A/N: My apologies that this has taken so long to reach you all. I'm in the middle of moving house and it's getting quite tedious, however, fear not for I still intend to continue this endeavor to the final chapter. Thanks again for your patience.

Chapter 14

Joining the Wheel

For the next few days I struggled to regain my voice. The longer notes I used to reach without much trouble, now became hard to sustain. Hecate tried to assist me but due to my still evident injuries she could no longer force my stomach with her hand in case my ribs snapped again. They would heal in time but they were still binding.
Hecate sighed heavily as my voice cracked at another high note, we were getting nowhere fast, "Ana, rest for a moment," she said softly as I began crying at my own uselessness.
"Oh Hecate, what am I to do?" I sobbed, "My life depends on being able to sing for Him again,"
She placed an arm over my shoulders and led me to the bronze idol, making me kneel before it as my tears fell down my cheeks. She picked up the small dagger and handed it to me as I wiped my eyes.
"Pray for a while, my dear,"
"What good is prayer now? Prayer will not heal my wounds; prayer will not grant me my voice... I gave him the only thing that I had." I said as I remembered how my beloved Raziel had asked me to sing for him.
Hecate knelt beside me and stroked my cheek with her long fingers in a comforting manner and then turned my head to face her, "My dear child, in our darkest times, prayer is all some of us have," She leaned forward and kissed me lightly with her dark red, full lips, it was a pleasant sensation being kissed by her albeit a surprising one, "You on the other hand, have me," She was so beautiful, so majestic, even now as I noticed for the first time how a few strands of hair were turning white. She rose to her feet and began walking to her chamber door, turning only to give me a smile and one final word, "Pray."
I sighed a long sigh as I raised the blade to my finger and once again tore open the barely healing wound that was constantly there these days. I wondered what Hecate had meant. She had in the past played her cards with slight of hand, helping me through any trouble that came my way through her position within the hierarchy.
The blood from my finger dripped down Kain's figure and I watched as it ran down his perfect muscles, right in that moment I would've given anything to be that drop of blood; I recalled how his skin had felt, how he'd torn at my throat, the way he spoke, how he'd felt inside me... I closed my eyes as tears came to them and I felt that tingling warmth that his memory brought. I bit my lip as I began pleasuring myself unashamedly, remembering every moment I'd spent in his bed and as I did I heard Hecate's voice in my head, Ignore what the Priestess tells you Ana, she has her own methods and we have ours... And so as I delved deeper into myself, I prayed to Him... I had my own methods.
I sucked my finger to stem the blood flow after I'd finished my session of 'praying' and heard footsteps approach. I looked up from my spot on the floor beside my pitiful sacrifice to see Hecate enter the room but she was not alone, she led another figure by the arm through the narrow doorway, the figure removed her hood to reveal the waterfall of wavy auburn hair that fell to her waist and the three discoloured scars upon her pretty face. Calla was blind in right eye which meant she needed to be guided at times but she was by no means dependent on others entirely.
"So," She said with a voice so delicate it would soothe any wild beast, "this is the young one who has been causing you so much worry."
I bowed before her to show my respect to an Elder. Calla let go of Hecate's arm and walked towards me, I wondered what this was about and looked at Hecate who gave me a smile with eyes that told me to stay silent.
"She is an impressive specimen," Calla remarked, "It is of little wonder that my Lord could not control himself,"
I stared at her, so she knew.
"You were aware?" Hecate asked her.
Calla turned to her superior, "You do not think me so simple as to not recognise my Master's markings, do you?" she asked as she traced her slender fingers over the raised scars on her pretty face.
"Very clever Calla, are you also so observant that you know why I've brought you here?"
"Yes, but what you're asking is blasphemy. You know that as well as I. Why should I help you, why should I put myself in danger to help your student return to my Lord's bed? The rule is there for a reason."
"The rule is obeyed but it not written on any scripture. Besides, Mother has not objected to my prodigy's activities and if she sees no wrong in her actions then I see no blasphemy in them either."
Calla smiled slyly, "Very well, let us suppose that you're right in your assumptions, so tell me, what is it you need from me?"
"We need your help. My young ward is in danger of execution if we cannot get her to sing, I would not go to such lengths to save her if it was not for the fact that I've chosen her as my successor," I was stunned, Hecate had never gone to anyone for help in a matter. But why Calla, I wondered, yes she was a singer and fine one at that, but what possible help could she give me?
Calla's expression dropped in shock, "You? You have named your successor?" She turned back to me, "And there I'd thought that you would never give up your position. I assume her lack of ability is a result of the injuries my Lord gave her," she inspected me once more before facing Hecate a final time, "I will consult Mother on that matter if it's all the same to you Hecate, if She has no objections then I will help you."
I had remained silent as requested for too long now I felt, so against my better judgement, I spoke to my Elder, "Excuse my lack of faith in your plans, but why should I trust your abilities Calla anymore than my own teacher? What possible help could you offer me?"
Calla said nothing, a very serious look passed across her good eye and the smile left her lips, "Hecate, if I am to help this impudent child, I expect you to teach her to not talk to me in such a manner," Hecate simply nodded in response and gave me a hard look of disapproval, "For one who has the use of both her eyes, you are blind to the obvious," She began to untie her heavy robe, "I have been with Lord Raziel numerous times. I have pleasured him in ways that you cannot imagine little girl," I bit my lip. I didn't want to hear this, he was mine, mine alone, "I have made him reach the heights of Heaven inside me, I have savoured the taste of his sweat upon my tongue like fine wine, I have taken him in ways you may never have the pleasure of knowing. You honestly believe that you are the only one of his women to drive him to such passion?" She smiled now as she opened her robe to reveal her impressively toned body, with petite breasts, pale skin and I stared in amazement at what I saw. Her flesh bore scars identical to my own wounds, across the ribs, long ago healed. Now I understood.
"Please Calla, accept my apologies," I begged her as this hit me, I bowed before her in submission, "I was not aware," she was a fine singer, rivalled only by Aleya and possibly myself in my prime, but her scars were old, possibly gained at a similar age to myself. She had survived, and she could still sing.
Calla nodded as she accepted my humble display, "That's more like it, child." Her gaze shifted from me to Hecate, the light catching her discoloured iris making it seem as if clouds moved across the surface of her eye, "I will help you both with Mother's approval, but I ask one favour in return."
"If you can help her then you will have my undying gratitude, there is not much else I can give you,"
"Oh but there is my friend," the sly smile now returned to her red lips and the glint to her hazel eye, "I want Kain."
Hecate stood in silence, her expression unreadable, mine however was far more comical for my legs suddenly felt very weak and I fell to the ground. Neither of the Elders moved or turned their attention to me, they were entirely focused on one another.
The air was thick and heavy with the element of two competing alpha females; as they stood staring each other down it occurred to me now that Hecate had at last met her match. After what seemed like a long moment of silence Hecate finally let out a small laugh.
"Why Calla, what an inventive imagination you have,"
"If Mother is forgiving of the child, then the same should be of all of us. I will do this only if you give me your word that you will allow me access to Lord Kain's bedchamber. My love of Lord Raziel is great, but you cannot possibly know how deep the desire to pleasure our God of Gods can be. Give me your word,"
"... Very well. I give you my word, I will ensure you are requested for His pleasures. On the condition that Ana can perform in time for the Council, if she is unsuccessful, then you receive nothing."
Calla licked her lips but the smile did not leave them, "You drive a hard bargain, sister. But I accept. Child, you will come with me,"
As I rose to my feet Hecate stepped forward, "Her name is Ana; and as Kain's Higher Concubine I demand that you treat her with the same dignity that you would treat me, for she will one day be your better,"
"Very well... Come Ana,"
And so I left with Calla, leaving Hecate behind. My only solace came from knowing that I would see her in a few days at the Council, but that would also be my only chance, possibly my last day and my impending doom was drawing inevitably closer.

Calla's attention to detail was faultless, despite her hard nature she was aware of how the higher notes would hurt me, how my breaths were a lot shallower now, so we began simply by taking breaths together, inhaling and exhaling over and over again, each time taking in more air and holding our breath for long periods. Then we began singing scales.
She shooed away anyone who came near us, regardless of the importance, my Gods she even asked one of her girls to inform Lord Raziel that she was not to be requested, her excuse was her monthly cycle... I could've laughed, my monthly cycle would not have stopped me from going to Lord Raziel, but it worked for he did not send for her.
However, my hours of practise were soon brought to an abrupt end with the announcement of terrible news that spread throughout the chambers.

During the night, Isis slipped into the endless sleep of death. The rot upon her lungs had finally taken its toll on her at the age of thirty-seven.
An immense grief was felt throughout. Isis had been responsible for so much in our lives, she had been there at every turning point, at every landmark and had been for all of the young girls who were currently in service. Always she was the first person seen as you entered service to the vampires, a friendly face to turn to after being taken away, sometimes by force from your own family.
Many tears were shed that day as many realised that the only person they could look upon as a mother figure was gone forever.
Surprisingly, the vampires acknowledged our loss. We were given a rare day of release from the protective walls of the Sanctuary of the Clans in order to dispose of the body. Usually the corpses of the dead would simply be thrown to the world without much ceremony. The fact that the vampires allowed us to give Isis a proper funeral made us realise how evident our grief was if they had taken notice of it.
With the rising of the sun behind the clouded sky, we began the procession. There must have been over fifty women there, all of them concubines and Followers. Our robes were worn with the hoods up to hide our grief, although the cries of so many young women could not be masked so easily.
The Matriarch led the procession, her features hidden completely from view by her hood and a shroud that covered the rest of her face. Her steps were weak and slow, she had to be supported as she walked by Hecate, who held her arm and led her forward. Hecate held a flaming torch in her free hand.
Isis' body was carried by four of the higher concubines behind the Matriarch and Hecate. She lay upon an elaborately decorated stretcher, covered in flowers and petals. Her face looked immaculate with only the simplest of makeup on her eyes and lips, and her hair styled beautifully, someone had decided to keep her simple red scarf within the style for which I was thankful as I'm sure were the others. She wore her robe with the hood down and her arms were crossed upon her chest. She looked stunning in death just as she had in life.
The funeral pyre had been prepared in the night and we surrounded it, waiting for Isis' body to be brought and laid to rest upon it. The higher concubines lifted the stretcher and placed Isis upon the bed of wood and straw before they too joined the circle around the pyre.
Once again Selena stood beside me and I suddenly remembered every time that Isis had been with us, I had always stood with Selena by my side. I held onto Selena's hand but this time I did it to comfort myself as much as her. I could not believe the amount of tears I cried for this woman, but in my heart I knew that she was worth every single one.
Hecate and the Matriarch stepped forward from the circle and stood within it. The Matriarch turned her head to look upon all of those present although her face could still not be seen.
"As I gaze into the minds of those here today, I feel much sadness," the voice of the Matriarch still held the rasp tone I remembered from all those years ago, but today it was ever so slightly softer, "We are all here as one to commemorate the memory of one who has served the Dark Lords well and gave her knowledge to so many young girls who followed her." So many of the girls were sobbing, but it did not drown out the Matriarch's words. I used my sleeve to wipe my face of the tears, "I feel the sadness here today, but we must all remember that Isis has done her duty to the Dark Gods. Her soul has left this mortal vessel, but will one day return renewed to inhabit one of those we worship. That is why we serve; that is why we are here. With that said, we commit this body to the void, to join with the Wheel." Hecate stepped forward with her torch and placed it under the pyre. The flames caught the kindling instantly and grew to engulf the pyre within seconds. Isis' body became surrounded by flames as the Matriarch continued to speak, "Through the sadness we are glad, for within the seed is always the promise of a flower, and each death we suffer brings forth new life within the world."
We bowed our heads in silence for several minutes as the flames consumed our friend. The heat of the fire did not warm my skin, my body felt numb from the grief.
Over the roar of the flames I could hear something else, humming. It was a single female voice at first but steadily joined by others. I recognised the tune they hummed, it was the Hymn of Destiny, a song we all knew, it was known by many as the Worshippers' Hymn and a particular favourite song of Isis'.
The humming grew louder as everyone began to join in and the singers began to sing the lyrics. I looked across the circle and saw Calla, she was singing and even form here I could hear her sweet voice, the look in her eye was all the command I needed; for Isis' memory I felt I had no choice but to honour this moment, I would have to sing as well.
The lyrics were a mixture of darkness and hope to remind us that despite our low existence, this is what we were meant to do, who we were meant to be.
My lungs struggled to reach the higher notes but I surprised myself with how well I actually sounded, of course it helped to have several other young women carry my voice with theirs. Our tones were steady despite the tears we'd shed, and the others who did not sing but hummed created such a lovely sense of belonging amongst all of us. Together we grieved and together we sang of our continued devotion to the cause.

As you can imagine it was hard to re-adjust after such a shattering blow to the hierarchy and many discussions were held as to whether Isis' death would change anything within the system.
"I suppose one of the higher concubines will take over from her, it will just be a continuation of the chain." Lilly suggested as we sat in our bed chamber. Lilly was dabbing at a vicious looking black eye with a damp cloth which she had received from Lord Dumah that morning. She never complained about his brutality, she did not even acknowledge it and if any of us took notice she would simply say that it was an honour to have him touch her. Personally I could think of many nicer ways to be touched by a vampire.
I was sitting cross legged in the alcove of my bed with Gaia resting her head on my shoulder. Gaia was now an attractive young woman with sparkling blue eyes and jet black, perfectly straight hair, she was almost the image of a younger Hecate for which I envied her immensely. She had been given to Lord Turel after the day of the Presentation, and if any of us had an easy existence as a concubine it was definitely her. Lord Turel had very acute hearing and delighted in hearing young girls indulging in pleasure. He would simply massage her body to hear her moaning, rub her feet and generally treat her like a queen along with all of his other women. Although he did appear greedy at times, for when he requested Gaia for his own satisfaction, she was never the only woman in the room. He had on several occasions had all of his concubines with him at once. It seemed to me that the more moans of pleasure he could hear at once the better it was for him.
The other vampires did indulge themselves in group acts with several of their concubines at times but not to the extent that Lord Turel did.
The things she told me about his calm nature did nothing to alleviate the memories of going to his bedchamber as a servant and clearing away the blood and gore from the bed and the walls.
"Even if that was the case, who could possibly take the place of Isis? Who else has her experience? Her gentle manner?" Sophia asked.
"I think I know someone who could fill her place," Everyone looked at me, "Hecate."

As the days progressed I became very aware that I was suddenly the most inexperienced of my friends in terms of pleasuring our masters. Everyone had been called countless times whilst I was recovering from my injuries, whereas I had only been used twice. The other girls delighted in sharing their stories with each other. I only had two tales to tell and one of them had to have the details altered for obvious reasons, but still I recalled that incident with such joy despite the injuries I sustained. The others took my tale as an element of learning for someday they too would experience the vampires uncontrollable lusts.
I hoped that my abstinence would not continue for much longer, my body screamed to know the touch of my masters again, only this time I was aware that I no longer fantasised about Raziel more than Kain, I had equal time for both of them now in my secret thoughts and if I'm honest, sometimes they were both there at the same time… such splendidly delicious thoughts… but the chances of that actually happening did not exist. Such a shame.