through the fog as Audra accidently brushed her newest scar. Only an hour old, the tattoo still stung as did the memory.
She had arrived back at the manor a split second after Voldemort about an hour ago, and He informed her that her services would not be required for the evening. Intent on scrubbing the blood from her hair, she made a beeline for the bath directly across the hall from her room. In it were a marble counter top with sink and vanity, ornate stand alone tub, and a toilet in its own separate room. She always rather enjoyed the tub, and spent a fair amount of time in it daily (generally after dinner) in order to be clean enough for Voldemort.
Audra observed the Dark Mark on her arm more closely. The skin seemed to have healed, back to her light tan. I'm too pale she thought, longing to see the sun. Starting just below the crick in her elbow, the skull glared at her, its mouth open as if talking. Though where its tongue should have been was a snake, which followed a figure eight path, ending with its head reared back, as if it were waiting to strike. All in all, it was about five inches long from skull to head, and about two at the widest section. But why is it a figure eight Audra wondered, examining it from a different angle. Turned on its side it looked like another symbol; Lemniscuses… interesting… What was the reason behind this Greek letter… was there a reason? She closed her eyes, thinking. Voldemort's voice drifted into her mind as He repeated the incantation He used when forming it. "Vos es mei." Latin she recognized, just like most spells. When she was still in school, the realization that enchantments were all Latin root caused Audra to pick up the language in her spare time. Vos es mei… 'you are mine'… Suddenly it hit her; her eyes snapped open and she starred at the Mark. Lemniscuses… infinity… 'you are mine for infinity'… fuck.
She dropped her arm back below the water and slouched down so only her nose-up was exposed. What have I gotten myself into? she asked, afraid to know the answer. She wondered what Lindsey, Gina, and Amber would say when she tells them at dawn. Obviously delighted at first, happy that she was no longer a slave. But that wasn't true; she just traded one set of chains for another one.
She had killed twice since being here: one to protect Him, the other because He ordered it; both in order to gain His trust. Now she had to keep that trust, not only because she needed this position but also for her life. She was no longer just a tool used by Voldemort, now she was the user, her tools being His followers. She will be ordered to kill and torture and she would have to make the same order to others. The weight of the world seemed to settle on her shoulders, pushing her down, threatening to drown her below the water's surface.
It's a job Audra forcefully reminded herself. I'm getting paid for this. And she was guaranteed to get a pay raise tonight. Her salary hadn't increased since its last; when it was agreed that the inhumane experiments preformed on her deserved a 25,000 galleon a week increase to her already 50,000, ending at 75,000 galleons a week from the time of the first experiment until now. Tonight she should double to a 150,000 a week for becoming a Death Eater, plus a 100,000 bonus now and for every useful bit of knowledge passed on to the Order ('course Lindz, Jeanz, and Ambz got those bonuses not Audra, but it all went to the same bank account). Huh, I think I'm the only person in the world who is proud to be a Death Eater she thought. Naturally no one else knew that she would be worth 7.5 million be the time the sun rose. She smiled, imagining the look on Malfoy's face if he knew. This thought cheered her up, and she returned to scrubbing the clotted blood from her hair.
She thought back the fight scene, figuring out what she could have done better. Obviously not give him my back she noted, dabbing the wound from that mistake. She would have to put some saliva on it to help it heal, it felt deep. She observed the other wounds on her arms and legs, mostly bruises and slices from where Ujjio made contact. All in all, the damage wasn't bad and she should be healed by this time tomorrow.
Not wanting to get out yet, she summoned a book from a vanity cabinet. Origin of the Speciesby Charles Darwin; she had found it while cleaning out the attic, tucked away in a corner. So far it was a very interesting book and very intellectually stimulating. Using magic to keep it hovering (something she hadn't been able to do for a while), she picked up where she left off an allowed the time to slip away.
There was a knock on the door and Audra looked up, noting how low the candles had burned. With a flick of her wand, she opened the door while returning her attention to the book.
"Enjoying your bath?" the Dark Lord questioned as He strode into the room.
"Very much so," Audra replied, turning the page. "I miss being near water at all times; I was born by the ocean you know," she added, glancing at Him.
He took a seat on the cushioned bench at the vanity, leaning back and observing her as she continued to read. "What are you reading?"
"Origin of the Species; a scientist named Charles Darwin proposed the theory of evolution back in the earth twentieth century. This is his dissertation," she elaborated.
"You're reading a book about a muggle?" He asked.
Audra rolled her eyes and turned the page. "Are you a Creationist, my Lord?" she questioned, looking over her book at Him. "Do you believe that some supreme being created everything? Or rather do you believe that everything evolved from one thing; that we are ruled by natural selection and survival of the fittest, i.e. one genetic trait (such as magic) is superior to another and therefore those members of the species are the superior and should weed out those unfit to pass on their genetics?" She raised her eyebrows, watching Him think.
Voldemort smiled, realizing that she had just recited His same speech but in a different format. "Beauty and brains," He commented.
"Charles Darwin, a muggle as you noted, gave you scientific backing to support your campaign," Audra stated, turning the page. "Science provides answers for life's questions, whether magic based or not. It's the most basic form of explanation," she finished. "Is there something you would like of me, my Lord, or did you come in to socialize?"
Voldemort dodged the question. "Since when have you been allowed to question me?"
"I just assumed since I am now you Second."
"You know what they say about assuming."
"Who are they?" she asked coyly. "My Lord, if my questioning is bothering you, I can stop. I can continue shooting the shit with you no problem; but if you require my services then I should get dried off," she explained, closing her book and using her wand to place it on the counter next to Voldemort.
"You will join me for dinner," He ordered.
Audra bowed her head. "Do you need me to prepare it?"
"Already been taken care of," Voldemort replied. "I will see you in the dining room in a half hour," He said standing.
"As you wish, Master," Audra said, inclining her head again.
"I have taken the liberty of having new robes made for you. They are on your bed, along with the rest of your weapons. You are permitted to carry your wand and sword on you while in the manor," He informed her, crossing to the door and walking through it without another word.
Audra waited a moment, preparing herself for the transition from water to air. Not wanting to keep Him waiting, she quickly prepared for dinner.