Because it's me!
What is that even supposed to mean?! I'm not some kind of a mystery person that popped out of an unknown civilization, I had a normal everything. A doctor mom and a cop dad, pet, friends, high school trash, neighbors and a cozy room. I wasn't even categorized as a weirdo or freak in high school, it would have made it easier to grasp if I was one.
I fit in
I was currently sitting in a round dining table in the corner of a large room with just a chair, that I was in.
The room had a series of chandeliers hanging down bathing it in yellow glowing light thus reflecting off the crisp golden floors to the walls. I was trying so hard not to even move or make any clinging noice with my cutlery to the silence around me, I was even afraid my breath would disturb the still air.
"Dine together" oh please( insert an eye roll here) I had no idea that was how it spelled out for them, I thought I wouldn't be the only one actually sitting and eating amongst them all, not that they would be eating actual food. They were all just staring my way talking in hushed voices, they hardly even blink from their hatred stare–while some seemed intimidated, a total clichè. A little shiny trophy that's what I was presented as.
And now with the glass of water in my hand shaking they would really guess how I was feeling. It seemed like a party or meeting probably to end me, the men were dressed in formal wears with crisp glasses in their hands holding red liquid; which I knew to be blood and I was the show piece, everyone observing keenly before the bidding starts.
Oh! I almost forget who gave a humble "invite" to this wonderful "dinner", Lenora. She looked gorgeous, dangerous and super sexy in a black body hugging gown with a high slit showing off her smoking hot leg and alot of cleavage up too, her lips painted cayenne red.
She had been glancing my way the whole time while she was chattering with a dashing individual in a black tux and red tie. They looked to be super close and their chat was a bit on the flirt side, who wouldn't flirt with such a guy. It might appear I have been staring but I was just making sure she wasn't going to attack me although she's been in a safe distance.
"Enjoying your food?" Lucinda whispered into my ear, it was so sudden and that I wasn't expecting her–I haven't seen her since she walked me in to the table. I jerked spilling some water on me and the table, I quickly have my napkin over the mess, nodding to her before looking down at my plate, I barely had a bite. Seeing that I love ravioli and exactly the way I was served too with light tomato sauce and a side of roasted vegetables but with the little appetite for it and all eyes on me.... I couldn't get one down without feeling like gagging it out, to add it up so afraid of choking on my food.
"Are you sure, it looked you haven't even started on it yet. Isn't it delicious?"
"Yeah, it's really good" I assured with a grimace.
Lenora was suddenly standing by the table, looking down at me with a dubious smile.
"Enjoying yourself?" she asked cooing
"Yeah, thanks for the invite" I said going back to my food.
"You can just sit there looking afraid or you can join, to know your worth around here. I'd like to show you off" she mocked leaning in on the table. Out of nowhere the glass of water resting beside my plate came crashing into the floor to the other side of the table, exactly where Lenora was standing. Lenora stood up straight glaring at the broken glass and the splash of water on her dress. Everyone else's attention was turned towards us, all murmurs and movements seized.
"You dare?" Her voice thickens in her throat. I was equally staggered, how did a glass, half full flew to the other end of the table?
"I'm sorry. Let me get that" I said quickly grabbing a napkin but before I could get out of my chair Lucinda put a hand on my shoulder keeping me down
"It's fine. I will get someone to clean that. We don't want upsetting our guest over an accident, right Lenora?"
Lenora left us to another group of nicely dressed women.
"Thank you?" I looked to her face with a faint smile. She tapped my shoulder before going away to their guests, after asking a waiter to get me another glass of water and clean the mess.
It all came normal again, getting passed by muttering, staring with amusement on their faces. I focused on my plate of ravioli, keeping myself from noticing their gestures towards me.
I snapped my head up when I heard the doors open briefly and close. I was instantly locking eyes with a tensed looking Cassius, even with the distance I could feel his glare deep in my flesh. He moved slowly making his way towards me, with every sound of his angry footsteps my heart thud harder against my chest. I knew since Damien refused me here seeing that he was his best man and Lenora appealing for the idea, it was like taking myself to a bomb site. I should have said no and have my dinner in bed, actually what I have been longing to do but mom never lets me.
Damien was equally following after him, they walked in together after all. Also giving me same look as his boss but he stopped to a group of men and women exchanging pleasantries letting Cassius proceed alone.
I didn't even realize I was standing not until my chair hit the floor with a thud, every last nerve was at the verge of setting on fire. I was hardly breathing at that point which could explain the dizziness I was swimming into and he's roaring dark angry eyes were getting scarier as he came closer, but to my greatest relief he stopped to an aged looking man. Although there were no visible white hairs or any indications of any sort, I could tell he was a lot older than everyone else I have looked at in the room. He presented himself to be gentle, calm and probably nice and loves social gatherings of their kind. At the distance they were at, I could significantly hear without the need to stress myself out.
"You are most welcome Mr. Ross, how is your journey?" Cassius's features warmed when he was talking to him, he gave the vibe of meeting an old acquaintance after a while.
"You have the best services Master Cassuis. I enjoy your company the most," Mr. Ross's voice matched his calm features, soft and tender.
"I'm honored to serve"
"My at most pleasure to see the growth of you and your coterie all around the sect" He paused patting Cassuis shoulder before he continued glancing my way, I shivered as they did "You've got what everyone desires but couldn't get their hands on"
"See you around, be careful" Mr. Ross warned before going around Cassuis after he glanced at me again.
Cassuis was left alone briefly again, with absolutely nothing standing in-between us but the table I was go desperately wishing I could hide in, I felt naked and unprotected again. He continued towards me again before a man obstructively stood in Cassius's path, but he wasn't tall enough to cover his view of me or of his to me, I could clarify that he couldn't think twice snapping my head off upon reaching me. I gulped hard before letting out a breath, I was bought some time by this man.
"Why is the girl here Cassius? I thought she's to be taken-" he snapped his head to the man complaining so distastefully about my presence, the man fell immediately quiet. Cassius looked back at me again with crazy murderous eyes before his gaze slowly softened on the complainer putting a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry for your discomfort, I didn't mean any disrespect. It will be taken care of" he glanced spitefully my way at the end of his word. "Taken care of" nice going dude for adding fuel to the wild fire. Cassius inched in closer whispering into the man's ear, he seemed to be convinced of what ever he was told because he left Cassius right after. I was starting to shiver in my spot now, forget being hungry I was turning into a hot meal myself because somehow his stance was scarier than I remember. Lucinda inched closer to him, they started talking although close I could only make out some lone words. "No", "please", "her" what was I supposed to make out of that?
His eyes never seem to leave me because whenever I look up I locked eyes with him. He then suddenly raised a hand, I shoved back roughly in fear pinning myself to the wall, who knew what he would do now that he was pissed of my presence. I eased a bit when Lenora and Damien stepped forward joining the conversation. More hushed words and angry murmur filled my ears as the group of four continued. Lenora glanced my way flashing me a smile before they broke out of the little group.
"Forgive me, I have an urgent issue to tend to..... Carry on" he said before turning on his heels exiting the room with Lucinda right behind him. The crowd was now starting to whisper in hushed voices to each other, I knew it will surely come down to me because they were glancing my way and that I heard the complaint made of my presence. Lucinda wasn't there, Damien and Lenora couldn't care a bit of I were to be attacked in a room full of vampires. I wasn't to be told twice, scared but not stupid enough to stay especially after Cassius's reaction. I walked slowly getting to the door and with me the eyes that never seem to leave my form not until I shut the door behind me. I thought Lenora might stop me or the doors would fling open, revealing angry Damien dragging me back to my room.... but none happened.
I let out a sigh of relief and proceeded down the hall taking another identical one to my left, crossing paths with one or two people going towards the gathering. Just as I was reaching towards the middle of the hall while busy with my own thoughts, I stopped and turned in a 180°, I thought I heard Cassuis voice which made me panic, my internals flipped as I scanned for the nearest exit, I wouldn't ever want him seeing me after what happened with me last time. In the hall were alot of doors aligned on either side, so I crashed into the one right behind me, continued to back away from the door as it slowly came to a close, as soon as it did I realized the room I was standing in was extremely dark. I waited until I heard a couple of footsteps pass by the door, just as I was about to exit I heard noises of pleasure coming from behind me. I froze, typically before I understood that I barged in on a mating in progress, thinking that I wasn't noticed especially that it was dark and I haven't made any sounds since I came in, I quickly tried to retreat but shamefully the lights came on as soon as I reached the door grabbing on the door handle.
A woman, tall, brown hair in a scrunchie, slim face, hazel eyes and one corner of her plum lips trailing blood down to her chin appeared in front of me. She had a one shoulder velvet blue half dress on and was leaning against the door with a shady smile.
"We are just getting started, where do you think you are going?" I heard a man's voice from behind before a heavy thud followed. The woman's intoxicated eyes left me and rolled at her man.
"Be careful honey, I'm not done with yet" Her voice was too sweet to bear before I heard his steady footsteps coming towards me.
I initially decided not to look behind but after the thud and what she said made me glance to the ground, I saw the top half of a lady, motionless, face down, barely wearing any clothes. I knew I stumbled upon my own doom. I slowly put my head forward again still not daring to let go off the handle, I looked toward the lady again.
"It looks we have more" the male said again when he was right behind me. My heart thrashed in my chest painfully regretting why I even thought of coming out of that hall. The expression on the woman's face of lust and hunger made me sick, how she played with a loose luck of her with her fingers, the way she bit on one corner of her lips as he moved from behind me to approach her. I simply looked away keeping my gaze to my hand but curse my peripheral vision I saw him pull her towards him before pinning her back on the door crashing his lips on hers while her muffled moans fill the room. As soon as he let go off her, a laughter of joy broke out of her while he turned towards me completely. He grabbed my wrist off the door handle leaving me no choice but to face him. He had broad shoulders and tiny waist, dark eyes, stone featured face but handsome also from the smear of blood on him, he's been up to what she was doing.
"What do we have here?" He cooed keeping a gaze so to penetrate even a lead wall. My bones ran cold while he observed me, now intertwining my fingers with his. He woman hugged him from behind running her fingers up and down his bare torso, he mused in it before suddenly pulling me closer to him as close as her hands were just about to brush over me.
"She is cuter than the other one, right Bryan?" The lady peeked over his shoulder resting her chin on it.
"We will have fun" she mouthed before her fangs just extended and her iris bled red.
"You are not authorized to harm me, unless you want to get killed"
As soon as those supposed to be frightening words left my lips, I was touching down on a bed and he was right on top of me with both my hands locked in his fists above my head. His gaze locked to mine firmly while I started to tear from the force he was using to keep my hands down and that I didn't want to end up like the girl on the floor.
"I'd like to see that" He dared before his own fangs extended while his iris bled red.
"No, no!" It started so subtle like my whisper my conscious sang but it grew louder as the woman crawled over me too.
"Make room Bryan, don't be a greedy one"
While he kept me still, she crawled from under him making sure her foot dragged against the length of my leg keeping one of her in-between my thighs. I shivered while I felt my heart skipped beats, she leaned down on me practically our faces just an inch or two apart. She pulled her tongue out and dragged out over my lips. I cried inwardly tears flowing down my cheeks afraid that if I let my mouth open, I won't take pleasure if her blood scented tongue danced in it. And him from above her was making moves on her making her moan and move against me, making me extremely uncomfortable.
As soon as her tongue left my lips she went down for my neck and her hands went for the collar of my shirt and I could feel the shirt loosened around my form when she started to unbutton it while a nail of her's scratched down the length of my torso, I knew what's going to happen next
"No please. You cannot do this!" I knew I screamed that loud but not enough to catch anyone's attention but it did, then I knew all my screams were heard but ignored. He came flying off of her hitting the wall with a loud thud. The woman on top of me got startled and looked up when she was also forcefully yanked off me.
I was still in a frightened state barely trying move out of the bed as I watch the commotion unfolding.
"How dare you interrupt us?" I heard the male yell distasteful while now standing up his chest rose and fall rapidly with rage.
"I mean no disrespect by this but she's not to be touched," I heard Damien warm calmly. I quickly push out of the bed grabbing the frontal of my shirt as it was almost all buttoned down forcefully. I also noticed that Lenora was there standing by the lady whom appeared very calm but displeased.
"Why can't we have her?" He roared
"She is not on the list of buffet provided. You can have someone else but if you still are adamant about her then I'm afraid your bloodlust has finally brought you to your rest place" Damien threatened with the poise and attitude Cassuis had.
As soon as the lady heard this threat, she used her superhuman speed and came in-between the men.
"It's of no stressing matter. Bryan and I will be pleased to have another to feed on" She said politely bowing to Damien
"Enjoy yourselves. I will send one forth" Lenora said before Damien suddenly was grabbing my wrist and pulling me out into the hall.
"Exploration isn't a good thing to have in mind in this place" He warned to looking to my face. I was quiet and I knew he didn't want to hear from me either
"They didn't notice, it's a fair mistake" Lenora stated
"She's hurt," Lenora point out
"No it's just a scratch, it will be fine in a couple of days" I quickly said as I wouldn't want any one looking at it. Damien's hand left mine as we were standing at the door already, he pushed in and moved to the side so I would enter.
"Thank you for saving me" He only glanced at me
"Have this door guarded as instructed" He vanished from sight as he finished talking the door slamming back as the wasn't holding it anymore.
"Go along now, we wouldn't want our trophy losing it's shine before the big reveal" I went inside the room and sat by the bed. I watched as someone came by the door and stood there, it's shadow non moving. I sighed in relief, finally I was being protected.
I pulled the shirt off my body and went over to the bathroom. I eased the tap and water came rushing down into the sink, I damped one end of my shirt and came out to the bed room again. I stood in front of the mirror and noticed that there wasn't much blood seeping through, it was just a surface wound but it still hurt. I sucked in my gut, and lifted my hand to the start of the scratch which was deeper right the middle of my torso and touched it over with my shirt. It stung immediately making me wince, I pressed it down and run the length of the scratch to my belly button. After cleaning it I put on another shirt which was laying around on my bed.
As I sat, I remembered last night, the male that helped me. Now that I have seen Damien protecting me from harm, I don't think Cassuis would ever help me with his blood even if it meant he would loose he new found glory. Damien must have saved me
I remembered the bites again and then me drinking his blood and now that he's saved me again even though he was part of the plan that ruined my life in totality, he owed me. I pushed down into my bed placing both pillows under my back while I rest on the headboard, I tried hard not to think about what just happened with me and those two couples. I urged myself to sleep, maybe I could be free.
Slowly I started to feel at ease, a sudden calmness in my nerves as I slowly drifted away into a deep sleep. It was dreamless but it was a thick fog of darkness, emptiness, heaviness and suffocating but it was something that I would rather be stuck in than anywhere here with my eyes opened