Bound by Blood

Luciana stood on the highest point of a cliff with eyes closed, listening to the peaceful sound of the water crashing over the shore. Just one step forward, she would fall to her death. But that didn't scare her. In fact, that was her fantasy. The wind blew her long red hair to her face, and the ghost of a smile appeared on her lips. She imagined herself just walking that one step, and her life would be over. What could be more fulfilling than that? What was there to live for when she was all alone? Just as she decided to take that one determining step, someone had to distract her. "Luciana! What are you doing? Get off there!" Annalise yelled at her, her voice laced with concern. She quickly ran over and pulled Luciana away. "What the hell are you thinking? You want to get yourself killed?" She demanded, her tone laced with concern and fear. But the ever strong-headed Luciana turned to her with a very stoic expression. "I am sorry for getting you worried." Luciana uttered unremorseful. Annalise stood there confused, her heart still beating in anxiety of what she almost witnessed. Was Luciana truly going to kill herself? She shook her head, pushing the scary thought to the back of her mind as she ran after her. "Luciana! Wait." She grasped her hand when she caught up, before pulling her to stop. "Why are you doing this? You can talk to me. You got me scared." "I am sorry for scaring you." Luciana responded without looking at her. "We need to go back to the inn as soon as possible. I heard that there is a buyer available. Rumour has it that he is rich. What if he is a marque, or an Earl, or a count, or a viscount..." She said as she gasped dramatically. "Or even a Duke. Life could be better for us. And if you use your feminine charms well, you might be able to get one to marry you." She shared her supposedly brilliant thoughts with Luciana, only to be met with a blank disinterested stare. "I don't want to get married, Annalise." Annalise rolled her eyes. "You are such a joy killer. I would have left you alone, but I am afraid you might jump off the cliff." A rare smile crossed Luciana's lips. It was faint, but it was better than nothing. Still holding her hand, Annalise walked her back to the inn where they had been staying for the past two weeks. They didn't even know the kingdom they were in as they were taken away as slaves. "Where were you, Luciana?" Lady Rowena questioned her as soon as she saw both girls. "You don't want to keep our buyer waiting." Luciana almost rolled her eyes. Of course, they were waiting for their buyer. A person who would buy them. Nothing irritated her more than that. Just two weeks ago, she was living happily with her family before catastrophe befell them. Then she was taken away. Every now and then, a wealthy man or woman, mainly the supernatural beings would come to purchase them as if they were goods. Many of them were bought either to be used as slaves or to make more money for their masters through immoral means. Luciana had not been bought because everyone she was presented before didn't find her appealing enough. They mostly complained that she lacked manners, and she looked too thin. She had ended up receiving a few beatings from the inn's guard anytime they complained about her. This was another time to receive a beating, and she prepared herself. It was nothing to her anyway. Lady Rowena gathered all the ladies outside and lined them horizontally, making them face her. "You all know that an important personality with a high social standing would be coming here to make his purchase today." She began as she slowly walked from one girl to another. "So I expect you all to be on your best behavior, and also remember to look your best. If he touches you, give him your most charming smile. This is a new buyer, and I would like to make a good first impression." Murmurs were heard among the girls before lady Rowena shut them up. "Any questions?" She asked. One of the girls raised her hand. "May we know who this personality is, my lady?" She asked as she gave a polite bow. "It's the prince of Durville." A gasp was heard at the mention of the prince. He was well known for his ruthlessness and thirst for power within and outside his kingdom. He had conquered many kingdoms, expanding his father's already large one. He was also known for his obsession in buying slaves. No one knew the reason. They lived in a society where power ruled. And it was believed that the bigger the kingdom, the more powerful the king. The prince was an asset to his father. "You all should calm down. Be respectful, and do whatever he says. You will be alright." Lady Rowena assured them. "Now you have five minutes to dress up. Make sure you look your best. Use scented oils on your hair and skin..." Luciana wanted to roll her eyes. Lady Rowena always made them dress and appear their finest whenever a buyer was coming, making them appear like they were cared for. "Monica." Lady Rowena called the girl that had at first asked her a question. "This might be your chance. You were almost taken by the viscount's son last time before he noticed Gwen." Monica nodded. "I will do my best, my lady." She said politely, before offering a bow to her. Lady Rowena liked Monica because she was very polite and obedient. She looked beautiful and healthy too. She would probably fetch her a lot of money. Then she moved to stop in front of Luciana. "And you. I don't want you giving me a bad name, so you better behave." Lady Rowena's eyes carefully scanned Luciana and she shook her head, displeased. "You have gotten thinner than the last time we had a buyer. Do you eat at all?" "Yes, my lady." Luciana replied with a dull tone. "Nobody will buy you at this rate. And it cost me money to continue feeding you." Lady Rowena complained. "I never asked you to feed me, my lady." She then looked up at lady Rowena, meeting her eyes. "You were the one who chose to burden yourself." Lady Rowena's face simmered in anger. She would had slapped her, but she didn't want the prince to find any of the girls out of shape. Not that she wasn't already looking bad. Annalise who was standing beside Luciana gently tapped her, reminding her her position. She was already used to Luciana's sharp tongue, but she feared it would get her in real trouble one day. The inn's guard passed by, and his gaze met Luciana's. She knew she was in trouble. He was going to beat her with his werewolf strength again. They should try something new. "Now go." Lady Rowena ordered. The girls quickly left to get themselves dressed. As much as they feared the prince, they saw him as an opportunity to climb higher the social ladder and be free slavery. Annalise brought dresses for her and Luciana, but she came out only to meet Luciana lying on the bed, not minding the girls that had turned the room into a war zone wanting to look perfect. "Luciana please. This is your chance to leave here." Annalise pleaded, knowing how mistreated Luciana was. "How are you sure life with the prince would be better?" She asked with a dry tone. "You get to live in a castle. You get to meet nobilities from far and wide. If you know how to use your charms, you might catch the eyes of one. Who knows, they can help you find your family." Luciana's eyes closed, and she gulped down saliva. "I don't need the castle." Her voice came out in an usually low tone. "You will find them, alright?" Annalise encouraged. Soon, Lady Rowena called them out again. The girls lined up quietly with their heads bowed, as they had been taught to do. Soon enough, voices and footsteps were heard, and they guessed that the prince was there already, but they were not permitted to look up to see him. When the prince began to walk in front of them, some of the girls cowered as they remembered some rumours about him. Lady Rowena took him to Monica, hoping that he would be pleased with her and buy her, but the prince didn't even look at her. His eyes just scanned the line of girls, before turning to lady Rowena. "How much?" His deep voice rang. "For who, your highness?" Lady Rowena asked respectfully. The werewolf guard that had looked at Luciana before, walked up to him. "If I may, your highness..." He began to point out girls for the prince, encouraging him to purchase them. Then he pointed at Luciana and said something she couldn't hear, but she guessed it would not be something nice. He pointed at another girl, and whispered something to the prince with a boyish grin on his face. But when the prince turned to him and the guard stepped back. The prince stared at him like he just said something he shouldn't had said, and he wondered if he had crossed the line with the ruthless prince. Before he could say one more word, the prince grabbed him by the throat from behind. Before anyone could react, he brought out a dagger from beneath his sleeve, and slit his throat, letting him fall to the ground. Dead. He then turned to lady Rowena who had an appalled look on her face. Her mouth was hung open, and she looked like all colour had been drained away from her. "Now how much for all of them?" He asked, while he brought out a white material to wipe the blood off his dagger.