Chapter 4: The First Challenge

Calista

All I saw was blood falling - dark drops falling in slow motion - and then a scream. My cheek was pressed to the floor, and a strange sensation filled me: I should have died, but fate had decided otherwise at the last moment. The prince, Dante... his name was Dante. He had stopped his cousin before my head could hit the ground.

When I lifted my eyes, I saw Duval clutching his hand in pain. His red eyes burned with rage, his fangs bared in a wild expression. He had short blond hair, his manners were lie a spoiled rich kid. But now, he didn't look arrogant - he looked terrified, his expression laced with disbelief.

"How dare you?" he gasped.

His trembling hand dripped blood, staining his sleeve. And when he finally pulled it away, I saw it. A missing finger. Oh, for heaven's sake! Lord Walter stood in stunned silence, and the other vampires backed away. Nearby, Samara petted her wolves.

"Easy, easy," she reassured them as the animals recoiled from the prince in fear. I shivered as well, feeling the prince's fingers run through my hair in a strangely calming gesture. If I thought I was in a bad situation before, I had no idea. The level of cruelty here was beyond anything humans could ever fathom.

"Do not touch what is mine," was the only thing the prince growled. Duval glared at him with pure hatred. A finger. The Prince had taken his cousin's finger in one swift movement - just for touching me.

"You... just..."

"Come this way," Walter ordered, pulling Duval with him. Duval was being dragged away against his will, screaming like a maniac. This was going to end badly; I just knew it. The last thing I needed was another vampire taking an interest in me. And yet, here we were again.

It was at this moment that a priest began to speak. He was a pale, gaunt vampire with translucent skin and a bald head.

"Lords, gentlemen, the first trial is about to begin, and..."

"And ladies," Samara interjected deliberately. The priest hesitated, momentarily confused.

"Mmm... Yes... and ladies. As I said, I remind you that this is a sacred event. The slaves represented their masters and their houses. You will be given a few minutes to charm them and provide them with your instructions. Let me remind you that during the challenges it is strictly forbidden to kill, injure or fuck your slaves". My body was shaking so much that the sensation had almost become normal.

"Say you're mine," the prince demanded, his eyes fixed on me. And I knew I had no choice. "I protect those who swear allegiance to me. I won't let anyone touch you."

"Except Your Majesty," I replied, and he growled.

"I will be your master, in every sense of the word." What choice did I have?

"I accept," I murmured.  The closest thing to a smile flickered across his face. He reached out and ran a hand along my neck, then down to my chest, right where my heart was pounding like a caged sparrow.

"You will pretend to be enchanted. You will do everything I say, and I will not harm you. You will tell everyone that you belong to me and no one else. Won't tell anyone who you are or that I couldn't enchant you," he promised. I didn't believe him. But I nodded.

"Survive and don't do anything stupid," was all he said before he left to join the others.

He was supposed to help me! How was he going to protect me? This was all a trap - he just wanted to humiliate me. I heard a voice and turned to see Hans standing off to the side, watching as usual.

"Everyone's betting you'll be the first to fall, little human," he sneered. "Your new master is worse than me. He'll let you die. You should have stayed with me. Oh, and by the way, slave... the rules apply to your master, not the rest of us. I can kill you and definitely... fuck you" He bared his fangs, his eyes flickering to my neckline. He was imagining all the things he would do to me.

"I wouldn't try if I were you - unless you want to keep your fingers," I snapped. I can hear him growling while I hurry away, following the other slaves as we descend into the underground chambers. I had no idea what I was in for, but I knew one thing for sure: I was at a serious disadvantage. I looked around, taking in the others. A strong she-wolf. A female vampire. The rest were males - vampires, werewolves, and a few humans, all stronger than me. No one spoke. No one even looked at each other, except for short, cautious glances. We weren't competitors. Our only real enemies were the vampires of this house - and death itself. It felt like Judgment Day.

"Here," the priest said, pointing down a dimly lit corridor. "Follow this passage and find the exit." The corridor was dark, torches lining the walls at intervals. I wondered if the vampire lords were watching from somewhere. This was a game for them. If Hans was right, and they were placing bets, they must be watching, entertained.

"Is that all?" asked a tall, muscular vampire slave.

The priest smiled, revealing darkened teeth. From the corner of my eye, I saw Samara's slaves. They remained in wolf form, motionless as two stone sphinxes.

"Find the right door, and you may leave... That's all. Those who succeed will be honored with a great feast." I stiffened as guttural growls echoed from the walls. This wasn't good.

"Move!" the priest barked. The tall vampire lunged forward first - and was immediately speared, pinning him to the wall. I screamed in horror.

I had no skills, no advantages. I was just a girl raised to be a proper lady. I was to marry Greyson and become a lord's wife. Now, I was a lord's slave and the next victim in this cursed process.

"Now!" the priest shouted, pushing us forward. The air was sucked out of my lungs as everyone pushed forward, hoping that whatever horrors lay ahead would strike someone else first. I felt the fur of a wolf brush against my leg.

My eyes darted around the dimly lit corridor, my hands gripping my dress to keep it from slowing me down.

A man ahead of me reached for a door, panic in his every move. He yanked it open - only for shadowy hands to appear, grab him by the throat, and drag him inside.

His scream echoed through the air before fading into silence. Spears rained down from above, striking wolves and large humans. I was so small that they missed me completely. But my turn would come.  I was sure of it.

A wolf pounced on me, knocking me aside. I crashed to the ground under a torch as the survivors continued down the passage, throwing open doors. Some made it further. But something lurked behind every door. Then, from one of them, thick, black smoke began to pour out.

And hell itself was unleashed.