The Beginning

Chapter One

As I awake the moon was nearly full and shining just as bright as it always did with a silver glow. It had been a week since my last night out with father; perhaps this was going to be one of those nights. I sighed and hopped that it wouldn’t be, but then again, it’s not my choice to choose. I have to do what I am told. Well...not everything. Sitting up from my bed I glance out the window once more, and then get up and get a closer view. All around the grounds there are lycans everywhere, but there is one I have my heart set on, Greymoon. Another sigh slips through my lips, if only that didn't have to make me such a rebel.

Long moments seem to pass as I gaze, but they were only short. A knock and then a voice was heard from my door. “Cassila! Lord Clarkin is waiting for you in the courtyard.”

Just as I suspected, he did pick today. “I’ll be down in a moment!” I call back to the maid. It wouldn't be long before I dressed in a long green dress, and a wood brown hooded cloak, my brown hair is in a long braid off to the side and the hood to cloak is over my head.

As I approach the courtyard there is a man with long black hair that goes to his shoulders, he wears black leather pants and boots that go to his knees. Over a white dress shirt he wears a black leather coat that fastens together with two large belt buckles, and for a representation of power he wears a bold red cape that nearly touches the ground.

“Good evening my dear,” he greeted me in a loving tone and a warm smile.

In reply I simply nod and then said, “Evening.”

Once fully met he started to walk and I would accompany him, just as any other night he would pick. At these times I don’t enjoy my life, and I had a gut feeling that this night wasn’t going to change.

Bravely I asked, “What are we doing tonight?” I seemed like it took moments before he would respond, but in all reality it was just a half a minute or two.

“It’s time for another feeding.” My father said to me. In my mind all I could do was another sigh, but I couldn’t let it show. Feeding, killing, and then more killing. This was all I knew ever since I could remember: I hate it! A royal’s daughter should learn how to rule in a way that she will be respected, not feared, apparently not for me.

As we walk through one of the villages I couldn’t see a soul in sight. Shutters banged against the buildings and the sound of leaves rustling is as clear as a gunshot. This place wasn’t even a place anymore, just another add on to a ghost town.

“Are you sure I need to feed? I feel completely fine.” I tried to assure him.

His words were cold now, just as he is. “No, if there isn’t anyone left here then we have to move on.” Just like that I walked in silence, not wanting to ask anything more because I knew that there wasn't anything else to ask. His decision was final. It was easily descriptive in the tone of his voice.

Now on the path to the next village there were a few small rodents here and there. I feel like them, having to survive. To not know how much longer you can take of life and just want to be eaten by the next thing, or even trying to keep sanity, watching innocent people die because you are the predator. It’s a never ending cycle that can’t end. I wonder though, if my existence can end sooner than what is expected so I don’t have to see the cycle keeps looping.

Not even close to the next village we stop. I listen for anything that may be the sign of trouble. Nearly a second later my father darted into the forest. I didn’t hear anything but he must have. I tried to keep up but he was simply much faster than I was. I never understood this. Everyone else in his court could run just as fast, if not faster. I’m always lagging behind. When I finally catch up he stood there with a smirk on his face. By the neck he held a young woman. She was about the same age as me. Tears are in her eyes, the color of my father’s turned dark.

“Come here, Cassila.” he says to me. I just stood there and shake my head as I have in past times. This time I wasn’t going to do it. I wasn’t going to take her life, not anyone’s.

“Now!” He hollars.

After a gulp and a deep breath I start to walk towards him. I’m not going to do this. I’m not going to do this. I thought to myself.

Once I got close enough he pushed her hard enough to me. “It is time,” he said.

I looked at the girl, she was in such terror that she wasn’t saying anything and her body was shaking so bad that it was more or less vibrating. This is where I stand my ground. I gently laid the girl on the ground and stood in front of her.

“Do you realize what you are doing!? Why do you think the population is decreasing?”

I hear a chuckle escape from his lips. “This again? I’ve told you, they are weak! We are the superior.”

“No! They had and still have the right to live. I will not be some animal and keep killing! Too many people have died because of these outings.”

“That’s enough Cassila! You are my daughter, you will abide by my rules.

“No!” I repeated. I stared at this monster but when I realize that there was nothing I could do, I looked back at the girl with a tear streaming down my cheek. "I'm sorry" I mouth to her, then fully turn around so I would face her. After kneeling down in front of her I hold the back of her neck and let my fangs grow to sharp points. As I pierced them into her skin she screamed and cried in terror, It brought pain to my own ears I didn't stop, I couldn't. I had to please him. The girl's blood rushed through me, just as a river. I'd have to admit, it felt energizing, but this was wrong. As I continued to take her life tears ran down my face, fusing with her blood that flows to the girl's shoulder. When her heartbeat was nearly to its end I released before my own could be stolen.

Before standing up I gently laid the girls head on the ground. When I faced my father he stood there with a proud smirk on his face. "Well done," He comments as he walks towards me. "I've waited years for you to be able to do that. Tell me, how do you feel?"

Standing silently I wait a moment to answer. I honestly felt sick to my stomach but didn't want to show it in order to please him. After laying out a convincing grin I gave a short answer. It was. The thought started in my head. I couldn't take too long to think of how I want to finish this sentence when I was going to say it or he would know I was lying. "It was refreshing." In a way, I wasn't lying. The regain of strength rushed through my body that I had never felt before. However, I wasn't going to turn this experience into something would crave all the time. The rush in my veins wasn't worth turning into the monster he was demonstrated as.

He chuckled; it was deep as it normally was. If you didn’t know him then you couldn’t tell the difference between a laugh of when he was pleased, like his now, or to when he’s going to do something devious. “I’m proud of you,” he comments. “Come, this calls for a celebration!”

That night was a celebration indeed. The entire coven was there to remark my first feeding. I don’t it happens to everyone once this happens, or how I should feel about it. I certainly didn’t plan to take another drop, but for now I’ll have to play along with this game until I satisfy his needs and wants for me.

Before making my entrance the maids help me dress for the occasion. I didn’t want to go traditional red, so I picked dark green. Gold ribbon accents along the seams as well as weaved through the front to hold it together. The skirt is long and drags along the foot on the floor as I walk. My long braid is now redone after a brush and then pinned into a swirled bun on the back of my head. Gold leaf pins are added throughout for a beautiful accent. To complete my attire I wear a pair of gold flats to compliment the trim.

The maid looks at me with a soft grin. “You look beautiful, m’lady. Your father is so proud of what you’ve accomplished.”

I nod in return with a faint smile as well. “Indeed, did you ever think I could such a thing?” Ending in a light chuckle I try to start the night with a joyous mood. Throughout the night I’ll have to keep it that way, not letting anyone really know what I felt about this.

Approaching the ballroom's double doors I take one last breath before I nod to the guards to open them. Light from the chandeliers poured into the cracks of the of the doors as they widen. The layout of the room is extravagant. High ceilings allow various chandeliers to hang at all levels. Long tables lined the left and right, leaving as much room for dancing. Circling around the second level is a balcony where there are tall, more narrow tables to set drinks, as well as numerous chairs and small sofas for easy socializing. Most of the guests are dressed in darker attire, but every now and then there are a few spotted wearing more vibrant colors like myself. The sounds of the violins, conversation, and laughter flow through my ears. This is only until the doors open completely. All of our guests, my guests, stop what they are doing and the gaze of their eyes follow the grace of my father as he walks in my direction to escort me.

For being the dark man I know, he presents himself as the Lord he is. wearing a charcoal general’s uniform with gold buttons, and black knee high boots, complete with a dark fur coat lined with red dyed silk, and his long black hair pulled back in a low pony tail. The happiest smile is shown, including flashing his his fangs as he greets me on my left side.

“You look beautiful my dear,” he whispers in my ear before kissing my cheek, then holding his right arm out for me to hold on as he guides me through the crowd.

Everyone splits, creating a path leading to the head table. I can feel my shoulders getting warm, and my heart pounding in my chest. I don’t know how it’s possible, the only other species around here that have one are the lycans and humans. Trying to stay relaxed from all the eyes watching I focus on the table ahead.

The table is garnished with all sorts of dishes and complimented with my Father’s (and the rest of our people’s) wine as always when a festive occasion is occurring. Once there we turn to face our guests, they waiting for their Lord’s announcement. Without a moment more of silence, my father speaks.

“Welcome closest friends. It is my honor to have you here in joining me on short notice for this most joyous occasion. Earlier this evening, my daughter, Cassila Alexandra Clarkin, has accomplished…” As he continues his speech I couldn’t help but think about all the things that could happen during this party. Panic attack? Black out? What if I go into an unexpected frenzy and kill half the kingdom? Would I be praised or ashamed? Blinking a few times I try to regain focus before the speech is finished.

“A toast!” I hear him end and I look to watch him take two goblets from the table, raising them both up slightly before giving one of them to me. I swallowed slightly, more like a gulp as the aroma was exactly what I thought I expected. I was always able to turn this down, until now.

“To you my dear.” my father says to me, loud enough so our guests could still hear. He raises his goblet once again to drink out of it, leading the toast. I follow with him, but not tilting enough to take a sip.My eyes cringe and my throat tighten. The smell, the vision of what happened earlier that day, it was all coming back. I could feel my hand start to shake, causing the blood to ripple. Why did I think I could handle this now? I was better off just facing him instead of the entire kingdom. This is too much, i can’t take it. Why does my chest feel tight? The heat on my shoulders is raising and my stomach is quenching again. I shouldn’t because I fed right?

Two seconds pass and the sound of a ring splits through the silence taken by the toast. I hear faint screams and my name being called as make my way through the crowed. Why isn’t anyone moving? where are the screams coming from? Shaking my head a little I focus on the double doors. Running out I come across an open field, rays from the sun highlight the tall grass. Holding my hand up to gain visibility, before I can clearly see anything the light vanishes and turns to dark.

Sitting up quickly in a heavy breath I press my left hand against my forehead and look around, I’m in my room. I’ve been changed into a nightgown, the dress I was wearing is nowhere to be found. One of the maids must have took it. Before I can do anything more I hear the latch to the door, my father walks in and sits at the edge of my bed.

“Good, you’re awake. What happened out there?”

I look at him confused. What does he mean? I went to bed right after the party right?

Slightly showing his teeth I can tell he’s chuckling inside. “You caused quite a stir-up. During the toast you fainted, dropping your goblet, spilling blood all over your dress and the floor.”

I want to glance down but that would only raise suspicions. That must be why i heard the screams, and what I thought happened was just a dream. I must be spacing out enough for it to be noticeable.

“Cassila...Cassila…” My name is vaguely heard again. This time the voice is recognized as my father’s when he gets more concerned. “Cassila!” My eyes lock with his when I’m startled by the change in the tone. After he has my attention he continues to speak. “Are you alright my dear? You seem distant.”

Well yes I’m distant. I have a lot on my mind. I’ve just gone through a whole night being forced to do something I’ve never wanted to do , not to mention I embarrassed myself on behalf of my own occasion.

“I’m alright, my nerves just got to me.” This was true, I know I’ve had to face an audience like that before, but this time there was more pressure.

“You have to learn to control your emotions when we host these events.”

“I know father, I understand.”

Hanging along the side of the head of my bed is a calling rope. Reaching over me my father takes hold of the end and pulls on it. It only takes a small moment for a servant to arrive to my room, holding a tray with a smaller cup. Now standing, my father walks over and takes the cup, dismissing the servant.

“Here this might help. You may not have had enough earlier this evening.” Handing me the cup I hold it with both hands. Slightly moving it in a circular motion, I stare trying to think of how to get out of this. Maybe my best move is to put my foot down like I should have earlier.

“Cassila, what are you waiting for? You must drink to gain your strength.”

Not taking another moment to think about it I stand up and look him in the eye. “I CAN’T! I WON’T!” I say this with the cup in my left hand with a tight grip and my right is in a fist slightly out to the side.

“CASSILA ALEXANDRA!” His voice is getting strong as he was frustrated earlier. “We’ve been through this! You will continue to feed!”

I can feel the heat raise through my veins from my anger. I am not letting him win. Throwing the cup to the side, hitting the wall, causing the blood to splatter everywhere.

“It’s not even worth having this discussion. I refuse to take part in this and become a monster like you!” Did I just say that? I know that’s how I feel but I actually came out and told him. The look on his face is in shock. This is strange, even I’m stunned by his reaction. Why would this come surprise him? He should have known this would be my response.

Watching him take a deep sigh I can only imagine what he’s going to do next. When he does that it normally means the calm before the storm. Taking a mental sigh myself I prepare for the rain to cross over.

Within a split second I don't think i have ever seen him get this angry. The next thing I know my back is against the wall with a hand around my neck. The color of his eyes shift to the darkest shade of black that’s known.

“Do you know what will become of you if you stop trying?! You will get sick! And you will die!” His voice is harsh and dry, it’s clear he’s trying to scare me.

Instantly I know how I’m going to respond. “I would much rather die and save the lives of the innocent then get sick from draining their blood!” I so angry right now that tears start streaming down my cheeks. Fed up with all of this I attempt to free myself by grabbing his wrist with both of my hands to push it aside.

After chuckling for real this time he makes a comment. “Foolish child, you think you know everything, but you have so much to learn.” His tone changed to more of a calmer state. Letting go of his grip his temper cooled down, He attempts to wipe my tears away, being the father that he still is, but this only makes it easier for my turn to move. Pushing his his hands out of the way as hard as I can I make a run for it. Making my way through the halls many of the guards follow. Father must have ordered them to do so after I passed out to make sure it doesn't happen again. By now most of the curtains are drawn and any doors leading leading to the outside are locked. Before the guards can catch up to me I'm able to loose them through one if the hidden doors I use to seek out to see Greymoon. It's mostly dark throughout the secret passage but I'm careful not to trip down the stairs leading to the exit.