Darke Chronicles I: Where the Departed Come to Die

A Darke Deception

Banquets were different from just your plain, simple, average meal. They were grander, there was more people involved, and most importantly it would mean that there would be drama.
At least that would bring some form of entertainment for Alma on this particular night, she wasn't going to get it anywhere else.

At the High Table, she was able to see all of the guests, including their watchful eyes. Alma did not know what she was expecting, she was a princess after all. People were supposed to be mindful of her but also wary. Alma was not like most vampires. The majority of vampires did not have abilities, some did but even fewer had more than one. The Count was able to read minds, most vampires could. Telepathy was the default. He was also able to transform into a bat. Alma had the ability to change forms, her two favourites were a raven and a cat, her feathers and fur were as dark as her usual ebony locks. No one, not even the Count, had an explanation for Alma's abilities. She had grown to forget asking those types of questions because she doubted she would be able to find answers to them. 

From her seat, she could hear Mila and Mina converse about the latest fashions from Paris whilst Daniela simply drank from her golden goblet, bejewelled with rubies. In her own hand, Alma swirled the liquid with her little finger inside her own chalice. She did not blink for the entire meal, she didn't need to. Her mind was elsewhere and she was merely focused on the minds of the human guests. None of them had any idea what was about to befall them. If she was younger, she might have been enthralled but she was not. She was terribly bored. She had turned her attention onto the table with the De Corbins. Even when she should be attentive to another, she found herself forever looking towards Lady Sélene de Corbin. 

"You should be happy for her, child." Lord de Corbin whispered coldly towards his eldest daughter. "She will marry Lord Darke, do you not understand that this is the opportunity of a lifetime?" 

Ah yes, they were talking about her, of course they were. 

Sélene held her head high above the others on the table, even higher than her father.  Sélene had five sisters. Fleur, Coralie, Rosalie, Fayette and Avril. All beautiful but none of them matched the eldest, not in looks or in her kindness. Alma had spoken to them once, when, on the rare occasion they accompanied their father, they had come to the castle. Sélene was different than not just her family but vampires as a whole. When she had the choice, she would choose to consume the blood of animals rather than humans. Alma had tried that once, her appetite was not appeased. Some vampires could not contain animal blood, they would shrivel up and starve. It was better to not fight nature it would seem. 

The two of them briefly caught one another's eyes from across the banquet hall. Alma frowned, she desired to be with Sélene. No one else could delight her the way she could. 

"Daughter," Mila cleared her throat, snapping Alma out of her trance. "Alma?" 

"Sorry." Alma shook her head. "What were you saying?" 

Mila chuckled, "I was asking if you are looking forward to your engagement?" 

Alma already knew that Mila already knew her answer. What annoyed Alma more than anything else was that although she had not officially been proposed to, everyone knew, including herself, that she would be marrying anyway. She just wished she had a say in her future groom. She felt no love towards Darke, or any other man for that matter. 

"Oh, yes." Alma answered, feigning a smile. 

Mila sneered, she hated pretending but so did Alma so she couldn't care less. 

The night continued, the music began to slow down and the Count rose from his throne, a goblet in his hand. The vampires in the room knew to look towards him but the humans simply continued until a little bell was rang.