Chapter 21: Hunger Rising

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Serenity's eyes fluttered open to meet two blue ones. She smiled and sighed as she cuddled closer into him and he held her warmly.

"It's about time." He said, lifting himself and her. "The sun's about to rise." She glanced out the window. She knew she had to move fast if she wanted to get to the meeting hall before the sun rose.

"You could have woke me up." She said, hopping out of bed. She frowned as she looked at herself. She had fallen asleep in her dress, with it wrapped uselessly around her mid section. When she flattened it out it was still wrinkled beyond repair. Seto chuckled at her. He was already dressed and moved to help her with her corset.

"You look fine." He said, lacing it up. He had noticed though, that she didn't look fine. She looked like she was paler. Weaker. He was beginning to worry about her, but there was more he had to deal with before he could start with her. They went through the door and headed for the meeting chamber. They had barely gotten there when the sun rose, but the elf king and a woman were already present. Serenity looked her over and saw that she was beautiful. Black hair, like the king's cascaded down to her mid back while sapphire blue eyes pierced into Serenity's. The woman turned and glared at her, slowly walking forward. Seto intercepted.

"What exactly do you think you're doing, Demon Lord? Bringing a Dhampire in here... Are you trying to taunt me?" Seto, Serenity, and Duke all looked at her shocked. "Please, you didn't think I wouldn't be able to tell did you? We've been warring with them for decades." She glared now at Seto.

"I didn't realize you had any issue with the Dhampires. That said, she is not affiliated with other Dhampires." He said plainly. She looked Serenity over again.

"And how do you know that?"

"She was turned in front of me. Forcibly." Seto said as Serenity looked away. The wolf looked her over once more and sighed.

"And she wasn't in league with the vampires before hand?" She said with distrust. Serenity felt herself gag. The thought of being on the vampires side... being near them, brought back memories she wished she didn't have. Seto glanced down at her as she straightened herself and frowned.

"She was with me from the start. I wouldn't press the matter any more." Seto warned turning to face Serenity and putting his hands on her shoulders comfortingly. The door opened and Malik stepped in. Immediately, the woman shot him a venomous look.

"Hello Ishizu." Malik said politely. She continued her glare as he approached his king.

"I see you're flaunting your traitorous status around as if it were something to be proud of. Tell me little brother, this is why you dragged me here isn't it? You would be a fool to assume I would ever join you." Malik smiled lightly, as if she had just told a joke, and glanced at her.

"Actually, I didn't call you here at all, and I warned my lord that you would most likely not want to aid him in the war. After all, those Dhampires are just so pesky. I can imagine they're just too much for you, sis, so you joining us in this war... it'd be way over your head." He smirked. Seto shot him a questioning look. He knew Malik wasn't the type to jeopardize a possible alliance over personal issues, but he wondered if this specific issue was too personal to separate.

"My pack is the strongest, not just in this country but in yours too. I would watch what-"

"Merik is dead. The new leader is much stronger. Might even rival you." Ishizu froze. Malik's tone became serious and flat.

"...When?"

"A month or so ago." The wolf leader became visibly upset.

"You... You didn't-"

"No, I didn't. Some poor innocent boy Merik accidentally turned while trying to destroy did him in."

"How could you let this... no... you wanted this to happen."

"I never did. What I wanted was peace. For us to not fight anymore. If I wanted Merik dead, I was strong enough to do it. I wasn't willing to kill my brother though. I'm not willing to kill my family. I can only accept reality. I've had my mourning for him. This is for you." He held out a small gold earring and Ishizu trembled as she reached to take it.

"Fathers earring... He gave it to..."

"Merik. I found him and buried him. I gave him the wolf rights ceremony." Ishizu looked him up and down.

"What do you want with me?"

"We want your help. We need someone to watch the river. To guard the boarders while the elves assist us. Also to be on standby should we hear the king's rallying an extra large force." Seto said, rejoining the conversation.

"I'm expected to join the Demon Lord, who apparently works with a Dhampire, my sword enemy? And what would you have me do with the territory I would be leaving unguarded that the Dhampires want so badly?"

"I'll speak with the Dhampires. Perhaps I can convince them to sign... a temporary truce, just while I require the assistance."

"Not likely."

"I guess there's no other option." Seto finished. He turned to Serenity. "Do you want to stay here?" He asked, unsure of how she felt about Dhampires, and knowing how she felt about Vampires. She pondered for a moment, then shook her head.

"I don't know if I could... I guess I'd learn a lot about myself from them... but I don't think I'm ready... I don't think I can." She said honestly.

"Then I'll go alone. Malik, stay with her." Seto said, unwilling to leave Serenity alone in the elven kingdom. Malik nodded, guiding Serenity back to her room, but Duke spoke out.

"I was hoping you all would join me for an early lunch. I'm sure the lady's hungry." Duke said, eying Serenity.

"I'm afraid I've only put aside two days for travel, then I must return, so I will go directly to the Dhampires." Seto said, keeping his eyes trained on Duke.

"And I will accompany him, as I know the best places to meet with the Dhampires." Ishizu added. Serenity wanted to politely decline, but something inside her wouldn't listen.

"I'd love to." She found herself saying. Duke smiled as Seto's gaze snapped to Serenity. She held a hand over her mouth and looked worriedly at Seto, but he understood. He sighed and turned to Ishizu, and they both started for the door.

Lunch was uncomfortable in the least. Duke made small talk with Serenity, mostly revolving around anything brag worthy he had done in the last hundred years. She knew it should have been boring, but somehow she had been captivated. Every once in a while she would forget herself, and received a light, but firm kick from Malik. She couldn't express how grateful she was that he was there with her. Once the lunch was over, Malik rose and escorted Serenity back to her room. Duke seemed unhappy about it, but Malik was decisive.

"Thank you so much."

"We couldn't have Lord Seto returning while Lord Duke was spreading you. The demon lord killing the elf lord wouldn't do well for the alliance." Malik mused as Serenity stared at him in shock.

"He... Lord Duke wouldn't..." Malik shot a sideways glance at her.

"How do you think he found out about Avia? Lord Duke enjoys showing off in front of Lord Seto. Especially when he takes something from him in the process." Serenity was horrified. She knew he had her under his spell. She moved forward and hooked an arm around Malik's. He glanced down at her and scoffed, then pulled away. "I'd rather not be killed either."

"You wouldn't be." Serenity said, looking up at him.

"If you hadn't noticed, he's got a bit of a jealous streak." Malik laughed.

"But your oath..." Malik stopped. "You would never betray him." She slipped her arms around his again and he sighed.

"That's... True."

"What you're asking is impossible." A tall brunette Dhampire said angrily as Seto tried to reason with him. "The ground this... beast took from us, it's sacred. It's important, and over the last two hundred and ten years, we've suffered greatly for the loss. We will take the land if she leaves." She sighed and pinched his temples.

"Sacred? You're going to let some fool superstition like that cause a two hundred year war?" Seto asked incredulously.

"You... Son of a-" Seto leaned in dangerously close.

"Listen, there's a greater scale war going on up north, and odds are if we don't stop it soon, there will be no more territory for you two to squabble over. You want to get caught up over a few miles of forest, and ignore the possible genocides of multiple species, that's your deal. Just know that, if the wolves ally with us, once the war is over, we'll owe them. And I do one hell of a favor." He threatened. The man tossed the idea around in his head. He highly doubted the demons would get involved with a insignificant land dispute... But he couldn't quite take a risk that big. Still, he wasn't joining lightly.

"One stipulation." Seto raised an eyebrow in inquiry. " We want the Dhampire you have." Seto's eyes shot over to Ishizu.

"I didn't say-" She started, in protest, but the Dhampire before them cut her off.

"We've got eyes everywhere, she was seen entering the elven capitol with you late last night." Seto growled and rose from his seat.

"She's none of your concern." He said, now truly angered. What was it with everyone wanting his nymph?

"She's a Dhampire. She belongs to us. With us." He said. He was trying Seto's last nerve.

"Listen you weak child, she's mine. She was never yours. Never one of you. She's been with me from before she was turned, so don't pretend you lay any claim on her. " Seto slammed his fist down, emphasizing his point.

"So she was turned recently?" He asked with a smirk. Seto understood why, now, Ishizu had been warring with him. It took everything in him not to destroy the half blood before him. He nodded, too angered to speak fully and the Dhampire chuckled. "She must be in so much pain." Seto furrowed his brow, unsure of what he meant. "I assume she hasn't fed yet? She's getting weaker by the day? Paler? Less energy? It starts as a stomach ache but if you wait long enough... she might not make it." Seto's eyes widened. He completely forgot about the Dhampires need to feed. "And living with demons, it must be difficult to find humans willing to let her feed.

"I mean, seeing as Demon blood is too strong for most. Especially the newly turned." Seto was lost in thought and the Dhampire apparently thought that was... amusing. "A bit of warning," The words drew his eyes to meed the laughing man's, "The feeding process, it's a very... pleasing experience. Your best bet is to turn her over to us. Dhampires can feed off of each other. She'll find a nice one around the same age as her, and they can live happily ever after." His last tone sounded sweeter than the rest, but he shook his head and was back to being aggressive towards the demon lord.

"She's strong. I'm sure she will be fine." Seto snapped.

"I want to see her. To make sure you are telling the truth. To make sure she is there of her own free will." He said, letting the sweet tone he had held before slip out again. Seto glanced at Ishizu, and they nodded to each other.

When Seto returned, Duke had had his servants prepare dinner. The sun was beginning to set and Seto was surprised at the Dhampires ability to withstand direct sunlight for so long. Serenity hadn't been able to stand it for more than fifteen minutes. When Malik told Serenity that Seto had called for her, she had been excited and happy that he was back. Being in a strange place without him, even if Malik was there with her, just didn't feel right. It made her stomach turn. She hadn't felt well for a while and she knew seeing him again would finally put her at ease.

When she rounded the turn to the great hall, he was standing there, facing forward and didn't see her. She ran up and hugged him tightly and he hugged her to him. He seemed quiet and pensive and Serenity didn't understand why. Finally, behind him, she saw the tall slim brunette and looked p at Seto questioningly.

"You idiot." The man remarked and Seto turned to him. "She's practically dying already." Serenity felt Seto stiffen against her, and looked worriedly between the two men. He couldn't mean her, could he? "I bet she cant even go out in the sun right now, can she?" Now Serenity knew they were talking about her.

"Dying?" She asked. Both men remained silent. Seto couldn't meet her eyes and the newcomer refused to look away. "But I'm fine!" She said. She did feel a little drained, but other than that, she didn't feel hurt or sick.

"She needs to feed now." The man pulled his shirt down and exposed his neck, offering it to her. Serenity looked up worriedly at Seto.

"I... I don't want to feed... I don't ever want to..." Seto sighed as her words drifted off into nothingness. He knew she would have to feed for the rest of her life.

"If it would make you more comfortable, you can feed off of me." Seto offered, but the man pushed him back.

"No. She cant." Seto growled at the insolence of the boy pushing him around.

"You said some can feed from demons." He pointed out, but the Dhampire scoffed at him.

"I said stronger Dhampires can. This is the first time she's feeding, and my guess is it's been over two weeks since she was turned." Serenity knew it was more like three, but didn't want to say anything. "Your blood would only kill her." Seto clenched his fists in defeat. He would have to allow her to feed off of this... Dhampire. He watched as she slowly approached the Dhampire and positioned herself in front of him. It made him sick. He couldn't wait until he had her back in his castle, far from these people.

His breathing stopped as she lowered her mouth onto the Dhampire's neck.

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Sooooooooooooo sorry for taking so long to update. I've spent the last few days carting my mom to and fro. She had surgery on her knee and I had to make sure she got everywhere she needed to go. So I've been a bit busy. Hope you're all still there.

Read, Review, Enjoy~Love!