The main hall was now filled with vampires and humans alike, though there was an obvious line between the two species. Not many humans were fond of mingling with a group of monsters that could easily drain them of their blood while not many vampires were fond of the idea of associating with ‘lower life forms. The few who decided to coexist were chatting and laughing in their respective groups.
‘It’s almost like a war here. Like those Underworld movies.’ Evan looked between the groups, meekly sticking to Jason’s side. He knew no one else here, having only been to the manor majority of the time. He’d never tried to associate with anyone nor had they tried interacting with him.
“Hey, Ev let’s eat!” Jason grabbed onto his forearm, hurriedly leading him over to a table that stretched across nearly the entire room, filled with a variety of fancy foods. Despite the temptation, Evan had long before made up his mind when it came to food at this event. Nothing would be eaten nor would he drink a drop of anything served to him unless it came in a sealed pack or bottle.
No chances were going to be taken. Well, that was the plan until a cookie was shoved past his lips. Following the arms to its owner revealed none other than Jason, damn him! He had half a mind to spit the basted thing out if not for the fact it would draw attention to him. So instead, with a heavy, worried heart, he chewed and swallowed, refusing to admit that he craved for another.
Stomach now rumbling for more treats, he focused his attention elsewhere. His eyes landed on a familiar face…faces in fact. The Nolvas sat like the royal family they were on an elevated area f the room, looking down onto the mere ‘peasants’ in their home. By their stiff forms, it wasn’t likely they’d be mingling with the crowd. Which raised the question, how was the ’Young Mistress’ going to meet her mate if she didn’t associate with the people at the party?
A figure dressed in black dashed onto the elevated area taking a seat next to the young female, the eyes of the older men of the family flared at him with utmost hate.
“Looks like Master Mizak showed up pretty late huh?” He called to Jace only to find his friend nowhere around him. Turning in a full circle, his eyes frantically searched for the younger boy. The only person he knew at this party was now nowhere to be found. GREAT!
‘Should I stay here? I should go look for him-’ That thought was immediately shut down. Where would he look? He knew no one here. He didn’t even know where HERE was. Staying put was the only option for now… Fuck.
“Esteemed guests. We are ecstatic to host today’s ball in the event of my daughter’s birthday. As many of you know, a vampire’s 18th birthday is the most important day of their life as it is the day we are bound to our mate for life. Today, my daughter will find her mate among one of you.” Sir Kas stood tall, voice booming across the hall. Many cheers rang through in response, a few of the young men quickly fixing their clothing to possibly impress the young mistress and her family.
“Malara dear. It’s almost time. Go.” The girl nodded, taking a stand, she slowly made her way down the stairs.
‘Time? Time for what?’
As though in answer to his question, a loud gong rang from a clock, quickly followed by the beeping of many wristwatches from nearby vampires.
“The clocks strike 9. May the destined souls find their home.” Lord Kas called once more.
Silence…no one moved nor did they dare speak. Nothing happened. Spoke too soon.
Within an instant, Malara’s eyes switched to the same ruby red he’d seen on Dizzy when she’d attacked that man in the alley. Was she going to kill the humans? Was this some kind of set up and the humans here were just sacrifices for some kind of blood ritual?
Ok, maybe that’s too much. Instead, he returned his focus to the young woman who now walked quickly in the direction to his left. Everyone there parted like the red sea, all eyes glued to her movement. Then she ran. A garbled shout rose from the direction she was going followed by cheers. Someone was now moving in her direction with the same speed.
Finally, the two met in an embrace, quickly capturing the other in a passionate kiss. The once quiet hall was now filled with shouts of joy and cheering. No one caught it, but the seated members of the Nolva family all released a simultaneous sigh of relief, grateful for their youngest’s success as well as the escape of another failed mate ceremony.
“My daughter has found her mate. Come, child, and let us welcome you as one of our family.” Soon enough, Malara stepped onto the elevated platform, hand in hand with a young man. He stood nearly half a foot taller than her with baby blue eyes and hair darker than coal. He had quite a handsome face with a sharp jawline and defined cheekbones that brought out his masculine features. The tux he wore hugged him a bit snuggly showing a slightly muscular build beneath it.
“What is your name, child?”
“I am Varik Drag’gor my lord.”
“There is no need for such formalities my son. As of now, you may address me as ‘father’.”
“Thank you, father.” The two shook hands, the young male refusing to look away from his mate the same way she refused to pry her gaze from his face. Lord Kas didn’t seem offended by this, however, and instead smiled brightly at their display.
“May you both find happiness with one another. Go now and learn more of each other.” Varik, who hadn’t once released Malara’s hand, now pulled her along to a door at the side of the hall that ed who knows where.
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“Everyone else, please, enjoy the rest of your night here in comfort and leisure. Let us celebrate my daughter and her mate as they are now bound for eternity. The music kicked up once more as many found partners to dance with.
In all that had happened, Jason was still nowhere to be found. Evan’s worry, previously lost due to his curiosity, was now returned at full force. He mentally spoke every curse he knew against his friend, briefly making up his mind to finally move from the spot he’d been glued to since his arrival.
Muttering apologies, he pushed past a few people in his path, stopping now and then to ask a few humans if they’d seen his friend, giving a brief description each time. Not many gave him the time of day but those who acknowledged him gave negative answers. Jason had vanished into thin air as no one had seen or heard him all night.
Evan now stood in a beautiful garden as one of the patrons had informed him that a boy matching his description had gone this way. The garden was filled with exotic plants of all shapes and sizes along with various small woodland critters. The occasional rabbit would hop into his line of sight before scurrying away within seconds of noticing him.
“You there! Is the party inside not to your liking?” A voice from behind startled him, nearly causing him to fall headfirst into the fountain if not for the hand that braced his fall. How embarrassing that would have been.
“My apologies. I did not mean to startle you. I suppose I should have announced my presence beforehand. Despite that, however, my previous question still goes unanswered. Were you quite bored inside?” Looking up, Evan could now put a face to the voice.
The man holding him upright looked to be in his early twenties, cleanly shaven and quite the firm build. The red flag that stared him in the face, however, was that he was now alone in this garden with what was quite literally a threat. A vampire now stood between him and the only exit.
“Your silence speaks volumes you know. It seems you're aware of your situation.” The stranger’s grip around his midsection now tightened a malicious look in his eyes and mouth curling into a devious smirk. “Don’t you know not to wander off into places you don’t know?”
He did. He knew that better than anyone yet still here he was. In an unknown garden with some unknown stranger who no doubt was going to end his short-lived life. What a fool he was to break his routine for someone he’d been foolish enough to dub his ‘first friend’. Where was that first friend now? If not for Jason he would be comfortably resting at home…at the manor with his parents.
“Don't YOU know not to harass guests, especially at the Nolvas’ house?” Another voice rang out. “Why not share him with me and I won’t spill to the royal family. Good deal for you isn’t it?”
“And who the fuck do you think you are? If you wanted to get him you should have been in here earlier so I suggest you butt out before we end up with a dead human AND a dead vampire buddy.” During all of this, Evan’s heart seemed to have been racing even faster than the night of his first attack. Not out of fear but something else. A soothing feeling was now flowing within his veins as though some unknown force was telling him he would live. So he gave into that feeling.
“Heh, I’ve never heard someone speak to me like that before not even once. It seems as though you don’t know who I am. Shall I step into the light and reveal my identity to you?” Without waiting for a response, footsteps seemed to be coming closer to where Evan and his new captor were.
“You have a lotta nerve trying to scare me off like you’re some bigshot. You don’t know who I am. I’m one of Lord Kas’ close friends.” His voice was smug and prideful in Evan’s ear but his words were quite clearly a lie. Despite not knowing about the man for more than 2 days, he could already tell that the Lord would never associate with someone like this man.
“Oh? A close friend you say? I suppose he'll take your side over mine if I were to report this little incident to him then, right?”
“Damn right. So I suggest you scram, punk.”
“Are you so sure about that though?” The voice was now right next to him and, soon enough, Evan felt the arms around him let go entirely as his body harshly hit the dirt floor below.
“Y-young M-master I-”
“Oh no no no, there’s surely no need for such formalities or fear between us. You ARE one of my father’s close friends correct?”
“I- I apologize for my impudence sir I was merely joking!” The one previously holding him captive was now bowing with his head to the floor, fear and urgency in his quivering voice.
“Ah, I see. It was all a joke, was it? Were you in on it as well human?” Seeing as the question was directed to him, Evan picked his body up from the floor and glanced up at the one addressing him. What are the odds he’d meet this man again?
“O-of course he was. The human and I we-”
“I believe I was speaking to that human. I want nothing more from you or you’ll be filled with silver within seconds. Now, human. Answer me. Were you a part of this ’joke’ or not?”
“I-I wasn’t. I w-was looking for my friend whom I attended the party with but we got separated earlier. Someone told me they saw him come here but this man captured me when I came in.”
“Is that so? It seems I’ve been lied to. Did you not say he was a part of your joke? Or is he the one lying to me?”
“HE’S THE LIAR MY LORD, I SWEAR IT!!” His head shot up, eyes all but pleading for mercy. The one standing above him raised a hand in a silencing motion and his head returned to its place on the floor.
“I’ll let you in on a little secret here… what’s your name?”
“L-Lefron, young master.”
“Very well Lefron. I’ll let you in on this secret of mine. You see the human sitting next to you while you bow your head like an obedient dog?”
“Y-yes, sir?”
“Even if this had all been an act, he would still live.” Lefron’s head shot up and in the same second a shot was fired from a small pistol the young master held behind his back the entire conversation.
Lefron’s body now slowly disintegrated from the inside out, ash blowing with the wind despite there being no windows to assist it.
“Are you alright? Did he manage to bite you?” The young lord stood above Evan, gazing down at him with those familiar enchanting lilac eyes.
“No. Thank you for saving me… young lord.”
“You know my name. Use it.” The elder smiled a cheeky grin.
“Thank you, Mizak.”