AN: Just a shout out to Fate Is Worse Than Death a.2, thank you for you continued support with this story and your positive reviews :) ...
Victoria slides through pristine double doors into a private study with her armed guard and immediately the immaculate decor has blue eyes transfixed. Various paintings of, what she can only assume are important vampires align one wall while on the opposite, a large and very old looking tapestry hangs. Chandeliers drape from the mural ceiling welcoming her as shes led towards the awaiting Queen.
"You may leave.."
The guards respectfully bow, leaving the two alone. Victoria fidgets with her crimson red pajamas and runs a hand over her powdered arm. Emma had lead her into some sort of massage parlor where vampires had bathed and coated her in some sort of white powder. It was itchy at first, but now it just makes her skin seem smooth.
The Queen circles around the large oak table at the back of the room and slots into one of the high back chairs by the fireplace.."Come mláďa.."
Blue eyes snap up, darting to the the vacant chair opposite the royal and Victoria warily slides into it. Her attention seems tangent from intense brown eyes as she picks apart the elegant looking study.
"I am displeased."
Victoria quickly refocuses.."Why?"
"Your behavior earlier is unacceptable. There is order here Vairóčana and you do not disobey your Queen with such disrespect and childishness."
Victoria frowns.."I showed them control! How is that childish?!"
"You do not orchestrate such movements or attack without my authorization!"
"So I cant even breathe without your say so now?!"
"Vairóčana.."
Victoria ignores the threatening tone and launches to her feet.."You know what, just forget it my Queen! You want some mindless zombie to kiss your ass, then your better off sending me to that brainwashing asylum you threatened me with weeks ago!" She storms off towards the door but is suddenly wrenched backwards. Her body sails through the air, slamming into the tapestry wall and hitting the marble with a heavy thud. She groans at the pain in her lower back but startles when a hand wraps around her throat and her body is suddenly lifted into the air. The Queen bares her fangs, hissing and snarling as Victoria attempts to pry the limb from her neck.
"My patience is at an end mláďa! You disrespect me one more time and I will show you what real pain is! You do not walk away while you are in my presence and you do not speak out of turn, Do you Understand?!"
The pressure on Victoria's throat increases and she splutters.."Y..Ye.." Her body suddenly thumps back to the marble floor, her coughs echoing around the chamber as the Queen elegantly glides back to her chair.
"Now sit!"
Victoria rubs her red and aching throat, stumbling to her feet with a grimace and slips back into her seat silently. She avoids intense brown eyes, her own focus aimed at the flames of the charred fireplace as an uncomfortable silence descends upon them.
Dark brown eyes flicker to the girls already bruising neck and the Queen drops her steely facade a little.."That should be seen to before the ceremony.."
Victoria remains distant, her fingers gently smoothing out the quickly forming purple bruise.
"Tonight will be performed in three stages. First you will be bathed in the essence of our ancestors, then the taking of blood and vows will ensure before finally I will accept your submission. Various members of each clan and an armed guard will be present under the new moon. When you have achieved the last stage, your submission will be accepted and you will become a part of the Opire clan. However, due to your..special lineage, you will be obligated to serve all clans when and where you are requested. Do you have any questions?"
Blue eyes continue to stare at the blazing fire, Victoria's mind processing the ceremony and its steps. It seems the Queen wishes to use her all around the world and she cant help a little excitement at the opportunity to travel the globe. But then she thinks of what she'll have to do, shes not a killer, the demon within has no problem taring people apart but what if there are innocents shes sent to murder?
"Mláďa!"
Victoria jumps, hazy blue eyes wide and refocusing on the frowning vampire.."Sorry I ugh..No..I have no questions." She swallows, attempting to soothe her hoarse throat and the Queen raises a curious eyebrow.
"That is not usually the case. Did you listen to what I demand of you?"
"Yeah..I just want to get it over with."
"The ceremony is not something to be rushed!"
Victoria shrinks back a little, avoiding narrow eyes and fumbling with her sleeve.."Sorry."
The royal sighs, scooping up a crystal flute of wine.."You are distracted, what plagues your mind?"
"Nothing."
A perfectly sculpted eyebrow is cocked.."Are you lying to me?"
"No.." Victoria can see the hidden threat behind dark eyes and slumps back in her chair defeated.."I was just thinking about what happens afterwards that's all."
"Afterward you will be granted certain privileges. Several of the elders will tutor you in various aspects of our ways and you will be granted the knowledge of learning our history. Perhaps then you will realize your place quickly and settle easier into your new life."
Victoria frowns slightly.."And will my place change?"
"No..but in time you may climb the ranks and become one of my personal guard if you are good enough."
Victoria rests her head against the plush chair and stares grimly at the flames. So this is her life now, at the beck and call of a vampire queen who sends her out to kill werewolves, only after shes been beaten and tortured into controlling a demon living inside her head. Shes no better than scum to them and has no rights or respect..What a great new life.
The Queen stares intrigued at the silent girl and takes a small sip of thick red liquid.
"What about the werewolves? Whats happening with them?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well they broke in twice and you said they wanted me dead or captured. Wont you ship me off to kill them or something? That's why I'm here right? Why you wont kill me, so I can end your war for you."
"Things are more complicated than you hypothesize Vairóčana. All will be revealed in.."
"..In due time..I know."
"Is there anything else on your mind?"
"No."
"Then go with the guards and wait in your cell until summoned tonight.."
Victoria slides from the chair, the aching pain in her lower back having her wince as she heads for the doors.
"Vairóčana? It is mandatory you bow before and after you leave my presence."
Victoria stops in her tracks, a spark of anger flaring within her but she pushes it back down with a defeated sigh. Slowly she turns to placid brown eyes and bows weakly before heading back to the exit.
Dark eyes soften and watch the slightly limping girl slip through the doors from the study...
Heavy metal doors are pushed open as Victoria is marched into the moon lit chamber in nothing but a red robe. Her stomach churns with anxiety, the many white faces shrouded by black and red cloaks staring at her and chanting silently. Memorized she looks up to the bright new moon beaming into the circular room through the opening in the ceiling. Armed guards align the second story, guns at the ready. A dozen bright flames encircle a large pool within the center of the room, the contents filled with a black sort of ooze in the moons blue light.
The council members chant foreign scripture as Victoria is stopped just shy of the pools edge and the elders slowly move into formation around the black abyss. She fidgets apprehensively, eyes darting from place to place and stiffens when a small gust of wind blows from behind. She feels her presence even before the Queen slowly glides to stand in front of her. Blue eyes take in the royals long black and red robes and she subconsciously clutches the front of hers together.
"Tonight on this newest of nights we are to welcome a new child into our coven. She has shown her willingness to submit and has pledged her soul and her life to me and my ancestors. Under the moon and through pure fire, her body shall be cleansed and she will be born anew." The Queen takes a step forward into Victoria's personal space.."Are you ready Vairóčana?"
Uneasy blue eyes dart around the chamber.."Y-Yeah I think so." The Queen smiles warmly, sliding a cold palm a top her shaking hands.
"Do not be afraid, you are strong."
"Okay.."
The Queen slowly relieves herself of her robes and Victoria startles, wide blue eyes darting to the ceiling at the naked vampress. There's a small sultry chuckle making her hairs stand on end before her robe is suddenly gliding off her shoulders. She yelps, covering her naked breasts and sex, shuffling towards the Queen without realizing and focus darting from vampire to vampire around them.
"There is no need to be embarrassed here. Flesh is merely that, we do not indulge in the ways humans do with infatuation."
"O-Okay.." Victoria still shields her naked body but reels back a little at her close proximity to the grinning Queen. Cold hands gently slide into hers, pulling them from her body and shes guided towards the black ooze. Slowly the thick liquid rises until covering her breasts and a familiar metallic tang of the black water slithers through her senses..blood.
"Through darkness we reign, through death we live, your Queen will give you purpose pure blood, acceptance and submission is all I ask, do you submit Vairóčana?"
There's a pause as Victoria gazes into focused dark eyes.."...Yes.."
Suddenly her head is pushed under the thick blood as strong hands cling to her underneath the deathly abyss. She struggles in the Queens hold but finds the woman wrapping herself around her torso and resting their foreheads together..
..
..
Victoria gasps, her eyes darting open and she quickly spins to stare off into the expansive distance.
"What?.."
Blue eyes shift curiously around the empty trees and peer into the white sky.
"Hello?!.."
Her voice echos into the never ending sight of forest.
"Well done dieťa.."
Victoria whirls and gawps at the normal looking Queen stood in a black pantsuit and heels.
"You finally overcame your fear and let go..I will admit I was hesitant, but I am glad you proved me wrong.."
"Where are we?.."
"In a space between spaces, where time is endless.."
"Shouldn't we be getting back? I cant hold my breath for too long.."
The Queen chuckles, taking a smooth step forward.
"Once entering ones mind, time is almost infinite, we could be in here for what seems like days, but only a few seconds would pass in reality.."
"Like Inception or something?.."
"I am not familiar with that term.."
"Its a film where Leonardo DiCaprio...never mind, but I think I get it.."
The Queen chuckles.
"You are peculiar human.."
"That's what my sister used to say.."
Victoria grins but her sisters face flashes in her mind and her smile slips.
"Do not think of your past mláďa.."
"Please don't.."
The Queen frowns.
"Don't what?.."
"Please don't order me not to think about my family..I know you can just shut your emotions off but I cant, my family, my old life will always be there, no matter how hard you beat me, that wont go away.."
The Queen steps up to her, gently wiping a tear from her cheek and smooths a cold palm over her face.
"I would never take such a thing away from you..As I've said before, your past is what helped shape your future and evidently led you to me..All I ask is that you respect and accept your new life.."
Victoria sighs and gently pulls the hand from her face.
"I'll do my best.."
"Something else disturbs you.."
"No I'm.."
A firm finger crooks under her chin, pulling her head up to meet narrow eyes.
"I..I'm not...Happy.."
Victoria takes a step away from the baffled woman and shuffles through the fallen fake leaves of her mind.
"Happy?.."
"I cant remember the last time I laughed, when I wasn't scared or in pain I...I'm so tired, everything's so much more different to what I know, what I'm used to and I don't know what to do anymore.."
"You need structure?.."
Victoria chuckles weakly.
"You could say that..Or you could say I need to live again.."
"And you will, by the end of the night your rebirth will be complete and structure to your life will come.."
"I'm sorry but you don't get it..It would be so easy to change if I was a vampire but I'm not, I'm not even human, I'm like an in between, like this place, understand?.."
She stares desperately at the contemplating royal.
"You feel you are at a standstill?..But that is what submission.."
"No..No that's.."
Victoria sighs, running a frustrated hand through her locks and the Queen frowns.
"Look your not wrong, I do feel like I'm stuck but its more than that, I FEEL, I don't know what the depths are of vampires emotions but I feel conflicted..Everything you get me to do, the training, the demon, the torture its just..bad, like there's nothing else left but bad things and I'm slowly losing myself.."
Brown eyes stare as time passes with deathly silence.
"Good will come to you mláďa, I admit confusion has been our constant tormentor but I assure you, you will relax into your new home soon and eventually your purpose will reveal itself..Torture is only discipline, but I take it you have accepted your place and what it entails..As for lessons and training, they will continue only to benefit you as well as me..You must learn how to defend yourself Vairóčana or you may doom us all.."
"Thanks for the little encouragement on the end there your majesty.."
Red lips pull into a grin as Victoria wipes her cheeks and composes herself.
"Do you wish to proceed with the final stage?.."
"What is the final stage anyway?.."
"You will show the clans your submission.."
Blue eyes narrow.
"And that is?.."
"You will bow before me.."
Victoria grimaces.
"Wait you didn't say.."
"I said you will show submission, It is a rightful tradition Vairóčana, it has been a vital stage of the ceremony since before my reign..You must do this or it will be considered treason and you will not get another chance.."
"But you..I.."
Victoria whirls, an apprehensive hand rubbing her neck and jaw. A cold palm suddenly rests on her shoulder but she pulls away, pacing towards a ghostly white tree.
"Just..Give me a minute.."
The Queen concedes, watching the girls squared shoulders intently.
"I know this is difficult for you, the final stage is the most challenging, giving full control to someone else is a daunting experience but you will find it to be a release as well.."
"And hows that?.."
"Life altering decisions, like the one I made when I brought you to Barthmont, not only affected your life but the lives of millions around the planet.."
Blue eyes glance at the Queen curiously.
"You Vairóčana are pure blood, I did not anticipate anything else from you. I thought a simple execution was enough but I was responsible for triggering your transmutation and bringing an Archdemon into the world.."
"How?.."
"A vampire Queens venom is not only the most lethal poison on this earth, but it has remarkable properties to heal. I was notified my bite had awoken the dormant mutagen strain in your DNA..As a result, I was solely responsible for ruining your old life and almost dooming the planet to another catastrophe.."
"Catastrophe? I don't understand.."
"Enough mláďa, during your studies you will learn all about your heritage but for now, we must continue with the final stage.."
Victoria fidgets incessantly but eventually nods defeated. The royal smiles weakly, laying gentle hands on the girls arms.
"Everything will be alright, do not be scared or embarrassed dieťa..Just know everyone here is pleased with your pledge.."
The forest around them crackles, the sound of wind bats the tops of the trees before a blinding light forces blue eyes shut..
..
..
Victoria startles but hands gently rub up and down her back in the thick blood as the Queens forehead pulls off of hers. Suddenly teeth clamp into her neck and she cries out, launching both bodies up and above the calm surface of the pool. The guard stationed around the room hesitantly raise their weapons as their Queen clings harshly to the shrieking girl.
Victoria whimpers, her head eventually lulling forward as the Queen moans her conquest. After a moment, fangs retract and the royals eyes roll over white, her bloodied head drifting back to stare blissfully into the light of the new moon. A little weak, Victoria feels a sudden urge for blood work its way forward but reluctantly pushes it back and leans more heavily against the moaning vampire. Before she knows it, shes being guided back up the marble stairs and stops wearily in front of the blood soaked monarch.
"Make your final pledge.."
Hazy blue eyes glance up at the expectant Queen and slowly Victoria crumbles to her knees. After a moment, a hand lands on her scalp and gently pushes her onto all fours. Her cheeks swell in embarrassment.
"I accept your submission and welcome you to your new life. May your hunting be fruitful and your rebirth have new meaning Vairóčana.."
Victoria's arms begin to tremble, her breathing picking up but soon rough hands grip her arms and shes hauled onto her feet with weary blue eyes glancing at the re-robed Queen.
"Take her to the pools and have her cleaned. Afterward shes to be given quarters, three elites are to be stationed outside at all times, am I understood?"
A choir of "Yes majesty" and "Yes my Queen" echos around the room as the woman whirls and glides through the double doors with a triumphant smirk.
As shes being dragged down the halls of the palace, Victoria's vision begins to waver, the mass amount of blood the Queen took taking its toll and just as she steps into the steam of the bathing chamber, blue eyes slide shut and darkness claims her...