Be Careful When You Bite Me novel Chapter 8

We finally reached a pair of large stone doors that opened up on their own to reveal a garden. I had to refrain from gasping loudly at the sight. I'm not sure if it was the feeling of not having been outside for almost 24 hours or if it was the beauty of the garden or a combination of the both that left me simply astounded. A cobblestone pathway stationed between acres of grass led the way towards a pavement opening where a large fountain was the main attraction. Large, perfectly rounded green bushes lined the football stadium-sized garden. Sculptures stood proudly and the perfectly kept pool made me wonder if vampires enjoyed swimming. The full moon shone so brightly I would have mistaken it for daylight had I not known the time. Damon led me down the pathway towards the fountain where his parents; the King and Queen stood waiting for us. I wondered how they had gotten here before us but shrugged the thought as there were more important things to think about.

It was the Queen who broke the silence," I see that you came fully prepared."

I looked down at my dress when I realized it's what she was referring to and nodded," Yes, I am."

"Did you know white silk is traditional when performing a ritual involving a foreign human?"

"N-no," I stuttered. She must be talking about the villagers. The Queen smiled briefly," It's for good luck."

I almost wanted to chuckle or let out a snort but refrained.

I had to be the unluckiest person on the planet.

"Guards," ordered the King and as if on cue, the metal gates stationed between two bushes opened up from behind people began to bombard inside the garden.

Some cheered and some snarled, regardless it was quite clear they were not human. I was suddenly engulfed with the feeling of claustrophobia and glanced at Damon as if for reassurance but his focus was on the crowd of vampires.

My eyes drifted to the guards who began to line the perimeters and it was only a couple of minutes later that we had gone from just four to over 50 people. Joining them last, and standing the furthest from the crowd, stood Seth, Isabelle, and Damon's older brother.

"Quiet!" yelled the Queen. Immediately, everyone fell into a silence, their hungry gazes stationed on me.

I couldn't help but swallow back in an attempt to drown my fear and moisten my dry throat.

"As I am sure you have all heard by now, we have an unexpected...visitor here at the castle," the Queens turned her gaze towards me and back towards the crowd. I couldn't help but swoon over how beautiful she looked in her long-sleeved midnight blue skin-tight gown, her blond hair moving as if in sync with the wind," Tonight, we are going to attempt something that has not been done in over a decade, we will perform the Ritual of Obliteration."

"I say we breed her, turn her into a villager."

"She does not need to be a native to be turned into food."

"A human, whether foreign or not, loses all rights when stepping foot into the castle, she should be handed over to beget."

The crowd began to speak over each other, every single one of them being completely against the idea of setting me free. The hairs on my skin all lifted and I couldn't help but shiver. It was suddenly cold, almost unbearably so and part of me wished that Damon would at least look at me. Was I expecting reassurance from him? Maybe, he had saved that poor man after all. Part of me wished he would defer the angry and heartless act for later and spare me some comfort but I knew I was in over my head. I was in this completely and utterly alone and it scared me beyond imagination to know that.

"To breed a human whose blood does not come from a line of natives would be committing a transgression," the King's deep and authoritative voice managed to quiet down the crowd," The main reason we have been able to live amongst their world without war or fear of being exposed is by feeding off those who belong to the Cold Ones. This foreigner is going to be returning back to where she came from with absolutely no memory of having ever come into contact with The Underworld."

"Assuming the ritual works," a tall, thin natural redhead stepped forward for the crowd of vampires and I was almost in awe at her beauty," Assuming that our blood won't kill her and assuming that we have enough Cold Ones here-"

"Do not forget we have our best ally here tonight," the Queen's soft-spoken voice was almost melodic," when combined with the full moon, the power of our blood is stronger."

"We need a witch-" the redheaded woman began, only to be cut off by the King.

"We need each other."

The King glanced back and ushered his hands towards a guard who presented the crowd with a goblet. Had I not been so scared I would have humored myself with the cliche.