Prologue
Clopping sounds from the hooves of huge dark horses pelting in the rocky road echoed inside the carriages. The old lady fanned herself furiously because of heat. The coach swayed as the coachman took a sharp turn to the u-shaped pavers driveway. The woman groaned in annoyance as she lost her footing. She straightened her skirt trying to looked composed. How undignified: she thought. But as she just finished off dusting her clothing the carriage made a full stop making her stumble backward. Outrageous!
Thankfully for her the carriage’s windows are shut as she finally picked herself up and grab her fan before immediately sitting herself down pretending to be unaffected by what happened. The helpers opened the door for her as a young ghoul offered his hand. Just then the old succubus made her way out, taking slow careful steps. A smiling demon with a mustache, red eyes glinting with happiness, dressed in formal attire and a top hat with a black cane, welcomed her. His sharp yellow teeth were visible as he rubbed his gloved hands together unable to contain his joy.
“Welcome. Welcome.” the demon greeted, “A pleasure to meet the matre diem of the House of Pride.”
There are seven well-known houses in the kingdom of the Netherworld and one of them is the House of Pride. Known for their excellent heirs that are the strongest, most powerful, smartest, of the lands, all children of Pride are considered the best in the Dark School, the distinguished learning institution of their dimension. To be able to be of service to such a prestigious family is such a huge honor.
“I have no time for pleasantries.” said the succubus, “Where are they?”
The demon tried to fake a smile despite his irritated reaction. Although he is a lower demon he is still well-known in this part of the country. He owns the most esteemed farms with bountiful AB blood types and best-bred humans. Even his O blood types are considered delicacies because of the high count of dopamine in their blood, making it sweeter and more delicious. All of his products have papers assuring their customers that they are of high quality from the standards of the food regulatory board.
“Right this way Madame.”
The demon grimaces when the lady walked past him with a head held high. His nostrils are flooded by a strong scent of perfume making his nose itch but he remained unfazed, knowing that the lady works for House Pride, and they are known for such attitudes that they are well deserve with their titles and achievements. Even their taste in considered to be the best choice and many become a trend in the Netherworld.
He quickly followed after the lady as he gestured towards the direction she should walked towards to, “I’m sure your master will enjoy our AB products. They are in this corridor. As you see our facilities are clean and have a good environment to make their blood stay healthy.”
The succubus quickly turned around to face the demon, “I’m not here for human food, I’m here for servants. Have you any strong male O’s perhaps? I am told that they are very rare and your farm is well-known in these parts so I came to you.”
The demon’s chest swelled as he heard what the lady called his business. His chin held high as his annoyance slowly dispersed and was now filled with arrogance, “I deserve no such recognition my lady, only the best for all Netherworld is my goal. Nonetheless, you are right about the male O’s, they are very rare as they are sent to ghoul countries as children to be eaten. They are hard to control, you see. That’s why we don’t grow them as adults. Females are docile; they make great blood banks. But we keep some of the male O’s for breeding and other services…”
The demon grinned wiggling his brows but the lady just gave him a nonchalant reaction. Something he isn’t expecting since she is a succubus. He just cleared his throat instead, not wanting to embarrass himself.
“I think I have a few stocks in store. They are to be sent to service houses but I’ll make an exemption for the House of Pride. I’m sure they’re attractive enough for your liking.”
“I don’t need eye candy, I need workers. Smart and strong enough for house work. One of the servants killed himself and with the party celebrating for the upcoming Friday the thirteenth I need more to prepare.”
“And you shall get what you need Madame. Right this way. I’ll lead you to the showroom.”
“No need. I am in a hurry. I’ll visit the cages myself.”
“But it won’t be a pleasant experience for a lady of your caliber to go to such places.”
“Doesn’t matter. It would be quicker.”
“But of course, Madame. Right this way. You might want to cover your nose.”
The woman just wrinkled her nose when the demon offered his handkerchief and took hers instead. Making their way to the dark halls she immediately noticed the unpleasant scent permeated the whole area. The lady had to release air from her nose to remove the scent. Taking her handkerchief with her, she covered half of her face, as the smell continued to linger in her nostrils. She is having trouble breathing but she endured. She can’t complain as she brought this upon herself.
Inside the cells a young man with dark hair and gray eyes tried to pick a good spot where he could sit but it is obvious that he has nowhere else to place himself as the whole room is crowded by other humans like him. All skin and bones and wearing tattered clothing. All have the ability to speak but no one spoke. Only the grunting and growling sound can be heard when the keepers enter with their rations of food as everyone tries to snatch a huge portion out of hunger.
The doors to the cells opened just as the humans scrambled to the farthest part of the room using their fellow humans as shields so as not to get close and be chosen by buyers. Once their fellow humans leave the room they are to never return unknown to them what their fate awaits. All they know in their minds is that they are alive right now and as awful their condition is they must live. That is why the young man with gray eyes tried to blend in with the rest of the humans inside, afraid to be chosen due to uncertainty of what might happen to him.
“Here they are.” the demon said as he entered the room urging for the succubus to come inside to try and pick.
The lady furrowed her brows inspecting the whole place. Besides the foul odor it is noticeable that all of the products are not in good condition, “I thought you only sell the best. Why are they all thin? Are they even strong enough to lift objects?”
The demon sneered but he was quick to cover up his expression after he was insulted with his competence, “They are strong enough, I assure you my lady. They can immediately work after you teach them tasks.”
“I still need to teach them?” the woman removed her gaze from the humans to the demon.
“Well… They are O’s they are uneducated due to their blood. They only follow what you told them. They are very obedient so you don’t need to worry.”
“As you say…”
The woman returned her attention to the humans in front of her. The humans scrambled back afraid of the piercing orbs of the succubus. There was pushing trying to get as far away from the higher creatures as she began to walk closer to the herd. The stronger humans hide behind the weaker ones not wanting to be chosen. Some even dropped to the ground and were almost stumbled by the others of his kind.
The woman then stopped at the far right where the other humans were. She inspected them but they quickly ran away from her line of sight, opening a path where the young man with gray eyes stood quietly. He immediately looked around to run where his fellow humans were but it was too late. The succubus has already seen him. He is now the offering.
The succubus looked at the human from his face down to his feet. He is taller than most humans and may be strong enough to store some energy once she fed and bathed him properly. Just add some weight on him and he has a potential to look attractive enough to be sent to service houses. For sure the lady of the House of Pride would agree with her once she showed him the male. She’d be delighted to see that she has great taste and might praise her for a job well done.
“I’ll take him.” the woman said, pointing at the human.
The young man can’t do anything but stand there as the woman chose his fate for him. He doesn’t know what his future holds now that he was chosen by a buyer. But he was powerless and unaware of what was happening. He doesn’t even know that he is in a pitiful state as there is no concept as such. For they are raised as beasts and beasts don’t know shame.
“I’ll quickly prepare him for you, my lady.”
“No need. I’ll take him as it is. Just send the papers and bills to our tab. I better get going now. There are much to be done before the party.”
“Yes, my lady as always I am thankful for your patronage.”
The lady ignored the demon who was bowing to her and immediately made her way out. The demon, noticing the lack of the presence of the human she bought, quickly looked back at the herd and he immediately saw the young man alone in the corner.
“Hurry up and follow that lady! That’s your job now so be of use.”
The human scrambled fast but hesitantly stepped outside the cells. It is the first time that he’d be able to go outside and he was anxious for what it would look like. Unknowingly this will be the start of an unexpected story between him, a human, and a higher creature.
