Soulmates Kiss

Every year my town places the recent high school graduates out for a selection to the Royal Vampire clan and its not just, let's send them there to be slaves it's more like let's send them there to become part of the clan. Yes you heard that correctly, we are set out like pieces of display art to become Vampires. This was something that has been occurring for many generations and it was a form of peace that the King and Queen came up with, with our Village Elders. Last year my sister was set out and she is beyond perfect to become one. A total Ice Queen with the impossibly perfect long black hair and big brown eyes. She was my worst tormentor in school, but she was passed over and now it's my turn and she has been nothing but horrible to me. "Mom I don't even know why you are placing her out, it's not like she'll be selected. I mean honestly why would they select her when they didn't even select me." Raven arched her brow and sneered at me over her breakfast. "Raven be nice!" My mother scolded her "Why?, it's not like it'll matter either way. One she is chosen and goes into slavery till they turn her into one of them or kill her. Two she is not chosen and goes off and finds someone to marry then becomes his problem and not mine anymore." With that all said she stood up and walked away to get ready for the choosing ceremony. "Mom, she is right. They won't choose me and then some guy will marry me and I'll just become his baby maker or something." I sighed looking into the bowl of oatmeal my mother had placed in front of me about twenty minutes ago. "Autumn let me tell you this. If you are not chosen then that is okay, and if you are chosen then you will go and become the best version of you that you can be." My mother kissed my head "Now go and put on the dress and I will braid your hair for you." My mother was right if I am chosen then I will be the best at whatever it is that they choose for me to be and if I am not then I will be the best broodmare for my future husband I can be. Laughing to myself I walk the stairs to my room and see the dress my mother has laid out for me. I laugh it is a deep red with a corset lace up bodice and a flared skirt. The straps are loose and hang off my shoulders. I look at myself in the mirror and don't feel all that beautiful but I do notice something on the bodice of the dress. My mother stitched in snowflakes for me and I couldn't help my smile. Slipping on the black heels I walk down the stairs to where my mother is waiting for me in the living room. She turns and lets out a small gasp at seeing me and I feel as if it's because my thoughts were correct that I'm not beautiful. "Come and sit on the stool and I'll braid your hair back so your eyes can be seen." she guides me to the foot stool and starts to braid my hair and her hands are so skilled and fast that its only moments before she is done. "There that will be easy for you to take out later if I am not there to help you. Autumn you look amazing I just want you to remember one thing as you stand up there. Just remember to keep your head high and your eyes open, do not let them see you cry." "Yes Mamma, I will." I hugged her and we walked out the door towards the center of town As I walked into the center of town and took my place I could hear everyone whispering and praying that their child was not taken tonight. Sitting in my seat awaiting the arrival of the Vampire Clan my best friends came and sat on either side of me. "Wow, you look um stunning. I almost didn't recognize you and wouldn't have if it wasn't for that hair of yours." Sara nudged my elbow laughing a little trying to make the stress we were all feeling a little less "Wow she looks more like a freak! I hope they take you away Flour!" My sister Raven yelled from her place in the crowd with her friends. "Don't listen to her, she's just jealous." Tim spoke knowing how much I hate that stupid nickname she gave me. Just because my hair is white like flour it doesn't mean she has to call me that. Sighing I just sat up straighter and focused on the cars that were approaching now that the sun is setting. Taking a deep breath this was it, the time has come for the selection to begin and all of our lives to change. They pulled up in only four cars, two were for the selected while the other two were for the Royals and their guards. "Welcome our King and Queen to this years selection. We hope that these future prospects are to your liking and your needs." Our village elder spoke and that was our signal to stand and be inspected "We shall see." The Queen spoke while her and the King walked towards us. They walked around us and looked us up and down. Some poked us or sniffed us and others just sat back and glared at us from a distance or not at all. The process didn't take but ten minutes because our class was only twenty or so. "Not a big selection this year. Though we will move on to the next task. I wish to see any special talents they posses." The Queen spoke and when she did she looked like she was unimpressed with us all. "I...I am sorry my Queen that there are not that many this year." He clapped his hands together "Students show them your skills starting with you Timothy Archer." "My skill your majesties lays with weapons, the sword is my strongest but I am not bad with others. If you would like me to demonstrate I can." Tim dropped to one knee after he spoke "You will do nicely with our Guards, Michael he will be yours. Train him in our ways and then make him a guard." The King spoke this and that was the first time I heard him say a word. "Sara Benedict you are next." he spoke from his list and I knew he was going in alphabetic order "I can cook and bake. I can make the fanciest or the simplest of meals or deserts that you could wish for." She bent to one knee "How does this apply to us?" One of the members spoke "I have created these things with the use of blood as my main ingredient as well. Allowing the clan to appear human when needed." "I wish her to be mine. To work in the kitchen with me" A handsome man spoke "She will do well and together we can accomplish many things in the kitchen" "As you wish Roland. You may either turn her or do what you wish with her, she is yours" The Queen spoke and it was done What felt like years later and only roughly 4 more chosen it was finally my turn "Autumn Ranger, tell them your skill. She is the last as you may see so please forgive me on this." the village elder sat then Great all eyes were on me and I could hear my sister laughing. I looked around for my mother but I couldn't seem to find her but I did find someone. "I have skills in many areas not just one. I can cook and bake, sew and create clothing. I have skills with weapons and metal smithing. I can sing and play the piano as well." Just as I finished speaking the moon came out to play from behind the clouds. It was a full moon tonight and the Fall Equinox. Taking a deep breath I dared to look at the man I saw before and he was staring right at me. "Your hair is as white as..." before the Queen could finish the man spoke "Snow" Everyone turned towards him instantly and shock and energy ran through the village. Who was this man? Before anything else could be said or done he opened the door to the SUV and slid in and shut us all out with a thud of the door. Startled I dared to peak at the King and Queen who were now standing on either side of me. "She is the last to come with us. We will see you next year." With that the selection was over and my new life in the Vampire Clan would begin. As I walked towards the cars my mother reached out and grabbed my hand and said a faint goodbye to me. I saw Raven and she was furious. I could see the hatred she already had for me boiling over. The one I heard called Michael ushered us into the last car and shut the door. "Well at least we are together." Sara spoke and we drove off towards the castle and the grounds of the Vampire Clan.