Rhea POV
After doing some light shopping in the village market I head home, not wanting to be away from the house for too long. After noticing all the guards strolling through the streets I quicken my pace until I finally get home, hoping to not attract the attention of the vampires that patrol the town. Having so many guards walking throughout and around the village usually meant that there was either an auction soon or a threat from neighboring areas.
I don't know why my parents decided to move to this city, it was horrible. Yes it was nicer than most cities, but only because this was the main city. The king would never have his castle surrounded by a run down city. He liked to show off his wealth. The city was safe from the outlaw vampires but at the price of the auction.
The auction happens once every year, only lasting two days. Ages 18 through 60 are the only ones at risk of being picked. The younger you are the more expensive you are, although being female is the worst due to most vampires wanting sex slaves. The first day is for the women and the second day is for the men. They used to be on the same day but after what happened last year the king had split the auction into two days to reduce the risk of another fight breaking out.
"Hey mom," I smile as I walk inside and set everything from the market down on the table.
"Hello dear," my mother, Lucy, was sitting at the dining room table sewing together her dress.
"There are a bunch of guards out today," she tenses up and stops sewing, suddenly going pale.
"Oh? There's probably an auction today… it's that time of year again."
No... the last one ended badly. So many were killed in that fight.
The last auction had ended with several of the men fighting back against the king's guards. That hadn't gone too well seeing as everyone that had fought back either ended up dead or as cattle to the worst known vampires.
"Where's dad?" I ask, trying to keep my voice even to not show my fear.
"He's outside working in the garden. When he's done we are going to make shepherd's pie for dinner."
"Sounds amazing," I kiss my mother's cheek before starting to wash the vegetables. My sister comes running down the stairs and sliding into the living room. Lilah has always been the favorite child. She gets whatever she wants no matter what and is willing to do anything to get it.
I finish washing the vegetables and right as I turn to walk up the stairs to my bedroom two guards suddenly burst in. They scan the room before marching over to me and my sister. The first one grabs my arm tightly while the other grabs my sister by her wrist.
"You two are coming with us ," His voice was deep and demanding, very much matching his scarred and warlike build.
"No, please don't take my daughters. I beg you," my mother pleads, clutching at her chest. The second guard slaps her across the face and she falls to her knees holding the spot he hit. My father, Keith, comes running into the room only to be knocked back by the first guard, landing next to my mother. Without another word we are dragged outside and tied by our wrists to the guards' horses.
"Let me go, you bastard!" I scream as I try to break free from the ropes.
"Be quiet or I'll make you quiet," His smirk was terrifying and the way his eyes glinted as he scanned over my body made me uncomfortable beyond what words can explain. I stop fighting and lower my head. "Shame, I was hoping for some fun."
He kicks his horse forward and I cry out as my wrists burn from the rope digging in. This was going to be a long walk up to the castle.
Severus POV
As I walk down the corridors of my castle the screams and strings of curse words from the auction flood the halls, only getting louder as I near my balcony. After taking my seat in my balcony chair that oversees the auction I kick my feet up on the railing, hoping that this auction went smoothly. After the last auction I had the men and women separated to cut down the numbers in one group.
I always come down early to witness which of the girls has the most attitude and which ones have accepted their fate. It's always fun to watch some of them try and fight the guards. Even the guards enjoyed the pathetic little fights from some of them. So far all the girls have just kept quiet. After the last auction I'm not surprised, many women had died. They had decided it was a good idea to band together with the men and try to escape. So much blood was wasted that day.
I glance over to see Riker, a rather annoying noble, make his way to the edge of my balcony. He means well but gods he is an idiot and very full of himself.
"Your Majesty?" I swear even his voice is annoying.
"Yes Lord Riker?"
"There is sweet blood in that crowd," sweet blood is a delicacy among vampires. It was made law that only the royals and high-ranking nobles could own its host, the royals having first pick. The sweet blooded hosts were not to be killed so that they could pass their blood on to their children. "I was wondering if-"
"You know the law."
"Yes but-"
"Go back to your seat and bid on only those you can afford," my attention is quickly drawn to the doors when I hear a young woman trying to fight the guard holding her. When I see how small the girl is I couldn't help but smirk. She had to be 5 foot 4 at most. The guard shoves her to the ground, making me get up and head down to the auction stage.
Rhea POV
After being thrown to the ground I quickly get up and run my hand through my hair to get it out of my face. Why me? I wasn't the only one fighting back… ok maybe I was but I didn't need to be shoved to the ground for it.
"This one is fun," the guards all laugh as they watch my pathetic attempts at fighting back.
"I feel bad for the poor man that pays for her."
Oh what I would give to be able to take them on. They're just a bunch of-
"Assholes," the smiles fall from their faces as they glare at me. Didn't realize that I had said that out loud until one stepped forward and struck me across the face, making me fall to the ground again. Refusing to give up, I lunge forward only to be stopped by a strong grip on my throat causing me to be pulled back towards a strong body. The guards around me quickly drop to one knee with their heads bowed.
No... not him. Anyone but him.
"Hello little one," his breath ghosts over my neck, sending shivers through my body. His voice was deep and demanded respect, having a rich smoothness to it. One of the guards slowly stood and his voice sounded so shaky as he spoke, almost as if one wrong move could get him killed.
"Your Majesty... w-what are you d-doing down here? The auction hasn't started yet," as I look around all the girls look at me with pity and fear, whispering to each other. I take a deep breath and try to move away as fast as possible.
"Let me go! I'm definitely not your 'little one'. I don't want to be here and definitely not with you," his grip tightens and I can feel his body pressed hard against mine, his teeth grazing over my neck as he whispers.
"Careful now little one... I'd hate to ruin such a perfect little body, especially one that has blood so sweet."
"I'm not going to be with a man that kills every girl he is with behind closed doors. I will not be your next victim," in the next moment I feel my body being whirled around and roughly pinned with my back against the wall and his hand tight around my throat. His grip gets even tighter making me claw at his wrist desperately trying to pull it away so I can breathe.
"G-get off m-me," I wince in pain and glare at those bright red eyes filled with anger.
"I'll take her," I stop breathing as I hear those words, forever being under him as a servant until the day he kills me. I need to get out of here.
"F-fuck you, you b-bastard," I kick him hard in the leg, causing him to let go and stumble, falling back onto one knee as he catches himself. I turn and run as fast as I can towards the door I came out of earlier.
Severus POV
That little brat.
A growl escapes my throat as I stand up and brush the dirt off my pant leg. I whirl around to the group of girls and smirk when I see one that looks exactly like her. Perfect. I grab her by the throat and hold her so her back is against my chest and my hand is firmly around her throat.
"Stop or I kill her," I smirk as she stops and turns, her eyes widen and I know I've got her attention now.
"Let go of my sister you bastard."
"You like calling me that. Is that the only insult you know?"
"I'll go with you if you set her free," it's amusing that she thinks she has any control in this situation, but I don't need a fight to break out at the moment so I'll play along.
"I'll take you both with me."
"No, you will send her home to my parents," I roll my eyes as I tighten my grip, starting to get frustrated and annoyed.
"No. Come with me now or I rip her throat out and drink her dry," She walks over and gives me a very stern look, making me smirk.
"Let. Her. Go."
"No," She starts to glare and I bite the inside of my cheek to hold back a laugh.
"What do you want with her? She's only 14."
14… she shouldn't have been grabbed in the first place. Those damn guards only think with their dicks sometimes.
"I have my reasons," I growl as I shove her sister to the guards. "Take her to the servants quarters and give her new clothes. I don't want to see a servant in peasant clothes."
They take her away quickly and I turn back to the older sister. I grab her wrist and turn to the guards.
"Continue with the auction. I'll be in my chambers. I have what I want," I smirk down at the girl before I walk back up to the castle balcony and through the corridors to my chambers. She had remained quiet, only occasionally pulling back on her wrist.