Realm of Wolves

Tribute

I gasped as pain radiated through my head. My eyelids heavy with exhaustion slowly fluttered open. My vision fuzzy at first start to focus on a dark red spot in front of me. It took a moment for me to realize what I am staring at, dried blood, my blood. Uncomfortable I shifted, and pulled against restraints. My wrists and ankles are bound to a wall behind me.

“You are a slippery one” said a familiar voice. “It took a lot of effort, materials and man power over the course of several days just to bring you here.”

It’s the voice that dragged me here! I looked up and into the blue eyes of a woman with copper red hair. She smiled evilly at me and grabbed my neck. At that moment another realization came to me. She spoke in my language while she pulled me through the medium. I understood what she was saying. 

“You are from my world” I say

The woman beamed “You know the language of this realm. That means you managed to successfully cast a spell here. You are very smart, and prettier than I thought, what a shame. Your puritan blood is needed for my death curse.”

“Blood magic is not a wise practice, there is always a price to pay.”

“Yes, and the price is your life. I know what I am doing my clan taught me well.” She boasted “The more powerful the blood the more effective and potent the spell. As long as the spell end in your life force being extinguished there will be no backlash against me.”

“My mother…”

“I know good and well who your mother is Princess, which is why I choose you. The Coven Queen of Sky Tower is who banished me to this realm.”

My eyes widened as I realized who this woman is “Qassandra of the Deep”

“I go by Minthe now, Luna to the Great Alpha Edric Zeeve and Queen of the Grey Empire."

Luna?

Qassandra continued "Despite your mothers banishment I have made quite a name for myself here. Took a few years but now I am Queen. A Queen who would like to see her son rule this kingdom. The problem with that is my son is the youngest of the seven princes. This is where your blood comes in. You are the pure blooded daughter of Coven Queen Calliope. Once your blood has been spilled I’ll perform the blood curse ceremony killing the other princes leaving my son the sole heir.”

Minthe aka Qassandra of the Deep smirked “It’s like killing two birds with one stone. My blood will rule a realm and I will get revenge.”

“My Queen…” A hooded figure approached from an open door way and kneeled in front of the woman 

“What is it?” She asked quite jovially

“The Great Alpha is on his way here” the hooded figure answered

Alpha?

“What why?” Minthe asked shocked and bothered by this news.

“Perhaps because of the commotion the girl caused when she appeared out of the well.”

“Damn it” Minthe cursed she grabbed a dirty piece of cloth from off the floor and tied it around my mouth “So long as her blood flows and her life is extinguished i’ll be able to complete the curse. Go now and make preparations I have an idea.”

“Yes my queen” The hooded figure scurried away 

A few moments later women wearing long tunics and leather collars appeared dressing the Queen in clothing that had more beading and embroidered designs held together precariously by thin pieces of string.

She looked back at me and shrugged.  “It takes some getting use to but its quite convenient if you know what I mean” she winked

I growled her.

“The Great Alpha has arrived” Announced one of the collar wearing ladies.

“My Alpha” Minthe purred bowing her head at the man that appeared in the door way.

An older gentleman with grey hairs tickling his temples and crease marks on his neck and face appeared at the doorway. His hair is a deep shade of yellow with light wisps of greying strands. His aura is massive, despite his older age he still exuded an air about him that demanded respect. His golden eyes searched the room before settling on me.

“I was told about a girl that appeared in the spring, is this she?” He asked 

“Yes, my love, once news of this phenomenon reached my ears I immediately apprehended her.”

“Why bring her to your palace what are your intentions?”

She wants to use my blood to kill your sons! I wanted to yell out but the rag in my mouth prevented me from doing so. I settled on staring at him intently pleading with my eyes. 

I was thoroughly ignored.

“Since she appeared in my domain I have to assume that she was sent by the goddess of water, storms and seas Meridia. Her message was received by me the high priestess of the temple of water. It is her will to have the maiden be a tribute.”

“Tribute? To which god?” 

They can’t be serious I thought. Deities frown upon human sacrifice they are protectors of the natural order blood sacrifice... any kind of sacrifice be it human or animal is against their code. They prefer festivals in their name and unbending loyalty and service. Why would any deity want you to kill the very thing they are trying to protect? This is ludicrous!

“We are about to enter our harvest season I was thinking the earth deity of your house. The Great Dire wolf Serberus. Meridia has already blessed us with full springs and an abundance of water. It now falls on Serberus to fill our lands with crops” Minthe suggested

“As you wish” The Alpha agreed

My eyes widened. This has got to be some sort of joke. This can’t be happening to me. I am supposed to be attending classes at college right now. I’m supposed to be getting ready for dinner with my friends. I'm suppose to be... I'm not suppose to be here. 

“Spread the word” I hear Minthe barking orders at her servants “There is going to be a sacrificial ceremony at the great temple tomorrow everyone is welcomed to attend.”

I’m not supposed to be here. I cried as tears flowed down my face and unto the puddle of dried blood in front of me. This can’t be how my story ends.