Chapter 1

Cassia’s Pov

So, this was really happening? I thought to myself as I stood in a long line with other girls and some guys, sold off and on our way to the heartless Hybrid King’s palace.

Why am I not surprised that my aunt actually sold me off? She had been saying it since the decree was passed, stating that the palace needed more servants. Each human village in the Alderan Kingdom was required to sell off a child aged fifteen and up or sell themselves for a hefty sum. Otherwise, the officials would choose someone forcefully, leaving the home and village with nothing to gain.

I can’t blame her, really. She wouldn’t sacrifice her own sons or daughters for a niece—a glorified slave in her house.

I never knew my father, and my mother died giving birth to me. I was entrusted to her care, and everything went well until she had children of her own. I became their nanny, housekeeper, and errand girl, forgetting that I was still a child—just seven years old—craving love and attention. But that was fourteen years ago… I should be healed from that.

“Hey! Move it, you pest!” A guard shouted from the front of the line. I lifted my head slightly to see what was happening. The line was slowly filing into the back of a huge truck. It looked almost like the wooden carts farmers use to transport their produce, but bigger and covered, with four better-looking horses hitched to it. I hadn’t seen anything like this before.

The guard was barking at everyone entering, a sadistic grin on his face as we all flinched, some screaming in fright. He must be a vampire with that pale skin and bright red eyes; they loved to inflict pain and fear on anyone beneath them—human or shapeshifter, as they prefer to be called werewolves.

In this world of supernaturals, we humans have it the hardest. We are constantly at the mercy of vampires and shapeshifters, no matter where we live.

If I had to choose a region, I’d say the shapeshifters’ Taluna Kingdom is relatively safer. Their problem is the temper they pack, especially during the full moon. They become hyper—more hungry, more angry, more sexually aroused and more reckless. Weaklings like us stand no chance.

The vampires in Hultin Kingdom are reserved until angered or hungry, which seems to happen every time a weaker person is in their midst. So no, being in a place where my very existence raises predatory alarms is a bad idea.

The final region is here: Alderan Kingdom, home to the infamous Hybrid King, Karl McReign. The vampires and shapeshifters living here are under strict rules not to terrorize human villages, but that doesn’t completely stop the abuse and killing; it’s just more minimal. Our only fear is that the king might wake up one day and declare that shapeshifting rebels were found in a human settlement, leading him to wipe out the entire village.

It happened to our neighbouring settlement. King Karl’s tolerance for humans is minimal to non-existent.

As we approached the truck, a commotion broke out. A guy bolted from the line with impressive speed. But in front of supernaturals—especially vampires? That was the dumbest move ever.

In the blink of an eye, he was dangling in the air, held up by a vampire guard. The guard displayed him to us, with fear evident on his so young face, before forcing him to his knees and tearing his head off. I couldn’t even recreate the kind of sound that escaped his lips before it was over.

The guard smirked at us. “Anyone else offering entertainment?” Silence fell over us. The earlier cries and sniffles quieted. “No?” he asked louder. “Then get in faster or join him!”

People pushed each other to climb into the trucks lined up. We were rushing into our first stage of slavery. I don’t know when my tears started flowing. The interior was nearly dark, and as the horses began to move, I bawled my eyes out.

“Cassie? Is that you?” I heard a voice and saw someone crawling toward me.

“Sienna?” I called out. As my best friend neared, I could make out her tear-streaked face.

We hugged each other tightly. What words could we possibly exchange right now? But I knew I was selfishly grateful I wasn’t doing this alone.