Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Fae Serenade.: Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 20

Back when my brother, Kyle, and I were still pretending to be Omegas in the Shadow Moon Pack, there were only a few who showed us any kindness. Aside from the other Omegas who believed we were like them, the only person who extended even a shred of care—a hand of friendship—was Carter Katz, the youngest son of Alpha Coleman Katz.Though Carter didn’t say much, he was by far the most reasonable of his siblings, and of most of the students at the pack academy. And he was only fifteen. He never looked down on Omegas and was especially close with Kyle.Yet now, standing before me with his head locked in the stocks of a guillotine, is none other than Carter Katz.I rub my teary eyes with the back of my hand, trying to clear the image, but he’s still there. His head remains secured in place, his eyes dim and lifeless. Dried tear tracks mark his cheeks. He looks pitiful. But one question stabs through my mind:What crime could a fifteen-year-old boy possibly commit to warrant execution by gu

I never really knew much about my parents, other than the fact that they were the best anyone could ask for—and war orphans, exiled to the outskirts of Eris. Why they were exiled, I don’t know. At ten years old, it didn’t seem important enough to ask. My parents rarely spoke of Eris, and when they did, it was in hushed tones. Once, I had gone along with them inside the wall of Eris when they secretly went to consult with some of the most powerful witches to aid my brother's muteness, but still I barely learnt a thing about my Kingdom. My parents said nothing either, but they taught us the language of the Fae and the language of other Kingdoms. Since the Kingdom of Māui, Cessi, and selenium spoke the same language, it made learning easier for my brother and me. And later, when we escaped Eris and found refuge in Māui, that knowledge helped us blend in. My parents never spoke about Eris history, nor did the academy I attended in the Shadow Moon Pack ever say anything about it

“Why do you keep shaking?” The whisper comes from a female beside me, her voice barely audible.I hadn't even noticed her gaze on me until now. I'm shaking, I realize, my body trembling since me and the other slaves were forced to kneel as King Sven, Katniss Whitlock, and the dignitaries from Cessi and Selenium feast. There are no palace guards around, but there are Gammas and some servers. There is also a lone bard playing music on his lute, the uplifting melody a stark contrast to the reality facing me and the others kneeling.The inside of the Pegasus is overwhelming, about six times larger than King Sven's palace, with an extravagant interior that hosts grand celebrations with pack members, other kingdoms, and even mass parades. There's even a colosseum for warriors' battles and a huge amphitheater in the compound. However, where we are now is a large room in the Pegasus. A room secluded.“You're still shaking,” she repeats, her tone laced with concern.“Can’t help it,” I say, fin

By the time the full celebration is about to kick in, I’m sent back to my room with two guards trailing behind me.Once I’m plopped on the bed, I can’t help but think back to my time inside the Pegasus. After my confrontation with King Kaius and King Thane, I was told to kneel again. I obeyed without protest. Then, King Kaius called Linnet to perform.She danced to the soothing melody of the lute, her hips swaying in perfect harmony, her legs weaving a majestic pavane that almost stole my breath. Watching Linnet was like watching a goddess descend into the Pegasus.The other slaves followed with something far more provocative, stripping entirely before dissolving into an orgy that made me turn my face away.But even more unsettling were the kings’ eyes on me.King Kaius was more of disgust and hatred, King Thane was more predatory… but King Sven? His gaze burned through my skin which stirred some feelings in me. I feel it even now, hours later, like phantom fingers ghosting over my sk

“I heard the ripper ghost will be participating in this year's Dance of the Dead,” I hear Kane, a guard and my supervisor, say as I'm bent over scrubbing the floor of the guillotine platform. There's been another execution this morning at the palace square, and this time it was a huge bulky man - a serial killer, and as obligated I'm cleaning it. “Some say he shouldn't be allowed, considering the terror he unleashed in the Kingdom of Nyxara.”“I get goosebumps anytime I remember what he did,” another guard replies. There's an unlit stick of cigarette between his lips as he flips a lighter.“I heard he's one of the fastest vampires alive. He can tear one's heart out within the blink of an eye. He also hunted down some of our kind,” a third one, a bald man, adds. “I bet he'd win this decade's battle, undoubtedly. I pity anyone else that would be entering.”“And if he kills again?”“Back to prison he goes.”I stop listening to their conversation as I concentrate on what I'm doing. The Da