Blood Inc.
Chapter Three
tiffany aka basketcase
--
"Hunter, you are mine."
Her body had frozen at his touch, but her heart beat faster than usual. His hot breathes on her neck had made the hair at her nape to stand.
The deep voice didn't register anyone Serena knew. Only vampires called her Hunter but they could never tell from looking at her. Her blue eyes grew at her slow deduction.
She slipped out of his grasp and took couple steps back, creating a safe distance her and… "You're him. You're Endymion."
Serena's crystalline blue eyes narrowed as she studied Endymion's feature. He was a tall and well built with a fair complexion, towering over Serena. His dark hair in a stylish cut swayed in the wind. But she was drawn to his cold cobalt eyes, which had struck fear in her core. It almost felt like he could see through her soul.
"I'm flattered," The dark prince took a step toward Serena, "You know my name but I don't know yours, Hunter."
Serena didn't reply. All she did was glaring the vampire prince down but she was having a hard time from getting lost in his eyes.
"Do you wish me to keep calling you Hunter?"
"Serena. Serena Lumiere," she answered quickly.
Endymion extended his hand to her, "Come, Serena. You have a promise to fulfill."
"If you want me, then come after me, Endymion." In a flash, Serena disappeared.
Endymion grinned. Having her around would make things interesting. The Elders would have a hard time with her which he would enjoy watching.
--
Serena had stopped running at the most isolated part of Central Park. She would have run further but she would have reached her limit and be too exhausted to fight Endymion.
A twig broke behind Serena. She spun around to discover Endymion leaning on a lamppost, smirking. "I'm not that easy to shake off, Serena."
He was faster and no doubt he was stronger than Serena. Instead of being on the offense, Serena quickly shifted to defensive.
But in couple steps, Endymion had pin Serena to a tree. She retaliated by kicking him in the abdomen.
He stumbled back a few steps, "And you're not making this easy,"
"That's the point!" Serena threw shurikens at Endymion who easily dodged them. Running toward Endymion, she punched him in the chin. Then she went in for a kick but before she could land one on him, he swiftly caught her leg. Endymion was about to throw her but she stopped him by forcibly pushing him with her telekinesis. He dropped her as he flew back.
Her hand pulled the katana out of the sheath in one quick swift. But Endymion was faster. All in one move, he knocked the katana out of her hand and pinned her to same tree he had pin her earlier. He made her faced him. Endymion leaned in, closing the gap between them, preventing her escape.
Endymion breath on her neck, causing her hair on her nape to stand up once again, "You lost. You're coming with me now."
Her guard was still up, "I'm not going anyway with you, vermin."
Endymion pulled Serena even close. Serena tried to push him away but she's powerless.
"In my eyes, you're the vermin." Endymion rammed his lips upon hers. Serena gasped. The kiss was hard and raw.
She pushed him away, "You bastard!" Wiping her lips in disgust, Serena walked over to her katana and placed it back into its sheath.
Endymion appeared from behind and picked her up.
Serena shrieked as she squirmed in Endymion's arms, "Put me down!"
"No, it's time for us to return home."
"Put me down!"
Without notice, Endymion ran, picking up speed. Serena saw the scenery became blurry. He was faster than she had thought. He was so fast that she couldn't tell where was north from south. She looked up to Endymion who looked like this was nothing. A silver gleam caught her eye but she looked away when she noticed that Endymion was studying her at the corner of his eye.
--
Endymion dragged a kicking and screaming Serena through a hall. His grip on her wrist was bruising her. Vampires have parted way for the calm Endymion and the loud Serena. Their eyes were wishing death on the Hunter. Serena felt uncomfortable under the death glares; was a little grateful when Endymion pulled her into elaborate suite despite its dark theme.
Serena pulled her bruised wrist from his grasp, and then cradled it on her breast. The bruise was quite visible on her pale skin.
The angry Hunter backed away from him. "Where am I?"
"This is your suite until the blood ceremony." His eyes were observing her bruised wrist, yet his voice didn't wavered, "Your wrist is bruised. Who did that?"
"You did, you idiot." White light radiated from her palm that was place over her bruised wrist. Slowly the bruise disappeared. Serena shifted her eyes to her dark captor, "Answer me! Where am I?"
"You're at my home: the Altima Manor."
Crystalline blue eyes were widened in fear and astonishment. It was well known fact that the Altima Manor was the home of Vampire Royalty. It was something she had never thought would be at.
His voice had broken Serena out of her reverie as he headed to the door. "You're free to roam around my home. But do not leave the estate." He, then, shut the door behind him.
"You cannot do this to me!" Serena growled, banging it at the door. "Endymion! I know you can hear me!" She was his prisoner and he was treating her as one.
After giving up banging, Serena had decided to explore the suite since she had a little chance of escape. She noticed a set of doors at the side of the suite. She walked toward it to discover a small yet comfortable sitting area. The bed with black satin sheets was placed at the center back of the suite, the closet to one side and the bathroom to the other side.
Serena ventured into the closet, which was bigger than the small sitting area. The closet housed mostly dark colored gowns and dresses that Serena found some were too beautiful to wear. Serena was so deep in the closet that she didn't hear the suite doors opening.
Sensing couple presences behind her, Serena immediately whipped shurikens out of her wrist holster she had hidden under her jacket sleeve. Endymion caught her wrist before she could throw them
"Let go of me." Serena was too focused on Endymion that she didn't notice a smaller person hiding behind him.
"I will if only you stop doing what you do." Endymion tore the shurikens from Serena's grip and katana from her back in one quick move. "I don't need you upset half of the vampire population." His hand was still out as if Endymion was waiting.
Serena glared at his hand. "What?"
"The rest of your weapons, Serena."
Feeling like she had no choice, she unhooked the shuriken holsters off her wrists and tossed it at Endymion's head. However he caught the holsters easily.
"Good." Endymion waved a black-haired girl to come forward. Serena noted that the girl looked like she was nine but how the girl looked didn't matter to how she looked when the girl was a vampire.
The short girl stood at Endymion's side. His expression softened at the short girl. It made Serena a little jealousy. "This is Anastasia. She will be your personal maid." Endymion turned to the little girl. "And Anastasia, try to keep my fiancé out of trouble."
Serena gaped, "Fian…"
Anastasia didn't let Serena finish. She bowed, "Yes, your highness."
"Anastasia, change her into something more presentable." shut.
"What's wrong with my look, Endymion?" Serena shouted after Endymion, who left the closet.
Both Serena and Anastasia listened his footsteps fade out and a door slammed
Serena stomped out of the closet and plopped herself on the edge of the bed, strangling a pillow. "I didn't agree to this. I didn't agree to anything. And what's wrong with my clothes?" She was wearing her black corset that enhanced her breast but her assets were hidden under her grey leather jacket, and her tight black pants that was expressing her curves. She didn't find anything inappropriate with her hunting outfit.
Anastasia strolled out of the closet with a black-laced dress in hand. She set the dress on the bed, next to Serena. "You shouldn't be mad at His Highness, milady. Tonight at dawn, you are going to meet the rest of the royal family."
Serena was eyeing the black dress. She liked the dress but dressing up for the Vampire Royal Family didn't set well with her. "I highly doubt that. I don't think I would be awake."
Anastasia observed the Hunter at the corner of her eye. The blond woman confused her. "Milady, you could have left before his highness returned and yet you didn't. That must have meant something."
Serena was shock. Anastasia was right. Endymion had told her that she had permission to roam that meant the doors weren't lock. But then again she can't easily leave. Every move she made would be put under a microscope by the vampires in the manor.
Serena murmured to herself, "My deductions suck."
Anastasia place her hand on Serena's shoulder. "The bath is drawn, Milady, you should bathe before the bathwater cools." Anastasia handed the dress to Serena and pushed her into the bathroom.
Serena looked at the closed door. It was a lost cause to fight. She was too tired to. Her eye wandered around the bathroom that was decorated in black and gold. The faucets and shower were made of gold. The standalone bathtub, sinks, and tile floor were of onyx marble.
She hanged the dress on the hook on the back of door. Serena saw the tub was already filled with steaming hot water. A bath was beginning to be a good idea as her body was aching from her fight with Endymion. She tied her hair into a high bun, and stripped her outfit off. She had climbed into the tub, and savored the feeling of the hot water, soothing her aching body. Her head lay on a bath pillow, Serena decided to forget her current circumstances.
"Milady, please finish your bath. Dinner is about to start." Anastasia's voice rang through the bathroom's door, interrupting Serena's solitude of peace.
Serena groaned as she got out of the bathtub. She didn't have much strength to fight because she had been awake for 17 hours but the night was still young. After dying herself, Serena slipped into the dress Anastasia had picked out. But she wasn't able to reach the zipper.
Like Anastasia had read Serena's mind, Anastasia barged into the bathroom, and zipped up the dress. Serena was surprised on how the dress fit her like a glove. Serena didn't time to admire the laced dress when Anastasia dragged her into the suite and pushed her down in front of the vanity. Anastasia applied eyeliner, mascara, light blush, and dark red lipstick on Serena's already pale face. Serena whimpered because she wasn't used to wearing make up. Anastasia untied Serena's bun and began brushing her blond hair.
As Anastasia brushed her hair, Serena could tell, through her eyes, was a very old soul. "How old are you, Anastasia?"
"I am around six hundred years old. But honestly, milady, I lost count after one hundred."
"Who stopped time for you?" Serena stared at Anastasia through the mirror when asked such a personal question. Not many vampires like to reveal the one who turned them.
Anastasia looked up. She was surprised that an outsider who she had just met would ask such a personal question. She continued brushing Serena's blond hair, whispered, "Alister."
Serena nodded. She didn't need to continue questioning her because she could sense Anastasia's wall rising. Serena changed the subject. "How is old Endymion? Because I honestly don't want to spend an eternity with an older man."
"His Highness is only twenty-eight years old."
Anastasia set the brush down. She looked through the hair accessories that were all set out on the vanity. Finally found the accessory she was looking for, Anastasia placed the jeweled headband on Serena's head, completing her look.
--
Endymion watched the fire danced in the hearth. All he could think about was the Hunter, his 'so called' fiancé. But to be bond to such a stubborn person he did not like, living for an eternity can be hell.
When he first learned of the betrothal, he wasn't happy one bit.
--
Twenty-one years old Endymion was enraged. The suite he was in was large and dark. The atmosphere was tensed.
Endymion stood in front of a four-poster bed. His anger was directed at his father who was resting on the bed. His mother and a woman, called Vanessa, stood behind him. They were hoping Endymion's temper to blow over.
"I don't want a lowly Hunter for a mate," Endymion growled. He bared his fangs out and his eyes were glowing red. "I love Vanessa. I want her."
"You do not know anything about love, Endymion."
Endymion's red eyes narrowed. "You shouldn't be lecturing me on love, father."
Donovan was not amused that his son was rebelling against him. "You will take the Hunter as your mate."
"You can't make me."
"Yes, I can," Donovan leered as he leaned back on the pillows.
"What?"
"If you want the crown that is, you will take the Hunter as your mate. 'She' is our future."
"Don't threaten me," Endymion hissed.
Both Cornelia and Vanessa cringed at Endymion's dangerous tone. But Donovan was unaffected. Actually he was enjoying Endymion being agitated.
Donovan smirked, "Weren't it your ambition to be King of the Damned?" Endymion glowered. His father had the upper hand. "I could always give the crown to Rochelle, Francis… or Dimitri."
"Francis is too irresponsible and no one, I mean, no one would ever follow a sickly princess like Rochelle or a half-breed like Dimitri," Endymion argued.
"Better than a son who chooses a whore."
Endymion bit his tongue because the next word out of his mouth would certainly get him exile like his older brother, Alister. He took a deep breath and looked over his shoulder to his beloved, Vanessa. Vanessa was about four hundred years old Roman vampire in a body of a twenty-three years old. Her long brown curls with crimson highlights lay above her full breasts. Her amber eyes held a timeless mystery. At the moment her amber eyes gave him full support on whatever decision he would make.
Endymion returned his gaze to his father. He was defeated. "Fine, Father."
--
Endymion snapped out of his thoughts at the sounds of the dining room door opening. He turned around to see a complete opposite of his dark lover. Unlike Vanessa's dark complex beauty perfect for a vampire, Serena was a vision of an angel. Her pale features complimented her lustrous blond hair and crystalline blue eyes that were windows to a young restless soul.
Serena fidgeted under Endymion's intensive gaze. She couldn't tell what Endymion was feeling.
"You outdone yourself, Anastasia," Endymion spoke. Serena's cheeks flushed. "You cleaned her up very nicely."
Serena seethed with anger but refused to show it to Endymion.
Anastasia flushed at Endymion's compliment and left the couple alone, closing the door behind her. Endymion sat down at one end of the dining table by the hearth. Serena had decided to keep her distance so she settled down at the other end of the table. Two male vampire servants have appeared through a secret passage, both were carrying trays. The servant had placed a glass goblet on Endymion's place mat, and filled poured crimson liquid into the goblet.
The other servant, who tried to hide his glare under his bangs, had set a bowl of warm soup in front of Serena. Both vampires stood at the center of the room by the wall.
Serena picked up the soupspoon and cautiously stirred the soup. Endymion was aware of Serena's actions. He smirked, "They rather kill you with their bare hands than poisoning you."
"Oh that's very assuring," Serena sarcastically replied. She glanced at Endymion once more before drinking her soup.
Halfway through dinner, Serena noticed that Endymion was only drinking the crimson liquid that she assumed was blood and that he didn't eat anything else. Vampires could only survived on blood but it doesn't mean they couldn't consume anything else. Throughout the dinner, Endymion didn't look at her either. He found interest in the blood when he was swirling it.
Since Endymion wasn't paying attention, she had begun planning of escaping but somehow she couldn't think of a sound plan. She snapped out of her thoughts when she sensed Endymion's sudden agitation. Serena looked up from her dinner. The servant had refilled Endymion's goblet before returning to his spot.
"You won't leave."
"Excuse me?" Serena hissed.
"You won't leave because your Hunter pride won't let you break the promise."
Serena snapped, "What do you know about our pride?"
"Hunters treasured their pride," Endymion calmly said, "and they lived by it."
Serena narrowed her eyes and abruptly stood up. The two vampire servants had appeared at Endymion's side and bared their fangs at Serena, protecting their prince. But Serena didn't care about those low ranked vampires because she was angry at Endymion, not the servants. Her anger had caused the fire in the hearth to flare and the pitcher to shatter into a million pieces.
Serena ran out of the dining room. She cannot believe he talked about her Hunter pride as if he knew what it meant.
Blinded with anger, she didn't realize that she was causing every stone sculpture and armor she passed to fall apart. Serena stopped when she reached large oak double doors. Those double doors were the entrance and exit of the Altima Manor, and her freedom.
Her breathing was unsteady. Serena felt like time had slowed down as she neared the doors. Her steps felt heavy. When her hands touched the door handles, she had froze. Practically she couldn't move another step. Her pride had overwhelmed her that it paralyzed her.
"I've told before: your Hunter pride won't let you leave. You can't go against your nature."
Serena glared at the prince, her eyes were tearing up. Endymion stood at the foyer with a smug look on his face. Serena didn't have anything to say to him. She didn't want anything to do with him. So she breezed past him.
Endymion grinned at his victory. He was wrong: she was going to be entertaining.
--
An hour had been spent on mindless wandering in the Altima Manor after Serena ran away from Endymion in the foyer. The mindless wandering actually calmed her down. She had walked past several vampires who were emitting dangerous feelings. When she got fed up of those dangerous feelings that she had found refuge in the manor's large library. The way the library was designed reminded her of Disney's Beauty and the Beast's library.
She settled on a couch in front of a hearth. The flames were dancing with raw passion. Serena covered her face with her hands, groaning.
Her entire body tensed when she didn't realized she wasn't alone. Serena looked up, sensing two vampires nearby. True to her habit, she grabbed her treasured pendant.
As the two vampires near Serena, their voices had become loud enough to hear.
"I can not believe His Highness brought her here."
Serena immediately realized the two female vampires were talking about her and Endymion. Unconsciously her ears perked up, wanting to hear more.
"The prince only brought her here because the king wanted him to." This voice was calm unlike the first voice, which was filled with disgust.
"But aren't you worry?"
"About what?"
"That the Hunter might steal His Highness's heart."
"No I'm not because I already have his heart." She was laughing.
Serena's eyes widened, now realizing that Endymion already have a lover.
"True but aren't you angry that she's going to be queen instead of you?"
"I never cared about being queen."
The library door slammed shut. But Serena sat there, dumbstruck. She didn't realize that her life weren't the only one being disrupted and uprooted because of the betrothal. What a funny way to find out that she was a selfish person.
The library door opened once again and closed. Serena tensed once again, her hand was still on the pendant. She sensed that this presence wasn't the same two vampires or Endymion. This person had demanded respect and its presence was dominating. She took an unsteady breath, and went against her better judgment as she looked over her shoulder.
Serena gasped and stood up. Her guard was up. The dark man with a smug grin, stood in front of her. He looked exactly like Endymion except for his dark eyes of a tired soul. She was glad that the couch was the only thing separating them. Serena step back, shaking from his dark aura. She could feel the heat of fire on her back.
Unexpectedly, the dark man bowed, "Hello Hunter. I am Donovan."
At the mention of his name, her eyes have darkened. Serena have immediately forgotten about Endymion, the two females' conversation, everything. Anger was the only thing she was feeling. It felt like the lid slipped off her airtight bottle of emotions.
The poker by the hearth flew into Serena's hand. She charged at him, jumping over the couch. Serena raised the poker over head and swung it at Donovan. But Donovan had caught her wrist and twisted it, causing her to drop the poker, and then threw her at the couch. She looked up at him from the couch. Her rage was burning from within caused the fire in the hearth to roar.
Donovan sneered, "Little Hunter, I am not the one you should blame."
With one good look at her crumbled form, he left.
Serena quickly exhaled when Donovan stepped out the door. She felt like she had dishonored her family and fellow Hunters when she wasn't able avenge them. Tears slid down her cheeks. Serena had brushed it away quickly with disgust before healing her injured wrist.
Barely got over her defeat, Serena left of the library. Serena was wearily strolling down the hall but she had paused when she heard children's laughter. She glanced around, searching where the laughter was coming from.
The children's laughter had gotten louder as she followed it down the hall. As she had gotten closer, a deep laugh could be heard above with the children's. She sensed cheerfulness from the room, which she felt that she needed to be around.
So she cautiously peaked into a well-lit room because she wasn't welcomed. Serena couldn't believe her eyes. She had to rub her eyes to make sure she wasn't imagining things. But she wasn't.
This couldn't be the same man, who was dark and cold, she had met earlier. But it was. This man was playing and laughing with the vampire children. Mirth was dancing in his eyes. This new side of Endymion really threw Serena off after her impression of him cried out that he was born with no soul.
Serena, who was still hidden behind the door, was watching Endymion played with the children. She couldn't help smiling. She realized that Endymion looked much more handsome if he smiled like he was now.
Her smile faded when a dark-haired woman had entered the happy scene. The children ran up to her while Endymion stood in his spot with a tender look directed at her. Serena started to wonder if Endymion would smile for her or at least look at her the way Endymion was looking at the other woman.
Serena scoffed at her thoughts. She was being ridiculous. She had just met him, not to mention she hated him. She must be really exhausted to think that way.
Serena gasped as she stepped away from the door when Endymion's eyes met hers. His eyes were darker, which was different when he looked at the children and the woman. He was releasing a cold emotion at her, her heart sank at his sudden change of demeanor. Serena became overwhelmed from fear that she ran to her suite.
She jumped on the large bed the minute she entered her suite. She was thinking too fast. And she wasn't thinking straight. Once she had gathered her thoughts, she would start thinking of the 'what's if's. Lying on the bed, sleep had begun claiming her. Her eyes felt heavy and began to droop with one honest thought: she like Endymion.
--
Anastasia had crept behind him, and whispered in his ear that she couldn't find Serena after combing the entire manor. Endymion released an annoyed sigh.
His father had the same emotionless look, sitting between his mother and mistress. Donovan was paying little or no attention to the women. His thoughts were occupied of the spunky future daughter-in-law. At the same time, he was drawn a book about Aztec and their sacrifices rituals. Donovan slightly shook his head at the thought of blood was being wasted.
His mother, on the other hand, was rather annoyed. Her patience was wearing thin. Her slender fingers tapping on the arm rest. Her impatience was infamous in the Vampire Court because many feared her temper when her patience was spent. Cornelia had hated the idea of her youngest son to bond to a Hunter, a race she clearly despised.
His father's mistress was having a hushed conversation with his half-brother. The mistress was different, completely different from the others in the room or the entire manor because she was human. Although she was out of place, she had made her presence known because of her status as the King's mistress and position of a Consort. Both Endymion and Cornelia loathed Mary because the way she had clawed her way into Donovan's heart and their society where she didn't belong.
His half-brother, cruelly nicknamed the Half-Blood Prince by vampires, sat on a chair next to his mother, talking to her in hushed tones. Throughout his life, vampires have treated him poorly but he had never express the mistreatment to Donovan. Endymion had ignored Dimitri his entire life because due to the fact that Donovan had carelessly tossed his mother aside on a whim.
Endymion couldn't stand to be in the room any longer. He decided to leave to go find his fiancé rather than sitting in a room of people he barely called family.
"Father, Mother," Endymion addressed them, "I'll be back with my fiancé." He didn't wait for his father to respond as he left his parents' suite.
When he entered Serena's suite, he was reminded of his annoyance when he found Serena spying on him. Although he didn't appreciate, but he enjoyed when he saw her squirming in fear,
His eyes searched for the troublesome blond in the suite, and they landed a lump on the bed. Endymion neared the bed and found Serena relaxed in her sleep.
Endymion shook Serena, "Wake up."
Serena stirred with an unusual whimper. She rolled over, her back facing him. Endymion groaned, combing his hair when she didn't wake up. He didn't bother shaking her again. So instead he left. Endymion shut the door lightly and Serena woke with a jolted. She looked around the suite confused before sleep took her over once again.
--
I am done with this chapter. Sorry it took so long to come out. I had writer's block and a car window to fix because some idiot decided it was funny to break it. Well anyway I got rid of my writer's block when I started writing another story called "The Clash of Fate and Destiny".
I will give my word that I'll complete "Blood Inc" and "The Clash of Fate and Destiny" which I will shorten it to TCFD.
Please Review and also check out TCFD.
-tiffany aka basketcase
