CHAPTER 5:
I felt beyond weak by the time we'd gotten to the palace gates.
I spent the whole night crying.
Everything that happened yesterday was like a dream until I saw the blood stain on my body.
The painful memories of losing me-maw and the tears in Eri's eyes came crashing back and they crashed hard.
Couldn't someone just kill me already?
Life didn't seem worth living anymore.
I watched the guards open the huge palace gates.
Everything looked nice though we were only following one straight path to the entrance.
There were humans working in the gardens with little smiles on their faces.
I would kill for a job in the gardens or kitchen.
Anywhere that was far away from a vampire.
There were also cage-carriages that had humans locked up inside.
So, I'm guessing they went to other parts of the Redlake.
The vampires lived in the middle of everything while humans lived by the edges like on the outskirts.
From what me-maw told me, there were about six to seven different villages excluding ours.
Some people are actually related but can't see each other because if they get caught going to another town, that'll be the end.
I shifted closer to the bars when I felt something odd in my dress.
There was a necklace with a blue crystal that was the center of attention.
How'd this get in my clothes?
I've never seen something like this in my life.
Where did it come from?
Yes, I'm a thief but I only steal food.
Besides what am I doing with a piece of jewelry that I couldn't eat.
Not to sound like a backward savage but from how I grew up, food comes before any other thing.
If this came with me from the village then I'm going to die with it.
The carriage came to a stop and the sound of footsteps filled my ears.
"alright you good for nothings; get down and don't make me drag you out" our captor yelled and opened the cage.
I was the first to fly out.
It was getting a little stuffy in there.
The guard didn't even allow us to stretched before pushing us off to where the slaves were gathering.
Before we got there, he asked our names and wrote it down.
For reasons we'll find out later rather than sooner.
I hoped.
The place was full and in front was like a platform.
I looked around and saw so many people.
Some looked worse than I did.
Others looked a bit better.
The place was dead silent.
Guess everyone was afraid to do something that would get them into trouble.
There were vampire guards everywhere so even if we wanted to run, they would stop us.
Not like a human could outrun anything come to think of it.
"ahem attention" there was a woman who was standing on the platform.
She looked to me in her mid-fifties.
Her black and white dress was up to her knees with black shoes.
"this isn't a summer holiday for you all. You were selected for a reason and it certainly isn't to fool around" she was serious.
"forget about your old lives because there's no going back; except in your next life. Think of the bright side, you all were the chosen ones. You're meant to feel honored serving the King"
This lady was beyond sick to think any of us would be happy being a slave.
I looked around and saw everyone had the same dull expression on their faces.
"all of you are here to serve the royal vampires family. There are certain do's and don'ts you have to follow before we assign you to your various work places. Rule one: speak when spoken to. Rule two: life starts early so you have to get your butts off the bed by 5:30. Tardiness will not be accepted"
I wanted to groan out loud but decided to keep my life for now.
It really sucked that we had to wake up so early in the morning especially since I'm not a morning person but who is, am I right?
"Rule three: never look in the eyes of a vampire. Rule four: never disobey the royal family Rule five: no crying or begging ever! Your lives are worthless so there's no need to beg. It should be a privilege to have them drink from you and what not Rule six: no one should be caught outside their rooms after ten o' clock"
What is it with this lady and feeling special about being treated badly?
"You are here to serve them and give to them what they desire. If you fail to keep to these rules, there will be consequences"
This lady could be a relative to the grim-reaper.
One of the guards handed a piece of paper over to her.
There was a slight murmur that filled the air but I just kept quiet and stared ahead.
My mind would drift to me-maw and Eri.
"now. I'll call your names and assign your tasks. Daniella James?" a blonde-haired girl came up on platform.
She looked beyond terrified.
"you'll be working in the garden. Stand over there" she pointed somewhere and a guard roughly dragged her to a corner.
That's how so many names were called.
Some people got to work in the gardens, others kitchen or stables or cleaning duties.
"Lyra Destiny?" I swallowed the gigantic lump in my throat as I got on the platform.
My entire body was shaking.
Deep down, my fingers were crossed to work in the gardens.
I would do anything to work outside.
Far away from those bloodsuckers as possible.
She looked at the paper with a confused look.
Like she wasn't expecting what it said.
The lady sighed.
"personal servant to King Cyrus"
I think my ears are playing a cruel and bitter joke on me.
Everything seemed to freeze and all eyes were on me.
How could the world be so cruel to me?
I would rather clean horse sh*t all day than be anywhere near the king of all blood suckers.
This situation was so bad that even the lady that was calling out the names looked sorry for me.
No one wanted to screw up in front of a King of any of the kingdoms.
Blinking away the tears in my eyes were easier said than done.
If I cry now, I would've broken a rule on my first day.
I could see them having a look of sympathy on their faces.
Seconds passed by and I felt like the air wasn't enough.
How I wish I could die at this very moment.
Couldn't it start raining and I get struck by lightning.
"go stand over there and wait for me" I barely heard her say.
My brain was yelling at my legs to move but they had a mind of their own.
The guard was getting impatient so he roughly dragged me to a corner.
I stood alone.
A personal servant.
I was the first that was called and probably the only one.
I've never felt so exposed, empty and alone before.
Those in the gardening, stable, cleaning and cooking group looked a bit happy.
At least they get to be part of a group.
The calling of names went on until everyone had gone to get briefed on what they were meant to do to avoid trouble.
As much as I wished, there was nothing that could change this.
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