Chapter 2

How? How did I get chosen?

“Of all the people, why me…?” A voice repeatedly asked in my head as I took a few steps forward, fighting back the tears that were now threatening to fall. I felt Draven burning holes through my face as I walked past him but I kept my gaze on the ground, regretting every step I took, before standing in front of the crowd, next to the four girls. Whisperings and clapping’s filled the room as everyone congratulated us but at this point, I became absorbed and oblivious to the passage of time. I simply stood stiff in my position, my gaze remaining on the floor as I asked myself the same question over and over again. Why, why me? I was probably the only one who was dreading over the fact that I might get chosen, so why? Why couldn’t it be anyone else?  

“I’m sorry if the ceremony was rushed ladies, but as you know, Draven is a very impatient man.” I heard someone’s voice say before everyone laughed and chuckled, not even bothering to make a comment about his outburst earlier.

It’s like it never happened. There’s never any consequences to their actions and that’s exactly why the vampires treat humans however they please.

“Enjoy the rest of the night.” An unfamiliar voice said as I watched some people rush to the appetizer table while the rest kept congratulating the chosen girls, except me.

No, nobody wanted to throw a word of praise at me after the little stunt I pulled.

“Thank you so much!” I heard the girls gloat as they hugged and grinned at the men and ladies who kept ranting on about how lucky they were. Normally, I would have broken down at this point, but somehow, I managed to pull myself together. I admit, I wasn’t strong like most of these girls were and I certainly wasn’t brave. However, I wasn’t dumb or naive like most girls. I wasn’t flattered when he chose me and I certainly will continue to feel this way. I wasn’t honored to be able to attend this ceremony. The only thing I felt and still feel is helpless. What if I hid in a safe place as soon as I entered, like I had planned to for the past two weeks? What if vampires didn’t exist in the first place? What if I was stuck at one age without turning 18? Would things have turned out differently then?

Hopeless questions kept pouring into my head and I closed my eyes shut before taking a deep breath, knowing that there was no use to get worked up anymore.

What’s done is done, now I have to figure out a way to escape without getting caught. I glanced at Draven and my eyes widened when I caught him staring at me, causing me to quickly avert my gaze back on the marble floor, my hands and body still shaking from everything that just happened.

“I’ll never see my mother or father again-” The first thought that popped into my head made me feel worse and I bit my bottom lip, trying my very best to keep on my expressionless mask as I straightened my posture. I can’t anger him any more than I have.

“Miss Reed?” An unfamiliar voice called and I looked up to face a man in his mid-20’s, who was now giving me the look of concern. “Why are you crying?” As soon as those words slipped out of his mouth, half the room grew silent and I stared at him in disbelief and confusion before the realization hit me like waves. With now trembling fingers, I reached up to touch my cheeks and sure enough, my fingertips felt the hot and wet sensation of burning tears.

“This-this is not what it looks like…” I trailed away, quickly brushing away my tears and I could hear whisperings surfacing around the room as the intense atmosphere clouded around us even more.

“My young lady, are you not happy to have been chosen?” A lady asked and everyone was now either scowling or staring at me in disgust, undoubtedly not pleased with the fact that I was being “ungrateful”, as they like to put it.

“It’s-it’s not that, I’m-I’m happy but I-” I started stumbling on my words and I watched people shaking their heads in pity, including the girls standing next to me.

“I’m just-” Before I could finish, someone grabbed my wrist so hard, I winced in pain before he started dragging me outside and I stumbled myself forward as I scurried along. I could feel my hands trembling when I realized that it was none other than Draven Cruz himself, who now remained silent as he dragged me through the crowd but judging by the force he had on my wrist, I knew that he wasn’t pleased-at all.

“Wa-wait…” I barely choked out, trying to keep up with his fast pace as he walked out of the ballroom, not even bothering to turn around or slow down. Before I could open my mouth to apologize, he turned around and slammed my shoulders to the nearest wall and I winced in pain, looking up to face Draven who was now glaring down at me, his eyes completely filled with hatred and anger while mine were only full of plead.

“What the fuck are you crying for?!” He snapped, raising his voice and I shrunk back as I pressed my back even further against the wall, trying to come up with a response that wouldn’t anger him.  

“I’m-I’m sorry, I was scared.” I stammered, and on cue, tears started rolling down my cheeks as I tried to swallow in the sob but it was no use. I was almost on the verge of breaking down and he was definitely pushing me to my limits.

“What the hell makes you think I fucking care?!” He retorted, slamming his hands on either side of my neck on the wall, causing me to gasp and jolt up in my position before I pressed my lips together into a thin line. “I chose you because I wanted to. But don’t you fucking dare test my patience!” He seethed and I nodded before an uncontrollable sob escaped through my lips which didn’t seem to please Draven at all because his eyes turned a shade darker, if that was even possible.

“So I suggest you get a fucking grip,” He started in a threatening tone, grabbing my cheeks so roughly that I held his wrist, hoping he would loosen his grip but instead, he held them firmly before holding my face up to meet his eyes. “Before I make you!” He spat with no remorse in his words and I fought back the tears before nodding, my heart screaming for me to break down while my brain fought to keep myself together.  

“Ye-yes.” I choked out and he loosened his grip painfully slow, still keeping his gaze on my eyes as I brushed away my tears before taking a shaky breath, trying to even my heart beats.  

“Now go in there and tell them they were misunderstood, that the tears weren’t tears of fear but tears of joy.” He ordered, standing up straight and I nodded again, clutching my hands together to stop myself from trembling any further. An arm slipped around my shoulder before he guided us back to the ball room where everyone was waiting for us and I took one final breath before clearing my throat, looking around the ladies and men, who were now peering at us with suspicion.  

“I’m sorry to have gotten you all worried,” I barely managed to keep a straight face as I clutched my hands even more tightly. “I-I was just happy and relieved…that I was chosen.” I lied, looking up at Draven who was now staring down at me, his eyes not ripping away from my face for even a second.

Never have I felt so sick to make up a lie.

Everyone stood in silence for a few minutes before chuckling and nodding, completely falling for my act, or at least pretending to do so. I glanced at Draven who was now bending down a little as he squeezed my shoulders tightly and I bit my bottom lip to stop myself from whimpering. He certainly hated me already and there was no remorse in his actions. But then again, what did I expect?

“Stop-shaking.” He whispered into my ears through gritted teeth and I tried to calm myself down at his words, but he really wasn’t helping. He slipped away his arm and I watched him walk away, causing me to sigh in relief. It’s as if a ton of bricks were lifted from my chest and I felt a lot better already.  

The ceremony ended after half an hour or less and I watched everyone walk out of the room, leaving only us five girls and the vampires, who were now grinning at us.

I had to admit, they were all good looking but luckily, I wasn’t the type to get fazed by people’s looks. It takes more than just a good looking body or face. You’ve got to have the heart and the soul to go with it. And vampires? They didn’t have a soul or heart to begin with.

“Welcome!” A familiar voice greeted and I watched the guy named Tyrell walk up to us with open arms. The girls rushed to give him a hug while I just stood there, stiff in my position as I darted my eyes around the ball room, trying to ease my mind off about my situation by taking admiration of the interior designing of this mansion.

“I’m taking them to their rooms.” Draven’s voice caused me to jolt up as I looked around to find him walking towards us now. His presence was as cold as ever and he didn’t even bother to glance at me. It’s like I wasn’t even there anymore.​​​​​​

"Their luggage have arrived,” He said finally, eyeing at all of us before the girls giggled and smiled at him.

“Follow me.” He ordered shortly, walking out of the ball room and we obeyed without further questioning. As we walked up the spiral staircase, the girls started whispering and I was expecting Draven to get pissed and snap at us but instead, he kept walking us through the hallways that seemed to stretch forever.

“He is so handsome. Guess they weren’t bragging about his looks.” Ferra whispered and the girls agreed as I kept silent. From the corner of my eyes, I caught the girls scowling and scoffing at my silence but I didn’t bother to explain myself. I was well aware that the vampires were able to listen very clearly and from a fair distance, which means that Draven could be eavesdropping on our conversation at any time. His footsteps suddenly came to a stop and we all halted in our positions before he turned around to face us.

“What’s the real reason why you all attended this ceremony?” He asked and we all exchanged glances before growing silent for a few seconds.  

“Because I intend to be your keeper." Ferra spoke up and I noticed that she was probably the most confident one out of the five of us. Good for her. The remaining three girls agreed as well but I remained silent before looking up to face Draven, who was now glaring at me and that’s when I realized that I was supposed to come up with a response as well.

“I intend to be your keeper.” I answered quickly with no emotion in my voice but he didn’t seem to buy my lie anymore. Instead, he took a step forward and I cowered in fear as he straightened his posture in front of me.

“You’re quiet the liar now, aren’t you?” He pointed out, slipping his hands inside his pockets and I opened my mouth to say something but then decided to keep it shut. Nothing good seems to come out of mouth tonight so I might as well keep it shut.  

“Look at me when I’m talking to you.” His voice was dangerously low and I gasped when he grabbed my already sore cheeks, lifting them up to meet his gaze. His eyes were now fixated on mine and for some reason, I wasn’t able to break eye-contact, no matter how badly I wanted to. It felt like I had a compulsion to keep looking at him in the eyes, getting more and more drawn inside them as he studied my soul, searching for the truth.

“I want to know the real reason why you’re here.” He spoke softly and before I could even realize what was happening, my lips started to move on their own.  

“I was forced to attend the ceremony.” My eyes widened at my own words and it shocked me that I wasn’t able to control them. That wasn’t the response I wanted to say.

“It’s nice to tell the truth for once, hunh?” He scowled, eyes growing a shade darker as he released me from his grip.

“No way…he compelled her?” I heard the girls whisper and that’s when I realized what he had just done. Vampires are famous for their power of compulsion, one of the many powers they possessed and it was then when it hit me that at the very least, I wouldn’t even be able to get away with a simple lie.

“She’s not sincere with her feelings like we are.” I heard Ferra hiss and I bit my bottom lip at her obvious statement.

“Perhaps you’re all getting the wrong idea here,” Draven started in a cold voice, slipping his hands inside his pockets before frowning down at all of us. “None of you are fit to be my keeper and will never meet my expectations. The only reason why I went along with this ceremony is to please my brothers. Your job is to entertain them, not me. I have no interest in pathetic and weak humans like yourselves unless…” He trailed away, lingering his eyes around me before a sadistic smirk appeared on his face, causing me to flinch.

“You’re willing to fulfill my hunger.”

 xxx

Please leave a comment and let me know what you think about this chapter guys!

Much Love,

Kathy