ONEUS 18 + Blood Moon - Vampire - (Book 1)

Ceremony Part 19

Lightning strikes of panic and pain travelled through Neoma's mind restricting her ability to focus as she weakly asked, 'Why?' Keonhee sat casually as he raised his leather clad knee to his chin and regarded her with cool indifference, 'The question is not why, but, why not?' smiling again with the same tight insincerity Keonhee continued, 'Cast your mind back Princess, you may recall the little anecdotal tale I regaled to you all of the sisters I saved from peril?' Neoma frowned as the memory of the evening that Keonhee told his story of saving a pair of sisters from a stalking servant rushed to her mind. 

Along with this, came the associated painful memories of the subsequent choices that she had made during that same evening. It was the same night that she had asked both Hwanwoong and then Ravn to turn her. Recognising her face flinching with acknowledgement, Keonhee continued, 'As fate would have it, I was able to establish an association with one of the young ladies, we shared an enemy in common' pausing once more, Keonhee whispered in her ear, 'their brother.'

Neoma watched on as Keonhee smiled genuinely this time, clearly enjoying her confusion. Reaching out, he softly stroked her trembling lower lip as he stated, 'Perhaps it will be helpful to you if I shared their names, I am certain you have read of them' pausing he revealed, 'Selene and Eos' he said, smiling wider as he acknowledged the revelation creating a flow of comprehension through her muddled mind. Neoma recognised the names as the sisters of Helios, the sun god who had turned the monarchs. 

'The beautiful Selene made me an offer I couldn't refuse' Keonhee's eyes glowed with the memory as he continued, 'Join her side as god of the moon, on the provision that I bring the world eternal night, thus destroying Helios forever.' Neoma's eyes widened in fear as she recalled her father telling her of the red moon ceremony that the servants had tried to perform when he was a child. Thankfully, the monarchs had protected him, the irony that her demise would be at the hands of her fathers protectors left a bitter taste in Neoma's mouth. Keonhee's smile became laced with sympathy, 'It is regretful that the ceremony must involve the end of your life,' he stated with sincerity, 'But, all trials are challenges to be met with faith and accepted as an opportunity for growth.'

Neoma felt a chill running through her bones as the phrase that Keonhee was so fond of saying now held a sinister double meaning that he had been aware of all along. Leaning in he continued with disturbing playfulness, 'I have already tried on the crown' he winked. Neoma looked at him, unable to suppress the tears of rage and terror submerging her soul. Keonhee's sinisterly handsome face began to swim before her as the dizziness continued to consume her. To her relief, she became aware of Xion re-emerging from the shadows. As he approached them, Neoma's relief was replaced with further apprehension as she noted his lack of emotion and clear disinterest at her obvious plight.

Xion began to slowly circle the pair before perching himself down beside Neoma. Reaching out, he began to slowly stroke her hair in a gesture of eerily contradicting reassurance. As Neoma lay in helpless inebriation, Keonhee handed him the dagger and keenly observed as Xion took Neoma's hand. Xion's remotely aloof expression remained unchanged on his boyishly beautiful face as he pressed the blade against Neoma's wrist. Neoma attempted to wriggle from his grasp, but felt herself becoming increasingly weaker and sleepier. 

The last thing that Neoma saw before she succumbed to unconsciousness was Keonhee removing a clear stoned necklace from his shirt. Keonhee held the necklace under her wound, catching the large ruby drops that splashed onto the clear stone transforming it into a deep crimson. Satisfied, Keonhee placed the necklace around his neck, discreetly tucking it under his shirt.

Keonhee and Xion's eyes met over Neoma's unconscious form. 'We should go and change' suggested Keonhee, 'The others will be here soon and it is the height of bad manners not to be appropriately dressed for the occasion.' Xion provided a none committal half smile and joined Keonhee as they disappeared into the shadowy archways.