Hell's Consort

Crouching on a platform high above the crowd, Luna watched the scene below with wide eyes and clenched fists.

Two blazing fires erupted from the enormous fireplaces at the ends of the halls.

It didn't make sense to her at first, considering vampires were cold-blooded creatures, but then Cederic mentioned that they had guests from the other realms who wished to forge alliances and be in the Vampire King's good graces.

Golden light from the torches that lined the walls spilt through the room and was reflected off by the goblets, sword hilts, and jewels.

The cup-bearers filled empty flasks, with a never-ceasing flow of red liquid, the moment another toast was that lifted the goblets high in the air--was it grape wine or blood?

"We are late, my lady. The concubines have been announced."

"I think the banquet has already started," Luna observed, her nose wrinkling at the rich aroma of the meat.

Swallowing hard, her stomach had churned, reminiscing of the time she fed herself of fish and fruits.

Luna's stomach rumbled, and she pressed it with both hands to curb the sound.

"Not really. It's rude to deprive the guests of food during the celebrations."

"It's ruder for the guests to eat without the presence of the Vampire King."

"Wait and see. There is an order for this specific gathering." Cederic whispered. "Just shut your lovely lips and stick to me."

The harps and violins struggled to make themselves heard over the loud noise in the hall.

Cederic watched her as her eyes were drawn to a table platform.

Luna nudged Cederic. "What is that man doing here?"

The colour in her cheeks paled when she recognized the werewolf who had invaded the Amazon's refuge.

His head was thrown back in laughter as he leaned toward the familiar-looking brunette whose hands rested intimately on his arm.

"A visitor." Cederic shook his head. "He claims he is an alpha who just claimed a territory near the Vampire Kingdom's borders and wanted to form an alliance."

"How do these guests get in, Cederic?" Luna asked anxiously. "Did they force their way in, or were they invited freely?"

"We deactivated our shield against outsiders during celebrations like these. It's essential to make friends with the neighbours and pick out potential enemies among them."

A green tint replaced Luna's pallor as she recognized the woman with the werewolf alpha.

Astarte, the traitor of the Amazons. Luna would not permit the bitch to see her dressed like a vampire's whore.

Over her dead body.

Her gaze traced the table where they sat—laughing, cheering, and raising their goblets to toast were his favoured betas and sentinels.

Tall and well-built, a tilt to their heads implied, yet demanded, that they deserved respect.

They sat like kings themselves, surrounding the werewolf alpha, wearing soft leather vests and forest green shirts and breeches.

"Take me back!" Luna said, panic flaring in her eyes as Cederic reached out a hand to steady her. "I said take me back! Now! Please, Cederic!"

"What is it?" Cederic gripped her elbow to lead her back to the alcove. "The vampire king will come out at any moment. Are you changing your mind about becoming a High Priestess? I didn't take you for a coward earlier, my lady."

Mistaking his tighter grip to keep her trapped, she whirled to find herself tangled in the red velvet curtain that had been waiting for just this opportunity to lose itself from its ties and fall to the floor below, covering several dancers.

For the third time in that endless day, Luna found all eyes upon her as the music slowed to a halt.

Cederic was beside her immediately, supporting her.

The werewolf alpha stood slowly, his blue eyes locked on hers before they trailed over her tall, slender form before him.

Every muscle in her body tensed when she met Astarte's gaze.

She looked about ready to commit murder when Luna found her eyes on hers.

Seeing Luna's panicked eyes, Cederic flung out an arm with poise. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please."

Cederic halted until the group could extricate itself from the heavy curtains.

Only his hand, propelling her forward, prevented Luna from fleeing.

"As you know, we have recruited new females into the Consortium. This young lass was one of them—a consort who aspired to be the Kingdom's new high priestess. Everyone knows there hasn't been one in centuries. I think this calls for a celebration along with the proclamation of the concubines."

A shaky cheer rose from the crowd as they turned to Fei, the ancient High Priest, unsure of what their reaction should be.

Fei began to stroke his beard in his seat.

A motion Cederic knew only too well.

Cederic cleared his throat and spoke louder. "This lovely damsel, even in her weakened condition--due to certain circumstances, has requested to join us and take her vows---"

"Only two traits are needed to pass the test," Fei said, his deep voice reverberating throughout the room. "A woman's virginity is sacrificed to the gods and goddesses to become a High Priestess. This female needs to be a virgin, Cederic."

Cedric rolled his eyes. "She is a virgin consort. A war prize. Need I say more?"

"She should have a little bit of magic running in her blood," Fei muttered.

"Well, we will not know if we will not try."

Stronger applause greeted his words this time.

"If the Book of Hecate accepts her blood, then we can proceed, " Fei announced, "If she is not eligible, then I guess she will either be thrown into the dungeons or taken to the guillotine just like her predecessors who attempted to lie and break the rules."

Cederic smirked at the old man. "I will place a high vote of confidence on this lady who has more of the traits you will find valuable in the future as a mentor, Fei. She will be greater than you are and exceed your expectations."

Luna plastered a smile on her face even as she hissed at Cederic out of the corner of her mouth, "You carry this too far, my lord."

"Fei will hate you more. Trust me. It will be advantageous for you," Cederic murmured. "And pissing the warlock off is another one of my favourite things to do. I just could not let go when a chance presented itself."

"You play with my life, Cederic," Luna whispered back. "Why would this be advantageous for me?"

"If he hates you too much, he will leave you to your own devices sooner rather than later. He has a habit of breathing down people's necks. You don't want to be monitored by the High Priest while you sleep, wouldn't you? Annoy him as much as you can, but do not get killed for it."

Nice advice.

Fei stood slowly, his eyes locked on Luna as a path cleared through the crowd, a path to the centre of the room as a magic book and a staff manifested themselves in his wrinkled hands.

Drawing a deep breath, she forced her feet to move from the platform and walk down the stairs to meet the High Priest.

Anonymous hands reached out from the crowd to touch her arms and shoulders.

She shied away, unsure of their motives until she realized there was wordless sympathy in the hands that propelled her to Fei.

Stepping up on the dais, she flinched as the crowd stood one by one from their seats, vampires and non-vampires alike.

Cederic was leisurely studying his leather boot as if this monumental event bored him.

Fei extended his hand, and she could sense from its rigidity that failure to take it would have severe repercussions.

Fei's voice remained carefully neutral as he said for all to hear, "Take a Blood Oath, consort, and swear your vow of celibacy. As the High Priest and your master, your teacher, and your mentor, you are obliged to break the Vampire King's curse in one year. Swear it on your honour as the future High Priestess."

"As the High Priestess, I vow to uphold my celibacy for a year until I break the Vampire King's curse and help him recover from it. I will demand that my wish be granted by the Vampire King if I fulfil my vows."

Fei slipped a knife from his arm sheath and sliced a cut into her palms.

The pain was bearable compared to the life she would have been living as a consort or a plaything for the rest of her life.

Freedom required sacrifices such as these, but Luna didn't mind as long as she would get what she wanted in the end.

She let her blood drip on the lock on Hecate's Book of Spells.

The heavy safety lock disintegrated and dropped onto the floor with a loud thud. A hushed silence filled the hall.

"The goddess of magic has approved. You indeed have magic in your blood," Fei said in awe. "The staff of Delphi will be yours from now on. You can use it to predict the future with the visions it will show once it has warmed up to its new owner."

Luna accepted the staff. Dropping to one knee, Fei brought her hand to his lips. "High Priestess."

A throaty cheer travelled through the crowd, so only Luna heard Fei's words as he leaned into her as he asked, "And your allegiance?"

Without giving her a chance to respond, Cederic straightened and pulled Luna away from the High Priest as he gestured for everybody to remain silent.

"The lady has already sworn her allegiance to me," he said clearly to everyone, well, most specifically, to Fei. "There is no need for her to repeat herself."

+++

Edited by RedPandaChick