An arrow hit a bullseye with expert marksmanship and precision, splitting the opposition's arrow right down the middle. Jake sighed shaking his head as he tapped the end of this bow, tossing it on the ground and going towards the weapon rack. He grabbed the loaded crossbow, aimed and shot it, splitting his adversary's arrow in half.
Kira chuckled, raising her bow, "That's cheating." She released the string, breaking Jake's arrow in half, piercing through the target.
An icicle shot out, puncturing a hole thru the target, destroying all the arrows.
"No, that's cheating." Jake rose his gun-gesture finger and blew over the tip like he was a gunslinger.
Some vampires are different even from their own kin, there was few blessed with gifts. Special powers varying from one individual to another manifesting in what is thought to be the reflection of a vampire's soul. At least in theory. Abilities, such as Jake's for manipulating and creating ice are rare, if they do manifest in an individual they are often of Noble or higher blood. These lands to the accuracy of the theory that the less human DNA a vampire has, the stronger they are and more likely to manifest these abilities. Aside from an exception or two, every Pureblood Vampire, as few as there are, manifests abilities of different kinds.
Kira has seen almost every ability possessed by the staff of the Palace, but Lady Carmilla is the only exception. It was no question of whether or not she had power, as a Pureblood, one at the highest level of all in their society, but not once has Kira seen a particular ability to be shown. Surviving the Game means having the greatest power and the strongest blood, Lady Carmilla's position and blood alone would not secure you rule. Kira was certain she has one...often wondering if it was different than any others. Nearly all manifest physically as something: ice, shields, laser-cutting weapons, acid; Kira had heard of someone having the ability to manipulate emotions, another to tamper with electronics, but in all the years she has spent with the Lady...nothing.
Kira drew her bow and shot another bullseye in an intact target.
"Remind me not to piss you off." Jake rose a brow.
Smirking, Kira drew another from her quiver and another and another, sinking one arrow after the next in each target. Three target popped up, another launched in the air. Every one of them hit in the center.
Jake huffed, "Where the hell did you learn how to shoot like that?"
Letting the bow rest at her side, Kira looked behind seeing if anyone as nearby.
"My dad taught us." She answered quietly.
Jake tilted his head, "Us?"
Suddenly the staff of the Palace were rushing, practically sprinting towards the main entrance. The guards listened in on their ear pieces, adjusting their positions, leaving the gardens without protection. Kira and Jake looked at another, then began heading inside to find out what was happening. Two guards came in front of them, blocking their path.
"Her Majesty's orders: you are to remain in the garden." Said one sympathetically.
Jake was free to go past saying he would find out what was happening and come back. Once he left and was out of ear shot the guards cleared his throat.
"Our orders are to keep you in the garden." One nodded to the other, "But your activities are your own, no matter how high in the garden it maybe."
Turning around, Kira speed walked to the largest tree in the back of the garden. She pulled the bow over her shoulder proceeding to climb what she often referred to as the Old Man. In the branches of the ancient oak the human pulled herself onto a large comfortable branch that faced toward the front of the house. There was a gap in the thick branches, the leaves allowed the perfect view of the front courtyard and the valley below and unless someone had been here themselves, would never know its existence. The perfect view and the best hiding place.
The sound of a motorcycle roared above the walls of the garden. Kira positioned herself, seeing staff members line the entrance of the Palace, the motorcycle in between two armored Suburbans, numerous armed guards bearing colors other than the Palace. That would only mean their loyalties lie with a different house, but while their colors were different, the sigil on the guard's shoulder were that of the Imperial Family. From where Kira sat the SUVs blocked the make and model of the bike, the rider, wearing a full helmet threw their leg over. A familiar leather jacket had Kira's eyes widen.
Removing her helmet, her short hair undisturbed by the full-faced protection. Lady Carmilla stood at the top of the stairs, she walked down wearing a fake smile. She only had that smile when she greeted someone who either annoyed her or who was interfering and Kira knew it well. Thankfully the human has never been on the receiving end of that smile. No...no that can't be. Kira's mouth dropped open. She watched the two vampires enter the mansion, Kira rapidly climbed down, skipping several feet before jumping off the last branch to the ground. Running, Kira tossed the bow to the side; Jake came out, almost being bulldozed by the human.
"Kira wait." Jake grabbed her by the shoulders, "Before you go in, the one who came is-"
"Eona?"
Kira was released from the garden and her and Jake zoomed, with the vampire's speed, into her room locking the door behind. Pacing back and forth she asked Jake again whether Emily had answered and again he tried to call her only for it to go to voicemail. She paced enough to make a dent in the carpet in the circle walked, her heart rate accelerated, her temperature up. Her neck bothered her that she pulled off the scarf tossing it onto the couch that Jake sat on.
"How the hell did I miss it!" Kira questioned with great frustration, "I saw her! I talked to her last night and I didn't even know! How the fuck-!"
Jake rubbed his head, "Hey don't be so hard on yourself I didn't even realize it was her."
"You didn't even see her!" The human argued against.
"Okay." Jake held his hands up in surrender, "Okay so she's back; I mean Lady Carmilla is her aunt its not exactly unusual for family to see each other. Just..." He rocked his head side to side, "This family happens to...have similar tastes."
Kira shot a very threatening and dirty look at him. The hairs on the back of his neck rose.
"She hasn't been back in seven years." Kira gestured calming her tone, "Hell, she stopped talking to me altogether four years ago."
"Then why are you freaking out?" The man shrugged a sigh, "Okay so Eona is kinda your ex-" He bit his tongue at seeing Kira open her mouth to shut him up, "It's been seven years! People change, people grow up, grow out of certain things you know! I mean vampires are a bit different we kinda..." He scratched the back of his head, "Bond for life-" Realizing he was not helping he stopped rambling, "But you're fine, you're bonded to Lady Carmilla..."
Jake looked at the panicking and guilt on Kira's face.
"Kira...please tell me you didn't-" He stopped himself standing, "Nope! Nope, don't tell me; I don't know what you don't tell me!"
The human woman finally dropped on the couch where her friend once sat, grabbing the side of her head and pushing back. Please let this just be me overreacting. She remembered the warm peck on her cheek, the fuzzy remainder that resided on her even now. Surely Eona did not recognize her either, she asked for Kira's name, she could actually not have recognized or remembered the human. In a perfect world it was just coincidence, Eona was just trying to hook up with someone and it just so happened to be a human; which are known to be her type...apparently that runs in the family.
Clearly Lady Carmilla did not like of Eona's sudden return-thinking back, Kira wondered if that is who she was meeting with yesterday. It would make sense, but there she went again jumping conclusions. That was not how she survived, how she won the Game. Facts, facts save her, facts and the skill to navigate the complicated relationships that is immortal society. She could emerge out of this unscathed with her life and status as a human intact. She needed to be calm and composed, to be the quiet submissive to her vampire master. Survival here is what mattered not the events of the past.
They were children back then and people change in seven years. Clearly Eona did...otherwise Kira would have recognized her...but did she subconsciously? She felt unusually calm and relaxed around her, safe even in the midst of the bar's chaos so maybe she really did recognize Eona, but her brain had not caught up with her body. No, wait that doesn't sound right. Kira groaned in frustration.
"What's the gameplay then?" Jake asked, looking at his phone.
Kira dropped her arms in her lap with a loud clap.
"I don't know." She sighed already exhausted from the stress, "Obviously Lady Carmilla knows something is up otherwise she wouldn't have kept me in the garden when Eona came. Safe bet is probably to just avoid being alone with Eona; stay glued to Lady Carmilla's side so she doesn't get jealous or anything."
Jake agreed, "What are the chances that Eona still wants to be as close to you now as you two were then?"
"I have no idea." Kira rubbed her aching neck, her hand covering the hot markings, "But if Lady Carmilla gets upset over me then I'll be killed or worse."
"She's done worse for less." Jake said nonchalantly, not quite thinking before speaking.
"Thanks." Kira glared at him with dagger-eyes, "Real comforting."
The vampire chuckled, "You know what I just remembered?"
"Oh, do enlighten me." Kira growled sarcastically.
"You know who else is here since Eona is? Your favorite person: Wolfgang!"
Kira fell over into the couch, grabbing a pillow and screaming into it. Jake listened as she muffled a yell of something in between of 'that fucking asshole' or 'fuck that fucking asshole'; something along those lines. The Royal Protector, Wolfgang was the senior most commander of the personal protection detail of the Tepes Family and Bloodline. He protected the previous head, whom Kira knew very little about save for her being Eona's mother and now he protects Eona.
Normally he would have stayed beside the current Head of Family, but considering their relationship...Wolfgang went with the Pureblood Princess when she departed. He was less a fan of humans than the general vampire population put together, believing them to be weak, greedy insects by nature. He did not care what humans did so long as it did not involve vampires, which had Kira's presence in the Palace an eyesore for sure.
A knock on the door was a servant calling for Kira. Jake opened the door and the butler entered.
"Her Majesty calls for your presence." He said with nervousness.
Jake leaned against the door, "How bad is it?"
The butler turned to Jake, "No one likes being caught by surprise."
"Her majesty even less than most, got it."
The butler nodded turning to Kira, "I suggest you make haste, she...will not want to be kept waiting."
Kira shot up and sprinted grabbed her scarf rapidly wrapping it around her neck-Jake lifted her into his arms and nearly instantly moved them to the throne room, stopping just outside the side door. Kira fixed herself best as she could, having been wearing her training attire she looked less than presentable, but nevertheless Lady Carmilla would not be unhappy knowing Kira did not change for the 'unexpected' arrival of a guest. Jake gave a thumbs up, having not been summoned himself he knew better than to enter when not called for.
The throne room was massive, located in the East Wing of the Palace, its massive hall was open and wide, cold stone support pillars lined the far sides of the room carved out of the mountain part of the Palace was built from. At the back of the room, where Kira had entered in from a side door was a large staircase ascending to the stone throne where the monarch of the vampire world sat. There Lady Carmilla sat, her golden dress pouring over a few of the steps where she had come from. She finished tasting a glass of blooded wine, setting the glass on the stone arm rest as she spoke.
"Ah, Kira, my dear, come join me." Her Majesty Lady Carmilla Tepes beckoned.
Having seen another off the corner of her eye, Kira dare not look. She bowed her head in respect to Pureblood Vampire, keeping her eyes down as she climbed the stairs arriving at throne in moments. Lady Carmilla smiled, pleased, she looked at Kira's leather armguard and finger tab which showed much wear and use. The sign of a hard worker and someone who practiced a great deal. She could only imagine what for.
Dressed in a single-sleeve athletic shirt and shorts, Kira wore this for practicality when training, her weighted vest over her chest and forearms to increase her overall strength and stamina. Though Lady Carmilla did not care for Kira to grow overly muscular, she was happy to allow her pet to have athleticism. Stamina, afterall, is a human's greatest asset.
"How did your practice fair?" Asked the vampire.
Kira smiled, "Very well m'lady, though...I had a bit of a hangover I still beat Jake." That last part was a lie, but wearing sunglasses did help to make it a convincing lie.
Though lies are easily detectable for one untrained, Kira had long practiced the art of deception. Though by no means could she get any significant lies passed the Empress, minor, innocent white lies were easy to get away with. At least as far as she could tell.
Lady Carmilla chuckled, "It often amazes me how humans can excel at things beyond a vampire. Wouldn't you agree Eona?"
The human's heartbeat increased. Kira turned to see the vampire below, then felt the Empress's hands around her waist holding her.
"You remember my niece Eona don't you? You two grew up together for sometime when you were younger." Reminded Lady Carmilla.
Keeping her storming emotions at bay, Kira bowed slightly, "I do, it is good to see you Lady Eona."
She knew exactly was Carmilla was doing: 'she is mine'. Just like an Alpha predator, marking her territory challenging this knew predator to dare lay claim to her property. When Eona was younger she never dared raise a hand to her aunt, she obeyed, did what was told and expected of her. When her aunt brought home a human girl around her age she told Eona to become friends with her, to teach her and protect her from those not of the Tepes bloodline. Eona though her aunt brought her to be a playmate, but when she did not want to play when she was extremely vicious when Eona first approached.
It took time for the human to be near Eona, to even utter a word or two other than a hateful way of saying 'vampire'. Having asked Doctor Sanders, the first one to successfully tame the beast, Eona was able to understand just a little the reason for human's resentment. Carmilla told her to name the human as she wished, seeing as she refused to tell it herself, not that it mattered. Eona thought long and hard about what to name the girl, a name not to mock, not to pity, but something she could grow to be proud of.
"I am curious, you never specified why you decided to come back. I thought you enjoyed the European Territories?" Lady Carmilla asked, beginning to move her hand and stroke Kira's lower back.
Eona nodded, "I did promise I would come back after my studies were finished. As much as I loved the countryside, I did miss you and my home." The younger Pureblood continued, "With the growing conflicts with the Reich I thought it best to return and lend my assistance."
The Reign? Kira wondered, having heard the name in conversations passing, but knowing little more than them being a faction of vampires led by a rogue Pureblood. Apparently, they have caused quite a bit of trouble and stir even before the vampires declared war on humanity almost twenty years ago.
"And you are always welcomed to your birthplace with open arms. I do wish you would have notified me sooner, I would have made arrangements for you." Lady Carmilla said with a sigh, her hand having gone under Kira's shirt, touching her bare skin.
Kira did well not to make it obvious, but the redness of her face was something beyond her control.
"I wanted to surprise you." Eona said with an innocent smirk initiating the Game, "Besides I wanted to be able to ride my bike, can't do that will a full detail."
Lady Carmilla grew tired of the conversation, "I imagine not, shall we continue this over dinner this evening? You must be tired from your journey and no doubt you are eager to explore your home."
Eona agreed saying she would head to her bedroom in the meantime. She left the throne room, having only Kira and the Empress to be the lone occupants. Oh, I have a bad feeling about this.
"Finally." Kira was pulled into the Empress's lap meeting the crimson eyes of the vampire, their faces inches apart.
Kira straddled the other woman unexpectedly, despite the stiff, cold stone of the blocky throne Kira was able to have her knees pressed on both sides of the immortal propping partly raised by the bounce of her legs. She blushed anytime she was in this position, not used to looking the Empress directly in the eyes. How things went, this was not a normal position.
"You have been awfully quiet." The Empress purred into Kira's ear, her hands reaching around Kira's waist, firmly grabbing her butt.
The human averted Carmilla's intense eyes.
"Are you concerned for Eona's return?" Carmilla asked.
Kira shakenly replied, "Why-would I-be?"
Carmilla's hands traced the the human's inner thigh. Causing the girl to gasp.
"Y-you are the master of this house-" Kira shrugged to hold back her voice.
"It is good you remember that." Carmilla said, pulling off the scarlet scarf and letting it drop on the ground.
On Kira's exposed neck were the pulsing blood vessels filled to the brim with her sweet blood. Beneath her tender flesh was the crimson currency of life and this human had the most delicious of them all. The smell of thick cherry blossom a delectable nectar that only the finest quality blood may produce. How amazing it was such blood was produced by a human woman with no immortal lineage. Not that it mattered whether she did or not, the highest quality meals belonged to the Empress and her alone, as was her right to rule and that which would never be denied to her.
Carmilla brought her lips closer to Kira's neck, her tongue ran across a major artery from the human's collarbone to the middle of her neck. Kira fought to keep her voice down, she braced herself against the Empress's chest, trying to keep herself up as the vampire's hands and tongue slowly traced the lines of her body.
"Never forget who you belong to." Growled the vampire, one hand coming up from under her arm reaching across to grab Kira's neck as her other hand slipped between the woman's straddled legs.
A sharp inhale signaled the failure of Kira's strength. Unable to hold herself up she collapsed her weight onto the Empress her legs shaking as the other woman's fingers pressed between the damp lips.
"You—are—mine." Carmilla's honey-thick words entered Kira's ear sourging throughout her body. The immortal's mouth opened as pearly fangs extended, moments from enriching herself with the other woman's nectar a knock on the throne door interrupted.
Kira was panting, shaking on Carmilla's lap she was mere motions away from coming undone.
"Carmilla..." Called Kira in a desperate plea.
As much as it pained Kira, Carmilla was equally restless from being unable to finish. The elder eased the younger back, brushing her thumb over the straddling woman's bottom lip.
"Tonight, do not expect to sleep in your chambers." Carmilla whispered again, easing Kira off her lap.
Retrieving her scarf, the servant nodded in obedience leaving out the side door with hunger eyes watching every step, listening to ever heart beat until she was out of range. Once away, Kira, out of breath stops in the hallway leaning against the wall to try to regain some of it. At the very least to lessen the heat she was thrown into. I hate it when that happens. Kira cursed. Even if it was survival, that was the pleasant part of it at least much better than what other masters may put her through.
It was pure coincidence that Carmilla found out about her and Kira's shared orientation. It was not hidden as a secret, Carmilla herself had shared her bed with men and women alike which she had been famous for in time past apparently. The Empress learned of Kira's preference in women when she was passing the bar where Kira, Jake and Emily frequentied when Kira turned eighteen. While taken out of context, what Carmilla had actually seen was a truth or dare bet between Emily and Kira. Needless to say the two women won free drinks for the remainder of the night.
After that, Carmilla initiated her pursuit of Kira until they were where they are today. Unofficially, by vampire standards, seeing as she had not been killed yet, Kira was the sole concubine to the Empress. The longest standing one for certain. In the past Carmilla had a reputation for being a pranemantius of partners, Kira was different though, she had not been mistreated; abused in anyway and was neither discarded nor killed. So long as she obeyed and did what was necessary to survive Kira believed she would live quite a long life for livestock. That is...until Eona decided to suddenly show up.
Hours went by, the night went on and many retired early. It was the weekend, but there were no significant events and any meetings had been postponed under the narrative of Eona's arrival. An excuse was all it was. As the activity of the Palace died down, Kira left her room, walking down the hallway, Eona stood leaning against the wall, her arms crossed.
"Good evening Lady Eona." Kira bowed her head slightly
"Guess I don't need that name afterall." The blonde-haired woman chuckled lightly, but her humor had no effect on Kira, "Come on we're friends, don't start with that 'Lady' shit."
Kira put her hands in her pajama bottoms, her top covered by a silky, thin robe. She kicked an imaginary rock, "You knew my name, there was no reason for you to ask." Ignoring Eona's last statement.
Eona shrugged, "I was hoping you'd recognize me and realize I was messing with you." She said a little disappointed.
"Forgive the memory of a human. You changed quite a bit from the last time I saw you." Kira apologized formerly, mockingly.
"Likewise." Eona frowned, "You and my aunt were never that...close."
Kira huffed, "Things change."
"Apparently, attire for late night strolls for one." Eona appeared in front of Kira looking up and down the shorter woman, "I never took you for the silky lingerie type."
For a moment Kira contemplated telling her off, to throw in her face years of anger directed and caused by Eona. She decided against it, at least for now.
"Maybe if you had stayed, i wouldn't have been."
She walked passed Eona, reaching her destination a few yards later at the last door the vampire wanted to see her enter. Without passing a second glance at the other vampire Kira opened the last door at the end of the hall and entered. Inside she found herself in the Bed Chambers of the Empress, a cosy, comfortable room filled with the finer things life had to offer. Expensive egyptian cotton, numerous aged wine, an electric fireplace; luxury furniture made by the best of carpenters; even the drapes were a thick velvet that blocked out any and all light. A large TV hung over the fireplace, a comfortable couch the perfect distance to warm and illuminate a room. In the far corner was a large master bathroom, complete with a large tub and glass wall-in shower. It had three shower heads.
The bed itself was custom, large and sturdy, it was bolted to the ground and wall for stability, but the bed's structure still allowed for some motion. At each of the four bedposts, to include an additional one at the center of the headboard; hardware was built seamlessly into the frame for ease of use and access. Though...use was only on special occasions, Kira doubted that would be on the list of her preferences. At least not tonight.
Looking to the fireplace, Kira saw the Empress sitting in a lone chair, holding a glass of red wine that lacked certain additions. She had been watching the human since she entered the room, patiently waiting for her arrival, though expecting a later arrival. Someone must be eager.
The Empress Carmilla was posed as though modeling for an oil painting. A blend of elegance, power, and sexuality. She had not changed from her earlier clothes, but she did downgrade, her belt missing from her slacks, her white blouse opened up completely to reveal her smooth flat belly. Her lacy black bra highlighted her buster qualities, her breasts nearly falling out of bar which barely contact its contents.
"I thought we might continue where we left off?" Said the Empress, her crimson eyes glowing in the darkness of the ill-lite room.
Kira smiled walking forward as she became engulfed by the desires and lust of Carmilla.
"Give me..." Carmilla's touch heated Kira's body, "Your highest quality blood."
