Odessa's POV
6 Months Ago
"I'm so sorry for your loss," the nurse handed me the final paperwork while I sat in my father's room. My father was connected to life support, tubes coming out of his arms, chest, and mouth. He didn't even look the same anymore. There was no light in his eye, no golden glow on his skin. He had been here way too long, and his beard was tangled in the wires.
The few longing tears dripped down my face. Dad's body was still warm, the machine did its job, but unfortunately, his mind couldn't keep up. Cancer had gripped hold of him, taking him by the neck and strangling the life out of him. It came hard and fast, already flowing in the bloodstream.
My father, John Durham, was a writer. He never made much money, but he did what he loved. I admired that about him. He took a second job just to raise me when my mother left us both in the cold. She had become mystified with the thoughts of magic, realms, crystals, and the sort. She got intermingled with a group of women who believed in that sort of thing, and the rest was history. I was too young to understand; I didn't even remember the sound of her voice or the look of her eyes.
Dad never mentioned her, not even a picture laid in our home with her in it. He had long lost her once she turned her backs on us. Dad just continued with his writing, and the weekends he spent at the bar, bartending. Now that I was older, I felt like I needed to stay with him. He had no one, his parents died long ago, and he was an only child. I loved him; I swore I would never love a man as much as my own father. Not in that sick romantic way, just a way that a daughter could only love a father.
Not once did he raise his voice at me; he always explained my punishments when I was a child. I wrote my emotions, and it became an extraordinary skill to learn. I took up his passion and began writing my own books. Dad liked the action, adventure, and sci-fi novels while I geared towards romance. The type of romance that doesn't exist in this world. The kind of romance that will never exist to any woman, the kind that makes you sick with longing. My dad believed in love once, and look where it got him?
I loved to imagine the perfect man. Doing creative writing exercises was always fun; the perfectly handsome man falls for the nerdy girl and teaches her about life. Yeah, that kind of romance. That sort of thing doesn't exist.
Gazing at my father one last time, I notice his gaunt cheeks. It wasn't him; his spirit was no longer there. He told me not to cry the day before he landed here. He said I wasn't allowed to and that death was the next great adventure. I only laughed at him, telling him I wouldn't. It was a lie. I cried like a baby when he gasped for breath.
Now we are on day four, and there is no hope for him to return to me. Rubbing his hands once more, the nurses quietly walk in. One with a paper in hand for the death certificate, even though we all know his mind is gone. The nurse nodded to me, asking if I wanted to press the button to turn the machine down. I shook my head sadly, kissing my father's cheek. The room grows dark. The nurses call out the time, and I grab the bill that I know I will never be able to pay.
Despite the storm growing inside me, the weather was sunny. If only some sort of deity could realize what a terrible day it was and reflect my mood with the weather. Crossing my arms, I decide to walk back home. I needed all the money I could get; saving fifty bucks and walking it sounded like a good idea.
My steps continued to be heavy; I stopped paying attention to the noises around me. It was just me, my thoughts, and the heartache. To lose a father and have it hurt this much, how would it be for one of my characters to lose a loved one? I've never been one to write a tragedy, but with my mood, it might be time for one. All the manuscripts sitting in my room still sit. All of them are happy-loving endings. Adding a random book of tragedy didn't seem too bad.
I pull my bag over my shoulder. Gripping it tightly, I pass by a darkened alleyway. A flick of glitter was thrown in the street. Stopping, I glance down at the sidewalk. I thought it was glitter; it was just here. Glancing down the alley, I saw nothing. My mind was playing tricks, my emotions were churned in my chest, and now it was playing with my head. I'm getting sucked into one of my father's fantasy worlds.
The flick of glitter slung out at my feet again. Pulling out my cell phone, I turned on the light. Nothing was in the immediate area where glitter could be thrown out. Behind a trashcan, there could be something, maybe a child trying to start trouble. Walking three feet in, moving the can, a creature that could only be created by my sorrow stood flicking his wings. He was small, with dark hair and clothing to match his wings.
I rubbed my eyes; indeed, I was dreaming. Smelling too much disinfectant was messing with me. Little rings floated about my ears. The little fairy turned, showing off a pair of dark wings. It was completely black except for tanned skin. Backing away, I knew this had to be trouble. You don't just walk into an alley, and a creature that is so out of this world is friendly to you. It was the classic trope for a novel.
Backing away, not looking, keeping my eyes glued to him, so it did not jump me in surprise, I bump into a soft body. Gasping, I turn to find a woman dressed in a dark purple cloak. Hands were hidden, but the look on her face was familiar. Her eyes, they were like mine. Purple in color. "It's been a long time," the youthful hand reaches for my cheek. The voice was deep and sultry, the epitome of beauty. "You look just like him. Except for your eyes." Her fingers trail my cheek, too stunned to move.
"W-who are you? How do you know me?" Her dark red lips curved to a smile.
"Figured he wouldn't keep a picture of me. Why would he when you have my eyes looking into his soul every day?"
"Y-you are my mother?" My hand slapped my chest. She had been gone for so long. If I ever met her, the questions I had were all written in a notebook, one so carefully tucked away under my pillow. My heart knew never to ask my dad about her, but she was here. Why did she leave me? Leave us?
"Why did you leave? Why are you back?" The questions poured from my mouth like lava. They were hot, almost hurtful. I had just lost my father only to gain a lost mother who may or may not have good intentions. Scratch that; she does not have good intentions.
Her relaxed posture only prickled my skin in irritants. This woman had left me, just a baby, and she dared show up... now.
"I'm here because I need to pay my debt," she roamed her gaze to the streets outside. Little children giggled at the park across the street; street vendors were selling food, trinkets, and the like. All of those things were more important to look at than the daughter right in front of her.
"If you are looking for money, I haven't got any. In fact, I need money." Shuffling my bag over my shoulder, I went to leave only to have the little dark fairy pull at my leg. My mother huffed, her shoes clicked towards me.
"Money?" she scoffed. "If only it were that simple, but unfortunately, payment is collected in another way where I live now." Her index finger brushed my jaw. The long painted claw nicked my chin. I pushed her away harshly.
"You will be able to pay your debt with your body." Jumping away harshly, strode back to the light, away from the alley only to be jerked around by an invisible hand.
"Now hold still, I've got just enough for one last trip," she severely spoke while a green sphere collected in her hand. My eyes dazed, watching the orb dance in her hand, she threw it above us only to blind me.
Darkness fell upon me while I shielded my eyes until I heard the soft songs of chirping. The rough hand was gone from my arm. I was stranded in a forest with my mother, nowhere to be found. My bag hung loosely at my shoulders while I turned to gaze in wonder. The sky was not the usual blue but that of deep purples, blues, and shades of pink. Small forest creatures, rabbits, chipmunks ran up the stump of trees while I stared absentmindedly. How did she get me to some random forest?
Trees swaying, the light was blocked by a shadow hovering over me. The warm air suddenly felt cold while I clutched to my bag. Gradually turning was none other than a random passerby, or so I thought.
"Greetings," the man spoke. His skin was flawless, not a scratch or raised indention, freckles, or moles on his body. Angelic was the term I would use, but the darkness I felt standing before him was anything but. Hair was in a perfect place; not a single strand hung over his brow. "You must be Odessa," his hand reached out to shake mine; reluctantly, I followed, watching him with wary eyes. Hands were colder than mine, but it was nothing but a summer day here.
If I was to be debt repayment, or so my mother says, he could be the one looking for me, and I have just made a grave mistake while I was lost in my thoughts. "How do you know my name?" The man chuckled, now roughly grabbing my wrist, tying it together.
Yep, made a wrong move.
My bag fell from my shoulder while I wrestled him. "Hey, let go!" I tried to pull my arm again, but his grip was more potent than that of my own father, and he was pretty intense.
"Rayvenn Hart is your mother, correct?" I bit my tongue, not wanting to speak another word to this man. He tugged tighter on the ropes while I continued to pull. "Rayvenn Hart had a debt to pay; the payment was her firstborn child." A smirk played on his lips as he tugged me forward. "You belong to the Duke now, one of his blood bags."
"B-blood bags?" I squealed. "There must be some mistake! What are you talking about?" Pulling again, I only landed back on my behind. Heat entered into the man's tone, growling at my defiance. His teeth became the focal point because now I was staring at two very sharp fang-like teeth inches from my face. Surely not. This can't be happening.
"There is no mistake," he seethed. "Your mother sold you so she could become a witch of a worthless coven, and now here you are. Her own flesh and blood sold for slaughter."
My eyes shut, body shook uncontrollably. My own lips began to tremble while he laughed. "Don't worry, you won't die right away. You have many years of pleasing him, a fresh young thing like you. Who knows, you might get lucky and be a pleasure, mate. Then you can really live the high life for a time."
"No!" I screamed, pulling at the ropes; it was a fruitless endeavor. He dragged me with such force my own pants began to rip on the roots below. Barely breaking a sweat, he pulled me to my feet. "I suggest you play along like a good blood bag; you will last longer. Maybe get out on good behavior when your blood begins to sour."
How could she? How could my own mother sell me to a vampire? That is what he was, right? Vampires had teeth, large fangs that sucked the blood of humans. They were to be nothing but monsters to frighten children and keep them out of the dark at night, but this, this man was anything but a man. He was a monster, and there were more of them.
I was to be used, and from the sounds of it, I would be used for many years. They will suck me dry only to keep me alive long enough to fill their stomachs again. Trying not to bite my lip, my lip wiggled in despair. Dark clouds filled my mind.
My life was great, my father loved me, and I loved him. He homeschooled me, kept me happy, showed me how to navigate life. So many fun-filled vacations learning about my country, and it was all for nothing. I wouldn't be able to see any of it again.
I stumbled to my feet but quickly fell again. My knees were scraped, and hints of metallic blood hit the air. A large breath came from the vampire in front of me. My heart stopped, clutching my knees so I could somehow hide the smell.
His back turned, "My name is Master Enoch; you will regard me as such. We will be seeing much more of each other," he smirked.
OdessaThe clinking of utensils startled me. "Dad?" I whisper. I rubbed my cheek against the pillow when it dawned on me that dad isn't here anymore; he's gone. In fact, I wasn't at home at all and was stuck in a tree running from the Duke. Whatever my cheek was rubbing against is so soft, so warm. It feels like the fur of an animal.My eyes didn't blink open slowly; they darted open was an intensity my lashes almost fell off. My back was turned to whatever was making small noises on the other side. My face stared into a rock wall; to the touch, it was cold and smooth. The light was dim, not bright in the slightest. Flames of a fire flickered my body's shadow on the wall. Was I in a cave?Rolling my body slowly to not be heard was a bit difficult. My ankle throbbed and, with the shift of blankets and pillows, it jostled the bandages into the wrong position. The bed was enormous, large furs covered the entire area, and I was raised high above the ground, a good t
CreedMy little Fawn told me her name, Odessa.Sweet sounding like the sirens of the blue waters of the East. Her laugh was inviting. Everything about her was perfect. If I was allowed to have a mate, it would be her. The epitome of perfection. My dragon thought so while she stroked our scars. Her fingers trembled at first, but as I relaxed, her fingers radiated warmth. My dragon purred silently, not to scare her. She didn't know what I was; once she did, would she leave?She commented on her scars while we both traced each other's hardships. Odessa remained light and airy, pushing the memories away. My dragon was only outraged at the thought of someone hurting her.Razak's growl was a good distraction; any longer, I was afraid my beast would rear his ugly head.Razak is a quiet creature when in the cave. It is his home and solitude. I taught him that when he was just a kit, he should respect the home or spend his nights outside the cave. It happen
CreedAmora stood still, holding the parchment in mid-air. Her lips fell open, not understanding that I would not indulge in her questions. I couldn't, not with her mate. Adam had taken everything from me; did she not know that the dynamic between us had really changed?Sure, we were close. The best of friends, brother, and sister even. The day Adam ripped my throat, clawed my face, disfigured me entirely was the day I no longer trusted him. Once he and Amora became of age, I had not only lost my brother many years ago but now the sister I had gained. Adam kept her from me indefinitely. Shortly after, he had banned me from the tribe, saying a disgusting bastard like me caused too much distress in the tribe. The young children feared me only because of what they did not know.Gossip lies spread. Many were told the lies over and over until they took. I had my face ripped from Adam because I challenged him, that I wanted his place to be Alpha, the head dragon. Noth
OdessaAs if I would break, Prince Charming put me back on the fluffy bed of furry blankets. The feeling of being eaten was long gone once he put the blanket over my legs. He was relatively gentle for a big guy, covered in scars, tattoos, worked hands, and meaty muscles.His oversized tunic shirt was thin yet thick enough for me to feel well covered. More so than anything, I wore with the vampires. Overall, I was very comfortable in his presence."Um, Prince Charming?" He shook his head; he tried to smile. Each time he tried to laugh, a slight curl of his lip would go a millimeter higher. One day I'd like to see him with a full smile. "Thank you for taking care of me," my voice cracked. It was the first time I felt cared for in a while. Dad would constantly baby me when I was sick, even when I was a grown adult living in his house. "I don't have a way to repay you. I don't have money, but I can do chores around your house, I mean, cave. Once I'm better, I can go
CreedOdessa's hands trembled while I held them. She wouldn't even look at me while she recalled the tale that led her here into my territory. The scars on her arms became more prominent to my dragon. He honed in with his intense eyes memorizing each purple scar that littered her frail body.For six months, she endured more than I thought a human could. Humans were said to be frail, fragile, and weak. Odessa was more vulnerable than the ordinary human. Her body held enough meat on her bones to still produce the amount of blood that could be collected daily from her.Vampires didn't need much blood, yet they acted as if they did. They pretended that they could drain the life out of a person, but that was a farce. They would end up throwing up most of it if they even dared try. My dragon heaved in my chest, pounding against my heart to be let out. He was so much pain, and I couldn't understand why. Odessa was a human we have found at the base of a tree; it didn't'
CreedMy dragon's fangs had already descended again once we reached inside the forest. Bits of black blood dripped from our prey. I was no cannibal, I could not stomach the idea to eat someone with the same face as I, but that didn't matter to my dragon. He was an animal. Wolves often talked to their wolves; their wolves were more civilized than they really knew. Dragons were not.Shifting, the smoke swirled around me, quickly covering my body from the outside elements. The sparks flew as my dragon singed the corpse that lay before us. His body was now bare and scorched black while my dragon scarfed down the body whole. I shivered inside, wondering how he would be willing to eat such a disgusting creature.We took flight home; the rain had begun to flow so hard it was starting to be challenging to see. Small lighted torches around undersized villages showed brightly while many ran to their homes. Many elves had already taken shelter at the base of th
OdessaThe mattress on the floor was softer than my bed, where I lived with Dad. The fluffy blankets covered my entire body, and at one point in the night, I burrowed deeper into the duvet. The cold air rushed around my head when I felt the blankets thrown off unceremoniously. Fluttering my eyes open, I was greeted with Creed with his brows high and breath ragged. Did he just run a mile?I squealed, pulling the blankets back down. I was still naked under here and didn't need to flash him so early in the morning."I'm still here! I was in the blanket!" Was he scared I ran away? I wouldn't get very far; I managed to climb up the tree, but getting down was a different story.Creed sighed, rolling back on the floor. The bed I was in was only a few inches off the ground from where he lay; he was so close throughout the night I could almost feel his breath in my face. Not that I minded, I slept bette
Odessa I screamed. I shouted rather loudly, causing Fluffy and Creed to look at me with uneasiness. Creed ran over to me, covered in blood spatter from the cute animal. I should have seen it coming; I mean, he clicked his tongue, and Fluffy went and caught dinner. My breathing was ragged, but I waved my hand in the air. "I'm fine, really; I wasn't expecting it." Part of me was, but I let it go. Creed looked back over to the animal; the head was lying in a bucket while the blood drained. I've seen a lot of blood in my time in this land, but not so much as this. It flowed heavily into the bucket while I looked away. Fluffy was utterly troubled; he hopped up on the bed, despite Creed growling at him putting his head in my lap. Covering my mouth, concentrating on Fluffy, Creed sighed and continued to empty the remnants of the animal. "It had such pretty fur, I thought you were going to keep it as a pet." His lip curled, starting to strip the anima