Blood and Chains

Dinner With Mom

As I sat in the doctor's office, I leaned back and noticed a hardcover book of Twilight on an adjacent table. My curiosity piqued, I reached for it and examined the cover before flipping through its pages at a leisurely pace.“Someone thought they were funny.” I muttered under my breath, placing it back on the side table.

The clock behind the receptionist’s desk began to click louder, but then again, it could have just been me being nervous. Doctor offices never made me feel good, but now, my anxiety for them has, for all intense purposes, skyrocketed. How can one man make you feel like a naughty child waiting for your father to come home from work to see how they are going to deal with you; just by sitting in a waiting room for half an hour.

“Zelda.” The woman behind the desk called. “He’ll see you now.”

I silently groaned as I collected my things, and made my way to the door. I once again was seated in another room, only to wait once again. I heard that mortal doctor visits were worse, not only did you have to wait, but the nurses took you weight, height, see if your eyes are working, check your heart, many many more things which thankfully are not practiced here.

The door opened and in stepped a handsome man, blonde hair, brown eyes, he had godlike features. I frowned at him.

“Hello Zelda. It has been a while.”

“I literally just saw you a month ago Dr. Seven.”

He grinned as he sat in his chair that he mostly rolled around in. “Yes I know, but I do enjoy our time together. You never try to bite, or manipulate me. Always refreshing.”

I gave a loud sigh. “You know why I never do any of that stuff, so it’s not because I don’t want to.”

He just gave a soft shrug, and grabbed a wooden flat stick he would stick in my mouth in a few moments. “Say ah.”

“Never.” I quietly opened my mouth, just barely enough. Dr. Seven was not having that, and took hold of my jaw, bringing it down so he could get a better look at my mouth.

He brought up the stick and lightly tapped my incisors, making them pop out rather violently into fangs.

“Good reflexes.” He said proudly. “I like that they don’t come out when I open your mouth or even at the smell of mortals, and—”

I jerked my mouth free, my fangs disappearing. “And I don’t like that you say the same thing every time I come in here.”

He gave a shrug once more. “Just like to be throughout, and make sure you are eating properly.”

“And the verdict?” I said piercingly.

“You’re healthy and are well fed.”

“May I leave now?”

The doctor nodded. “Of course. I’ll see you—”

“At my next appointment.” I cut him off. It was the same thing every time. I stood up abruptly and made a hasty exit. As I checked my phone, I saw that Zion had sent me ten new text messages. I sighed in annoyance as I skimmed through them. Lost in my scrolling, I collided head-on with someone else, not paying attention to where I was going.

My phone landed on the ground with a thud. I looked up after picking up my phone to see a blonde haired male with bright blue eyes. He was medium built and from what I could tell, not human.

“I’m sorry. I should have looked where I was going.”

“Yes. You should have.” His voice wasn’t cold, but his words were blunt. He took his palm of his hand to his chin and cracked his neck. “No matter though. I’ll let you get back to texting with your lover.”

I narrowed my eyes to him. “Not my lover.”

He gave a shrug as he walked past me. “Whatever you say vampire.”

I did a check in my phone camera and didn’t see any red eyes or fangs. I looked up at the back of the man. How did he know? I asked myself.

I scratched my neck and gave a yawn as I looked at Zion play on his gaming system. He was screaming at the television and to his delight, I was sitting there, hanging out with him. I didn’t mind these times with Zion, he was happy and I could still watch all the different movies and shows I wanted to watch. However, this is typically all we did when we hung out at his house. He played, I watched. Nothing fancy, and nothing noteworthy for the magazine for vampires.

“What’s wrong Zel?” he asked with his head slightly turned to me. That was his way of looking at me while still looking at the TV.

“Nothing.” I said suddenly. “I was just thinking about this guy I ran into the other day.”

His character died and the screen read, ’5 minute revive time’. He looked at me with his eyes staring into mine. I had his full attention. “What guy?” his voice grew serious.

“When I left the doctor’s office, I was looking at me phone and all the millions of messages I got from you. I ran into him and he called you my lover, then the weirdest thing happened. He called me a vampire out of the blue. No one really knows I am a vampire unless I lose my temper or my fangs are out.”

“Were they?”

I shook my head. “No. Nothing at all was out.”

His character sprang back to life. “Hmm, that is odd. Since the doctor you have deals with all kinds of people, not just vampires.”

“I know, but let’s not think about that. I have a new show I want to watch on Noxflix if that’s all right.”

He gave a nonchalant shrug. “I don’t care as long as you don’t care about my yelling.”

I gave a small giggle. “No. Of course not Zion.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you tonight?”

“I am sure.” I laughed. “I have to get going anyways.”

He nodded. “Be safe.”

I heard the footsteps before I heard the knock on the door. I smoothed my dress before checking in the mirror once more. It was a skin tight red dress that fanned out down to the floor. Ruching on the stomach, not that I needed it, since I was pretty skinny, minus my assess. My breasts were spilling out of the top of it from the sweetheart neckline, and it gave my ass a nice lift. This is a dress you would wear to a major event where you expected to get f****d. Not one where you go to dinner with your mom and brother.

Another knock.

I sighed and walked over to the door, and took a deep breath before I opened the door. There was a handsome man in a chauffeur suit. He gave me no smile, just a grim look, turned around, back to the limo.

I locked up the house and followed him. He was by my door, I slid in, adjusted myself, then he closed the door. It locked the moment it was securely closed. I leaned against my hand as I looked out the tinted windows, seeing that they were so blacked out that it was hard to see outside the window even though I was inside the limo.

It was a good twenty-five minutes before we got out of the city and another thirty minutes before we stopped in front of a large castle like home. It was at least four stories high, and in dark paint, trees surrounding it. A house you would find in those horror films that you suddenly inherited but are haunted.

I stepped out of the limo, smoothed my dress once more, and walked up to the steps where two men stood at salute outside the doors. They were in dark clothes and looked like big beefy bouncers. The one of the left opened the door for me, and I stepped inside. The moment I was out of the line of the door, it slammed shut. It sent chills up my spine, making me stand straighter than before.

I barely took in the place, just the large corridor that had doors that led everywhere. I knew the staircase was behind one of the doors. Mom didn’t believe in having people have quick access to the upstairs rooms. Out from one of the doors came a man dressed in a black suit, and white hair. My shoulders relaxed as I settled into a soft smile.

“Jesper.” I whispered.

He opened his arms and embraced me. “Hello sis. How are you?”

I swallowed hard. “How do you think I am? I’m here.”

He gave a soft chuckle as he pulled away from me. I looked at his hair, it was shaggier than last I saw. Now he looked like one of the K-Pop boy bands. I reached up and tussled my fingers through his hair.

“Mom lets you have it like this?”

“Yeah, only because those K-Pop boys are popular, and suddenly your older brother is now hotter.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’ve always been hot, just changed your haircut from a military cut to a boy band hair.”

He let out a small chuckle, which I realized now was echoing since we were alone, but I knew there were a million eyes on us. “We should go see her majesty.”

Jesper let out a small sigh, shoved his hands into his pocket. “Yeah, let’s go.”

“Are you not going to offer your arm to me?”

“Nope, mom said you have to walk in alone.”

I stiffened, my smile vanishing. “I see.”

“Sorry Zel, it’s not my choice.” He turned and walking into one of the doors, and I followed a few steps behind him.

We entered the dining room, the grandness taking my breath away. A towering ceiling and large windows let in the moonlight, casting eerie shadows across the room. My mother is a beautiful woman. She has long hair that reaches to her waist, it is a dark brown with hints of red, like my hair. She has dark eyes, so dark they look like pools of night sky. Her skin is pale like mine, but not quite as fair. She has a small nose, and lips that are painted red, but she doesn't wear any make-up on her face. Mom was sitting in a throne-like chair, with a black and red gown that glittered in the light. At her neck was a simple long necklace with a ruby teardrop pendant at the end, it reflected the moonlight through the mirror above her. Mom was surrounded by several men in suits. They all turned to look at us as we entered, their eyes scanning me from head to toe.

“Zelda, darling,” Mom said, her voice echoing throughout the room. “You look stunning tonight.” there was a slight smile to her usual stone face.

I couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread wash over me. My mother was never one to compliment me unless she wanted something.

“Thank you, Mother,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

She stood up from her chair and walked over to me, her eyes glinting with something I couldn’t quite place. “I have a proposition for you, Zelda. One that could change your life forever.”

I felt a knot form in my stomach. I knew better than to trust my mother’s propositions. But I couldn’t deny the curiosity that was creeping in the back of my brain.

“What kind of proposition, Mother?” I asked, trying to keep my voice level.

She placed a hand on my shoulder, her grip tight. “I have arranged a marriage for you.”

My heart skipped a beat. A marriage? I had never even been on a proper date, let alone thought about getting married. “Wh-what?” I stammered.

“Yes, my dear. Your fiancé is a man of great wealth and power. He will provide for you and our family. And in return, you will give him heirs.”

My mind was reeling. This couldn’t be real. My mother had always been controlling, but this was a step too far. “I can’t just marry someone I don’t even know!” I protested.

“You will get to know him, Zelda. And you will marry him.” She walked back to her seat. Any warmth she tried to pretend she had was gone now. She was serious about this. Especially the way she had said our family.

I looked to Jesper, hoping he would speak up for me. But he just stood there, looking down at the floor. It wasn't a few more moments later till he made his way to his seat. He knew.

“I have let you run free for long enough. It is time for you to do your duty for us.”

I felt all the cold ness and coldness from her. I wanted to stand there, to scream and cry. I wanted to protest more, but I knew the consequences of my actions.

So I simply said, “Who?”

“Your life long friend Zion. I put out a bid for you, he made the payment.”

“Payment?” I stood there, trying to will myself to stop shivering. “I was sold?”

“No.” she rang a bell out, plates and dishes came out. The staff walked around me and placed food down in front of my spot. “I simply had you married off for political reasons.”

“I was sold.”

“Zelda.” Jesper made a quick snap. “We are royal, we don’t sell our family members.”

“And yet,” I said venomously, glaring at him. “here my ‘lifelong’ friend paid a price my mother had set.”

“That doesn’t mean money.” He looked back at me, there was a sort of fire in his eyes.

“You sold me out for what!” the anger was rising the more I stood there.

“We didn’t sell you!” He rose in his seat and slammed his hand down on the table.

“We?” Now it was becoming clear. “You not only knew, you were part of it.” My chest rose and fell with each breath. “For what Jesper? So you could stay the prince a bit longer? So you could go and get with who you want? For what!” I screamed.

“Enough!” my mother’s voice rang out. “Zelda, you will not speak that way.”

Jesper sat down, his face seemed to be in distress.

“Your wedding will be in three months. Prepare yourself kindly.”

I knew her telling me that was saying don’t cause a scene or face the consequences.

“I’m leaving.” I bowed and left the house. I reach my car I always had there and tears rolled down my face. “No…” I sobbed.

“Zel.” I turned to see Zion there. His face full of concern. Zion stood there, in front of my car blocking me from leaving. He was a beautiful man by many girls' standards. His dark hair pulled into a small ponytail, his thick black hair shines in the moonlight and looks like silk. His eyes are green, dark and beautiful. Zion’s dark mahogany skin contrasts greatly with the light tie and suit he’s wearing. The contrast was stunning and truly he looked like a modern Indian god. He was a handsome man, and a traitor to me.

“You…” I barely was able to say. I always hated how he joked we were going to get married one day but now I know I will have to, makes it hurt all the more.

“Zel, I never…” he looked away for a moment then back at me. “I thought if I won the betting, you would be happier about this.”

“Happy!” I screamed. “How can I be happy? You know that I am the second choice for everyone! My own mother doesn’t want me and is happy to sell me for a price to anyone.”

“Not anyone.” He said bitterly.

“No.” I said half laughing and crying. “No, they must be high blood vampire in order for her to gain more power she does not need.”

“Zel.” He reached for me.

I snatched my hand away. “Don’t touch me. You betrayed me. You’re even at the dinner party you weren’t supposed to know about.”

“You told me.”

“Yes, but you never told me.” I slammed the car door behind me and zoomed off. I didn’t even know where I was driving, just knew it was far away.

As I drove down the darkened streets, my mind was spinning with thoughts of betrayal and anger. How could my own mother sell me off like a piece of property? And Jesper, who I thought was my ally, had evidently been in on it from the start. But the betrayal that stung the most was from Zion. We had grown up together, and while I knew he had feelings for me, I had always thought it was a joke. I never imagined he would go to such lengths to win me. It made me sick to my stomach.

Eventually, I found myself in a small town on the outskirts of the city. I parked my car and walked aimlessly down the empty streets. The night air was cold, but I barely felt it. My mind raced with relentless thoughts of my pending nuptials and the miserable life I would be forced into. The magnitude of this realization swelled with each breath, threatening to swallow me whole

As I turned a corner, I came face to face with a tall, dark figure. He was dressed in all black, and his piercing blue eyes seemed to glow in the moonlight.

I froze, unsure of what to do. My heart raced in my chest, and I could feel my pulse pounding in my ears. The man didn't move, just stared at me with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.

"Who are you?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

He didn't answer, just continued to stare at me with a look that seemed to pierce right through me. It was as if he could see all of my fears and doubts laid bare before him.

“Answer me!” I demanded, taking a step back. I was in no mood to play.

“Calm down little vampire.” He said softly.

“Excuse me.” I snapped.

He chuckled. “Don’t get yourself killed.” He started to walk away. “Or do, I don’t care.”

“What a weird guy.” I watched him vanish, which wasn’t too odd from our side.