by K A Young
Locaine's eyes shift slightly, "Why don't you and the two slaves go and prepare for our esteemed guests."
Esteemed? Really...he gives them too much credit.
"Yes master," I reply, and he releases his hold on my hip, allowing me to walk toward the dining area with Carly and Emily trying to catch up behind me.
I hear one of the purebloods speak as we are leaving, "King Locaine, you have a vampire hunter as your slave? That is...risky, don't you think?"
Ha! If only they knew the half of it.
"Only if you can't control them," Locaine replies smoothly, his confidence making me smile.
Sure, buddy...you keep thinking that.
I almost start to laugh as we duck into the dining room, getting out of sight from the leaders.
"This is going to be a long night," I tiredly exhale as we are given trays with glass goblets on them...and they are already filled with blood.
My eyes shoot open.
I know exactly how I am going to display my power...just like Rynn had mentioned. I will help show them, that they cannot cross Locaine and play my part as his blood magic hunter slave.
**
-Locaine
There are seven of us in total.
We expand our influence across the world through our bonds. I stand at the head of the table, watching as the leaders take their appropriate seats.
Directly at the other end across from me is Ronan. Ronan's domain is predominately the East Coast of the U.S. This is one of the main reasons I was able to track Annika down with his scouts lending their assistance. He has long white hair that he wears freely.
Ronan had brought Daisy with him. Daisy has curly long black hair and adorable blue eyes. She has been his slave for the past fifteen years and has been quite obedient, to say the least.
Next to Ronan, sits Julien; he had shorter hair than me and spiked it in all directions. Julien's domain is Canada, his slave is Sage, a recent addition to his collection with long wavy brown hair and hazel eyes.
Across from Julien, sits Micah; his hair running down to just his chin. Micah's domain is England. Payton has been his slave for five years, her straight long blonde hair gliding down her back with lime green eyes.
Remy is on my left-hand side. His domain is Russia. He has shoulder length hair. I don't know her well, but I know his slave's name is Lenore. She has curly short red hair and cerulean eyes.
On my right, sits Blaise, who has his long white hair pulled back into a long ponytail. His domain is Australia. Faith has a brown pixie cut, her dark blue eyes searching the room as she takes everything in.
Finally, Enzo, whose domain is Italy, sits with his hair shaven on the sides and long on top. Imogen has long wavy blonde hair and light green eyes, his image of a perfect slave.
Everyone is here, and it's time for me to be confronted for Annika's actions against my father and Jezabel...
After everyone takes their seats, I'm the last one left standing. Addressing them, I begin with, "I know you have all come a great distance. We will come to a decision tonight, that is the only thing I am certain about."
I recognize each of them, "Ronan, Julien, Micah, Remy, Blaise, and Enzo. Thank you all for being here."
They are still.
"I know you have all heard about my father, Theo's death, and the death of Jezabel," I start, getting to the matter at hand. After I finish my sentence, I take my own seat.
"Don't forget Kara's death as well," Enzo narrows his eyes at me.
How could I forget?
That was all Annika...
I still have no idea why she went after her first, and I haven't bothered to ask her. She's dealt with enough while she was there, bringing up the reasoning behind why she did what she did even though I allowed her to end the lives of the others is beyond the point and needless.
The doors open to the dining room and Annika, Carly, and Emily file in, each carrying two goblets on a tray, except for Annika, she holds three upon hers. They line up against the wall, opposite that of the slave girls that belong to the leaders, remaining silent as they do so.
Micah shoots a glance in their direction and then back at me, "I want to talk about why you have that as your slave." I know immediately he is referring to Annika and not in a pleasant manner at all.
"She is Annika. Her father is Jared Larson," I glance into Annika's eyes, noticing the way she is standing on edge. I can't blame her, her heartbeat accelerating once again at being placed at the center of attention.
Blaise glowers angrily as he asks, "Jared killed your brother, Enos, the old king...why have you not killed her to exact your revenge?"
"Because she is only a small part of my revenge," my voice drifts off...I know she isn't going to like this, but it is the truth, "when Jared is dead, then I will consider my revenge complete."
Annika stiffens, the tray sliding slightly. I know my promise to her is precisely that...no longer seeking to kill her parents, though for appearance sake among the leaders I must fall into line before drawing more unwanted attention.
Behave...
I shoot her a warning look, her jaw clenching as she turns her face away from mine.
"If I had known you were going to keep her," Ronan's voice brings my attention back, "I would have just killed her myself. Having a hunter as a slave puts your entire coven at risk...let alone ours'."
The leaders glance around at each other, confirming their silent agreement.
Remy's eyes lock with mine, "I'm curious."
"About what?" I ask in return, not sure what he's thinking about.
"Why did you kill your father, along with his beloved Kara and Jezabel?" Remy leans back in his chair, his eyes tinting with rage.
I knew this was coming...
"Jezabel...took what didn't belong to her," I reply, narrowing my eyes at him in response.
Julien is intrigued, "What did she take?"
"My slave," I replied flatly, my eyes trailing over Annika in the process.
Julien's stare follows me, watching Annika as well for her response. Thankfully...she gives him none.
"My father wanted me to take Jezabel as my beloved and marry her. They wanted to use my slave as leverage to force me into this union," I continue, my attention drawn back to the leaders, "for that...is treason. Their lives were payment for their treachery."
Micah and Blaise glance at each other, not entirely convinced. Micah arches a brow, "You killed your father?"
**
-Annika
What the hell is he doing? He's taking the blame for me...
If Locaine had killed his father, he would more than likely have been killed as well. There is nothing like a fight between two purebloods and the way they had initially begun their interaction showed that it would have spelled doom for the both. It was only through me that he had the upper hand.
"If that is the action you thought needed to be taken," one of the purebloods speaks, "then I guess it must have been just."
I can see Locaine relax slightly. Apparently, that is a good enough answer for him.
"Now," Locaine continues, diverting the conversation elsewhere and off himself through the recent actions having been taken, "The real reason you are all here. We are aware that there are only a handful of hunter families left.
"Blaise, you said that there is one in your territory?" Locaine notes as he shifts his attention to him.
Blaise nods and confirms, "From what we have encountered, there are at least ten hunters."
It amazes me that there are hunters still alive. They seem to do a better job at evading than I could have done.
"Considering you took that one," the pureblood shoots a glare at me, and I flinch as if it burns my skin, "I haven't seen any on the East Coast."
Locaine's voice is dangerous before he enlightens them, "I had her grandparents executed not that long ago, Ronan."
Thanks for reminding me.
I'd finally gotten over their deaths, but it still hurts re
membering their faces as they died...
"Where is the rest of her family?!" Ronan hisses with irritation, "Have you not beaten it out of her yet? Do you need help from us?"
Fuck that noise.
My grip tightens on the tray, inhaling sharply as I can already feel their stares boring holes into my flesh. The last thing I need is all the leaders beating the living shit out of me...Locaine is enough.
"She's had her fair share of beatings," Locaine growls very defensively, "I used her blood to track down her grandparents." He shoots me a glance, reminding me of what my grandmother had said, "but...apparently the rest of her family has relocated, so no one knows where they are."
"I think the only question we need to answer is this," Blaise diverts the unwanted attention I'm receiving, "are we ready to launch our take over?"
"Yes," Locaine replies without hesitation.
"Yes," Ronan growls, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
"Yes," The answer rolls off the tongues of the rest of the purebloods with little effort given.
"I believe we have made our decision," Blaise nods, locking stares with Locaine. It's in that moment that I notice Carly and Emily moving away from the wall we were stationed against, moving toward the table.
Oh...I guess it must be toasting time.
Emily walks to the far end of the table, gracefully placing one goblet in front of Ronan and another pureblood. Carly makes her way to the purebloods near the center of the table, not making eye contact with them as she lowers the goblets down.
I breathe in deeply and release a sigh, walking carefully toward Locaine and the two purebloods situated on either side of him. I place a goblet in front of Blaise, and he attempts to get my attention, but I sidestep around to the other pureblood, setting the second goblet in front of him.
Finally, I place Locaine's in front of him, ending the purpose of my use for being a maid this evening.
"You must be really powerful, King Locaine," Ronan narrows his eyes toward us, musing to himself, "to have killed two purebloods while you were by yourself."
They doubt him...
I gasp as Locaine suddenly reaches out and grips my waist, setting me on his lap faster than I realize. The tray I had been holding, clatters to the ground in my sudden shock. Emily immediately walks over and picks it up, making her way back to the wall where we had been standing, Carly beside her.
I glance at the opposite wall, the leader's slaves standing against it looking perplexed at the sudden reaction I'd taken regarding Locaine's actions. They are all quite beautiful, just as Rynn had noted, however, I'm strong, and that is power in this world...
"Is that not why you appointed me?" Locaine's voice is directly behind me, a shiver running down my spine as he speaks.
I'm being stared at like an exotic meal, and there is nowhere I can look without meeting the eyes of the leaders. My heart races, wanting nothing more than to be out of their spotlight, the one moment I wish to be free from Locaine's embrace.
Ronan replies, "True."
"It seems like...you're hiding something," the pureblood startles me, and I attempt to move away. Locaine holds me firmly, my heart beating faster, and I am sure they all can see the guilt resting on my face.
I guess...it is now or never.
I lean my elbows on the table, Locaine's grip slipping slightly at my actions. I tilt my chin against my left palm, my eyes scanning the leaders. Ronan's eyes are hard, capturing his analytical gaze.
Did I see you flinch?
With my right hand, I lightly trail my index finger around the rim of Locaine's goblet, my eyes are seductive, and Blaise feels my pull as I look toward him.
Yup, Carly, and Emily were right...such lustful creatures...
I sigh lightly as I move my hand away from the goblet and snap my thumb and middle finger together.
I knew they were unprepared for what happens next, offering me a moment of true strength over creatures that pride themselves on dominance. The blood from all the goblets rises and encircles each one of their throats in a split second. I narrow my eyes and snap my fingers again, this time the circles form spikes, each pressing against their flesh.
Their slaves scream in sudden fear, Ronan holding up his hand, signaling them to back away.
Locaine pulls me back against his chest, breathing in my scent deeply while I let him pleasurably encase my senses. He caresses my shoulders, running both his hands down my arms until they come to my wrists. He crosses my arms over each other in an 'X' and then pulls me tight against him.
I automatically lean my head to the side, allowing Locaine full access to my neck for him to do as he pleases. My submission couldn't be any clearer.
"You see," Locaine's voice is playful, "this hunter is extraordinary...born with the ability of blood magic."
"You...how can you," Blaise's eyes dart toward Locaine and me, "how can you control her?! She could kill you."
I moan lightly as Locaine's fangs brush my neck, his breath tickling me while my heart skips a beat.
Damn it...I need my concentration!
I'm continuing to focus on the blood when Locaine smirks against my neck and pulls away reluctantly.
"I could kill her just as easily," Locaine replies to Blaise.
They squirm under his gaze, each one of them on edge.
It worked...
"Slave," Locaine's captivating voice reaches me, "release our guests." He lets go of his hold on me, allowing me to flick my wrists, the blood traveling back to their goblets.
Blaise looks at the blood suspiciously, debating whether he wants to risk a sip...
...I would like too.
"Very well," Ronan's voice brings my attention back to the other end of the table. He takes hold of his goblet and raises it, each of the leaders raising theirs in turn.
Locaine's arm encircles me, taking hold of his own in the process and drawing me closer to him. He nods to Ronan and they all drink. After they have finished, Locaine's voice alters, "Now, I see you have each brought your own slaves with you. If you would like to retire to the parlor..." His voice trails off, placing his goblet on the table as if he already knows something that I do not.
"Socialize?" Blaise crosses his arms in front of his chest, sneering at me while I continue to not understand a hidden meaning being passed around between them all.
"That's one way of putting it," Locaine nods, allowing whatever it is they are about to do to commence.
The leaders begin to rise out of their seats, their respected slaves following close to them as they do so. I shift to look up at Locaine, having no idea what he means, and the confusion shines clear on my features.
"Go to my room," Locaine's voice is somewhat harsh and commanding, "lock it and do NOT leave it under any circumstance."
I whispered cautiously, "Why..." Ronan passes us, along with his slave now of my questioning.
"You're not bringing your slave with you?" Ronan questions, almost as if he's slightly offended.
What the hell is going on?
"Master?" Ronan's slave speaks timidly.
"What?" He spits back.
"Does the king not wish to share?" She's eyeing me, a small smirk crossing her lips at the way she speaks.
Share?! What the actual hell are they talking about?
My pulse begins to race as Ronan replies with disgust, "I guess not."
He leaves the dining room with his slave, glancing back over his shoulder for a moment before turning the corner. Emily and Carly follow them out, reaching Michael and Adam at the door.
Once everyone has left I kept my voice quiet when I ask, "What are they talking about?"
"I don't want you to be a part of it," Locaine holds me, his fingers lightly tracing the outside of both of my thighs.
"Part of what?" I close my eyes, still very much in the dark.
Locaine abruptly stops and lifts me off his lap. He places me gently on the ground and stands up, looking down into my eyes before telling me,
"Little hunter, there are still things you don't understand about our world."
"Then tell me," I glare at him.
"The leaders...like to share," Locaine runs his hand through his hair, not wanting to further explain what's about to happen. I shift my weight from one foot to the next, unsure of what he means by this as it's not a single bit of new information.
I whisper lowly, "His slave already said that...I don't know what that means."
"Of course not," Locaine brushes the side of my cheek with the back of his hand, "the leaders like to share their slaves...pass them around."
"What?!" Locaine brings his hand over my mouth, silencing me the second my voice rises.
They...they share their slaves? That's just messed up.
"You have already done enough for me tonight..." Locaine replies and smiles at me, "...your little stunt back there has ingrained in their minds that they cannot cross me without having to deal with you. I can't ask any more of you."
"So...you actually do want me to be a part of their little trading show?" I arch a brow, hearing the way he says he can't ask anything more of me...yet, am I not supposed to be here for him to display? I believe that was our agreement and I wouldn't want his image being marred because he thinks it's too much for me.
Locaine growls lowly, "Yes, but I don't like to share...especially you."
"So, what exactly are you going to do then?" I retort.
Locaine releases me and sighs, "I was going to bring one of those new blood slaves to trade around."
"Won't they be offended?" I reply, understanding the way Ronan had already begun to act.
No, I really didn't want to be a part of their little game...but I don't want to cost him his appearance either.
Locaine glances away from me as though he's ashamed for even bringing it up, "Yes."
"I am here for whatever you need," I touch the side of his face, his icy blue eyes snapping back to gaze into mine, "I don't want to give them a reason to come after you..."
Locaine takes my hand in his and kisses my palm gently, the warmth trailing through me as I ease back and relax for a moment under his touch.
Now I understood why Michael had told Emily that she is his.
