The Hive
After all the stories and rumors I’d heard about the vampires north of Illica’s borders, I had a vision of what the dungeons of the Hive looked like. I’d thought about the slaves who mined for precious gems living in squalor, bloodstained coffins, falling asleep to the sound of tortured screams.
I’d never considered what it would look like from the outside. A grand castle towered over me, built directly into the side of the Irriset mountains. Sharp spires cut into the sky, making their regality known from a distance. Torches lit the multitude of tall, pointed entries and balconies. Shadows from their flames danced along the dark, ornate stone walls, pillars and peaks of the vampiric community.
Even through my lingering blood fog, the enormous structure gave me a confusing sense of wonder and worry.
“Lady Reyva, welcome to our humble abode.” Rhazien gestured to his thriving kingdom and smiled proudly.
“Humble?” I asked breathlessly as I fought to keep the blood’s yearning at bay.
Rhazien offered his arm and my hand instinctively found a comforting shelter in the crook of his elbow. He tucked me in tight and his blood sang. There was no hesitation, no nervousness as I found a happy home at his side.
Dommik, among other Hive guards, watched us from atop theirmounts. A clumsy smile spread across my lips, but the blood scolded me for my lingering gaze. He didn’t return the expression and abruptly looked away.
Rhazien’s blood muted my disappointment at Dommik’s avoidance.
Perhaps he wouldn’t be a friendly face after all.
The regent and I walked arm in arm, our strides naturally matching like it was something we’d done hundreds of times. Vampire citizens scurried around us, tending to the horses, hauling goods, marching in formation.
The massive structure could easily house hundreds. That amount of vampires, all requiring blood to survive scattered chills across my skin.
“How many of you?—”
A male vampire crossed our path with a sheep in tow, awkwardly bowing as he cursed at the squirming animal.
Rhazien waved the male away and answered my unfinished question, “I’ve lost count, but we’ll take a census in a few weeks.”
I slurred another question that sounded like, “And you ALL live here?”
“Some of our traders and animal farmers go to ground outside of the Hive, but yes, a good majority of us call this place home.” He paused and turned me toward him. “And now this is your home too.”
Home.
No place had ever felt like home. Born the less desired gender, my parents’ home could never have been mine to inherit. I’d made myself as comfortable as I could in my husband's home, but as the barren second wife to a wealthy lord in desperate need of an heir, it became less and less welcome with every failed moon cycle.
No, I might live here, for however long Rhazien would find me useful, but the Hive would never be my home.
My future, my master, the orchestrator of my livelihood, held me in his courtyard. The vampires busied themselves around us, but perked ears and sly glances gave away their attention to every movement and word exchanged between us.
“Reyva,” Rhazien whispered as he tucked a loose tendril behind my ear. “You’re home.”
A small faction of leather-clad guards shielded us from the citizens of the Hive. A thriving market bustled on the ground level. Trinkets, animal meat, carpets, oils for lamps, casks of wine littered the vendor stalls.
Through the cracks of our bodyguards, vampires and humans alike, only differentiated by their garb and sometimes visible fangs, craned their necks to glimpse who was being delivered by a royal escort.
Smoke intermixed with herbs and a plethora of spiced aromas.
Humans wore cloaks similar to mine with different embroidered designs, I assumed to signify their ownership.
We strode over the market cobblestones toward a set of bronze double doors with a symbol matching my cloak. The doors opened, revealing a wooden platform and pulley system.
Two guards flanked us as Rhazien ushered me to the platform. The blood cradled my doubt and despite its efforts to keep me focused on him, I found myself wishing Dommik was with us.
Another pair of royal guards took position next to a wooden wheel and set themselves to untying the appropriate ropes and levers. Metal clanged as the bronze doors shut and I gasped as we began to slowly ascend.
My body swayed in the darkness, periodically brushing against the regent who stood tall and unmoving.
