Chronicles of the Uprising (Trilogy 1): Trilogy 1 by Katie Salidas, K.A. Salidas Page A

either. Certainly not big enough to use for any type of escape. Even if it had been, they were ten floors up. A jump from that height would most certainly result in broken bones, and she wasn’t so sure she’d be able to heal fast enough to make a break for it. The place was probably swarming with guards and handlers too. Hope of escape from this room was slim to none.
    “Fine. What do I call you? Patron, Regent, Grand High Poobah, what?” She set herself heavily down on the couch and almost sprang back up from the bounciness of the cushion.
    “Where are my manners? Lucian Stavros.” He stood and bowed. Mira found such a show of respect odd. She still questioned his motives, but at least he was playing his part well enough to be almost believable.
    “Do you need anything for refreshment?” His voice was hesitant.
    “You already know the answer to that. No. I’m fine.”
    “The suite is fully stocked for all needs.” His confidence wavered enough for Mira to catch the worried look in his green eyes.  I am quite sure there is a supply of… blood for you here.”
    “No. I’m fine. Let’s just get this over with.”
    Lucian took his seat and smoothed out his purple suit pants. He took a deep, almost calming breath before speaking. “I do not wish to use you, Mira. I know you don’t believe me. Can we please just talk?”
    Whether he admitted it or not, he was using her. Information, sex, whatever his pleasure, his only reason for having her here was to serve his needs. No matter how politely he was doing it. Mira was not about to forget that. She’d give him only what she had to and nothing more.
     “Whatever you need of me, sir.” Mira’s reply was cold, emotionless.
    He smiled politely. “Well, let’s start simply with your history. Tell me. How long have you been in the system?”
    “Longer than I care to remember.”
    “And have you been a gladiator the entire time?”
    “Yes.”
    “Do you enjoy it?”
    “No.” What kind of a question was that? How could she take any pleasure from having to fight and kill her kind? Humans were either truly savage or clueless.
    “Of course not. How rude of me to ask. Were you ever offered any other jobs?”
    “I was not suited to anything else.”
    “Why not? You’re a vampire, certainly strong enough to work other jobs.”
    “My attitude says otherwise.”
    “I’m beginning to understand that.”
    “What is that supposed to mean?”
    “Well, you’re not being very cooperative or pleasant.”
    “Why should I be? I’m a slave. I’m being used every day to serve the desires of humans. Even now, you’re only interested in what information I can provide. Call it what you will. Put your positive spin on it, but all you’re doing is using me to indulge your morbid curiosity. Don’t expect me to be all cheerful about it.”
    “I may be curious, yes, but have you considered that the information you provide might actually help you? I’m in a position to not only make your life better, but also the lives of your kind too. I am the Regent.”
    She hated that he had a very good point, but also doubted he would actually do anything to aid in the better treatment of her kind. Mira reminded herself again that he was her Patron. She really shouldn’t piss him off.  “Apologies, Regent. Please ask your questions.”
    He didn’t look convinced by her change of tone, but continued. “Okay. What did you do before you… ah... came to us?”  
    Like she was going to tell him that. Now she understood his true motivation. He wanted, like others before him, to know about the safe haven.
    “I lived.”
    “And how long have you been a vampire?”
    “Longer than I can remember.”
    He sighed in frustration and stood. “This works better when you actually participate in the conversation.”
    “See, that’s the problem. Other than to save my own skin by not pissing you off too much, Patron, I don’t have a reason to do that.”
    “You don’t trust