VALERIA

Chapter Twelve.

There they were, all stuffed inside of King Lacertus's carriage. It was a dark silver in color, embellished in red with gold trimming. The driver tonight was oddly enough Nin, who wasn't driving at all and rather used her magic to man the reigns whilst she filed her long, black nails. Batty noticed creatures such as cereberuses, pegasus, and unicorns seemed to be used as the pulley for most forms of transportation in the forest. Tonight it was shadowy black steeds, their eyes glowing like beacons of light as they raced along the rickety roads.

Batty felt awfully constrained squashed between Lacertus and one of his minotaur guards. At least he was hot though. He was beefy and fully bearded. Slightly tanned too! Weird, considering they were stuck here in a shaded forest, but she didn't question it. Across from them was Connor and Cassius, plenty of room between them. Connor seemed tense and awkward, but clearly smiling to cover it up.  Cassius was too busy looking longingly out of the window, as though he were regretting coming after all.

The overall mood was a punch in the stomach. And Batty still wasn't sure if Cassius got the journal or not. She shifted a little, smiling apologetically at her seat mates as she did so. Lacertus tapped his fingers on the ball of his staff, "Rather quiet tonight, isn't it?" He said after awhile of silence, the only sound being heard is the stallions' hooves on the road. "I think I can speak for Batty and I both when we say we're just a . . little rattled." That was Connor, sounding as though he couldn't wait to open his mouth.

"Ah, that's right. Last visit, you had quite the run in," Both of the teenagers' faces fell at that. "But not to worry, my children. Azalea has plenty of . . er, solutions to party jitters." Batty wrinkled her nose at the sound of that. "Uh, no thanks. Last time I drank something here, I got banged by a bunch of vampires." She folded her arms crossly. Lacertus leaned back into his seat, "I apologize. Innocence is . . one powerful rush."

"What does that even mean?" Batty frowned pointedly.

"Demons and succubi feed off of innocent souls but what most are unaware of is that the innocence itself can be concentrated. And that alone can be intoxicating."

"So like, a child could be . . "

"Worth a lot to some demons. That's why they commonly request first borns."

"Is there other monster drugs?" Connor asked out of curiosity.

"A vampire's blood to humans, a fairy's dust, an angel's tears . . " Lacertus continued.

"Well technically, angel and mermaid tears are meant for healing purposes unless you over use . . " Cassius slipped in with a mutter.

Lacertus waved his hand, "Boring! You'll see, my children. That is, if you wish to dabble with us." In his palm appeared a knife. He then beckoned Cassius, "Arm, if you will?" The vampire prickled. "Are you kidding me, Lacertus?" He deadpanned, but the King did not retract. Cassius sighed and slowly extended his arm forward. Connor blinked, "What's happening?" The King lifted the knife and held it to the underside of the vampire's arm. "A little pregame? Yes?" He looked between the two teenagers.

"Are you crazy? No! Not from him!" Batty hissed, shoving Cassius's arm away. The vampire looked briefly anxious before he huffed, "Yeah, no thank you, your majesty." The King paused. It was unknown how he was feeling with the skull obscuring his true face, but Batty could guess he was growing impatient. Suddenly, a black snake of shadow curled around him and materialized as Nin. She held a flask — the same one from the party.

"Or perhaps you'd enjoy something . . ," She took a sip, then pressed her lips to the King's. Well, his mask. She swallowed slowly. " . . More potent." A strange stirring of rage began in Batty's stomach at the sight in which she promptly buried. "No, thanks, we said!" Luckily, the demoness left it at that. Her and a giggly King consumed the flask's contents together — fresh innocence. Batty shuddered with a scowl and turned away towards the window.