Chapter forty seven

Chapter forty seven
"Leon, help Orioles get dressed there, please!" Seren asked, busy wiping Hulio's mouth.

I nodded, grabbing the green pants and blue shirt. Orioles is ten years old. He's one of the young ones at the Coven. I helped him get dressed.

He hissed at me with his small fangs displayed. His eyes had turned dark.

"Careful there, little man. Leon is a friend, not food. Here," Richie lifted Orioles up and carried him in his arms.

He winked at me before he left with Orioles.

We were all scattered around the nature reserve. There were a variety of animals to choose from for the vampires. Seren explained to me that they had marked the animals prior to our arrival.

Hulio and the other young ones had their first drop of blood. That's why Seren was wiping his mouth.

They had divided the children into eight groups. There were eleven adults, including the teenager Cicilia. I was in Richie's group and was helping take care of Oriole.

The nature reserve had long, dry grass where the vampires hunted and fed. Seren explained that the long grass served as a barrier between the hunting vampires and the humans as the reserve was open to everyone.

There were small, round houses for each group to share. We had a communal kitchen and also a communal living room. These were all at a separate house.

I was pondering when I heard footsteps behind me. "Hi, Leon. May you please help me round the children up for a play date?" Cicilia asked.

"Ok, sure. What games are they going to play?"

She replied, "It's something Marianne invented. She was supposed to attend this hunt, but she's been busy lately."

I felt uncomfortable at the mention of Marianne being busy knowing that it was because of me.

"Let me round the children up!" I walked backwards away from her, then turned around to walk towards the children.

I helped round them up and we all met at the living room. I occupied the couch next to Seren. It was a two-seater couch. Vyiki was sitting next to me.

"Where is Richie and Orioles?" asked Seren. She was looking at me.

I shrugged, "I don't know. Didn't they go hunting?"

Seren sighed, "Probably,"

The door opened a few seconds after. Richie was carrying Orioles with one arm, whilst the other was balancing an antelope. It was dead, and dangling over his shoulder. He threw it on the floor, and I could hear the bones breaking.

"I brought your dinner, Leon!" He said, and everyone but Seren broke out laughing.

Cicilia was laughing a little too hard for my liking.

"Are you going to make a barbecue, Darling?" Cicilia asked, addressing the question to me.

I didn't understand why they were all laughing, and also didn't understand  why what Richie did would be funny.

Richie put Orioles down, then he made his way towards the couch I was occupying. He displaced Vyiki and threw himself next to me on the couch.

He had a strong scent of blood - the antelope's blood. I caught some stains on his shirt.

He must've had a feast outside. His skin was smooth and he no longer seemed tired.

Richie draped his hand over my shoulder, to which I reacted and removed it. "What are you doing? You reek!"

He casually chuckled, smelled his shirt and nodded as though he was acknowledging what I said to be true.

Seren cleared her throat. "Now that we are all here, there are a few house rules we all need to discuss," Seren started. She continued, "Marianne sends her apologies for missing this hunt. She knows that it is the most important first hunt of a young vampire. She will make it all up to you. But for now, she's been held up."

"Is that because of Leon?" Richie asked.

What's wrong with him? He's such a jerk.

Seren glanced at him, then continued, "We will hold a few games for the night to determine which group will hunt first tomorrow. Marianne has also sent a special gift for the winning team. I will share it with the winning team at the end of the week.

"The first game we will have is called Grim's promise. Each group will be given a chance to offer a promise to me. Normally a promise is given to Marianne, but since she's not here, I will note your promises and after I feel the promise is worthy, I will ask each group to deliver. Whoever delivers is the winner of the first game. Remember to reach a common ground."

Seren finished speaking. It wasn't long after she was done that Richie grabbed my hand and led me outside.

"What are you doing?" I asked, pissed.

"Do flatter yourself, Leon. Think of a promise, quick."

Is Richie alright in his head? That made me wonder.

"We are supposed to all think of a promise as a team. Let's call the others and have a discussion,"

"Don't be a mood damper, Leon. This is how the game is played. Those are just young vamps. All they crave is blood. I can't explain things to you in layman terms right now. Give me a promise now."

I still didn't understand Richie.

"What promise?" I asked, a little annoyed at him.

"Anything. Think of a promise you gave to anyone. It could be a lover, a friend, yourself or me," he said, running his fingers through his hair multiple times. He was getting frustrated.

He explained, "Leon. This is how the game is played; there are two adults in each group. The adults discuss the promise, and both agree on it, then they pitch it to Seren to pick the winner. The downside of it is that the promise must be fulfilled within 10 minutes of choosing the winner. If it's not fulfilled, then the winning group is starved for the morning hunt. If the promise is fulfilled, then the winning group hunts first. And the blood is sweeter in the morning. I want our group to win, so, give me a promise that will ensure that Seren chooses us."

I sighed, "Why don't you make a promise then?"

"It's because I have nothing in my head to think but thoughts. My promise is not going to please anyone."