The Rise Of The Queen

Hi, my name is Raven. Welcome to my life. In my life, there are a lot of dos and dont’s. Do this, don’t do that. Sit there, straighten your back, lift your head.  Wear a dress, don't wear jeans. Don't speak back, don’t say that.  Take this, say that. Look pretty, keep that mouth shut.  Don’t look at them, don't speak to them. Don't act like you could ever be like them. You see, I’m a girl with an attitude. Not just because, only when needed. I’m not easily pushed around. I'm not what they call submissive.  I’m a vampire and my clan is the strongest one that has ever existed. We’re located in New Orleans and have lived here for hundreds of years. Generations back.  In this clan, if you're a woman, you're days are numbered and your job, if you stay, is to take care of your husband and your children.  This is because the reason that this clan is the strongest isn't that we fight well or kill the most.  It's because, through time my father, my grandfather, his father, etc never commended wars. They always had another bargaining chip to make alliances and remain in peace.  Women. The women were sold off as peace treaties.  The thought alone is sickening, trust me, I know. Whenever I heard that another woman was going to be sold I always tried to prevent it. It always ended up with me being sent to the devils' den.  The devils-den is where no vampire wants to be. It’s a cave under the ground with enough room for one person. You're chained in a standing position and the roof, well there is none. Okay, so I guess it's more of a hole than a den.  You're chained one hour before the sun rises so that that your body goes into panic mode and your self-preservation kicks in. That way, when the sun rises you will be even weaker from having been afraid. Nobody told me this, I found out myself.  The first time I was sent there was when I was twelve. Normally a vampire, depending on the crime, has to spend at least 15 hours in the devils' den. But since I was a child, I was only held for three. I never wanted to go back there. The next time I was sent I was fourteen. I had told myself to keep out of trouble, but the girl being sold was my best friend. That's time I was chined for 17 hours because of disobedience. I later found out by my father that she had been killed in her new clan because she disobeyed an order from the leader.  After that, the visits to the devils' den became much more frequent, and that's how I learned about the hour before sunrise. Because when I stopped being afraid, it wasn't as excruciating.  Before you're chained you're pumped full of my fathers' blood because he is a king his blood holds more power and strength than any other vampires.  Oh yeah, that's right, he's the king and you guessed it, I'm a princess. Not the pink fluffy dress and prince charming type of princes. No. I’m the ’slay the dragon and protect my people’ type.  I'm not allowed to train with the warriors, not only because I'm a girl, but more so because I'm a princess. I'm supposed to sit down and look pretty. And sip on tea with my f*****g eyes glued to my feet. Yeah, that’s not gonna happen.  I have yet to find a way to change the order around here but I will.  ”Raven!” My father yelled for me through the downstairs hall.  ”Up here!” I yelled back through my room. ”Come down here! We have some matters to discuss!”  ”Well if YOU have some matters to discuss why don't you come up here then!?” This is a small example of what I was saying earlier. At his word or any other man for that matter, you're supposed to bow your head and follow orders like a good little girl.  Well, father, it’s too bad mom didn't raise one of those for you. My door was slammed open and in the blink of an eye, my father was standing in front of me.  I was sitting by my desk drawing. I looked up at him and gave him a smile.  ”Took you long enough.”  He was seething but he knew how I worked. You want something from me, you come to me. I will never go to a man. Especially not my father.  ”Watch your f*****g attitude. Now let's go. We’re expected at the council.” The council was where all the important meetings were held amongst vampires.  ”And change your clothes into something more fitting for a respected young lady.” As I was saying. ”Ooh when is she coming?” He was seething, his fangs came out and I knew that he was using every ounce of restraint in him to control his temper. Not because I'm his daughter, but because I'm the princess, harming another royal whether blood or not, if not in self-defense is strictly forbidden. The devils-den was his order but not by his hands. Yup, he found a loophole.  I rolled my eyes and walked out of my room, not bothering to change.  Every man who has come here has always asked for my hand and my father has refused.  For that I am happy. This is why whenever there is a meeting like this I'm worried for the other women and not myself. Anyone above the age of eighteen is eligible to be married. I just turned twenty and I have seen more women leave this clan than I have seen them arrive.  When we made it to the council the gates stood open. It was far away from civilization because the elder lived here and he wasn't very modern. We could all adapt to human society and blend in, except for the whole ’not walking during the day’ thing. But the elder couldn’t.  Plus this is New Orleans, the state Is known for its mystery and housing of dark creatures like vampires and werewolves. I must say it is very entertaining walking in their parades and talking to tourists who are hoping to spot a vampire. I always play along, saying that I want to spot one as well. Humans are sweet. Greedy, manipulative, and hating, but sweet. There is an innocence to them that a vampire could only dream of. The council's building was massive and made out of concrete. Two dragon statues sat at either side of the entrances and the doors were as thick as the house itself. The windows were bolted shut and covered. No sunlight, nor moonlight could enter.  We went into the meeting hall which is a very large round room with torches burning all around the room. In the middle was a round glass table, big enough for 30 or so vampires.  The elder was sitting beside a younger man, he didn't look much older than me. Black hair and large muscles, dark, nearly black eyes, and a defined jawline. He was quite handsome. It was just the two of them and me and my father. We took our seats on the other side of the table.  Something was off though. There were no women here for him to choose from. There has always been a woman present. They would line them up and the man picked the one he found most attractive.  ”Raven, this is Alexander Whitlock. Alexander, this is my daughter and the princes of the Orleans Clan, Raven Villarreal.” My father introduced me. I kept a straight face the entire time as I extended my arm. Alexander took my hand and lifted it to his lips pressing a small kiss on the back.  ” It’s a pleasure princess.” Oh, what a gentleman. Am I supposed to blush and giggle? I jerked my hand back and kept the straight face. I glared at him for a second before responding.  ”It’s Raven.” I said.  ” Raven it is. Shall we get down to business?” Alexander took his seat, looking quite unamused by my correcting him.  My father wasn't too pleased either as he pinched my arm with his claws. I took my seat next to my father.  ” So alexander please tell me, how is Frederick?” My father asked. ” As merciless as ever. He recently occupied the western clan in Georgia.” I scoffed earning disapproving glares from all three men.  ” Is there a problem?” Alexander asked, his eyes now definitely black.  ” I just found it funny, that’s all.” I glared back at him. Sweetheart I'm living with an unloving, misogynistic king for a father, you're staring won't do s**t to me.  ”What’s funny exactly?” He asked, his eyes easing up and his body relaxing.  ” Do you know the meaning behind the name ’Frederick’?”  ”No.”  ” It means peaceful ruler.” I stated.  ”RAVEN ENOUGH!” My father shouted. Alexander however broke out In laughter.  ”Wow, my parents really chose the wrong name huh?” He asked with a smile on his face trying to contain his laughter.  ” It sure sounds like it.” I stated.  ” Let's get on with the meeting shall we.” The elder spoke.  ” Princes Raven, do not speak unless spoken to. Do you remember nothing from what you have been taught since you were born?” He asked. ” Oh no, with all due respect I remember everything, I just don't give a shit.” I sweetly smiled at him. Alexander was trying hard to contain his laughter. So much so that his semi-pale face was turning red from holding his breath. ”You’re brother wants war.” My father looked at Alexander.  ” Wait what?” I nearly yelled. Why did he want war? ”Raven.” My father warned with a voice full of hatred.  ” Yes. My brother wants war. No with you but with another clan. Unless of course, we can come to some sort of a benefiting agreement. When he succeeds in taking over the clan, you're next.”  Alexander said with absolute calm.  ”Well we have solutions for those sorts of things.” My father spoke and I knew what he meant. The ’solutions’ were innocent women.  ” Yes, I'm aware of you're solutions however my brother is not interested.”  ”What do you mean he’s not interested? Then what was the point of this meeting?” My fathers' patience was running thin.  ” He isn’t interested in just a woman, we have those, plenty of them actually. He wants one particular woman.” Alexander said as he turned his head towards me.  Dream on jackass. ” Ha wants her.”  ” ’Her’ has a name.” I said. I realize that he wants to buy me but he can at least have the courtesy to use my name while doing so, before I scold him about wanting to buy me.  ” I know sweetheart.” He winked. I'm am truly and utterly sick of men.  ” He wants my daughter? The princes of the Orleans clan? Is he out of his mind?!” My father said as he stood to his feet. ” Well no king he is not. You have every right to decline. We will just proceed with the original plan and go to war.” My father stared at Alexander, his fangs were out again and his claws were extended.  He looked at me, his eyes red.  His fangs were retracted and he took his seat again. ”Raven, leave.”  ”Excuse me? I am the topic at hand so I most certainly will not.” I said, deifying his order.  ”I will not tell you again.” I stood up slowly keeping eye contact with Alexander.  ” Let's get one thing straight right now because I know my father won't defend me. I am not an object and I am not for sale. I would rather fight a war than to ever be wed, is that clear?” I said staring daggers at him.  ” Because of who he is?” He asked me. ” No. Because of what he is.” I seethed. ” A vampire?” He asked me sounding shocked. ” A man.” ”Oh so you prefer to be with women?” He asked with a smirk. ” I prefer to be alone.” I hissed as my fangs extended. I then turned my heel and stormed off before I did something that they would come to regret.