In Your Eyes

CHAPTER 6- Original Vampire

Sera concluded that she had failed to read the Micage upon their first meeting. Given his reputation among the locals, he seemed very comfortable in his own skin and didn’t like someone his uncle had tortured. Then again, if the silver mask he wore to cover the right side of his face was any inclination, he did have a bit of a back story. He led her expertly through the crowd, you’d think he’d done it a hundred times, and any time she felt the hairs at the back of her neck prickling, she’d find him staring at her.

King Armard wasn’t present at the introduction ceremony. The people prepared seemed at ease and chatted away. Sera became awfully aware that people weren’t giving her side glances anymore but were full blown staring. Her palms became somewhat sweaty inside Micage’s.

“Why are they staring at us?”

Micage chuckled quietly beside her. “They are probably dazzled by your beauty, Seraphina.”

Sera didn’t really know how to deal with compliments. She hummed and continued her analysis. Over at one corner of the room, she noticed some high-profile looking silhouettes talking in hushed tone while eyeing both of them. She probably would have been able to hear what they were whispering about if not for the music and other people discussing up and about. Micage followed her line of sight, and his body vibrated a bit.

“That’s Vladimir and his goons. They are in the branch family from the North and probably the current King’s biggest supporters. Since my uncle has been expanding his power beyond their area, they stand the most to gain in terms of loots of war. There are not particularly bad people, just very greedy.”

Sera made sure to analyze Vladimir and his goons. They did look like they would be potential problems in the future, especially if any plans were made against her pack.

“Presenting, His majesty Kirrian, king of the Vampires.” A voice echoed through the large hall. Sera had heard about Vampires, wizards, fairies, and elves since she was a little girl but had never had the chance to see on. Vampires were always rumored to be beautiful, ageless creatures that bewitch other races and suck their blood, giving their victims unimaginable pleasure, if they were willing. Sera was generally inquisitive about the King of another race and looked forward to seeing him up close.

“Your highness, who is he? Sera asked.

Micage sighed exasperated, seeing as she was still using his title instead of his name, which he had given her permission to use.

“That is king Kirrian, the Vampire king. You could say he is the Original Vampire. All Vampires that exist today are from his venom. He has been around for thousands of years. He doesn’t have a queen at the moment. I heard he had one in the past. All the rumors you’ve heard about vampires are probably true. They are summarized in one word, bloodsuckers.”

“Why is he here?”

“King Kirrian often does business among us wolves. Vampires can’t procreate amongst themselves because blood does not run through their veins. Instead, they have what is called their venom.”

Sera slipped a glass of red wine from the table closest to them as Micage continued to explain. She was enjoying herself.

“When Vampires bite their prey, their Venom works three ways. One, a bite to feed, which off course if the person is willing, the venom works as an aphrodisiac which makes the person feel pleasure while the vampire feeds. Two, which is the same as number one, if the person is unwilling, it asks as a tranquilizer, and stills the person while the vampire feeds. Most of the time, this often dangerous because the person is asleep and can’t tell that he or she is losing too much blood. Finally, to revive. That’s what vampires call it when they change other races to Vampires. It was often said that vampires like the prey on humans, but their settlement takes a lot of ground to cover. That’s why we wolves are most often the most compatible with their kind. Wizards too, but that’s still up for debate. Fairies and elves often only mate amongst themselves and are not physically strong enough to be revived.

“Interesting. I seemed to have gained a lot from your highness. But I think the said Vampire king is making his way towards us.” Sera said.

In truth Kirrian, with a dazzling slime on his face, was making his way to where they stood. The king was nothing at all like what she’d heard in the old tales. King Killian was tall and lean with sharp cheek bones. His solid black hair fell lusciously behind his back. He had piercing red eyes and long black eye lashes. He dressed in loose fabrics, but his well-defined arms and abdominal muscles were hard to miss. They flexed with his every movement. Sera nodded her head in approval, as if someone had finished listing his perks for her. Micage didn’t fail to catch that.

Different females swooned as the walked by them. Why wouldn’t they? This immortal being was the real definition of ethereal beauty. The vampire king seemed all to used to this kind of reaction, if his satisfied smile was any inclination.

When kirrian had gotten to them, he gave a small nod of acknowledgment in Micage’s direction.

“I see your uncle could not be available tonight to welcome me.” Kirrian said. His irritated tone, if anything, showed he wasn’t very friendly with Armard.

“King kirrian, a pleasure to have you after so many years. I hope you’ve found this evening enjoyable.”

Kirrian smiled and turned to Sera. “If the young one beside you would be willing to entertain me in a dance, I believe my evening would be most enjoyable. As you can see, I fear I have no partner with me tonight.”

Micage stiffened but made no move to refuse. Sera glanced up at him before he finally let go of her hand and allowed Kirrian to whisk her away among the other dancing party guests. When Kirrian arrived at an empty spot, he held her a foot away before bowing slightly.

“Would you grant me the honor of a dance?” He asked playfully. Sera found herself smiling before nodding briefly. With no shyness whatsoever, Kirrian placed his palm dangerously low on the small of her back and glided her through the soft music.

“I see the prince has kept you abreast on the inner workings of the vampire race young one. I could hear your tiny conversation from across the room.” Kirrian said playfully.

“I had never seen a vampire before. I would make sense if I saw one, I would like to gather some info about them. You do have quite the intimidating presence, your Majesty “

“Yet you do not seem at al intimidated by me young one.” Kirrian said playfully.

“You did not try to be intimidating to me, so there is no reason to be intimidated by you, your Majesty.”

Kirrian laughed. A genuine hearty laugh. “What an interesting answer young one. But I must say, your mate has been staring at us the entire time we’ve been dancing. A little stingy of him, wouldn’t you agree young one.” Sera turned and truly, he found Micage watching their every move. His silver mask made the whole image even more dashing.

“I think he’s a little jealous, don’t you think so young one?”

“Jealous of what? We are just dancing. And it’s not like we are married yet or anything.”

Kirrian hummed and nodded. “The two of you will need each other, young one. You will be the one to help him ascend his throne.” Kirrian said, all hint of playfulness gone from voice.

Sera looked at the vampire king, not expecting his serious words. “What do you mean by that?”

Kirrian didn’t say anything but glided her softly, farther, and farther away from Micage’s penetrating gaze. “The prince has started to gauge you young one, to see if you are worthy as an ally, or if you’re just a spy from his uncle.”

“Interesting.” Sera said, casually glancing at Micage. “You seem to know a lot your Majesty. Do you happen to know what led the current king to be in his place, and the current rumors surrounding the prince?”

Kirrian smiled. “Patience little one, the time will come, and you will come to know everything.”

“Why did you come tonight your Majesty?” She asked.

Kirrian smiled mischievously. “If I said I wanted to take you home with me, I doubt your mate over there would so happy about it. Parties like this are almost the best to find beautiful damsels such as yourself. Wouldn’t you think so young one?

Sera didn’t say anything, and the music stopped at that moment. Killian gave a small bow once more, a big smile on his face. “I had a lovely time Sera. I do hope you entertain me a bit more in the future.” Then like a gentle breeze, he disappeared to another side of the room.