Here we have some back-story and it will take up the next 2-3 chapters. They are all written and just need editing so I will get them up as soon as I have finished tweaking them. This section is told in first person apart when they break off for questions.

This is being posted before I go to work as a thanks for all the amazing reviews you posted for me and because my girlfriend really couldn't wait to read it and has been asking me since last night to post this one! And because I love her, obviously ;0)

Lil'd

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It was a dark day in winter, one where the sky never really lights up. It hadn't been a good day. I'd already attracted a lashing from the cook for dropping a breakfast tray destined for one of the inn's guests. It hadn't even been my fault, he'd grabbed at me as I carried it and I had moved to protect myself, dropping the tray as I did so. The man had dragged me to the cook but only after promising to let it go if I serviced his cock. Unsurprisingly I'd refused but it had ended in a whipping, 5 lashes that had broken skin and were burning under my dirty shift. I'd rather bear the marks than take any man's cock in my mouth.

I was working in the kitchen when the carriage approached. It was functional and not overly ornate but anyone travelling by carriage had more wealth than most people in the town I lived in. I stopped and stared as I tried to guess who was visiting. A merchant perhaps, or a holy man? Our town was one of the larger ones in the region so many travelled to trade here but we were the only relatively reputable inn and I knew there were currently rooms vacant.

"Irina, get back inside girl. I'm waiting!" Cook called to me through the open door of the kitchen and I hurried inside with the water I was carrying back from the well. All day I listened intently for news of those in the carriage but heard nothing until evening fell. Then I overheard the barmaid gossiping with the cook about the three women that had rented the inn's largest rooms on the first floor. She said they were probably noblewomen as they had not spoken to anyone themselves, only given their carriage driver instructions for their stay and coin to pay for it.

I was intrigued, I wanted to see them. I needed to see them but I did not know why, no other visitors had caught my interest in this way before.

"Here girl," a bucket of heated water was thrust into my hands. "Take this to the ladies chambers, they want to bathe." The cook screwed up her face in disgust at the thought, most people I knew only bathed if they fell in the shit that lined the streets and then they didn't' always bother. I myself liked to be clean, I had once taken time to study the green water of a puddle and seen all the tiny creatures that lived in the dirt. I didn't want any creatures living on me, the thought disgusted me but I never made a show of it. I lived in the shadows and kept my head down, I knew I was nearly of marrying age and didn't want to be noticed by a man and sold off to be replaced by another girl.

So, I carried the heavy pail dutifully up the stairs, pausing to place it on the floor by the door before knocking.

"Enter," the voice was low and melodious and it sent a shiver through me. After a moments hesitation I turned the large round handle and entered the room, quickly looking around to get my bearings. It was dark, lit only by a few candles, I saw a tub set out in front of the fire and began to carry the bucket towards it.

"Give that to me," the same voice commanded and a figure appeared out of the dark shadows of the room. A woman glided towards me but her features were in shadow, all I could see was a mass of golden hair, piled on top of her head, ringlets hanging down to both hide and frame her face.

"No Milady, it is my job. Not yours." I clung tightly to the handle of the bucket but even so it was lifted effortlessly out of my hand and handed back to me empty.

"Bring three more," I was ordered and dashed off to do as I was bid. Each bucketful was taken from me in the same way, on my last trip I was astounded to see the lady sitting in the tub, her back to the door as she faced the fire. "Bring it to me." She instructed and I hesitated but then stepped forward when she beckoned. "There." An elegant finger pointed and I set the bucket down as instructed.

Now I was closer to the fire I caught a glimpse of the woman's face, she kept it turned away from me so all I could catch were her cheek and jaw bone which were slightly angular which indicated she was of a similar ethnic background to myself, and the majority of the town. She also spoke like I did although her pronunciation was more refined and I guessed she could read.

"Help me wash my hair," I hesitated for a moment, wary of the request. Women like her did not associate with people like me. We worked in the background, we did not attend noble ladies. "Please?" Her soft tones entreated me and I gasped as she turned to face me. Forget beautiful, she was stunning as the firelight danced over the planes of her face and tinted her eyes red.

I nodded and went to stand behind her. She tilted back her head and I looked around for something to use to pour the water. "There's a jug on the dresser," she reached out and pointed to a metal jug and I crossed the room to retrieve it then quickly returned to my position. "Wet my hair," she instructed and I filled the jug and gingerly poured it over her hair, wetting it and plastering it to the skin of her back.

"More," I obliged and this time her hair was thoroughly soaked. As the water ran off her skin I noticed her scent for the first time and it intoxicated me. I breathed it in and became light headed as I registered the sweet, floral smell. I stood back as she lathered some scented product in her hair then raised her arm and gestured for me to resume my role. I emptied the jug over her three times.

"Enough." I let the jug hang by my side, unsure what was expected of me now. "You may leave, return in a few moments to remove the tub."

"Yes, Milady," I murmured politely and practically ran to the door and back to the kitchen.

"Eh! Where have you been girl?" The cook accosted me as I entered the hot confines of the kitchen. In winter it was a blessing to work here but in summer a curse.

"The lady requested I help her," I mumbled without giving any details, the experience was too intimate to share. A grunt and I was dismissed, I ran back up the stairs and knocked on the door again.

"Come." I was summoned and entered the room and keeping my eyes down I went straight to the tub and reached down to refill the bucket and begin to take the water downstairs to throw out. "Wait." I stopped dead, unsure of what I had done wrong. "You bathe?" I froze, unsure of how I was supposed to answer that. "You smell clean, good. Look at me girl." I looked up to see her sitting in a chair which is by the shuttered window.

"Do you bathe?" I nodded, not trusting my voice. "You may use the water if you wish," I glanced longingly at the still steaming water. Hot water was a luxury I had never experienced. "It's alright. I will retire to the bedchamber until you are done. There is a cloth you may use to dry yourself on the dresser. I flicked my eyes and saw it lying clean and folded. I gasped as she moved, or at least appeared in front of me.

"Look at me, I won't hurt you," she promised in her musical voice so I steeled my nerve and looked directly at her. "You are better than they. I will request you serve us for the length of our stay."

"Thank you Milady," I dropped into a curtsey and looked up with a shy smile which was met with one in return and it took my breath away.

"Go bathe. Lock the door so you are safe." I nodded and watched as she left the room, using the door to the adjoining chamber. When I was sure I was alone I stripped my shift and undergarments off at record speed then climbed into the tub. I knelt there but did not luxuriate in the warm water as I expected it to be taken away at any moment, finding myself the butt of a cruel joke. Instead I bathed quickly, the water was still very clear and clean, the lady must bathe very often for it to be that way I mused as I washed and made an effort to clean my wounds from the whipping. When I was done I dried myself thoroughly before re-dressing and then filled my bucket after unlocking the door I took it down the stairs and out of the kitchen door, throwing it onto the street. I repeated this three times but on my fourth trip was confronted by not one but two ladies.

The first was accompanied by another of similar age but instead of the curlier hair she had straight and was smaller, more petite.

"See," my lady spoke to her sister who after studying me nodded.

"I see," I almost thought I heard a whisper of words, just out of hearing but I did not see their lips move so was obviously mistaken. While I stood there I took my time and looked them over. They were both pale but it was winter and our peoples skin tended to be paler so that wasn't unusual. They were both incredibly beautiful and I marvelled at the fact they weren't married to a rich Lord or Prince. But, it was their eyes that struck me, a rich red in the candlelight. It should have unnerved me but it didn't in the slightest. Instead I felt safe in their presence as though I knew they would not harm me.

"What did you see?" Bella questioned the older sisters.

"True beauty," Tanya confirmed. "And I could smell the blood of her wounds and that they were becoming infected. I did not want her to become ill but I did not wish bring attention to them because then she would wonder how I knew."

"So you let her bathe?"

"I did, and I added some herbs to the water to quell the infection."

"You were not tempted by the blood from her wounds?" Rose asked, fascinated by the tale.

"No, not at all." Kate smiled at the memory.

"It was that and her lack of fear for us that intrigued us. We had never met a human like her," Tanya was also smiling now. "And her smell was divine."

"Apparently I smelled very good as a human," Bella mumbled, embarrassed by the admission but every vampire she had met had agreed with the fact.

"Extremely," Rose commented without thinking and her words drew knowing glances from the sisters. "We all thought so," she went on to clarify. The questions stopped so Irina continued.

"You're very beautiful, but so cold." I blurted out, then clapped my hand over my mouth at my presumption to speak without being spoken to.

"We are, but we are free," the smaller one replied with a smile. "What is your name, girl?"

"I am Irina," I answered her smile and threw in a curtsey.

"I am Katarina and my sister is called Tanya, our cousin is Sasha," she explained and I nodded.

"Will you accompany us tomorrow, we need new clothes and do not know this town well. It would be our misfortune to be robbed by an unscrupulous merchant. Perhaps you can tell us where the more honest ones can be found?" I nodded enthusiastically, clapping my hand over my mouth to hide my dismay when I recalled my duties here at the inn. I had no time to call my own except the odd hour when cook would send me to the market.

"I must decline your request," I replied, the tears burning behind my eyes. "I must work in the kitchens," I explained with a heavy heart.

"Do you ever have any free time?" The one known as Tanya questioned me gently and I shook my head.

"I am a slave here." I politely informed them as I studied my worn boots. I was lucky to have a pair, I only had these because their owner had died of the consumption a few weeks ago.

"A beautiful girl such as yourself should not be hidden away," Tanya growled. My eyes snapped up, I had never heard a woman speak so ferociously, a man neither.

"I am not beautiful, I choose to hide. I do not wish to be married and I am of age." I calmly informed them, looking up and meeting their gazes. Both women were frowning, Katarina's features twisted in a fierce scowl.

"How old are you?" She asked, her face softening as she spoke to me.

"I have fourteen summers," I informed them, although what use the information would be I had no idea.

"So young," Tanya sighed and the sisters exchanged a look.

"But not young enough," Katarina growled but I did not know why she was upset.

"You may leave," I nodded and curtsied again before backing out of the room. I felt bereft out of their presence and scuttled down the stairs and sneaked to the back of the kitchen where my small cot lay. I pulled the ragged blanket over myself and lay awake running over every moment of my evening several times before I fell asleep.

"Girl!" Cook's bellow woke me before dawn.

"Yes Cook?" I answered as I jumped out of bed, coming face to face with her haggard, toothless face.

"The ladies request you take them to the clothiers today. You are to serve them night and day until they leave," she spat the words out at me, incensed that I was no longer too be at her beck and call. I hid my delight at her words. "They are early risers and already awake. You are to go to them now." I was scampering out of the kitchen before she had finished speaking, narrowly missing the ladle she threw at my retreating form.

I reached the door to their chambers and stopped, taking a moment to straighten my clothes and run hasty fingers through my hair. I wanted to look presentable for them, I couldn't really say why but I did not want to disappoint them by showing them up. Before I could knock the door was opened.

"Irina?" Katarina opened the door and seemed surprised to see me.

"I -, um?" I didn't know what to say. Had the cook been lying to me to get me in trouble?

"I have bought her services for the remainder of our stay," an older blonde woman appeared in he doorway and I felt immediately ill at ease in her presence. She brushed past me to leave and I jumped back, away from her. "I would like to stay a few more days so please behave," I blinked as red eyes stared down at me and I could feel my heart pounding.

"It's alright, she can be a little intimidating," Katarina reassured me. "Come in. I had no idea she had arranged that," I entered the room and heard the whisper again. I shook my head to clear my ears. "It's Ok young one. You will be safe with us." I nodded, somehow knowing this to be true. These were powerful women and my heart calmed in their presence.

"Have you slept, you look tired. We are early risers," Tanya explained. " But had I known of Sasha's request I would not have had them send you here so early.

"I had a few hours," I mumbled only now realising the very early hour, dawn had not yet broken. "The merchants will not be up so early, what business does your cousin have at this hour?" I questioned as I stifled a yawn. The lack of sleep seemed to be muddling my brain as I saw the sisters exchange a slightly worried glance.

"She has an appointment to keep, we do not question her. Perhaps she is meeting a suitor?" Tanya suggested and I blushed, I was not too tired to see the surreptitious looks the sisters gave each other as my cheeks flamed.

"Ugh, your blush!" Kate sighed.

"It is greatly missed," Tanya agreed.

"Huh, Bella's blush was permanent," Rose teased. It caused my bother no end of problems," she added scornfully. Bella herself was too distracted by the story to react to the reference to Edward and once Rose had realised her error she nodded for Irina to continue.

"I'm sorry, it is not my business Milady," I apologised and bowed my head. I felt too comfortable around them and was forgetting my place.

"No, please -. when we are alone you may use our given names. Only address us formally if we have company." Katarina requested and I felt myself blush again. Then yawn.

"Sister, she is so tired." Tanya murmured.

"She works so hard," Katarina replied before turning concerned eyes on me. "As Irina says, there is no rush to leave. We will order some food and break fast while you sleep little one. I blinked, there was no way I would be allowed to go to sleep in the busy kitchen at this time of morning.

"I -." I stuttered, unable to form the words to explain this to them.

"You will sleep here, in our bedchamber," Katarina urged and pushed me towards the open doorway. I had been in the room to clean it but not for any other reason, it held two large beds, a padded seat and a large chest with drawers. She gently nudged me along and pointed towards the bed on the left. "Sleep there, it is our bed," she explained and was quickly by the bed and pulling back the furs and blankets. "In!" She commanded with a smile to take the edge off her words. I cast a dubious look at Tanya but when she also smiled at me I took a hesitant step forward, then another and another until I was by the side of the bed.

"Oomph!" I was lifted and practically thrown onto the stuffed mattress. I had never felt anything so soft before. I blinked and found myself looking up at the two most beautiful women I had ever seen. It didn't unnerve me the way it should have that their eyes were an unnatural red or that they were ghostly pale, their movements a little too swift and precise. All I knew was that I felt safe and cared for, for the first time in my life so I obeyed the instruction to sleep and allowed myself to drift off, surrounded by their intoxicating scents. I could even distinguish between the two, Katarina's slightly less floral that Tanya's but both beautiful.

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Next on Crimson Bonds

"He likes you," she stated and I frowned.

"Yes, we are friends," I confirmed and heard another, softer growl, it should have worried me. What woman growls like an animal? But, it did not. Rather I felt safe and protected.

"No little one, he sees your beauty and covets you for himself," the words were low but there was an underlying anger there that chilled me.