Chapter 1
What odd creatures, Seraphina thought as she stared down at the beings that were so different looking than her.
There was also an inherent grace to the young species. She enjoyed watching them from afar because even this close her mother would be mortified to learn what she was up to. Her mother claimed that this fascinating new species was disgusting and ignorant.
But as Seraphina watched the small creatures run around, she couldn’t fathom her mother’s claims. They appeared so happy as they ran around; one would touch the other before running away giggling. It looked like they were playing, not something her kind was given time to do.
She believed these smaller, younger versions of the species were called something different; like cubs to a wolf. But the name evaded her.
One of the smallest creatures in the group hid behind the tree Seraphina was hiding inside. The…child.
That was it!
The child below her pushed her hair behind her rounded ear. It was such a bizarre appendage.
Where do they fit their piercings? she pondered as her fingers absentmindedly ran over the sharply pointed tip of one of her ears that was already filled with metal piercings even at her young age of ten and six winters.
She watched as the bizarre child grew distracted while the larger children began chasing each other around. A bright yellow butterfly flitted past it as a musical giggle bubbled from its small body. The golden curls on its head bounced as it chased after the flying insect; not paying attention to its surroundings. It was heading straight into the darkest parts of the forest where predators lurked.
A creature as small as it would be easy prey to a wolf, bear, wildcat, or even one of Seraphina’s kind. Demons hated these new beings more than the animals. She knew if her mother found out that she was this close, she’d be furious.
But that didn’t stop Seraphina from helping the whelp. The child was innocent and didn’t deserve to die so brutally.
Leaping from the tree, the branches scratched against her skin before she landed in a steep crouch. She was bent so far that her hand touched the ground to support her. The child’s eyes widened as Seraphina slowly stood up straight.
At this proximity, their size difference was impossible to ignore. Seraphina was easily twice the child’s size. She knew their kind were smaller than hers, but she’d never been so close to one to see the difference so plainly.
The butterfly flitted past Seraphina’s shoulder and the child stepped to the side as if it was going to continue following it.
Seraphina shook her head to try and let the little one know that they shouldn’t proceed.
The child cocked its head to the side before its face curled up into a broad beaming smile. Its mouth moved as foreign sounds emerged from its thin pink lips. But Seraphina wasn’t familiar with the human language.
Holding out her hand, she hoped the child would understand her gestures since they wouldn’t be able to communicate verbally. When the child threaded her small, delicate hand into Seraphina’s much larger one, a protective warmth filled the large demon. How these creatures could be their downfall, she didn’t understand. Their human bodies were so breakable, there was no way they’d overpower a horde of demons.
Seraphina led the little girl away from the forest toward the border near a patch of wildflowers. Bending over, she picked a small pink flower and tucked it behind the child’s ear. Her fingertips grazed the odd rounded shape of the human’s ear. Aside from the shape, it felt exactly like her own.
Maybe they weren’t so different.
Seraphina, return home, her mother’s voice rang in her head and she rolled her eyes.
Bending at her hips, Seraphina bowed to her new friend before disappearing into the darkness of the forest. She watched the child briefly to make sure it didn’t try to follow, but the child sat amongst the flowers and began tying them together to make a crown.
Turning quickly, she sprinted between the trees and hurried home. She knew her mother would not be pleased if she made her wait.
Almost twenty minutes later, she was running up the small path to the dwelling she shared with her mother, her mother’s mate, and three of her sisters. The large grass hut was pieced together using thatch, sticks, and moss making it blend in beautifully with the surrounding forest.
Her mother stood by the front door; her hands were placed on her hips, and her face was pinched tight in derision. Seraphina knew she was in trouble.
“Where have you been?” her mother scolded. Her mother remained in the doorway, preventing her from entering.
“I was in the woods, mother,” Seraphina answered mostly honestly.
“Now is not the time to be caught up in your head, child. Your sister’s ceremony is tonight, you should be with her helping her to prepare.”
By preparing, she meant that Seraphina had to sit in a hut filled with every female in the village while they pampered her sister; fussing over her hair, jewelry, and wardrobe. However, she’d never understood why they worried about the wardrobe since it wouldn’t remain on for long. And then, she’d be stuck in the corner while they talked about how amazing her sister was.
Seraphina was the fifth of six daughters. Her two oldest sisters were already mated and moved out to be on their own. The next oldest sister was betrothed, her mating ceremony would fall on the summer solstice this year. The sister directly above Seraphina was the one going through her coming-of-age ceremony as a way to show the village and any other surrounding village that she was at her peak. This would be the first ceremony Seraphina would be allowed to witness. Only the next in line is allowed to appear so they can spend the rest of their time preparing for their own ceremony.
In two more winters, it’d be Seraphina’s turn. Which would only leave her youngest sister to watch Seraphina before she was tortured with such a barbaric ritual.
Having never witnessed one yet, all she knew was the hooting and hollering of the male demons while the female strutted and frolicked around naked.
But it was tradition and Seraphina was required to participate whether she liked it or not. And with her mother being the highest ranking council member, aiding their chieftess, Seraphina was held to an even higher standard than anyone else.
They were a matriarchal society, the males were merely mates to create more children. Having a large brood of daughters was every female’s goal and purpose within the tribe. The male demons served their mates once they too came of age. Otherwise, the young boys were kept separate from the girls to avoid any fraternization or tainting of the coming-of-age ceremony. This would be the first time she’d see boys, aside from the men who were already mated in the village. Even still, those boys would still be at least two winters older than her and she was not allowed to look at or speak with them.
Holding back her desire to roll her eyes or huff in frustration, Seraphina straightened her spine before walking silently past her mother.
Her mother inhaled deeply as a wretched smell filled her nose. She grabbed Seraphina’s shoulder, halting her steps.
“You were around the humans,” her mother practically growled. It wasn’t a question–it was an accusation.
“I only watched them from afar,” Seraphina partially lied.
“Humans are dangerous. You are to stay away from them. Do you understand me?” Her mother’s grip on her shoulder became bruising as a warning to what would happen if Seraphina didn’t listen.
“Yes, mother,” she said, dropping her gaze.
“Bathe yourself immediately to remove their stench and be at your sister’s side. Do I make myself clear?” Her mother’s voice steadily dropped in tone to show how serious she was.
Nodding, Seraphina knew words would only further anger the female which Seraphina didn’t need. She walked through their home to their private bathing chamber where she disrobed and sank deep into the steaming water. By the time she emerged, she smelled of the earth, just the way she preferred it. And apparently so did her mother.
Seraphina slipped into a fresh robe and practically ran out of the hut before she risked her mother’s ire for a second time. The feeling of the bare dirt between her toes made her feel whole. She always found the earth and the forest easier to connect to than her own people.
Her feet dug into the ground as she came up short just in front of the hut where she knew her sister and the other unmated females were. She paused to take a deep breath before forcing herself to go inside. The ceremony may make Seraphina want to crawl into a hole until she is ten and nine winters, but her sister has talked about nothing aside from this for the past many full moons.
“Seraphina, glad you decided to grace us with your presence,” her sister, Anierin, teased.
Lifting her lip and wrinkling her nose in derision, she found herself a corner and plopped down into it. She lasted only about an hour before she was so bored, she couldn’t keep her eyes open.
Smack!
Seraphina shot awake to find three females staring down at her as her cheek felt like it was on fire. One of them slapped her awake and she was ready to tear all three of them limb for limb. Her mother’s mate had taught Seraphina how to fight. She was the only one of her sisters even interested in learning how to fight from the male who impregnated their mother. The rest were content to allow the males to continue defending their village.
The one in the middle jerked her head toward the entrance to the hut where her sister was standing in the most ostentatious outfit covered in sparkles and gems. Her long black hair, that was identical to Seraphina’s, was in dozens of braids and then braided into one big braid down her back. The hair exposed Anierin’s sharply pointed ears which were covered in even more piercings than Seraphina’s. She wore a crown made of gemstones and sticks, accenting her dark blue eyes.
As Seraphina stood, one of the females handed her her ceremonial hooded cloak which covered her body and head entirely. Since she was not of age, the males would not be allowed to look upon her form until her ceremony. A shiver ran up her spine as she thought about her being in her sister’s shoes.
A heavy drumbeat followed their procession through the village. Anierin was in the lead, followed by the rest of the unmated females, and Seraphina took up the rear. Their steps matched each resonant beat of the drum until they were in the center of the village by the massive bonfire. The unmated males were already dancing a slow circle around.
The chieftess sat upon her throne to the left on a small platform so she sat over the proceedings. Their mother was to the chieftess’ right along with the second in command on the left. Their mates stood behind them; their faces were completely stoic.
Seraphina never understood how he watched his daughters go through this ceremony. Then again, he really didn’t have much to do with the raising of the children. Seraphina was the only one who gave him any sort of respect or attention. Maybe to him, they were just another unmated female living in the village.
She watched her mother’s mate closely, his eyes staring at the antics of the unmated males in the center of the village. Until his eyes jumped to the only cloak-covered being at the ceremony. His brows pinched together as his eyes turned down sadly. Seraphina thought she saw dread cross his face when their eyes met. But the idea of him worried about her confused her more than his stoicism.
The drumming stopped, making Seraphina return her attention to the ceremony before her. The males stepped back, their ceremonial robes glinting by the light from the fire, as Anierin moved to the center and slowly walked around the fire. The unmated females and Seraphina created a circle around the unmated males and Anierin as the drums picked up their song once again.
After completing her circle, Anierin threw off her ceremonial robe and continued her dance naked. As she passed each unmated male, they too removed their robes and danced in place.
Seraphina felt her heart rate pick up into a heavy rhythm, faster than the drums. Her eyes widened and she had to fight the urge to run away. No one else appeared fazed by the nudity or the sexualized dance between Anierin and the unmated males.
Her eyes were locked on the part of their body that made them uniquely male. Many hung loose and swayed with their dance. A few of their members grew engorged and pointed outward.
Whoops and trills sounded off from the unmated females as they encouraged the aroused males to step forward and join Anierin in the dance.
With her body locked in place, she couldn’t avert her eyes from the unfolding scene, but deep down she knew she should look away. Her breathing came in heavy gasps as she watched the males encircle her sister. Anierin’s dance continued in place, trapped, as the males began stroking themselves. The males’ hands matched the tempo of the drums, steadily increasing their cadence as their faces contorted into masks of pleasure. Faster and faster and faster until the drums stopped and the males groaned loudly, streams of white spraying onto her sister’s skin.
Seraphina realized this was their way of marking her. Now it would be up to Anierin to choose a suitable mate from one of these men. No other male was allowed to try for her hand.
This was to be Seraphina’s future and a sense of cold dread filled her body at the expectation. She was going to have to dance naked in front of strange males while they painted her body, staking a claim that she had little choice in.
