All Chapters of The Man of Shade Manor: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

My teeth clench, the rancid cloth forcing its way down my throat. I take sharp breaths in through my nose as tears slide down my cheeks. I clench my fists in hopes of stopping my body from trembling. The cellar only becomes colder as the days go by. Darkness envelopes my entire being, making the cold room feel like an endless vortex. My ears are filled with the soft cries of the others trapped here. Their wailing voices make my skull pound. I shift my achy body so I'm sitting straighter causing the gravel floor to scrape across my flesh. Moaning at the sudden pain, I squeeze my eyes shut. I can't take this anymore. I must leave. Sitting up, I lean against the wall I feel behind me. I tug at the rope binding my hands. As I struggle to pull my hands free, the rope begins to rub my wrists, eating away at my tender flesh. Blood drips onto my hands but I continue to yank at the ropes. I let in a shaky breath, trying to push the pain away. Tugging like this isn't

My eyes drift open at the feeling of soft sunlight over my face. I look around the unfamiliar room letting out a deep yawn. Casting my eyes towards the window I see no sunlight but silvery moonlight filling the room instead. That's right I'm in the Shadow Moore where I might never see the sun again. I pull the bed sheets from my body as crisp air brushes my skin. Shivering I pull myself from the bed. Looking around I spot a clean pair of linens on the dresser top. I approach the dresser my fingers inching out toward the clothes. The silky fabric that caresses my fingertips is unfamiliar. Never had such a nice piece of material been allowed to touch my skin. Taking off the nightgown I had previously been given I slip into the clean dress. The gown is a deep red with black lace laying over the skirt. I turn to look into a full-body mirror. My red curls are a tangled mess. Sighing I begin to run my fingers through my hair in an attempt to fix it. My fingers catch the knots

My eyes widen for a moment. Well at first I only said I wanted to help out of panic. But I can't watch this happen to anyone else. "M'lord I-I have watched several people from my village d-disappeared over the past couple of months. I believe i-it's the vampires doing it. I am t-tired of living in fear so if I can help I-I would like to," I tell him. "Your village has been targeted for a while you say?" He asks folding his hands in front of him. "Yes, m'lord." "Where might your village be located, Miss Clara?" I tilt my head trying to remember the exact location of my village. "M-My village is on the southern b-border of Samirya," I say. I watch as Pyotr runs a hand through his long hair. The shadows and candlelight cast on him from the chandelier makes his skin glow. He shifts in his seat and the light figures dance across his face. "If it's on the southern border that makes a lot of sense. I am truly sorry that your home has been a targ

"I did not think they would use other humans as bait," Pyotr sighs. "I-I don't think the woman was human, s-she had red eyes," I tell him. Pyotr's face twists in disgust. Sighing, he runs a hand through his hair. "You were attacked by a sire vampire," he explains. I furrow my brows together, tilting my head. "What is a sire vampire?" I ask. Pyotr tips his head upward, tapping his fingers on the table. His eyes meet mine then he looks away. "Blood Fae have many unique abilities, though some we are better off without. If a blood Fae bites another creature and injects them with venom. That Fae can turn that being into a sire vampire. Sire vampires are slaves to the blood Fae. Once turned they lose all free will, and cannot disobey an order from their sire," he explains. My blood chills, as a shiver runs through me. I stare down at my lap, twisting my fingers together. I never knew they could have such control over another being. How scary. "To have that kind of c

I bid Alexei and Clara goodbye before heading back to my office. The long corridors of my mansion linger in silence. I sigh walking slowly through them. So many years have gone by and yet I have still barely achieved anything. I clench my fists together in frustration. My steady pace never slows as start to reach my office. Seeing the black oak door come into sight I stop, reaching out to open it. My fingers brush the cool metal handle as I push the door open crossing the threshold. Alina stands behind my desk chair waiting for me. Her eyes narrow as I step into the room. "It seems you took your time eating, master," eludes. "I showed Miss Clara around the mansion," I tell her. Alina brushes a hand through her hair, letting out a soft sigh. The moonlight filtering in through the window behind my desk dances across her charcoal skin. Moving to pull my chair out for me Alina speaks once more. "Are you sure it is a good idea to involve a hu