Bound By Blood

How would a powerless woman with nobody on her side survive in a society full of ruthless supernatural beings? She might be weak, but she is strong-willed. Having lost her whole family to the higher beings, Luciana was driven by hatred, and she would stop at...

Chapter 1 The Dark Prince

Luciana stood on the highest point of a cliff with eyes closed, listening to the peaceful sound of the river. Just one step forward, she would fall to her death. But that doesn't scare her. In fact, that was what she was fantasizing about.

The wind blew her long red hair to her face, and the ghost of a smile appeared on her lips. She imagined herself just walking that step, and her life would be over. What could be more fulfilling than that? What was there to live for when she was all alone?

Just as she decided to move one leg forward, someone had to distract her.

"Luciana! What are you doing? Get off there!" Annalise called worriedly. She quickly ran over there and pulled Luciana away. "What the hell are you thinking? You want to get yourself killed?" She scolded. But the ever strong-headed Luciana turned to her with a very stoic expression.

"I am sorry for getting you worried." She then walked past her.

Annalise stood there confused, her heart still beating in nervousness of what she almost witnessed. Was Luciana going to kill herself?

She then pulled herself out of her thoughts and ran after her.

"Luciana! Wait."

She pulled her by the hand when she finally caught up to her.

"Why are you doing this? You can talk to me. You got me scared."

"I am sorry for scaring you." Luciana said without looking at her.

"We need to go back to the inn as soon as possible. I heard that there is a buyer available. Rumour has it that he is rich. What if he is a marque, or an Earl, or a count, or a viscount." She gasped. "Or even a Duke. Life could be better for us. And if you use your feminine charms well, you might be able to get one to marry you." Annalise shared her supposed brilliant thoughts with Luciana, only to be met with a blank disinterested stare.

"I don't want to get married Annalise."

Annalise rolled her eyes. "You are such a joy killer. I would have left you alone, but I am afraid you might jump off the cliff."

Luciana smiled a little.

Annalise then grabbed Luciana's hand, and walked her back to the inn where they had been staying for the past two weeks. They didn't even know the kingdom they were in, as they were taken away as slaves.

"Where were you Luciana?" Lady Rowena questioned her as soon as she saw both girls. "You don't want to keep our buyer waiting."

Luciana almost rolled her eyes. Of course, they were waiting for their buyer. A person who would buy them. Nothing irritated her more than that.

Just two weeks ago, she was living happily with her family, before catastrophe befell them, and she was taken away. Every now and then, a wealthy man or woman, mainly the supernatural beings would come to purchase them, as if they were goods. Many of them were bought either to be used as slaves or to make more money for their masters through immoral means.

Luciana had not been bought because everyone she was presented before didn't find her appealing enough. They mostly complained that she lacked manners, and she looked too thin. She had ended up receiving a few beatings from the inn's guard anytime they complained about her.

Now was another time to receive a beating, and she prepared herself. It was nothing to her anyway.

Lady Rowena gathered all the ladies outside, and lined them up so that they all face her.

"You all know that an important personality with a high social standing would be coming here to make his purchase today." She began as she slowly walked from one girl to another. "So I expect you all to be on your best behavior, and also remember to look your best. If he touches you, give him your most charming smile. This is a new customer, and I would like to make a good first impression."

Murmurs were heard among the girls before lady Rowena shut them up.

"Any questions?" She asked.

One of the girls raised her hand.

"May we know who this personality is my lady?" She gave a polite bow.

"It's the prince of Durville."

A gasp was heard at the mention of the prince. He was well known for his ruthlessness, and thirst for power within and outside his kingdom. He had conquered many kingdoms, expanding his father's already large one. He was also known for his obsession in buying slaves. No one knew the reason.

They live in a society where power rules. And it is believed that the bigger the kingdom, the more powerful the king. The prince was an asset to his father.

"You all should calm down. Be respectful, and do whatever he says. You will be alright." Lady Rowena said.

"Now you have five minutes to dress up. Make sure you look your best. Use scented oils on your hair and skin..."

Luciana wanted to roll her eyes. Lady Rowena always made them dress and appear their finest whenever a buyer was coming, making them appear like they were cared for.

"Monica." Lady Rowena called the girl that had at first asked her a question. "This might be your chance. You were almost taken by the viscount's son last time, before he noticed Gwen."

Monica nodded. "I will do my best my lady." She bowed.

Lady Rowena liked Monica because she was very polite and obedient. She looked beautiful and healthy too. She would fetch her a lot of money.

Then she moved to stop in front of Luciana. "And you. I don't want you giving me a bad name, so you better behave."

She then inspected her. "You have gotten thinner than the last time we had a buyer. Do you eat at all?"

"Yes my lady." Luciana replied with a dull tone.

"Nobody will buy you at this rate. And it cost me money to continue feeding you." Lady Rowena complained.

"I never asked you to feed me my lady." She then looked up at lady Rowena, meeting her eyes. "You were the one who chose to burden yourself."

Lady Rowena would have slapped her, but she didn't want the prince to find any of the girls out of shape. Not that she wasn't already looking bad.

Annalise who was standing beside Luciana gently tapped her, reminding her her position. She was already used to Luciana's sharp tongue, but she feared it would get her in real trouble one day.

The inn's guard passed by, and his gaze met Luciana's. She knew she was in trouble. He was going to beat her with his super human strength again. He was a werewolf. They should try something new.

"Now go." Lady Rowena ordered.

The girls quickly left to get themselves dressed. As much as they feared the prince, they saw him as an opportunity to climb higher the social ladder.

Annalise brought dresses for her and Luciana, but she came out only to meet Luciana lying on the bed, not minding the girls turning the room upside down, wanting to look perfect.

"Luciana please. This is your chance to leave here." Annalise pleaded, knowing how mistreated Luciana was.

"How are you sure life with the prince would be better?" She asked with a dry tone.

"You get to live in a castle. You get to meet nobilities from far and wide. If you know how to use your charms, you might catch the eyes of one. Who knows, they can help you find your family."

Luciana's eyes closed, and she gulped down saliva.

"I don't need the castle." Her voice came out low, unlike her.

"You will find them alright?" Annalise encouraged.

Soon, Lady Rowena called them out again.

The girls lined up quietly with their heads bowed, as they had been taught to do.

Soon enough, voices and footsteps were heard, and they guessed that the prince was there already, but they were not permitted to look up to see him.

When the prince began to walk in front of them, some of the girls cowered as they remembered some rumours about him.

Lady Rowena took him to Monica, hoping that he would be pleased with her and buy her, but the prince didn't even look at her. His eyes just scanned the line of girls, before turning to lady Rowena.

"How much?" His deep voice rang.

"For who your highness?" Lady Rowena asked respectfully.

The werewolf guard that had looked at Luciana before, walked up to him.

"If I may your highness..."

He began to point out girls for the prince, encouraging him to purchase them. Then he pointed at Luciana and said something she couldn't hear, but she guessed it would not be something nice. He then pointed at another girl, and whispered something to the prince with a boyish grin on his face.

But when the prince turned to him, the guard stepped back. The prince stared at him like he just said something he shouldn't have said, and he wondered if he had crossed the line with the ruthless prince.

Before he could say one more word, the prince grabbed him by the throat and turned him around, so that the guard's back was facing him. Before anyone could react, he brought out a dagger from beneath his sleeve, and slit his throat, letting him fall to the ground. Dead.

He then turned to lady Rowena who had an appalled look on her face. Her mouth was hung open, and she looked like all colour had been drained away from her.

"Now how much for all of them?" He asked, while he brought out a white cloth to wipe the blood off his dagger.

Chapter 2 Sacrifices

"How much for all of them?" The prince asked, staring at the terrified Rowena.

What had even scared the lady more was how the prince was acting, even after killing the inn's guard. He spoke and wiped his dagger so casually, she almost doubted he just killed a person.

"Two... two thousand gold coins your highness." Lady Rowena replied.

When the prince stared at her, she bowed her head, unable to bear his gaze. She was also scared that he might find it offensive and kill her off as well.

"Two thousand gold coins." He repeated, and lady Rowena hoped that he didn't think it was too much. Clearly, he could afford it.

The prince suddenly walked away, leaving Lady Rowena and the girls confused.

When he was out of sight, she moved to address the girls.

"You disappoint me. None of you could manage to charm him. What are you women for?" She scolded them. "You all will be punished."

Luciana already expected this outcome, but she still couldn't help but roll her eyes. But she wasn't discreet enough, and Lady Rowena caught her.

She walked to stand in front of her.

"I will not tolerate any more disrespect from you Luciana. All the girls are relieved of their duties today, and you would be left to do them all. Maybe a day of hard labour would teach you some manners." She sounded frustrated, and Luciana knew that it was only because she didn't make any sale to the prince. "You are of no use to me anyway."

"It's nobody's fault that no one was bought by the prince. He clearly wasn't interested." She stated out of irritation, not a bit bothered by the punishment that she had been given.

Lady Rowena raised her hand to slap her, but a stronger hand quickly caught her hand. She turned and saw that it was the prince. When did he get there?

He stared angrily at her, and she shivered.

"No one touches what is mine." He declared, surprising them again. He then gave her a warning look, before dropping her hand. "They are mine now." He said, before giving her a black pouch full of coins. A smile brightened her lips. He seemed to have given more than she asked for.

"Thank you your highness. You are very generous."

"I would like to go with them now."

That's when Lady Rowena looked and saw carriages coming. He must have gone to ask them to come in the time he left.

"The girls began to enter the carriages. Any one that got filled would ride away.

Luciana and Annalise entered the last carriage, leaving the prince behind.

"Why do you think the prince bought us all? Annalise whispered to Luciana as soon as they were seated. There were two other girls in the carriage, and she didn't want them hearing her.

"It is a hobby for him. So I heard." Luciana answered without bothering to reduce her voice.

"Be careful. Don't speak ill of him." Annaliese warned. "I don't know what he is, but I am sure he isn't human. He might hear you."

A few hours later, they arrived at the kingdom of Durville, the most powerful kingdom in their country.

Luciana's looked through the glass of the carriage, her eyes scanning the new place. The only good thing about coming here was that she could easily get tools for the experiment she wanted to conduct.

"Luciana do you think the prince needs us as slaves or whores?" Annaliese asked again. The closer they got to the castle, the more nervous she became.

"I don't know. I would have guessed whores, but he bought us all. So I think slaves make more sense." She shrugged one shoulder. "Or maybe he just like having many whores. He might also want to share us with his friends. So many possibilities."

"Does it not scare you?" Annaliese asked her. She was really surprised at how relaxed Luciana was. One of the girls sitting close to them was already bawling her eyes away.

"We were already treated as slaves in the inn." Luciana reminded her.

"We have heard so much rumours about this prince. We even saw him kill that guard today. You should at least be afraid."

"This isn't enough reason." She stated.

"That isn't enough reason? You are unbelievable Luciana!"

Not too long after, they arrived the castle. The carriages soon stopped, and the girls were asked to step out. The prince was no where in sight.

A knight then came to guide them to the place they would be staying, before they know their purpose of being bought.

The place he took them to was like the inn they came from, but much bigger, neater and more luxuriously looking. There was a lady standing in front of the door.

"This is Rebecca. She will tell you everything you need to know staying here." The knight told them politely, before he turned to leave.

Rebecca's eyes scanned the girls, before asking them to come in. She first took them to a very large dining room that seemed to be in the middle of the house. They met three girls seated there already.

"As you all know, I am Lady Rebecca. And these three here are Rosaline, Matilda and Isabella. They are just like you, bought by the prince." That was all she said, before walking away.

"You can have your seats." Matilda said with a smile, when she noticed that they were still standing. "Excuse Rebecca's manners. She's very snobbish, and she likes to think herself a lady."

Isabella and Rosaline chuckled.

The girls then sat around the table. Soon after, some women came in, bringing food.

"This food smells yummy." Annaliese said to Luciana even before the food got to her. She inhaled deeply. "Maybe we would get to eat nice food here."

"The food here is really nice." Isabella agreed. "The only thing that seems unbearable here is that Rebecca is in charge." She shook her head.

Soon enough, the food was served, and true to what Isabella said, it tasted delicious. Unlike the inn where they used to stay, there was more than enough to eat. Annaliese couldn't stop herself from smiling, as she tried different delicacies. She then looked over at Luciana, and was surprised that she was struggling to eat.

"You should eat more Luciana." She encouraged.

"I just can't." Luciana said.

Luciana had the habit of eating very little or not eating at all. Annaliese thought it was only because of the bad food they were given at the inn they came from.

When Luciana noticed that Annaliese kept staring at her, she forced herself to eat a little.

"How often do the prince come here?" One of the girls asked Matilda.

"Not too often. He does visit a few times though. He would pick a few girls and go away with them." She explained.

"Away? They don't come back?" Another girl asked in fright.

"They don't." Rosaline confirmed.

"What do you think they are used as?" Annaliese asked, as her interest was pulled towards the discussion.

"I don't know." Rosaline answered honestly.

"It should be slavery. He can't have these many girls just to keep him company." Another girl thought out loud.

"What if they were used for sacrifices?" Luciana suddenly asked, making everyone turn to her. "It is no news that some of these powerful rulers usually pay some kind of sacrifices, mostly humans, to sustain their powers." She explained, scaring them all. "It makes perfect sense to me."

There was absolute silence in the dining table as the girls thought about it. There was indeed sense in what she said. Monica got up and ran away, crying.

"Look what you've caused Luciana." A girl sitting close to her scolded.

"I only shared my thoughts like everyone else."

Rebecca came back after dinner, to show them to their rooms. Annaliese, Luciana, and two other girls, Agnes and Ester shared a room.

Annaliese swirled as soon as she entered.

"This is much bigger than our old room where we all had to share one." She moved to the bed. "And the mattresses here are comfortable." She stood up, while checking out other parts of the room. "We even have beautiful dresses here."

Luciana went to sit on the bed, not minding Annalise and the other girls who were busy checking out the room.

Not long after, the door was pushed open, and Rebecca stepped in.

"You, come here." She ordered, pointing at Luciana. Luciana sighed before going to meet her.

"What did you tell the girls? You accused the prince of sacrificing the girls?" She looked angry, and Luciana knew that she had entered her black list, just like with Lady Rowena.

"I shared my thoughts." Luciana deadpanned.

"You know what? You are absolutely right. And I will make sure you will be the one he would sacrifice next." Rebecca threatened, hoping to scare the red haired girl, but she was only met with a blank stare.

"You look healthier than me. You'd make a better sacrifice." Luciana said to her, making Rebecca's blood boil in anger. She lifted her hand to slap her, but she suddenly stopped. Luciana watched the motion of her hand as she dropped it back down.

"Something tells me that you are not allowed to touch us." Luciana said with a faint smile. "We belong to the prince."

"He won't protect you forever. And remember that you are only human." Rebecca then opened her mouth to reveal her elongated fangs, and the colour of her eyes turned a golden yellow.

"You are a werewolf. The last werewolf I saw died with a small dagger to his throat." Luciana said.

"This werewolf will bring you death."

Chapter 3 Encounter

Luciana kept looking at her fruit basket, wondering if the strawberries she had gathered would be enough to make the juice she planned to make for her mother, while her feet kept moving out of the garden. Suddenly she bumped into someone. She looked up and the person greeted her with a polite smile. It was the duke of Wesborne, Elric Wright.

"Careful Luciana. You are always not watchful of your path." He said as he held her so she would not stumble and fall.

She offered him a polite bow, feeling quite embarrassed.

"I am sorry your grace, and thank you for catching me."

He waved his hands, signalling that it was nothing.

"I am glad I met you now. I had been wanting to see you." He told her, and her brows furrowed slightly. "It's the viscount's birthday next week." He said, and she nodded, as that was a common knowledge. "I would like you to accompany me."

Luciana pressed her lips into a thin line, before looking up at him.

"How do I refuse you your grace?"

The duke smiled. "It was only a request. It's up to you to refuse or not."

She bowed slightly. "I am sorry, but I would have to decline this one."

He just nodded. "I guess I will just try again next time."

"That's your decision to make your grace. And I can also decline right?" She asked him politely, but with a sense of familiarity. He chuckled.

"See you later Luciana."

Luciana suddenly found herself at home, she met her brother and sister chatting, and they seemed to be making something she didn't know. She guessed that it was for their parents, as it was their wedding anniversary.

She entered the living room and met her mother seating on the table, with her father standing between her legs, kissing her. They didn't notice her presence at all. She smiled to herself.

Her parents were deeply in love with each other, and their show of affection was nothing new.

"Mama, Papa, please take that to your bedroom." She teased.

Her mother pushed her father lightly on the chest, putting some space between them, as she blushed, and her father found the situation amusing.

"Your father would not let me be." Her mother said, pretending to complain.

"Where's aunty Madeline?"

"She's in the kitchen." Her mother answered.

She looked around the living room, it was tastefully decorated, and she knew that her parents planned to celebrate their anniversary.

Luciana suddenly felt something pull her hair roughly, and she sprang up. Her eyes were wide open, but she didn't know who did it to her, as it was still dark.

"Wake up human." It was Rebecca's voice.

"Luciana." Luciana corrected her. She then sat up, her dream replaying in her mind. She was glad that Rebecca woke her up, even though the wolf was annoying. It seemed like a happy dream, but she knew what would have come next. It had become a constant reoccurrence every night, the reason she didn't look forward to sleeping. It haunted her, plagued her night...

"Human, did you not hear me? Get up, and get yourself cleaned."

"How come no one else is awake?" Luciana asked curiously, as she noticed that she was the only one that Rebecca woke up.

"I choose to wake you up before everyone else."

"Am I that important to you that you have to cut your sleep just to wake me up?" Luciana tilted her head as she asked. She could see her better now.

"Watch what you say human." Rebecca warned.

"Luciana." Luciana corrected her again.

"You all are the same to me. Fragile, weak, short life, very unimportant..."

"Or maybe your dog brain would not allow you remember my name." Luciana cut her off in a deadpanned tone.

Rebecca's eyes widened. She clenched both fists at her sides. The fact that the prince didn't permit anyone to hit the girls was killing her. She would have scratched her skin away.

"I am a werewolf, not a dog." Rebecca corrected through gritted teeth.

"You look the same to me."

She then left the shocked werewolf in her room and found her way to the kitchen. She quietly took a small knife and went outside the house.

She looked for a corner that she left before do not go often, then she went to hide there, her breathing hard.

Stretching out one of her hands, her eyes fell to her wrist. It was filled with wounds, cuts, old and fresh ones.

She then took the knife and slowly brought it to the wound. She poked it with the tip of the knife, before cutting open her already cut flesh. Blood dripped out from it, but she didn't stop, neither did she wince. This was her way of distracting herself, numbing pain with pain, but she had gotten used to physical pain.

After she had done enough damage, she dropped the knife and just sat down there, closing her eyes.

Luciana drifted in and out of sleep, and by the time she woke up fully, she was surprised to see that everywhere was already so bright. She got up and went into the house.

When she got to the living room, the girls were all seated there, having breakfast. Some of them were done.

Annaliese walked up to her when she noticed her.

"Where have you been Luciana? You have missed breakfast. I kept a portion for you, but Rebecca took it back. I suggest you should stop being rebellious. Did you cut yourself again?" She said all at once.

"Tell her. She needs to hear it." Rebecca floated to where they stood. "I am in charge here, and I can choose to starve you."

Annalise kept quiet and back away a little, obviously afraid of Rebecca. Rebecca gave a smug smile, clearly pleased with her reaction.

"And you? You should apologize." She demanded, turning to Luciana.

"For calling you a dog?" Luciana asked, pretending to be clueless, and some low chuckles were heard.

Rebecca gritted her teeth. "You know what I do to humans like you that are not under the prince's protection? I enjoy sinking my claws in their flesh and watch them bleed to death." She smiled.

"Uhm... Don't... don't you feel guilty... when you... kill humans like that?" Annalise asked, feeling hurt by what she said. It was no news how humans were terribly mistreated by the supernatural beings.

"Do you feel guilty when you hurt a fly? No. It's the same thing to me. You humans were born to be our slaves."

"Humans use dogs as pets." Luciana retorted, and Rebecca saw red. Before she could do anything, they heard footsteps behind them. It was the prince and another man, General Fletcher behind him. The girls all bowed their heads.

"Rebecca." The prince called, and the werewolf quickly walked up to him. He asked her some questions the girls couldn't hear, and she diligently gave her answer.

The prince then looked ahead as if something drew his attention.

"Red hair." He called, and Luciana looked up, meeting his eyes. "Come."

She stared at him for a moment, before walking up to him.

"What is your name?" He asked.

"She is not..." Rebecca began, but quickly shut up when the prince looked at her. "I am sorry your highness." She bowed and stepped back. Luciana's lips curled up slightly.

"Luciana your highness." She answered. It was strange that he called her, but she was to curious as to know why.

He then suddenly grabbed her hands, and his eyes fell to her wrists, that was injured. He gave her a questioning look.

"I did that to myself." She answered, and he nodded.

"Why?" He looked at her, only to meet her staring back at him. He was quite taken aback. He had never had anyone look at him with such boldness, and she was a human. He could even tell that she wasn't just pretending to be bold. Her body language didn't signify fear in any way.

"It feels good." She stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

He frowned. She was really weird. The only times he had had ladies stare at him, it was because they lusted after him or his position. But this human's stare was just... empty.

His eyes fell to her wounded wrists again. Those surely didn't look like mere accidents. They were deep cuts. And she did it to herself?

"You should be careful walking around when the scent of your blood is still fresh." He warned, still staring at her wrists.

Luciana's squinted her brows as if realizing something.

"You are a vampire?"

He was surprised again at how she went straight to ask him a question.

"I thought you all knew that by now."

He expected her to be scared that he would suck her blood as he was still holding her hands, but the human just stood still.

"Excuse me... your highness." Rebecca called, still bowing. "You should be uncomfortable being with so close to fresh blood, and an unwashed body." She said in a caring tone. "You should probably ask her to give you some space."

"What is your name your highness?" Luciana asked again, and this time even the general was shocked.

"Raziel." He answered curtly, and Rebecca gasped, probably taken aback that he answered her.

"Take her to see the physician Rebecca." He told Rebecca, and the she-wolf nodded. He then turned to the girls on the table. He pointed at two of them, and ask them to follow him.