Page 75 of A Curse So Vile

She opened her eyes to her ancient seat, the place her people came from, taking in its ghastly horror.

She was home.

But it was just a memory of a time before now. A time before her people crossed over to Dreyléon. Before the Dusklands. A place sacred to them.

A place they had to flee.

They’d lost so much. Their home. Their heritage. Their history. She could reclaim it all. Take it back—take the world.

“Feast, my princess. There’s plenty more once you’ve finished your appetizer.”

The voice was familiar. She blinked, and suddenly she was somewhere else. A large stone structure, the ceiling open to the sky. She chewed slowly as she looked around at the people surrounding her.

They sat on benches, gazing at her with worshipful eyes. A few feet away, on their knees, were those of ancient blood, their heads hanging.

Nothing looked right, or as it should.

“Feast, my princess. Gorge on the blood of those unworthy of their gifts.”

Their blood was far weaker than hers, but it would serve her well, strengthening her body.

“No, Brenna. This isn’t you.” A familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.

She looked over to see a man standing over the Denithians, blond of hair, amber of eyes. His blood wasn’t ancient like the others, but it would nourish her well.

She took a step towards him. Then another. As the others cowered, he looked up at her boldly.

“Stay with me, Brenna.”

The word sounded familiar. She’d been called it once. She’d been called so many things.

“You saved my sister,” he pleaded. “Do you remember Fiona? She’s at the Den with the rest of your kin.”

The Den was weak. Their blood, thin.

Not hers, though. She was the strongest of the ancient blood.

She took another step towards the human, baring her teeth. Still, he didn’t move.

Short barks caught her attention, and she looked down to see a white beast rush between her and the human. It was warning her, which was ridiculous. What would she have to fear in this man? This pathetic human?

She didn’t want to hurt the creature, as she felt a strange connection to it, but it refused to move.

Pushing it aside, she took a final step towards the man who continued to foolishly hold his ground. She snarled and clenched her teeth, hoping to sample his delicious fear, but instead of cowering, his hands went to his chest and he opened his shirt.

What madness is this?she thought to herself.

“I am yours. Always. In service and in every other way you would want me,” the man said, his voice ripe with anguish. “This isn’t you. You need to come back to us. Back to the Den. To your home.”

It’s your heart that needs to come home, brave sister. You’ve been away for far too long. You’ll lose yourself if you don’t return.

Who said that?Her eyes fixed on the white creature.

Shattered memories were just out of her reach. She thought back over thousands of years, but what she was searching for was ever elusive.

Why would this human matter? Did he have knowledge? Doubtful.

With just a swipe of her hand, she could end his pitiful life. Oh, how lovely he would look with a thin red necklace...