Chapter 8 Mating Night
960 Words
After the banquet revealed the sweet scent of Asta's blood, the Quentin family had no choice but to relocate.
Asta had only been marked by Jake. She hadn't been turned into a vampire.
The freezing temperatures and brutal living conditions in Norvatak made her, a fragile human, want to flee.
"Where are we even going? What is it that's chasing us? Weren't we supposed to be nobles? Talk to me, Jake!"
Asta's patience had reached its limit.
Jake didn't have time to talk with her.
The walkie-talkie beside Jake buzzed to life, bringing news from the family. They were safe now.
The tension that had been gripping Jake eased considerably.
His family had dealt with the stalkers.
After driving for hours, Jake pulled over to rest.
He guided Asta out of the car, giving her water and food.
Surrounded by vampires, Jake had to protect Asta.
One of the vampires made a proposal.
"Jake, we've been protecting you, traveling all this way, and killing other vampires for you. We're worn out. How about a taste of your bride's sweet blood? We'll keep protecting you, and she'll be fine."
"No way." Jake released a wave of power, forcing the speaker back.
But that night, despite Jake's efforts, Asta was kidn*pped by numerous vampires.
"Asta!" Jake managed only a glimpse of her, her hair whipping in the wind as she was dragged away.
"Jake!" Asta screamed, terrified as she saw Jake overwhelmed by vampires, her voice splitting the night.
In a dim cave, flickering firelight revealed figures hunched over.
The sound of swallowing filled the cave.
Asta's face was pale, her arms hanging limp with multiple bite marks on her wrists. The vampires who had taken her had drunk her blood.
Seeing the rejuvenated vampires, Asta suddenly spoke up, "Take me back to Melubora, and I'll keep feeding you my blood."
'Supplying us forever?'
The eyes of several vampires lit up.
"We'll take you anywhere you want, Your Highness. But why Melubora? You know you're already famous there. Many vampires like us are after you."
Asta looked at her still-healing wrists, wrapped them tightly with her clothes, and said fiercely, "I'm going back to kill my sister, Serene! Everything I'm going through is her fault!"
The vampires exchanged glances, remembering the woman who became Hollister's bride.
"Why do you women have to make things difficult for each other?"
The vampires laughed uproariously.
Asta found their laughter grating, but she stood firm in her decision.
"The first thing I'll do in Melubora is find Serene!"
*****
Serene had no idea that Asta was plotting against her.
In the bathroom, Serene stood before the mirror, examining the mark on the back of her neck. The color was fading day by day.
Without new markings, the old one would eventually disappear.
She hadn't found the person who marked her.
Serene walked out of the bathroom, startled when she saw Ian in the room.
She tightened her bathrobe, checking to make sure she was covered.
Ian said, "Oh my God, why do you still stink after your shower?"
In the past, Serene might have lashed out immediately.
Now, she smiled confidently. "Great, at least I know you vampires won't drain me dry!"
Ian chuckled.
"May I remind you that this is my room. You could knock before coming in."
Ian laughed. "What are you talking about? Do I need permission to enter and leave the dining hall?"
Serene gritted her teeth.
'If I find the one who marked me, with a powerful backer in this vampire nest, I'll make Ian's nose bleed.'
"Anyway, you asked what I came for. I'm here to take you to a party." Ian winked mysteriously at Serene.
Serene followed Ian to the manor's garden.
The banquet featured beautiful lighting, flowers, fruits, delicious food, and a crowd of vampires.
"So, what's the occasion?"
Ian brought two glasses of wine from the table, and the liquid was the color of blood.
Serene took one and sniffed it but didn't dare to drink.
"Mating Night!" Ian took a sip and said flirtatiously.
Mating Night was vampires' mating season.
*****
Blinding lights approached from a distance.
Serene watched as women descended from various vehicles.
They didn't have unusual pupils or fangs. They were humans.
She saw women eating fruit and playing with flowers, appearing as if they had been waiting for a long time.
Serene couldn't help but think of the perfect man she had made submit to her.
"Are you coming?" A low, seductive voice suddenly sounded in her ear.
"What?" Serene looked up in surprise. It was Chet, the albino vampire.
"With me?" Chet formed a circle with his left hand and made a crude gesture with his middle finger.
"Excuse me?" Serene found him ridiculous. "Hooking up with a woman whose blood stinks... Are you serious?"
Chet stopped suddenly.
Serene looked at his hand and gave him the glass. "This gesture is disgusting, you albino i***t!"
After cursing him, Serene realized what she had done.
She had just scolded the man who had almost killed her!
Chet stared at her with a dark look in his eyes, filling Serene with fear.
But Chet simply put down his hand and turned to leave.
The wine glass shattered on the ground with a crisp sound.
Serene realized that Chet hadn't harmed her this time.
But Chet had still created more trouble for her.
She faced the disapproving looks of others who had witnessed the scene.
And the shattered glass was hers to clean up.
'But it's okay. I'm just the Hollister family's maid now. Cleaning skills? I've mastered them.'
Serene walked out of the garden to take out the trash when a voice suddenly sounded behind her.
"Why didn't you agree to Chet's offer?"
- Writer
