BLOOD OF KHARIS

CHAPTER 5: FEAR

"Did Arne's presence frustrate you that much? Your mood has been a bit sour since earlier," Gisella asks her friend as they knead the dough in the kitchen. Apparently, they were not to only work in their assigned chambers but also where help was demanded. A good number of the men were outside, cutting the grass that had spiraled out of control, Arne thankfully was one of them. Unfortunately for Kharis, he was already famous among the ladies.

"We have not been here for a day Gisella. A.day. How on earth is that man so popular already?" she fumes, taking her fists out on the dough.

"She wasn't able to get her morning ration, Gigi," Greta says with a sad smile. Kharis looks at them, "Both of you were certainly not present when I got to the quarters, so how is it that you're fed?"

Gigi and Greta look at themselves before looking at their friend and then going back to concentrating on the dough.

"You accepted to be their breeders, didn't you?"

"Oh enough with that term Kharis. These vampires see us as breeders, not our fellow humans. If you talked to them with an open mind you'll see that they're just trying to protect us," Gisella explains.

"Protect us? They want your flower, your rose, your budding seed, whatever you want to call it. Unless they confess their undying love for you, and you witness this undying love firsthand, especially in the face of fear, you'll see how truly selfish they are."

"Well, I'd rather die knowing I gave their protection a shot than dying alone knowing I might've been alive if I accepted, not asked, but accepted their help."

"You'd rather face betrayal before you die than die alone? Wow, Gisella, you are really something-"

"Enough...the both of you. Judging each other based on your decision is worthless, you both reason differently."

"You're right. I'm done here," Gigi says, grabbing her finished dough, and taking it to the baker before leaving the kitchen.

Kharis lets out a soft sigh as she goes back to kneading. Greta touches her hand, making their eyes meet.

"You're usually the one that's calm among us. It seems not eating took a hard toll."

"I don't know when I'm going to eat again if I'm going to eat again. Surely, the mercy of the Lord of this manor will not last. I'm just trying to stay alive, now I question if it's worth it."

Greta smacks her hand, clearly upset by her words.

"If there is something I know you can do, it is to make the best out of any situation."

Kharis gives her a small smile, "I'll try."

Both women finish their dough and hand it to the baker before heading to their assigned rooms.

The black beauty listens against the door of the study for any signs of life, then carefully opens it with much strain and peaks inside. Confirming no one is there, she enters and begins her work. Since the place had been cleaned only hours before, she doesn't waste time finishing everything she is to do, taking her time on the bookshelves.

As she heads to the door, the scent of the scrolls and books slaps her in their direction.

"Just a peak," she tells herself, as she looks at the door, then rushes to the shelf, picking out the first book her hand touched.

Opening it, she flips through the pages, finally understanding that these are records of war strategies. How...interesting.

Boom! The door to the study busts open, and Kharis stands up immediately, the book in her hand dropping to the floor.