20. Addie

20

ADDIE

" A h, here is the last of the maidens from the Choosing Ceremony!" Ls Prissa clapped her wrinkled hands together, smiling grimly as Sparki and Addie entered the Feasting Hall.

Today the long table had been cleared away and instead there were three throne-like chairs arranged in the center of the room on a dais. In front of the chairs, a line of young women stood, looking like contestants at a Beauty Pageant waiting to be judged.

But when she scanned their faces, which were familiar to her from last night, Addie saw that some of them were missing and the rest looked pale and drawn. Like Sparki, these women looked like they'd had a terribly rough night. In fact, a few of them could barely stand and were leaning against the girls on either side of them, who were scarcely in better shape.

"Come on, girls—take your place in line. Don't keep us waiting any longer," Ls Hissa exclaimed, frowning impatiently.

"Come on, over here," Sparki whispered to Addie and tugged her hurriedly over to stand with the other girls.

Addie found herself standing at the very end of the line, which was a good thing. Maybe she could avoid drawing attention to her new fangs and the weird markings on her back, she thought hopefully.

But her hope was dashed when Ls Prissa rose from her throne-like chair and began to speak.

"As all of you know, last night at the Choosing Ceremony one of you was primed to be crowned the Queen of Night. Today, during The Revelation, we shall see which one of you that is. Now then…" she looked up and down the line of girls. "All present and accounted for, I see. Except for Teeza, who paid the price for her disobedience last night when she refused to drink of Sheelash's Bounty."

"But what about Keelish?" Ls Tissa asked, from her throne. "Where is she?"

"She didn't make it, your Ancientness," one of the other girls said in a low voice. "The…the poison overcame her. It spread through her body in great, black streaks until she couldn't breathe. She's gone." Then she broke down into sobs.

Addie's stomach churned. Gone? As in dead? She thought of the lines of blood poisoning that had been spreading from her own spider bite. If Drago hadn't healed her, would she be dead now too? She had a bad feeling that she would be. How awful!

But Ls Prissa didn't seem sad at all.

"Ah, well—we always lose one or two," she said, waving her hand as though the girl's death was just collateral damage and nothing to get upset about. "Stop that caterwauling," she added, frowning at the crying girl. "We all know when we're chosen to participate in this ancient rite that some of us might not make it. Why, during my Choosing Ceremony, three years ago, we lost five of the original twenty."

Addie frowned—something wasn't adding up. Had Ls Prissa said she'd participated in the Choosing Ceremony only three years ago? But how could that be—she looked like she was seventy-five or eighty at least. Weren't only young women asked to participate?

"Now then, I'm glad to see that most of you made it through the night," Ls Prissa went on, without giving any further explanation. "Today is the time of The Revelation—it's time to see who among you will be crowned the Queen of Night. So strip!"

Addie jumped at the harsh command, thinking she must have misunderstood. Her Translation Bacteria must be acting up—right?

Wrong. Because the girls all around her began peeling off their black dresses to stand naked and shivering before the three thrones. Addie realized she hadn't misunderstood—the Council of Aged Ones actually expected everyone to get naked.

Addie didn't like this a bit! She started slowly backing towards the door. Maybe she could sneak out while everyone was undressing…

Unfortunately her stealthy movements didn't go unnoticed.

"You there—the off-worlder girl!" Ls Prissa snapped, pointing one bony finger at Addie. "Come back here—where do you think you're going?"

"Oh, well…I just think it would be wrong for me to participate any further in your holy ritual," Addie said quickly. "I mean, I'm an outsider here—the honor should go to one of the Vargan girls—not me. So I was just going to?—"

"Going to sneak out and shirk your duty, were you?" Ls Prissa narrowed her surprisingly young eyes. "I don't think so. Guards—bring her back into line and strip her!" she ordered.

Suddenly there were two armed Vargan guards standing on either side of Addie. They took her by the elbows and marched her back, only this time they took her to the very center of the line, right in front of the three Aged Ones.

"All right, all right," Addie told them when one of them started pulling at her dress. "I can take off my clothes myself—leave me alone!"

"Stand down—let the off-worlder undress herself," Ls Hissa ordered.

Addie was relieved when the guards backed off, but even more reluctant to get undressed now that she knew there were men in the room. However, she wasn't being given a choice. The guards were still hovering nearby so she had to reluctantly pull the black dress over her head.

She held the mass of fabric to her breasts, trying to cover herself as much as possible. But it turned out that it wasn't her front the Aged Ones were interested in.

"Now turn around, all of you. Move your hair aside and show us your backs!" Ls Prissa demanded.

Addie felt sick—she knew what they would find when they looked at her back. But again she had no choice but to obey orders. She turned with everyone else and waited for the inevitable.

She heard a shocked gasp from behind her and then the low voices of the Aged Ones coming nearer.

"Look at that!" Ls Hissa exclaimed, running her fingertips lightly over Addie's bare back, making her shiver and jerk away.

"I have never seen its equal—such a beautiful depiction of Sheelash!" Ls Tissa agreed. "Surely she is this year's Queen of Night!"

Only Ls Prissa sounded unimpressed.

"We must see her teeth first. She's no good to us unless she has The Thirst. Turn around, girl," she said, tapping Addie on the shoulder. "Turn and show us your teeth!"

With a sinking heart, Addie turned to face the three old women.

"Look," she began. "I really think?—"

Smack! Quick as a striking snake, Ls Prissa's hand flew out and struck her across the cheek.

"Oh!" Addie gasped, tears rising involuntarily to her eyes. She put her hand to her stinging face. "What was that for?"

"That was for your disobedience and disrespect! I said show us your teeth, girl!" Ls Prissa barked. "Do it now or should I have one of the guards strike you next time? They have a much heavier hand than I do."

Blinking back tears, Addie opened her mouth, knowing what they would see.

There was a collective sigh of satisfaction from the three older women.

"Ah—look at those fangs!" Ls Tissa exclaimed.

"I've never seen such a fine pair," Ls Hissa remarked.

"She's got The Thirst, all right," Ls Prissa said, nodding in apparent satisfaction. "Now to get her some Quenching Candidates. She needs fresh blood it be an acceptable Queen of Night."

Quenching Candidates? Addie thought longingly of the children's book she'd been reading. Why had she put it down? If only she'd stayed in her seat and kept reading she might have a better idea of what was coming next.

"Guards, open the door—let in the Quenching Candidates," Ls Prissa said sternly.

Then, to Addie's horror, the door to the Feasting Hall was opened once more and a hoard of Vargan males poured in! They all crowded around the group of naked women, most of whom were clutching their dresses to their chests, just like Addie.

She could hear them murmuring to each other and feel their eyes crawling all over her—it was awful! She wished she could put her dress back on but that would mean pulling it up and over her head and baring her breasts and pussy—she didn't want to do that.

"Now then, enough chatter," Ls Prissa said, taking charge once more. "You all know why you're here. This year's Queen of Night has been chosen and some of you must be willing to Quench her Thirst. You know the risks—she may drain you dry in her lust for blood. But you also know the rewards—no man alive that's been ridden by a Queen of Night will ever forget the pleasure. So who wants to step forward?"

"Who is it, then?" One of the men shouted. Addie's hair had fallen back down to hide her back, so apparently it wasn't immediately obvious she was "the Chosen One."

"It's her—the off-worlder," Ls Prissa nodded at the guards and they dragged Addie up on the dais where the three throne chairs were located. "Well go on—show her off," she added to the guards. "Take that silly dress from her—let the candidates know what they're risking their lives for."

"Wait—please, no!" Addie cried as the black dress was ripped from her hands. She tried desperately to cover herself, but the guards wouldn't allow it. They pulled her arms away from her body and held them out, putting her on display in a humiliating fashion.

Shame rushed through Addie and she hung her head, unable to meet the many eyes that were raking over her bare body. Oh God, it was like a bad dream! But she couldn't wake up, no matter how hard she tried.

"Gods of creation, look at the klixa!" one of the watching men muttered. "She's got red hair below as well!"

"Never seen a red bush—almost as tempting as Sheelash White," another answered.

"Wonder how tight her cunny is?" a third speculated.

"Tight enough to make it worth the risk, I reckon!" the first man shot back, which prompted a burst of trollish laughter.

Addie wanted to weep. Where was Drago? How could he leave her at such a time? Was he dead somewhere? Had the Vargans killed him? Why else would he abandon her like this? What was she going to do?

But then, at her lowest point, she heard a familiar voice echoing through the high, stone chamber.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing to my mate? Get your fucking filthy hands off her, now!"

Oh, thank goodness! Addie nearly melted with relief when she saw the big Drake Kindred shoving his way angrily through the crowd. As tall as he was, he was head and shoulders above the other males and she could see the red glare of Rage glowing in his eyes.

"Step back—she's mine!" he snarled at the guards who dropped Addie's outstretched arms and backed hastily away.

"Oh, Drago!" Addie gasped as he put his arms around her and shielded her nakedness with his big body. "Oh, I'm so glad you're here!"

"Come on, baby," he growled. "I'm taking you home."

"You cannot do that, Kindred." Ls Prissa's voice rang above the murmurings of the assembled men and the other women from the Choosing Ceremony. "To take your lady now would be to profane our holiest ritual."

"I don't give a Goddess-damn about your fucking ritual!" Drago snarled, his eyes glowing red as he glared at the older woman. "Addison is my Fated Mate and I'm taking her back to the Kindred Mother Ship right fucking now!"

"I don't think so. Guards!" Ls Prissa made a motion and the two guards who had been holding Addie came back—along with about ten others. All of them were holding lethal-looking blasters in their hands.

"Oh, no!" Addie shrank against her Protector's side. She was desperately afraid that this was one battle Drago couldn't fight his way out of—he was outnumbered and unarmed.

She could feel the big Kindred tense with anger but to his credit, he didn't go barreling ahead into the small army of armed guards. Instead he stood his ground and continued to shield her with his body.

"You're making a big, fucking mistake here," he growled, speaking to Ls Prissa though he was keeping his eyes on the blasters leveled at their heads. "The Kindred High Council doesn't take acts of aggression against their emissaries lightly. Addison is an extremely important social scientist—if you harm a hair on her head you'll have the entire Mother Ship bearing down on your little moon."

"Now, now, Commander Drago…" Suddenly Lx Sambla stepped forward from the crowd. "I think there's been a misunderstanding," he said smoothly. "We don't wish to harm Addison—only to honor her. She has been chosen to be this year's Queen of Night."

"Right—honor her by stripping her in front of a bunch of horny males? I don't think so!" Drago snarled. "Fuck you and your ‘honor!'"

"You might not be so eager to take back your ‘Fated Mate' once you get a better look at her," Ls Prissa remarked, coming forward to stand beside Lx Sambla. "She's changed, you know—quite dramatically."

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Drago growled.

"Show him, my dear," Ls Prissa urged. "Show him your markings—show him your teeth."

"What markings?" Drago demanded. But the older woman was already brushing Addie's long hair aside to bare her back. When he saw the spider web, the big Kindred sucked in a breath. "What the fuck, Addison?" he muttered. "When did you have time to get yourself inked?"

"It's not ink—not a tattoo," Addison admitted. "It's a marking that came from the spider venom they made us drink last night. Only they called it ‘The Bounty of Sheelash.'"

"That is not the only effect the Bounty of Sheelash has upon the chosen," Ls Prissa remarked. "Go on girl—open your mouth and let him see."

Addie didn't want to. She looked up at Drago and her eyes filled with tears but she kept her mouth shut.

"What is it, baby?" he asked, cupping her cheek gently. "Whatever it is, you can show me."

"Yes, show him! Let him see what you have become!" Ls Prissa exclaimed. "Or do I need to have the guards shoot your Protector to convince you to obey?"

That did it—Addie knew she didn't have a choice. Trying to hold back the sobs that threatened to overtake her, she opened her mouth at last, baring the two long, razor-sharp vampire fangs.

Drago's eyes widened in shock and went from blazing red back to his usual gold.

"Goddess above!" He sounded bewildered. "What happened to you, baby?"

"I don't know." Addie shook her head. "Or, yes, I do know—it was that damn spider venom! It changed me. I woke up like this." She gestured at her new fangs. "And now I don't know what to do!"

"What you're going to do is honor Sheelash as the Queen of Night," Ls Prissa said firmly. "But first we must choose four strong young men to Quench your Thirst and breed you. Now then—who wants to volunteer?"

"I will, Mother." Lx Sambla stepped forward.

"No!" Ls Prissa shook her head. "You're too young!"

Sambla shook his head.

"I have been celibate long enough—let me do my duty and give the ultimate sacrifice to our Goddess, just as you did three years ago when you Quenched your Thirst with my father and bore me."

Even in the midst of her emotional turmoil, this caught Addie's attention. Was Sambla saying he was only three years old? But he looked at least thirty-five! What the hell was going on around here?

Drago seemed to have the same question because he growled,

"What in the Seven Hells are you talking about? Are you trying to say you're only three solar years of age? Is a Crimson Moon year longer than a standard solar year or what?"

Sambla shook his head.

"No, a year here on Crimson Moon is the same amount of time as it is for you aboard your Mother Ship. I was born as a product of the Choosing Ceremony three years ago. My mother is Ls Prissa."

"But she's too old to have had a baby only three fucking years ago!" Drago protested. "And you're sure as hell older than three solar years!"

"Those involved in the Choosing Ceremony age differently, Kindred," Ls Prissa spoke with icy calm. "As your ‘Fated Mate' will soon find out. Now stand aside—soon The Thirst will overcome her and she must have willing males to Quench it."

"I volunteer," another man from the audience shouted.

"I do too," another said.

Several more of the Vargans also shouted their willingness but when they started to come up on the dais, Drago glared at them and gave a long, low growl that stopped them in their tracks.

"Not a single one of you fuckers is touching her! What part of ‘Fated Mate' don't you understand?" he demanded angrily. "She's MINE!"

"You must step aside, Kindred!" Ls Prissa said, frowning. "Events have been set in motion which cannot be undone. If you attempt to take your woman away with you now, she will die—and not by blaster fire. The Thirst will kill her."

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Drago demanded. "What in the Seven Hells is ‘The Thirst?'"

"It's an uncontrollable sexual rage that comes over the Queen of Night," Lx Sambla explained calmly. "It causes her to thirst for blood and crave male seed. She must enter the Room of Sighs with her chosen males and drink from them and breed with them—only when The Thirst is Quenched will she be safe."

Addie felt sick. So this was the part she'd missed when she put down the book she'd been reading! God, what was she going to do? She didn't want to go into a sexual rage and drink anybody dry. And she also didn't want to fuck a bunch of strangers!

Lx Sambla must be lying, she tried to tell herself. It can't be true—he's lying!

But already she could feel the lust building inside her. Her pussy was wet and her nipples ached. Not only that, but her throat felt as dry as sandpaper—she was dying for a drink and this time she didn't think drinking water would help her. She craved something richer—something dark and red and hot…

"So you see, Commander Drago, it's better to just let Addison be crowned the Queen of Night," Lx Sambla said soothingly. "After the Quenching is over, you can take her back to the Mother Ship with you. But until then, I'm afraid we cannot let you leave."

Drago glared at him.

"I knew we shouldn't trust you—you fucking slimy little bastard!" he snarled. "You invited Addison here in the first place hoping this would happen!"

Lx Sambla shrugged his slim shoulders.

"I confess, that's true. We need new blood among the High Born here on Crimson Moon. I thought Addison would be an ideal candidate."

"You fucker!" Drago looked like he wanted to lunge at the Vargan Ambassador but, at a nod from Ls Prissa, the guards pointing their blasters at him all took a step forward.

Reluctantly, Addie thought, Drago stood his ground and didn't strangle the Vargan ambassador.

"Just let her enter the Room of Sighs with the chosen men," Sambla urged again. "The Quenching won't take long—it's all usually over in an hour."

Addie wanted to start sobbing, but somehow she held back the tears. It was time to get real—there was no getting out of this situation unless they did what the Vargans wanted. She just hoped she went into some kind of fugue state when The Thirst overcame her—she didn't want to be aware of what she was doing if she was going to start drinking blood and fucking strange men!

"Drago," she whispered, tugging at his arm. "Drago, I'm afraid I'm going to have to do it. They're not going to let us go, otherwise."

"Listen to your Fated Mate—she speaks truth and wisdom," Ls Prissa urged. "Step away and let us choose the males who will service her in the Quenching."

"No." Drago glared down at the old woman. "No, if Addison is going to go through this, I'm going through it with her. No other males—just me!"

Lx Sambla's dark eyes widened in alarm.

"You don't know what you're asking! Entering the Room of Sighs as a male and participating in The Quenching is perilous in the extreme— especially if you are the only male there!"

"I don't give a fuck," Drago growled. "I told you—if she goes, I go with her!" He glared at the guards. "Or do you want me to fuck you up? You might shoot me dead but I guarantee you I'll take at least ten of you with me!" He bared his teeth in a low, menacing growl and his eyes flashed red again.

The guards muttered uneasily among themselves and a few took a step back, but their blasters were still aimed at the big Kindred's head and heart.

"Very well—if you wish to incur the risk, we won't try to stop you, Kindred," Ls Prissa said coolly. "You may enter the Room of Sighs with your Fated Mate as the only Quenching Candidate."

Addie was horrified.

"Drago, no!" she exclaimed. "What if they're right? What if I go into some kind of…of killing rage or something?"

"Don't fucking care what you go into, baby," he murmured, stroking her hair with one big hand. "I'm going in there with you or you're not going."

"But—" Lx Sambla began again. However Ls Prissa silenced him with a wave of her hand.

"Enough—the decision is made. If the Kindred wishes to sacrifice himself, why should we stop him? We've already lost enough good men this year during The Milking."

"Very well, Mother." Lx Sambla looked disappointed, but took a step back. "It shall be as you say."

"Very good." Ls Prissa nodded regally. "Then let us continue with The Crowning of the Queen of Night before The Thirst overtakes her. Bring the crown and robes!"

This order seemed to be directed to the other two Aged Ones because Ls Tissa and Ls Hissa hurried forward. One of them was holding a silver and diamond tiara which she placed carefully on Addie's head. The other had a long, black cape which she tied around her neck.

Addie breathed a small sigh of relief as the silky black fabric fell around her shoulders and enclosed her. At least now she wasn't naked in front of everyone in the room! That had been sheer torture for her with her body image issues.

But her relief was short-lived. Because the moment she was dressed in the crown and cape, Ls Prissa called out,

"Behold the Queen of Night, chosen by Sheelash herself!"

The whole crowd erupted in cheers except for Sparki. When Addie caught the lady-in-waiting's gaze, the other woman looked ashamed of herself and dropped her eyes. But everyone else in the room seemed extremely excited—even the men who had been offering to "sacrifice" themselves to Quench her Thirst.

Ls Prissa raised her hands again and the cheering cut off abruptly.

"Enough!" she shouted, even though everyone was now quiet. "To the Room of Sighs! Let The Quenching begin!"