I Volunteer As Tribute Novels & Stories

I remembered when I had training with Aron when it was my witch part that was present, in the middle of the training he decided to switch to a duel, he was not merciful at all Aron attacked me on all sides when he was really close to my face he raised his claws and was about to swipe at my neck when my hands transformed to claws at the last minute and I was able to block his attack, but it immediately retracted back. After that it has happened three more time also during intense fights. “ so it’s my turn to talk now huh” I said towards Chase sheepishly. “ yeah, I want to also know what’s going on in your life. I’m your best friend” “ I know and I’m sorry for keeping you in the dark. It’s not

“Unchaining you was supposed to make you aware.” I squint my eyes. “Aware of what?” “That you are more useful to me alive than dead.” His luscious, tempting lips curl into a slant that is neither a smile nor a smirk. A chill creeps down my spine, followed by an unwelcome flutter inside my belly. “Dear princess, you are my Queen Tribute. I thought you were unworthy to rule beside me the second you arrived in my fortress. But I'm having doubts now. Do you know why?”

“Your majesty! I apologize! I... I don’t know how I got here.” He leans over the edge, studying me on the ground before a smile quirks his lips. He finds this amusing. “Stand, please.” I swallow before rising to my feet. My shoes are gone, the stone cold against my skin as I stand before him. Hands fold in front of me, fingers tangling together as I wait for anything. Zarek Nightflame rises from the bed, walking around it to come before me. His nearness has the ambiance around me rising several degrees. “What is your name, Tribute?”

He continued, voice casual like he was merely talking about mailing a postcard. I blinked, my brain trying to catch up. "Wait. Are you saying you… you did that for me?" He tilted his head, his smirk softening into something almost genuine. "I don't share my prey, Valencia. But for you? I'll make an exception. I always pay back what is owed in tenfold. Good or bad. I don't know whether to classify your actions as bravery or misplaced loyalty. But it doesn't change the fact that your reckless will to die was commendable."

Like a caterpillar or butterfly , she was beautiful and amazing when you looked closely . One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd." I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friend tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land

I stepped down from the dais, walking right up to the edge of Larry's platform. "Luna Ivonne sacrificed her life to trigger the Restoration Ripple," I said, tears burning my eyes as I looked at him. "She gave her life to bring life back to this realm and that included giving YOU your life back. If I execute you today, I turn her sacrifice into a meaningless bloodbath. I refuse to disrespect my wife's gift." Larry stared up at me in absolute, stunned shock. Tears welled up in his hollow eyes. Slowly, painfully, Larry dropped to his knees on the wooden platform, bowing his head all the way to the floor before me.

They weren't there to protect the cargo of women so much as prevent them from escaping. She grimaced. She'd been trying to distract herself with the blue sky and scented breeze, but the grim soldiers and the incessant sobbing kept pulling her back to the present dilemma. Well perhaps not a dilemma, so much as a terrible and hopeless situation. She'd volunteered to be part of the tribute, to save her family the loss of her more promising sister, who, even at 19, already had numerous proposals. There were tributes every five years, sometimes gold, sometimes livestock, and every town gave their part. This year the creature had demanded young women.

I thought to myself. Moments later, I glanced at Wren with conviction. “Still extends our supports to both the families who accepted or not. Also, we will cut down the tribute f*e by 50% to all the families to ease their situation till the Hacker is caught.” I replied boldly. Wren’s eyes widened with shock but quickly snapped back. The ‘tribute’ f*e is given by every founding family to me as the head of the council to pledge loyalty. Because of this grand gesture, Wren had a satisfied expression on his face.

The mention of tribute—offered blood, pledges of loyalty, or mortal lives—felt almost petty against the threats looming on the horizon. But it wasn’t. Tribute was currency. Tribute was power. Tribute kept the balance of fear and favour in our favour. Tribute produced Dhampirs Still… What was the point of impressing ghosts? If Volodymir could not—and must not—be awakened, then what was all this performance for? For the Conclave? For Adrian? For a throne that felt more like a coffin every day? My silence lingered longer than it should have, and Lancly tilted his head slightly, studying me.

"With our training, she’ll be running the international circuits before the next Great Moon." Outside the heavy oak doors, I stood in the shadows, my heightened senses taking in every word of their treachery. I had come to the Studio to collect the tributes and gifts my followers had sent, only to find the packages shredded and scattered in the hallway by the staff, like a kill scavenged by crows.