Slay Humans
Elora and Arielle only stepped out of the bookstore after Lia and Hula’s basket was filled with the books they picked. Stepping back into the busy fair, Elora noticed that it was already nighttime.Colorful lights from the stores lit up their path and the shop owners went about their day. Elora was intrigued by how Elyria still bloomed and how everyone still went about their business even in the darkness of the night. According to Hula and Brenda, vampires’ nights were their day but even in mornings and afternoons, they still worked without any difference.It could be because Elyria is barely sunny and the vampires had practiced to live normally in daytime.“I think it’s time to return?” She lightly pulled Arielle who was looking into a store’s basket of fruits and asked.“So soon? We’ve barely had any fun.”Barely?” She thought. They’d explored the entire fair. She was only human and was beginning to tire out. But it seemed like the third princess hot energised with every new thing that she saw.“There is one more place I must take you to before we leave. It’s fun, don’t be scared. Let’s go.”Having no other choice but to follow, she walked behind her until they got to a building at the other end of the fair.“Where is this?” She whisper-asked her, hearing the noise and laughter coming from inside the building.“You’ll see.”Holding her dress, she climbed the three stairs that led to the open door of the building.“Oh my.” The sights that they met with caused her eyes to almost pop out of their sockets. “What…what on earth? Did you bring me to a brothel?”Arielle giggled. “You’re right. This is the place where most people spend their day.”Instantly, Elora began to wonder if she’d made the wrong decision to come to the fair with Arielle. She coughed as the smoke from the countless cigarettes got to her nose.She couldn’t help staring around. Some half-naked women walked around the place with glasses of what she guessed were wine….or blood while others caressed and were all over the men who sat on the sofas.“Most nobles who cheat on their partners always visit this place.”“But it’s stinky.”“That’s the plot.”It made her wonder, does her husband also spend his time in places like this? With women…‘Stop Elora,’ she shook her head and shunned herself instantly.Arielle led her to the other side of the brothel, where at least thirty people sat on a large round wooden table. On the tables were stacks of coins and dice. It was a gamblers’ table. The stench of cigarettes, spiced wine, and sweat assaulted their nostrils.“Ahhh, Mister Soren.” An older vampire whom she guessed was the dealer stepped forward to welcome them. “Such a great day to welcome you.” His gaze shifted to her. “And this beautiful lady… is she your wife?”“Yes.”“Welcome, My Lady.” Before she knew it, the man took her palm and planted a kiss on it. She quickly jerked her hand back and glanced at Arielle beside her who only shrugged with a giggle.Like she was used to the place, Arielle walked to the table where I’ve thirty men sat.“He’s here again.”“You think he’d win again this time?”The men whispered amongst themselves. She dipped her hand into a small pouch cinched on her waist belt and dropped a handful of silver coins. At the sight of the money, the men’s eyes grew wide and they shifted on their seats, their throats bobbing.“You came prepared, huh, Mister Soren. What if you lose all this money?” One rose from his chair.“That should be on me, not you.”His eyes fell on Elora and a smile curled on his lips. Returning his gaze to the table, he spoke. “How about we make it spicer today?” He picked up a cigarette and puffed it on their faces. “If you lose, I’ll have your lady for the night.”Elora’s jaw dropped and she instantly took a step back. “Watch your mouth. I’m not an item to be pawned.” Anger instantly rose in her chest. How dare he think of having her for the night?“It’s a game, My Lady.”Before she could reply to the man in a sharper tone, Arielle dropped the bomb. Fine.”She glanced back at her. “Don’t worry, I never lose.”The dealer stepped forward to ask. “What’s your main, Mister Soren?”“Seven,” she replied.“Seven. That’s a near-impossible main.”“You heard me.”Mused at the turn of events, the other men dropped their bets against her.She picked up the dice, rolled them in her hands several times, and threw them in the air. Several pairs of eyes followed the dice up in the air and once it dropped back to the table, a wave of unbelieving roars erupted. Arielle won the near-impossible main.Several men and women surged toward the table to see the reason for the roars. In the middle of the chaos, Elora didn't realize that she’d been pushed to the far side of the room.She stood on her tiptoes, stretching forward in an attempt to find Arielle or either of her servants. When she found none, she began to move through the crowd. But it was then that she heard it.“It’s fortunate for us. Humans should be eliminated as soon as possible.”She paused. The owner of the voice stood with another man, both leaning casually against the wall right beside her, with a glass of spiced wine each in their hand.“It is a smart move,” the second man said. “They’re lured into our kingdom because they think we vampires are on good terms with them after the wedding. At least, His Highness was sensible enough to deceive them.”“And now that there is permission to slay any human we come across,” the first man added. “Sooner or later, there won’t be a single one left in the world. I believe it’s right that weak creatures don’t exist at all.”A startled breath escaped Elora. She felt her heart take a turn in her chest.‘Slay any human.’ The words echoed through her mind like a church bell. Wasn’t she in Elyria as a tool of alliance between humans and vampires? Wasn’t there a law passed that vampires and humans could operate closely? And that vampires cannot fight or harm humans?It turned out that they’d been deceived by the deceitful creatures. It was all a trap by the vampires. They planned to wipe out humans from the face of the earth.Her mind flew to Rafael. Had he known all these while? She pondered.She wanted to move“The prince truly is ruthless. I doubt the princess still lives.”It was at that moment, she made a decision. She must do something. Something to save herself. Something to save her people!But just before she could begin to search for Arielle, the eyes of the men fell on her.