Feast

Carmilla announces, "I see no one more capable, nor prettier than my sweet little Nisha!"

NISHA?!!!

Everyone is shocked as I am. They begin to ramble while I look at Algron to see his reaction. He's not happy about it. There, beside the throne, Nisha has the same hairstyle and dress theme as Carmilla. They look like sisters.

"But there are better candidates, my Queen!" someone argues and others speak out to fortify it.

"The girl is just 500 years old!"

"She's not even an Atasaia!"

"This is an outrage!"

The whole room goes dark as Carmilla unleashes swarms of bats out of rage. "How many times have I told you to silence yourselves if you aren't required to speak?!!"

They're reminded of her power again. It doesn't make any sense that she can control them at her will but could not entirely stop them from speaking their thoughts. Lazarus has never once questioned this nor does he have an answer.

Once everyone has settled down, she growls, "You can proceed to the feast now, you pieces of trash!"

Then everyone proceeds to the dining hall. My Atasaia instinct is tingling. Memories about the chaotic feast flash in my mind. I don't like where all of this is going. That's more reason to get out of here sooner.

"Algron," I whisper beside him. "What's the plan?"

"Stay low and wait for my say."

In other words, I don't have to do anything but the question is how long will it take? I wanna get out here now if I can.

The dining hall is clean with long tables and thousands of seats to accommodate everyone. So polite, they seat themselves with class and manners. It is only a matter of time before they turn into a bunch of animals. I'm seated next to Algron at his left, and beside me is an overly excited old man.

Then a bell rings. That's when things start to become messy. There are hoots and laughing. They're so excited as if they could get out of their skins. I'm rather scared.

*Thud*

A dead body of a Daemon man falls on the table in front of me. Everyone beside me and on the opposite side of the table burst from their seats contesting for the body. But none of them gets to have the body all to themselves. They tug on its limbs until it gets ripped into pieces. The blood splatters on my face and drips onto my lips.

It tastes. . . so good! I couldn't help but lick my whole face! This is not enough. I lick the table full of blood and munch on the pieces of flesh. Just now, I realize I'm so hungry! Another body falls on the table in front of me. I fend off those who try to grab it. I realize it's no use as they will just rip it apart. So, I claw most of the body to get the biggest part before we tear it apart. I scratch the hands of those who try to steal from me.

The taste is euphoric! I can't get enough! My stomach is bloated and my ribs are gonna break. But I can't stop! I want more!

[(<>**) is where the third-person POV starts, and (**<>) is where it ends]

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**

In her room, Carmilla is pinning Nisha against the wall as they kiss. So much heat and excitement, but Nisha finds this disturbing.

She turns her head to the side, saying, "Stop." but Carmilla goes to lick her under the ear.

"Young and innocent," the lusty Carmilla whispers. "This is what I love."

Nisha gets out of her grip and walks away while Carmilla is breathing heavily, licking her lips. Feeling conflicted, Nisha wipes her lips but Carmilla goes on embracing her from behind, sniffing her neck.

"Why don't we join the feast?"

"I'm afraid I'll have to pass, my Queen. My appetite is not at its best."

"To replace me, you must become one of us or they'll never accept you."

"But don't want to be Queen. There are others who are better candidates."

"No, I chose you. Having the hair and a face as beautiful as mine, you're the only one who can replace me. How I wish you were my daughter but I could never taint myself with the touch of a man. They are disgusting and barbaric, unlike. . . you." She kisses her neck.

"But our people need a strong leader."

"Trust me, you will be. Only the beautiful and the graceful can rule this world. So, let us eat."

She clicks her fingers and a dead body of a Daemon woman falls from the ceiling, dropped by her bats. She pulls Nisha closer to the body. They kneel before it and Carmilla rips a chunk of flesh and draws it closer to Nisha's mouth.

"I can't," Nisha refuses.

"Come on. It's tastier than it looks."

"I'm sorry, my Queen," she denies again. "I can't."

"We have no choice but to do this, Nisha, or our kind will die."

"But the Rave Queen. . . she—"

"Do not be afraid. She will never dare to attack us. If anyone has to be afraid, it's that wench!" Her eyes faintly glow, fueled by hatred and vengeance.

As Carmilla enjoys her food, Nisha is deep in her thoughts, holding a piece of flesh in her hand.

"My Queen. . ."

"Mhmm?" Carmilla nods while chewing. Blood is covering her cheeks.

"Can I tell you something?"

"You don't need to ask, my dear."

"Thank you," Nisha politely nods. She takes a deep breath before saying, "The reason that I wanted to stay as a vampire is so that we won't forget who we were."

"You will die of starvation—as your mother and father did." She spoke of Nisha's parents like they were hairs on her tongue.

"I will not if you tell me where I can find the Eternal Blood Chalice."

**

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