Sacrifice in Blood

Chapter 15: Chaos & Fire

The whole setting sent shivers down my spine. The moon was barely visible through the trees above. The branches cast creepy shadows against the fire that burned below.

I have a bad feeling about this.

A congregation of vampires were gathered around the bonfire and this didn't look like a friendly hang out; this was serious.

"-the royals know about our attack on the witches...they'll kill us for acting out on our own!" One vampire shouted, others joined in yelling.

"You have all but declared war on the witches - how does that help us defeat the royals? - how will we defeat two enemies?" Another hissed angrily.

"We cannot defeat them both! The royals will skin us alive for going behind their back!" A female vampire cried out angrily. There was more yelling, everyone talking at once until Severus gestured for them to be quiet. The Children of the Night went silent at his command.

"Be patient, my friends. We will force the Witches' Council to relinquish the location of the ancient grimoire...with it we will possess the ancient powers of the royal family. We will be all-powerful. We will bow to no-one!" Severus shouted. There were cheers and yells of agreement from the crowd of vampires.

The royal family? Were they talking about the Ravenswood family? About Talon?

The conversation notably stopped the minute Mathias man-handled me into view. Everyone turned to look at me, including Talon. His face was expressionless, his dim blue eyes conveyed nothing.

I looked around, no-one was staring at Talon accusingly or were scared by him. The anger of the crowd hadn't been directed at him as I had first thought, though he was definitely being singled out.

What is going on? I thought, confused. Talon is definitely of the royal bloodline. His tattoo...

Was Talon helping them? Had he turned his back on his family?

I searched Talon's eyes for any hint of his intentions. There was none, he stared back blankly.

Do they not know who he is?

Severus' voice snapped me back to reality; "Ah you're here" he said, smiling darkly at me. "Come forward my dear."

Matthias pushed me forward, through the crowd of vampires. There had to be at least twenty gathered. I kept my chin up and stared straight ahead, refusing to be intimidated by the monstrous creatures that surrounded me.

I was definitely shit scared of what messed up plan they had for me next but by the Goddess, I would not let them see it.

"Now after all the talk about your blood, I simply cannot resist," he gestured to me, "I have to taste you myself".

Shit.

That was all I had time to think as Mathias dragged me over to where Severus sat on an old throne-like chair, the centre of the meeting. Mathias stopped short as we reached Severus.

I stood tall, chin high, trying to keep my calm demeanor but my heart was beating fast. I sighed, realising that everyone around me could hear my heartbeat. I wasn't fooling anyone.

Leverage. They still need me for leverage with the High Council. I relaxed slightly.

They can't kill me. Yet.

"Your wrist, my dear," Severus said, an evil grin across his face."Give me your wrist" he challenged, when I didn't move.

Severus stood up from his throne and looked down at me. I felt all eyes on me. I swallowed my fear, he was quite taller than me and looked menacing and powerful.